Official Images of the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid in Black

From handmade pairs to 'The Ten,' from art museum collaborations to Mids, the Air Force 1 has been a constant in the partnership between Virgil Abloh and Nike. After Abloh's passing in November 2021, the AF-1 is appearing yet again, with two Air Force 1 Mids – each a poignant tribute to the late designer's impact and legacy – set to release this year. Official images of the black pair have now surfaced ahead of the collection's arrival, and they provide our best look yet at all of its intricate details.

With its black, pink, blue and green colour scheme plus its rubber-spiked midsole, this mid-cut Air Force 1 looks more than a little like the Off-White x Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 5 from 2019's 'Athlete in Progress' collection. It also boasts a familiar doubled-up lacing system that calls to mind images of the Off-White x Nike Dunk Low, and of course, it's branded with Helvetica text on the medial midfoot and a signature zip tie that hangs from the laces.

However, it's loaded with totally new details as well. The heel's Air cushioning units are visible and done up in a squiggly fashion, while the synthetic upper gets in on the fun by a wavy pattern of its own that's contrasted by gridded detailing on the heel piece and collar strap. There are also specially branded hits that can be seen on the tongue and the insoles, plus a colourful lace toggle present above the throat.

This Air Force 1 Mid is the latest piece of a legacy that extends all the way back to the very first time Abloh visited Nike's global headquarters in Beaverton. 'I immediately wanted to make something,' Abloh said in 2017 while reminiscing. I didn't wait all those years just to have meetings at Nike.' On that very first visit, he re-crafted all-black Air Force 1 Lows with an X-ACTO knife and customised them with paint markers, then gave them to his staff to wear at a Design Miami event. He then worked with Matt Killgore, son of AF-1 designer Bruce Killgore, to create a dozen handmade Air Force 1s – all before 'The Ten' was a whisper on the lips of hypebeasts worldwide.

Releasing on June 23 (likely alongside a white colourway), the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid is yet another chapter in the late, great designer's influential legacy. Long live Virgil's memory!

When you're done gaping at these Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mids, be sure to check out our interview with Virgil Abloh himself, originally published in issue #44 of our magazine, by clicking right here.