Shop Nike Air Force 1 Sneakers

Hardly any sneaker tells as much history as the Nike Air Force 1. What many don't know is that perhaps Nike's most rad sneaker is already many years old. The very first version came out many years ago. In 1982 to be more precise. In 2022, the Air Force 1 will be an incredible 40 years old. That's why the original from Beaverton has a very long history that absolutely has to be told.
 
Hardly anyone knows that the Nike Air Force 1 has been reissued thousands of times. In 2010 alone, an unimaginable 1800 versions of the Nike Air Force 1 were produced. Its iconic shape has been fitted with perhaps every material and colour the colour palette has to offer. And if you might be thinking that the icon is slowly reaching the end, you'd be wrong. If you look at Nike's latest editions, you can see that there is still a lot of potential in the AF1.
 
Most recently, the Beaverton-based brand is even going the deconstructed route. A cut-out Swoosh or exposed accents give the zeitgeist a new shape and a new silhouette. Even double details enhance the Air Force 1. The Nike Air Force 1 Shadow is the latest edition from Nike. Every feature is double covered. Mudguard, heel and even the Air feature on the white Air unit is double.

Bruce Kilgore was the genius behind the Air Force 1. In 1979, the former sculptor and designer joined Nike and shortly afterwards designed perhaps Nike's best sneaker. At the same time, Nike's latest cushioning technology was launched. Air cushioning is still a big part of Nike's history today. At the end of the 70s, Nike was working on a mixture of inert gases that was added to the sole of the shoes.
 
Many are of the opinion that the Air sole is just air. With this, we reveal the secret and can tell you that it is wrong.
 
With the new mixture, Nike has the goal of reducing the resulting stress in sports. You know what we're getting at? Exactly! Back then, the Nike Air Force 1 was supposed to revolutionise the sport of basketball. Athletes needed a sneaker that promised maximum damping and cushioned every step. Only a few would have thought that the sneakers would look really fashionable at the same time.
 
With this, Nike created the next wave. The first retailers in Baltimore recognised the high potential and value of the Air Force 1. In 1984, the shops approached Nike and asked for more colours of the Air Force 1. The lifestyle sneaker was born.
 
Shortly after, Nike put the focus back on the Air Force 1 and gave it more colours, adding more iterations to the range.
 
But why did the sporty sneaker get such a boost? Not only did basketball players look to the Air Force, but also the hip-hop scene. Rappers, songwriters and hip-hop groups dressed themselves in the classic sneaker. Thus, the silhouette not only went viral in the sports sector, but Nike also became more popular in the music industry.

If you search for Air Force 1 on the net, you hardly find any hits. The origin of the name Nike Air Force 1 is very obscure. But most people assume that the sneaker takes its name from the aircraft Air Force One. In the USA, the US Air Force names the plane that the President of the United States is currently in, Air Force One. The only difference is the spelled out "One" on the plane. So the naming of the Nike Air Force 1 is very close to that.

The term "Nike Air Force 1 07 LV8" refers to a special variant of the Nike Air Force 1 sneaker. The term "Air Force 1" refers to the model of the shoe. The number "07" in the name refers to the year 2007, when the shoe was reissued in a revised version.

The addition of "LV8" stands for "elevate" and means that this particular Air Force 1 is a premium version of the classic model. The shoe has been made with premium materials and special details to give it a more luxurious look and unique touches. Overall, the term "Nike Air Force 1 07 LV8" stands for a high-quality and stylish interpretation of the iconic Air Force 1 sneaker.

After all these years, the silhouette from 1982 has established itself in the sneaker scene. Sneakerheads all over the world own not just one Air Force 1, but several versions. But it's not just the special colourways or the new versions that make the sneaker so special, other elements also contribute to the great success of the Nike Air Force 1. One important point is the versions that are released for a special occasion.
 
For every Easter, for example, Nike works on an Easter version of the Air Force 1. Colours, materials and details change every year and make the Air Force 1 a collector's item.
 
But designers or rappers also play a big role in the life of the AF1. In 2017, world-famous rapper Travis Scott released an Air Force 1 with Nike, and such special editions and collabos increase the hype level of the sneaker.
 
Designers in particular have their eyes on the acclaimed Air Force 1. Off-White designer Virgil Abloh is one of those who uses the Air Force 1 as a canvas and gives it a completely new look. In recent years, Abloh has released several Air Force 1 iterations, such as an Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 "Black", "Volt" or the famous "MCA".
 
Price-wise, the exceptional colourways are far from the OG. The cheapest Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 "MCA" costs 1,550€ on StockX, while the most expensive version is 2,580€.

 

Of course, it's hard to say which Nike Air Force 1 is the best. The silhouettes alone differ enormously. Besides the normal Nike Air Force 1 Low, there is also a Nike Air Force 1 High and an Air Force 1 Foamposite or the Nike SF Air Force 1. But that is only a small part of the large selection. There are even more silhouettes that build on the DNA of the original.
 
With this selection, it is up to each sneakerhead. What is clear, however, is that the regular Nike Air Force 1 Low is one of the most popular models worldwide. Its distinctive shape gives most oldies among us a flashback to the 80s and 90s. Most grew up with the low-cut Air Force. Even then and still today, the clean sneaker is one of the best colourways.
 
The first Nike Air Force 1 has a white upper and is built on a white Air sole. We know the colour scheme today as "Triple White". White sneakers should not be missing from any wardrobe. The clean look simply makes every outfit look perfect. While you used to wear casual jeans and a tee with the Air Force 1, today the outfit fits with light joggers and a comfortable hoodie.

 

Hardly any sporting goods manufacturer guards its secrets as well as the Beaverton-based brand. Their ideas, mockups or further collabos rarely come to light. Insiders, however, often find a way and show their leaks of new sneakers or colourways on social media. These rumours are not always true.
 
What we can say with 100% probability is that Nike releases at least one new silhouette every year. Since the Nike Air Force 1 offers a perfect base, one could think that maybe a new silhouette will be released this year as well, using the legacy of the Air Force 1.

 

It's a special year for Nike, because the Nike Air Force 1 is turning an incredible 40 years old! It's clear that the sports goods manufacturer from Beaverton is now popping the corks all year round for what is probably the most popular classic. Exact details are unfortunately not yet known, but a few surprises have already been uncovered in the first weeks of 2022. One of them was the still unreleased Nike Air Force 1 React, which combines React technology with Air technology, as well as a collaborative Serena Williams x Nike Air Force 1.

However, these are probably just the first sneakers on the starting line. More highlights are expected, such as groundbreaking inline releases as well as other projects with designers that are planned for the whole year. Of course, special Nike Air Force 1s for the holidays are not to be missed. For Valentine's Day, Nike already unveiled a loving AF1 with "NIKE LOVE" swooshes. Longtime partner Stüssy will also get its hands on a Nike Air Force 1 Mid, featuring co-branding on the straps and dressing perforations on the toe box and new logos in the back.

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