Forty years. That’s how long the Air Jordan 1 has been a key player in the landscape of basketball, fashion, and culture. From Michael Jordan’s rookie season rebellion against the NBA’s “uniformity of uniform” rules to today’s streetwear obsession, the AJ1 remains an integral part of the conversation.

As we celebrate four decades of this iconic silhouette, Nike and Jordan Brand are unleashing a collection that pays homage to the silhouette’s revolutionary spirit while pushing boundaries into uncharted territory.

Here are the releases that define this milestone moment—each charged with cultural cache and collector appeal.

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Best Air Jordan 1 40th Anniversary Releases

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fragment design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low “Sail/Military Blue”

Release Date: 20 Sep 2025

When three titans of their respective worlds collide, the result is nothing short of seismic. This triple collaboration brings together Travis Scott’s rebellious energy, fragment’s minimalist Japanese aesthetic, and Jordan’s basketball pedigree in a low-top masterpiece that had sneakerheads camping outside boutiques worldwide.

The backwards Swoosh—Scott’s signature calling card—meets fragment’s lightning bolt logo on a colorway that reflects understated exclusivity. The fragment design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low “Sail/Military Blue” is definitely a pair to cop if you’re into hype sneakers.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Shattered Backboard” (2025)

Release Date: 11 Jul 2025

The “Shattered Backboard” colorway carries one of basketball’s most legendary stories: Michael Jordan’s exhibition game in Italy, where his dunk was so ferocious it literally shattered the backboard. The 2025 iteration of this burnt orange and black masterpiece proves that some pairs just get better with each retelling. The premium leather construction and OG high treatment ensure the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Shattered Backboard” (2025) is a modern statement piece worthy of the legend it represents.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “Black Toe Reimagined”

Release Date: 14 May 2025

The original Air Jordan 1 High OG “Black Toe” is sneaker gospel—an untouchable classic that helped establish the Air Jordan 1’s visual language. The “Reimagined” version takes those foundational elements and filters them through modern luxury sensibilities. Enhanced materials, subtle construction updates, and that unmistakable silhouette combine to create something that honors the past while embracing the present. It’s proof that reiterating a classic isn’t always a bad thing.

UNION LA x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG SP GH “Varsity Red”

Release Date: 15 Apr 2025

Chris Gibbs and the UNION LA crew understand that the best collaborations don’t just remix—they reimagine. Their “Varsity Red” iteration takes the classic Jordan 1 template and injects it with Los Angeles streetwear DNA. The aged midsole, the weathered leather, and the perfectly imperfect color blocking—it’s vintage Americana filtered through West Coast cool. UNION doesn’t make sneakers; they spin stories, and the narrative of the UNION LA x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG SP GH “Varsity Red” speaks fluent hype in every carefully distressed detail.

Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred”

Release Date: 14 Feb 2025

Sometimes, taking a step backward is the most revolutionary move forward. The Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred” strips away four decades of technological advancement to deliver something purists have been craving: the Air Jordan 1 exactly as it appeared in Michael Jordan’s rookie season. The higher ankle collar, the softer leather, the vintage Nike Air branding on the tongue—every detail is a love letter to the original rebels who dared to “Just Do It” when doing it meant breaking rules.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC Reimagined”

Release Date: 10 May 2025

Chapel Hill blue runs through Jordan Brand’s veins like DNA, and the Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC Reimagined” acknowledges that heritage while pushing into contemporary territory. This isn’t your standard Tar Heel tribute—it’s a sophisticated meditation on collegiate athletics, combining university pride with urban sophistication. The reimagined construction details and premium materials elevate this beyond simple team colors into something that works as well with tailored pieces as it does with your favorite vintage jeans.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “Ruby” (W)

Release Date: 31 May 2025

Red has always been Jordan’s power color, and the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Ruby” (W) expresses it with full passion. This unabashed pair glosses in the light, and its aesthetic will speak to collectors who appreciate some boldness in their statement pieces. This is a pair that offers a colorway for women that commands attention without demanding it.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Self Expression”

Release Date:  12 Jul 2025

In an era where personal branding reigns supreme, the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Self Expression” offers a canvas for individual style. The colorway celebrates the very spirit that made the Air Jordan 1 revolutionary in the first place—the idea that athletic footwear could be a form of personal expression rather than mere functionality. It’s a meta-commentary on sneaker culture wrapped in premium leather and delivered with Jordan Brand’s signature attention to detail.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Rare Air “Deep Royal Blue”

Release Dates: 1 Apr 2025 (JP); 5 Apr 2025 (US)

The “Rare Air” designation originally marked Jordan Brand’s premium tier releases in the late ’80s and early ’90s—shoes that commanded higher prices for superior materials and construction. This Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Rare Air “Deep Royal Blue” resurrects that philosophy with navy leather that ages beautifully and white accents that stay crisp. It’s a colorway built for longevity rather than trends, the kind of shoe that looks equally appropriate with dark denim or gray flannel. While other releases chase viral moments, this one banks on timeless appeal.

As the Air Jordan 1 enters its fifth decade, these releases prove that revolutionary design never goes out of style—it just finds new ways to stay relevant. From triple collaborations that rewrite the rules of brand partnerships to vintage reproductions that honor the original blueprint, each shoe in this collection represents a different facet of the Air Jordan 1’s enduring appeal.

If you want to explore the wider Air Jordan 1 collection we have housed on the SNKRDUNK App, feel free to click on the button below!

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For the latest releases, breaking news, and exclusive interviews, stay tuned to the SNKRDUNK Magazine and @snkrdunk on Instagram. Explore the SNKRDUNK App and use the welcome code from the banner below before making your first purchase. Additionally, if you want to try a pair out, visit our stores in Singapore and Japan!

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