Air Jordan 1

As with every year, the Air Jordan 1 plays a big role in the Jumpman’s 2026 release line-up. In the opening quarter, an always-healthy crop of general releases from the “All-Star” to the OG Low “Medium Olive” dot the calendar between show-stoppers like the Fragment x Union LA three-pack.

Surely, the brand has plenty more surprises in store, but further into the year, we’re already counting down for the return of the Air Jordan 1 “Royal” and the dawn of Travis Scott’s “Pink Pack.”

If you’d like up-to-date info on what’s dropping throughout the year, make sure to check out our Air Jordan Release Dates page.

The AJ1 was designed by Peter Moore following Michael Jordan’s signing to Nike in 1984. Though unspecific in what he wanted, the athlete provided Moore two requests: the shoe had to be lower cut than others and it also had to be exciting.

What ensued set aflame to one of the most important footwear brands to date. And with its inaugural colorways — which MJ hated for its devilish red look — the model subverted the plain offerings prolific at the time.

The AJ1 is often offered at different price points depending on material, construction, and collaborator. Typically, the Air Jordan 1 High retails for $180 USD, while the Mid and Low charge $115 and $90, respectively.

The AJ1 is widely considered to be true-to-size, so take the size you typically wear. It is highly recommended that you try on a pair in-store before making a decision, however, as everyone’s feet are a little different.

The AJ1, depending on the make and model, varies dramatically in availability. For example, the AJ1 Mid can be had year-round in various colorways, with sizes rarely ever selling out within unreasonable times. The same can be said for the AJ1 Low, though the silhouette doesn’t share the same stigma as the Mid.

If you’re looking for the AJ1 High, they release through Nike SNKRS and select retailers like Finish Line, JD Sports, Foot Locker, etc. The AJ1 Mid and Low are typically available through the Nike Store as well as the same stores.

For limited collaborations and more high profile releases, your best bet is either Stadium Goods or eBay.

Yes — Jordan Brand and Nike are two sides to the same coin. The Jordan line-up, which most recently released the Air Jordan 39, was created for Michael Jordan himself following his signing to the Swoosh in 1984.

The short answer: The AJ1 High along with its collaborative and special edition variants charge upwards of $180 MSRP due most in part to their construction. The shoe is made entirely of leather panels, with some utilizing more technical synthetic fabrications, nylon, patent leather, and much more. Certain offerings are also expensive because of their ties to influential names like Dior, Travis Scott, Off-White, and many others. For a longer breakdown, visit “Why Are Jordan 1s So Expensive?“

The cheapest Jordan is the low-top version of MJ’s first signature sneaker. It goes on sale at select retailers and Nike.com. Some options will be discounted at the end of the season if there’s still a surplus of stock.

The AJ1 High is typically more limited than the AJ1 Mid. As such, the latter can often be had regularly throughout the year, while the former, by comparison, is difficult to obtain outside of their release date.