You know the look. That aggressive mix of black and varsity red that looks like it should be illegal. Honestly, in 1985, the NBA actually thought it was. Most people call them "Breds," but if you're a purist, you're calling them the Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG. It’s the shoe that basically invented modern sneaker culture. Before this dropped, basketball shoes were boring, mostly white, and definitely didn't have people queuing up around city blocks.
It's a weird piece of history.
Most people think Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG during his entire rookie season, but that's actually a bit of a myth. He mostly wore the Nike Air Ship in a similar colorway while the Jordan 1 was being finalized. But Nike's marketing team was brilliant. They leaned into the "Banned" narrative, claiming the NBA fined MJ $5,000 every time he stepped on the court in them because they didn't have enough white on them. It was the best advertisement money could never buy.
The Design That Changed Everything
Peter Moore designed this thing. He wasn't just making a shoe; he was building a brand identity from scratch. When you look at an Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG, the first thing that hits you is the color blocking. The "Bred" name is just a shorthand for Black and Red. The toe box is red. The heel is red. The swoosh is red. Everything else is deep, moody black.
It’s simple. It’s loud. It’s perfect.
Leather quality on these varies wildly depending on which year’s retro you're holding. If you’ve got the 2001 pair, the leather is thick and a bit stiff. The 2016 "Banned" retro? That one used a tumbled leather that felt buttery right out of the box. Fans are still arguing about which one is better. Personally, the shape of the 1985 original—the "85 cut"—is the holy grail because of that higher collar and the way the swoosh sits. It’s a bit more aggressive than the modern retros we see sitting on shelves today.
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That Banned Myth vs. Reality
Let's get the facts straight because the internet loves a good story more than the truth. The NBA did send a letter to Nike in February 1985. It didn't technically "ban" the Air Jordan 1 specifically in that letter; it referenced a "certain black and red Nike basketball shoes" worn by Jordan around October 18, 1984.
That shoe was the Air Ship.
Nike didn't care. They ran with it. They filmed a commercial where the camera panned down MJ’s body while a narrator talked about how the NBA threw them out of the game, but they couldn't stop you from wearing them. It created this aura of rebellion. You weren't just buying a sneaker; you were buying a middle finger to the establishment. Every time the Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG re-releases, that's the energy people are chasing.
Why Collectors Lose Their Minds Over This Colorway
Value is a funny thing in the sneaker world. You’ve got shoes that are "limited" because a brand only made 500 pairs, and then you have the Bred 1. Millions exist. Yet, the price never stays down. Why? Because it’s the foundation.
If you're starting a collection, this is step one. It’s like owning a white t-shirt or a pair of Levi’s 501s. It’s a staple. But unlike a white tee, a deadstock pair of 2016 Breds will currently set you back anywhere from $800 to $1,200 depending on your size. If you want a pair from 1985? You’re looking at five figures. Easy.
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The Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG transcends sports. You see them on skateboards. You see them on runways in Paris. You see them on the feet of kids who weren't even born when MJ retired from the Wizards, let alone when he was flying through the air in '85. It’s a design that refused to age. Some shoes look "vintage" or "dated." The Bred 1 just looks "correct."
The "Lost and Found" Effect and Future Retros
We saw the "Chicago" colorway get the Reimagined treatment recently with the Lost and Found release. Now, the rumors are constantly swirling about when the Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG will get that same aged, vintage look. People want the cracked leather. They want the yellowed midsoles. They want the storytelling.
But there’s a risk there.
Some purists hate the "pre-aged" look. They want their Breds to look like they just came off the factory floor in 1985—crisp, clean, and ready to be broken in over a decade of wear. That’s the beauty of this shoe; it actually looks better when it’s trashed. The red paint starts to dull, the black leather gets those natural creases, and the white midsole takes on a bit of a cream hue from the sidewalk dust. It’s one of the few luxury items that gains character as it falls apart.
Spotting the Real Deal
The market is flooded with fakes. Since the Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG is so popular, the "replica" market has gotten scary good. If you're buying a pair today, you have to be paranoid.
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Check the "Wings" logo. On a real pair, the embossing should be deep. You should be able to feel the ridges. The "R" and the "D" in Jordan should touch at the bottom. If there's a gap, you’re likely looking at a fake. Look at the hour-glass shape from the back. A real Jordan 1 tapers in at the middle and swells at the top and bottom. If it looks like a straight block, stay away.
And the smell? Honestly, if you know, you know. That specific Nike factory glue smell is hard to replicate.
How to Actually Wear Them Without Looking Like a TikTok Meme
Look, you can wear these with anything, but there's an art to it. Because the Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG is so high-contrast, it draws all the attention to your feet.
- Keep the pants simple. Raw denim or black chinos are the gold standard. You want the pants to sit right at the top of the shoe or have a slight stack.
- Avoid matching too much. Don't wear a red and black hat, a red and black flannel, and red and black socks. It’s too much. You end up looking like a human checkerboard. Let the shoes be the loudest part of the outfit.
- Lacing matters. Some people tie them tight all the way to the top hole. Others leave the top two unlaced for a looser, "off-duty" look. There's no wrong way, but the loose-lace style is definitely the current vibe in street photography.
What’s Next for the Bred?
We are currently seeing a shift in how Jordan Brand handles these "grail" colorways. They are leaning heavily into the "OG" specs—meaning they are trying to match the shape and materials of the 1985 release as closely as possible.
The Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG will never go out of style, but it will become harder to find in its truest form. As leather costs rise and manufacturing locations shift, the "perfect" Bred 1 might already be behind us. Or, maybe the next "Reimagined" version will be the one that finally captures the lightning in a bottle that MJ caught back in Chicago.
If you’re looking to pick up a pair, don't wait for a price drop. They don't drop. They just get more expensive as deadstock pairs disappear into private collections. It’s an investment in a piece of culture that also happens to look great with a pair of jeans.
Actionable Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Audit Your Source: Before buying, use platforms like CheckCheck or r/repsneakers for a community-driven legitimacy check. Never rely on just one photo.
- Storage Matters: If you own a pair, keep them out of direct sunlight. The red pigment on the Air Jordan 1 Bred High OG is prone to fading over years of UV exposure.
- Know the Cycle: Jordan Brand typically retros this colorway every 5 to 7 years. If you missed the last drop, keep a close eye on SNKRS app leak accounts for the next "85 Cut" or "Reimagined" rumor.
- Maintenance: Use a horsehair brush for the leather parts and a dedicated sneaker cleaner for the white midsoles. Avoid putting them in the washing machine at all costs—the heat can ruin the internal glue and cause the sole to separate.