Perhaps Nike’s most iconic and enduring silo, the Air Force 1 is a street legend! Originally released in ’82 under the name ‘Air Force’ and designed by one of Nike’s top designers, Bruce Kilgore, the sneaker was initially released as a performance kick. Nike put together a large marketing campaign with six of the NBA’s biggest stars for an iconic air strip photo shoot to promote the sneaker to a basketball audience. With the low edition of the sneaker dropping in ’83, the Air Force 1 was picked up by sneakerheads for its unique look and comfy fit. By the time the 2000s rolled around, the Air Force 1 had become a global icon, thanks to its adoption by the Hip-Hop community and Nike’s location based exclusivity on certain designs.

Nike Air Force 1 Low

The low sneaker was released in ’83 (a year after the high top) and caught the attention of the sneakerhead community; it was presented as a casual alternative to the original. Production of the Air Force 1 Low ended in ’84 at the end of its year life-cycle, but the demand was so great that Nike eventually caved and brought back the sneaker in ’86. In the late 90s, the sneaker because a symbol of the everyday hustler, admired in equal part for their design and comfort. Idolised by some of the 90s biggest rap artists, the adoption by the Hip-Hop community took the Air Force 1 Low to new heights. It remains the most popular version of the Air Force 1 to date.

Nike Air Force 1 High

The High-top version of the Air Force 1 was the original design that was released in ’82. Released as a performance silo, Nike were targeting the basketball market. The kick was design by Bruce Kilgore, and it was his first attempt at a basketball silo. The design brought several innovations that placed it ahead of typical basketball sneakers: due to the cut of the tread, it provided more flexibility than most, while also introducing the, now quintessential, circular outsole - allowing players to manoeuvre more easily without losing grip. Still used on the courts almost 40 years later, the kick is also now a street essential.

Nike Air Force 1 Suede

The Air Force 1 Suede is the premium reworking of the classic low cut. Replacing the hard leather upper with soft suede leather, it is an essential switch up from the classic look, something that has kept the Air Force 1 relevant for the past 40 years. Utilising tonal colours to create a uniform look, the Air Force 1 Suede retains the iconic encapsulated Air unit to the heel for a spring in every step. Check out the range of colourways.

Nike Air Force 1 Flyknit

Switching up the look and improving on performance, the Air Force 1 Flyknit pushes the sneaker further than ever before. Switching out the classic leather upper for a lightweight and breathable flyknit, the Air Force 1 Flyknit kick shows that the Air Force an essential for performing on the court as well as styling up the streets.

Nike Air Force 1 LV8

The Air Force 1 LV8 takes the iconic sneaker and mixes and matches materials for standout results. The LV8s consist of solid leather uppers with various types of textile detailing to the toes and sidewalls for a contrast look and feel. The textile offers a breathable switch up while retaining all the essential elements of the OG silo. Perfect for keeping your Air Force 1s lively, check them out below.