The “Banned” Air Jordan 1 is one of the most iconic sneakers in history, known for its rebellious backstory and cultural impact. The colorway is often referred to as the “Banned” sneaker because Michael Jordan wore them despite violating the NBA’s uniform policy at the time, which required players to wear shoes that matched their team colors. The NBA fined Jordan $5,000 per game for wearing the sneakers, and Nike capitalized on this by paying the fines for Jordan and created an ad campaign that branded them as “Banned.”
Since then, Jordan Brand has re-released the “Banned” Jordan 1 six times (2001, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, and now in 2025). Over the years, the sneaker’s shape has slightly shifted away from the original, but the 2025 version celebrates the 40th anniversary of the shoe and aimed to be the most accurate recreation yet. During the design process, Jordan Brand meticulously examined original 1985 pairs, stripping them down to study each component—even melting down certain parts to analyze the chemical composition of the materials. This extensive design process help make the 2025 Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Banned” the most accurate retro of the sneaker to date.
The Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Banned” is set to release Friday, February 14, for $250 at just 23 Jordan Brand retailers across North America.
