Honestly, if you're out here searching for a "Jordan 1 red black blue," you're probably chasing one of two very different vibes. You either want that "What The" energy where everything is mashed together, or you're looking for one of those rare, high-heat collaborations that actually pulls off the primary color trio without looking like a kid's box of crayons. It's a tricky combo. Red and blue are natural rivals in the sneaker world—think Bred vs. Royal—and putting them on the same piece of leather is a bold move that Nike doesn't do as often as you’d think.
Most people get confused because they see a pair on Instagram and can't figure out the name. Is it the "Top 3"? Is it the "Union"? Or is it that "Spider-Man" pair everyone was obsessed with a few years back?
Let's get into what really happened with these colorways and why some of them are currently sitting in the thousands on the resale market while others are just "kinda" cool.
The "Top 3" Jordan 1: A Mashup of Greatness
Back in 2016, Jordan Brand decided to stop playing favorites. They took the three most iconic colorways—the Chicago (Red/White), the Bred (Black/Red), and the Royal (Black/Blue)—and literally stitched them into one sneaker. This is the Jordan 1 red black blue that most people are actually thinking of.
It was polarizing.
Purists hated it. They thought it was too busy, too loud, and "disrespected" the legacy of the original 1985 releases. But the street-style crowd? They ate it up. The "Top 3" used asymmetrical color blocking, meaning the left shoe doesn't match the right shoe. If you're wearing these, people will stare at your feet. It's unavoidable.
The retail price was a modest $160 at launch. Now? You’re looking at $500 to $700 depending on how crispy the box is. What’s wild is how the "Top 3" actually paved the way for later mashups like the "Gold Top 3" and even the "Homage to Home," which split the shoe right down the middle like a Two-Face villain.
That "Spider-Man" Connection
If you saw the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, you saw Miles Morales rocking a pair of AJ1s that looked suspiciously like Chicagos. But they weren't exactly standard. Nike released the "Origin Story" 1s to celebrate the film, and while the primary colors are red and black, there’s a heavy "Photo Blue" influence on the tongue tag and the icy translucent outsole.
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It’s subtle.
From a distance, they look like the classic red-and-blacks. Get up close, though, and you see the reflective 3M dots that mimic the comic book "Ben-Day" printing style. It’s a masterclass in how to use blue as an accent rather than a main character. These things exploded in value. If you didn't grab them for $160 in 2018, you're now paying a "superhero tax" of nearly $600.
The Union LA "Black Toe": The GOAT of the Trio?
We have to talk about the Union Los Angeles collaboration from 2018. If you ask any serious collector about the best Jordan 1 red black blue ever made, they’ll probably point to the Union "Black Toe."
Chris Gibbs, the owner of Union, wanted a shoe that looked like it was found at a flea market and stitched together from two different pairs. He took a "Black Toe" (red/black/white) and slapped a "neutral grey/blue" collar on top with bright yellow zigzag stitching.
It sounds like a disaster on paper.
In reality, it’s arguably the best Jordan 1 of the last decade. The materials are insane—thick, tumbled leather that actually feels like a premium product. It bridged the gap between the red-heavy Chicago aesthetic and the cooler blue tones of the "Storm Blue" pairs.
Today, these are "mortgage payment" shoes. You're looking at $2,000+ for a deadstock pair. It’s the ultimate flex for anyone who wants those three specific colors but wants to look like they have refined, vintage taste rather than just wearing a bright neon sign on their feet.
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Why This Color Combo is Actually Hard to Style
Let’s be real for a second. Wearing red, black, and blue at the same time is a styling nightmare if you aren't careful. You run the risk of looking like a walking American flag or a superhero cosplayer.
The secret that most "influencers" won't tell you? Keep the rest of the fit dead simple.
- Go All Black: Let the shoes do the screaming. Black jeans, black hoodie.
- The Vintage Route: If you're rocking the Unions, go with washed denim and a cream-colored tee to match the "yellowed" midsole.
- Don't Color Match: Whatever you do, don't wear a red hat and a blue jacket. You'll look like a mascot.
The "Fearless" Pack and Patent Leather
There’s another pair that often gets lost in the shuffle: the "Fearless" High OG. Released in 2019, this one literally splits the shoe between "UNC Blue" on the back and "Chicago Red" on the front.
The catch? It’s entirely patent leather.
It’s shiny. Like, really shiny.
It was a tribute to Michael Jordan’s journey from North Carolina to Chicago. While the sentiment is great, patent leather is a "love it or hate it" material. It creases instantly and attracts fingerprints like a magnet. But if you want a pair that represents the transition from blue to red, this is the most literal interpretation Nike has ever produced. It’s surprisingly affordable compared to the Unions, usually sitting around the $300 mark.
What to Look for When Buying
If you’re hunting for these on the secondary market—sites like eBay, GOAT, or StockX—you need to be sharp. The "Top 3" and "Origin Story" are some of the most faked shoes in existence.
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Check the "Swoosh" shape. On fakes, it often looks "hooked" or too thin. Look at the "Wings" logo; the R and the D in "Jordan" should always touch. If there’s a gap, run away.
Also, pay attention to the blue. On the "Top 3," it should be a deep "Varsity Royal," not a bright "Game Royal." Getting the shade wrong is a dead giveaway that the pair came from a factory it wasn't supposed to.
The Future of the Red, Black, and Blue Aesthetic
Rumors are always swirling in the sneaker world. We’ve seen "Reimagined" versions of almost every OG colorway lately, from the "Lost & Found" Chicagos to the "Royal Reimagined" in suede.
Is a "Top 3 Reimagined" coming? Maybe.
Nike knows that the Jordan 1 red black blue palette is a cash cow. It taps into the nostalgia of the 1985 originals while offering something "new" for the younger generation. Whether it’s through a high-end collab or a general release, these colors will always find a way back onto the shelves.
If you’re looking to add a pair to your rotation, I’d suggest starting with the "Top 3" if you can find a clean used pair. They have more "soul" than the patent leather versions and they're more attainable than the Unions. They represent a specific era of sneaker culture where "more was more," and honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what your wardrobe needs.
Your Next Steps for the Hunt:
- Check the SKU: For the "Top 3," look for style code 555088-026. For the "Origin Story," it's 555088-602.
- Verify the Materials: If you're looking at Unions, the leather should be matte and thick, never shiny or plastic-feeling.
- Monitor the Market: Use price tracking apps to see if a particular size is dipping; often, prices fluctuate based on "restock" rumors that may or may not be true.