Key Details
- The Jordan Vail's lacing wraps around the ankle and ties behind the heel instead of across the top of the foot.
- The shoe first surfaced on foot at the Black Footwear Forum in Detroit.
- Jordan Brand has not officially unveiled the Jordan Vail or confirmed any release details.
The Jordan Vail is a brand new lifestyle silhouette from Jordan Brand, and it just made its public debut on someone’s feet rather than in an official unveiling. The shoe appeared this past weekend at the Black Footwear Forum in Detroit, worn by a Jordan Brand VP of footwear identified as Dominique Denen in one report and Dominique Debnam in another, who reportedly shared the stage with James Whitney and Dr. D’Wayne Edwards. Jordan Brand has not confirmed the model publicly, and no release information exists yet.
This isn’t the first time Jordan Brand has built a design detail around how women wear their hair on court. The Air Jordan lineup already includes the Jordan Heir Series 2, a performance basketball shoe with a hair tie mounted at the heel for players who tie their hair back before tipoff. The Vail appears to fold that same idea directly into its lacing system instead of adding a separate accessory. Jordan Brand still has not set a release window, so JustFreshKicks will track the Jordan Vail as more details surface via the sneaker release dates hub.
The Jordan Vail Design
Design wise, the Vail steps away from typical hoop silhouettes even though its base shape still reads as basketball inspired. It’s built around a mid cut shape with an interior bootie and a compressed sleeve that hugs the ankle. An expansive mesh panel covers most of the exterior, giving the upper a light, breathable, almost seamless look. Underfoot, the sole stays flat and thin, skipping the heavier cushioning and sculpting normally found on Jordan Brand footwear. The standout feature is the lacing itself. Rather than finishing across the top of the foot, the laces stretch toward the rear, wrap the ankle, and tie off behind the heel, creating a look that resembles a tied back ponytail. The red and black pairing shown here echoes Jordan Brand’s most familiar color story, even though the silhouette otherwise steers away from recognizable Air Jordan design cues.
Why Does The Jordan Vail Have A Ponytail Style Lacing System
The laces wrap around the ankle and tie behind the heel instead of finishing across the top of the foot, a detail that echoes the hair tie built into the Jordan Heir Series 2 for players who wear their hair back on court.
Jordan Vail Release Information
Jordan Brand has not officially unveiled the Jordan Vail, so its release date, retail price, and confirmed retailers all remain unknown. So far the shoe has only been spotted on foot, worn at the Black Footwear Forum well ahead of any formal announcement or store listing.
Jordan Vail
Color: Red/Black (as pictured)
Style Code: TBD
Release Date: TBD
Price: TBD
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Jordan Vail been officially announced?
No. Jordan Brand has not unveiled the Jordan Vail yet. It has only been seen on foot at the Black Footwear Forum, and no release date, price, or retailer has been confirmed.
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Photos: Jacques Slide
