Air Jordan 1 Shoes for Men & Women
It all started in 1984, Nike and its basketball division were looking for their new gem for the 1985-1986 season. That's when Sonny Vaccaro, a sports marketing specialist at Nike, came across the highlights of a talented young player from the University of North Carolina: Michael Jordan! For Vaccaro, he is the man for Nike. But Phil Knight, founder of the Swoosh brand, does not share this opinion. Freshly drafted by the Chicago Bulls, Jordan is the next rising star of the NBA and all equipment manufacturers know it. To stand out from the others, Nike rolls out the red carpet for Michael by promising him an exclusive range of products bearing his name: tracksuits, jerseys, hoodies, and of course… Sneakers!
To design all this, Nike calls on their best footwear designer: Peter Moore, the father of the Nike Dunk Low and many other Nike sneakers. After a prototype nicknamed “Air Ship”, Peter Moore changes direction and decides to infuse the energy of MJ's aerial game into the sneaker's design. He will then create the Wings Logo as well as the name that will embody the range: Air Jordan. For the sneaker's colors, Moore will remain true to the Chicago Bulls' palette: red, white, and black. A trio that will give rise to the iconic Air Jordan 1 High Retro OG “Chicago” followed by the essential Nike Air Jordan 1 High “Bred” which will have a particularly interesting story! Mixed with the technical prowess of Michael Jordan, named Rookie Of The Year 1984-1985, the legend of the Air Jordan 1 was born.
Why choose the Air Jordan 1?
Available in a multitude of colors, the Air Jordan 1 shoes are a must-have in your Air Jordan collection! Whether you are a fan of subtle or vibrant models, they will enhance your outfits throughout the year. From OG editions to iconic collaborations, each Air Jordan 1 has its own unique feature. It's up to you to find the one that will brighten your style in all circumstances!
What are the characteristics of the Air Jordan 1?
The different materials used on the Air Jordan 1
Like many sneaker models from the 80s, the Air Jordan 1 has a leather base. Soft and durable, the shoe with the Jumpman offers optimal support at the foot. Finally, with its foam lining that surrounds the ankle, it combines comfort and style brilliantly.
Technical characteristics
Its rubber sole has an Air-sole unit at the heel as well as at the front of the foot. Invented by Frank Rudy in the 70s, Air technology comes in the form of a cushion that is both flexible and resistant, filled with pressurized air, for greater flexibility and better cushioning on the Air Jordan 1. This same technology was also used on the Air Jordan 2, however, a midsole was added to improve its cushioning.
Air Jordan 1, a comfortable and versatile shoe for everyday use
The Air-sole units retain their original shape thanks to their elasticity and shock absorption, while offering comfort and lightness. With its molded rubber outsole, the Air Jordan 1 has excellent grip on many surfaces, whether for everyday use or to enhance sports performance.
Air Jordan 1: how to choose your model?
The Air Jordan 1 High
At Jordan Brand, the colorways of the Air Jordan 1 released between 1985 and 1986 are considered OG (original) with the first models being the Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” and Air Jordan 1 “Bred” which take the iconic colors of the Chicago Bulls. Following this is the Air Jordan 1 High “Black Toe” which follows the red, white, and black tones. These three colorways are the only Air Jordan 1s that were worn by the famous Michael Jordan during official games.
But Nike and its creative teams will not stop there! In September 1985, the swoosh brand imagined an advertisement featuring Michael Jordan and his sneakers. For the occasion, a special edition of the sneaker will be created for the shoot: the Air Jordan 1 “Royal” which takes the base of the Bred colorway and swaps the red panels for blue! In the same vein, the Air Jordan 1 “Shadow” features a black leather base with gray details.
During Michael Jordan's first trip to Paris, Nike presented a colorway inspired by the University of North Carolina, where MJ made his first sensations. Nicknamed the Air Jordan 1 “University Blue” or “UNC”, it has a white leather base with sky blue leather overlays. An iconic colorway just like the Air Jordan 1 “Neutral Grey” with its clean style and the Air Jordan 1 “Black White” with its two-tone look.
Today, the legacy of the Air Jordan 1 lives on through various exclusive sneaker collaborations. We remember the legendary Air Jordan 1 High Off-White Chicago OG released in 2017 which reinvented Peter Moore's classic through a deconstructed lens. The following year, Union L.A offered us a duo of Air Jordan 1 High OG sneakers: Blue Toe and Black Toe. Later, in 2019, it was Travis Scott and his label Cactus Jack who were honored. To mark the occasion, La Flame innovated by flipping the lateral swoosh of his Air Jordan 1 High OG Travis Scott Mocha and Air Jordan 1 Low OG Travis Scott Mocha sneakers.
The Air Jordan 1 Low
The Air Jordan 1 sneaker range has many iterations and different versions. While it all started with the Air Jordan 1 High, Nike and Jordan also imagined the Air Jordan 1 Low. A low sneaker silhouette that has always been designed as a lifestyle model, ideal for sunny days, unlike the Air Jordan 1 High which was originally intended as a performance sneaker model. Designed by Peter Moore, the shoe featured a simple design inspired by the Nike Dunk which incorporated the Nike Swoosh logo and the Jordan Wings. The Air Jordan 1 Low was originally released in several colorways that reflected the High versions, including colorways inspired by the Chicago Bulls and metallic tones. In the 2000s, the model made a notable comeback thanks to the retro and vintage trend. Available for men and women, multiple versions are now available.
The Air Jordan 1 Mid
In 1987, Tinker Hatfield had to create a new signature sneaker for Michael Jordan. At that time, the iconic number 23 found the AJ1 and the Air Jordan 2 too high, which hindered his movements. To meet his expectations, Hatfield designed the Air Jordan with a lower height. This led to the in-between: the Air Jordan Mid. Halfway between the low and the high, it has a mid-top collar that stops just below the ankle. And two decades later, the pair made its comeback with Maison Château-Rouge, a model that brings a breath of fresh air and propels the model to the forefront of sneaker culture.
Where and how to buy your pair of Air Jordan 1?
Official Air Jordan Stores
You can find the pair of Air Jordan 1 sneakers that suits you best in one of the Nike Stores present in France or around the world. A wide range of Air Jordan 1 pairs is also available on the Nike website or on the SNKRS app alongside the Air Jordan 4 or many other sneakers. You can also find collections of Jordan brand clothing with various pieces: tracksuits, pants, caps, shorts, jackets, or bags, a multitude of products that match your sneakers.
How to cop your Air Jordan 1?
There are also several sneaker resellers with whom we work hand in hand. You can find limited edition pairs, recent releases, or more classic pairs at these retailers. As with most pairs today, the price of Air Jordan 1 sneakers varies according to their value and availability. There are also several resellers who offer you to buy different AJ1 models at different prices depending on their value and availability.
How to maintain your Air Jordan 1?
When acquiring your Air Jordan 1, it is essential to waterproof them to avoid potential stains and ensure optimal protection against the elements. Regular maintenance with suitable products, such as the Crep Protect pack available at JD Sport, is also recommended. Don't forget to re-waterproof your pair after cleaning. This way, you ensure the longevity of your sneakers while keeping them in good condition.
