Earlier this week, Jordan introduced the Jordan Fly Wade, Dwyane Wade's first signature shoe with the Jordan Brand and the lightest-ever Jordan basketball shoe. With four colorways scheduled in the first two months, this is a big rollout. So let's anticipate and answer some of your questions.
1) WHO DESIGNED IT? This was a joint effort between Tom Luedecke (designer of the Hyperdunk, the Kobe VI and the Air Jordan 2011, among other projects) and longtime Nike designer and Jordan Creative Director Mark Smith, who worked with Tinker Hatfield on the Air Jordan 2010. Also, Dwyane Wade may have had some input.
2) WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WHOLE INTERCHANGABLE MIDSOLE THING? Nothing happened to it. In fact, in a parallel universe, the Jordan Fly Wade IS the Air Jordan 2011. Smith had concepted the Fly Wade as the Air Jordan 2011 before Tinker had his "Choose Your Flight" eureka moment. Once he did, the Air Jordan 2011 and what would become the Fly Wade diverged. The Air Jordan 2011 went lux, and the Fly Wade went light. Besides, the Fly Wade utilizes both EXPLOSIVE and QUICK with Max Air in the heel and Zoom Air up front. The whole best of both worlds kind of thing you could find in old Pennys.
3) SO WHY DOES DWYANE WADE NEED A SIGNATURE SHOE ANYWAY? It's not like it's unprecedented — he had a couple sigs with Converse before moving over to Jordan — and it's not like he's occupying ground otherwise taken by other Jordan athletes. Wade actually slots neatly in between Melo and Chris Paul as a solid but quick player who needs a lightweight shoe that he'll still be able to, in Smith's words, "beat the sh*t out of."
4) JUST HOW LIGHT IS LIGHTWEIGHT ANYWAY? The Fly Wade comes in at a touch over 13 ounces, which makes it the lightest Jordan basketball shoe ever. (A title held briefly by the Air Jordan 2011 at 14.6 ounces.) Is that light enough for you?
5) MAYBE. WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN EVEN LIGHTER IF IT WAS A LOWTOP? WHY NOT DO A LOW? Dwyane explains that better than we can, so just watch this video:
