" It's part of the story! Wearing them feels nostalgic — takes me back. The traction is good on dry surfaces, and the padded tongue is a nice touch. Is it worth the $125? As a piece of sneaker culture, absolutely. As a pinnacle of foot technology? No way. I'd steer a basketball player toward modern Jordans, but I'd tell a fashion-head this is a must-consider. On foot, the silhouette is just undeniably cool. It gives you that slight lift and the ankle support feels more substantial than a low-top. I'm wearing this "Light Smoke Grey" pair, and the quality is surprisingly decent for the price. Is it the "best" leather? No. But it looks great and creases in a classic way. For the cost, the Air Jordan 1 Mid delivers serious style per dollar. Comparing it to other Jordans: the "air jordan 1 mid" sits between the OG High and the Low. You get that iconic high-top look without the "full" height, which some find restrictive. Price-wise, it's often a sweet spot – more affordable than hyped Highs. The silhouette is slightly different (fewer eyelets, different shape), but to the average person? It's an AJ1. It's all about that classic basketball aesthetic. Who should maybe skip it? Serious performance basketball players -- this isn't 2024 tech. Also, if you're a die-hard sneakerhead who only values the "original" High OG specs and materials, you might be disappointed. This is the more accessible, mass-friendly version of the icon. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that for 99% of people.