You’ve seen them. That wild, mismatched pair of sneakers that looks like someone took three different boxes of shoes and just started swapping panels. One shoe has a red toe, the other has blue. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s exactly what the sneaker world needed back in 2016.
We’re talking about the black blue and red Jordan 1, officially known as the "Top 3."
For a long time, Jordan Brand played it safe. You had your "Breds" (Black and Red), your "Royals" (Black and Blue), and your "Chicagos" (Red, White, and Black). These were the holy trinity. You didn’t mess with them. But then, Nike decided to mash them all together into one single silhouette. It shouldn’t have worked. Some people thought it was a "What The" rip-off, while others called it a masterpiece. Today? It’s a certified grail that most collectors would sell a kidney for.
The Story Behind the Mashup
The Air Jordan 1 Top 3 wasn't just a random color choice. It was a celebration. Specifically, it was a nod to the three most iconic colorways Michael Jordan ever wore on the court during his early years.
- The Banned/Bred: The black and red beast that allegedly cost MJ $5,000 a game in fines.
- The Royal: The sleek black and blue pair that proved Jordans looked just as good off the court.
- The Chicago: The white, red, and black classic that defined the 80s.
When these dropped on November 28, 2016, the retail price was a modest $160. If you find a pair for that price today, you’re either dreaming or looking at a very bad fake. On sites like StockX or GOAT, deadstock pairs regularly flip for anywhere between $500 and $700 depending on the size.
Why the hype? Because they are unique. No two feet look the same when you're wearing these. The "Top 3" features a "What The" style arrangement where the left and right shoes are non-symmetrical. The left shoe has a blue outsole and a red heel, while the right shoe flips it with a red outsole and a blue heel. It’s dizzying.
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Don't Get It Twisted: Top 3 vs. Union LA
A lot of people get the black blue and red Jordan 1 mixed up with the Union LA collaboration. I get it. They both use those primary colors. But they are worlds apart in terms of design philosophy.
The Union LA "Black Toe" (released in 2018) looks like a DIY project. It has visible yellow stitching where the collar of a "Neutral Grey" Jordan 1 was supposedly sewn onto the body of a "Black Toe." It feels vintage, weathered, and intentionally "hacked."
The Top 3 is different. It’s clean. The leather is standard Jordan 1 High OG quality—not quite as buttery as the "Shattered Backboards," but definitely better than your average mid. It doesn't try to look old; it tries to look like a trophy.
The "Quid Pro Quo" of Quality
Let’s be real for a second. Not every Jordan 1 is built the same.
If you’re hunting for the black, blue, and red look, you have to decide if you’re a "High OG" snob or if you can live with a Mid. Jordan Brand has released several Mid versions that use this palette—like the "Anti-Gravity Machines" or various "Multi-Color" SE drops.
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The Mid Problem:
Most "sneakerheads" will tell you Mids are trash. They’ll point to the "plastic" leather and the Jumpman on the tongue instead of the "Nike Air" branding. While it’s true that the leather on Mids is usually a lower grade, they are also half the price. If you just want the aesthetic of a red and blue shoe without paying a month's rent, a Mid isn't the end of the world. Just know that the resale value won't hold like the Highs.
The Leather Situation:
On the Top 3 Highs, you’re getting a mix. The blue and red panels are generally softer, while the black overlays have that stiffer, more durable feel. One thing most people don't notice until they have them in hand? The white side panels are actually quite "tumbled," giving them a premium look that the 2016 "Bred" retro actually lacked.
How to Spot a Fake (The 2026 Edition)
Because these are so expensive, the market is flooded with "reps." If you’re buying a used pair of the black blue and red Jordan 1s, keep your eyes peeled for these specific details:
- The Hourglass Shape: Look at the shoe from the back. It should be wide at the top, skinny at the ankle, and wide again at the bottom. Fakes are often blocky and straight.
- The Wings Logo: The "Air Jordan" text should be deeply embossed. If it looks like a flat sticker, walk away.
- The Toe Box: The holes on the top should be symmetrical and cleanly punched. If they look jagged or off-center, you’ve got a problem.
- The Outsole Color: The shades of "Varsity Red" and "Varsity Royal" are very specific. Fakes often get the blue too dark or the red too "orange."
Styling the Chaos
You’d think a shoe with three different colors would be impossible to wear. It's actually the opposite. Because the black blue and red Jordan 1 contains almost every "essential" color, it goes with basically anything.
Black jeans are the safe bet. They let the shoes do the screaming.
If you’re feeling bold, you can match your socks to one of the colors—maybe red socks on the blue-heeled foot—to lean into the mismatched vibe.
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Just whatever you do, don't wear them with a full matching tracksuit. You'll look like a Power Ranger. Keep the rest of the outfit muted. A grey hoodie or a plain white tee is plenty.
The "Top 3" Legacy in 2026
It has been nearly a decade since the Top 3 first hit the streets. In that time, we've seen "Top 3" versions of the Jordan 5 and the Jordan 1 Low, but nothing has captured the lightning-in-a-bottle feel of the original High.
There are rumors every year about a "Reimagined" version of the Top 3. Some collectors want a "Lost and Found" treatment with cracked leather and a vintage midsole. Personally? I think the original should stay the original. The high-gloss, clean leather of the 2016 pair represents a specific era of sneaker culture—the era where the Jordan 1 officially moved from a "basketball shoe" to a "luxury asset."
What to Do Before You Buy
If you're ready to pull the trigger on a pair, don't just jump on the first listing you see on a marketplace.
- Check the "Star" Count: On the bottom of the sole, near the toe, there are tiny embossed stars. On a used pair, these are the first things to wear down. If a seller says "worn once" but the stars are gone, they're lying.
- Ask for "UV" Photos: Most modern fakes use glues that glow bright neon under a blacklight. Authentic pairs have much cleaner, almost invisible glue lines.
- Smell the Shoe: No, seriously. Authentic Jordans have a very specific "factory" smell—a mix of leather and chemicals. Fakes often smell like strong gasoline or cheap glue.
The black blue and red Jordan 1 isn't just a shoe; it's a piece of history you wear on your feet. It represents the "Greatest Hits" of Michael Jordan's career. Whether you're a hardcore collector or just someone who likes flashy kicks, the Top 3 remains one of the most significant releases in the history of the brand.
Verify the seller's reputation on platforms like eBay (which has an authenticity guarantee for sneakers over a certain price) before sending any money. Check the production date on the inner size tag; it should align with the 2016 release window. Always request "tagged" photos where the seller writes their name and the current date on a piece of paper next to the shoes to ensure they actually have them in their possession.