Hopefully you've had the chance to enjoy the incredible "The Last Dance" documentary series about Michael Jordan. If you haven’t make sure you check out our earlier post about the story behind Jordan's rise as a basketball star and sneaker magnate. Today in this article we list the 15 original Jordan 1 colorways for your convenience.
The OG of OGs, the 'Bred' colorway is probably most famous for being 'banned' by the NBA. The real story is a bit more nuanced (it was actually an Air Ship), but it's a legendary story that did the Jordan Brand a lot of good from a marketing perspective. Also, a brilliant colorway nonetheless.
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-banned-2016
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-patent-bred
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-mid-bred
Released together with the 'Bred' on 15 September 1985, the 'Chicago' colorway was worn on court by his Airness for the majority of the 1985 season. There is not much more we need to say about this. Truly awesome.
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-chicago-2015
https://oxstreet.com/p/off-white-x-air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-chicago
https://oxstreet.com/p/trophy-room-x-air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-sp-chicago
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-high-chicago-1985
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-origin-story
One of my personal favorites, both for rarity and aesthetics. One of the best lookers in my humble opinion on-feet, the Jordan 1 'Black Toe' has been Retro'ed several times over the years and there have been rumors that another 2020 or 2021 Hi '85 'Black Toe' is in the making.
https://oxstreet.com/p/wmns-air-jordan-1-retro-high-satin-black-toe
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-black-toe-2016
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-low-black-toe
Despite never being worn in the NBA by Michael Jordan, the Black and Blue 'Royal' has the distinction of being Michael's personal favorite colorway. He chose to wear these for a photoshoot at an airport landing strip which became the iconic "Flight Guy" poster. The Jordan 1 'Royal' was retro'ed last in 2017 as part of the 'Flight Guy' Pack. Some famous OGs who have favored the shoe over the years include Slash, the Guns 'n Roses Guitarist and pro Skateboarder Lance Mountain.
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-royal-2017
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-mid-hyper-royal
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-royal-toe
Another pair in the same black bases color blocking as the 'Royal' and 'Bred' is the Air Jordan 1 'Shadow'. Nicknamed for it's appearance of being the shadow of unlit version of the other colorways. The Shadow is a sneakerhead favorite that has been retro'ed a couple of times, latest in 2018. Understated, goes with everything. Can't blame people for loving these.
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-shadow-2018
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-shadow-20
https://oxstreet.com/p/aleali-may-x-air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-satin-shadow
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-low-golf-shadow
Now we are getting into more obscure territory. The 'Natural Grey', sometimes mistakenly called 'Neutral Grey' was one of the least popular 1985 Jordan 1 releases. Because of that, very few have been kept BNDS by collectors and were just worn down instead. Also, this is the ONLY ONE that has never been retro'ed and many people feel, like us that it's about time!
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-85-og-neutral-grey
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-mid-neutral-grey
https://oxstreet.com/p/wmns-air-jordan-1-retro-low-og-neutral-grey-2021
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-low-og-neutral-grey-2021
Another one that's hard to find in original 1985 vintage, this is a very very nice colorway that was retro'ed a bit under the radar in 2016. Still fetching a cool ~S$900 on the resale market, the 'Storm Blue' is a shoe that not many people will recognize, but a true classic.
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-storm-blue
Ok, this is a confusing one. In late 2019 a sort of retro of the White / Black came-out that was called the 'Twist', but given it's colors and ponyhair material it was nicknamed the 'Panda'. As far as we remember and have been able to check, there was no mention of the 'Panda' name before the 'Twist', eventhough the 'White / Black' OG was retro'ed in 2014. Going currently a cool 5x retail price, the Retro did not go unnoticed though and has done nothing but go up in price since it's release.
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-blackwhite
https://oxstreet.com/p/wmns-air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-twist-oneness-special-box
https://oxstreet.com/p/wmns-air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-twist
The UNC is one of the most striking OG colorways in our opinion. But the fact that 'Carolina Blue' has been having a real moment in the last 2 years might have something to do with that. In a nice example of how a hype collaboration can increase the value of the GR version, the Jordan 1 'UNC' Retro from 2015 has traded pretty close to retail until late 2018 when it started a steady march upwards to its current 2.6x premium over retail. Is it a coincidence that the OFF-WHITE version came out in mid 2018? We think not!
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-unc
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-gs-unc
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-mid-unc-1
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-low-unc
https://oxstreet.com/p/wmns-air-jordan-1-low-unc
https://oxstreet.com/p/off-white-x-air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-unc-1
10. Nike Air Jordan 1 'Metallic Blue'
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-metallic-navy
11. Nike Air Jordan 1 'Metallic Green'
12. Nike Air Jordan 1 'Metallic Red'
https://oxstreet.com/p/air-jordan-1-retro-high-og-metallic-red
13. Nike Air Jordan 1 'Metallic Purple'
14. Nike Air Jordan 1 'Metallic Orange'
15. Nike Air Jordan 1 'Metallic Black'
Now that you have seen the definitive list of Original 1985 Jordan 1 Colorways, what would be your 3 picks to Rock, Stock, or Drop?