Like many, I was critical of the AJ 2012 at first sight. Co-designers Tom Luedecke and Tinker Hatfield’s wing-tip inspired design didn’t initially click for me. But, three specific things have soften my early criticism.

1. I’ve had convos with a few people whose understanding of and opinions on footwear I trust and each has raved regarding the new J’s on a performance level. At the end of the day, how a shoe feels trumps how it looks, at least for me. I know women who wear outrageous heels, killing their ankles to achieve a look. I am not a woman. A shoe has to work and, if it works, I’ll find a way to make it work in terms of looks.

2. Georgetown’s team broke out the wolf grey colorway during their rivalry game with Syracuse a few weeks ago. The neon sleeve and lace combo = en fuego from afar and managed to lure me in.

3. Word came that the Air Jordan 2012 System Of Flight would be available for purchase on Saturday, February 25th at NikeiD. Three different material choices for the upper – nubuck, anodized or leather. Both translucent and solid outsoles will be iD options as well as paint-splatter midsole option and the ability to customize the look of AJ 2012’s Flywire upper.

With that final thought in mind, I figure I can make up for any shortcomings in colorways to create a pair that works.