Nike Air Force 1

Nike Air Force 1 shoes, created by designer Bruce Kilgore, first hit the sneaker scene in 1982. Their release marked the debut of AF cushioning, a revolutionary technology that provided additional support and comfort beneath the sole. It’s no surprise, then, that professional NBA players, including six of the biggest names at the time, were lining up to give these performance-focused trainers a try on the basketball court.

In the early days of the AF1, it was conceived as a high top, but later models branched out to low and mid styles, available across multiple colourways (such as white, black, pink, and blue). Today, you’ll find a variety of celebrity figures wearing AF1s, from Drake to Bella Hadid. If you want to join them, browse the collection here at JD Sports Australia.

Nike Air Force 1 Low Tops

The Air Force 1 low sneaker was released in 1983 (one year after the high top), catching the attention of the sneakerhead community and being presented as a casual alternative to the original. Production of the AF1 low ended in ’84 at the end of its year lifecycle, but the demand was so great that Nike eventually caved and brought back the sneaker in ’86.

In the late ’90s, the sneakers became a symbol of the everyday hustler, admired in equal part for their design and comfort. Idolised by some of the biggest rap artists, the low was taken to new heights by the hip-hop community. It remains the most popular version of the shoe to date.

Nike Air Force 1 Mid Tops

The Nike Air Force 1 mid was launched in 1994, following in the footsteps of the original AF1. Upon the release of the new model, it wasn’t an immediate hit, but decades later, the sneaker has become a star in its own right. This is largely thanks to celebrities like ASAP Rocky, who created a surge of interest in the mids when he wore them on stage in the early 2000s.

Nike Air Force 1 High Tops

The high-top version of the Air Force 1s was the original design released in ’82. With a focus on performance, Nike were targeting the basketball market. It was Bruce Kilgore’s first attempt at a basketball silo, bringing with it several innovations that placed it ahead of the typical basketball sneaker. Because of the cut of the tread, it provided more flexibility than most while also introducing the now quintessential, circular outsole, which allowed players to manoeuvre more easily without losing grip.