Honestly, if you ask any sneakerhead to name the most important colors in Jordan history, they'll usually start shouting about "Bred" or "Chicago." It's predictable. But for those of us who actually obsess over the 1985 archives, the Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue is the real MVP. It’s the colorway that proved Mike didn’t need to be wearing Chicago Bulls red to sell a shoe.
Think about it. In 1985, Nike was taking a massive gamble. Peter Moore designed this high-top silhouette, and while the league was busy fining MJ for his "nontraditional" black and red kicks, the Royal Blue version was quietly sitting there as the only original colorway that Michael Jordan actually wore in a famous promotional photo shoot but never actually played in during a professional NBA game. That’s a weird bit of trivia, right? He wore them on a flight deck for a poster, looking cool as hell, but on the court? It was all about that red, white, and black.
This specific shoe—the Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue—basically created the blueprint for lifestyle sneaker culture. It wasn't about team uniforms. It was about style.
The weird history of the Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue
Most people assume every OG colorway saw heavy floor time. Not this one. The "Royal" is the outlier. It’s the blue-collar hero of the bunch. When it first dropped, it cost $65. That sounds like a joke now, but in '85, people thought Nike was crazy for charging that much for a basketball sneaker.
The color blocking is what enthusiasts call "Black Toe" style or "Bred" style depending on the paneling, but the Royal follows the classic "Bred" layout. You’ve got the deep black leather on the mid-panel and overlays, contrasted with that sharp, vibrant Varsity Royal on the toe box, swoosh, and heel. It’s moody. It’s aggressive. It’s also incredibly easy to wear with a pair of beat-up jeans, which is why it survived the transition from the hardwood to the streets better than almost any other shoe in history.
You have to remember that back then, sneakers weren't "investments." They were tools. But the Royal Blue looked different. It didn't look like a sports tool. It looked like something a member of a band would wear, or something you'd see in a skate video.
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Why collectors go crazy for the 1985 vs. 2001 vs. 2017 versions
If you’re looking to buy a pair today, you’re going to run into a lot of different "vibe" checks. The 1985 original is the holy grail. The leather was thick, the shape was high and sleek, and the "Wings" logo was positioned differently than it is on modern retros.
Then came 2001. This was a weird time for Jordan Brand. They released the Royal again, but they used a different kind of leather—sort of a tumbled, softer feel—and they actually numbered the pairs on a tag inside the tongue. If you find a pair of 2001 Royals today, the midsoles are probably crumbling or turning into yellow dust, but collectors still pay a premium because that specific shade of blue was just right.
The 2013 release? Total disaster for some. The shape was boxy. The leather was "glittery" (if you know, you know—that weird white film that develops on older synthetic leather). But then 2017 arrived. The 2017 Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue is widely considered the best modern retro. They finally got the leather quality back to a place that felt premium. It was soft, it creased naturally, and the shape actually looked like a 1985 high-top instead of a mid-cut imposter.
What most people get wrong about the Royal colorway
There is this massive misconception that "Royal" is just one color. It isn't. If you look at the "Royal Reimagined" that dropped in 2023, you’ll see what I mean. Nike swapped out the leather for suede. People hated it. Well, maybe "hated" is a strong word, but it sat on shelves.
Why? Because the Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue is tied to the texture of leather. The way light hits the blue pigment on a smooth grain is part of the DNA. When you switch to suede, the blue looks muted. It looks dusty. It loses that "pop" that made the original 1985 pair stand out in a sea of boring white Reebok and Converse sneakers.
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The "Banned" myth vs. Royal reality
Everyone talks about the "Banned" story—how David Stern hated MJ’s shoes. But the Royal Blue was never banned. It was the "safe" alternative for people who wanted the Jordan look without the controversy. It’s the "cool older brother" of the Chicago colorway. It’s less loud, but it commands more respect from people who actually know the history.
