Air Jordan 20

The Air Jordan 20 would launch in 2005, which means it was Nike and Jordan Brand’s 20th anniversary. Tinker Hatfield had not designed for Jordan Brand since the Air Jordan XV, but it was Gentry Humphries’ (Footwear Business Director) idea to have him design the Air Jordan XX. It took Tinker about five seconds before he responded with a yes.


Inspirations for the Air Jordan 20 came from custom trumpets, motorcycle tires and racing boots. David Monette, who designs custom trumpets and engraves designs (better known as lasering) was the cause of the Air Jordan XX for having the lasering on the mid foot strap. Mark Smith (Nike’s laser expert) came to design the midfoot strap. Now if you look close on the mid foot strap on the AJ XX you will notice symbols. Each symbol represents an experience MJ has had in his life. Here is some examples of what was on the shoe, and reasons for them:

1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo - Michael sitting in the back seat represented with his mom (Deloris), bringing him along to her office when Michael was grounded.
The Bus Driver cap with golf clubs crossed - When you played a game with Michael in golf and you lost, you had to wear a bus driver cap on the walk back from the clubhouse.
Toolbox with the word POPs - This symbol was for the late and great James Jordan (Michael’s Father R.I.P.), who could fix almost anything around the house.
44DT - For Hall of Fame David “Skywalker” Thompson, who Michael looked up to in the mid 1970’s.

The specs on the Air Jordan XX are insane, and since its Jordan Brand, you know already they were going to have the best technology. Some of the great qualities are: I.P.S.(Independent Podular Suspension) “pods”, internal shank plate, phylon mid sole, and a cool strap to make the shoe feel a little more “secured” to your foot. When the Air Jordan XX released in 2005 a total of three colorways, plus a “Regional Pack”, (that also contained three colorways) retail was $175.00. One pair of Lows and 3/4 model released for $125.00.

The Air Jordan 20 (XX) was released in 2005. “Welcome to the future”, was one of the leading slogans in the advertising campaign for Air Jordan 20 (XX). Laser etched lace covers and the brand new I.P.S. (Independent Podular Suspension) technology made up for this somewhat bold marketing.

Tinker’s back
Tinker Hatfield returned to the driver seat when it came to the design of the Air Jordan 20 (XX). Finding inspiration from cycling shoes and motorcycle tires he created a shoe that celebrated the 20 year history of Air Jordan’s. On the heel you would find the figures 85 and 05 embedded in the mesh and the lace covers were laser etched with a massive amount of symbols representing different stages in MJ’s and AJ’s life.

I.P.S.
I.P.S. (Independent Podular Suspension) was a brand new suspension technology developed for the Air Jordan 20 (XX). A solution where individual pods supported the foot in key areas - yep, pretty similar to the Shox.