Air Jordan 1 'Black Toe Reimagined': Back to the 1985 Prototype

The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG 'Black Toe Reimagined' (style code DZ5485-106) is Jordan Brand's February 2025 return to one of the original 1985 colourways, rebuilt around the early sample pairs Michael Jordan wore in his rookie season. It swaps the Wings logo for "Air Jordan" collar lettering and hides a personal message from Jordan inside the collar, which gives this Black Toe a story of its own.

The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG 'Black Toe Reimagined' is live now in the Air Jordan 1 range at PUSHAS, and every pair is authenticated by hand. Below is the story behind the shoe, what sets it apart from earlier Black Toe retros, and how it fits and wears.

The design story: back to the prototype

Jordan Brand describes this pair as a return to "the prototype for the icon", tracing it all the way back to Michael Jordan's first photo shoot. Instead of recreating the retail shoe that reached stores in 1985, the Reimagined version takes its cue from the samples Jordan wore at the very start of his time with Nike, during the 1984-85 season.

The clearest sign is on the collar. Where every regular Black Toe carries Peter Moore's Wings logo, this pair has "AIR JORDAN" lettering on the lateral collar, as seen on those early samples. It is a small change, but it turns the shoe from a straight retro into something closer to a piece of archive history.

The colour blocking is the Black Toe you know. The official colourway is White/Black-Varsity Red-Sail: a white base, black forefoot overlays and Swooshes, and Varsity Red on the heel and ankle flap.

Materials and the hidden details

The upper is built from smooth leather, the material that gives a high-top Air Jordan 1 its structure and the way it creases and softens with wear.

The most personal detail sits on the inner collar. The left shoe carries the handwritten message "My very best", signed Michael Jordan, which shows up under UV light. It refers to Jordan signing and gifting a pair of his shoes during his rookie season, and Jordan Brand chose that inscription as the personal thread running through this release. You have to look for it, which is exactly the point.

The pair belongs to Jordan Brand's Reimagined series, in which classic colourways return as reinterpreted versions, often with different materials or an aged look, rather than exact copies of the originals.

The 1985 Black Toe and its place in history

The Air Jordan 1 was designed by Nike's Peter Moore, who also created the Wings logo, and it launched in 1985 as Michael Jordan's first signature shoe. The Black Toe, in white, black and red, was one of the original colourways from that first run, and Jordan wore it during his rookie season.

Its place in the story goes deeper than the shoe wall. The Black Toe was worn in the early photo shoot that produced the leaping silhouette later used as the Jumpman logo, and Jordan Brand connects the Reimagined pair directly to that shoot.

The release itself took time. The shoe was first expected in October 2024 before it was pushed back, finally landing on 15 February 2025 through Nike SNKRS and select stores, in men's, grade school, preschool and toddler sizes.

How it fits and wears

The Air Jordan 1 High is generally reported to fit true to size, and most wearers report the same for this pair. Leather colourways can feel slightly snug at first and ease as the upper breaks in. If you have wide feet, most wearers report that going up half a size gives a more comfortable fit.

On foot, it wears like a classic Air Jordan 1: a supportive high-top collar and a leather upper that creases naturally over time. It is built to crease and soften with wear.

How to style it

The white base keeps the Black Toe lighter and easier to wear than darker Air Jordan 1 colourways, while the black toe and red heel give it enough contrast to carry an outfit. Straight or relaxed denim that breaks just above the collar lets the full high-top show. Black trousers or cargo pants bring out the black overlays, and a red or cream layer on top picks up the Varsity Red and Sail tones. Keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the shoe lead.

Who it is built for

If you want	Built for	Wear it with
A piece of Air Jordan 1 history	Collectors who follow the 1985 originals and early samples	Clean, straight-leg denim and a plain tee
A daily high-top with contrast	Wearers who want a white-based AJ1 with a strong colour story	Black cargo pants and a cream hoodie
Details only you know are there	Fans drawn to hidden touches like the UV message	Relaxed trousers that show off the collar
A Black Toe that stands apart	Owners of earlier Black Toe retros looking for a different take	A red knit or varsity jacket

Live now at PUSHAS

Stock as of 27 September 2026. 21 US men's sizes are live, from US M 3.5 to US M 14.

Every pair is authenticated by hand, so you can shop with confidence. The live listing shows the current price. Find your size on the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG 'Black Toe Reimagined' page.

Not sure of your size? Our complete Jordan 1 size guide covers fit across the line, and for the bigger picture, read why Jordan 1s are still so popular.

FAQ

Does the Jordan 1 Black Toe Reimagined fit true to size?

The Air Jordan 1 High is generally reported to fit true to size, and most wearers report the same for this pair. If you have wide feet, most wearers report that going up half a size is more comfortable.

When did the Air Jordan 1 Black Toe Reimagined release?

It released on 15 February 2025 under style code DZ5485-106, after first being expected in October 2024.

Why is it called Black Toe Reimagined?

Black Toe refers to the black forefoot overlays on a white base, one of the original 1985 colourways. Reimagined refers to Jordan Brand's series of reinterpreted classics; this pair takes its cue from the samples Michael Jordan wore in 1984-85, with "AIR JORDAN" lettering in place of the Wings logo.

What is the hidden message on the Black Toe Reimagined?

The inner collar of the left shoe carries the handwritten message "My very best", signed Michael Jordan, which shows up under UV light.

What is the Jordan 1 Black Toe Reimagined made of?

The upper is smooth leather in the White/Black-Varsity Red-Sail colourway.