The Air Jordan 16 (XVI) was released in 2001. Following the success of the Air Jordan 15 (XV), there was no doubt that Nike/JB would continue to release Air Jordan’s. The Air Jordan 16 (XVI)s were the next shoes to hit the shelves.

The Air Jordan 16 (XVI) were designed by Nike’s Senior Footwear Designer Wilson Smith. This meant it was the first design since the Air Jordan 3 (III) that Tinker Hatfield wasn’t behind. Smith decided to bring in a few design elements/fabrics from earlier releases. For example, we saw the return of components from the Air Jordan 5 (V), Air Jordan 6 (VI), Air Jordan 11 (XI) and Air Jordan 11 (XI).

But what made the Air Jordan 16 (XVI) unique was the brand new gaiter/shroud that covered the shoe.