Air Jordan x NIKE SB. A Special Swoosh Partnership

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Looking back at some of the key dates in sneaker history, 1985 could be the birth year of a generational talent. The Air Jordan 1 was birthed with a new culture of footwear enthusiasts. Initially made for the GOAT with the sole purpose of giving a young Michael Jordan the tool to succeed on the NBA hardwood, it transitioned to be a milestone in basketball culture and everything that comes with it. The AJ1 was so different from what the mid’80s looked like it disrupted the entire footwear landscape. But besides hardcore basketball and MJ fans, a different (sub-)culture took Jordan’s signature shoe in, skateboarding. It might have been the fair price point and selected outlet finds, but the AJ1 as well as the following silhouettes, were perfect for skating, providing stability and durability. From Lance Mountain and Mickey Reyes to Bryce Kanights, some of the decade’s most famous skaters began skating in the Air Jordan 1. And even though it took until 2002 to establish Nike SB with the help of core skaters, the brains of legendary cultural boundary pusher Sandy Bodecker (RIP), the two cultures’ first handshake began in the ‘80s.

Which Air Jordan x Nike SB was first? After several years under the same umbrella, Nike and Jordan Brand linked up in 2014 with Swoosh-sponsored, long-time skate collaborator and icon Lance Mountain for the Air Jordan 1 x Nike SB “Lance Mountain.” It made sense for all parties to unite since Lance wore AJ1s for their light weight and durability back in the ‘80s. Inspired by his original pairs, the black high-top sneaker has a wear-away upper, meaning the black color will wear off and reveal the OG bred and royal colorways of the AJ1.

Throughout the years, Nike SB has referenced Jordan Brand and its designs on several silhouettes, featuring elephant print overlays or OG colorways; it is therefore so noteworthy that in the following years, Nike SB and Jordan Brand continued to collaborate on selected AJ1 models, high and lows, but never overdid it. They never “cashed out” on the idea of their two iconic brands collaborating constantly but rather keep it selected, sprinkling limited-edition releases here and there to stay true to each culture.

Staying relevant through choosing the right partners, such as photographer Craig Stecyk, famous for documenting the early stages of skateboarding and the Z-Boys. After a few AJ1 Lows, such as the Midnight Navy and “UNC,” recent leaks from the likes of Oskar Rozenberg and Eric Koston hint at another AJ x SB collaboration in the form of the AJ4. Stay tuned.

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