Sixteen

One shoe, reviewed honestly

The Air Jordan XVI is one of the most divisive sneakers in the Jordan line. Released in 2001, it was the first flagship Jordan designed after Tinker Hatfield stepped back, and it arrived wearing a removable gaiter — the “shroud” — over its laces. People loved it, hated it, or loved it only with the shroud left in a drawer. Twenty-five years later, it still splits opinion.

This site does one thing: it covers that one shoe, honestly. Mostly that means reviews — how the XVI actually fits, how the patent leather and mesh hold up, whether the shroud is a stroke of genius or a gimmick you’ll remove after a week, and what to check before buying a decades-old retro. Around the reviews, we keep the record straight on the design story, the Washington Wizards era the shoe belongs to, and the model’s unusually thin retro history.

Start here

• Is the XVI any good? Our full review weighs the design, the comfort, and the compromises.
• The shroud, in practice. The signature feature, measured against everyday reality.
• Sizing and fit. What the inner sleeve, hidden lacing, and patent-leather toe mean for your feet.
• Materials and durability. How XVI retros age, and what to inspect before you buy an old pair.

We don’t sell anything. There is no store here, no checkout, no product listings, no affiliate links — just writing about a strange, interesting basketball shoe.

Read the reviews →

Sixteen is an independent editorial site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nike, Inc. or Jordan Brand. See About for the full disclaimer.