The Nike Air Jordan Retro 16 was released in 2001. Following the success of the air Jordan 15 (XV), there was no doubt that Nike/JB would continue to release Air Jordan's. Air Jordan 16 Retro were designed by Nike's Senior Footwear Designer Wilson Smith. This meant it was the first design since the Air Jordan 3 (III) that Tinker Hatfield wasn't behind. Hatfield was said to have moved up and he left Smith with the hard task in creating a revolutionary new design. But what made the Nike Jordan XVI Shoes unique was the brand new gaiter/shroud that covered the shoe and that could be removed to give the shoe a brand new look.