The Air Jordan 1 is an absolute legend in the sneaker game and has been around for more than 30 years already. Michael Jordan’s first signature basketball shoe made a seamless transition into the lifestyle segment and remains to be one of the most hyped sneakers ever. To this day, most releases continue being sold out within minutes or even seconds and Jordan Brand doesn’t want to stop anytime soon. Every year, we can look forward to a multitude of incredibly good looking Air Jordan 1’s and this year doesn’t make an exception. Have fun with our compilation of the best Air Jordan 1 releases, which have dropped in 2021 so far.
Air Jordan 1 High OG Electro Orange
Most sneaker enthusiasts will immediately recognise this legendary colour combination. The mix of orange, white and black has been used several times on the Air Jordan 1 in the past already and will always be associated with the so called “Shattered Backboard” colourway. As the Air Jordan 1 High OG Electro Orange doesn’t share the same name this time, it also mixes up the aforementioned hues and applies them to completely different sections of the sneaker.
We get to see a clean white on the leather base as well as on the overlays at the heel and collar. The overlays on the toe box and near the eyelets have been painted black however, contrasting the parts at the back. Further, the laces and the swoosh make an appearance in a deep black as well. The striking orange is being featured on the outsole and the collar, completing the make-over of the classic “Shattered Backboard” colourway.
Air Jordan 1 High OG Hyper Royal
Light blue seems to be the biggest trend of 2021, as almost every Air Jordan in a related shade generates a lot of hype and sells out extremely quickly. The Air Jordan 1 High OG Hyper Royal experienced a similar fate and is now being traded for significantly higher prices on reseller platforms. The sneaker is reminiscent of the legendary “Turbo Green” and makes use of a slightly washed out blue, which has been placed on tumbled leather overlays. A clean white base and grey details on the swoosh and collar complement the hue perfectly.
Air Jordan 1 High OG University Blue
The Air Jordan 1 High OG University Blue was part of the Jordan Brand Spring 2021 collection and released in early March alongside many other sneakers. The immensely popular “University Blue” has long been anticipated on the AJ1, which is also emphasised by the shocking reseller prices.
The bright hue is featured on the overlays of the sneaker, while a clean white has been applied to the leather base in usual fashion. A deep black is making an appearance on the swoosh, the laces, the wings logo, the collar and the lining, resulting in an eye-catching contrast. The outsole has been painted in the “University Blue” as well, matching the overlays and finishing off the entire design quite perfectly.
Air Jordan 1 Low Spades
Some hardcore sneakerheads might be shaking their heads right now, as they usually disapprove of the Air Jordan 1 Low for it not being part of Jordan Brand’s origin. Despite those fundamentalists, the AJ1 Low has gained a lot of popularity among the sneaker community, since its low-cut profile is much more suitable for the warmer days of the year. Further, the Air Jordan 1 Low Spades is such a special release that it simply had to be included in this list.
The design focuses fully on table games and playing cards and implements the different details in an ingenious way. The special edition uses a bright leather base that is being combined with red overlays and golden details. The former features dark embellishments that highlight an elegant paisley pattern, while the latter results in a shine on the swooshes and other brandings. An ace of spades has been placed on the red tongue tags, emphasising the classy theme even further.
To top off the release, a golden “Q” on the right shoe and a “K” on the left shoe make an appearance on the lateral sides, referring to the king and the queen in a deck of cards. The Air Jordan 1 Low Spades features a truly unique design, which we have never seen on an Air Jordan before.