Nike Air Force 1

NOT EVEN NIKE could have predicted that the Air Force 1 would become the cultural staple it is today, but here we are. Born out of Nike’s desire to establish itself as more than just a running shoe brand, the first Air Force 1 was a basketball shoe. Predating the Air Jordan, the original Air Force 1 was the first sneaker to feature Nike Air technology and was released in 1982 – only to sell so poorly that Nike took it out of production after just one year.

Re-releasing in 1986, the Air Force 1 fared much better the second time around. But by then, the Air Jordan had already risen to prominence as the go-to sneaker of the all-conquering Michael Jordan. Still, the Air Force 1 remained somewhat popular among basketball players. Moses Malone dropped 51 points in a pair during the 1984 season and Kobe Bryant recorded a triple double in Air Forces as recently as the 2002 season. But where the Air Force 1 really made its mark was off the court.

Away from the hardwood, the Air Force 1 has become a streetwear mainstay. Suitable for everyday wear, casual or semi-formal occasions (yes, we’ve seen Air Force 1s worn with a suit), the style has many fans, with one variation also sparking cultural shorthand – ‘black Air Force energy’ is used to denote someone with an intimidating or menacing presence.

The popularity of the style lends itself to a great deal of colourways, variations and collaborations – of which the Air Force 1 has received plenty. But what is the best of them all? That’s what we’re here to decide.


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Which Nike Air Forces are the best?

Dishonourable mention: Air Force 1 ‘Black-On-Black’

Nike Air Force 1 Black

Maybe it’s our Australian perspective that lacks the intangible factors that caused this shoe to rocket to popularity in the USA, but we are absolutely not buying any of the Black Air Force hype. These aren’t menacing. They don’t convey some nonsensical sort of intimidating aura. They look like school shoes. You know, the type you wear to fly under the radar of your school’s all-black shoes rule. Of course, you can agree to disagree.

10. Air Force 1 ‘Shibuya Subway’ (White)

An homage to Tokyo’s fashion-forward Shibuya district, this AF1 release incorporated bold colour blocking, with a blend of green, yellow, red and turquoise inspired by Japan’s vibrant urban culture. All of this contrasts nicely with the pristine white base, which was replaced in the more recent Shibuya Subway pack from 2019, but we still believe the original is a step above the rest.

9. Air Force 1 x Jay-Z ‘The Black Album’

We know what you’re thinking, that’s just a black and white AF1 with a logo on the heel, nothing special. You’re right. But to properly grasp what makes this collab with Jay-Z special, you need to understand that Jay-Z was the guy to be when this model launched. In 2004, Jay-Z had just won his second and third (of his now 24) Grammys and had emerged as the world’s most popular rapper. When someone like that asks for a custom sneaker, you oblige. So, the AF1 ‘The Black Album’ was created.

The shoe boasts a fairly simple white on black leather design, along with the logo of Jay-Z’s Roc-a-Fella Records brandished on the heel and a nod to the rapper’s most recent album on the back. What really makes it special is its rarity. Less than 50 were ever made and all are in Jay-Z’s US10.5 size. Few have ever made it out of Jay-Z’s personal collection, making it one of the most valued AF1s to collectors.

8. Air Force 1 x Travis Scott ‘Cactus Jack’

Travis Scott’s rendition of the Air Force 1 took customisation to the next level. With unique, zippered lace covers, an erratic colour scheme and written decals, Scott’s ‘Cactus Jack’ AF1 sold out immediately and has continued to do so every time it’s been restocked since 2018. The best AF1 artist collaboration by a narrow margin. Sorry Jay-Z.

7. Air Force 1 ‘Taiwan’

The ‘Taiwan’ AF1 stands out not only for its classy colourway – a blend of patent leather with a red-to-purple gradient swoosh – but also for its limited availability. Released exclusively in Asia, the Taiwan colorway quickly became a coveted sneaker for collectors. Its scarcity and unique aesthetic have earned it a lasting legacy.

6. Air Force 1 x Louis Vuitton collab

Air Force 1s and high fashion typically don’t mesh, but during Louis Vuitton’s Spring-Summer ‘22 fashion show, the maison’s models debuted a new LV x Nike footwear collab, with a suitably luxurious design. This collab might seem surprising, but the inimitable Virgil Abloh, a well-known sneakerhead and streetwear architect, was Louis Vuitton’s creative director at the time.

5. Air Force 1 x Off-White collab

Another Virgil Abloh collab, the Nike x Off-White AF1 brought a refreshing deconstruction to the silhouette. With exposed stitching, bold orange tabs, the designer’s famous air quotes and that unmistakable zip-tie, this collab adopted Abloh’s design philosophy to bridge the gap between high fashion and street culture.

4. Air Force 1 ‘Linen’

Nike Air Force 1 Linen

Initially released only in Japan, the AF1 ‘Linen’ is known for the subtle pink touches, which are paired with a khaki and white upper. This colourway has become one of the most popular AF1s of all time, primarily due to its unique and gender neutral colour palette that goes with just about everything.

3. Air Force 1 ‘Wheat’

Nike Air Force 1 Wheat

While its name leaves a little to be desired in the creativity department, we love an earth-toned shoe, and the ‘Wheat’ AF1 is exactly that. With an entirely tan (or wheat-coloured, we suppose) colour scheme, we can see this AF1 working in a wide range of settings. It wouldn’t look out of place on a worksite, on a hike or at a farmer’s market. That’s thanks to those deep earthy tones and laces inspired by hiking rope.

2. Air Force 1 ‘White-on-White’

Nike Air Force 1 White

We’re taking it back to the original Air Force 1 for one of the final spots on our list, because no list of AF1s could be called credible without the iconic white-on-white colourway. Simple yet sharp, clean without being boring, the white-on-white AF1 has become a streetwear phenomenon that has transcended generations. 40 years after its release, we can officially call this shoe timeless.

1. Air Force 1 ‘Panda’

Nike Air Force 1 Panda

Can’t decide between the brilliant White-On-White and the basic Black-On-Black? Here’s your answer. The ‘Panda’ Air Force 1 combines the colours of the line’s most popular shoes, creating a yin and yang-esque contrast that balances the classics evenly between panels. Easy to style, you really can’t go wrong with this shoe, which is our favourite of all the Air Force 1s. Given its popularity, we can assume that many others feel the same.

Related:

The best Nike SB Dunks, ranked

The best Nike Air Max 90s, ranked

The best Air Jordan 1s, ranked

The best Nike TNs of all time, ranked