Air Jordan XI Cool Grey – ‘Smoked Sole’ 2000 Sample

The Air Jordan XI ‘Cool Grey’ initially released in 2001, but did you know there was a different sample version of CG XI made a year before that? Here’s a look at a rare sales sample of the Air Jordan XI ‘Cool Grey’ that features a noticeable darker outsole tint. Don’t mistake the ‘smoked’ outsole as yellowing due to age, because the different color of the outsole was made intentionally to match to grey scheme on the upper – you can even see it in an old Eastbay catalog image (which we have for you below). Other differences between the 2000 ‘Smoked’ sample and the 2001 released version is that the inner lining features a smoother, silkier material with considerably more padding compared to the 2001 version. The tint on the outsole of the Air Jordan XI has been a significant topic of debate thanks to the blue tint seen on the 2010 release of the Cool Grey, but throw the ‘Smoked’ version in the mix and you have three different types up for discussion (make it four if you count the mesh-uppered sample). What do you think of the darker outsole? Check out the images below and let us know what you think. via yungdrseuss.