They're definitely a "stiff" shoe at first—you gotta break 'em in. The cushioning is what it is: basic. But, hey, that's the classic "Air Jordan 1" experience. The ankle collar offers good support, though, and they feel secure on foot. Not a "comfort" shoe, but not unbearable. After wearing these all day, my take? The "Air Jordan 1 Chicago" is a masterpiece to look at, but just okay to walk in. The flat, firm footbed takes getting used to. It's perfect for short outings or photo ops! If you need a super-comfy daily driver, look at New Balance. This is for flexing, pure and simple. After wearing them all day, here's my real take. The leather upper—on this Chicago colorway—breathes okay, but it's not a summer shoe. My feet were warm. The grip is surprisingly good for a casual wear. Compared to a Jordan 3 or 4? Much less padding. You feel the ground more. The pro is the unbeatable confidence they give you. The con is the literal pain during the break-in period. It gets better, though! Putting them side-by-side with my other Jordans—the Chicago colorway just dominates the shelf. The color blocking is perfect. On foot, they feel secure and stable, though the sole is firm. A major plus is the timelessness; you can wear these in 10 years and they'll still look fire. A potential downside is the price—resell can be crazy. But for retail? It's an instant cop. This is the definition of a classic in the Jordan series.

  • Shown: Navy Velvet
  • Style: DZ5485-612

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Product reviews

Rating 4.5 out of 5. 8,008 reviews.

Characteristics assessment

Cost-benefit

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Comfortable

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It's light

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Quality of materials

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popular

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