Backstories serve as the vital elements that transform sneakers into unforgettable ones. A sneaker without an intriguing narrative is akin to a dancefloor devoid of dancers. In 2006, Jordan Brand unveiled what I consider the most exceptional duo ever released: the widely acclaimed Air Jordan 6/11 DMP pack. DMP stands for Defining Moments Pack, perfectly encapsulating the significance of the two shoes in this collection.
The Jordan 6 harkens back to 1991, the year it was released and also the year when the GOAT clinched his first NBA championship. On the other hand, the Jordan 11 symbolizes another milestone in MJ’s career – his triumphant return to the Bulls after a two-year hiatus following his father’s tragic death. Jordan went on to secure three more championships during his final three years with the Bulls, starting in 1996.
These two shoes, steeped in rich narratives, made the pack a must-have. Additionally, the collection boasted exceptional features, such as a gold box, a booklet filled with impressive graphics and stories, gold tags, and more. Priced at $310, it may have seemed steep in 2006, but in retrospect, it was well worth the investment.
A couple of years ago, Jordan Brand decided to re-release the pack, albeit separately. This decision did not do justice to its legendary status , it should have been reintroduced as a complete set. To make matters worse, the Jordan 6 DMP was retroed first, with none of the original perks – a true disappointment. More recently, fans rejoiced at the news of the Jordan 11 DMP’s return, only to have their excitement dampened by the images of the shoes that emerged a few days ago. And many took to social media outlets to express their discontent, is it valid at all?
Reasons for the Complaints
First, allow me to explain the motivation behind writing this piece. I stumbled upon a Facebook post by Nicekicks, showcasing purported images of the upcoming 2023 Jordan 11 DMP. Upon reading the comments, or rather, the feedback, I noticed mixed reactions. However, most people expressed dissatisfaction, primarily due to the materials used on the uppers not matching those of the 2006 pairs, see image below
To provide some context, let me share an image of the 2006 Jordan 11 DMP and highlight the differences that sparked such a commotion within the sneaker community.
2006 Air Jordan 11 DMPNow let’s also take a quick look at the picture of the upcoming 2023 Jordan 11 DMP pair that was shared on most sneaker blogs.
Alleged 2023 Air Jordan 11 DMPNotable Differences On The supposed 2023 Jordan 11 DMP
As you can clearly observe, the 2023 pair showcases all tumbled premium leather on its uppers, as opposed to the ballistic mesh and synthetic leather on the upper portion of the heel seen in the 2006 version. However, the patent leather remains unaltered. If this is indeed the pair set for release, then it shouldn’t be labeled as DMP 11 since the upper materials have been upgraded. Interestingly, the uppers have been enhanced with soft tumbled premium leather, so in my opinion, the brand’s suggested $225 MSRP seems justifiable considering this improvement.
Now, they could have opted to name it the Air Jordan 11 DMP “Remastered”, which would have resolved the issue. But knowing Jordan Brand, I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually release a pair identical to the 2006 version and dub it the Air Jordan 11 DMP OG. They are marketing geniuses and will do anything to entice customers.
The intriguing aspect of this entire situation is that Nike still emerges victorious. The controversy provides the brand with increased exposure, which is precisely what they are after.
Has Nike Actually Confirmed This?
Sneaker blogs have gained notoriety for jumping the gun and disseminating inaccurate information to the masses. In 2011, numerous blogs shared images of the supposed Concord release, which later turned out to be fakes originating from a known seller who dealt in early-release pairs. I can’t quite recall his name, but it became a well-known story, with sneaker blogs bearing the blame due to their eagerness to share the images and be the first to break the news. This could very well be a similar scenario; Nike has yet to release any official images of the upcoming 2023 Jordan 11 DMP. Until they do, everything you see should be considered mere speculation.
I actually shared a post a week ago in which I showed images of Fake Jordan 11 DMP pairs that were already circulating, and the ones I came across looked just like the 2006 pair, see post below
Fake Sneakers Will Plunge Resale Further In The Abyss
In conclusion, although I believe people’s concerns regarding the images of the shoe that surfaced may be valid, I wouldn’t mind if this specific pair were released, given the upgraded materials. However, it is still too early to make any definitive conclusions. For those who are adamant about wearing the OG pair, I recommend purchasing them on eBay or considering the alternative option B mentioned above.
6/23/2023 Update: More Images of the 2023 Jordan 11 DMP Have Surfaced
Unless Nike confirms that the shoe below is exactly what the brand plans on releasing, take everything you see and hear with a grain of salt. I do like the tumbled leather on the uppers, it gives the shoe a premium look. If this is indeed what we will be getting , Jordan Brand should rename it the DMP 11 Remastered.
