Facts
| Top: | High |
|---|---|
| Inspired from: | Basketball |
| Collection: | Jordan Lifestyle Shoes |
| Closure: | Laces |
| Material: | Leather, Mesh, Rubber Sole, Air Sole |
| Features: | Breathable |
| Price: | €220 |
| Colorways: | White, Red, Blue, Black |
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The high-cut construction of the Jordan Spizike shoe did not disappoint the wearers as it provides excellent ankle support. It also features a lace-up closure system that gives a customizable yet secure fit on foot, while a heel tab helps in easy on and off wearing. The overall hold and support of the Spizike are excellent, considering that it is based on a basketball shoe silhouette.
The Jordan Spizike is a high-top basketball-inspired sneaker with several noteworthy design elements taken from other iconic Jordan shoes. A stylish and sporty-looking Jordan lifestyle shoe, this hybrid is an excellent fashion staple one could wear more off the court than for playing in.
However, the complexity of its design and colors (for some colorways) make the Jordan Spizike a less versatile pair in the style department. It limits one's outfit choices as it is crucial to find the correct set of wardrobe that would still look stylish and visually pleasing when paired with these high tops. The Jordan Spizike also features a variable lacing system, which allows wearers to try several lacing style options for a variety of looks.
Styling Tips for Wearing Jordan Spizike
- Wear a pair of Jordan Spizike in black with khaki pants or trousers and a denim jacket with a plain black shirt underneath for a simple yet stylish look.
- Coordinate the colors of your shoes with the rest of your outfit. You can wear a pair of Jordan Spizike in red with denim jeans, a plain V-neck navy shirt, and a red jacket for a casual look.
- For the ladies, pair your Air Jordan Spizike with jeans, shirt, and black leather jacket combo like Jessica Biel, or with joggers like Rihanna.
What makes the Jordan Spizike a one-of-a-kind sneaker is that it is a fusion of signature design elements of several famous Air Jordan shoes. Each feature stands out individually in their way, but somehow collectively makes the entirety of the shoe attractive for Jordan followers and even the general market. Regardless of colorway, the elephant print detailing almost always gives an oomph on the upper. The visible air sole unit is still there as well, similar to the heel tab and the signature lace locks.
Design Inspirations of the Jordan Spizike
The Jordan Spizike took inspirations from iconic Air Jordan models. Adopted from the Air Jordan III is the eye-catching elephant print design accent on the forefoot and heel as well as the entire midsole and outsole. The Air Jordan IV's side wings are seen on the Spizike as well, while the main silhouette is a nod to the AJ V. Borrowed elements from the Air Jordan VI, on the other hand, are the tongue and lace locks, and inspired by the Air Jordan IX is the heel tab. Lastly is the design details from the Air Jordan XX which are seen on the sockliner print and laser-engraved detailing.
On October 21, 2006, the Jordan brand released the Jordan Spizike as a tribute to the vital relationship of Michael Jordan and film director and actor Spike Lee. Lee appeared alongside Jordan in a series of commercial advertisements for the Jordan shoes as his "She's Gotta Have It" character Mars Blackmon. The campaign, which ran from the late 1980s to early 1990s, left a mark in the sneaker advertising world and largely contributed to putting the Air Jordan shoes on the map.
The Jordan Spizike is a Jordan hybrid that fuses vital design elements of popular Jordan models such as the Air Jordan III, IV, V, VI, IX, and XX altogether. Its main silhouette is a take from the Air Jordan V, while the midsole and outsole, and elephant print detailing are borrowed elements from the Air Jordan III. The Air Jordan IV's influence is apparently visible through the side wings, whereas the tongue and lace locks are derived from the VI. The heel tab from the Air Jordan IX can also be seen on this model, and the print on the sockliner and laser-engraved detailing are from the XX. Initially, the Spizike was released in limited quantities of only 4,032 pairs.
The Spizike is no ordinary J’s. Its introduction to the sneaker market gained mixed reactions from consumers since most sneakerheads during that time were not initially warm in welcoming a hybrid of their favorite Michael Jordan shoe silhouettes.
In 2007, the Spizike received seven new colorways released in more significant quantity including a women-exclusive release (after the four men-exclusive colorways) and an online exclusive with special packaging using a messenger bag. The "King's County" colorway, on the other hand, was the first release of the Spizike that is also offered in grade school sizes. It was also in the same year when the Spizike first dropped a colorway (white and cement gray) that is available in full-family sizing, which was also a general release.
