Jordan Responds to Moldy 'Lost and Found' Air Jordan 1 Issue

Images have surfaced online showing mold on pairs of the 'Lost and Found' Air Jordan 1 that released last weekend. Jordan Brand says it's aware of the issue.

Air Jordan 1 High 'Lost and Found' DZ5485-612 (Pair)
Nike

Image via Nike

Air Jordan 1 High 'Lost and Found' DZ5485-612 (Pair)

This weekend’s Air Jordan 1 High “Lost and Found” release was not particularly smooth, with Nike’s SNKRS app suffering from an issue where users couldn’t even enter to try and secure the chance to buy a pair. In the wake of the launch, a few accounts have emerged online of pairs of the coveted Air Jordan 1 damaged by mold.

Twitter user @_PO2345 reposted an image from Niketalk of a mold-ridden “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1 High, which appears below. According to the tweet, Nike is canceling online orders of the sneakers affected by the issue and some stores are being asked to send back the defective pairs.

Apparently various retailers are sending back Chicago AJ1’s due to this mold issue & Nike is cancelling pairs that have this as well. Sheesh. 😔🤦🏽‍♂️ 📸 via : NT pic.twitter.com/se2q15HQJA

— P.O! (@_PO2345) November 21, 2022

The “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1 is the latest version of the original “Chicago” colorway, which debuted in 1985. This year’s iteration features a vintage-inspired aesthetic with a crackled leather effect on the upper, a weathered box, and a throwback receipt.

Jordan Brand confirmed that it’s aware of the defect on the latest release in a comment to Complex.

“We are aware of the issue and are working to address it to improve future experiences,” a spokesperson said.

The mold on the “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1 doesn’t appear to be a widespread issue. Complex reached out to multiple retailers that carried the style, none of whom reported receiving moldy pairs. One source at Jordan Brand says that the number of units affected was less than one percent of the overall stock produced.

Previous sneaker releases from Jordan Brand and Nike with minor cosmetic defects have been sold at outlets for discounted prices as B-stock, but it’s unlikely that the mold-ridden “Lost and Found” Jordan 1 will end up there.

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