It's a cornerstone. If you want a piece of that legacy in your closet – and you're okay with the classic, less-cushioned feel – then grabbing a pair of Jordan Air 1s is a no-brainer. It's an essential, in my opinion. Here's the classic 'Bred' Jordan Air 1. Unboxing it never gets old—that black/red combo is just powerful. The shape looks great this year. On foot, it's the same story: iconic look, average comfort. The ankle collar provides good support, but the midsole is hard. Side-by-side with a Dunk, the Air 1 has more structure. The biggest pro is its status in history—it's a must-have. The con? It's not a comfortable sneaker by today's standards. For ~$170 USD, you're buying a piece of culture. Perfect for your collection. Not ideal if you want a "walk-all-day" shoe. My final take? At around $170-$200 for most retros, the value is in the design. You're buying into a legend. For a first Jordan? It's a perfect start. For a veteran? It's a necessary classic. Just go in knowing the feel is classic, not cloud-like. Would I recommend it? Absolutely – but with those caveats. Major pro? The "versatility". This $210 sneaker goes with almost anything. Its cultural impact is huge - that's a big part of what you're buying. The build quality on my pair is consistent, no glue stains or major flaws. For a classic, it's hard to beat. It just "works" for so many different looks and occasions.

  • Shown: University Blue
  • Style: DZ5485-612

Available

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