Comparing the Jordan 1 Mid vs High is tricky if you're unsure which to add to your collection. To help make the decision easier, we've rounded up everything you need to know about their similarities and differences in this guide.
Not only that, but we've also given our overall verdict on which we think are the best sneakers out of the two, factoring in details like their price, comfort, and performance if, for example, you're looking for a great pair of Jordans for basketball.
We appreciate that selecting which is "best" is completely subjective, but we've made sure to weigh up the pros and cons of both the best high-tops and Mids impartially to give a fair judgement when it comes to our selection.
To start, however, we're going back to where it all began and discussing the history behind the two silhouettes. Let's get into it...
History
In 1984, basketball rookie Michael Jordan was selected as the Chicago Bulls' third overall pick in the NBA draft. By 1985, the world saw the first Nike Air Jordan 1 Highs in the "Chicago" and "Bred" or "Banned" colourway, which are arguably now two of the most popular sneakers ever made.
The story goes the NBA fined Jordan every time he stepped foot on the court as the shoes violated the league's uniform policy. However, Nike used this to its advantage and made it the focal point of its "Banned" commercial which, along with MJ's performances, took the Jordan 1s popularity to new heights. In fact, the model is so popular that new colourways are still being produced to this day despite the silhouette being almost 37 years old.
While the high-tops have continued to grow exponentially in popularity as one of the best basketball shoes on the market, the mid-top counterparts never really took off in the same way, and often come under scrutiny from sneaker purists.
This is mainly because the Jordan 1 never saw a Mid variation until 2001. After all, despite MJ expressing a preference for mid-tops, he had already begun wearing the lower-cut Air Jordan 3s by the time this information came to light.
By 2001, MJ had passed his peak in popularity despite making a comeback with the Washington Wizards on 25 September. As a result, the Jordan 1 Mids simply got lost in the shuffle and never really became as popular as the Highs.
Price
At this point, you may be considering picking up a pair of either the mid-top or high Jordan 1s. If so, you'll probably want to know which of the two is the cheapest.
Generally speaking, mid-tops, like the "Shadow Bred" Mids, arguably some of the best Jordan 1 Mids on the market, are cheaper than comparable Highs when purchased through Nike or selected footwear retailers.
The popularity of the Jordan 1 High is probably one of the main contributing factors behind this. However, you've also got to take into consideration that more materials are required to create the slightly higher collars of the high-tops.
That said, some of the best Jordan 1 Highs, like the "Yellow Ochre" 1s, are only a tad more expensive than most Mids on the resale market, thus demonstrating that not all Jordan 1 Highs come with sizeable price tags.
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Performance and comfort
If you're comparing the two to use on the court, then we believe the mid-tops may have a slight edge over the Highs.
The Mids offer almost identical amounts of ankle support and lateral stability; however, they should be slightly less restrictive on the court due to their lower collars.
This is supported by reports claiming MJ found both the Air Jordan 1 and 2 too tall and, in turn, too restrictive. This is why the Jordan 3 began life as a mid-top, which later spawned some of the best Air Jordans ever made.
The unrestrictiveness of the Mids may also help to improve comfort, but this will ultimately come down to personal preference as the two can't be separated in terms of underfoot support.
To ensure you get a secure lock-in though, make sure you check out our guide to lacing Jordan 1s.
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Jordan 1 Mid vs High: Which should you buy?
Ultimately, the choice between Jordan 1 Highs and Mids is a matter of personal preference. The Highs carry a significant amount of nostalgia and historical significance, making them highly sought after. However, their most beloved colourways can be extremely expensive, and while they stand as impressive collector's items, their high collar might not offer the practicality needed for on-court action today.
In contrast, the Mids feature a lower cut that can offer enhanced comfort, both during gameplay and in daily wear, depending on your tastes. Moreover, Nike has recently been promoting the Jordan 1 Mids more actively, releasing them in several attractive colourways, including "Brown Blue Grey" and the "Desert Sail".
This push suggests that, for the time being, Jordan 1 Mids might present a more appealing purchase option, blending style, comfort, and accessibility.
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