Guide to the Nike Air Force 1: Sizing, Care, and Popular Colorways
By
By Stadium Goods |Guide to the Nike Air Force 1: Sizing, Care, and Popular Colorways
A buyer’s guide to Air Force 1 sizing, care, heights, and colorways.
Matt DeSciora
To quote the late great sneaker historian Gary Warnett, “In the world of sneakers, few styles last.” Indeed, footwear trends have unusually short shelf lives. No sooner does one shoe or style catch on does another fade into obscurity. But there are a few sneakers that seem to be impervious to trends. Some that never look out of place no matter what’s going on around them, even when the culture appears as though it's been flipped on its head.
If you’re looking for a timeless, rock solid shoe to wear today, tomorrow, and five years from now, one that will never go out of style, then look no further than the Nike Air Force 1.
Nike Air Force 1 Low “White on White”
Since its introduction in 1982, the shoe known affectionately as the “Uptown” or just the “One” has transitioned from a performance basketball shoe to a lifestyle sneaker, all the while garnering a legion of fans along the way. For the last two-plus decades, the Air Force 1 has become a cultural icon in not only the world of sneakers, but fashion, as well.
If you’re discovering the Air Force 1 for the first time or just need a refresher on some of its most popular colorways, sizing information, and more, then you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find some essential information on the Air Force 1 that should help answer any question you may have about the sneaker.
To get fully educated on the Nike Air Force 1, read up on the iconic sneaker right here.
What are the Different Air Force 1 Heights?
There are three different versions of the Air Force 1. The shoe was originally released as a high-top in ‘82 before it was converted into a low-top a year later. Its third silhouette is the Air Force 1 Mid, which was released back in the mid-1990s strictly as a lifestyle sneaker.
The most obvious difference between the three versions is height. The Air Force 1 Mid has a slightly more slanted ankle collar than the Air Force 1 High. The mid-top uses an ankle strap with a velcro fastening on the side. The high-top’s ankle strap, in comparison, wraps completely around the ankle and is also removable.
How To Clean Air Force 1s
Less is usually more when it comes to sneaker care. If your Air Force 1s are all leather, simply wiping your sneakers down with a wet cloth dabbed with some dish detergent is all you need to keep your shoes looking pristine. If you want to go the extra mile to ensure your Air Force 1s stay clean, or your pair is constructed with suede, we recommend investing in a quality sneaker-specific cleaner and brush. You can even use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get rid of pesky smudges, which you can find at a variety of stores.
Air Force 1 Sizing: How Do They Fit?
Sizing the Air Force 1 can be a bit tricky. Does the Air Force 1 run big? Yes. It’s almost universally agreed that the shoe, no matter if you choose to wear the low, mid, or high-top version, fits a half size big. We suggest going a half size down from your standard Nike shoe size. For example, if you typically wear a size 11.5 in other Nike models, size down to an 11 for the Air Force 1. If you have a wide foot, you may be able to get away with wearing your normal Nike shoe size.
Every Air Force 1 Colorway
Sike. Did you really think we’d run off all 10,029 (just a guess) Air Force 1 colorways? There are definitely way too many styles to run through, but we’ll suggest a few of the most popular looks, because this is a helpful guide, right?
The “White on White” colorway is the gold standard of Air Force 1s. That goes for all three models. The “Triple Black” AF1 is equally as versatile, especially if you do a lot of outdoors activities and want a sneaker that hides dirt and smudges easily. Another colorway that’s popular within the sneaker community is the boot-like “Wheat” or “Flax” vibe. Supreme even has its own version of the “Wheat” colorway, complete with its iconic red Box Logo and all.
Nike has recently been releasing Air Force 1s in women’s sizing with jewelry on them in reaction to the growing popularity of the “bling” trend in sneakers. Colorways like the “Lucky Charms,” “Jewels” and others bring a fresh new look to the old school model.
These are just a few examples of the many Air Force 1s out there. The possibilities for color combinations and materials are virtually limitless. Why not just browse the Stadium Goods Air Force 1 selection and pick out a few of your favorites?
Air Force 1 Collaborations
On the subject of best Air Force 1 colorways, we couldn’t tell the shoe’s complete color story if we failed to mention how collaborations factored into its success and immeasurable popularity since the early 2000s.
Sneaker collaborations became the norm in the culture at the turn of the century when Nike’s “Concept Japan” series launched overseas. But stateside, it was the small, “mom and pop” sneaker boutiques that created colorways of the Air Force 1 that made the shoe a commodity.
Nike Air Force 1 Low “Roc-a-Fella Records”
Some of the earliest Air Force 1 collaborations were actually created by the hip-hop stars who shouted the shoe out in their songs. New York City natives Jay-Z and Fat Joe put on for the “Uptown” with their “Roc-a-Fella Records” and “Terror Squad” colorways, respectively. Graffiti artists Mr. Cartoon and Stash helped increase the Air Force 1’s street cred even more in the mid 2000s.
More recently, the likes of Supreme, Off-White, Kith, Comme des Garcons, and Stussy have worked with Nike on Air Force 1s that have attracted serious attention.
Billie Eilish x Nike Air Force 1 High
One of the most unique AF1 collaborations in recent times is this high-top and strapped-up edition by Billie Eilish.