Air Force 1: The Best Selling Nike Silhouette

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Milan Horáček18/04/2023

Air Force 1: the ultimate classic sneaker. If you're a sneakerhead, chances are you've owned at least one pair (or maybe even a few) of these iconic shoes. With a simple silhouette and a range of colourways, the Air Force 1 has become a best-selling Nike sneaker for over three decades. But do you know the history behind this legendary shoe? From its origins on the basketball court to its enduring cultural impact, let's take a deep dive into the story of the Air Force 1. Let's discover the evolution of this iconic silhouette.

The best selling shoes ever made by Nike are the Air Force 1, approximately 10 million pairs are sold around the world in a year. Nike didn't have big plans for the AF-1, so they stopped the production after two years. Luckily, sneakerheads were demanding the return of this model so much that Nike couldn't ignore it. Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York and especially Harlem loved the Air Force 1 and renamed them "Uptowns". By the time the shoes went back into production, the Air Force 1 custom phenomenon had spread. Today, the most famous colourway is "white on white". Let’s explore together the reasons for the success of Air Force 1, as well as some of the most iconic collaborations.

The journey of the Air Force 1 began in 1982, coming in a variety of colours and shapes, lows, mids and high. The number of colourways was also an important aspect of the shoes as everyone could find what they desired, reaching out to various scenes such as hip-hop, skate, athlete, and many more. But what attracted people was how affordable they were, only around 50 to 80$ at the time for nice looking and robust shoes, what a deal!

However, the responsibility of the success of the shoes would be the hip hop culture with Jay-Z, Nelly and many more. As we can all remember those fits with baggy jeans and some clean white AF-1. Also with basketball as many players would wear them to play, notably Moses Malone, who would win the season championship alongside the final most valuable player playing in High Air Force 1. By the year 2000, the shoes had turned into a must have for any hip hop or basketball fan and earned the title of urban legend. Being such an icon around the world and being an important part of the culture, there was a lot of variation and collaboration done with this model. Let’s have a look at some of our favourite pairs, those are just a couple of the 1000 different varieties that were released.

Nike Air Force 1 ‘07

You can’t go wrong with those, the plain white AF-1. This classic goes with everything, if you need to wear a suit, to the office, any occasion is a good reason to wear them. They are not only good looking, they are comfortable and reliable.

Nike x Kyrie Irving “Black Red”

Those shoes marked the beginning of the collaboration with Nike and the basketball player Kyrie Irving. The shoe uses the Cleveland Cavaliers “away” jersey theme, mixed with the see through panel, that give you and your sock game the chance to show off and be unique.

Nike x Travis Scott

This collaboration between the swoosh brand and the artist is just one of many. But this model stands out the most not only for the uncommon combination of colours, but also for the material used, and the removable tongue brings a new vision of the shoe.

Nike x Stüssy

Stüssy and Nike often collaborate together, those collaborations always give us an outstanding shoe. An embroidered logo, and the use of hemp fabrics with the details of the shoe from the laces to the sole being polished give us these gems.

Nike x OFF-WHITE

Virgile Abloh and his brand Off-White need no introduction. You have definitely seen or heard about some of these collaborations. There are a couple of AF-1 in collaboration with Off-White, making it almost impossible to pick only one of them, which one is your favourite?

Nike x Louis Vuitton

It is the first time that the AF-1 is produced outside of a Nike factory. Louis Vuitton artistic director Virgil Abloh mixed the high quality material with the cultural symbol of the Air Force 1 model. Giving us a piece of art if not a magic high-end sneakers. Have a look at some of the colourways!

Browse our offer of Air Force 1’s so you can find the ideal pair for you, there must be one! Or have a look at our release calendar where you might find more products from exciting collaborations.

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Air Force 1: The Best Selling Nike Silhouette | FLEXDOG (2024)