With so many designs to choose from, choosing the best Jordan 1 colorways can be tough. Fortunately, we've put together a list of some of our favorite showstoppers to help you get started.
The Air Jordan 1 has a long history as one of the best basketball shoes around after their debut in 1985. Back then, it featured a simple black and red design inspired by the Chicago Bull's colors known as the "Bred" or "Banned" colorway.
Thanks to the immense popularity of Michael Jordan, the sneakers became a huge success and, as a result, have been remodeled and remastered hundreds of times over the years.
Due to this popularity, we've also seen 37 Jordan models since, with the new Jordan 37 being the latest model released by the brand.
With this in mind, we've rounded up the best of the best Jordan 1s currently available, covering a range of different aesthetics and designs, to help you complete your sneaker collection in style.
With a selection ranging from amazing low-tops, like the Jordan 1 "Purple Mocha", to some fantastic highs, like these "Dark Marina Blue" 1s, we've got you covered right here.
Best Jordan 1 colorways
- Air Jordan 1 High "Lost and Found"
- Air Jordan 1 High "Dark Marina Blue"
- Air Jordan 1 High '85 "College Navy"
- Air Jordan 1 Low "Purple Mocha"
- Air Jordan 1 KO "Rush Orange"
Air Jordan 1 High "Lost and Found"
The debut year of the Jordan 1 saw two colorways really take center stage on the court, the "Breds" and the "Chicagos", with both becoming two of the most iconic Jordan 1 Highs in the history of the sneaker.
To celebrate this history, Nike released a reimagined take on the "Chicagos" with this "Lost and Found" design.
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The sneakers remain true to the original 1985 release, and even try and replicate some of the wear and tear you may see on an original pair today. For instance, the midsoles come pre-yellowed, plus the black overlays are made from already cracked leather.
Ultimately, if you're a fan of the OG Jordan 1s, then we feel there aren't many sneakers that compare to the originals as well as these reimagined kicks.
Air Jordan 1 High "Dark Marina Blue"
The "Dark Marina Blue" colorway features the classic Jordan 1 two-tone design and color blocking, making it one of the best around in our opinion.
The uppers combine simple black leather with dark navy overlays across the Swooshes, mudguards, and ankles.
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You can then find Nike Air branding on the tongue tabs in white to match the typical white midsoles which encapsulate the Air technology.
All in all, we feel this colorway is definitely one of the best from the more recent Jordan 1 releases.
Air Jordan 1 High '85 "College Navy"
This Jordan 1 is based on the original "Georgetown" sample from 1985, hence the "College Navy" name
The design features the OG stance and shape, combining premium white leather with dark blue overlays.
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Moreover, the laces and tongues come with a slight yellow tint. This appears to be a deliberate design detail to give these high-tops a more retro aesthetic.
All in all, we feel the "College Navy" is a simple yet effective design that accentuates the Jordan 1 high-top silhouette fans have grown to love.
Best Jordan 1 Low colorway - Air Jordan 1 Low "Purple Mocha"
Featured in our list of the best Jordan 1 Lows, this "Purple Mocha" colourway is bound to stand out on feet. It may not be to everyone's taste with its alternative colour scheme, but we're a fan of its uniqueness.
The white base of the shoe is complemented by accents of Palomino on the mudguard, side panels, and heel counter. To create a stark contrast, Wild Berry accents are featured on the side Swooshes and the Jordan branding on the tongue.
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For the winter months, especially, the brown overlays should blend nicely with your surrounding environment, although we still feel it's a great shoe to wear all year round.
Ultimately, its design is unlikely to suit everyone. However, if you're looking for something a little different, then make sure you check out this low-top colourway.
Air Jordan 1 KO "Rush Orange"
These "Rush Orange" AJKOs may not be as popular as your typical pair of Highs; however, this also means they're relatively inexpensive by comparison.
Although they're a little cheaper than most, we still feel like they're a great colorway to add to your sneaker rotation.
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In fact, with bright orange canvas overlays combined with white leather, we feel these Jordans are some of the best sneakers for fall around as the color scheme perfectly reflects autumn's color palette.
