A nice pair of shoes will aid in the healing of the feet and also with support and stability. Properly fitting shoes can assist align your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back to enhance posture and correct your stride.
A person’s feet are the source of their daily activities. Every excellent foundation requires the proper backing. People spend the majority of their life wearing shoes, when they’re at work, out with friends, or even at their home. Anyone may buy a new pair of shoes based only on how they appear, but decent footwear is priceless for someone who is always on their feet. Footwear is much more than how a shoe looks on the foot. Poor footwear can result in injuries or have long-term consequences for posture, so investing in a good pair can pay off in the long run. Your choice of footwear can influence your performance. Additionally, back problems and joint pain can also be avoided by wearing proper footwear.
Almost everyone is familiar with Nike when it comes to footwear. Nike, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets footwear, clothes, equipment, and accessories worldwide. The company is based in the Portland metropolitan area, near Beaverton, Oregon.
by Nike
Nike Air Jordan-the Development of a Mega-Brand
It is critical to discuss the person who inspired the famous brand before moving on to the iconic brand itself.
Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. Jordan was born on the East Coast but raised in the South. The future hero would attend high school and university in North Carolina after moving there with his family in 1968. Jordan was not born with a natural talent. He didn’t make the varsity basketball team at his high school when he was 15. Instead, MJ bounced back, worked out consistently, and starred for the junior varsity team that year.
With his 40-point games for JV garnering large crowds, his promotion to the varsity team the following year was unavoidable. Thanks to his rapid physical growth and pre-existing work ethic, Jordan quickly became the best player on the varsity team after arriving in 1976. He averaged at least 25 points per game while on the team, demonstrating his offensive effectiveness, while 12 rebounds showed his agility. Jordan was an all-around basketball player by the time he graduated from high school and played baseball and football.
Instead, he chose to study at the University of North Carolina on a basketball scholarship in 1981. This would prove to be a wise decision. Jordan proceeded to win rookie of the year in his first year in college, scoring game-winning points against Georgetown in the NCAA Championship. In his third year, he was named player of the year. Jordan left UNC as a junior in 1984 to enter the NBA Draft, where he was chosen third overall in the first round by the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan signed the contract with Nike following an outstanding performance at the 1984 Olympic Games. He had led the United States to gold, averaging 17.7 points per game. The $500,000 per year 5-year deal recognized that MJ’s performance revealed his skills to a global audience. It was worth three times as much as any other NBA sneaker deal at the time, and royalties from sneaker sales were added on top of that.
During the decade in which Michael Jordan was signed up, Nike was not the most popular brand. Instead, brands like Adidas and Converse were more common in basketball and the sneaker business. Converse was the revenue leader, but players like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson wore Adidas on the court. In addition, Nike had established itself as a track and field brand. Thus, recruiting then-college basketball player Jordan to a marketing deal was done to boost their basketball reach.
Nike would like the public to believe that the NBA banned the Nike Air Jordan the first time Michael Jordan sported them on the court. The banned sneakers were black and red Nike Air Ships. On October 18, 1984, this occurred during a preseason game at Madison Square Garden versus the New York Knicks.
The banned Air Ships were personalized with ‘Air Jordan’ behind the sneakers, but MJ didn’t wear official Nike Air Jordans until November 17, 1984, against the Philadelphia 76ers in a regular-season game. The Air Jordan marketing effort centered on the alleged ban. The savvy marketing guaranteed that the brand ‘Air Jordan’ became widely known before it was ever produced.
Growth of Air Jordan Brand
The Jordan brand has played an essential role in Nike’s rise from underdog to the leading company in sportswear, particularly in basketball. Converse was the dominant power on the court in the 1980s, but Nike had an 86 percent professional basketball industry market share in 2020. During the 2019/20 NBA season, 77 percent of players wore Nike or Jordan shoes.
While Reebok generates less money than it did a decade ago, Nike generated $40 billion in revenue in its most recent fiscal year. This was 60% more than Adidas in the same period. In addition, Jordan has generated an estimated $1.3 billion from his work with Nike, a fruitful arrangement for both parties as his success propelled the brand through the 1990s.
When Jordan ultimately retired in 2003, the Jordan brand began to support other developing talents such as Carmelo Anthony and Blake Griffin. In addition, schools began to receive Air Jordan sponsorships, which increased popularity due to the increased choice of sneaker colors. Later in the twenty-first century, Air Jordan extended into the WNBA.
