The Air Force 1 has done it all. Arguably Nike’s most ubiquitous silhouette of all time, the AF1 made its debut in 1982 as a basketball performance sneaker. But it wasn’t long before the silhouette transcended the sport entirely, becoming one of the most inescapable and culturally relevant sneakers ever produced—a favorite of rappers, hoopers, and NYU students alike. There are cultural debates around which city gets to claim them (New York and Baltimore are the main contenders, and both would be offended at the implication that it’s even a question) and how many times you should wear a pair before they’re fully cooked. They’re at the center of sneaker culture and have been for longer than just about any other silhouette.
Over the years, some of the biggest collaborators in Nike history have left their stamp on the Air Force 1. There have been killer general releases, Friends & Family exclusives, and Player Editions that became the stuff of sneaker legend. Any list of the best of the best tends to run long and ours is no different. Here are our picks for the best Nike Air Force 1s of all time.
21. Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘Kobe Bryant’
While you probably most closely associate the Mamba with his iconic signature line at Nike, Kobe was lacing up all kinds of wild kicks during his now-legendary season as a sneaker free agent. Among them were a pair of Forces decked out in Lakers colors. Those shoes saw a public release for the first time ever late in 2024, and alongside them dropped these gems: Black AF1s embossed with the Mamba logo and finished with Lakers purple-and-gold on the Swoosh, limited to an appropriate 8,000 pairs.
20. Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘Howard University Yardrunners’
Read the full article here
