The exodus. Perhaps the greatest “… and then there was light moment” in sneaker history, the Jordan 1 – released in 1985 – foreshadowed a changing of the guard in the NBA and sneaker culture. Before the championships, MVP seasons, and gold medals hoisted Michael Jordan to icon status. Before “It’s gotta be the shoes” became a world renowned catchphrase, there was the Air Jordan 1 – a Peter Moore-designed silhouette that enhanced the already familiar body of the Nike Dunk and created a stir in a then more conservative NBA in one fell swoop.

 

The iconic “Bred” colorway earned MJ a $5,000 fine per game and was eventually banned, due to solid black or white kicks being the league standard at the time. But that only made the AJ 1 more desirable to kids and adults alike who simply wanted to be like Mike. As the Air Jordan cannon grew to include more intricate footwear options, created with the latest technology sneaker culture had to offer, the AJ 1 High lost some of its earlier appeal. However, a run of retros (including both new and old colorways) released in 2001 revitalized the shoe, introducing an entirely new generation to its history, allure, and practicality.

 

Fast-forward to the present day, and we’ve seen the iconic model become a staple for sneaker heads and fashion mavens alike. Available in high-, mid-, and low-top variations, there are literally hundreds of versions of the Air Jordan 1 in existence. That includes highly coveted collaborations, iterations created exclusively for charity, unreleased samples and of course retros of the classics: “Chicago,” “Bred,” “Royal,” “Shadow,” et al. You’ll find all of the above right here at Stadium Goods.