red and black jordans

Sneakers - February 25, 2022

A Guide to Red and Black Jordans

We’ve picked out some of our most popular red and black Jordans that have been inspired by the legendary Chicago Bulls colourway.

We’ve picked out some of our most popular red and black Jordans that have been inspired by the legendary Chicago Bulls colourway.

“There’s Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us.” Magic Johnson once famously quipped.

Cast your mind back through the decades of sporting icons—Muhammad Ali, Diego Maradonna, Serena Williams—MJ is going to appear in just about any list on the planet, almost always somewhere near the top.

Photo via Getty Images

Six-time NBA champion, The first player in NBA history to lead the league in both scoring and steals, five-time league MVP, a record six NBA Finals MVP awards, two Olympic gold medals, 14-time NBA All-Star…it goes on. And on. And on.

It goes without saying, that the majority of Jordan’s biggest achievements came during his illustrious time with the Chicago Bulls. In keeping with that theme, we’ve picked out some of the most popular Chicago inspired red and black Jordans that have been inspired by the iconic colours we associate with the basketball behemoths.

What are Red and Black Jordans called?

  1. Jordan 1 Chicago: The Jordan 1 Chicago is perhaps the most iconic red and black Jordan colourway on the market today. One of the OG colourways released in the mid-80s and based on the Bull’s iconic uniform, the Chicago has achieved cult status despite not being the first Air Jordan 1 colourway that Michael Jordan wore on the court.
  2. Jordan 1 Banned: The apocryphal story goes that the original Air Jordan 1 was banned from the NBA for violating the dress code and MJ was fined $5,000 for every game he wore the shoes. That’s been the story that’s circulated for more than three decades. But it’s not true.
  3. Jordan 11 Playoffs Bred: The Bred (black and red) colourway has transcended individual brands and silhouettes to become one of the most popular sneaker colourways around. From the Jordan 1 to Jordan 11, Bred Jordan releases just hit different.
  4. Jordan 4 Red Thunder:  The original Thunder colourway actually appeared in 2014 with appropriate strikes of yellow. The Jordan 4 Red Thunder released in 2021 maintains the black base that is so easily worn and gives it a splash of red similar to the classic Bred AJ4.
  5. Jordan 5 Raging Bull: One of Jordan Brand‘s most beloved Air Jordan 5 colourways, the “Raging Bull,” spent over a decade in the wilderness until it was re-released in 2019 The colourway pairs Varsity Red with black and silver-toned details.

red and black jordan 1

Jordan 1 Mid Chicago Toe

As classic as they come, the unmistakable red and black Jordan that became so hallowed in the sneaker world thanks to the OG Jordan 1 Chicago back in 1985 is revisited in a mid-cut silhouette, offering a fresh take on a palette we’ll simply never grow tired of. 

How Much Are Red and Black Jordans Worth?

Thanks to MJ’s 13-year association with the Chicago Bulls, red and black Jordan 1s are hugely nostalgic and highly collectable. As of February 2022, the highest price paid for the 1985 Jordan 1 OG Chicago on StockX was just under £15,000, while the Jordan 1 OG Bred / Banned has seen prices hit as high as £12,660 in recent times.

red and black jordan 11

Jordan 11 Retro Playoffs Bred (2019)

The shoe that was famously donned by MJ as he led the Bulls to victory during the 1996 playoffs, the Jordan 11 Bred made its long-awaited return back in 2019. A genuine mould-breaker at the time, Tinker Hatfield’s design was the first to utilise patent leather on a basketball shoe, and the sleek aesthetic has remained a firm favourite all these years later. 

Jordan 1 High Zoom Air CMFT Patent Chicago

Jordan 1 High Zoom Air CMFT Patent Chicago (W)

Taking that same tried and tested colour scheme and applying it to Nike’s modern comfort technology? We’re fairly confident this blending of practicality and style was one of the simpler decisions that have been made at the brand’s headquarters. What’s not to love?

Jordan 1 Low Black Red Toe

Jordan 1 Low Black Red Toe

Dialling things back and appearing in the forever sought-after Bred colourway is a timeless take on the AJ1 Low. Probably the most ‘accessible’ silhouette on this list, it’s a style that hasn’t lost an ounce of its appeal after all these years, largely due to the ease with which it can be styled.

Jordan 1  Retro High Off-White Chicago

Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Chicago

The late, great Virgil Abloh’s unique take on any Jordan model has always been a means for celebration. However, when he went to work on remixing one of the most important drops in the brand’s history, something special was inevitable.

red and black jordan 1

Jordan 1 Mid Gym Red Black White

The usual mixture of premium leathers sees the introduction of red satin fabric used across the swoosh, collar and Jumpman tongue logo. All of it combines in spectacular fashion to create a classic mid-cut college look dipped in an instantly recognisable Bulls palette. 

red and black jordan 4

Jordan 4 Retro Fire Red (2020)

Another long-term favourite colour scheme returned across the AJ4 back in 2020, mimicking the OG 89 version much to the delight of Jordan aficionados everywhere. Most notably, that means the Jordan heel logo is swapped out for the original Nike Air branding, a decision that proved an immensely popular one with fans. 

red and black jordan 1

Jordan 1 Mid Banned (2020)

There’s no way we could finish this list without including a Banned colourway that stays generally true to the OG. Embracing the stealthy matte black that featured on the fabled basketball sneaker and applying it to the mid-cut style, it offers a far more accessible way of donning the iconic palette that holds its own special, sizable place in the Jordan story