Verdict from 3 experts and +100 user reviews
10 reasons to buy
- Many reviewers praised the stability of the shoe as provided by the midfoot cross straps.
- Quite a lot find them breathable because of the mesh materials used in the upper.
- Several Jordan fans say its similarities with the retro Air Jordan 13 made them highly sought after.
- A good number liked the Jordan colorways used in the shoe model.
- Most wearers find the colorways particularly the Bred colorway very easy to style.
- Some users say they received compliments while wearing this shoe.
- Several players gave positive remarks on the grip and traction of the shoe that are beneficial during games.
- A couple of reviewers gave it 5-stars because it was ultra-comfortable.
- An observer was impressed with the glow in the dark outsole that adds stylishness at night.
- Quite a lot of customers find them affordable.
2 reasons not to buy
- Some say the Jordan Black Cat is bottom heavy.
- Some buyers commented that it would have been better if designers added Zoom Air cushioning on the front part of the shoe.
Bottom line
A modern take on the more popular Air Jordan 13, the Jordan Black Cat sneaker has promising features that include improved stability, breathable upper, and a secure lockdown to play some decent hoops.
These affordable modern kicks that pay homage to legendary designer Tinker Hatfield is a must cop with its visually stunning colorways and decent plays.
Tip: see the best sneakers.
Good to know
Fit & Sizing
The Jordan Black Cat sneaker, one of Jordan’s casual kicks, comes in US men’s sizes 7 to 18. It is true to size and fits medium to wide feet wearers. The shoe has a hidden lacing system and a midfoot cross-strap that assures a secure lockdown and foot stability. A heel pull tab at the back also allows for easy on and off.
Offered in several colorways, the Jordan Black Cat sneaker was initially launched in Bred colorway. The Jordan Black Cat Bred has a Black and Red combination with hits of glow-in-the-dark green at the sole.
Among Jordan’s recent lifestyle kick releases, it is the perfect off-court kick to pair with shorts and jeans. The shoe is quite easy to style with existing streetwear as it exudes a sporty vibe with versatile colorways like the all-black Space Jam and the Black/Red combo of the Bred colorway. Other colorway options include the Black/White/Turbo Green and the Black/White/dark concord colorway options.
Adding visual pop to the Jordan Black Cat swagger is the glow-in-the-dark outsole and Air Jordan 13-inspired aesthetics. As this shoe comes more as a lifestyle sneaker that can still muster a few moves on the court, it is the perfect kick to cop for those who do hoops on the side and still prefer wearing the shoe while doing other activities outside the basketball court.
Inspirations from the Air Jordan 13 is quite evident in the aesthetic of the Jordan Black Cat. However, what makes it different from the 1997 release is the midfoot cross strap that assures stability, a shorter and slimmer profile, and a triangle hologram that is far different from the cat-eye-shaped accent in the AJ 13.
Also prominent in this design is the use of ballistic mesh in the upper as opposed to the full rubber material in the 1997 shoe. The outsole is also rendered in a popping glow in the dark that sets it apart beautifully at night. The shoe also has a Zoom Air unit at the back heel and a Phylon midsole aims for lightweight cushioning.
The Air Jordan 13 was a bestselling design from the Jumpman’s collection. Designed by veteran shoe designer Tinker Hatfield with inputs from the legendary Michael Jordan, the AJ 13 was inspired by a black cat or a panther which is what he sees Jordan while playing and making his moves on the court. For Hatfield, he would see Jordan often reading the moves of other players, and then attacks like a black panther on the court.
Soon several Black Cat colorways were released since the 1997 release of the Air Jordan 13. The design also has a paw-inspired design in the sole that has been one trademark of the entire design. Many sneakerheads thought the shoe will be called the Air Jordan 13 Tinker but the Jumpman brand named the new design the Air Jordan Black Cat. The design drew inspiration from Tinker Hatfield's original sketch of the AJ 13 in 1996.
The design was first hinted in an all-black colorway which we will later know as the Space Jam colorway but folks at Jordan brand opted for the Bred colorway instead. The Bred colorway comes in a combination of University Red, Black, and Emerald Rise color combination. The design has a low-cut profile, ballistic mesh detailing in the upper, a midfoot cross-strap, a glow-in-the-dark outsole, and a hologram logo on the ankle which is a deviation from the cat-eye logo at the back in the AJ 13 model. The lifestyle basketball sneaker design was released on August 2, 2018.
- Jumpman logo at the triangle hologram at back heel and at the insole.
- Jordan’s “23” is placed at the midfoot cross strap.
- The heel pull tab at the back allows for quick entry and exit.
- A hidden lacing system allows for secure lockdown.
- Zoom Air unit at the heel allows for lightweight cushioning.
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