Perhaps the Jordan sneaker with the deepest lore, the Banned Air Jordan 1 Low, is finally hitting retailers this weekend.
If Jordan Brand does anything right, it is to tell a strong narrative story around a sneaker release. That pillar of product launch didn’t begin at some point in the 2000s, though. In fact, it has been part of the Jordan Brand story since the very beginning.
In 1985, began to air what is now one of the most famous commercials of all time. A strong voice told the viewing audience all about how the NBA had banned the Air Jordan 1 “Bred”. The ad continued with perhaps the most poignant line of them all: “Fortunately, the NBA can’t stop you from wearing them.”
That singular line could not have proved to be truer. The Air Jordan 1 went on to become one of the most beloved sneakers of all time. No matter the trend, no matter the subculture, no matter the era, the Air Jordan 1 always found space in any lane of culture. This trend continued for years beyond the 1985 first release. In 2011, Jordan Brand wanted to celebrate the legacy. Instead, the lore of the sneaker grew a footnote.
The Air Jordan 1 High “Banned” was one of the most anticipated launches of 2011. It climbed to the top of sneaker heads’ “want” list. The anticipation was high, but no one could have predicted what happened when the sneakers were finally released.
The “Banned” Air Jordan 1s quietly began appearing at Nike Outlets in North America. Rumors began to fly about which stores had stock, while fans camped out at outlet malls waiting to hopefully have a chance at the pair when the store opened. Ultimately, the launch was chaotic and confusing. The sneaker quickly became a grail. To this day, it is a sneaker that got away for many fans. Lucky for them, they will have a new opportunity.
This week, Jordan Brand is bringing back that coveted sneaker in low-top form. The “Banned” Air Jordan 1 Low will surely scratch that itch for sneaker fans who missed out on the 2011 sneaker. Now, 15 years later, Jordan Brand is giving us a new version- though the details are still there.
The iconic “red x” on the heel has returned, as have the insoles with the lines from that famous Nike 1985 commercial. This time, though, the Air Jordan 1 Low “Banned” features the correct dates of when the NBA banned the shoe on the insole and sock liner- correcting the issue that potentially made the 2011 launch what it was.
The “Banned”1 is really back, this time in the fan-favorite Low OG cut. The Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG “Banned” launches on SNKRS and participating Air Jordan retailers like Foot Locker on May 2nd.
Lookbook shots via Nike
Photo of the 2011 “Banned” 1 via Flight Club
