Introducing the Air Jordan 17: A Sneaker Fit for Jazz and Golf
Back in 2002, sneakerheads were hit with a bombshell – the Air Jordan 17, the most extravagant Air Jordan sneaker at the time, was unveiled. With a jaw-dropping price tag of $200, this seventeenth model of the Air Jordan series was all about Jordan’s post-NBA passions, namely his love for golf and jazz. The design of the shoe paid homage to the world of music, with packaging inspired by the hard cases used by musicians, and the outsole traction imitating the textures of a golf course.
But what made the Air Jordan 17 even more expensive was the cutting-edge cushioning technology incorporated in its construction. Air Jordans were known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, and the XVII was no exception. Featuring a groundbreaking combination of Tuned Air (making its first appearance on an Air Jordan), a full-length TPU shank, and a heel stabilizer, these sneakers were a force to be reckoned with. Oh, and did we mention they even came with a CD-ROM?
Throughout history, the Air Jordan 17 has always been associated with premium pricing. Back then, the lofty price tag was arguably justified, considering the unique and slightly awkward phase of Jordan’s career. Designed by someone other than Tinker Hatfield, and with Jordan himself appearing relatively mortal compared to his iconic run with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s, the $200 price tag in 2002 seemed fair. In today’s dollars, that would translate to nearly $350, but even so, the MSRP for the upcoming Air Jordan 17 Low “Lightning” is simply mind-boggling.
According to sneaker insider @zsneakerheadz, the Lightning 17s, making their first Retro release, will hit stores with an eye-watering MSRP of $300. No special packaging, no CD-ROMs, and no groundbreaking innovations. Just good old-fashioned nostalgia driving consumer sales. But despite their undeniable beauty, this $300 price point might be enough to make us shift our defensive stance. After all, this figure is literally double the original $150 MSRP of the Lightning back in 2002, which was already considered high for a low-top Air Jordan.
Mark your calendars, folks. The highly anticipated Air Jordan 17 Low “Lightning” is set to make its official debut on May 30th, 2024, with a hefty $300 price tag.
In other exciting Jordan news, sneakerheads can look forward to the release of the Jordan 12 “Cherry” on October 28th. Stay tuned for more updates and keep those sneaker rotations fresh!