Jordan 11 Retro Low

This regal Jordan 11 Retro Low was created to honour the achievements of American athletes at the 2016 Olympics, in particular the gold-medal-winning basketball team. As such, it goes by the moniker Closing Ceremony and features various eye-catching golden highlights. Its outsole begins with the familiar translucent rubber infused with a pale blue tint. Solid black sections reside below the forefoot and heel, each delivering excellent traction through their use of herringbone grip lines. Positioned behind these features is a graphite-coloured carbon fibre plate that helps to support the foot. Subtle pops of light grey delineate a gentle honeycomb pattern across its surface, which is accented in the centre by a large white Jumpman logo. Above this sturdy piece of performance technology is a white Phylon foam midsole with an Air-cushioned interior that further bolsters the level of comfort offered to the wearer.

Then, the upper brings a striking look to the sneaker with its Metallic Gold patent leather mudguard. Its lustrous exterior has an appealing shimmer that extends around the entire circumference of the shoe, before the quarter panel switches to a premium and elegant white tumbled leather. This lightly dappled material has also been used on the heel overlay and the top of the tongue, for a cohesively graceful effect over the top of the foot. A black branding strip loops over the centre of the tongue, white Jordan and Jumpman text woven through it either side of a Metallic Gold Jumpman logo. Another much larger one of these dynamic emblems of the Jordan Brand stands out boldly on the black insole, once again in Metallic Gold. It contrasts perfectly with the black inner lining and the back of the tongue as well, which itself has a small Jumpman on the square patch sewn into it.

Returning to the outer, more opulent details can be found on the back of the shoe. Firstly, Jordan’s traditional jersey number of 23 has been stamped in radiant Metallic Gold tones onto the black heel tab that forms out of the inner lining. Then, just below this in the centre of the heel panel is a mini Metallic Gold Jumpman whose fine embroidery completes the sneaker with a luxurious flourish.