.. interesting. They're comfortable, don't get me wrong. The cushioning is decent—you get that encapsulated Air unit. But compared to the OG 11 with its carbon fiber, the support here is different. It's lighter on foot, which is a plus for all-day wear. The fit is true to size for me. The Air Jordan 11 Rare Air isn't trying to be a performance beast; it's a lifestyle shoe first. That's clear from the first few steps. Sliding these on… the feel is interesting. They're definitely more "stiff" than a traditional AJ11 at first – that full-grain leather needs to break in. The cushioning? It's fine for casual wear, but don't expect modern, bouncy tech. The lack of that patent leather collar changes the ankle feel completely. It's a different beast in the Jordan 11 Rare Air line, for sure. Who should skip it? Hardcore sneaker collectors who only want authentic retro specs with all the original details — this ain't that. Also, basketball players looking for a modern performance shoe... look elsewhere. The Air Jordan 11 Rare Air is a fashion-forward take. If you need that premium, "special" feel from your Jordans, you might want to save up for a different release. Now, a real talk con: purists might "hate" this. Replacing the patent leather with nubuck or regular leather changes the character completely. That shiny, dress-shoe inspiration is a core part of the AJ11's DNA. The Rare Air version feels more like a casual trainer. Also, at $210, you're in a competitive price bracket. So, if you're after the "authentic" 11 experience? This isn't it. It's an homage, a spinoff—and you gotta be okay with that.
