by Steve Jaconetta

The original Air Jordan 1 hit retail exactly 31 years ago. And while we've seen 29 new models since, we've seen even more iterations of that original silhouette. In honor of the shoe's anniversary, we're taking a look back at the original model, and how it's evolved (and returned back to its roots) over the last three decades.  

Year: 1985
Price: $65

Year: 1986
Modifications: Low-top edition of the original Air Jordan I High
Price: $60

Year: 1986
Modifications: Canvas version of the original. Modified outsole with “AJKO” branding inside on the Wings logo instead of “Air Jordan.”
Price: $65

Year: 1994
Modifications: First retro of the Air Jordan 1. Shape differs with more curve at the back of the sneaker.
Price: $80

Year: 2001
Modifications: Japan exclusive. Original “Nike Air” branding was replaced by a Jumpman logo on the tongue and insoles.
Price: $80-100

Year: 2001
Modifications: This was the first time the sneaker came in a mid-cut. “Nike Air” is prominent on the tongue tag and sock liner.
Price: $80

Year: 2001
Modifications: All “Nike Air” branding replaced by Jumpman branding, along with the addition of the Jumpman logo to the back heel on the majority of colorways released. They also feature eight eyelets instead of nine.
Price: $80

Year: 2002; 2007-2008 
Modifications: A new look for the Air Jordan 1 Low, modified for the early 2000s. Featuring the “Wings” logo embossed on the sides, along with a Jumpman on the back heel and modified midsole. Foam was added around the collar for more comfort, as was an encapsulated Air unit in the heel.
Price: $65-$85

Year: 2002
Modifications: Dubbed the first “Rare Air” edition, this Air Jordan 1 Retro did away with all the Nike branding and replaced it with Jordan branding. The most prominent difference is the Jumpman logo on the sides that replaced the Swoosh. It was also the first time clear soles were seen on an Air Jordan 1.
Price: $100

Year: 2003 
Modifications: The Air Jordan 1 Retro got a patent leather makeover in 2003. All three colorways feature full patent leather uppers and even came in a special black “Wings” box.
Price: $100

Year: 2004, 2007 
Modifications: First low-top retro of the Air Jordan 1. Featuring a different shape than that of the OG Low, this version is more of a takedown from the 2001 retros. A “Wings” logo is found on the back heel while the number 23 is found on the tongue. Jumpman logos are also featured on the insoles and tongue.
Price: $80

Year: 2008-present
Modifications: OG “Nike Air” branding on the tongue tag and insoles has been replaced by a Jumpman, which was also added to the back heel.
Price: $105-$140

Year: 2008-present 
Modifications: A canvas upper with a removable ankle strap added for the first time, similar to the Nike Vandal.
Price: $110-$115

Year: 2008-2013 
Modifications: Modified version of the Air Jordan 1 Retro Low, featuring a slightly higher cut, padded tongue and lining.
Price: $95

Year: 2008-2013 
Modifications: Modified version of the Air Jordan 1 Retro, featuring a puffy tongue and additional padding throughout the shoe.
Price: $105

Year: 2008-2009 
Modifications: Modified version of the Air Jordan 1 Phat Low featuring two velcro straps in place of laces.
Price: $95-$105

Modifications: The Air Jordan 1 re-imagined for 2010 featured a full no-sew synthetic leather upper with perforations throughout for breathability. Other upgrades include: internal Achilles heel pods to reduce heel slip, phylon midsole for added comfort and full-length Zoom Air.
Price: $125

Year: 2010 
Modifications: An outdoor version of the Jordan Alpha 1 that added a removable ankle strap. The sneaker itself comes in at a slightly lower cut than the regular Alpha 1.
Price: $115

Year: 2010 
Modifications: Low-top version of the Jordan Alpha 1. Featuring the same benefits as the regular and outdoor versions, but in a lower cut.
Price: $100

Year: 2010
Modifications: This high-cut Air Jordan 1 Retro features a full Foamposite-like “Anodized” upper.
Price: $150

Year: 2010 
Modifications: As Jordan Brand celebrated their Silver Anniversary in 2010, they brought back laser print. Seen here on the Air Jordan 1 Phat 20, this mid-cut AJ 1 features elements of the Air Jordan XX like a graphic collar, perforations on the tongue and side panel, nubuck and patent leather.
Price: $115

Year: 2010 
Modifications: Modified version of the original AJKO, which is more like the modern Air Jordan 1 Retro. Eight eyelets instead of nine, along with “Jumpman” branding on the tongue tag and insoles. Sporting the same outsole as the Air Jordan 1, they also came pre-yellowed for a vintage look.
Price: $125

