Look, the days of walking into a mall and grabbing OG Highs for a hundo are gone. Long gone. Honestly, with the price hikes Nike pushed through in mid-2025, even "budget" sneakers feel a bit heavy on the wallet. But here is the thing: you can still find Jordans for under 150 if you stop chasing the exact same three pairs everyone else is fighting over on SNKRS.
It takes a bit of strategy.
You’ve probably seen the headlines about tariffs and "seasonal planning" driving up retail costs by five or ten bucks a pop. It's real. A standard pair of Mids that used to sit at $125 is now pushing closer to that $135 or $140 mark. However, 2026 has actually been a decent year for shoppers because the resale market finally chilled out.
The Best Retail Options Right Now
If you want something brand new and don't want to deal with the headache of authentication apps, the Air Jordan 1 Low is your best friend.
Most standard colorways are still retailing for roughly $115 to $125. For example, the "Black/Particle Grey" or the "Summit White/Varsity Red" are basically staples at this point. They’re clean. They go with everything. And most importantly, they don't instantly sell out to botters.
Then you have the Air Jordan 1 Mid.
📖 Related: Bates Nut Farm Woods Valley Road Valley Center CA: Why Everyone Still Goes After 100 Years
People love to hate on Mids, but the quality has actually leveled up recently. You can grab the "White/Black/Light Smoke Grey" for around $130. If you find them on a holiday sale—which happens way more often than people realize at spots like Hibbett or Shoe Palace—you might even snag them for under $100.
Don't Ignore the "Flight" Models
The Jordan Flight Court and the Jordan MVP 92 are sleepers.
Seriously.
The MVP 92 is a hybrid that pulls design elements from the AJ6, AJ7, and AJ8. It’s bulky, sure, but it’s durable as hell. Retail usually hovers around $145, but because they aren't "numbered" retros, they almost always end up in the sale section. I’ve seen them listed for $109 at major retailers lately.
Where the Under $150 Gems Are Hiding
You have to look at the "Under Retail" sections.
👉 See also: Why T. Pepin’s Hospitality Centre Still Dominates the Tampa Event Scene
Apps like GOAT and eBay have sections specifically for shoes that didn't hit the hype cycle. Because Nike has been overproducing certain Jordan 1 and Jordan 13 colorways, the market is flooded. When there's too much supply, prices crater.
- Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG "Rare Air": These actually hit the sale racks for $98.98 recently (down from an $180 retail).
- Air Jordan 4 RM: This is the "Restomod" version of the 4. It’s lower, more "skate-inspired," and you can find them for about $150 if you pick the right colorway.
- Jordan Spizike Low: A classic mashup that usually sits at $160, but frequently dips to $119 on clearance.
It's sorta about being patient.
If you see a shoe you like, wait three weeks. Unless it's a Travis Scott collab or an OG "Chicago" colorway, it’s probably going to stay in stock long enough for a coupon code to apply.
The 2026 Price Reality
Let’s be real for a second.
Nike raised prices on mid-range sneakers by about $5 across the board starting in June 2025. This means your "budget" is tighter than it was two years ago. Most Air Jordan 3 and 4 retros are now $215 to $225, which is honestly wild.
✨ Don't miss: Human DNA Found in Hot Dogs: What Really Happened and Why You Shouldn’t Panic
So, if you’re strictly staying under that $150 limit, you are mostly looking at Lows, Mids, and team models like the Luka 77 or the Tatum 4. The Tatum 4 "Bloodline" is a great performance basketball shoe that retails for $129, and it actually holds up on the court.
Why Resale is Actually Better for Your Budget
The "New Model" of sneaker collecting in 2026 is buying 30% below retail.
Resellers are struggling to move "General Release" (GR) pairs. If a guy bought 50 pairs of a Jordan 1 Mid hoping to flip them, and they didn't sell, he’s going to dump them for $105 just to get his cash back. That is your time to strike. Use the "Offer" button on eBay.
Most people are afraid to lowball, but in this market? It works.
Actionable Tips for Securing Cheap Jordans
- Check the "Big Box" Sales: Sites like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Hibbett often have better sales than Nike.com because they need to clear warehouse space for new inventory.
- Size Down (if you can): If you have smaller feet, Grade School (GS) sizes top out at $120 for shoes that would cost an adult $215. The tech is slightly different, but the look is identical.
- Follow the Outlets: If you live near a Nike Clearance Store (not just a regular Factory Store), they are currently getting the 2025 overstock. You can find Air Jordan 13s and 14s for $130 to $145 because they were produced in such high numbers.
- Avoid the "Hype" Colors: A "University Blue" Jordan will always be expensive. A "Deep Royal" or "Industrial Blue"? Much cheaper, even if they look 90% the same.
The market has shifted. You don't have to be rich to have a decent rotation, you just have to stop buying shoes the day they drop. Wait for the hype to die, check the clearance racks, and keep your eye on those hybrid models that everyone else is overlooking.
Next Steps for Your Search:
Go to the official Nike website and filter by "Jordan" and then "Price: Low to High." You’ll immediately see a list of Air Jordan 1 Lows and Mids that fit the budget. Alternatively, check the "Under Retail" section on GOAT—it's currently loaded with 2025 retros that are trading for $20-$40 below their original sticker price.