Why You Shouldn’t Invest In Secondary Jordan Models As Your Starter Kit
Sneaker News
Written by Cassell Ferere in partnership with Kulture Hub
In recent reports, a shipment of counterfeit sneakers was seized in Texas, on its way to Mexico. The shipment of mostly Nike and Adidas sneakers headed to get copped by unsuspecting sneakerheads across Central America. But within that seizure, about 1800 pairs of Dior Air Jordan 1s lows were confiscated as part of the shipment. This is a telling sign that someone was looking to take advantage of a particular individual within the sneaker market.
Counterfeit Dior Air Jordan 1s low. Photo courtesy of Robb Report
Retro Air Jordan lows are not the hottest sneakers to buy if you are in search of drip or clout for being stylish - besides its association with the namesake and Nike logo. But the secondary designs are considered a lower tier from the original high-top versions which is what Jordan sneaker culture is built on. Not to mention a sacred interaction with your sneakers.
Dior Air Jordan 1s low. Photo courtesy of Dior
Secondary Jordan models include low-top designs, mids, fusion series, and color-ways that don’t reflect the aesthetic of Jordans as much as the red, black, and white colorways have. This doesn’t include special collaborations like Travis Scott’s Jordan collaborations or special colorways like the Carolina Blues. But it does include the strain of colors that Jordans can vary in after the original Jordan or retro version runs its course and have already soaked up all the hype.
Cactus Jack Air Jordan 1s. Photo courtesy of Sneaker News.
And speaking of La Flame, which pairs of Cactus Jack’s dunks would you want more; the high-tops or the low-tops? Be honest with yourself.
Photo courtesy of Kicks.com
We can argue that retro Jordan 1s are as good in any style but that wouldn’t fair true to the original sneaker which was made in the high-top structure. The sneaker which we all want is what we all saw and gravitated to out of admiration for the athlete.
Image of Bones Brigade in half pipe. Photo courtesy of Modern notoriety.
Skate culture followed and found great use, as much as style, in the design. Launched in 2020, the Nike SB [Dunk-Hi, De La Souls, Mork & Mindy's] wave was a by-product of the growing skate-culture market, and Jordan 1s were referenced for their use during the ‘80s introduction of the shoe to skaters.
Mork & Mindy Nike SB Dunk Hi. Photo courtesy of Stock X.
The low-top version is the aftermarket trooper. The pair you get when you at least one of the original cuts and colorways. Retro Jordan lows are no way clout chasers; rather, they are the nuanced version of the casual shoe for a sneakerhead.
Dior Air Jordan 1s low. Photo courtesy of Dior.
Now, some retro Air Jordan lows may have been top sellers over the years, like the retro Air Jordan 12 lows which are up there in the ranks of best-sellers. Those happen to be a rarer occurrence among the sneaker shopping elite. But that doesn’t give a pass when buying and wearing a sneaker, much garnered as the coolest shoes; the coolest series of sneakers in history. I would argue you have to work your way up to dressing down in a low-top pair.
Air Jordan 12s low. Photo courtesy of Bloomberg.com.
To get a pair of Air Jordans is a pastime all of us Millennial and Gen Z-ers will remember as a sartorial milestone. When we get a fire pair that isn’t distracting us with a color no one recognizes or a shape that is too distinct from the original, you have shown the sneaker world you have good taste but you also respect the game. Money won't buy you happiness but the right pair of Jordan’s brings a smile and can make you feel like you can “fly.”
Travis Scott in Dior Air Jordan 1s high. Photo courtesy of Dior.
Imagine if you have never worn a pair of Jordan’s before and you decide to get the first pair you see. This may be the Dior Air Jordan 1s low. This is still a hot shoe, nonetheless, but the fact is you haven’t even dawned a pair of J’s before this moment.
Air Jordan advertisement, 1984.
Say you went to a popular reseller to purchase them for the roughly $10,000 ticket price, and sitting right next to them was the Dior Air Jordan 1s in the high-top cut, ticketed at about the same price. Assuming you have thousand’s to spend in the first place.
Would you really skip the high-top versions to swag out in a pair of Dior Air Jordan 1s in lows - as your first pair of J’s? Assuming you can afford either [or both] in this case, since you’re about to spend a small house down payment for sneakers.
Photo courtesy of Dior.
Jordan’s are a collectible and a status symbol when worn - mostly social status. You are in the know but you have good enough taste to know which pair to get your hands on. For the most part, “do you,” but consider the effort your sneakerhead friends have put into there collections and the coordination of the series of Jordan’s. Don't pull up in low-tops to compete.
Dior Air Jordan 1s. Photo courtesy of Dior.
It’s like comparing an Eau De Toilette to an Eau De Parfume; one will provide a full day of a stronger scent than the other - the Parfume, not the toilette. A worn-out pair of low top Jordan 1s don’t have the same stylish effect as a worn-out pair of high tops, especially when you consider the collection of the wearer.
It’s a sacred pastime of the sneakerhead to have an acute understanding of why some pairs or more sought after than others and why respecting the OG’s of the game perpetuates sneaker culture.
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