What Is The Air Jordan 1 Retro: Its Definition And High Vs Mid Vs Low Cuts

Nike has released many renditions of retro Air Jordan 1s with labels like “Retro OG” and “Retro ‘85 OG”, which can be confusing. Here, we help you make sense of the terms and the different cuts of the iconic sneaker.

Featuring some Air Jordan Retro OGs and Air Jordan Retro ‘85 OGs.

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The Air Jordan 1 is no stranger to us since it’s often regarded as one of the most iconic and influential silhouettes in sneaker history. However, with so many versions on the market, some might get confused trying to differentiate a “Retro OG” from the “Retro ‘85 OG”. We’re here to help explain the labels and what they mean in terms of shoe design, as well as the differences between the High vs Mid vs Low cuts of the Air Jordan 1.

What is an Air Jordan 1 Retro OG?

The Air Jordan 1 Retro OG is a re-release of an older colorway that dropped decades ago. For the Jordan 1s, OG stands for “original” (see our sneaker terminology guide). Despite having the same design, the retros are not identical to the OGs as they often differ in shape and construction, sometimes arriving in a unique combination of materials.

Popular Air Jordan OG colorways include:
– Chicago
– Black Toe
– Shadow
– Royal
– Bred

Is the Air Jordan 1 Retro ‘85 OG the same as the Retro OG?

No, they are not the same thing. This is because the Air Jordan 1 Retro ‘85 is made to be true to the original sneakers that were released back in 1985. With the “Retro ‘85”, Jordan Brand accurately recreates the shape, paneling and material qualities of the sneaker Michael Jordan wore to make his NBA debut.

Both models may look nearly identical to the untrained eye, but the distinctions become more obvious upon closer inspection.

Air Jordan 1 High vs Mid vs Low?

High
The Air Jordan 1 High has the most iconic silhouette of the three. An Air Jordan 1 High can easily be identified by its Nike Air tab on the tongue and the nine lace holes on the upper. The Highs symbolize the beginning of the legendary partnership between Micheal Jordan and Nike, and has stayed true to a timeless design that looks as good today as it did in 1985. There’s a reason why the Highs are generally the most sought-after silhouette of the Air Jordan franchise.

Mid
Released in the 2000s to revive the Air Jordan 1, the Jordan 1 Mid is simply a slightly lower version of the Highs. To the untrained eye, they might look the same but the differences become apparent once you put them next to each other. To be sure, the AirJordan 1 Mid can be easily identified by the Jumpman logo on the tongue and the eight lace holes on the upper. The Mids may seem chunkier than the Highs and especially since they tend to have a wider cut around the toe box, but they’re worth a shout (read about our case for the Air Jordan 1 Mid).

Low
The Air Jordan 1 Low offers a low-cut version of the iconic high-cut silhouette. The design is straightforward, featuring a new identical design minus the ankle collar. Versions of the Air Jordan 1 Low have been released since the sneaker’s inception in 1985. The timeless design has remained a favorite among fans of the sport, athletes and casual wearers.

Our picks of the best Air Jordan 1 Retros

Overall, the Air Jordan 1 Retro OG offers more variety in terms of colorways while the Retro ‘85 OG delivers the details and accuracy that sneakerheads appreciate. Whichever camp you fall into, you are guaranteed a comfortable ‘80s basketball sneaker that is steeped in history and is sure to turn heads and start conversations. Check out our selection of the best Retro Jordan 1s that we know you’ll love!

Product: Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ‘Chicago Lost & Found’
Price: S$594.50 (US9)
Shop here: GOAT