Jordan 1 'Shattered Backboard': Leather Durability & Care Guide

Quick answer: The Air Jordan 1 High OG "Shattered Backboard" is known for soft, quality leather that creases gently instead of cracking. Softer leather bends with your foot, while stiffer, heavily coated leather can crease sharply over time. To make any leather Jordan 1 last, wipe it clean, condition the leather now and then, and use shoe trees between wears.

The Shattered Backboard first dropped in 2015 in orange, black, and white. The colors come from a 1985 exhibition game in Italy, where Michael Jordan shattered a backboard with a dunk while wearing an orange and black jersey. The colorway has come back in later versions, so check the product details for the leather on the pair you're buying.

Not all Jordan 1 leather is the same. Some pairs use leather with a thicker coating on top. It's shiny and easy to wipe clean, but it can crease sharply where your toes bend, and deep creases can crack over time.

Softer leather, like the leather on the 2015 Shattered Backboard, has less coating. It bends more like fabric when you walk, so creases look like gentle waves instead of sharp lines. Softer leather also soaks up conditioner better, which helps keep it from drying out.

• Bottom line: Softer, less-coated leather usually ages better. Coated leather is easier to clean but creases harder.

• How to tell: Look closely at product photos. Softer leather often looks matte with a visible grain, while coated leather looks smooth and shiny.

Shoppers often say the Shattered Backboard feels roomier than other Jordan 1s, even though the shape is the same. That's because softer leather gives way to your foot faster.

JD Expert Question: Does soft leather stretch enough to help wide feet, or does the Jordan 1 still feel tight?

JD Expert Answer: Soft leather shapes to your foot faster, so it can ease pressure on a bunion or a wide forefoot. But the leather is stitched inside a rubber cupsole that doesn't stretch. The shoe will feel more comfortable over time, but it won't get wider than the sole. If you have wide feet, a half size up is still the safest choice.

• Care:

• Soft leather: Soaks up leather conditioner, so you can keep it soft and help prevent cracking.

• Coated leather: Conditioner mostly sits on top. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth instead.

• How they age:

• Soft leather: Slouches a little and creases gently. Many fans think it looks better with age.

• Coated leather: Keeps a stiff shape longer, but deep creases can turn into cracks over time.

• Use shoe trees between wears to hold the shape and limit deep toe creases.
• Wipe them clean with a soft brush or damp cloth after wearing. Don't soak them or put them in the washer.
• Condition soft leather every month or two with a leather conditioner. Test a small spot first.
• Rotate your pairs. Giving leather a day to dry out between wears helps it last.
• Store them out of direct sun so the colors don't fade and the leather doesn't dry out.

• What is the Jordan 1 Shattered Backboard? An orange, black, and white Air Jordan 1 High OG that first dropped in 2015. Its colors come from the jersey Michael Jordan wore when he shattered a backboard in Italy in 1985.
• Can you still buy the original 2015 Shattered Backboard? Only on the resale market. Check the JD Sports release calendar for new Jordan 1 drops.
• Do Shattered Backboard Jordan 1s fit true to size? Yes. They fit like other Jordan 1 Highs: true to size in length, narrow at the toes.
• How do I stop Jordan 1s from creasing? You can't stop creases completely, but shoe trees, the right size, and regular conditioning help keep them soft and shallow.

Who should buy the Shattered Backboard?

If you want a Jordan 1 with soft leather that ages well, the Shattered Backboard is one of the most loved pairs ever made. Since the 2015 pair is resale only, look for current Jordan 1 High OGs with soft, matte leather for a similar feel.

• Ready to shop? See every Air Jordan 1 at JD Sports.

• Nike Product Information: Air Jordan 1 High OG materials and construction.
• Brand History: The 2015 Shattered Backboard and the 1985 exhibition game in Italy that inspired it.
• General Leather Care Guidance: Common tips for cleaning and conditioning leather sneakers.
• JD Sports Fit Feedback: Sizing and comfort feedback from JD Sports store teams across North America.