Air Jordan 1 Size and Fit Guide

Nike released the Air Jordan 1 in 1985. Today, the AJ1 is considered one of the Swoosh’s most iconic silhouettes and is widely credited for laying the foundations of contemporary sneaker culture. Designed by Peter Moore, the AJ1 was Michael Jordan's first-ever signature basketball sneaker and debuted in low and high-top iterations. The inaugural style has since spawned over 30 subsequent Air Jordan models, moving beyond the basketball court to serve as a canvas of expression for an extensive roster of creative collaborators, including Dior, Virgil Abloh and Levi’s. 

With so many retros, re-releases and special editions, finding the optimum Air Jordan 1 isn’t always straightforward. Below,  tips and tricks to make sure you not only select the right Air Jordan 1 sneakers, but realize their potential with the appropriate size and fit. 

How does the Air Jordan 1 fit?

Narrow vs Wide Feet 

The Air Jordan 1 runs true to size, however, the measurement number can be tweaked depending on foot shape. If you have narrow feet, it’s advisable to go down half a size for a snug fit around the sneaker’s quarter panels. Doing so will also mitigate creasing the toe box. In practice, this means if your normal size is US 9.5 and you have narrow feet, you may want to select a US 9 for a more snug fit.

People with wide feet can opt for their normal size or go up a half a size; the latter is applicable for those who prefer to wear thicker socks. In practice, this means if you have wide feet and your normal size is US 9.5 and you prefer thicker socks, you may want to select a US 10 for a more comfortable fit. It is not recommended to size up any higher, as doing so can make the AJ1 silhouette appear elongated. 

Women’s Air Jordan 1 Fit

Jordan Brand officially relaunched the women’s Air Jordan line in 2018 after a 10-year hiatus, offering a comprehensive range of sizes and women’s-only colorways. Women can select their normal size as AJ1s fit true to size, while men should go one and a half sizes up when buying a women’s Air Jordan 1.* In practice, this means a man who is US 9.5 should opt for a US 11 in women’s. When buying a men’s Air Jordan 1, women should go one and a half sizes down. In practice, this means a woman who is US 7.5 should opt for a US 6 in men’s.

*When comparing sizes on the box sticker (for example, a women’s US 5 against a men’s US 3.5), the women’s Air Jordan 1 runs 0.5 centimeters larger. This information should be disregarded because the measurement is an imperceptible difference.

High vs Mid vs Low

Notably, the Air Jordan 1 is available in high, low and mid variations. Aside from height, there are minute design differences such as the mid version having eight eyelets to the high’s nine. In both the low and mid models the sneaker’s fit remains consistent.

How Comfortable is the Air Jordan 1?

The Air Jordan 1 is a durable leather sneaker that is well-suited to everyday wear. However, because the shoe was designed and released in the ’80s, the technology can feel antiquated by today’s standards. Unlike most current Nike models, AJ1 Retros arrive sans cushioning. Nonetheless, the silhouette remains appropriate for all non-performance activities. 

In recent years, Nike has introduced proprietary Zoom Air cushioning to certain AJ1 sneakers, which brings together pressurized air and compressed tensile fibers to lessen impact while easing stress on the body. Models equipped with Zoom Air cushioning offer more comfort than models without. 

Additional steps can be taken to reinforce the Air Jordan 1’s comfort, such as breaking the shoe in via repeated wear or by adding a gel insole.    

Sizing Similar to the Air Jordan 1

Do Nike Air Force 1s fit the same as Air Jordan 1s?

Along with the Air Jordan 1, the Nike Air Force 1 is one of the most enduring silhouettes in the brand’s footwear canon. Both were originally designed as basketball sneakers and arrived on the market only three years apart. 

The Air Force 1 runs bigger than most Nike models, and many prefer to go at least half a size or even a full size down. This is not true of the Air Jordan 1, which mostly fits true to size. (As previously mentioned, exceptions include people with narrow or wide feet.) In practice, this means if you wear a US 9 in Nike Air Force 1s, you may want to select an AJ1 in a US 9.5 or US 10. 

Air Jordan 1 Size and Fit FAQs