The Air Jordan 1 High '85 ‘Bred’ Returns After 40 Years

The Air Jordan 1 High ’85 ‘Bred’ is a legend, a walking piece of history, and the holy grail of kicks. First hitting the scene in 1985, this was the sneaker that kicked off Michael Jordan’s iconic partnership with Nike. Fast forward 40 years, and the ‘Bred’ is back. Get ready for the comeback that’ll have sneakerheads lining up like it’s 1985 all over again!

Instead of leading its own promotional campaign, Jordan Brand has taken a unique approach, deactivating its official Instagram account and allowing retail partners to generate anticipation organically. The result? A wave of excitement among sneaker enthusiasts.

Let’s rewind to the 1980s. Back then, the NBA enforced a strict rule: every basketball shoe had to be at least 51% white. This made most sneakers, whether Converse or New Balance, look almost identical. But when Michael Jordan began working with Nike, his signature sneakers were loud; designed in striking red and black. Each time he wore them on the court, he was fined $5,000 for breaking the uniform code. Nike, however, embraced the controversy, paying the fines for every game and turning the rebellious ‘Bred’ into what is now famously known as the ‘Banned.’ This bold move sparked one of the greatest marketing campaigns in sports history.

While the ‘Bred’ has been re released several times over the years, Jordan Brand’s latest iteration is a standout. The upcoming Air Jordan 1 High ’85 ‘Bred’ has been meticulously recreated to closely mirror the original design. The team went back to the drawing board, rebuilding the shoe from scratch to ensure it embodies the same look and feel as the 1985 classic.

Dressed in a timeless ‘Black’ and ‘Varsity Red’ leather upper, the sneaker features signature details like the iconic Nike Swoosh on the sidewalls and the winged basketball emblem on the collar. The midsole, finished in clean white, incorporates Nike’s renowned Air technology for superior comfort and bounce.

This piece of sneaker history drops on 14th February via the SNKRS app and select retailers worldwide, with a retail price of approximately £185. But there’s a catch: this release is expected to be extremely limited, with only around 10,000 pairs rumoured to be in circulation.

In the U.S., it’s speculated that just 23 locations will stock these coveted kicks. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first time buyer, securing a pair will be a challenge; but for a sneaker this legendary, it’s worth the effort. Want your best chancve at snagging these for retail? Hit that 'Notify me' button above!