Air Jordan 1 High 85 “Bred” Returns Holiday 2025

Jordan Brand is releasing the Air Jordan 1 High 85 “Bred” again during Holiday 2025 at $250, but this isn’t a simple restock of the February 2025 version that sold out instantly at just 23 North American stores. The Holiday release carries a different style code and includes premium packaging plus three sets of laces—standard black, red, and an exclusive black pair with gold flakes and gold lace tips. Production numbers are expected to be even lower than the February drop, which released fewer than 10,000 pairs in North America (I heard it was much lower).

Why This Isn’t Just Another Restock

The different style code between the February and Holiday releases signals this is a new production run rather than leftover inventory from the initial drop. Jordan Brand uses style codes to track different versions of the same shoe, and changing the code means something about the product has changed. In this case, it’s the inclusion of premium laces and special packaging that weren’t part of the February release.

Brendan Dunne of Complex confirmed the Holiday version isn’t considered a restock, mentioning “other things” will come with the shoe beyond just the premium laces. Jordan Brand hasn’t revealed what these extras are, creating mystery around the release that generates buzz and speculation. This approach keeps collectors interested and builds anticipation beyond just re-releasing a shoe that already came out earlier in the year.

The strategy of releasing the same colorway twice in one year with slight variations isn’t new for Jordan Brand. They’ve done similar releases with other coveted models, testing different packaging, accessories, or minor design tweaks to justify separate drops. This allows them to satisfy demand that wasn’t met during the initial release while giving the second version enough distinction to avoid accusations of just flooding the market with the same shoe.

February vs Holiday 2025 Differences

The February 2025 release was already hyper-limited, distributing to only 23 stores in North America with production under 10,000 pairs domestically. The 23-store count references Michael Jordan’s jersey number, a detail Jordan Brand uses frequently when creating limited releases tied to significant moments. This extreme scarcity drove resale prices to $800-$1,200 within days, showing the massive gap between supply and demand. The resale price has now settled down, but is a few hundred over the retail price.

The Holiday 2025 version will be even more limited according to Jordan Brand, producing fewer pairs than February despite the overwhelming demand that February’s release proved exists. This decision seems counterintuitive—why make less of something that clearly needs more supply? Jordan Brand uses scarcity deliberately to maintain hype and long-term desirability. Flooding the market would satisfy immediate demand but potentially hurt the model’s premium status.

The key differences between the two releases justify treating them as separate products rather than the same shoe being restocked. The Holiday version includes three lace sets instead of the standard two from February. Black and red laces match the “Bred” nickname, while the third set uses black laces with gold flakes embedded in the material and gold tips on the ends. These premium laces, combined with special packaging (unconfirmed) and unnamed extras, create enough distinction to warrant the different style code and separate release strategy.

Air Jordan 1 High 85 vs Standard High Construction

The Air Jordan 1 High 85 replicates the original 1985 construction methods rather than using the modified build that defines modern Air Jordan 1 High retros. The main differences appear in the collar height, ankle shape, and overall silhouette proportions. The High 85 has a taller collar that sits higher on the ankle, closer to where the 1985 original sat compared to the shortened collar on standard retros.

The toe box on the High 85 uses a different shape and proportions, appearing slightly more tapered than modern retros. This change affects how the shoe looks from the side and front, creating a sleeker profile that matches vintage photographs of the original 1985 releases. The ankle area curves differently, following the natural shape of the ankle more closely than the straighter cut used on modern Air Jordan 1 Highs.

These construction differences matter to collectors who want their retros to match the original as closely as possible. Jordan Brand created the High 85 line specifically to serve this audience, accepting that the changes make production more expensive and limit the shoe to premium releases with higher price points. The $250 retail reflects these construction choices and the limited production approach.

My Thoughts on the Double Release Strategy

This double release approach is smart from Jordan Brand’s perspective but frustrating for buyers who secured the February version. People who paid $250 in February now see a similar product releasing months later, potentially making their pairs feel less special. The premium laces and different packaging create distinction, but not enough to eliminate the feeling that Jordan Brand is diluting the exclusivity by releasing twice in one year.

That said, the lower production numbers for the Holiday drop suggest Jordan Brand is trying to balance satisfying additional demand without making the shoe too common. The different style code and included extras show they’re aware of the optics and want to differentiate the releases enough to justify both existing. Collectors who missed February get another shot, while February buyers can tell themselves they have the cleaner version without the extra accessories.

I expect the Holiday release to sell out even faster than February despite lower production numbers, purely because more people know about it and have had months to prepare. The February drop surprised many collectors who didn’t realize how limited it would be until after it sold out. The Holiday version won’t have that element of surprise, meaning everyone who wants a pair will be ready at release time, creating even more intense competition for fewer shoes.

More Air Jordan 1 Releases

Release Date, Availability, and Price

The Air Jordan 1 High 85 “Bred” drops during Holiday 2025, meaning a release will occur between October and December 2025. The retail price is set at $250. Due to the availablitiy being low, don’t expect many retailers to have them. This release could wind up being exclusive to the SNKRS App. As more details emerge, we will keep you in the loop. Below, you can check out more photos for a closer look.

Bottom Line

The frustration here is real. Jordan Brand is releasing essentially the same shoe twice in one year, keeping production absurdly low both times, and the only meaningful difference is some gold flake laces and fancier packaging. If you secured a February pair for $250, you’re probably annoyed that a nearly identical version is dropping months later, making your “exclusive” purchase feel less special. If you missed February, you’re getting another chance, but at even lower production numbers, which means your odds of hitting are somehow worse than they were the first time.

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