Air Jordan 1 Royal Blue & Royal Toe: 1985 History, 2020 Specs & Value
The Jordan 1 Royal Blue “Royal Toe” (SKU 555088-041) released on May 9, 2020, and retails for $170 in adult sizing. Dropping one week after early SNKRS member access opened, this colorway updates the 1985 OG blueprint with white leather quarter panels. It preceded the next suede iteration that arrived in 2023.
- 2020 Release and SKU: Launched May 9, 2020, under style code 555088-041 at a $170 retail price.
- 1985 Heritage Blocking: Retains the 1985 cobalt perforated toe box and blue rubber outsole while adding white midfoot panels.
- 2020 vs. 2017 Resale: The 2020 555088-041 trades from $230 upward, while the 2017 OG edition (555088-007) commands over 2x its $160 retail tag.
- Full Family Sizing: Released in adult ($170), grade school ($130), preschool ($80), and toddler ($60) runs.
How Does the 2020 Jordan 1 Royal Blue Differ From the 1985 OG?
Peter Moore designed the original black-and-blue high-top in 1985 for the Air Jordan 1 signature catalog. As documented in the Complex Air Jordan 1 Royal history archive, Michael Jordan wore the original pair in 1985 promotional photoshoots. He paired the shoes with a matching black-and-blue flight suit on an airport runway.
The May 2020 release (SKU 555088-041) reimagines that 1985 layout by applying the popular “Bred Toe” color-blocking formula. It keeps the cobalt perforated leather toe box from the 1985 original. A crisp white midsole and blue concentric rubber outsole sit underneath.
However, designers replaced the 1985 black leather quarter panel with smooth white leather. They also swapped the blue Swoosh for a jet-black leather Swoosh. Finally, the ankle collar overlays feature deep blue leather stamped with a crisp white Wings logo.
When Did the 555088-041 Colorway Release and What Was Retail?
Nike officially launched the 555088-041 colorway on Saturday, May 9, 2020. Adult men’s sizes carried a retail price of $170 across SNKRS and select boutiques. One week prior to the public Saturday drop, select Nike Plus members received early exclusive access invitations.
Alongside the $170 adult run, the brand released full family sizing for younger wearers. Grade school sizes (575441-041) retailed for $130, preschool pairs (AQ2664-041) cost $80, and toddler sizes (AQ2665-041) retailed for $60. The May 2020 sneaker calendar was heavily contested. It arrived during the same spring window as several new Yeezy sneaker releases.
Each adult pair shipped inside a black-and-blue Nike Air box with spare blue flat laces. Wearers can swap out the factory black laces whenever they want brighter contrast over the nylon tongue.
How Do Every Blue and Black High Retro From 1985 to 2023 Compare?
Over four decades, this iconic palette has returned in six major high-top releases. Those drops alternate between faithful OG recreations and material or blocking twists. Following the $65 original in 1985, the first numbered retro arrived in 2001 (136066-041) for $80 retail. That 2001 release featured a slightly mid-cut collar and nubuck-textured Swooshes.
A second OG-blocked retro landed in February 2013 (555088-085) for $140 retail with smooth leather panels. Four years later, the acclaimed April 2017 retro (555088-007) dropped for $160 retail and introduced tumbled blue leather overlays.
After the May 2020 555088-041 edition ($170 retail), the brand released the November 2023 Reimagined edition (DZ5485-042) for $180 retail. That 2023 pair replaced all smooth leather panels with brushed blue and black suede.
| High-Top Edition | Style Code | Release Date | Retail vs. Market Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Original High | 4281 (OG) | April 1985 | $65 retail / $4,500+ vintage |
| 2017 Retro High OG | 555088-007 | April 1, 2017 | $160 retail / $340+ (>2x MSRP) |
| 2020 Retro High 555088-041 | 555088-041 | May 9, 2020 | $170 retail / $230-$275 range |
| 2023 High OG Reimagined | DZ5485-042 | November 4, 2023 | $180 retail / $135-$160 range |
How Do 2017 OG and 2020 555088-041 Resale Prices Perform?
Secondary market data shows that full-grain leather builds hold stronger premiums than recent suede experiments. Per live GOAT 555088-041 size listings, the May 2020 release trades for at least $230 in common sizes. Scarcer men’s sizes from US 11 to US 13 reach $265 to $290 on aftermarket apps.
Meanwhile, the 2017 Retro High OG (555088-007) continues to trade for more than 2x its original $160 retail price. Deadstock 2017 pairs average between $340 and $410 across consignment marketplaces. Collectors prize its true 1985 black-and-blue blocking and soft pebbled leather finish.
Grade school 2020 pairs (575441-041) also perform steadily above their $130 retail sticker. Deadstock youth pairs average between $175 and $205 across sizes 5Y to 7Y with original box lids.
How Do StockX and eBay Seller Fees Impact Net Payouts?
When selling a deadstock 2020 pair at $240 or a 2017 OG pair at $350, platform commission rates determine your net payout. Under the StockX seller fee schedule, Level 1 sellers pay a 9% base transaction fee. Adding the 3% payment processing charge brings the combined deduction to 12% before shipping.
“Comparing an 8% eBay fee against a 12% Level 1 StockX deduction saves $9.60 on a $240 sale and $14.00 on a $350 sale.”
By contrast, the eBay sneaker seller fee schedule charges an 8% final value fee on authenticated sneakers priced at $150 or more. On a $240 sale, eBay deducts $19.20, leaving $220.80 net. Meanwhile, StockX Level 1 deducts $28.80, leaving a $211.20 net payout.
High-volume sellers who reach higher StockX tiers can lower their base rate. Even so, casual sellers retain more net cash on eBay.
| Edition and Sale Price | Original Retail | eBay Net (8% Fee) | StockX Net (12% L1 Fee) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 555088-041 ($230 ask) | $170 | $211.60 net (-$18.40 fee) | $202.40 net (-$27.60 fee) |
| 2020 555088-041 ($260 ask) | $170 | $239.20 net (-$20.80 fee) | $228.80 net (-$31.20 fee) |
| 2017 OG 555088-007 ($350) | $160 | $322.00 net (-$28.00 fee) | $308.00 net (-$42.00 fee) |
| 2020 GS 575441-041 ($185) | $130 | $170.20 net (-$14.80 fee) | $162.80 net (-$22.20 fee) |
How Do You Style and Secure High-Top Blue Colorways?
The 555088-041 combines crisp white quarter panels with black overlays and cobalt accents. Because of that balanced palette, it transitions easily across casual and tailored outfits. Readers following our retro styling and outfit guide pair this high-top with relaxed grey sweatpants or light-wash denim.
High-top OG retros fit true to size with a standard medium-width D last. Lacing the top two eyelets loosely prevents the firm leather collar from rubbing during break-in.
When leather OG colorways release on SNKRS and Shopify boutiques, buyers prepare using our automated checkout setup guide. Experienced buyers evaluate Valor AIO, Cybersole, and Stellar AIO alongside NikeShoeBot when configuring multi-site boutique tasks.
Why is the Wings logo white on the 2020 release instead of black?
Designers stamped the ankle Wings emblem in crisp white on the 2020 555088-041 to match the white leather quarter panels and contrast against the dark blue collar flaps.
Does the 2020 555088-041 use the same leather grain as the 2017 OG retro?
The 2017 555088-007 used heavily tumbled pebbled leather on the blue toe box and heel, whereas the 2020 555088-041 uses smoother, firmer full-grain leather across the blue and white panels.
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