The All-Time Greatest Nike Air Force 1s: Part 1
'A shoe so revolutionary, the game of basketball may never be the same.'
That's what Nike said about the Air Force 1 when it originally dropped. The Bruce Kilgore–designed kicks changed the game for both Nike and basketball when they were introduced by the Swoosh back in 1982. While the Tailwind debuted Air-Sole cushioning three years earlier, it was the AF-1 that brought the technology to the hardwood. And it's been a staple ever since.
Despite its impact on the court, the AF-1 has arguably been even more influential off it; maybe Nike should have been saying 'sneakers may never be the same'. Demand for the kicks almost single-handedly created the retro market that dominates footwear today, while the shoe's clean lines and undeniable swagger have made it a go-to for limited-edition drops and coveted collaborations ever since.
In honour of the AF-1's place at the pinnacle of sneakerdom, we're taking a look back at some of the greatest Air Force 1s to ever come in for a landing. Peruse our picks and stay tuned for Part Two.