Air Jordan 13(XIII) Retro “Flint”

AIR JORDAN XIII

http://www.cradleshoestrade.com/productlist.asp?id=n1339

For the 1997-1998 season, designer Tinker Hatfield — inspired by Michael's cat-like play — drew up the AJ XIII. (He didn't realize Michael's friends had already nicknamed him "The Black Cat.")

The hologram on the upper resembled the eye of a panther and the outsole had a paw-like design. The XIII featured heel and forefoot Zoom Air, a Phylon midsole and podular tooling, making it one of the most comfortable Air Jordans in the series. A carbon fiber midfoot shank and asymmetrical collar were also featured on the XIII.

The Air Jordan XIII was originally released in five mid colorways and two low colors. Jordan wore the AJ XIII throughout the 1997-1998 season and into the playoffs (until he introduced the AJ XIV in the 1998 NBA Finals against the Jazz). Michael wore the white-based colorways of the XIII at home and the black-based versions on the road throughout the season.

Spread of Fakes

The Air Jordan 13 was the first Jordan shoe to be made in China rather than Taiwan and was copied to no end. There was a large number of fake Jordan 13′s that hit the streets in every ugly color combination imaginable.

More Retros

The Retro Jordan 13′s were welcomed and sold quite well. Jordan released only 2 colorways before Christmas including the ever so famous Black/Red Jordan 13 December 22nd. In 2005, Jordan released 10 more colorways which many saw as ridiculous. Low cuts were never a fan of Jordan collectors, and Jordan released 6 colorways in the low cut.