If you walk into any sneaker shop today, you’ll see people staring at the jordan ones red black. They call them "Breds." Some call them "Banned." Honestly, it’s the kind of shoe that makes grown men spend four figures on a piece of leather and rubber without blinking.
But here’s the thing: most of what you’ve heard about them is basically a myth.
We’ve all heard the legend. Michael Jordan wears the black and red shoes. The NBA hates them because they don't have enough white. David Stern fines MJ $5,000 every single game. Nike, being the ultimate rebels, just cuts the check and says, "Keep playing, Mike." It’s a great story. It's also mostly a lie cooked up by some geniuses in the Nike marketing department back in 1984.
The "Banned" Lie and the Nike Air Ship
The shoe that actually got in trouble with the NBA wasn't even an Air Jordan 1. It was the Nike Air Ship.
Back in the 1984 preseason, MJ was lacing up a high-top that looked a lot like the Jordan 1 but didn't have the "Wings" logo yet. The league sent a letter to Nike VP Rob Strasser on February 25, 1985, specifically calling out the "black and red Nike basketball shoes." They didn't like that the shoes didn't match the rest of the Bulls' white-heavy sneakers.
The fine? It wasn't $5,000 every game. It was a one-time thing, likely much smaller—around $1,000. But Nike saw an opening. They filmed a commercial where the camera pans down MJ’s legs to a pair of jordan ones red black with black bars over them. The narrator says the NBA "threw them out of the game," but they "can't stop you from wearing them."
Sales went nuclear.
Nike projected to sell maybe $3 million worth of Jordans in the first three years. They did $70 million in the first two months. People wanted the shoe that was "illegal."
Why the Colorway Actually Works
It isn't just the marketing. The color blocking on the original black and red—technically Black/Varsity Red-White—is perfect.
Most shoes in 1985 were white. Boring, dusty, clinic-white. The jordan ones red black was aggressive. You have that deep red on the toe box, the heel, and the Swoosh, contrasted against the pitch-black leather overlays. It looked like a luxury sports car.
There's a specific texture to the 1985 pairs that collectors lose their minds over. The leather was thicker. The shape was higher. If you find a pair from the original run today, the "Wings" logo is often slightly larger and placed differently than on the modern "Retro" versions.
Not All Red and Blacks Are Created Equal
People get confused because there are so many versions. Let's look at the heavy hitters:
- The "Bred" / "Banned" High: This is the grail. Black on the side panels, red on the toe and back.
- The Chicago: Red overlays on a white base with a black Swoosh. This is what MJ actually wore most of the time to avoid the fines.
- The Black Toe: A mix of both. White side panels, black around the toe, and red on the heel.
Then you have the weird ones. Like the 2011 "Banned" release that had a literal "X" on the heel. Or the 2021 "Patent Bred" which was so shiny you could see your reflection in the toe box. Some people hated the gloss. Others thought it looked like a tuxedo shoe.
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The 2025/2026 Market Shift
For a few years there, Jordan 1s were untouchable. Prices were insane.
Lately, things have chilled out a bit. But the jordan ones red black is the exception to the rule. While "GR" (General Release) colorways are sitting on shelves, the OG black and red still commands a premium.
On platforms like StockX and GOAT, a 2016 "Banned" pair is still hovering between $600 and $900 depending on size. The rumored "85 Cut" version—which is supposed to be an exact 1:1 replica of the original shape—is already the most anticipated drop for many collectors.
Why? Because it’s the foundation. No black and red Jordan 1, no sneaker culture. It’s that simple.
How to Tell if You’re Getting Screwed
If you're buying a pair of jordan ones red black today, you need to be careful. The "reps" (replicas) have gotten scary good.
Check the "Wings" logo. On a real pair, the embossing should be deep and sharp. If it looks like a flat sticker, run. Also, smell them. Seriously. Authentic Nike leather has a specific, slightly chemical but "new" smell. Fakes often smell like industrial glue or cheap plastic.
Look at the "Swoosh" shape. It should have a clean, sharp point. If the curve looks "pregnant" or too thick at the belly, it’s probably a dud.
Actionable Tips for the Modern Collector
- Don't pay "Hype" prices early: Unless it's an extremely limited "85 Cut" or a collaboration, prices often dip slightly 2-3 months after a release before they climb back up.
- Store them right: If you're dropping $800 on "Breds," don't leave them in a hot garage. The midsoles will crumble or the glue will dry out. Use a cool, dry place.
- Verify the year: A 2013 pair fits and looks totally different than a 2016 pair. The 2016 version is widely considered the best "modern" retro because the leather is actually soft.
- Check the secondary market trends: Use tools like the "Big Facts" reports to see if volume is moving. If nobody is buying, you have leverage to negotiate with local sellers.
At the end of the day, these shoes are a piece of history you can wear on your feet. Whether the "ban" was a lie or not doesn't really matter anymore. The myth became the reality, and the jordan ones red black became the most important sneaker ever made.
If you want to start a serious collection, you don't start with a collab or a weird hybrid. You start here. You get the black and red. You wear them until the soles go smooth. That's how you actually respect the legacy.