Nike’s first basketball shoe designed specifically for Michael Jordan was the Air Jordan 1.
Released in 1985, the Air Jordan 1 introduced a dedicated signature line for the Chicago Bulls star. It combined Nike basketball construction with a distinctive high-top shape and bold color blocking that stood apart from many contemporary court shoes.
The model helped establish the commercial power of athlete-centered footwear. Although later Air Jordan releases became increasingly specialized, the first model laid the foundation for the Jordan brand’s long-term importance in basketball and fashion.
The Air Jordan 1 is sometimes confused with the Air Jordan 2 because the second model followed soon afterward and had a more streamlined appearance. The Air Force 1 was a separate Nike basketball shoe designed by Bruce Kilgore and was not made specifically for Jordan.