This 'Court Purple' "AJ1" literally goes with half my closet. The build quality on this specific retro is pretty good—no major glue stains or wonky stitching on my pair. For $180 in the Jordan series, that's what you hope for. The con? That flat, firm ride. If you need plush cushioning for long walks, this isn't your shoe. It's a style-first model. Comparing it to a newer Jordan, like a 36? Totally different worlds. The AJ1 is about heritage and flat-footed stability. The newer models are for actual basketball. So, it depends on your need. For casual wear and collecting, the "Air Jordan 1 Retro" is still king for many. Walking around in them, you feel connected to the ground – some people hate that, I kinda like it for casual wear. The ankle support is excellent, a signature of the high-top "Jordan 1 Retro". They do have some weight to them, though; they're not ultra-light. If you're used to flyknit or mesh sneakers, you'll definitely notice the heft. It's part of the classic feel, for better or worse. Comparing it to, say, a Jordan 3 or 4? This 'Air Jordan 1 Retro' is much less forgiving. Less padding, simpler tech. It's the blueprint. The benefit is the sleek, low-profile look. The drawback is obvious—it’s not as comfortable. It's a fashion-first shoe from the Jordan series, always has been.

  • Shown: Shadow
  • Style: DH9696-100

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Product reviews

Rating 4.5 out of 5. 8,008 reviews.

Characteristics assessment

Cost-benefit

Rating 4.5 out of 10 5

Comfortable

Rating 4.3 out of 5

It's light

Rating 4.3 out of 5

Quality of materials

Rating 4.1 of 5

popular

Assessment 4 of 5