The Air Jordan 1 is often credited with shaping the sneaker industry as we know it today. Introduced by Michael Jordan and Nike in 1985, its release laid the foundation for Jordan Brand, now a multi-billion dollar empire that has achieved a status as legendary as Jordan himself. Over the decades, it has transcended its origins as a performance shoe to become a cultural icon, a silhouette recognizable worldwide and associated with timeless style and athletic achievement. And, in 2025, it’s set to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Building up to the new year, it quickly became apparent that the AJ1’s 40th anniversary would be a focal point of the 2025 release slate as an exciting mix of collaborations, classics and new colorways have been teased and rumored. We’ve assembled a list of 20 anticipated AJ1 releases to mark this milestone year. Remember that some of these inclusions are based on speculation and early reporting, so not all pairs may release this year.

Collaborations

fragment design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG

Another year, another Travis Scott x AJ1 Low OG collab. This proven recipe for success is doubling back to tap fragment design again, pairing the brand’s famous bright blue hue with off-white coloring for another surefire hit from the trio. Travis Scott’s typical flair — which includes his flipped lateral Swoosh and Cactus Jack branding — and fragment design’s lightning bolt logo are back together and sure to excite fans once again.

Union LA x Air Jordan 1 High OG

Union LA achieved prominent success with the AJ1 High OG in 2018 by putting its twist on the model — stitching the collar of one OG colorway atop another pair for “Storm Blue/Bred” and “Black Toe/Neutral Grey” schemes. The method proved to be a hit and is being revisited for 2025, this time combining a “Chicago” base with a “Shadow” collar. The two OG colorways deliver yet another fun mash-up that sneakerheads will be competing fiercely against one another for the chance to cop.

Rui Hachimura x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Cranes”

Rui Hachimura may not have his own signature shoe with Jordan Brand, but he’s made a name for himself in the sneaker space by dedicating his PEs to his Japanese heritage. The Los Angeles Lakers forward has a new “Cranes” colorway set to release this year, a sequel to a PE of his from 2022. Its “Oatmeal”-colored base is accompanied by sakura and cranes throughout the upper, resulting in a tranquil look for the silhouette.

Off-White™ x Air Jordan 1 High OG

Off-White™ and Jordan Brand are responsible for some of the most hyped releases of the past 10 years, with all three of their AJ1 High OGs achieving renowned status. It’s been nearly seven years since the two served up a new colorway of their deconstructed take on the iconic silhouette, and rumor has it that 2025 will be the year a fourth pair drops. Without any details regarding its arrangement, the possibilities are endless. However, one thing is certain: this will be one of the year’s most anticipated releases, should it happen.

fragment design x Union LA x Air Jordan 1 High OG

In case Union LA and Jordan Brand reuniting isn’t enough to be excited about, Hiroshi Fujiwara’s fragment design is expected to enter the fray to form a new trio. Information remains extremely limited about this rumored release, but you can’t go wrong with two of the sneaker industry’s biggest collaborators remixing one of the scene’s most iconic models.

Swarovski x Air Jordan 1

Swarovski crystals have enlivened Nike shoes in the past, resulting in luxe renditions of staples like the Air Max 97. However, the brand has never worked with Jordan Brand on a shoe — until now. The duo is rumored to have not just one but two different AJ1s on the way — arriving in the OG low and high-top shapes. Both are said to sport gray finishes that shine bright with crystals scattered throughout, resulting in retail prices that may exceed $1,000 USD.

Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Nitro”

Nigel Sylvester’s everlasting love for the AJ1 has guided him to yet another collaboration featuring the sneaker. Sylvester dropped his unique take on the high-top in September 2018 and is ready for more action in 2025. The rumored pair sees the AJ1 Low OG with enlarged Swooshes sport a “Nitro” colorway that combines black, off-white and red.

Classics

Air Jordan 1 High OG “Black Toe Reimagined”

Kicking off the “Classics” category, Jordan Brand is going back in time to revisit an AJ1 “Black Toe” promo pair from 1984 for its “Reimagined” series. Initially set to drop last October, the pair has since rescheduled into the 2025 lineup. Ample previews of the style have been shared, highlighting the “Air Jordan” text at the collar that references the 1984 sample, the subtle “My Very Best, Michael Jordan,” script at the left shoe’s medial collar that’s inspired by a pair Jordan personalized for a friend and special packaging that salutes the first-ever Air Jordan campaign.

Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred”

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the AJ1, Jordan Brand has prepared several of its most coveted colorways in a version that resembles the original ‘85 shape, including this “Bred” take. Its subtle adjustments include the retro Swoosh shape, smaller Wings branding and a slightly raised collar as the black and red combination we all know and love makes a return.

Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Royal”

If “Bred” isn’t your AJ1 flavor of choice, fear not, as the “Royal” colorway is also due to drop in the OG ‘85 style. Chase B flexed his pair, highlighting the premium build that matches its “Bred” counterpart. What made this reveal intriguing is that it wasn’t rumored beforehand, meaning we have minimal information about when, if ever, this pair will drop. Nevertheless, keep an eye out as the blue and black look is sure to return at some point in the future.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC Reimagined”

A second “Reimagined” iteration of the AJ1 High OG for 2025 is en route as the “UNC” colorway is due to return. While we lack an initial preview of the pair, the latest update from leaker zSneakerHeadz indicates that it will sport a vintage theme that is similar to 2022’s “Lost & Found” (aka “Chicago Reimagined”) pair. Given the success of its predecessor and the popularity of the “UNC” color blocking, this should be another hotly contested release.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard”

Speaking of high demand, sneakerheads have been asking for 2015’s “Shattered Backboard” colorway to make a return for many years. The pair, praised for its high-quality leather build and unique color arrangement, is rumored to be dropping once again for its 10th anniversary. Look out for it to again combine “Black,” “Sail” and “Starfish” orange to recreate the basketball-inspired colorway.

Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Chicago”

The “Classics” section is rounded out by its only AJ1 Low OG inclusion — the rumored return of the “Chicago” look. Last spotted in 2016, the timing makes sense, especially as we’re now a few years removed from the release of the “Chicago Reimagined” high-tops. Per usual, a white leather base is expected to be accompanied by “Varsity Red” at the overlays and “Black” at the Swooshes and heel branding.

Newcomers

Air Jordan 1 High OG “Rare Air” Pack

One of Jordan Brand’s notable in-line series heading into the new year is the “Rare Air” pack. Consisting of two AJ1 High OGs, the AJ3, AJ4 and a rumored AJ11, the collection sees each sneaker feature remixed branding. The two AJ1s appear in “Cinnabar” and “Deep Royal Blue,” with both pairs including “Nike Air” branding at the Wings logo of some of the collars.

Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Obsidian”

The AJ1 High OG “Obsidian” dropped in 2019 and is being translated into Low OG form for 2025. As with its high-top predecessor, the overlays at the forefront of the shoe and Swooshes feature the navy tone while the heel details favor “University Blue.” Meanwhile, the base of the leather upper and the stitched midsole appear in “Sail.”

Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Rookie of the Year”

Like the “Obsidian” colorway, the AJ1 Low OG “Rookie of the Year” takes a relatively new colorway of its high-top counterpart and flips it into low-top form. The 2018 look remembered Michael Jordan winning the NBA’s rookie of the year award in 1985 and its color blocking has been carried over onto the AJ1 Low OG. Golden brown nubuck overlays accompany a white leather base as black arrives at the Swooshes, collar and outsole.

Air Jordan 1 Low (OG) “Year of the Snake”

Jordan Brand celebrates the Lunar New Year annually, assembling an expansive roster of footwear that often features the AJ1 Low in both its standard and OG builds. This is the case again this year as both versions of the AJ1 commemorate the Year of the Snake. The standard style sees a pearl iridescent upper accented by textured detailing in white. As for the OG version, its leather upper begins with a white base and transitions to gray at the overlays and silver across the Swooshes.

Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Reverse Shadow”

In addition to the aforementioned “Bred” and “Royal” pairs, the AJ1 High ‘85 is rumored to be dropping in a “Reverse Shadow” colorway. While we still lack a first look at the pair, it’s expected to begin with a black base and combine it with gray at the overlays and Swooshes, recreating the color blocking of 2021’s AJ1 High OG “Shadow 2.0.” As with the other High ‘85 pairs, it will utilize the adjusted build closer to the original design.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “Black/Summit White”

Our final high-top inclusion features the AJ1 High OG in a new rumored “Black/Summit White” colorway. While we remain without a first look at the pair, it is said to combine black and white throughout its structure and is expected to do so in a way that’s different from previous black-and-white iterations of the shoe.

Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Phantom”

Another retro-inspired pair brings the list to a close as a “Phantom” version of the AJ1 Low OG is said to be presented with OG-inspired large Swooshes — an element sneakerheads have been eager to see return for many years now. The rumored colorway is expected to pair “Phantom” with “Moon Particle” as black, red and shades of off-white provide support throughout its presentation.

Stay tuned for weekly editions of Best Footwear Drops to keep up with the latest Air Jordan 1 news.

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