Year: 2011
Modifications: An AJ KO with a leather upper instead of the traditional canvas. Premium materials and the same shape as the 2010 version.
Price: $130

Year: 2012-present 
Modifications: Modified version of the mid-2000s Air Jordan 1 Retro Low, but with no extra padding like the Phat version.
Price: $95-$100

Year: 2012
Modifications: Same style as the 2010 version, but without the early “Vintage” look on the soles, with the same shape and branding.
Price: $125

Year: 2013-present 
Modifications: Modified version of the mid-2000s Air Jordan 1 Retro. Mid-cut with eight eyelets. No padded tongue like the Phat versions.
Price: $105-$110

Year: 2013 
Modifications: Ankle strap added to the low-top for the first time.
Price: $100

Year: 2013-present
Modifications: Featuring the return of original “Nike Air” branding to the tongue tag and insoles for the first time since 2001’s Japan exclusives. The Jumpman logo was also removed from the back heel to look more like the original.
Price: $140-$160

Year: 2013
Modifications: The Air Jordan 4 meets the Air Jordan 1 on the Air Jordan 1 Retro ‘89. It featured elements of the AJ4 such as mesh netting on the sides, a plastic ankle strap, tongue tag and oversized tongue.
Price: $130

Year: 2013 
Modifications: A graphic on the sockliner, stitching on the Swoosh on the sides, Air Jordan 8 tongue logo, the number “23” on the toe and ridges wrapping around the back heel were applied to pay homage to Michael Jordan’s eighth signature sneaker.
Price: $130

Year: 2013 
Modifications: An ode to the Air Jordan 11, this mid featured a patent leather on the toe, full translucent outsole, nylon mesh upper, oversized tongue, “Jumpman Jordan” tongue stripe and carbon fiber print inside the Wings logo.
Price: $130

Year: 2013 
Modifications: Quilted mesh on the side panels and tongue, “Jordan” tag near the toebox and a holographic “Wings” logo paid nod to the Air Jordan 13
Price: $130

Year: 2014
Modifications: Modified to have the features of the Air Jordan 2 with details like the Wings logo on the tongue, perforations on the toebox and AJ2 detailing on the heel.
Price: $130

Year: 2014 
Modifications: Laced with elements of the Air Jordan 10 including elastic lace straps, checkered sockliner, back heel pull tab, branding on the tongue and Michael Jordan's accomplishments on the bottom of the outsole.
Price: $130

Year: 2014 
Modifications: The Air Jordan 14’s ribbed sides, mesh tongue and back heel design were applied to this Air Jordan 1.
Price: $130

Year: 2014 
Modifications: The next level of the Air Jordan 1 being mashed up with its successors. The 4LAB1 used the Retro High silhouette and was covered in mesh netting, along with an Air Jordan 4-style tongue tag.
Price: $185

Year: 2014 
Modifications: The Air Jordan 1 Mid Nouveau features additional perforations on the side panels for breathability, minimal lining and a new tongue tag that is oversized and can act as a loop to put the laces behind.
Price: $135

Year: 2014 
Modifications: The Air Jordan 1 Low Nouveau features the same additions as the Mid, but in low-top.
Price: $125

Year: 2014
Modifications: The Air Jordan 1 has always had a special place in the hearts of skaters. For the first time ever, it was updated for skateboarding. It featured “Nike SB” branding on the tongue tag, and extra padding throughout.
Price: $140

Year: 2014-present 
Modifications: Featuring a shape more like the 1985 original, along with OG “Nike Air” branding on the tongue tag and insoles, plus the return of the OG-style outsole.
Price: $140-$160

Year: (2015-present)
Modifications: The most accurate Air Jordan 1 Retro Low, in comparison to the original releases. Featuring the return of the original shape, complete with original “Nike Air” branding on the back heel, tongue tag, and insoles.
Price: $130

Year: 2015-present
Modifications: Once only a prototype for Michael Jordan of the Air Jordan 1 that never made it to retail in 1985, the Air Jordan 1.5 featured the upper of the AJ1 sitting atop the tooling of the Air Jordan 2. A hybrid of sorts, it also feature “Nike” branding inside the Wings logo as well as on the tongue tag.
Price: $150

Year: 2015-present
Modifications: The ‘Pinnacle’ edition takes the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG and gives it a premium luxury upgrade. Gold accents along with snake, stingray, croc, and premium leather cover the uppers in various colorways.
Price: $400