The Air Jordan 1 Black and Gold puts a twist on the classic “Bred” formula by swapping the red for a shiny metallic gold. Unlike previous black and gold AJ1s, which often feature patent leather or a splash of white, this pair keeps things mostly traditional — with the unexpected addition of a translucent gum outsole. Some say the gold hits are Olympic-inspired, but to me, they give off strong Melo 1 vibes from years back.
I wasn’t totally sold on these when they first dropped, but with my Finishline rewards and a sale price already well under retail, I ended up grabbing them for around $75 shipped. At that price, it was hard to pass up. Once I had them in hand, I actually liked them more than I expected — they look better in person, and with the right outfit, they’ll definitely shine.
This pair ships in a gold and tan box with a gold Jumpman keychain included. You get black laces in the box, already laced up.
Materials
This AJ1 features an all-leather upper with two distinct textures. The gold panels use a shiny, slightly crinkled leather, while the black sections go with a smoother, more traditional finish. I kind of wish they’d picked one texture and stuck with it throughout, since the contrast between the two is a bit jarring. Still, the overall build is about what you’d expect from a recent AJ1 release — decent quality, especially for the price I paid.
Fit & Comfort
Fit is true to size. Comfort is standard for newer Jordan 1s — a little roomier than older pairs and fine for casual wear. Nothing groundbreaking, but nothing uncomfortable either.
If these are sold out at different stores online, you can try looking for them on eBay.
Colorway: Black / Metallic Gold – Sail
Style Code: DZ5485-071
Year of Release: 2024
Retail Price: $180