By 2009, the Spizike received a “winterized” iteration as a sneaker cleat fit for the holidays. Furthermore, five new colorways were introduced for the Jordan Brand’s Silver Anniversary in 2010, and another eight colorways from 2012 to 2013. It was also debuted on NikeID.
The first retro release of the Spizike happened in the summer of 2014. The Jordan brand released about 29,032 pairs of the OG white, red, and green colorway, or 25,000 more than the quantities released in 2006. They were men-exclusive, and each pair was numbered on the hang tag.
The famous silhouette came back again in 2017 initially through the 2007's "white/cement" colorway and a new AJ 3-inspired "black/cement" colorway, both for $175. Several other colorways followed, and the Spizike continues to be relevant as it has ever been.
Notable Jordan Spizike Releases
The Jordan Spizike has been made available in countless colorways since it launched, and below are just some of the releases that stand out:
Jordan Spizike Do the Right Thing
Released on September 15, 2007, is the Do the Right Thing Spizike shoe, otherwise known as the Jordan Spizike DTRT, which commemorates the movie poster for Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” movie through its white, blue, and yellow color scheme. Indeed a standout colorway of the Spizike, the shoe flaunts a distinctive bright yellow paint splatter highlights that contrast the blue and white upper.
Each pair of these blue and white Jordan Spizike shoes dropped for $175.
Jordan Spizike white cement
Initially released in 2007 is the iconic "white cement" colorway of the hybrid Spizike shoe, which is also referred to as the OG White Cement colorway. 10 years later on June 20, 2017, Jordan brought back the highly acclaimed white Spizike shoe as part of its 10th Anniversary celebrations. The 2017 drop retailed for $175.
Jordan Spizike black cement
Released in July 2017 is another famed colorway of the hybrid Jordan shoe, the Jordan Spizike Black Cement. It followed the re-release of the Spizike's White Cement colorway, and it also served as teaser release to the return of the Air Jordan 3 black cement in 2018. The Jordan Spizike Black/Black-Varsity Red-Cement Gray retailed for $175 a pair.
Jordan Spizike Oreo
Another popular Air Jordan Spizike in black is the Spizike Oreo colorway. It features a black base leather upper with hints of cool grey all throughout, which sits atop a clean white sole unit to fit the “Oreo” color scheme. The shoe dropped on May 20, 2015, for $175 a pair.
Jordan Spizike Bordeaux
Released on February 4, 2012, is an exciting colorway of the Spike Lee-inspired Jordan silhouette called the Jordan Spizike Bordeaux. The high-top Swoosh features vibrant colors inspired by the Air Jordan 7 Bordeaux. The upper comes with mostly grey color with hints of laser blue, varsity red, varsity maize, and classic green throughout. The laces are presented in university red that match the accent on the heel. Like most Spizike releases, this one also dropped for $175 a pair.
Jordan Spizike wolf grey
The Jordan Spizike Wolf Grey, with an official colorway of wolf grey/black-white-gym red, dropped for $175 on December 10, 2014. The familiar colorway features a grey-based upper with hints of black contrast on the tongue, heel, and mudguard. The signature elephant print detailing is still seen on the forefoot and heel areas, while speckled details are exhibited on the heel and quarter panel overlays. The laces match the grey upper, but pops of red are visible on the outsole, inner linings, lace webbing, and a heel pull tab.
Jordan Spizike Concord
The Concord colorway is another addition to the list of Jordan Spizike in black and purple. Considered as one of the newest releases for the hybrid Jordan, the shoe just dropped in October 2018 in preparation of the NBA Season. It apparently took inspiration from the Air Jordan 11 Concord and gives the nod to the Sacramento Kings with its purple and black color scheme. Like other Jordan Spizike sneakers for men, the Jordan Spizike Concord retailed for $175 a pair.
- The leather and synthetic upper contributes to the shoe’s overall durability
- There are mesh side panels that allow foot ventilation.
- The collar is sufficiently padded for enhanced fit and in-shoe comfort.
- The Spizike’s influence also reached the music community. The 2008 song “It’s All About the Air Jordans” by A Day After Tomorrow band was about a pair of Jordan Spizikes. Coldplay’s Chris Martin also wore a NikeID-customized pair of Jordan Spizike during the band’s international A Head Full of Dreams Tour.
- The Jordan Spizike is a favorite among celebrities with the likes of Usher, Mark Wahlberg, Ludacris, Rihanna, Jessica Biel, Trey Songz, DJ Funk Flex, Jim Jones, Justin Bieber, Bow Wow, Mike Epps, and Spike Lee.