Released for MJ's first full season back in the league, the 1995 - 1996 campaign, the Air Jordan XI was, surprisingly, not an instant hit. In fact, many stores had a tough time selling the shoes at all. It wasn't until people started seeing MJ light up the league in his distinctive patent leather XIs that the shoes started to sell, and sell, and sell. And there seems no end to the demand as, even today, any new re-release of the XI sells out in a matter of hours in most cases. The primary appeal of the Air Jordan XI for most people is it's incredibly distinctive appearance. The prominent use of patent leather paired with an otherwise simple upper and translucent outsole makes the XI instantly recognizable. The bold, yet simple and elegant look of the XI seems to embody, better than any other Jordan shoe, the essence of the man and his game.