AJ 13 “Court Purple”

The AJ 13 hasn’t celebrated a milestone anniversary throughout 2020 as some of its counterparts have, but it’s remained in headlines thanks to ESPN’s “The Last Dance” docu-series, the AJ Women’s Reign and a handful of solid colorways. For 2021, the panther-inspired model is rumored to launch in a “Black/Court Purple/White” makeup sure to instantly sell out. An early mock-up of the pair suggests that the release will follow that of an inaugural option, as the upper is split between the two darkest aforementioned hues. Unlike the AJ 13 “Bred,” however, the forthcoming retro is depicted with a dimpled leather vamp-to-heel overlay instead of a mesh variant. A holographic eye remains at the lateral heel, while the upper’s suede component indulges in “Court Purple” (which has had a stellar 2020); part of the midsole also partakes in the rich color, while the panther paw-reminiscent outsole grooves revert back to a “Black” makeup. In a move that’s somewhat of an eyebrow-raiser, the outsoles have been dipped in a contrasting “White” arrangement, which may lead some consumers to pick up a Sharpie marker or spray paint can .