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Long before carbon fiber became a go-to upper fa?ade it was known best for driving some of Nike?s best and most progressive basketball shoes. Originating in the mid-90s and stills serving as a staple on today?s top performers, the technology ranks among the most responsive in the game. In reply to the carbon colorway boom, we give a nod to 12 of the best basketball shoes to feature the famous shank plate.
Air Jordan 11
Patent leather made them easy on the eyes, but a carbon fiber shank made them great on the foot. Lightweight, responsive, stylish, and springy, the Air Jordan 11 was a breakthrough aesthetically and technologically. The full-length carbon fiber plate is a big reason it still holds up on the court today.