The brand’s expansion has not hampered evolution. Air Jordan began developing performance footwear for athletes in various sports, including golf, tennis, boxing, and baseball, in the 2000s. In addition, Jordan has worked with a variety of bands and performers. The first was with UNDFTD, a worldwide high-end footwear shop, in 2005. The following year saw collaboration with Eminem. Jordan has since worked with Levi’s, Drake‘s OVO fashion line, Macklemore, and others.
by Nike
The Design
With Michael Jordan being such a significant advantage to Nike’s setup, Nike’s creator, Phil Knight, understood that Jordan’s first trademark sneaker had to be substantial. Jordan’s footwear was designed by Nike’s creative director, Peter C. Moore. Jordan supplied little specifications about how he wanted the sneaker to look, but he did offer Moore two things to work with: the sneaker had to be lower cut than others, and it had to be exciting.
The athletic footwear was embellished with silky leather and a giant Nike Swoosh. The Wings emblem, on the other hand, was the distinguishing feature. Moore created the Wings logo on the back of a napkin, combining Jordan and Nike. “Air Jordan” was written on a basketball with wings, alluding to Michael’s athletic skill and Nike’s Air Technology. Moore may have felt he had a slam dunk, but that was not the case.
Moore’s response was unsatisfying for Jordan. Jordan “didn’t like the shoes,” claiming that it would make him appear stupid on the court. Things had not gotten off to a good start. However, Jordan gradually grew fond of the Air Jordan 1. Fortunately, he changed his stance. Jordan would eventually walk to the floor wearing the Air Jordan 1 and catch the eye of early sneakerheads.
It didn’t take too long for the Air Jordan 1 to become well-known. The sneaker, which came in various colorways, stood out above practically every other footwear on the court. As expected, different Chicago-themed variations were released, providing Jordan with a wide range of colorways to pick from. Jordan donned the “Bred,” “Chicago,” and “Black Toe,” but Nike also released many non-Chicago variations.
The Ban and Success
Jordan was fined $5,000 every time he wore the sneakers on the court after receiving a letter from NBA commissioner Russ Granik declaring that the Air Ship did not conform to the 51 percent regulation. According to the 51 percent rule, 51 percent of a player’s shoes must match his team’s uniform, which the “Banned” Nike Air Ship did not. Nike adopted this and went with it, launching the most successful marketing campaign in its history.
This campaign was a smashing success, with Nike swiftly selling out its first Air Jordan in the United States. On April 1, 1985, Nike officially introduced the first Air Jordan sneakers to the public at a retail price of $65. Nike estimated that with a price tag of $65, just 100,000 shoes would be sold. In the first month, 450,000 pairs of Air Jordan 1s were sold. Nike further estimated sales to reach $3 million by the fourth year of Jordan’s deal; within a month, sales totaled around $30 million in test markets alone. Air Jordan had generated $126 million in revenue in its first year of release. Nike’s total income the previous year was only $65 million.
Sales exceeded expectations. The Air Jordan 1 was so famous that it had a waiting list even before its official release date of July 1, making it one of Nike’s most sought-after shoes. In addition, it appealed to demographics that weren’t accounted for. Nike had intended the market to be African American teens, but in the hype, the Jordans became desired by people of all ages, races, and classes.
In recent years, the Nike-owned brand has gone even further, entering football apparel in 2018 with a three-year partnership with French club PSG to make training, high-performance, and lifestyle wear for the Ligue 1 winners. As a result, air Jordan has become a $10 billion brand, with $3.1 billion in revenue in the 2019 fiscal year.
The University Blue Jordan 1
The University Blue Jordan 1 color scheme was Michael Jordan’s first signature colorway when Nike began marketing the Jordan 1 series. This happened near the end of Jordan’s rookie season in 1984. He wore a dramatic contrast to the Chicago Bulls’ color palette. This move sparked outrage, prompting Nike to create color schemes to appease both the NBA and the team Jordan was playing for.
Some may have predicted that the Air Jordan 1 would be discontinued in 2021. However, this did not occur. Instead, following multiple leaks, a recreation of the famous ‘University Blue’ scheme appeared to be released in early 2021. Rumors of it began in May 2020, with a hypothetical mock-up of a blue-clad AJ1 with classic blocking.
Finally, the design was revealed on Instagram by sneakertigger. Overall, it’s a familiar aesthetic that undoubtedly delighted purists and new fans alike, and it’s a worthy addition to the ever-expanding AJ1 canon. Fans of the AJ1 will also remember the popular ‘Obsidian’ colorway from 2019, which resembles this ‘University Blue’ iteration. Those who missed out on the 2019 colorway were greatly interested in the 2021 University Blue Jordan 1.
