As more Reimagined colorways are set to release soon, we take a comprehensive look at the entire Air Jordan Reimagined catalog. Jordan Brand officially introduced the Reimagined series in 2022. Unlike a typical retro release, a “Reimagined” version aims to faithfully recreate the shape of the original while incorporating new materials such as patent leather, suede, and leather to offer a fresh narrative for the silhouette.
We dive deep into every colorway within the Reimagined series, starting from its debut and tracing the changes through various retros. We highlight what sets the Reimagined colorways apart from their predecessors.
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Patent Bred”
Release Date: December 30, 2021
The “Patent Bred” colorway predates the official Reimagined series. Nevertheless, its use of an all-patent leather upper, departing from the shoe’s traditional all-leather design, marked it as a significant inclusion on this list. This shoe foreshadowed the Reimagined series, which would become a Jordan Brand franchise.
How We Got Here
The “Bred” Air Jordan 1 colorway first hit the shelves in 1985. It gained notoriety as the “Banned” Air Jordan 1, as the NBA fined Michael Jordan and Nike for wearing the shoe since it violated the league’s uniform policy. This gave birth to the “Banned” story, and the “Bred” Air Jordan 1 became legendary.
The “Bred” returned in 1994 as part of Jordan Brand’s initial wave of retros, which included the revival of other Air Jordan 1 colorways. Jordan Brand took advantage of what they believed might be the end of Michael Jordan’s basketball career, as he announced his retirement in the fall of 1993 after his father’s passing. The 1994 version featured a new shape and a collector’s must-have box.
It wasn’t until 2001 that the “Bred” concept was revisited on the Air Jordan 1. This version featured a different collar and toe box, along with a more vibrant red shade compared to the 1985 and 1994 releases.
Almost a decade later, in 2009, the “Bred” Air Jordan 1 returned as part of the Air Jordan “Defining Moments Pack.” This commemorative release included a set of Air Jordan 1 colorways, but it lacked the “Nike Air” branding on the tongue, instead opting for “Jumpman Air.” However, it brought back a darker shade of red compared to the 2001 version.
Shortly after the “DMP” version, Jordan Brand reintroduced the black and red AJ1, telling the “Banned” story. The 2011 “Banned” Air Jordan 1 featured the “Banned” ad on the shoe’s liner, red “X” markings on the heels, and premium leather, making it a fan-favorite.
The “Bred” fervor resurfaced in 2013 with an iteration that finally saw the return of the OG “Nike Air” branding on the tongue. This version was as close to the original as fans had seen since 1994. The 2013 version was also more accessible to traditional retailers.
Finally, in 2016, Jordan Brand reintroduced the AJ1 line with the Air Jordan 1 High OG silhouette, coming closest to the 1985 original. The 2016 version added tumbled leather, further enhancing the colorway’s appeal. With the shape and colors aligning more closely with the original, the 2016 AJ1 was also referred to as “Banned.”
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Chicago” Reimagined AKA “Lost and Found”
Release Date: November 19, 2022
The first official Reimagined shoe is the “Chicago” AKA “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1. With aged details, the shoe’s narrative revolved around discovering deadstock in old stock rooms and mom-and-pop shops at affordable prices, harkening back to the pre-digital era of hunting for hidden gems.
How We Got Here:
The “Chicago” Air Jordan 1 High debuted in 1985, lacking the controversy of its “Bred”/”Banned” counterpart. Featuring a primarily white leather base, the shoe was frequently seen on Michael Jordan during games due to the NBA’s dress code. Priced at just $65 in ’85, the OG “Chicago” remains a fan favorite.
In 1994, as the “Bred” colorway returned for its first retro, the “Chicago” colorway also made a comeback. Although the collar’s shape, the Swoosh’s thinness, and the collar height differed from the OG, fans still hold the 1994 version in high regard for its quality and wearability.
The “Chicago” Air Jordan 1 vanished from the industry for nearly two decades until the 2013 retro. However, the “Nike Air” tongue branding was replaced by the Jumpman on the tongue and heel. Despite this change, the rarity of the “Chicago” AJ1 made it an instant sellout and a collector’s must-have.
Finally, in 2015, the Air Jordan 1 High “Chicago” made a return with the original “Nike Air” branding for the first time since 1994. With no Jumpman branding in sight, collectors finally had access to a near-perfect replica of Michael Jordan’s most-worn AJ1 during his time with the Chicago Bulls.
Air Jordan 3 OG “White Cement” Reimagined
Release Date: March 11, 2023
The second entry in the Reimagined series revisits the iconic Air Jordan 3 “White Cement” colorway. This version features the original “Nike Air” branding, along with new details such as an aged box, off-white heel tab, pre-aged midsole, and a pamphlet with OG tech specs, reminiscent of the 1988 release.
How We Got Here:
While the Air Jordan 1 retains fan favoritism, the Air Jordan 3 is arguably one of the most legendary sneakers of all time. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, this shoe introduced elephant print, the “Nike Air” license plate-inspired heel tab, and the Jumpman logo on the tongue.
During the 1988 All-Star Weekend in Chicago, Michael Jordan wowed the world with the free-throw line dunk in the “White Cement” Air Jordan 3. This moment elevated the shoe to iconic status and attracted collectors due to its historical significance.
