Air Jordan 1 High ’85 ‘Bred’: A Celebrated Comeback of the Timeless Classic
Marking the 40th birthday of the storied sneaker, the Air Jordan 1 High ’85 ‘Bred’ is making a triumphant return. This shoe isn’t just a piece of footwear – it’s a piece of history.
First released in 1985, the Air Jordan 1 High ’85 ‘Bred’ was Michael Jordan’s first official signature shoe from Nike. This iconic sneaker didn’t just birth modern sneaker culture – it transformed the very nature of athlete sponsorship deals forever.
In the ‘80s, the NBA required all sneakers worn on the court to be at least 51% white. But when MJ started working with Nike, they boldly decided to make signature trainers almost entirely red and black.
Every time he wore them, he was fined $5,000 a game. Sensing the marketing potential, Nike decided to continue to flout the rules and simply paid the damages on Jordan’s behalf. This defiance earned the ‘Bred’ Jordan 1s a new nickname: the ‘Banned.’
While the ‘Bred’ (or ‘Banned’) has re-released a few times over the past four decades, this upcoming pair will be a like-for-like remake of the OG from ’85. It comes in an all-leather build that’s meant to look and feel as premium as the Air Jordans from way back when.
A Swoosh is planted to the lateral and medial sidewalls, and the mythical winged basketball emblem is stamped across the collar.
As we anticipate the return of this iconic sneaker, one thing is clear – the Air Jordan 1 High ’85 ‘Bred’ is more than just a shoe. It’s a symbol of defiance, innovation, and timeless style.
