Metallic AJ 1s

This is the shoe that started one of the enduring series of shoes in the sporting world - the Air Jordan Is - in this case, the Air Jordan I Retro High. The original shoe of this design started in 1985, when a young Michael Jordan (after wearing shoes from other manufacturers in his high school and college career) signed up with Nike, and the first steps to the Jordan Brand were taken. It was to later spawn off one of the most recognizable images in modern sports - the Jumpman logo. The reason I make mention of the Jumpman logo, is that they never appeared on the original shoe (it first appears on the Air Jordan III), even though they appear on the box I have, as well as the shoe itself.

The original Air Jordan I shoe did not meet with the allowable shoe colour standards of the day in the NBA. Each time Michael Jordan wore them, he would incur a fine. This was nothing in comparison to the hype associated with the shoe, and the eventual sales it generated. Nike was associating wearing the shoe with the athletic ability of Michael Jordan, and then putting their spin on the ban as the shoe being able to provide an underlying physical advantage. The hype sold the shoe, and as of this year, there are now 26 main iterations of this shoe - along side the other "Team Jordan" shoes.

The shoe itself appears to be a re-branded Nike Dunk - similar to the patchwork Nike Dunks that KittyKat has. I do not think this shoe actually contains an Air component in it - but I may be mistaken. I base this theory on the fact that she shoe is solid and stable, and does not provide the floaty feel that are sometimes associated with wearing Nike shoes with Air in them. The shoe is a good fit, but not tight as some modern shoes are.

As you will see from the images, the shoe I have is not in the original colours that were released in 1985, but have come out in a metallic looking, plastic feeling material.

This shoe was another surprise purchase from the Nike Factory Outlet, in Smith Street, Collingwood, Victoria, in Australia. I was surprised to find it there. I was surprised to find it at a discounted price. Ultimately, I was happy to not purchase them, but KittyKat insisted I get them as an interesting shoe that is connected with the start of one of the most recognised shoe lines in the world.