A short glance at the resale market for similar historical models will reveal why the various Air Jordan 1 variants have been a great success. Take, for example, the Air Jordan 1 Retro UNC. This 2015 high-top colorway bears many similarities with the “University Blue .” Unfortunately, similarly outrageous pricing on similar models elsewhere, along with the Retro High OG “Obsidian” and the Retro High OG “Turbo Green.”
Design
Nike has recently produced a regular stream of excellent Air Jordan colorways, but the University Blue Jordan 1 may well outperform them all; this one stands out with a gorgeous white, blue, and black color palette. The uppers are pristine white leather with sky blue leather overlays and black Swoosh, lacing, and heel rim details.
The “University Blue” Jordans are the perfect pair of Jordans for spring, and they’re a must-have for anyone who likes a good pair of Jordans. The base is excellent white tumbled leather with a smooth black Swoosh. The simple color scheme is accented by university blue suede overlays, resulting in one of the nicest AJ1s we’ve seen in a long time. But, of course, the shoe retains its original feel and look, with a black Wings logo, blue “Nike Air” tongue tag, and sharp black laces. These are the perfect sneaker, with a white midsole and a unique blue sole.
Release
You are not alone if you adore the aesthetic of the Air Jordan 1 High OG “University Blue.” On March 6, the shoes were released incomplete family and GS sizing for €170 and €130, respectively. With these being one of the most anticipated Jordans of the year, these were a tricky cop to come by at the time of release. Jordan Brand’s The University Blue Jordan 1 was scheduled to drop at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, just like the regular SNKRS drop. They did indeed release and were entirely sold out in minutes, much to everyone’s dismay.
This model was released concurrently with the “University Gold” colorway. However, the “University Gold” version is a little more eye-catching, with a black, white, and gold color scheme with a volt yellow panel on the heel.
Perfect Sizing
Most individuals desire the perfect size sneakers for themselves, which is understandable. Still, there is no such thing as a “perfect shoe size,” but rather a “size range” that works well for most people, such as the US11.5/12 size range for some people regardless of brand or style. The “size range” concept will serve as the foundation of these sizing suggestions and should be kept in mind as you continue reading.
If you’re planning to acquire your first set of Air Jordan 1s, make sure you get the proper fit the first time. Most consumers should stick to their most usual Nike size, but keep reading for further information and size recommendations for the University Blue Air Jordan 1.
Most people with narrow feet should buy true to size, but for those who prefer a snug 1-to-1 fit, dropping down a half-size will be the preferable option and will reduce toe-creasing. Those with bigger feet should order true to size because most Nike & Jordan Brand throwback basketball sneakers are wide-footer friendly, including The University Jordan 1.
These shoes can sometimes be quite challenging to find. The adult and children’s versions of these sneakers are sold out on Nike’s website. They can be purchased on other sites, such as eBay, but the buyer must exercise caution. There will always be copycat brands that appear similar, but the quality will not be there.
If you want to purchase these, do so from an authentic and reputable Amazon store. Following is an original University Blue Jordan 1 product:
by Nike
Jordan Toddler 1 Retro High OG TD AQ2665 134 University Blue – Size
The Jordan Toddler 1 Retro High OG University Blue is an all-around outstanding vintage sneaker that is very comfortable and enhances the experience with its timeless style.
Benefits
The Air Jordan 1 High OG “Obsidian/University Blue” is the grade school version of the Jordan 1’s UNC-inspired colorway. Jordan Brand commemorates Michael Jordan’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, as it has done in previous releases, this time in light and dark blue tones referencing the school’s team colors. Obsidian leather overlays on the toe, eyelets, laces, Swoosh, and collar provide subtle yet crisp contrasts to the sail-colored toe box, tongue, and mid-panel. The heel and ankle collar are made of Carolina blue leather. On August 31, 2019, the Air Jordan 1 High OG GS “Obsidian/University Blue” for kids was released.
Final Thoughts
The Nike Air Jordan 1 has been a staple in the sneakers community for nearly four decades. Nike continues to develop collaborations and colorways of this classic design, demonstrating its undeniable influence. With their growing global reach, the Air Jordan 1s may soon be found in every sport and every household. If you manage to obtain a pair of the University Blue Jordan 1, you will most certainly have a pair of incredibly valuable trainers!
