Air Jordan 14 Terracotta

 

-          Looks:

A taupe-colored hairy suede flows from the end of the shoe, up onto the tongue, and back around 1/3rd of the upper, beginning at the toe. A cream-colored Jumpman logo, similar to most other 14s, is stitched on this panel.

Moving back around the side, the shoe's main distinguishing characteristic is a shorter suede. A succession of string dots and dashes symbolizing the terracotta warrior's armor can be seen here. When viewed up close, this design is extremely crowded, yet when viewed from a distance, the image fades into a gentle pattern. Another significant modification on this panel is the replacement of the conventional shield jump man logo with a somewhat iridescent flat panel.

A much softer, lighter-colored suede runs down the top and tongue. The weaved pattern near the very top of the tongue breaks up the monotony. While it has its own distinct design, it is clearly intended to mirror the side panel. The shoes are somewhat misaligned, with the right shoe's tongue bar reading "JORDAN" and the left shoe's tongue bar reading "CLOT."

• Sole:

The interior of the shoe is the same cream and clay color scheme as the outside. Unfortunately, there was an issue at the manufacturing with this pair. Both sneakers have brown stains on the lining as well as little rips. This material does not feel any less firm than what is used on the current crop of Jordan 1s, implying that these shoes have been subjected to some rough treatment.

This shoe's sole is largely made up of a light brown midsole with clay-colored ornamentation. The clay is a bit of a mishmash. The coating they employ is out of this world. It's a jumble of varying-sized bumps and shapes that feel like weathered clay. Unfortunately, the team that applied it wasn't very cautious, and every panel with it has overpainted.

The outsole is light brown with a clay rubber "XIV" logo insert. These sneakers feature a large herringbone pattern with a plate in the center for some snap.

The vent is the only other component of this shoe that is as ridiculous as the hanging coin. The "air vent" on the midsole is meant to look like the engine scoop on a Ferrari. Unfortunately, explaining Jordan Brand's logic for keeping your foot cool with a straight face is more difficult than keeping this suede clean. Fortunately, it's on the inside of the shoe, thus the only ones who will know if you get your foot wet due to the hole in your sole are you.

• Fit & Comfort:

The Air Jordan 14 Terracotta was a little big for a Jordan Brand sneaker. These are greater than expected in both length and width.

If you've only worn previous Jordan retros, you're in for a surprise when you put these on. While the zoom air in the sole adds some cushioning, the plate inhibits practically any natural flex. This will break in overtime, but the later retros definitely have a trade-off between performance and comfort when compared to the 1 through 10.

• Materials:

Once you get them in your hands, the most noticeable material is that the upper is totally comprised of synthetic suede. Real suede demands a lot of care and can only be worn in specified spots. Jordan Brand's decision to go synthetic allowed these sneakers to be worn in any situation, albeit the comfort suffered as a result.

Having said that, the upper isn't completely bereft of high-end materials. The top three eyelets, aglets, and the coin on the back are all made of genuine metal. The laces that go through these eyelets are standard oval laces that appear to be long-lasting. The blank Jordan logo on the side is made of plastic, and the logo on the back is made of rubber.

The midsole is constructed of EVA foam and houses two zoom air units, one in the front and one in the back. Between the two is a TPU shank plate that provides the shoe's rigidity. Unfortunately, this is a step down from previous retros that featured a carbon fiber plate that allowed for greater flex when new and increased stiffness was worn in.

Finally, the outsole of this shoe is made of thick rubber and is held in place by glued construction.

• Ease of care:

Using faux suede instead of real suede is a letdown in terms of materials. However, as previously said, it is acceptable here. Having said that, it will still require more maintenance than the standard plastic-coated leather found on most Jordans. If you want to maintain the shoes clean, invest in a suede and nubuck cleaner and use it every few months. Just be cautious of the little threads along the side, since they are likely to be quite simple to take out.

Another thing to look out for is the rough substance on the clay areas of the outsole. Jordan Brand went to great lengths to safeguard this material while delivery, therefore it seems to be fragile. This may be something you have to learn to live with.