Also, if you dislike patent leather's shine and feel, this isn't your shoe. Performance basketball players might want more modern tech. It's a lifestyle icon first, performance shoe second now. Alright, so I just got the Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Gratitude' in hand, and wow - the box alone feels premium. The shoe's patent leather mudguard is "super" glossy and clean in person. For a $225 USD release, the initial quality check seems solid. The iconic Jordan 11 silhouette just never gets old, you know? It's instantly recognizable. Alright, so I just got the Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Gratitude' in hand. First off, the box is clean and the shoe... man, the patent leather cut is just iconic, you know? The black upper with that white midsole pops so hard. For $225 USD, the initial quality feels premium. Let's get these on feet. Now, potential downsides? That patent leather can be stiff at first and might need a break-in period. It's also a scratch magnet - you gotta be careful. The fit can be narrow for some folks. If you have wider feet, you might want to try a half-size up. It's not the most breathable shoe either. Just some real things to consider.
