Double Tap to Zoom
Nike
1 / 3

Brand: J Balvin x Nike

Model: Air Jordan 2

Release Date: September 15

Price: $300

Buy: Online at Nike SNKRS

Editor's Notes: Earning the opportunity to get your own set of Nikes is every sneaker fan's dream. No, I'm not talking about creating a personal pair of Dunk Lows on Nike By You (previously known as NikeiD), but an official collaboration with your name proudly stamped.

Plenty have earned their stripes in the Swoosh hall of fame, with athlete sponsorship deals led by Michael Jordan, LeBron James, the late Kobe Bryant, and Zion Williamson. Music artists' contributions certainly aren't lacking in numbers, with Billie Eilish, Travis Scott, Ye, G-Dragon, and Kendrick Lamar have all struck gold with Nike at least once.

You'll notice with these team-ups that not everyone gets the chance to play around with the Air Jordan family. Of course, an artist has some choice in the matter, but the Jordan line-up tends to be reserved for the biggest of stars, like Travis and Eilish. Even then, the most popular silhouettes (such as the AJ4) are restricted further.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

For a global superstar like J Balvin, Nike's catalog is at your disposal.

Having already tinkered with the Air Jordan 1 High, resulting in an extremely bold finish that paired roughly sewn overlays with a heat map-like palette swap.

Next up – the Air Jordan 2. Although drastically stripped-back compared to his AJ1, Balvin's version of this year's most popular Jordan silhouette certainly doesn't lack detail.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

A blue upper comparable to that of Union's Dunk Lows is framed by a cloud graphic heel clip that sports the artist's yellow smiley logo, multicolored stitching, and glowing details. A first for the brand, this has been dubbed “the first LED infused Jordan Retro.”

Seemingly, this LED functionality is reflected by the lightning bolt logo at the rear of the tongue, which causes the wings logo at the front of the tongue to light up green.

​​To stay updated on everything happening in the sneaker world, check out the best sneakers to add to your rotation this week, follow @highsnobietysneakers on Instagram, and sign up to our newsletter for early access to the best drops sent straight to your inbox.

 

We Recommend
  • The Jordan Design Studio Reimagines an Icon in the Windy City
  • Nike's Court Classic Is Now Smooth Like Chocolate
  • This Nike Trail Runner Just Beefed Up & Blacked Out
  • These AF1s Are A Snake-Skinned Homage to One of Basketball's Greatest
  • This Week's Best Nike Sneaker Releases
What To Read Next
  • Arte Antwerp’s adidas F50 Has Major Motion
  • adidas' Best Vintage Basketball Sneaker Heads Back to the Office
  • These Pearl-Hued Nike Dunks Are the Unassuming Jewels of Footwear
  • These Trippy, Brainy Hiking Crocs Are Expedition-Ready
  • How Did a Fly-Fishing Label Win Over Both Supreme and Palace?
  • This Is the Secret to a Decade of Relevance In Fashion