Why Does Everyone Hate the Jordan 1 Mid?

If you’re new to the scene, you’ll probably be wondering what the hell is going on with the Jordan 1 Mid. They’re just the same as the Highs, but lacking about an inch in ankle padding, right? Wrong. Incase you didn’t know, Mids are disliked avidly by certain members of the community, and although they are pretty much exactly the same in design to the OG High, aside from the height, some people get a real bee in their bonnet about the way that Nike are continuing to expand their Jordan 1 Mid range, and wouldn’t be seen dead in them.

So, where did it all start? First released in 1985, the Air Jordan 1 High is considered the king of sneakers around the world. Delivering quality design and the subject of many collaborations, the AJ1 High has always been the most respected of all the Jordan silhouettes thanks to its historic background and cultural significance. The first Jordan 1 Mid was released in 2001, 15 years after the original Air Jordan 1 dropped, and it appears that this has impacted the respect certain sneakerheads have for the silhouette. The difference in time between the High, Low (released only one year after the High to the general public) and the Mid resulted in there being a lack of following and hype. For sneakerheads around the world, the Mid lacked nostalgia, had no legacy, and worse than anything, seemed like some sort of last ditch attempt to get a carbon-copy of your classic OG colourways, but made with seemingly poorer materials. The Jordan 1 Mid completely banished any sense of exclusivity.

And if there’s one thing sneakerheads love, it’s exclusivity.

Often described as a “consolation prize” for those of us who took the L on the High colourway, many felt that Mids lacked originality. It’s not since recent years that the once-unloved Mid evolved into its own sneaker, so to speak, with fresh colourways, collabs and limited-edition designs. Nike switched up the game, and as a result, the Jordan 1 Mid has become more popular amongst the masses. Although Mids are produced on a much bigger scale, there are now plenty of colourways that haven’t yet been seen on the High or Low silhouette, which has resulted in there being a higher incentive to purchase a pair. Nevertheless, sneakerheads still feel as though they lack this oh-so important “exclusivity”. For those of us who are new to the market, however, Mids are a great gateway sneaker and a fine way to build a collection when other models are so difficult to cop.

However, this doesn’t change the fact that the Mid comes across as being non-commital. It’s not one thing or another. It’s flaky. Why can’t we figure you out, Mid?! You’re not a low, you’re not a high - you’re not anything. Just wishy-washy. That’s what the Mid is like. It’s just somewhere in the middle. An imitation. It’s trying to be something it’s not. But to play devil’s advocate, is that not part of the Mids’ charm?

With Jordan 1 Highs being especially difficult to get your paws on, Mids have become insanely popular. Often sitting on the shelves, Mids are available to all types of consumers, and although they are relatively easy to get for retail, it’s worth mentioning that they are now outselling the Highs 2:1 on StockX, thanks to the low resell price. The lower price point and vast quantities means that those of us, regardless of whether we’re die-hard sneaker fans, new to the scene, or don’t know the difference between a Superstar and an Air Force 1, can get our hands on them much more easily than the coveted Jordan 1 High. However, this has been linked to the Mids’ tainted reputation. There’s “nothing special” about Mids, so why would you want a pair? Well, there’s nothing special about a McDonald’s Big Mac, but it still tastes bloody good.

The question is, why don’t people just buy what they like? If you like Mids, buy Mids. There’s been some absolutely fire colourways over the past few years, and Nike just keep on delivering. Melody Ehsani’s Jordan 1 Mid “Fearless” is arguably responsible for the rise in popularity, with this not only being the most high-heat Mid of all time, but one of the most-loved and most sought-after Jordans of recent years. It’s the one iteration that was able to blur the lines between the OG High and the Mid, and made hypebeasts suddenly forget all the hate for a minute. If you don’t like the way they look, fine - but don’t be a hater just because it’s trendy to be.

Furthermore, Nike and the Jordan Brand have a tricky line to balance. If they start mass producing the Highs for every man and his dog, they inevitably lose their charm. But at the same time, they need to keep up with demand. Sneakerheads have been known to ask, “why do they keep making Mids?”, well quite simply, it’s because people keep buying them! The Mid offers an alternative and keeps the Jordan ball rolling, whilst not overdoing the Highs. Genius, really.

However, old-school sneakerheads are protective over their community - they don’t want to be lumped in with the general-consumer audience - which is probably where their disdain for the humble Mid comes from.

It only makes sense that the Jordan 1 is the only Jordan silhouette to be split into three separate styles. Being the most popular kick from the Jumpman Brand by far, it’s easy to see why all three designs appeal to sneakerheads old and new. When the Mid first released, there was no obsession with whether the 1s you were buying were a Mid or a High; buyers didn’t need confirmation. But then due to the lack of demand, the Jordan 1 Mid became a bit of an inside joke to the industry. Now, the meme has pretty much turned harmless (a lot of people wear Mids, there’s no shame!), there remain the odd few who argue that the Mid looks like a kids’ shoe and are made like them too. To the one user on Reddit stating that “Mids are less visually pleasing than Highs”, I come back at you: it’s all in your head, kiddo.

Keep scrolling to see our favourite Jordan 1 Mids of all time, and where you can shop them. What’s your stance on the whole Mid vs. High debacle? Let us know over on our Twitter page @thesolewomens.