Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan 11 during the 1995 NBA playoffs after returning to basketball.
Tinker Hatfield designed the model, which combined a ballistic-mesh upper with a patent-leather mudguard. That glossy leather panel gave the shoe a formal, dress-shoe-like appearance while retaining basketball performance features such as a carbon-fiber spring plate.
Jordan wore the black-and-white version during the 1995 postseason, including the NBA Finals. The shoe then received major attention when a white-and-black colorway appeared in the film Space Jam, released in 1996.
The Air Jordan 11 is often confused with the Air Jordan 12 because both are associated with Jordan’s championship era. The 11 is identifiable by its patent-leather strip and translucent outsole, while the 12 uses a different upper construction.