Air Jordan 1 Low OG Review

 After a long hiatus, the OG iteration of the Air Jordan 1 Low finally made a return in the racks. To assess whether the re-released version is a good cop or a whack, Dribble Media offers an in-depth review of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG.

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG was initially released in 1985 along with the Air Jordan 1 High. The release of the Air Jordan 1 Low marked the beginning of a sneaker dynasty as it was the first low-top signature sneaker released by Nike and Michael Jordan.

Then, in the early 2000s, the iconic Air Jordan 1 Low OG was remastered and it received all-new aesthetics and quality which various sneakerheads all around the world still enjoy thanks to its flamboyant silhouettes and skyrocketing collaborations.

The OG then returned in 2015 and bannered the iconic “Bred” and “Neutral Grey” silhouettes. The pair even got a Europe-exclusive release.

To formally celebrate its return, Dribble Media offers an in-depth review of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG.

AESTHETICS

The re-released Air Jordan 1 Low OG may exactly look like the 1985 version at first glance. But when observed thoroughly, there are some minor tweaks in the pair’s overall appearance and the materials.

Though the tooling in the cup sole is identical to the low, mid, and high versions, this version has a different paneling, height, and tongue appearance compared to the 1985 release. Another difference is that this release has a smaller Swoosh.

Nonetheless, the pair is still easy to match with various fashion styles with its retro look and clean colorways, especially in the case of the recently released silhouette, the Neutral Grey.

MATERIALS

One good aspect of the returning Air Jordan 1 Low OG is the leather quality. Compared to the 1985 release and some recently released Air Jordan 1 Highs, the leather of this lebron 19 pair is amazingly better.

Granted that the pair is out of circulation for quite some time, sneaker enthusiasts were having their fingers crossed on this one.  Fortunately, this iteration of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG turned out to be better, at the very least, material-wise.

It’s a good thing that Air Jordan decided to make the leather more premium for better aesthetics and a longer lifespan.

It is also noteworthy that for some reason, the tooling of the leather material on the heel portion is different compared to the aspects. The leather material on the heel portion has a better premium vibe than the other areas of the pair.

The uppers also have a pretty efficient Polyurethane (PU) coating. For those who are not familiar, PU coating is being used to enhance the lightness and durability of the materials. Also, it drastically improves the appearance of the leather material by giving tumbled effects.

But due to the PU coating, this new version of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG’s texture is rough unlike the smooth leather of the other Air Jordan 1 Low OG.

In some other aspects of the pair, the Air Jordan 1 Low OG’s tongue is made of nylon, which is common among Air Jordan 1 pairs. The nylon material gives more ventilation to the pair and makes the pair easier to wear.

And just like the other Air Jordan 1 releases, the Air Jordan 1 Low OG is infused with Nike Air Unit as its primary cushion technology. The pair is also reinforced with ortholite insoles for better comfort.

Along with these, this version of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG has a suede material for its Swoosh and heel tab.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

Personally, I prefer to rock the remastered Air Jordan 1 Low than the OG. Considering the overall appearance, the remastered version is easier to match, and its shape is more pleasing to the eyes, at least in my opinion.

However, it won’t change the fact that the OG pair will always have a rightful place in the shoe racks of every sneakerhead. OG sneakers are not only shoes that protect your feet, but they are also vital pieces that reflect the rich history of sneakers.

In general, the materials are good. The implementation of leather is definitely amazing and the cushion setup may not be the most comfortable, but it still carries the identity of the Air Jordan 1.

But it’s expected that some sneaker enthusiasts will become half-hearted in copping a pair because of its overall performance. The main problem of the pair is its instability and stiffness.

Granted that the Air Jordan 1 is not really known for having a very responsive cushion set up, as I’ve said in my previous statement, the main issue relies on how the pair was actually built. With the curves of the pair on the forefoot, the then stiff pair became more unstable.

Also, there is almost no flat portion in the outsole. When worn, it gives the impression that the outsoles are caved in and there are some weird curves that make the feet feel warped and wobbly. This greatly affects the pair’s stability and comfort.

In addition, the supposedly strong reinforcement for additional comfort expected from the insole cannot really be felt. The ortholite insole is not bouncy enough to provide the cushion expected from the pair.

Nonetheless, the Air Jordan 1 Low OG will remain as a must-cop pair for this year. Maybe it’s not an everyday shoe for every enthusiast, but it will always be a new piece in their collection. Besides, there is no way that an OG release will not make the cut on the list of every sneakerhead.

SIZE AND FITTING

Just like the other Air Jordan 1 pairs, the Air Jordan 1 Low OG runs true to size. But if you want more snugness, believing that it will drastically decrease the chances of creasing, then you may go down half a size.

WHERE TO BUY

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG is up for grabs at selected retailers for US$130.

OVERALL RATING

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG nets an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5.