Miles Morales didn't just save the multiverse; he saved the high-top. When Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse dropped in 2018, sneakerheads collectively held their breath. We weren't looking at some generic, legally-distinct cartoon boot. No, Miles was rocking the Into the Spider Verse shoes everyone recognized instantly: the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG "Chicago."
It was a vibe.
Usually, when a brand does a movie tie-in, it feels thirsty. It feels like a boardroom meeting turned into a product placement. But Sony and Jordan Brand caught lightning in a bottle here. They understood that Miles, a kid from Brooklyn with an affinity for street art and hip-hop, wouldn't just wear any sneaker. He’d wear the one that represents the soul of the city.
The Story Behind the "Origin Story" AJ1
You can't talk about these kicks without talking about the "Origin Story" release. Nike didn't just let the movie happen; they dropped a physical version of the Into the Spider Verse shoes that mirrored what was on screen. But there was a twist. Instead of a standard Chicago colorway, they added 3M reflective dots. These Ben-Day dots were a direct nod to the comic book printing style used in the film's unique animation.
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It was subtle. It was brilliant.
If you look at the 2018 release today, the prices on the secondary market are honestly wild. We’re talking $600 to $1,000 depending on the size and condition. Why? Because it wasn't just a gimmick. It was a bridge between cinema and street culture. Most people think "movie shoes" are for kids. They’re wrong. These became a legitimate grail for serious collectors who usually wouldn't touch a "promotional" sneaker with a ten-foot pole.
Breaking Down the Visuals
The texture is what gets people. On the "Origin Story" pair, the icy blue translucent outsole replaces the traditional red bottom of the 1985 classic. It’s a literal "cool" touch. When the light hits those reflective dots, the shoe transforms. It mimics that glitching effect Miles experiences when his DNA is trying to figure out which universe it belongs in.
Then came Across the Spider-Verse in 2023.
Expectations were through the roof. People wanted another Chicago clone. Instead, Jordan Brand gave us the "Next Chapter." This shoe was polarizing. Some folks hated the patchwork aesthetic—the marbled suedes, the geometric patterns, and the varied leathers. But that was the point. The shoe represented the fractured nature of the multiverse. It wasn't supposed to look clean; it was supposed to look like it was vibrating between dimensions.
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Why the Culture Obsesses Over These Kicks
Sneakers are a language. In the film, Miles wears his AJ1s with the laces untied. It’s a specific look. It’s a "New York" look. It signaled to the audience that this wasn't Peter Parker’s story. This was something different. Something fresher.
Honestly, the Into the Spider Verse shoes did more for Jordan Brand’s relevance with Gen Z than a dozen standard retro releases ever could. It contextualized the history. It took a shoe from 1985 and made it the symbol of a 21st-century hero.
- The 2018 "Origin Story" used premium tumbled leather.
- The 2023 "Next Chapter" featured a mix of glow-in-the-dark elements and weirdly shaped overlays.
- There were even Stash versions and custom pairs made for the cast and crew that never saw a retail shelf.
Most people don't realize how much the animation team obsessed over the footwear. They didn't just draw a red and black shoe. They studied how leather creases. They looked at how the sole wears down. That level of detail is why the shoes feel like a character themselves.
The Misconceptions About "Spider-Man" Jordans
A lot of casual fans get confused. They see a pair of red and black Nikes and think they’re the "Spider-Verse" shoes. Not quite.
There is a huge difference between a "Chicago" Jordan 1 and the specific Into the Spider Verse shoes. If it doesn't have the 3M dots or the icy sole (for the first movie) or the multi-textured, "glitchy" panels (for the second), it’s just a standard colorway. Collectors are pedantic about this. If you show up to a sneaker con claiming your 2015 Chicagos are "Spider-Man shoes," you’re going to get some side-eye.
Also, can we talk about the size runs? Nike actually released these in full family sizing. That’s rare for a high-heat collab. Usually, the kids get left out or get a "takedown" version with cheaper materials. Not here. The commitment to the fans was real.
What’s Next for the Feet of the Multiverse?
With Beyond the Spider-Verse on the horizon, the rumor mill is already spinning. Will we see a Prowler-themed Jordan 1? Maybe a Miles Morales signature shoe that isn't a retro? The "Next Chapter" proved that the brand is willing to get weird. They aren't afraid to mess with the silhouette.
There's also the "Utility" version of the Stash pairs. Those have actual pouches on them. They look like something a Spider-Person would actually use to carry extra web cartridges. It's functional storytelling through footwear.
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How to Spot a Fake in 2026
The market is flooded with "reps." Because the Into the Spider Verse shoes are so valuable, the counterfeiters have gotten scary good. But they usually mess up the dots. On the "Origin Story" pair, the reflective dots should be subtle. If they look like bright white polka dots in normal lighting, they're fake.
The "Next Chapter" is even harder to replicate because of the different leather grains. The red leather on the ankle should feel vastly different from the leather on the toe box. If the texture is uniform across the whole shoe, stay away.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Fans
If you're looking to grab a piece of this history, don't just jump on the first eBay listing you see. The "Spider-Verse" hype isn't dying down, especially as the third movie approaches.
- Verify the SKU: For the 2018 "Origin Story," you're looking for 555088-602. For the 2023 "Next Chapter," it's DV1741-601. Anything else is a different model.
- Check the 3M: Use your phone’s flash to take a photo of the shoes. The reflective pattern on the 2018 pair should pop, but not look "painted on."
- Inspect the Box: The packaging for these was unique. The 2018 box had a specialized Spider-Man themed paper inside, and the box itself had subtle branding differences compared to a standard black-and-red Jordan box.
- Look Beyond the AJ1: Remember that other characters have iconic footwear too. Spider-Gwen’s ballet-inspired slippers and the various sneakers worn by the background "Spider-Society" members in the sequel are spawning their own sub-cultures of customizers.
The Into the Spider Verse shoes represent a shift in how movies and fashion interact. It’s no longer about putting a logo on a shirt. It’s about building a world where the clothes feel as real as the people wearing them. Whether you're a hardcore collector or just someone who loved the movie, these sneakers are a permanent part of the Spider-Man mythos now. They are the uniform of the underdog.