If you walked into a sneaker shop in the early 90s, you weren't just looking for leather and rubber. You were looking for a piece of the "Hare Jordan" myth. It was a weird, magical time when the greatest basketball player on the planet decided his best friend was a cartoon rabbit. Most people immediately think of the Air Jordan 8 when they hear "Bugs Bunny," but the Bugs Bunny Jordan 1—officially known as the Jordan 1 "Hare"—is where the lifestyle side of that legacy actually lives.
The Rabbit Hole of the Hare Jordan 1
Honestly, the history is a bit messy. The "Bugs Bunny" Jordan 1 didn't exist in 1992. Back then, it was all about the Air Jordan 7. Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny teamed up for those iconic Super Bowl commercials, and the AJ7 "Hare" was the star.
But Jordan Brand is great at remixing history.
In 2009, they finally brought that grey and red "Hare" DNA over to the Air Jordan 1. It wasn't just a color swap; it was a vibe. They took the light silver and white palette from the AJ7 and slapped a literal carrot on the tongue. It was playful, slightly ridiculous, and people loved it.
Why the Mid gets a pass here
Usually, sneakerheads act like the Jordan 1 Mid is a crime against humanity. But for the Bugs Bunny Jordan 1, the Mid is the standard. Most of the famous releases, including the big 2015 "Hare" drop for the 30th anniversary of Jordan Brand, were Mids.
👉 See also: Images of Thanksgiving Holiday: What Most People Get Wrong
The 2015 version is the one you probably see on resale sites. It has that distinctive red neoprene tongue. The Jumpman logo is replaced by a "Hare Jordan" graphic—Bugs Bunny's silhouette in his famous flight pose. It’s one of the few times Nike has officially messed with their branding for a character, and it works perfectly.
What really makes it a "Bugs Bunny" shoe?
It's all in the details. If you're looking at a pair and wondering if it's the real deal, look for these specific "Hare" traits:
- The Tongue: This is the giveaway. On the 2015 Mid, the tongue is multi-colored and features a "Hare Jordan" graphic. On the newer Zoom CMFT 2 versions, it might be more subtle, but that red/silver contrast is always there.
- The Materials: We’re talking white leather overlays and light silver/grey nubuck or suede underlays. It’s meant to mimic Bugs Bunny’s fur.
- The Red Accents: "True Red" is the specific shade. It hits the outsole, the lining, and the branding.
- The Year of the Rabbit connection: Sometimes Jordan Brand releases "Rabbit" shoes that aren't officially Looney Tunes, but let's be real—everyone calls them the Bugs Bunnys.
The Retro '93: The hybrid nobody talks about
In 2013, Jordan Brand released something called the Air Jordan 1 Retro '93 "Bugs." This shoe is a frankenstein. It’s an Air Jordan 1 body with details ripped straight off the Air Jordan 8.
It has the fuzzy chenille tongue patch from the 8. It has the weird side-graphic padding. It’s a polarizing shoe. Some people think it’s a cool piece of "Space Jam" era history, while others think it looks like the shoe is wearing a costume. It’s definitely the rarest "Bugs Bunny" Jordan 1 you'll find today.
✨ Don't miss: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessing Over Maybelline SuperStay Skin Tint
Why the Zoom CMFT 2 "Hare" changed the game in 2022
Fast forward a bit. Nike realized people actually want to wear their shoes without their feet screaming. They released the Air Jordan 1 High Zoom Air CMFT "Hare" in late 2022.
This one is basically the "adult" version of the Bugs Bunny shoe. It uses the same colorway—white, grey, and red—but the tech is updated. It has Zoom Air in the heel and a formula 23 foam midsole. If you want the Bugs Bunny look but don't want to feel like you're walking on plywood, this is the version to hunt down on the secondary market.
How to style these without looking like a mascot
Look, wearing a shoe inspired by a cartoon rabbit can go south fast. You don't want to look like you're heading to a five-year-old's birthday party.
The secret is the "Light Silver" panels. Because the shoe is mostly neutral (grey and white), it actually works as a versatile everyday sneaker. Pair them with some baggy olive cargos or black denim. Let the red tongue be the pop of color. Avoid wearing them with a literal Bugs Bunny t-shirt—unless you're actually at a Looney Tunes theme park, in which case, go nuts.
🔗 Read more: Coach Bag Animal Print: Why These Wild Patterns Actually Work as Neutrals
The resale reality in 2026
Right now, getting a deadstock pair of the 2015 Mids will cost you a decent chunk of change. Expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $400 depending on the size. The 2022 Zoom CMFT versions are a bit more affordable, often hovering around the $180-$220 mark.
Beware of fakes. Because these have unique tongue graphics, the "reps" often get the "Hare Jordan" logo wrong. The ears usually look wonky, or the red is too orange. Always check the stitching on the tongue tag.
What’s next for the Hare Jordan legacy?
As of early 2026, rumors are always swirling about a "Reimagined" Hare 1 or a proper High OG version. We've seen the Air Jordan 8 "Bugs Bunny" return for the holidays in 2025, which usually means the rest of the Hare collection isn't far behind.
Jordan Brand knows that 90s nostalgia is a literal gold mine. Whether it's a "Rabbit" low-top with faux fur or a 1-to-1 retro of the 2009 High, the connection between MJ and the Looney Tunes isn't going anywhere.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the SKU: If you're buying used, search for style code 719551-123 for the 2015 Mid or CT0978-100 for the Zoom CMFT. This ensures you're looking at the right era.
- Inspect the Tongue: Before buying, ask for a high-res photo of the "Hare Jordan" logo. The ears should be sharp and the colors should not bleed into the grey.
- Size Up on Mids: Jordan 1 Mids can run a bit narrow compared to the High OGs. If you have a wider foot, consider going up half a size.
- Clean the Suede: If you buy a vintage pair, use a dry suede brush. The "Light Silver" nubuck on the Hare 1s is notorious for "dying" and looking flat if it gets wet.