In 2001,the Air Jordan 16 (XVI) was released Following the success of the Air jordan XV's. There was no doubt that Nike Air Jordan brand would keep releasing Air Jordan's other styles. The Air Jordan XVI's were the next shot to hit the line.
Nike's Senior Footwear Designer Wilson Smith designed Jordan 16 shoes. This meaning it was the first design since the III's(Tinker Hatfield wasn't behind). People thought Hatfield had to moved up and he left Smith with the hard task in creating a brand new design. Smith decided to bring in a few design elements/fabrics from earlier releases.
For instance we saw the return of the clear rubber sole (Air Jordan 5, Air Jordan VI, Air Jordan XI) and they also featured patent leather (Air Jordan XI). But what made the Air Jordan XVI's unique was the brand new gaiter/shroud that covered the Jordan 16 sneakers and that could be removed to give the shoe a brand new look.