The Air Jordan 10 Retro Goes Stealth in 2005
"I'm back." With those words in 1995, Michael Jordan ended his brief retirement and stepped back on the court to dominate again. Fans worldwide were elated, and MJ quickly returned to top form donning the Air Jordan 10 in the Chicago colourway. The number 23 was gone, replaced by 45, but trainer heads knew the AJ 10 was a number worth owning.
The Story Behind the Air Jordan X Design
Although MJ never wore the previous iteration, the Air Jordan IX, on the court, they were designed while he was still suiting up as a Chicago Bull. Air Jordan designer Tinker Hatfield, who led the creations of the Jordan III through IX models, wanted the post-retirement X to signify a highlight reel of Jordan's most significant achievements from each of his seasons in the NBA. Like banners hanging from the rafters, the AJ 10's sole featured ten milestones representing Jordan the man and Air Jordan the shoe:
- 85 ROOKIE OF YEAR
- 86 63 POINTS
- 87 SCORING TITLE
- 88 DUNK CHAMP
- 89 ALL DEFENSE
- 90 SCORES 63 POINTS
- 91 MVP/CHAMPIONSHIP
- 92 MVP/CHAMPIONSHIP
- 93 MVP/CHAMPIONSHIP
- 94 BEYOND
The Jordan brand released a new rendition of its Stealth colourway in 2005 on the Air Jordan 10 Retro debut. A black nubuck side panel overlay sits above a black tumbled leather overlay on the upper. Nubuck Black continues near the laces, piping, eyelets, and tongue. Its inner sock liner is coated in a chequered black and dark grey pattern. The trainer finally takes a detour from its all-black design on the heel, where a large white Jordan Jumpman logo is positioned. Another white Jumpman is found on the heel of the bottom tread. The rest of the tread is striped in black and lists 10 of Michael Jordan's most famous basketball accomplishments. This new Stealth colourway version hit shelves on July 23, 2005.