The Air Jordan XXI model of shoes was designed by D'Wayne Edwards and inspired by sport touring vehicles. The shoe features lower-foot air grilles, double-overlasted Phylon midsole, a carbon fibre shank plate and a seamless diamond-quilted booty. It also has a tenable I.P.S. suspension system that lets the wearer choose between Zoom and Encapsulated air.

The Air Jordan XXI was introduced on television by the "Second Generation" advertisement.

The Air Jordan XXI was originally released in 2006. It was retro-ed in 2008.