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Russel Westbrook Jordan XXXI PE Release

Well, well, well… better late than never.

As of this date, Jordan Brand has never released a Russel Westbrook PE to the masses.  Other than the ones he wears on court, the Jordan Westbrook 0 and 0.2 are the only two models to ever reach the public.

With the season almost over, Jordan Brand is ending the regular season with a miraculous shot by releasing the very first Jordan 31 “Russel Westbrook” PE to retailers.  Not only are we getting a full on Westbrook PE, but we are getting the hybrid version that he’s worn for the majority of the season.  Jordan fused the midsole of the 31 and used the Jordan 30 instead for the OKC guard.  Why?  Well why not?   Here is a bit more articulate about the shoes than we are, here’s an excerpt from the New York Times.

Westbrook is unbelievably attuned to the tiniest details of his shoes. He has his own personal rack at the practice facility. “Most guys, I can just bring a pair of shoes,” the Thunder’s equipment manager, Wilson Taylor, told me. “Russell wants a certain pair. He knows which are for games, which are for practice. He determines which shoes are coming on a road trip.” When Nike sent Westbrook its latest model, the Jordan 31, he wasn’t happy with the sole flexibility, so he asked the company to build him a special hybrid using the previous model’s sole. Even in that custom shoe, however, the insoles aren’t thick enough for Westbrook, so Taylor replaces each of them by hand.

You can call it the Air Jordan “30.5” as Westbrook’s main weapon of choice this season.  With 38 triple doubles so far and counting, we can assure you these hybrids are Jordan Brand’s top performer of its brand.  The AJ 31 uses a full-length Zoom cushion whereas the AJ 30 does not.  These Hybrids will offer the 30 sole with bottom-loaded forefoot Zoom that the Superstar prefers.  More Zoom doesn’t necessarily mean better.  Full-length Zoom offers greater impact protection, but it lacks court feel and stability.

Lastly, the design of the colorway is beautiful.  Elephant print surrounds the heel counter and fades into the black knit upper.  OKC Orange and blue hits cover the Flywire eyelets, tongue logo, inner lining, and insole.  On the outsole you have Westbrook’s ‘Why Not?’ phrase seen through the translucent bottoms.

The Air Jordan 31 “Why Not?” PE’s are scheduled for a global release on April 29th, 2017 for $200.00 USD.  We’ll keep you posted with more news on this exclusive Jordan Brand drop.

H/T: Sneakernews

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