The AF1
Timeless is a word that you can truly only use for a handful of shoes. Chucks, of course, falls into that category; as do shoes like the Nike Cortez or Air Max. While I could list a couple more solid examples for you, there’s nothing that can compare to my personal favorite: The Air Force One.
Air in a Box
Those were the simple, yet effective words used to market this now iconic sneaker when it launched in 1982. Launched originally as basketball shoes, Air Force 1s are the first shoe that featured a pocket filled with air in the heel for cushioning and support while playing. As a company new to the sport of basketball, the AF1 was the the shoe that put the primarily running company on the map for hoopers everywhere.
The Initial Design
While few of us know his name, Bruce Kilgore is the Legend behind the design of the AF1. The inspiration was taken from the “Nike Approach” hiking boot but was updated slightly to give it flexibility while not sacrificing support. One groundbreaking design that the AF1 featured was the circular pattern on the sole allowing for better pivoting on the court. This was noticeably different from the more traditional herringbone.
One of the first people to test out the the shoe was a man named Tinker Hatfield, a fairly new corporate architect (seriously) for Nike. A few years later Hatfield made the transition from designing buildings to designing shoes.
The Release
As soon as the shoes released in 1982, they were an instant success. The “Original Six” were signed by Nike to debut the Air Force 1s on the court. The Six consisted of Moses Malone (Philadelphia 76ers), Michael Cooper (L.A. Lakers), Bobby Jones (Philadelphia 76ers), Calvin Natt (Portland Trail Blazers), Mychal Thompson (Portland Trail Blazers), and Jamal Wilkes (L.A. Lakers). Despite the success and high demand, the shoe was discontinued after 2 short years. With no new shoes being released, old ones were being customized to give the appearance of new colorways.
The Return
With the demand for the return so high, three stores did the unheard of. Charlie Rudo Sports, Downtown Locker-room, and Cinderella Shoes went to Nike and proposed for them to bring back the shoe. At this point in time, this was something that wasn’t being done. Nobody wore the “old shoes” and Nike had never planned to spend their money to bring something back they’d already done. Although the idea was crazy, Nike took the chance with it. This is the beginning of a new era.
In 1986, the public’s prayers had been answered. Nike brought back the AF1 and this was solely (pun intended) due to the public’s demand. The three aforementioned stores were the only places you could get the sneaker. Nike gave them 1200 pairs to see how they’d do and they sold out like it was nothing. This is where the sneaker of the month started: A different color every month. People were coming to request colorways that were already in the works for months in advance.
The Impact
Over 30 years later, the AF1 is as big as ever. With over 2,000 variations including All Star, BHM, and Flyknits, it’s clear that the Air Force One is one of the most recognizable silhouettes out of all sneakers. At the pace everything is going, the Air Force 1 isn’t going away anytime soon.
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