Those who thought they’d seen just about every Air Jordan 1 Bred already, think again. Jordan Brand clearly isn’t done reimagining the Michael Jordan sneaker that started it all. In Summer 2026, the legendary “Banned” Air Jordan 1 is coming back… this time in low form and with the infamous red “X” stamped proudly on the heel.
The leak first dropped via @zsneakerheadz, Sneaker Files, and Sneaker Market Romania, confirming that the Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG “Banned” (Style Code: HQ6998-001) is headed to retailers and Nike’s SNKRS app next year (2026). It’s dressed in the familiar Black/Black/Varsity Red/Summit White combo, a callback to the original 1985 Bred colorway. But unlike the regular retros you’ve seen a dozen times before, this one brings back some special touches that only real sneakerheads will appreciate.
Back in 2011, Jordan Brand dropped the high-top “Banned” AJ1s at Nike outlets and factory stores without any major announcements. The insole on those shoes wrongly claimed the Air Jordan 1 was banned by the NBA in 1985, but as we all know, it was actually the Nike Air Ship that got the league’s attention. Still, that little error only added to the mystique, and those 2011 outlet-only drops ended up becoming one of the most coveted Jordan 1s ever.
What made the 2011 Air Jordan 1s special wasn’t just the stealth release, however. It was the build. Premium leather, subtle design tweaks, and that red “X” stitched into the heel made it feel like a rare collector’s piece rather than just another retro. Inside, the insoles were marked with special details and callouts too.
The 2026 version is picking up where those 2011s left off. This time, the “Banned” story is continuing with a low twist. According to the rumours, the pair features the same rebellious X branding on the heel and insole, but with a slightly different layout from its predecessor. Red accents hit the toe box, heel, Swoosh, and outsole, while the rest of the upper stays true to blacked-out overlays and panels. A crisp white midsole rounds out the look.
Will this pair of Air Jordan 1 lows be as hyped as the 2011 outlet drop? It could very well be, especially considering the retail price is only $145. That’s not bad for a pair with this much legacy baked in.
Now, whether Nike botches the insole date again is still up in the air, but honestly, would it even be a proper “Banned” Jordan without a little controversy?
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