The holiday season and Air Jordan 11s go together like milk and cookies, but 2024 felt different. It was the year Jordan Brand decided to mess with a masterpiece. We are talking about the Jordan 11 Bred Velvet 2024, a sneaker that officially swapped out the legendary patent leather for something much softer, fuzzier, and significantly more controversial.
Sneakers are basically currency now. When you touch a colorway as sacred as the "Bred" (Black and Red), you're playing with fire. This specific 2024 release wasn't just another retro; it was a reimagining that targeted the women’s market but caught the attention of every collector on the planet. Some people loved the luxury vibe. Others felt like it was a betrayal of the 1996 original.
Honestly, the "Velvet" concept isn't entirely new for the 11 silhouette. We saw it with the "Heiress" Maroon pair years ago and more recently with the "Midnight Navy" version in 2022. But applying it to the Bred? That’s a bold move. It’s like putting ketchup on a high-end steak—some people swear it works, while purists just want to walk out of the restaurant.
The Material Shift: Why Velvet Matters
Let’s get into the weeds. The defining characteristic of the Jordan 11 Bred Velvet 2024 is, obviously, the velvet. On a standard 11, that mudguard is shiny, stiff patent leather. It’s armor-like. It’s what makes the shoe look like a tuxedo. Velvet changes the physics of the shoe. It’s matte. It absorbs light instead of reflecting it.
The texture is incredibly plush to the touch. When you run your thumb across the mudguard, you get that classic color-shift that happens with high-quality velvet. In some lights, the black looks deep and "Vantablack" dark; in others, it takes on a slightly dusty charcoal sheen. This is a massive departure from the plastic-fused shine we've grown used to since Tinker Hatfield first designed the shoe to mimic lawn mower covers and convertible tops.
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The rest of the build stays relatively faithful. You've got the ballistic mesh upper, which provides that necessary structural contrast. The "Varsity Red" hits on the translucent outsole and the Jumpman embroidery are crisp. But because the velvet doesn't have the "pop" of patent leather, the red accents actually feel more prominent. They jump out at you. It’s a moodier, more sophisticated version of a basketball shoe.
Sizing, Comfort, and the "Women’s Exclusive" Label
Here is where things get tricky for a lot of buyers. The Jordan 11 Bred Velvet 2024 was released as a women's exclusive. In the sneaker world, that usually means a few things: slightly narrower builds and a specific size run. Thankfully, Jordan Brand has been leaning into "extended sizing" lately. This means if you wear up to a men’s size 10.5 or 11, you could likely squeeze into the larger women’s sizes (usually up to a women's 12 or 13.5).
Is it comfortable? Yeah, mostly. The 11 has always been a bit "bottom-heavy" because of that massive carbon fiber shank plate in the midsole. That hasn't changed. However, velvet is naturally more forgiving than patent leather. Patent leather doesn’t stretch. It creases, and once those creases are there, they are permanent reminders of every step you've taken. Velvet, being a fabric, moves with your foot.
You won't get that "bite" on the top of your toes during the break-in period. But—and this is a big but—velvet provides almost zero lateral support compared to patent leather. If you’re actually planning on playing a pickup game in these (please don't), you’ll notice your foot sliding over the footbed much more than it would in the OG 1996 version or the 2019 retro.
Comparing the 2024 Velvet to the 2019 Retro
If you’re sitting on a pair of the 2019 Bred 11s, you might be wondering if the 2024 velvet version is worth the shelf space. Let’s look at them side-by-side. The 2019 pair used the "high-cut" patent leather, which was meant to be a 1:1 recreation of the original. It looked aggressive. It looked like a performance shoe.
The Jordan 11 Bred Velvet 2024 feels like a "lifestyle" pivot. It’s a shoe meant for a lounge, a holiday party, or a clean streetwear fit. It doesn't scream "performance."
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- The Outsole: Both feature that beautiful red semi-translucent rubber. The 2024 version seems a bit more vibrant, likely because the matte upper doesn't compete for your attention.
- The Branding: The 23 on the heel is printed, just like the OGs. In the velvet version, the embroidery of the Jumpman is particularly deep. It sinks into the velvet pile, which gives it a premium, almost 3D effect.
