Co-creation and Refinement
Before we knew it, the AG series has arrived at its fifth generation. Due to the well-known reasons surrounding Aaron Gordon himself, most of our communication had to happen over video calls or phone conferences in the recent years. This made sharing ideas and feedback slower, since we often had to send long emails back and forth. But in 2023, things changed. We were able to fully get involved from the beginning, working together to create a new pair of shoes. From the initial design concept to the final product, and from the first prototype to testing samples, Aaron Gordon was actively involved every step of the way, offering a lot of great suggestions and solutions.
Aaron Gordon has always been interested in traditional Chinese culture, especially the idea of “Yin-Yang”. When it came time to design the AG 5 series, he wanted to combine this philosophy with the idea of the five elements. The concept of Yin-Yang, along with the Five Elements system, connects perfectly with the idea of the “5th generation” shoe. The Five Elements focus on balance, control, and flow, which ties into the AG 5 series’ design. Offense and defense, prepared for both, the shoe’s functionality dominates the court.
Fusion and Coexistence
The five elements are more than just metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. These elements represent the deeper connections and interactions that exist in nature. Wood symbolizes growth, as it nourishes fire, and fire, after burning, returns to the earth. From the earth, metal is extracted, and when metal cools, it turns into water. Water then helps the land, supporting the growth of wood. This constant cycle of interdependence and support is the core idea of the five elements. When it comes to the shoe design, the creator wanted to avoid making the elements too literal. Instead, each element is symbolized in a unique way.
For wood, sustainable materials were chosen to reflect growth and longevity. Fire is represented by the thick midsole at the heel, which gives the shoe a more dynamic and elastic feel. Earth is symbolized by the blended midsole material and supportive arch structure, ensuring stability. Metal is reflected in the use of durable materials, like a new rubber compound that improves resistance to wear and tear. Finally, water is represented in the design choices, from the TPU material to the fluid-like nature of the outsole.
Revival and Rebirth
Aaron Gordon, born in 1995, grew up wearing shoes from the early 2010s- that’s why he wanted the AG 5 to capture that nostalgic feeling and bring back the retro vibes. The shoe’s lacquered leather reflects the style of that time. One issue with shoes like this is that they often crease easily, so to solve this, we added a resilient material to the AG 5’s lacquered leather upper. This helps the shoe bounce back quickly after impact, keeping it both stylish and durable. The sturdy heel design from Aaron Gordon’s previous models is also present in the AG 5, with extra layers of material for added strength and ergonomic cuts in the tongue to improve comfort and fit.
Building on the performance of AG 4 series, the AG 5 series keeps the same 4mm heel-to-toe drop while upgrading the SOAR SYSTEM technology. It is a versatile shoe that works well for both forwards who dominate the court and guards who rely on speed and agility. All in all, the AG 5 series is designed to help elevate your game, push your limits, and improve your skills.
