Air Jordan 30s Features and Timeless Style

The Air Jordan 30 offers a lightweight feel with its Flyknit and fabric-constructed upper. Featuring Nike Zoom cushioning and FlightSpeed technology, the Air Jordan 30 provides top-notch performance with every step. The Jumpman logo branding is illustrated on the durable toecap for a timeless style rich in innovation.

Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith are continually creating innovative sneakers. Hatfield has been at the forefront of shoe creation for years. Some think of the 30 as a Special Edition of the 29s. Even though some of the technology from the Air Jordan was reused in the 30, there are still a few differences that make the shoe distinct.

What Is New in the Air Jordan 30?

The Air Jordan 30 comes with a few new and innovative features that set it apart from previous models in the Air Jordan line. A notable new feature is an ankle with padded knit to provide superior support and lockdown for the wearer's foot. Additionally, the shoe's outsole has been re-engineered to provide better traction and durability while the upper has been updated with Flyweave, a new material that is both lighter and more breathable than the previous model.

The midsole in the Air Jordan 30 is the same that was used in the AJ29. However, there are some new features in this iteration:

●        Padded knit ankle

●        The tongue has an image of Africa and North America

●        The outsole is thicker and has better traction

●        Embedded lenticular beads in the toebox

Jordan 30s Player Exclusives

For those not familiar with Jordan Player Exclusives, they are exclusive releases from the Jordan brand. They combine the timeless design of the Jordan sneakers with a colorway only made for select players. These shoes are often designed to match the player's uniform or to stand out on the court with a unique colorway or style. They will often feature the player's name or initials on the shoe.

Jordan enthusiasts and basketball fans alike are likely to have seen AJ 30s on the court. This line produced several Player Exclusives.

●        Kawhi Leonard's PE has a Spurs-like colorway of grey gradient/black/white. Additionally, the sneaker has the "The Hand" logo on the tongue.

●        LaMarcus Aldridge has a PE with black and silver upper and either a black or grey midsole.

●        Russel Westbrook's Player Exclusive is an OKC-styled sneaker in Photo Blue and Orange as well as an all-white sneaker with midsole in silver.

Hatfield's Design Decisions in the Air Jordan 30s

Tinker Hatfield knows shoe design. A promise that he made in designing Jordan shoes is to not just change a design for the sake of being different. His design choices are based on making high-performance athletic footwear. While this smacks of function over fashion, he has still managed to make the Air Jordans fashionable over the years. A lot worked in the Jordan 29s, and Mark Russell and Hatfield made the command design decision to include the 29s functionality in the 30s.

Releases from the Jordan 30s

The 29 aimed to be a shoe for those who wanted to push boundaries. The 30 didn't push many boundaries but still ended up being a quality series from Jordan. In 2016, Air Jordan celebrated its 30th anniversary with a legendary sneaker: The Air Jordan 30. The shoe design was by Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith, and it pays homage to Michael Jordan's iconic photo in 1988. It features a "XXX" on the heel, the famous Jumpman logo, and uppers in FlightSpeed woven textile.

Air Jordan 30 "Black Cat"

 The Air Jordan 30 "Black Cat" is a great-looking shoe from the Air Jordan line. The black colorway is simple but effective, and the white Jumpman logo pops nicely against the blue backdrop of the front of the outsole. The 30s Africa and North American medallions on the tongues really pop against the black of the sneaker. The icy blue outsole is in stark comparison to the rest of the sneakers. The "Black Cat" nickname comes from Michael Jordan's nickname.

Air Jordan 30 "Gym Red" AKA "Bulls"

 The Air Jordan 30 "Gym Red" features a Chicago Bulls color scheme. Colorful woven uppers meld into a black trim with an icy outsole. The sneaker blends red and black gradients fading from red to black towards the heel. The sneaker is completed with the outsole in icy white and hints of blue.

Air Jordan 30 Quai 54 "Cosmos"

 Take a dip into the cosmos with these galactic-inspired Air Jordan 30 Quai 54 sneakers. This sneaker features a gradient ice outsole, galaxy-like cosmos graphic print on the woven upper, holographic toe caps, and the Quai 54 logo on the tongue of the right shoe.

Air Jordan 30 "Wolf Grey"

 The Air Jordan 30 is the latest addition to the Air Jordan line of shoes. The 30 features a white, wolf grey, and black color scheme and is made with Flyknit, a new type of fabric that is lighter and more comfortable than previous materials. The 30 also has a new outsole design for better traction and durability. This version of Jordans and so many more are available on eBay.

Air Jordan 30 "UNC"

 This colorway is inspired by Michael Jordan's college days at North Carolina University, a classic pairing of white and blue. Jordan Brand honors the Tar Heels and school tradition with this Air Jordan 30, rocking a UNC-inspired colorway of white, university blue, and black.

Custom Kicks

A notable custom version of the Jordan 30s was made for Shane McMahon. During Wrestlemania 32, McMahon wore a pair of this line. The sneakers were black and had McMahon's moniker across the sides.

Future Releases of the Air Jordan 30

After the release of the highly anticipated Jordan 31, many fans moved on from the 30 line. However, there's still hope for the future of Jordan 30. With a new design team, some fresh ideas, there's potential for the line to make a comeback in the future. A return to form going forward should recapture the magic of the early days of the line. When it first launched, Jordan 30 was about innovation and performance. If the Jordan Brand can bring that back to future releases of the 30, there's no reason why they can't be one of the best lines in sneakers again.

Jordan sneakers always focus on quality, and newer materials may be added in the future. Using updated materials for Retro’s is the Jordan modus operandi, but slight improvements could bring new fans to this line. While there's nothing wrong with wanting your sneakers to look good, it's important to remember that form follows function. With that in mind, hopefully Jordan Brand will continue to focus on functional and great designs.