- The Box: Usually, these special material drops come in "OG-style" boxes or special edition packaging. For the velvet Breds, the packaging was kept fairly standard, which disappointed some collectors who wanted a more "luxury" unboxing experience for the $230 price tag.
Durability Concerns: The Velvet Headache
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: cleaning. Patent leather is a dream to maintain. You get some dirt on it? Wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth. Done.
Velvet is a nightmare.
If you get caught in a rainstorm wearing the Jordan 11 Bred Velvet 2024, you’re going to have a bad time. Water can flatten the pile of the fabric, leading to permanent "bald spots" or weird texture changes. Salt from winter sidewalks is even worse. If you’re planning on wearing these as your winter beaters, rethink your life choices. You will need a dedicated suede and fabric brush. You will need a high-quality water-repellent spray (test it on a small area first to make sure it doesn't dull the black).
Dust is also a magnet for this material. If you have a white dog or cat, those tiny hairs will weave themselves into the mudguard of your Jordans. It’s just the nature of the beast. It’s a high-maintenance sneaker for people who value aesthetics over utility.
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Market Reception and Resale Reality
When these first leaked, the "purists" on social media were fuming. "Why ruin a classic?" was the general sentiment. But then something happened. People saw them on-feet.
There is a certain segment of the sneaker community—especially the younger demographic—that doesn't have the 1996 nostalgia. They just want something that looks expensive. The Jordan 11 Bred Velvet 2024 looks expensive. It looks like a designer collaboration without the Dior or Travis Scott price tag.
Initially, resale prices stayed relatively close to the retail mark. This is good news for people who actually want to wear them. Unlike the 2019 Breds, which shot up in value almost immediately, the Velvets are accessible. They represent a shift in how Nike is managing inventory. By releasing these as a "Reimagined" style variant, they satisfy the hunger for the colorway without devaluing the "Holy Grail" status of the patent leather versions.
How to Style the Velvet 11s
Because the texture is so loud, you want the rest of your outfit to be relatively quiet. These aren't the shoes for busy patterns or clashing fabrics.
- Monochrome is King: A full black tech-fleece suit or black tapered cargos allow the red outsole to be the focal point.
- Denim Choice: Avoid super baggy jeans that cover the mudguard. You're paying for the velvet; show it off. A slim-straight raw denim works wonders here.
- Winter Layers: Since these have a "warm" look, they pair perfectly with overcoats and heavy wool sweaters. Think "Apres-ski" but in the city.
Taking Care of Your Investment
If you’ve pulled the trigger on a pair, your first step is protection. Don't wait until the first scuff. Use a protector like Crep Protect or Jason Markk, but apply it in light, even coats. If the velvet gets "crunchy," you used too much.
For cleaning, never use a stiff-bristled brush. You'll tear the fibers. Use a soft hog-hair brush and a very small amount of specialized foam cleaner. Always brush in one direction to keep the "nap" of the fabric looking uniform. If you get a liquid stain, blot—never rub. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric backing.
The Jordan 11 Bred Velvet 2024 is a weird, beautiful, and polarizing chapter in the Jordan Brand catalog. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. It’s a sneaker that asks you to value "feel" and "vibe" over history and tradition. Whether it’s a "must-cop" or a "hard pass" depends entirely on how much you're willing to baby your footwear in exchange for looking like the smoothest person in the room.
Practical Steps for Buyers
- Check Your Size: Remember to add 1.5 to your standard men's size. A men's 9 is a women's 10.5. If you have wide feet, consider going up an extra half-size because the 11's toe box is notoriously unforgiving.
- Inspect the "Peak": On the 2024 pairs, look for the small "widow's peaks" on the velvet mudguard near the toe. This is a common manufacturing trait and not a sign of a fake.
- Storage Matters: Store these in a cool, dry place. Humidity is the enemy of velvet adhesives. Use the cardboard shoe trees that came in the box to help the velvet maintain its shape, as it’s softer than patent leather and can collapse over time.
- Verify Authenticity: If buying from secondary markets, check the "23" on the heel. It should be perfectly centered and not look "puffy." The carbon fiber under the arch should feel textured and slightly gritty, not like smooth, cheap plastic.