Nike Air Force 1
Nike Air Force 1
The AF1 should not be missing in any shoe closet, because it is simply timeless and belongs to the icons among sneakers.
Bruce Kilgore was actually a sculptor, but is responsible among other things for the design of the Air Force 1 and has thus secured a place in the sneaker Olympus. With the Tailwind, Nike launched the first model in 1979 that had Air technology built into the sole. Unlike to assume, however, the cushions were not only filled with air, but it was a mixture of noble gases which should offer the wearer a pleasant cushioning. Marketing has always been a very important thing at Nike and so the model was named after the US President's plane, promising the customer a high-class experience.
Nike Air Force 1 High - roots in basketball
The Air Force 1 High was the first basketball shoe from Nike which got the Air technology. They changed the profile of the sole from the herringbone profile on the bottom sole to a cup sole back in the 80's, which has circular patterns to allow the player different movements. For the professional basketball players of the time, most notably Moses Malone, the new type of basketball shoe was a revelation. With its air-filled midsole and lateral cushioning, players were protected from injury and could optimize their performance on the court. The Nike Air Force High Top had a variable lacing system and a Velcro closure on the upper to provide the best possible protection for different types of players.
Nike Air Force 1 Low - From the court to the street
When the popularity of the model waned, Nike stopped selling the AF1 High, but a short time later, thanks to popular demand and the initiative of some Baltimore retailers, it was given a second life. The Air Force 1 High was back on the shelves as a lifestyle sneaker and both the hobby basketball players who threw their baskets on the outdoor courts as well as the normal customer gratefully accepted this comeback. In addition, as an alternative to the high version, there was now also the Air Force 1 Low and from this point on, the success of the Air Force 1 was unstoppable. This success story is still told today, almost 40 years later, the AF1 Low is probably one of the most sold sneakers of all time. The Air Force 1 was no longer just used as a basketball sneaker, it found its way onto the street where it could be stylishly combined with any outfit. Especially the Air Force 1 Low in white leather is still one of the most sought-after models today. But when it comes to color or material, there are no limits, no matter if the Air Force 1 is in black or if it has a suede upper. In addition, the Air Force 1 is a prime example of the unisex sneaker par excellence, whether as a Nike sneaker for women, men or children.
The never-ending success story of the Air Force 1
Since its launch, the Air Force 1 has almost never disappeared from the shelves, and to this day, more than 2000 different variations of the classic have crossed the counter. With the low-top variant of the Air Force 1, which came on the market in 1983, an even wider audience was then addressed, because not everyone was a fan of basketball boots. In the mid-90s, an Air Force 1 Mid version was released, which once again caused a stir with the so-called "Jewel Swoosh". Through the offer of Nike-iD, everyone could design his Air Force 1 as he wanted. Due to its clean look, it is also the perfect basis for customs, which are probably available in as many versions as official releases.
Air Force 1 XXV - The anniversary model
In 2007 the AF1 celebrates its 25th anniversary and the Air Force 1 XXV was introduced as an anniversary model. The design was not fundamentally changed, but the designer Tracy Teague equipped the model with the latest and most successful technologies from Nike.
Air Force 1 07 LV8
At the same time the Nike Air Force 1 07 was launched on the market where it can still be found at your local retailer. The 07 model is available in all variants, the customer has the choice between low, mid or high top. Another version is the Air Force 1 07 LV8, which has a thicker midsole and is one of the current best sellers.
For almost 40 years on the start and no end in sight
For almost 40 years now, the Air Force 1 has lost none of its appeal and continues to inspire new generations of sneakerheads. Through legendary collaborations on the model like from Off White, X-Box or Kaws to name a few, the AF1 from Nike has made itself immortal! The hip-hop scene has not only chosen the Air Force 1 as part of your clothing, songs have even been written about the model, both by US artists like Nelly to German rappers like Kool Savas or Eisfeldt from the Beginners. Even if you think with the countless releases there have been in recent years, the story of the Air Force 1 is told, the model reinvents itself again and again and thus remains on everyone's lips. With the Nike Air Force 1 Utility, the model gets a futuristic revision without losing its roots.
