Skip to main content

Jimmy Butler will debut Jordan Ultra.Fly shoe in Bulls game

Jimmy Butler will be the first NBA player to lace up the Jordan Ultra.Fly in a game. 

Expect to see the Bulls’​ Jimmy Butler in a new on-court, Jumpman-adorned shoe, which will feature Jordan Brand’s foray into a new material on a new silhouette.

Jordan Brand today announced the high top Jordan Ultra.Fly, a shoe the brand says takes inspiration from Michael Jordan’s “Black Cat” nickname. Jordan has leveraged that to create a “cage-like upper” meant to evoke thoughts of a black cat.

UltraFly2_0.jpg
UltraFly5_0.jpg

• MORE NBA: The island of Kawhi | Almost a champ: Jermaine O'Neal

Jordan introduces Kurim material to the upper, an extremely pliable and durable material, Nike says. Kurim also looks different than what we’re used to on a sneaker, and the material overlay tightens the fit while allowing for flexibility in the structure and its design “follows a pattern that mimics the coat of a spotted leopard.”  

UltraFly3_0.jpg
UltraFly4_0.jpg

While Butler gives us our first on-court look at the shoe, Jordan plans to release the Ultra.Fly on April 2 in one white and two different black colorways.

UltraFly6_0.jpg

Tim Newcomb covers sports aesthetics—stadiums, sneakers, uniforms and more—for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.