In 1994, as the Air Jordan 1 received its first retro treatment, the Air Jordan 3 “White Cement” made a return with a special box highlighting MJ’s career. While the elephant print and “Nike Air” branding made the ’94 version a classic, it didn’t perform well commercially at the time. Nonetheless, it became a grail for collectors over time.
The AJ3 “White Cement” reappeared in 2003, featuring variations in the elephant print design and a lighter hue for the print itself. However, it utilized “Jumpman Air” branding on the heel.
In 2011, the “White Cement” Air Jordan 3 returned, with the shape of the tongue and toe box resembling the original. The elephant print was more pronounced, similar to the original, and the darker hue pleased fans. This version marked the first time consumers actively sought the OG “Nike Air” branding instead of “Jumpman Air” on the heel tab.
Jordan Brand celebrated the 25th anniversary of the free-throw line dunk with a remastered Air Jordan 3 “White Cement,” featuring the “Nike Air” heel branding for the first time since 1994. The shape more closely resembled the original, with even darker and thicker elephant print.
In 2018, for the 30th anniversary, Jordan Brand celebrated the silhouette and the iconic dunk during the 2018 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. The colorway featured details like “3:51” on the pull tab and “147” on the tongue to commemorate the moment. However, an icy blue outsole and a red stripe on one of the outsoles paid tribute to the free-throw line dunk, emphasizing commemoration more than originality.
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal” Reimagined
Release Date: November 4, 2023
The Reimagined series continues with the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Royal” colorway, receiving its third retro. This version features an all-suede look, deviating from the traditional all-leather upper, with vibrant royal blue and black hues. The packaging departs from the usual black and red AJ1 packaging, offering a matching box.
How We Got Here:
While black, red, and white are most closely associated with the Air Jordan line, “Royal” is one of the few non-Bulls color themes deeply ingrained in Jordan’s legacy.
The “Royal” colorway was first released in 1985 and remains a favorite among sneakerheads, thanks to its originality and cultural moments like matching flight suits, iconic ads, and even pick-up games with cruise ship crews.
However, the “Royal” didn’t return until 2001. The shape significantly differed from the OG, with a shortened collar and a rounder toe box. The shades of blue and black were darker. Nonetheless, the 2001 version retained the “Nike Air” branding and resonated with fans.
It took over a decade for the “Royal” Air Jordan 1 to make a comeback. The 2013 Air Jordan 1 High “Royal” featured the brightest blue shade to date and retained the “Nike Air” branding. Much like the 2013 “Bred” Air Jordan 1, the “Royal” was incredibly popular and well-received.
Shortly after, the Air Jordan 1 High “Royal” was released in 2017, coming closest in design to the 2001 version. The “Royal” hue aligned more closely with the original, and the Swoosh shape was thinner.
Air Jordan 11 “DMP” / “Gratitude”
Release Date: December 9, 2023
Although not an original Air Jordan 11 colorway, the Air Jordan 11 “DMP” will receive the Reimagined treatment in 2023 and be renamed the “Gratitude” colorway. The shoe’s iconic ballistic mesh upper will be replaced with a tumbled leather upper. The gold details, milky white outsole, and patent leather will remain the same.
How We Got Here:
The Air Jordan 11 is a legendary sneaker, renowned for its patent leather, translucent outsole, ballistic mesh, and tuxedo-inspired look. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, this shoe was a game-changer in the Air Jordan line.
The Air Jordan 11 made its debut during the 1995 playoffs when the Chicago Bulls faced the Orlando Magic. While the Bulls were defeated by the Magic, all eyes were on Michael Jordan. The early prototype of the Air Jordan 11 stole the show, and both the “Concord” and “Space Jam” colorways made their on-court debut during that series. This set the stage for one of the most iconic seasons as the 1995-1996 Bulls went on to a 72-10 season and secured their fourth NBA championship during Michael Jordan’s era.
The shoe became etched in basketball and sneaker history due to its design and the Bulls’ historic season.
In 2000, the Air Jordan 11 retroed for the first time, marking a new era in sneaker culture. Campouts soon became the norm, especially with the “Space Jam” colorway releasing for the first time. Over the years, the Air Jordan 11 became a holiday tradition, resulting in one of the most coveted releases of the year. Unfortunately, its hype, demand, and limited supply led to violence, prompting a shift to online releases due to the chaotic 2011 Air Jordan 11 “Concord” release.
Before the unprecedented hype, Jordan Brand released the Air Jordan 6 and the Air Jordan 11 in 2006 as part of the Defining Moments Pack. This commemorative release celebrated Michael Jordan’s first championship shoes from each respective three-peat—the AJ6 in 1991 and the AJ11 in 1996. The Air Jordan 11 “DMP” included gold details such as the “23” heel branding and Jumpman logo on the collar, adding a new level of luxury to the OG patent leather. The pair also came with a golden dog tag detailing the significance of the AJ11 as his first championship shoe after his first retirement.
Air Jordan 4 “Bred” Reimagined
Release Date: February 17, 2024
The “Bred” Air Jordan 4, first seen in 1989, will receive the Reimagined treatment, featuring a leather upper instead of the traditional nubuck. With “Nike Air” heel branding, this iteration makes its return in a new form for the first time since 2019.
How We Got Here:
Tinker Hatfield’s second creation for Michael Jordan was the Air Jordan 4, featuring a more prominent heel tab with “Nike Air” branding and other special features
