Nike Airforce
Nike Airforce
The Air Force 1 (AF1) is arguably one of the most famous sneaker models in the Nike range. Bruce Kilgore became its creator, and he took trekking boots as the basis for the new development. This pair first went on sale in 1982 and has not gone out of style ever since. And a curious feature of Air Force 1 is their name – this is the name of the plane on which the President of the United States travels through the air.
Nike Air Force 1 creator Bruce Kilgore
Nike did not expect the Air Force 1 to last forever, and in 1984 it ceased production. However, in 1986, the couple returned to store shelves, with only minor design changes. The Nike logo has appeared on the back of the sneaker. Over time, the stitching disappeared from the sides. However, there have been no truly radical changes with this model in all 40 years of its existence. Nike has estimated roughly $ 800 million in Air Force 1 sales annually. This model was the debut in the Retro line – that is, the first that Nike decided to reissue.
Among the entire extensive range of the brand, it was the Air Force 1 that became the first pair to sell for a four-figure amount – we are talking about a limited edition Lux with crocodile leather inserts, the price tag of which reached $ 1000. Along with the crocodile one, a pair was also released in 2007, trimmed with anaconda leather. Both premium models were handcrafted in Italy with lace ends in gold.
The Air Force 1 Suede is worthy of special mention. Once Nike’s designers figured out what they would wear for outdoor walks, they swapped out the tough leather basketball upper for a soft suede. The structure of the outsole has not changed – that is, everyday sneakers provide the same excellent cushioning as sports ones. https://jiji.com.et/bole/shoes/nike-airforce-cFaLhBHZ4CqQJECZ3hZh6A2l.html
Historically, the AF1 was the brand’s first basketball shoe to feature the soft, responsive Nike Air cushioning system. Thanks to the innovative Cupsole sole, it did not deteriorate after one or two NBA matches, unlike all other shoes on the market. This novelty was highly praised by the best players of the early 1980s: Michael Cooper, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, Calvin Nett, Michael Thompson and Jamal Wilkes.
Today the pair is sold in five varieties: low, super low, medium, high and super high. Initially, the model was produced only with high last, with low and medium Air Force appeared 12 years later. Mid to high tops have straps to ensure a snug fit of the shoe to the lower leg.
Nike Air Force 1 High Top Trainers With Straps
AF 1 at different times was produced in different colors, in total in more than 2000 color options. The most popular, however, is the all-white variation. A characteristic detail of the classic AF 1 is a small medallion at the bottom of the lacing. In the early models, this medallion was made of silver metal and had a round shape. It bore the number 82 and the model name, AF-1. In 2007, a redesign was carried out, after which the medallion became rectangular and was made of white plastic. However, the plastic did not take root, and the designers returned to the original metal.
This shoe was designed as a professional basketball shoe. However, three years after the first batch went on sale, three retailers from Baltimore offered the public an updated version of the model, in a blue and chocolate tones. The limited edition of 3,000 copies was snapped up instantly – not for sports, but to be worn on the street. This is how AF1 became an integral part of everyday youth fashion.
Basketball players wearing Nike Air Force 1 sneakers
Nike did not immediately realize the potential of special collections. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that the brand began producing limited editions of Air Force 1s for special events and cultural events. Such lots have invariably become bestsellers. With the onset of the 21st century, all-white AF1s have become a significant attribute of hip-hop culture.
In 2002, rapper Nelly and his band The Lunatics released the Air Force Ones single, dedicated to these sneakers. In 2007, the iconic couple became the inspiration for the single Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been), co-recorded by Kanye West, Nas, Rakim and KRS-One and produced by DJ Premier. This model was also worn by rapper Jay Z.