This fall, a new model will be released in the popular Jordan series. Mao Okada, who once belonged to the Toyota Boshoku Sunshine Rabbits as a basketball player and is currently active in the 3×3 field, presented the latest work in the series “JORDAN HEIR” at a basketball clinic held at her alma mater, Nagoya Keizai University Takakura High School. (Jordan Air)” and taught students as a guest. What is the comfort and performance of JORDAN HEIR that attracts club members? I sneaked into the clinic to find out.
■Excellent specs that allow you to show off your true potential even with individual techniques that make small cuts, allowing you to immerse yourself in the game.
Mao Okada instructing her juniors
This day’s workout involved many movements such as inverts that moved left and right, turns, and other movements that stopped suddenly and then started running, so the shoes needed to have specs that would allow for sudden starts and stops.
JORDAN HEIR’s grip is effective, so you can stop quickly even when turning left and right.
Students who tried on the JORDAN HEIR said, “The grip was good, it was easy to stop, and it had a good sense of stability.” “The insole was squishy.” “It was a good fit and easy to wear.I can wear it in threes.” “It’s close to the ground. “I feel like I’m following the director directly,” one person said.
■Alpine Group staff highly recommended! The appeal of JORDAN HEIR, perfect for club students
What is the secret to achieving the wonderful comfort felt by the students at the clinic? Let’s ask Kosuke Yano (left) and Toshigo Shiroyama (right), staff members of the Alpen Group who are well-versed in shoe knowledge, to find out more.
–Some students have complained that the insole feels squishy.
Yano: Due to the structure of shoes, the sole usually consists of three layers: an insole, a midsole that provides cushioning, and an outsole that provides durability and grip. However, this time it’s called drop-in, and the insole and midsole are made of one material.
The Cushlon 3.0 foam midsole is in the area where your foot rests, so I think it’s easier to experience cushioning than other shoes. By omitting the insole, you can return quickly, and you can move on to your next move right away.
Shiroyama: We have also succeeded in reducing weight by integrating the cushion and insole. The drop-in has a notch, so it has very high bending strength. I think its best feature is that it is easy to move, so anyone can handle it.
–What is JORDAN HEIR’s unique strength?
Yano: In the case of signature models like Jordan’s, the shoes are made to match the player’s specialty. Jordans spend so much time in the air that they are nicknamed “Air Jordans.” That’s why conventional shoes are often equipped with Zoom Air, which creates rebound.
However, this time there is no Air because it is drop-in and uses a single material. Some players don’t like having parts in the midsole, so in that sense, I think these shoes can be recommended even for people who don’t usually wear Nike.
Shiroyama: Air isn’t everything in the Jordan series either, but I think each and every technical ability is what makes Jordan so good. In this case, it uses a technology called the Adaptive Fit System, which holds the sides of the upper tightly in place when the shoelaces are tightened.
Yano: The upper needs to be breathable, so the upper part of the foot is mesh. Hard parts are added on top to maintain stability. Basketball is a sport that involves a lot of back-and-forth, so if your center of gravity goes all the way, your foot inside the shoe will spill out. This can cause a sprain.
The upper part of the instep is what stops your foot when it goes too far. The fit is very good and you can feel the lightness on your feet. High school students are more about speed than physicality. Since running ability is important, I think these shoes are suitable for students in that respect as well.
–How was it watching the students play up close?
Shiroyama: In an environment where anyone can practice skills, I think there are fewer opportunities to receive face-to-face instruction like this. I think Mr. Okada’s presence made the event a chance for people to hone their skills face-to-face while also getting a feel for the quality of our shoes. JORDAN HEIR is a shoe that is very easy to move in, so I think it’s the perfect pair for club students or those who are starting to wear Nike shoes. I would love for you to try it.
Yano: Until now, I had no idea how other people would feel when wearing them, but the students said they were really good, so I can confidently recommend them to customers. Drop-in cushioning and flexibility. We would like to spread the words we received from high school students today, such as grip and lightness, to our stores.
■Mao Okada talks! JORDAN HEIR’s amazing technology that is close to students
In the second half, we asked Mao Okada, who taught at the clinic, about her thoughts on her alma mater and her juniors, and what she recommends about JORDAN HEIR.
–How was it doing the basketball clinic?
First of all, I was happy to be able to hold an event at my alma mater. When I was in high school, I wasn’t taught many skills, so this time I focused on that. I think just learning about movements that you don’t do often will be stimulating. Because knowledge is an asset. I think there are a lot of high school students who are worried. I hope that today’s content will be of some use to the children who are thinking, “I want to play more games” or “I’m not doing well in games.”
–How would you like to be involved with students in the future?
I would like to teach people things I wish I had known when I was in high school, and spread the word so that people can feel the joy of getting better at something they love. I don’t think it’s all about getting good at sports. Even though we conflict about what our roles are within the team, we all work together to achieve our goals. Learn about trial and error to get there, and think about diet and health management. Make me a HAB and let me know about your knowledge and the world. I wish I could be that kind of person.
–How do you feel about wearing JORDAN HEIR?
I have a thing for “grip life,” but the JORDAN HEIR stops really quickly, which I think Japanese people like. It’s light, but feels sturdy. I wear amazing Jordans in 38, 39 and Air, but I was surprised that they didn’t have Air this time. It feels like it’s firmly gripping the floor. At first I thought it was a strange insole, but it turns out that the insole and midsole are integrated. There’s no Air so it’s not bumpy, and the insole is flat. I thought it would be stiff, but when I tried moving it, it didn’t bother me that much. I don’t feel any strain on my feet even after wearing them, and I think they’re perfect for people who have been wearing shoes without Air to make their Jordan debut.
–How comfortable are they to wear?
I think it’s just right because it fits well. It doesn’t feel stuffy either. It has a good hold, but the fabric is light so it has a good balance. Bash shoes need to be sturdy for larger people to wear, but I think they are great for girls who tend to move more easily. The insole and midsole are integrated, so they won’t peel off, and the upper protects them, so I feel like they’ll last a long time.
When you wear out the shoes, they tend to tear from the sides, but since a sturdy material is used between the sole and the top fabric, I don’t think they will tear. The design is not too stiff, it has a nice elaborate feel and is really cute. I think it’s easy to express your individuality with a pop of color.
–Finally, please give a message to all the students.
The time I spend playing basketball so hard right now is so precious. I’m sure there are many things to worry about, but be positive and believe that it will lead to your growth. Rather than trying to change something external, I want people to change their own minds and overcome obstacles. I want them to think about changing their mindset and the way they do things, and to come up with ways to have as much fun doing what they like as possible. I think the day will come when I grow up and think that it was a very good experience.
JORDAN HEIR is on limited pre-sale at 104 Sports Depot Alpen stores until November 4th (Monday/Holiday)
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Click here for target stores
■Product lineup
JORDAN HEIR FZ2473-100 ¥14,300 (tax included)
JORDAN HEIR FQ3859-006 ¥14,300 (tax included)
JORDAN HEIR FZ2473-018 ¥14,300 (tax included)
■JORDAN HEIR special page
