Every Single Air Jordan 1 Variation Explained

Launched back in 1985 as Michael Jordan’s first-ever signature sneaker with Nike, the Air Jordan 1 is without a doubt one of the most popular silhouettes in the history of sneakers. Debuting in the original “Chicago” colourway, the kicks have stayed relevant for nearly 40 years and continue to prove popular across plenty of different subcultures. Often used as the blank canvas for collaborations, the Air Jordan 1 actually comes in multiple different variations, some of which you may never have heard of.

From classic high-tops to weird and wonderful rarely-seen variants, join us at The Sole Supplier as we delve deep into the history books and take a look at every single AJ1 version and the history behind them.

The original and the best. As Michael Jordan’s first-ever signature sneaker, the high-top variation of the AJ1 remains easily the most popular version on the market. As one of the best-selling sneaker designs of all time, this model holds a special place in the heart of both sneakerheads and MJ fans, with plenty of legendary colourways launching over the years. If there’s a hyped Air Jordan 1 release then there’s a high chance it’s this variation. Usually featuring plush leather and subtle cushioning around the ankles, back in 1985 this silhouette was a serious competitive basketball sneaker, although over time it graduated to act as a popular lifestyle model instead.

While it holds a somewhat questionable status amongst sneaker enthusiasts, the Air Jordan 1 Mid actually launched alongside the highs back in 1985, and was worn by Michael himself on many occasions. Offering a slightly lower cut than the high-top alternative, rumour has it that MJ actually preferred the mid due to it being less restrictive, although this has never been officially confirmed. Also slightly cheaper than its higher counterpart, the AJ1 Mid is generally less-hyped and easier to access, and was popularised amongst sneakerheads via a series of Japan-exclusive releases in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.

Also designed by Peter Moore, the AJ1 Low does exactly what it says on the tin, it offers up a low-top variant of the classic we all know and love. In this day and age, these kicks generally feature an embroidered Jumpman on the tongues, wings logo on the heels and Swoosh logos either side. The tongues are heavily padded, high-quality leather is used throughout, making these a popular choice in the warmer months of the year. Notable colourways to hit the AJ1 Low include “UNC”, “Mocha” and even “Chicago”-esque variants.

While the aforementioned Air Jordan 1 Low is far more frequently seen at the time of writing, there is an alternate option that mirrors the exact design from the 1985 release. The AJ1 Low OG features a slightly lower-cut across the tongue, along with Nike Air embroidery on the tongues, appeasing the sneaker purists amongst us. While these might seem like minor changes, to many they can be the difference between cop or drop. This silhouette seems to be a popular choice for those using the AJ1 Low as a blank canvas for collaborations, with Travis Scott and fragment Design even choosing this sneaker for their groundbreaking three-way effort.

Launched for a very-brief period in 1985 alongside the AJ1 High OG, the Air Jordan 1 KO is somewhat elusive when it comes to information. Many claim that KO stands for “Knock Out”, with the kicks reportedly aimed at the boxing market, although reputable sources also state that it stands for “Knock Off”, and was aimed at the lower-price bracket retailers back in the ‘80s, essentially Nike ripping off it’s own pair before fakes could be made. Crafted entirely from canvas and showing a different structure to the rest of the range, the Nigel Sylvester’s signature AJ1 High was indeed priced well below its competitors. Recently revived for the modern market, we’ve since seen several colourways hit retailers and consequently sell out.

Speaking of canvas AJ1 variants, it’s only right that we touch on the popular Air Jordan 1 High Zoom CMFT. Often used for women’s-specific releases, this model features a fully canvas upper as well as way more cushioning around the ankles than any previous variant. A fully-exposed foam tongue and range-specific branding makes these easy to differentiate from their predecessors. Coming in clutch with Zoom cushioning beneath the feet, it’s likely that these are the most comfortable AJ1 release to ever hit the market.

If you’re lacking a little when it comes to height then the Air Jordan 1 LV8D could just be the sneaker to give you that boost you’ve been looking for your whole life. While the uppers take on the form of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG, it’s what’s beneath the feet here that does all the talking. The traditional midsole unit instead offers a stacked appearance for a chunky and ultra-modern look. Launching exclusively in women’s sizing so far, could this be a silhouette that will be popularised in the months to come?

While we might have seen more of the AJ1 High Zoom CMFT, it wasn’t actually the first sneaker from the lineup to incorporate Zoom technology. In fact, the lesser-seen Air Jordan 1 High Zoom Racer did it first. Offering a more streamlined and OG cut than the Zoom CMFT, this pair also incorporated see-through panels across the upper and a range-specific Zoom tag, distinguishing it from the rest of the AJ1 range. As of yet we’ve only seen several colourways launch, but could this be one to watch in the future?

While Nike’s skateboarding division has plenty of successful silhouettes in its own right, the label has been known to borrow the AJ1 on numerous occasions in the past. Beefing up the design with tougher materials and increased cushioning to handle the high-impact sport of skateboarding, the kicks have proved hugely successful amongst sneakerheads and skateboarders alike. Notable releases include Nigel Sylvester's signature AJ1 and the popular double pack featuring the “LA to Chicago” and the “NYC to Paris”. With a Nike SB x AJ4 rumoured to be inbound, could more SB Air Jordan 1s be en route soon?

Last but by no means least is possibly the strangest-ever Air Jordan 1 variant to hit the market. Showcasing a unique laceless design, the AJ1 Low Slip launched briefly in 2019 and went mostly under the radar. In place of the laces resides a long tongue tab decked out fully in Nike branding, while mini-Swooshes are also present on the toe box. A series of colourways including a Chicago-inspired variant launched over a short period of time, although the sneaker was shortly discontinued.

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