Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Chicago” Returns November 2025
The Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Chicago” releases on November 15, 2025, marking the first retro of the low-top Chicago colorway since 2016. This version features the oversized Swoosh that separates it from the classic high-top design, using varsity red, black, and summit white in the same color blocking as the original 1985 Air Jordan 1 “Chicago.
Jordan Brand is bringing back the Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Chicago” on November 15, 2025. This low-top version features the oversized Swoosh that first appeared on the 2016 release, maintaining the design choice that differentiates this low from the classic high-top “Chicago” colorway. The varsity red, black, and summit white color scheme stays true to the original blocking that made the “Chicago” one of the most recognizable Air Jordan 1 colorways since 1985.
How the Low-Top Chicago Came to Exist
The Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” originally released in 1985 as a high-top shoe, worn by Michael Jordan during his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls. The colorway matched the team’s uniform colors and became iconic through Jordan’s performances and the shoe’s rebellious association with NBA uniform violations. The high-top version has been retroed multiple times since 1995, most recently with the “Lost & Found” release as part of Jordan Brand’s “Reimagined” series.
The low-top “Chicago” didn’t exist until 2016, making it a modern creation rather than a retro of an original 1985 design. Jordan Brand created the low-top version to offer the classic color blocking in a silhouette that works better for warmer weather and casual wear. Cutting down the collar removes ankle coverage but reduces weight and creates a more lifestyle-friendly shoe compared to the basketball-focused high-top.
The 2016 low-top release introduced the oversized Swoosh, a design element that wasn’t part of the original 1985 high-top or any previous Air Jordan 1 releases. This larger Swoosh became a defining feature of certain Air Jordan 1 Low releases, creating visual distinction from the standard-sized Swoosh on most Air Jordan 1 models. The 2025 retro maintains this oversized Swoosh, staying consistent with the 2016 version rather than reverting to standard proportions.
Chicago Variations and Special Releases
Since the low-top “Chicago” debuted in 2016, Jordan Brand has released several alternative versions using the same color scheme. A slip-on version without laces launched in 2019, targeting buyers who wanted the Chicago aesthetic with the convenience of slip-on construction. The slip-on removed the traditional lacing system entirely, using elastic materials to secure the foot instead.
Jordan Brand released a golf version of the Chicago low in 2022, adapting the basketball shoe for golf courses by adding spikes to the outsole and using more water-resistant materials on the upper. Golf versions of Air Jordan 1s have become common as Jordan Brand expands into golf footwear, capitalizing on the shoe’s style while making it functional for a different sport.
A cleated football version appeared in 2023, continuing the pattern of taking the Chicago color scheme and applying it to sport-specific footwear. These variations show Jordan Brand treats the Chicago colorway as a versatile design that can work across multiple sports and wearing occasions, not just as a basketball retro.
2025 “Chicago” Air Jordan 1 Low Breakdown
The 2025 Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Chicago” uses varsity red on the eyestays, toe overlay, heel counter, tongue label, and rubber outsole. This red placement creates the primary visual impact and establishes the Bulls connection that makes the Chicago colorway recognizable. Varsity red is the specific shade Jordan Brand uses to match the Bulls’ team color, differentiating it from other red tones in Nike’s color palette.
Summit white appears on the side panels, tongue, perforated toe box, and midsole. The white serves as the base color that lets the red and black accents stand out. The perforated toe box provides breathability through small holes punched into the leather, a functional detail that also creates visual texture. The white midsole uses polyurethane foam, the same cushioning system Nike has used in Air Jordan 1s since 1985.
Black covers the Swoosh logos, laces, collar liner, and Wings logo on the heels. The black provides contrast and prevents the shoe from looking too bright with just red and white. The Wings logo is a basketball with wings that appears on the heel of Air Jordan 1s, one of the shoe’s signature branding elements that has remained consistent across nearly all releases since 1985.
The entire upper uses leather construction, maintaining the material choice from the original Air Jordan 1 design. Leather provides durability and a premium appearance, though it requires break-in time compared to synthetic materials. Modern Air Jordan 1 retros use different leather grades than the 1985 original, with variations in thickness and suppleness depending on the specific release.
Oversized Swoosh
The oversized Swoosh on the 2025 release is larger than the standard Swoosh that appears on most Air Jordan 1 models. This sizing choice creates a bolder look that emphasizes Nike’s branding while changing the visual proportions of the shoe. Most have asked Jordan Brand to bring back the larger Swoosh, a look the mimics original pairs.
Jordan Brand’s decision to use an oversized Swoosh on certain Air Jordan 1 Low releases separates them from standard retros and creates collectible variations that appeal to buyers looking for something different from the typical Air Jordan 1. The oversized Swoosh appeared on several Air Jordan 1 Low releases following the 2016 Chicago, including other OG colorways and new color combinations. However, the brand reintroduced it to low-top OG variations in 2025.
