The world of model kits is a strange, strange place. It wasn’t always like that, though. It used to be just aircraft, ships, and robots. Then, in the last decade or so, it took a wild turn—animals, dinosaurs, insects, and even the unthinkable: 1:1 replicas of a sesame ball and a cup noodle. Now, it has shoes too. And not just any kicks, mind you. It’s the legendary Nike Air Jordan 1 High 85.
The kit, from Bandai Namco (but of course), lets you assemble the iconic Jordan basketball footwear in Shadow and Reverse Shadow colorways—without having to be exploited in a sweatshop. Oops. Just kidding. There’s no such thing as a sweatshop! Ermmm, right? Right? Anyhoo, thanks to Bandai Spirits’ advanced molding tech, a plastic model kit of the iconic sneakers loved across generations is now a reality.
Every curve, every texture, every shade, along with the distinctive design, has been recreated in plastic. In photos, it looks like the real deal. The rounded, foot-hugging upper, the realistic leather texture, detailed stitching, and, of course, the Nike Swoosh—all faithfully replicated. Even the outsole has been recreated. Sadly, no real laces here; instead, it has molded plastic ones with a fiber-like texture and accents that look almost like the real deal.
The kit includes both Shadow and Reverse versions, with the latter featuring a different-colored midsole. It also comes with marking stickers for added realism and packaging inspired by the Nike shoebox. The model isn’t 1:1 scale, though—each shoe measures about 120 mm long, 40 mm wide, and 70 mm tall. As with most modern kits, no glue is required, and the colored plastic makes painting optional.
Damn, model kits have come a long way. My first was the Yamato battleship, and I was forever traumatized by glue and paint. What a time to be alive, eh?
Over in Japan, the Nike Air Jordan 1 High 85 Shadow and Reverse Shadow Model Kit goes for 11,000 yen [JP] (tax included). But here’s the catch: it’s lottery-only. Applications run from July 31, 2025, 11 AM to September 24, 2025, 11 PM, with winners announced September 26. Meanwhile, in the U.S., you can pre-order it for US$130 from Premium Bandai’s website until September 30, 9 PM EDT. Shipping is slated for December 2025.
Images: Premium Bandai [JP].
