Air Jordan 對我來說就代表著每年的期盼, 每次的等待, 在讀完SoleCollector的 Air Jordan XX2 專刊之後, 看到設計師Dwayne Edwards為AJ22身上每一個細節都賦予功能及設計上的意義, 深以為 Air Jordan XX2 是少數幾款讓對設計龜毛的人們得到滿足的一款鞋, 而 Air Jordan XX2 在球場上的表現又是如何? 以下的報告跟各位同好分享~~
反應性
Air Jordan 22最特別的地方是就是後跟的反應,套上去之後會感覺到腳後跟有很明顯的避震感,使用zoom air版本的IPS感覺尤其明顯,甚至會有東西頂住腳底的感覺,加上double stacked zoom air的彈性,就會有腳跟一直被向前推的感覺,原本以為是由於中底與外底的造型,迫使得IPS往後挪所造成,但實際與Air Jordan 21比較會發現,其實兩者的IPS位置相差不多,所以我猜這種異物感是由於double stack的zoom反應性「特強」所造成,換上了Air Sole版本的IPS果然消除許多異物感,但不論如何,對於持續在場上跑動的球員來說,這種異物感在場上是很容易被忽略的,對我來說,Air Sole的版本還是比較適合我,double stacked zoom的版本像是不斷提醒你在場上跑動,讓我覺得喘不過氣來,另外值得注意的是前掌的IPS這次也加入了air sole,你可以感覺到大拇指下的避震效果(紅色區域),AJ21相較起來前掌比較貼地,對於反應性來說,我喜歡AJ22的快速但是AJ21較大的外底與前後的外緣支架(outrigger)提供了較佳的掌控性.
The most significant part of AJXX2 is the responsiveness in the heel. You will feel the cushioning in the heel strongly and sufficiently especially when you use the double stack zoom air pods; you will even feel the pods are pushing your heels with the double stack zoom air units. In the beginning, I thought this feeling is owing to the outlook design of midsole which force IPS structure moving backwards close to the heel, but if compared it with AJXX1, you will see that the IPS structure position is pretty much the same. In this case I guess that this “pushing” feeling is due to the strong responsiveness of double stack zoom air. After changing these pods to air sole unit, the strange feeling is disappeared. However, for players who run all around the court, this “pushing” feeling is easily ignored. As to me, I prefer air sole unit. The double stack zoom air is just like keep reminding me running on the court, which make me feel breathless. Apart from IPS in the heel, there is also air sole in the forefoot. You can feel the cushioning right below your big toe (the red part). Compared with AJXX1, AJXX1 provides a feeling of “low to the ground”. However, as to responsiveness, I like the fast responsiveness of AJXX2, but the bigger outsole and outrigger provide me with better domination.
踝部支撐
踝部支撐部分,Air Jordan 21有著較高的鞋身以及額外的鞋帶孔,讓AJ21有著較優秀的包覆感,但是在支撐性上頭,Air Jordan 22其實是毫不遜色,多半是以內藏形式存在的後跟穩定器(heel counter),AJ22卻反而拿了出來,體積也加大,搭配上鞋身的TPU透氣孔,鞋身所能提供側向的支撐是比AJ21還來得多,從圖中可以看到側向的變形AJ22控制得很好又不會有過多拘束,這點讓人十分驚喜,不過AJ21的後跟內側有外緣支架(outrigger)當幫手,AJ22的後跟的菱形外底潰縮的很快,對穩定性來說沒有太大幫助,所以AJ21的穩定性還是比AJ22好的,在穩定性與側項支撐兩者互有勝出,一來一往之間,可以說AJ21有較佳的包覆感,但是AJ22會是比較有效保護速度型球員的款式.
As to the ankle support, although AJXX1 has higher collar and additional eyelets, which give wearers better coverage, AJXX2 is a bit better in the support aspect. It is considered that the heel counter is brought out from the heel and it’s bigger than it used to be. With the TPU air vent, the upper performs better than AJXX1 for horizontal moves. You can see from the picture that the AJXX2 maintains the form of itself and provides excellent flexibility, which are the advantages of AJXX2. However, with the outrigger of AJXX1, the stability is better than AJXX2 and the diamond shape of AJXX2 heel wear out quickly, which is a drawback for stability. All in all, AJXX1 is better than AJXX2 in the stability aspect, and for horizontal support, AJXX2 is better. You can say that AJXX1 has better protection and AJXX2 is designed for high speed players.
Traction is always the impressive part of AJXX1. The DNA pattern provides the excellent traction for every step. Even if you play in AJXX1 on the dusty ground, you can still run as there is no dust at all. On the other hand, the transparent outsole of AJXX2 keeps me worrying in the beginning cause AJX1 and AJXX gave me some unpleasant experience with their transparent outsole. However, this time I wore my AJXX2 for the pilot study carefully, the result was quite satisfactory. You can obviously feel the material of outsole helps the traction a lot. If you feel the AJXX1 help you “bite” the ground, you will feel AJXX2 makes you “stick” to the court. Moreover, the modified outsole pattern also provides wearers with better sense of security. It is believed that the terrible traction on the wet floor with AJXX1 will be improved, although I still don’t want to step on water with AJXX2. If you are interested in getting wet with your AJXX2, please feel free to leave your result here after testing.
Undoubtedly, AJXX1 attracted me in the first place with the incredible comfort; on the contrary, AJXX2 does not have that kind of luxurious stuffing and fine points. However, AJXX2 outweighs AJXX1 with two points: forefoot air sole and lace lockers. Wearing AJXX1 after one year, I cannot feel the responsiveness in the forefoot IPS. If you really compare AJXX2 and AJXX1 together, that might be just not fair, especially with the forefoot air sole in the AJXX2. When it comes to the lace locker, the performance is just awesome. You can easily tight your laces up without any problem. The bigger last and extra luxurious tongue of AJXX1 are drawbacks of AJXX1. If you tight up your AJXX1 with those three eyelets on the top, your feet will get lost in AJXX1.
After wearing AJXX1 one year, the durability of AJXX1 lives up to my expectation. Although wearing AJX1 indoor, outdoor, for jogging or window shopping, all you need to do is to clean AJXX1 up a bit and the performance is still good. As to AJXX2, the craftsmanship is far more than I can expect especially for lace locker; they really make AJXX2 easier than AJXX1 in wearing aspect. However, that black part of midsole somehow leaves stains on the medial side of AJXX2. Everytime after wearing AJXX2, I have to clean them up with tech sponge. Although it is not a big problem to me, you just feel awful when you see the scratches on your new boxter, don’t you? In addition, the problem of transparent outsole. It just turns yellow quickly when you touch water with AJXX2. If you don’t wear them, the outsole will oxidize on the surface and turn your AJXX2 into a skating shoe. All I can say is, since you have already bought AJXX2, please just wear it!
AJXX1 and AJXX2 are two Air Jordans that you can’t let go. They just won’t let you down. Even if MJ only exists in DVD or youtube sometimes, I still deeply expect that the life cycle of beauty of outlook and mechanism can be extended in Jordan brand; because I can feel the purity of chasing a sense of silence and beauty.