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Air Force Ones History

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The Evolution of Nike Air Force Ones

Jan 4, 2024

Forces, AF1s, Flaves and Uptowns -- Join us as we dive into the creation and 40-year evolution of the iconic Nike Air Force 1 sneaker.

With so many collectible sneaker releases from top brands and celebs, we tend to throw around the word “iconic” quite a bit. After all, how else should you describe Michael Jordan and his groundbreaking sneaker line or Kobe Bryant’s legacy? One shoe befitting the “iconic” mantle is the almighty Nike Air Force 1.

So settle in for a little AF1 history lesson on the shoe that’s been around for more than 40 years.

When Did the Air Force 1 Come Out? - Bred Air Force 1's

When Did the Air Force 1 Come Out?

Nike first launched this famous sneaker in 1982. Designed by Bruce Kilgore (who later dreamed up the Air Jordan 2), this shoe was the first hoops shoe to sport Nike Air technology. The original high cut AF1 included a concentric circle outsole — not unlike the first Air Jordans — and perforations sprinkled along the toebox. It also featured a proprioceptus belt that secured the ankle and a variable-width lacing system.,


To promote these shoes as a serious basketball sneaker, Nike tapped six NBA players to sport the kicks on the court and in the brand’s ads. These men, dubbed “The Original Six,” included the Portland Trail Blazers’ Mychal Thompson and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Jamal Wilkes. The original AF1 campaign tagline was, simply, “Air in a Box.”

The Fans Wanted More - Woman wearing AF1s Holding Light Pole

The Fans Wanted More

A year after the high cut rendition’s debut, a low cut version dropped, too. And then Nike decided to retire the sneaker and move onto other releases. That didn’t sit well with AF1 fans. Several shoe retailers in Baltimore, Maryland, even had a “Color of the Month” program, where they encouraged new AF1 colorways; with no more colorways coming out, this program would end. So Nike gave the people what they wanted — more Air Force 1s. It wasn’t until the mid-90s, though, that the Air Force 1 rolled out in a mid-cut rendition. That was also the decade Nike added a jewel Swoosh to the mix. In 2001, Nike finally launched women’s specific sizing.

Uptowns in Pop Culture - Dr. Dre Pamphlet

Uptowns in Pop Culture

Forces, AF1s, Flaves and Uptowns are just a few of the nicknames for these iconic shoes. And while Nike originally sold these sneakers as performance footwear using the power of basketball players, these sneaks cemented their star status on the streets thanks to the hip-hop community.


Sure, Nelly is probably the most obvious example of celebs who celebrated the Air Force Ones. After all, he wrote a song called “Air Force Ones” in 2002. But Dr. Dre is a longtime fan — with pair upon pair of Uptowns in his sneaker storage. NY hip-hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock also used the shoes in their cover art, and both Jay-Z and Eminem have dropped AF1 collabs.

Improving on the Classic - Light Pink Nike AF1s

Improving on the Classic

In the mid-2000s, Air Force Ones began departing from traditional leather uppers and first-gen Air Technology, opting for edgier, newer construction materials like stretchy Nike Primeknit fabric, iridescent patent leather in metal tones, and lightweight, durable hyperfuse tech. Later, Nike Air Force ones began sporting Gore-Tex weatherproofing uppers, outsoles and details, and most recently, Nike Air Force Ones have released in eco-friendly recycled materials as part of Nike’s Move to Zero sustainability campaign.


Additionally, Air Force Ones have added a boot to their low, mid and high top lineup with the AF1 Boot, which bridges indoor hoops style with the rugged outdoors. The line has also introduced the Air Force 1 LV8, which features a slightly more elevated sole than the original.


Other iterations of the iconic Air Force 1 sneaker include the AF1 Sage, a more feminine take on the classic basketball shoe with its 35% higher wedge midsole, soft upper and comb-like teeth on the midsole, and the AF1 Shadow which features bold overlays backdropped by “shadows” of the Swoosh and other design elements.

Coveted Air Force One Colorways - Red and White Nike AF1s

Coveted Air Force One Colorways

During the mid-2000s, Nike Air Force 1 colorways and collaborations exploded. While collectibles are in the eye of the beholder (and the sneaker market) — and we know that sneakerheads have some pretty strong opinions — here are some of our favorite colorways and grails in the shoe’s history:


  • Off-White x AF1 “The Ten”
  • Nike Air Force 1 “Playstation”
  • Nike Air Force 1 “Waterproof”
  • Nike x Stash Air Force 1 High
  • Nike Air Force 1 “Roc-a-Fella”
  • Nike Air Force 1 “Questlove”
  • Nike Air Force 1 “White on White”

Each Air Force 1 shoe comes backed by more than three decades of history, culture and style. Learn more about sneaker collecting, how to style your Air Force Ones and find inspiration for full AF1 fits on the Unboxed blog, or find your next favorite pair of classic sneakers or hot new launches at Hibbett | City Gear, today.

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