No modern sneaker has mixed red, black, and white quite like the first Air Jordan 1 did back in 1985. Those original colorways are still the most coveted among sneakerheads and hoops fans alike. Bu these days, a lot of in-demand Jordans sell out so fast you can barely click “add to cart” before they disappear. Here's some good news: this weekend, Nike will offer a general release (a.k.a. you’ll actually be able to buy a pair) of a highly-anticipated Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG dubbed the “Bred Toe.”
This new take on the classic sneaker blends two of those wildly popular Air Jordan colorways from way back in the day: the “Bred” and the “Black Toe.” It features a high-top premium leather upper that has the same red leather toe box of the Air Jordan 1 “Bred,” while mixing elements of color blocking on the upper from the “Black Toe” model. More good news: the original Nike Air branding appears on the tongue label. The fact that Nike is releasing a sneaker that combines these two classic colorways is a dream come true for many Air Jordan fans. (Don't believe us? Keep in mind that one out-of-control sneakerhead tried to sell a pair of these then-unreleased kicks for $10,000 last December.)
The “Bred” is perhaps one of the most classic colorways from the Air Jordan brand to date. Its predecessor, the Nike Air Ship, was banned by NBA commissioner David Stern upon its original release in MJ's rookie season for having too many colors. But Nike capitalized on the ban when it dropped a black and red version of the Air Jordan 1 in 1985, giving it the kind of bad boy persona that made people want it even more. The “Black Toe” might not have the same profile as the “Bred,” but its classic Bulls colorway has been equally beloved by style-conscious sneaker fans over the years.
It's rare for a mash-up of two classic sneakers to work so seamlessly, but that's exactly what's happening with the "Bred Toe" Jordan 1s. And most of all, we're glad to see that Nike has decided to give a such a buzzworthy sneaker a wide release in an era of lightning quick online drops and obstacle course-like antics to cop. What a crazy idea: dope sneakers that you can actually buy.
$160, available via Feb. 24 via Nike SNKRS and Footlocker stores everywhere.