Air Jordan 5 Retro 'Fire Red' 2013 Vol: No 23 - Page 140

Greetings all. Been out of the sneaker game since 2002. Got back in about a year ago so need some help with these newer retro releases.

So I ordered a size 12 of these 2013 V's from FinishLine and bought a size 11.5 from a local mom n pop shop. Here's my question: the tongue on the size 12's (from Finishline) is bigger and taller than the tongue on my size 11.5 (from local shop). The Jumpman logo on the tongue is also noticeably larger on size 12 than on size 11.5. And the mesh netting on the side of size 12 also appears to be bigger than on size 11.5. Another difference is that the ridges on the tongue right below the Jumpman are more defined and deeper on size 12.  Now I know that 1/2 a size difference in a shoe should not vary the overall look of the sneaker, I'm just wondering is this something that typically happens with these newer releases, is this a manufacturing defect or is it possible that my local sporting goods store sold me a variant or a defective product or some early prototype release of this sneaker. Pictures included below. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.   

Size 12 on the outside, both 11.5 on the inside

11.5 on the left 12 on the right

12 on the left, 11.5 on the right

size 12 near, and 11.5 behind it

12 on the left, 11.5 on the right (plastic netting looks much bigger on size 12)

size 12 next to 11.5

So why is that paper in the box separating each shoe?