On the whole, we're a big fan of these unique Jordan 1s and truly believe they would make a great addition to any autumnal wardrobe.
Air Jordan 1 Retro High "Stage Haze"
Given its very minimalistic color palette, we feel the "Stage Haze" colorway has endless styling potential, thus making it a great option to consider for everyday wear.
Crafted out of genuine leather, this design features simple white and black uppers, with subtle hints of grey coming through around suede heels and soles.
You do, however, get a small pop of color with Bleached Coral dressing Nike branding on the tongue tags to complete the design.
On the whole, we feel the "Stage Haze" 1s would make for a great addition to anyone's sneaker collection, and an even better pick to add to your rotation.
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low "Black Phantom"
Following the "Reverse Mocha" release, Travis Scott and Jordan teamed back up to release this amazing "Black Phantom" 1 towards the end of 2022.
In fact, we'd argue they're one of the best sneaker collabs around right now as they feature a stylish, subtle, yet amazing design.
The shoes are dressed almost entirely in black suede. However, you'll notice exposed white stitching and branding throughout to contrast the dark base layer.
Also, their low-top silhouette should make the shoes easier to style and less restrictive for everyday wear, thus making them a top pick in our books to add to your sneaker collection
Frequently asked questions about Jordan 1s
With so many different styles of Jordan 1s available, you may have a number of questions about them. Don't worry though, because we're here to clear up a few of the most common queries.
Are Jordan 1s comfortable?
We've previously discussed whether Jordan's are comfortable, but we didn't go into much detail regarding the 1.
Firstly, it's worth mentioning all Jordan 1s include Nike's Air technology in the midsole which should provide you with a strong starting point for comfort.
Some, like the "Califia", take this a step further by adding Zoom into the equation which, Nike boasts, makes its CMFT range an ultra-comfy variation of the 1.
However, one of the most important aspects of making sure your Jordan 1s are comfortable is to make sure you get the right fit.
We'd recommend leaving about a finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe as this will make sure your sneakers are bending in the correct place as it should align to the natural bend of your foot.
Do Air Jordan 1s run big?
Generally speaking, Jordans should fit true to size for everyday use and for court action no matter what model you choose.
With that being said, you may find going a size up to be beneficial for playing in if you've got slightly wider feet as this should ensure your feet remain comfortable and supported, without feeling too tight and restrictive.
If you're unsure, you can normally find a size chart on Nike's website to give you extra peace of mind when purchasing your Jordans.
Can you run in Jordan 1s?
While it is perfectly possible to run in Jordan 1s, we'd advise, for the most part, to select a pair of running shoes instead.
Firstly, Jordan 1s are considerably heavier than running shoes which can have an adverse effect on your performance due to feeling weighed down.
Also, if you're wearing high tops, the added ankle support may be restrictive as it's primarily used to protect basketball players who utilize a lot of lateral movement which isn't as necessary during running.
If you want to find out more, then check out our guide on whether Jordan's can be used for running.
How do you lace Jordan 1s?
One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to Jordan sneakers is how do you lace Jordan 1s?
The answer is one we've gone into more detail about in our guide right here; however, the simplest method is to begin by feeding the two ends of your shoelace underneath each of the first eyelets.
Then, begin to thread the laces from inside to out, making sure the aglets go over the top of the sneakers each time whilst crossing them in the center.
Make sure you keep the laces flat as you go, and tighten them along the way to remove any excess slack.
How do you clean Jordan 1s?
This is something we've covered before in our guide to cleaning Jordan 1s right here, but in short, the simplest way is to use a soft-bristled brush, a cloth, some water, and a shoe cleaner.
Start by using your brush to gently scrub away any loose dirt and debris.
Next, mix the shoe cleaning solution with the water as per the instructions into a large bowl, then soak a cloth in the mixture so it's ready to be used to clean your shoes.
Work away any remaining stains using the cloth until your shoes are clean. Make sure you leave your shoes to air dry away from any direct heat and sunlight to avoid causing any permanent damage.