Introducing Nike Air Force 1:
an Evolution of Color and Style
The Nike Air Force 1 basketball shoe debuted in 1982. The first version of the sneaker was a high-top with an ankle strap that was popular among big men in the NBA at the time. A low-top version of the sneaker was released a year later. Nike originally planned to discontinue the sneaker, but local sneaker shops in Baltimore, Maryland, encouraged the brand to make new colorways through a "Color of the Month" club, which reinvigorated the sneaker's popularity. In the mid-'90s, Nike released a mid-top version of the sneaker that featured a strap. Women's sizing for the Nike Air Force 1 was introduced in 2001. Since 2010, the silhouette has evolved, using premium materials such as Nike Foamposite and Flyknit. The Nike Air Force 1 also became a canvas for numerous collaborations and customizations. The silhouette is known as one of Nikeís best-selling sneakers.
Nike Air Force 1 Takes Its Design Up in the "Air"
Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the Nike Air Force 1 was the first Nike sneaker to feature "Air" technology. The silhouette's distinct features include its perforated toebox, variable width lacing options on the eyelets and concentric circle patterns on the outsole. Famous for its simple design, most wearers purchase the Nike Air Force 1 half a size smaller than usual because it runs slightly big in leather.
In the '90s, a variation of the sneaker with a jewel Swoosh logo was introduced, replacing the standard broad Swoosh. Over the years, the silhouette has been adapted for various purposes, including an all-weather version that can act as a snow boot and an updated basketball performance model called the Air Force 25.
Nike Air Force 1 Cultural Moments and Celebrity Status
The NBA's Rasheed Wallace was known for wearing the high-top version of the sneaker in the '00s. His PE versions featured his silhouette logo on the heel and several versions of the sneaker released at retail.
Away from the basketball court, all white-on-white Air Forces have become a staple among sneaker collectors and entertainers. Rapper Fat Joe famously showed off a case of white-on-white Air Force 1 lows on an episode of MTV Cribs. Producer and rapper Dr. Dre claimed he wears a new pair of white Nike Air Force 1s every day and showcased his closet full of the sneaker on the Internet. The sneaker even received its own anthem when Nelly created a song called "Air Force Ones" in 2002, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Collaboration partners on the Nike Air Force 1 have included Travis Scott, Roc-A-Fella records, PlayStation, G-Dragon and more.
The sneaker's all-white base made it ripe for customization, which boosted its popularity. Not only were artists coloring up their own pairs at home, but Nike also made it available on its customization platform, Nike By You (formerly known as NikeID).
Nike Air Force 1 Women's
The Nike Air Force 1 has been reinvented as a women's lifestyle sneaker through different variations of the shoe. The Air Force 1 Shadow features a layered design with double branding and an exaggerated midsole. The Air Force 1 Sage Low has a platform midsole and altered shape to more ergonomically fit a woman's foot.
Nike Air Force 1 Colorways and Collectibility
Aside from the monochromatic all-white and all-black colorways of the Nike Air Force 1, which have become sneaker staples, there have been several highly valued Nike Air Force 1 collaborations over the years.
Streetwear brand Supreme has put its spin on different versions of the sneaker ó from high to low to mid. In 2014, Supreme released a high-top leather version in three colorways: Red/White (698696-610), White/Black (698696-100) and Black/White (698696-010). Each version had "Supreme" spelled out on the back and the words "World Famous" across the ankle strap. Pairs have been spotted on eBay selling for upwards of $1,000, with one offered for nearly $2,800.
A Supreme collab on the Air Force 1 Mid in 2018 came in two colorways: Black/Black (AQ8017-001) and White/White (AQ8017-100). This version of the sneaker featured NBA team logos all over and the word "Supreme" across the front of the ankle strap. It retailed for $165, and specific colorways and sizes resale for much higher.
Supreme also created more subtle versions of the Air Force 1. In 2012, the streetwear brand released three versions of the shoe with canvas uppers in Cargo Khaki/Baroque Brown (573488-330), Black (573488-330) and Olive (573488-300). This collection featured white midsoles, a red Supreme box logo tag and gum bottoms. Resale value for this collab can range anywhere from $600 to $1,500, depending on the size and colorway. In 2020, Supreme revisited the Air Force 1 by releasing an all-white and all-black colorway with a red Supreme box logo on the heel.
Virgil Abloh has also created some of the most valuable Air Force 1 collabs to date through his streetwear label Off-White. As part of Abloh's "The Ten" collection, the Off-White Air Force 1s feature a deconstructed look with exposed padding and mesh in the upper. These versions came in three colorways: Volt, Black and White. Their resale values can run into the thousands, and certain colorways have been seen on eBay for as high as $20,000.
Even more rare and valuable than these are Abloh's Air Force 1s, created for Nike's AF100 program, MOMA and his exhibit at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. Unlike the Air Force 1s for "The Ten" collection, these versions were created in standard leather and featured silver Swooshes. The MCA version came in a University Blue colorway (CI1173-400), while the AF100 came in White/Sail (AO4297-100). Collectors will find MCAs in various sizes on eBay for over $1,000 to upwards of $4,000.