Nike Air Force 1

The Air Force 1 is without a doubt one of the most iconic Nike trainers ever released. The brainchild of legendary Nike designer Bruce Kilgore, he named them so after the plane that carries the President of the United States. A tried and tested classic that we all know and love, it simply always manages to look fresher than ever before! So whether you’re heading to the gym, on a night-out, or simply hanging out with friends, the Air Force 1 will seldom disappoint.

Originally marketed as a basketball shoe, it was a pretty major flop for the first few months of its life. With that said, Nike followed their "Just Do It" ethos and after recalling the model and applying a few additional tweaks, it was re-released and was more popular than ever. All of a sudden, every single person wanted a pair of Air Forces in their collection. From the crisp white leather construction to that simple yet striking Swoosh, this basketball sneaker slowly but surely made its way across a variety of different different fashion genres and sub-cultures. In fact, it was a particularly favoured shoe amongst inner-city youth in Harlem, hence the nickname "Uptowns" was born.

In its four decade long history, not much has changed with the Air Force 1. Still crafted from a slew of ultra versatile materials, it continues to sit atop a midsole crafted from Air technology. This provides sneakerheads with an insane amount of comfort and cushioning both on and off the court. Not only has it been released in thousands of colourways, it's also been the subject of a ton of ultra high heat collaborations from high heat brands such as 1017 ALYX 9SM, CLOT, Off-White, Supreme, and VLONE, and international style icons like Drake, Jeff Staple, and of course, Travis Scott.

Check out our list of the 101 Best Air Force 1 Colorways of All-Time!

Travis Scott's collab is worth mentioning because of its unique designs and materials. While he has released a few in the past, 2019's version is the one to watch. Part of his "Cactus Jack" line, La Flame injected the low-top shoe with a versatile canvas construction that was done up in a multitude of patterns. This limited edition trainer was decorated with Russia-inspired patterning and was also given a lace shroud that was unlike anything we've seen before. This was then finished with a leather Swoosh and a gum rubber outsole that gave it a somewhat vintage vibe.

Over the years there have been many AF1 silhouettes that are worth noting. While they may not be as popular as the classic pair, they're still iconic in their own right.

Probably the most popular model out there, the Nike Air Force 1 Low follows the same winning formula as the OG pair from the '80s. With a low-top profile that you can rock with whatever fit you throw at it, this is the silhouette the Virgil Abloh uses for his coveted Off-White collaborations. These are usually finished off with Nike embroidered on the tongue and heel, and some pairs, including the Air Force 1 LV8 boast a stainless steel deubré that gives it the charm that we all know and love. Over the years, the retro pair has dropped in hundreds and hundreds of colorways such as "Anthracite", "Metallic Silver" and "Volt". We've even seen a numerous NBA branded pairs and Gore-Tex ones too, which have been lined with the waterproof material so you can rock them anywhere and everywhere.

Building on the Low variant, the Nike Air Force 1 Shadow is like a deconstructed take on the Bruce Kilgore made silhouette. With a chunkier profile, dual Swoosh branding, and random patches of materials throughout, the Shadow was made for those who love the simplicity of the AF1 but want something a little bit more. Some of these colourways are known to incorporate buttery smooth suede into the designs, resulting in the perfect juxtaposition of fits and finishes.

You can't talk about the Air Force 1 without mentioning the Nike Air Force 1 React. One of the latest models to utilise the signature AF1 moniker, it's another low-top pair that features a hybrid midsole. Combining Air technology with React foam, it offers sneakerheads with the best of both worlds, taking comfort and cushioning levels to an all-time-high. Something that makes the AF1 React stand out from the rest is the extra large Swoosh logo that shoots across the lateral and medial side panels. This gives the retro shoe a contemporary look that's made to turn heads wherever you go.

Of course, you can't talk about this legendary pair without mentioning the Nike Air Force 1 High. Literally a high-top variant to the OG, these have been known to feature a slew of different features across the years. From ankle straps to Gore-Tex lining, the Special Forces variant has been a fan favourite amongst techwear fans for years. It's worth noting that the majority of high-top Forces are made from ultra rugged materials, so you won't find any Air Force 1 Flyknit anywhere here.

We’re almost certain that most of you have owned a pair of Nike Air Forces by now, so if you’re already loving this silhouette then maybe it's time to take it to the next level and start a collection! Few footwear styles have achieved the cultural relevance of the Air Force 1, it's a shoe that can be seen anywhere in the world.

If you're looking to pick up a pair make sure to check out our Nike Air Force 1 Size Guide, and stay locked in right here at The Sole Supplier for the latest Air Force 1 release dates and browse our huge selection that we’ve sourced from every corner of the internet.

We've got no doubts that there is a pair for everyone, whether you're looking for a high-heat collaborative edition or simple general release for everyday wear. While you're here, remember to always keep checking back on our site for all the latest footwear news and updates as they unfold, as we'll be the first to update you!