The sneaker that defined an era returns tomorrow, finally.
Launching tomorrow morning, Saturday, August 23, the Air Jordan 1 ‘Shattered Backboard’ will be available online via launch reservation at SNKRS.
A legend retold in leather, the AJ1 ‘Shattered Backboard’ draws inspiration from the moment MJ went full flight during an exhibition game in Italy the summer after his rookie season. One dunk, one shattered backboard, and an entire arena stunned. Designed in bold hues pulled from the jersey he wore that day, this release embodies his effortless energy then and now.
Originally released in 2015, the sneaker makes a triumphant return 10 years later- just in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan 1. The 2015 rendition of the sneaker redefined what a quality sneaker was. In the years that followed, the phrase “but is the leather Shattered Backboard level” became essentially a meme within the sneaker community. The Shattered Backboard showed Jordan Brand fans what great tumbled leather was, and it drove them absolutely mad.
Earlier this week, we compared how this 2025 retro holds up- when held up to the classic 2015 release. Of course, the shoe is not a one for one. That said, it is as close of a retro as one could ask for. The soft to the touch tumbled leather meets the iconic colorblocking- merging history with everyday energy and flex. All in all, the 2025 Shattered Backboard 1s do the original sneaker justice. A well executed retro for a deserving sneaker.
The Shattered Backboard Air Jordan 1 makes its triumphant return tomorrow via SNKRS
Photos courtesy of Foot Locker
