Nike Air Force One: An Iconic Shoe on the Court and on the Street
The year was 1982. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album was topping the charts, E.T. was playing on the silver screen and the sneaker game was about to get flipped on end with the introduction of Nike's first basketball-specific sneaker: The Air Force 1.
Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the Air Force 1 featured a Max Air unit in the heel offering athletes top-of-the-line modern cushioning, while a concentric outsole pattern offered premium traction on the hardcourt and a custom-fit variable width lacing system and ankle securing proprioceptus belts bolstered the shoes' ultimate locked-in feel. When Moses Malone won an NBA title in a pair of white and grey Air Force 1s that same year, there was no doubt that the sneakersphere would never be the same again.
“Uptowns” (the street name for Air Force Ones) debuted as high top sneakers, but their wide spread success has led to more than 2000 colorway and material combinations across low tops, mid tops, and highs. In the 2000's Air Force Ones penetrated the modern lexicon when Hip-Hop star, Nelly, recorded “Air Force Ones” – a Billboard Chart topping track dedicated to the shoe.
Did you know AF1s were the first style to be retroed by Nike? Yep, so all those Jordan Retros you know and love, say 'thanks' to AF1s.
How to Style Air Force Ones
The great thing about Air Force Ones is they can go with anything. You can dress them up or dress them down, anyone can wear them. White/White, Black/Black, high, low or mid. It doesn’t matter. Rock your AF1's with shorts, jeans, pants, high socks or low socks.
