The 1/19 Air Jordan 10 Retro Countdown Pack
"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
In 2008, Air Jordan released the Countdown Pack that would include a new colourway for the Air Jordan 10 as well as the Jordan 13. This Air Jordan 10 colourway has a dark colour scheme, with the shoe almost completely covered in black and dark grey colours. The upper consists of suede and leather materials, alongside black laces and "Air Jordan 23" stitched into the tongue. The only splashes of colour on the upper are the bright red "Jumpman" logo on the heel and the red and white number "23" stitched close to the shoe's collar. The midsole is also black, while the outsole was specially designed with a gigantic red "Jumpman" logo alongside a list of ten of Michael Jordan's greatest achievements as a professional basketball player.
