Air Force
The Nike Air Force 1 is one of the best-selling sneakers ever and Nike’s best-known basketball shoe outside the Jordan line. The all-white Air Force 1 Low in particular is a classic you can wear with almost anything. Its sturdy silhouette and thick sole make it instantly recognisable, for women and men.
The history of the Nike Air Force 1
Designer Bruce Kilgore drew the Air Force 1 in 1982 as a high-top basketball shoe. It was Nike’s first basketball shoe with Air cushioning in the sole. Six NBA players, including Moses Malone, featured in the first ad campaign. The name refers to Air Force One, the aircraft of the US president.
A low version followed soon after and eventually became the most popular. When Nike wanted to drop the model after a few years, retailers in Baltimore asked for new colours. That local demand kept the shoe alive and laid the foundation for its status in hip-hop and streetwear.
Design and technology
The Air Force 1 has a leather upper, a perforated toe box and a thick cupsole with an enclosed Air unit. Unlike on the Nike Air Max, you cannot see that Air from the outside. The outsole pattern with circles under the ball of the foot was meant for easy pivoting on court, and the laces carry the small metal ‘AF1’ tag.
You will find the shoe as Low, Mid and High. The ’07 is the standard version that has been in the line-up for years; there are also variants in other materials, such as nubuck, suede or a waterproof upper.
Popular Air Force 1 colorways
These Air Force 1s are drawing the most attention on WOOVIN right now:
- Air Force 1 Low Gore-Tex Vibram ‘Clay Green’ – green with yellow accents, a waterproof Gore-Tex upper and a Vibram sole.
- Air Force 1 Low Supreme ‘White’ – all white, with a small Supreme logo on the heel.
- Air Force 1 Low ’07 LV8 ‘Desert Khaki Black’ – khaki with black details and reflective silver.
- Air Force 1 Low ’07 ‘Soft Pearl Brown Croc’ – light pearl and white tones with a croc texture.
What is the difference between the Air Force 1 and the Air Jordan 1?
Both are 1980s basketball shoes, but the Air Force 1 has a thicker sole and a wider, sturdier shape. The Air Jordan 1 is slimmer, has a thinner sole and is mostly worn as a High. If you want something lower and slimmer, the Nike Dunk is a logical alternative.
How does the Nike Air Force 1 fit?
The Air Force 1 basically fits true to size, but many wearers find it a little roomy, especially in length. If you have narrow feet or are between two sizes, you can consider going half a size down. With wide feet your normal size usually works well, as the last is fairly wide.
Buy the Nike Air Force 1 at WOOVIN
On WOOVIN you will find the Air Force 1 as Low, Mid and High, for women and men. Unsure about the colour? Start with white: it is the easiest to match. Prefer a pair on which dirt shows less quickly? Then a dark or two-tone version is more practical.
