.. impressed. This "Air Jordan 11 Rare Air" in the 'Shadow' colorway has that classic Jordan 11 silhouette, but the material swap is "immediately" noticeable. It's a full-grain leather upper instead of patent leather, which - honestly - gives it a more... subdued, premium feel right out of the box. For $250 USD, the initial craftsmanship seems solid. Sizing is true-to-fit. The lockdown is secure, no heel slip. After wearing them for a few hours today, I can say the comfort is consistent – not groundbreaking, but no pain points either. Comparing it to other Jordan models, the Rare Air sits in a weird space: it has a flagship look with a mid-tier feel. That's not necessarily bad! It just sets realistic expectations. Great for walks, errands, casual hangs. On foot, the feel is immediately noticeable. The lack of a carbon fiber shank plate makes the Air Jordan 11 Rare Air feel slightly less structured. The cushioning is still decent – it's comfortable for all-day wear – but purists might miss that locked-in, performance-ready sensation of the original 11s. It’s a clear trade-off for a lighter, more casual shoe. On foot now, & this is where the "Air Jordan 11 Rare Air" really sets itself apart. The feel? It's... different. The leather upper is definitely less restrictive than the classic patent leather - it's softer & molds to your foot faster. The cushioning? It's still that familiar Air unit, so comfort is good. But - and it's a "big" but - if you love the stiff, structured hug of a regular 11, this Rare Air version might feel a bit... too relaxed for you.
