The Jordan Brand wouldn’t be where it is today without the one that started it all—the Air Jordan 1. This sneaker culture staple didn’t have the title of ‘legendary’ to begin with, as nobody would have expected it to be a footwear classic for millions worldwide. Prior to a young Michael Jordan signing with Nike, at the time the athleisure brand was best known for its running shoes, so the idea of the brand moving into the basketball world received a lot of criticism from the public. But this criticism didn’t last long, as when Michael Jordan’s first year of professional basketball began, he completely transformed the public’s perception of him by winning Rookie of the Year, and becoming a powerhouse ball player, all while wearing a pair of Air Jordan 1s. This resulted in nationwide demand and a must-have for basketball shoe fanatics.

The Air Jordan 1 legacy continues to live on to this day, and with that, the Jordan Brand is bringing back the iconic ‘Chicago’ colorway in a legendary re-release, honoring the original silhouette from 1985. This anticipated release draws inspiration from what an original 1985 Air Jordan 1 would look like if it was found deep in the archives of a dusty stock room.

Introduced in men’s, grade school, preschool, and toddler sizing, the Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’ still sticks to its original leather upper, but with a twist. The leather comes intentionally aged, with hints of dryness at the upper referencing its possible years of neglect. Some of the oils have come to the surface, creating a visible cracked effect. A larger Swoosh is stitched at the sides, reminiscent of the styles of the ‘80s. As for the ankle collars, one of the most common signs of aging in an original pair of Air Jordan 1s is the cracked and faded ankle collar. This new rendition mimics this appearance, further referencing the heritage of the sneaker. The box of the sneaker comes with a mismatched box lid, speaking to how the shoes were often misplaced in back rooms and basements of sneaker stores and homes. A vintage receipt is also seen within each box, calling up memories of how sneakers were bought prior to the internet revolution.

FEATURE Release - Saturday, November 19th

* Visit the "Releases" page on our site.

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* You will be notified the night prior if your entry is granted.

Our FEATURE Release Draw ends Friday, 11/18, at 4 p.m. PST. All winners will receive notice within 24 hours of the release date if they have won.