I’ve seen people try to argue that the Fragment 1s (the ones designed by Hiroshi Fujiwara) are more important. They aren't. The Fragment 1 basically just took the Royal colorway, moved the colors around to a "Black Toe" template, and stamped a lightning bolt on the heel. It’s a great shoe, sure, but it’s standing on the shoulders of the 1985 Royal.
How to tell if your Royals are actually "OG"
Sneaker authentication is a nightmare these days. You've got "UA" pairs and high-end fakes that can fool even the pros. But with the Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue, there are a few dead giveaways.
- The Hourglass Shape: Look at the shoe from the back. It should be wide at the top, skinny at the ankle, and wide at the bottom. Fakes are usually straight up and down like a brick.
- The Swoosh Point: On the 2017 pair, the tip of the swoosh should point directly at the top lace hole.
- The "Stars" on the Sole: On a deadstock (unworn) pair, the stars on the toe of the outsole should be crisp. If they look like blobs, you’re looking at a bad mold or a very used shoe.
- The Blue Hue: This is the hardest part. The blue shouldn't be navy, and it shouldn't be neon. It’s a deep, royal pigment that almost looks like it has a hint of purple under fluorescent lights.
Styling the Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue without looking like a 2016 YouTuber
Let’s be real. There was a time when everyone wore these with skinny distressed jeans and a long-line t-shirt. Please don't do that. It’s 2026. We’ve moved on.
The Royal Blue is a heavy shoe visually. You need balance.
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- Go Wide: Wear them with some relaxed-fit trousers or "dad" jeans. The chunkiness of a wider leg opening sits perfectly over the high-top collar.
- Contrast the Blue: Don't wear a matching blue shirt. It’s too much. Stick to greys, blacks, or even a faded vintage cream. Let the shoes be the only blue in the outfit.
- Lace Swap: Most people stick with the black laces, which is the classic look. But if you want to make the blue pop, throw the blue laces in. Just be prepared for people to stare at your feet. It’s a loud look.
The resale market and why you shouldn't wait
I get asked all the time if sneaker prices are going to crash. For some shoes? Yeah, the bubble popped. But the Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue is a "blue chip" sneaker (pun intended). It’s like buying gold or a vintage Rolex. It might fluctuate, but it’s never going to be worthless.
Right now, the 2017 pairs are hovering around a price point that is painful but "fair" for a legend. If you wait for the next "OG" leather retro, you might be waiting another five years. Nike loves to play with our emotions by releasing "Reimagined" versions or "Mid" versions that nobody asked for. If you want the real deal, you usually have to bite the bullet on the secondary market.
Real Talk: Is it comfortable?
Sort of. It’s 1985 technology. You’re basically walking on a thin wedge of rubber with a tiny "Air" unit embedded in the heel. If you’re planning on walking 10 miles in Disney World, don't wear these. Your arches will scream at you. But for a night out or a casual day at the office? They're fine. Just swap the factory insoles for some decent aftermarket ones. It makes a world of difference.
Actionable steps for the aspiring collector
If you're ready to pull the trigger on a pair of Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue sneakers, don't just go to the first resale site you find. Follow this checklist to make sure you don't get burned.
- Check the SKU: The 2017 High OG SKU is 555088-007. If the box says something else, it’s a different model (like a Mid or a different year).
- Smell the Shoe: This sounds weird, but sneakerheads know. Real Jordans have a specific "factory" smell—a mix of glue and leather. Fakes often smell like harsh chemicals or gasoline.
- Inspect the "Wings" Logo: On a real pair, the logo is deeply embossed into the leather. You should be able to feel the ridges with your fingernail. If it’s just printed on the surface, it’s a fake.
- Verify the Seller: If you're using platforms like eBay, only buy from sellers with "Authenticity Guarantee." It’s a free service where a third party checks the shoe before it hits your door.
- Don't Fear the Crease: If you buy a used pair, look at the creases. High-quality leather creases in thin, organic lines. Cheap synthetic leather "cracks" or creates huge, ugly bubbles. A slightly creased pair of Royals often looks better than a stiff, brand-new one anyway.