Air Jordan Spizike GS Black Gold 315371-071

Description

Today marks the eight-year Anniversary of the release of the first Jordan Spiz’ike. In celebration, we take a look at the lineage of this hybrid classic.

The Jordan Spiz’ike made its debut in October of 2006. Made to pay homage to Spike Lee and his Mars Blackmon character that helped launch the Air Jordan line with its unique advertisements. The ‘Spike and Mike’ hybrid combines each Air Jordan that Mars Blackmon was aligned with. Those sneakers include the Air Jordan III, IV, V, VI and XX.

Featuring the midsole and outsole of the Air Jordan III along with elephant print detailing, the wing strap of the IV, the upper and lace locks of the V, the tongue of the VI and laser print found on the sockliner, representing the Air Jordan XX. Their initial release was limited to 4,032 pairs, each individually numbered on the hang tag that accompanied each pair.

In 2007, the Spiz’ike would get a wider release as seven colorways including  one exclusively for women and another an online exclusive that came packaged with a messenger bag. The first four releases were only available in men’s sizes, the ‘King’s County’ edition was the first colorway available in gradeschool.

For Christmas of ’07, Jordan Brand made the white and cement grey colorway the first Jordan Spiz’ike to drop in full-family sizing, all the way down to toddler and, a true general release. Three colorways would follow in 2008, two dropping alongside each other and another that was available exclusively in Europe. In 2009, the Spiz’ike was ‘Winterized’ into a sneakerboot for the holidays.

After a one-year hiatus, Jordan Brand brought the Spiz’ike back in 2010 for the ‘Silver Anniversary’of the Air Jordan. Five colorways released, each pair drawing specific inspiration from one of the Air Jordan models that makes up the sneaker. In 2011, JB answered the fans prayers by releasing two ‘Knicks’ renditions, inspired by Spike Lee’s personal exclusives. In 2012 and 2013 the Jordan Spiz’ike had another surge with eight new colorways as well as debuting on NIKEiD.

Then, just when we thought we saw the last of the Jordan Spiz’ike (for now), Jordan Brand brought them back in the summer of 2014. Kicking things off was a retro of the ‘OG’ white, red, and green colorway. This time around, 29,032 pairs were released, 25,000 more than the original pair from 2006. They also were individually numbered on the hang tag and, were available in men’s sizes only.