Jordan Brand has a new lifestyle shoe on the way called the Jordan Vail, and we got an early look at it during the Black Footwear Forum in Detroit. VP of Global Footwear Dominique Debnam wore the unreleased pair on stage with James Whitney and Dr. D’Wayne Edwards. Jordan Brand has not announced the shoe yet, so there is still a lot we do not know.
From what we can see so far, the Vail is pretty different from most Jordan models. It has a mid-cut shape with an inner bootie around the ankle, while mesh covers most of the upper. The whole shoe looks light and simple, especially compared to the layered builds usually seen on Jordan basketball sneakers.
The sole is kept pretty basic too. There is no bulky midsole or visible cushioning unit. Instead, the Vail sits low on a thin rubber sole that looks mostly flat from the side.
The laces are what stand out the most. They run across the top of the foot, then appear to wrap around the ankle before tying behind the heel. The extra lace hanging down in back gives the shoe a look that almost resembles a ponytail.
That could be a small connection to Jordan Brand’s recent women’s footwear. The Jordan Heir Series 2 has a hair tie at the heel, inspired by players tying their hair back before games. The Vail does something different, but the idea feels somewhat similar.
The first pair shown comes in red and black, which gives it a familiar Jordan look without leaning heavily on older Air Jordan designs. Most of the shoe feels new, and it seems aimed more at everyday wear than basketball.
A release date for the Jordan Vail has yet to be announced.
Stay up to date with all upcoming Air Jordan releases from our Air Jordan Release Dates page.
Photos: Kustoo
