Nike SB Air Force 1: A First Look

The Air Force 1 – a shoe so ingrained in global trainer lore that explaining it feels a bit like explaining what toast is.

Big sole… sturdy build… seen everywhere from basketball courts to late-night shop runs. A certified all-timer, but not necessarily a shoe you’d grab for a skate.

Until now.

This is the Nike SB Air Force 1, a full-on rework of a timeless classic built for skateboarding.

Nike SB have made a habit of reworking classics. The Jordan 4, the AM95 and it’s easy to forget even SB staples like Dunks and Blazers are remixes of “civilian” models.

This might be one of the most complete updates yet.

Nike SB Air Force 1 Features: Lower Profile, Better Fit, Improved Board Feel

Traditional Air Force 1s are known for their chunky build. Solid underfoot, but not exactly ideal when it comes to board feel.

The SB version changes that, with a reduced midsole height, lower internal foot positioning, shortened heel, and a refined overall shape.

The result is a shoe that feels closer to your board without losing the Air cushioning in the heel.

There are also a few tell-tale signs this has had the SB treatment:
• Big puffy tongue
• Rounded laces
• Extra padding in all the right spots
• Internal straps so your foot’s not doing a runner mid-session
• Proper grippy tread pattern
• Stitch-turned seams (similar to the Nike SB AM95)

The fit has also been reworked, especially through the toe box. It’s wider, a bit more forgiving, and sits somewhere between a standard Air Force 1 and an SB Dunk.

Not too bulky. Not too slim. A proper Goldilocks job.

Nike SB Air Force 1 Release Date & NOTE Manchester Launch Event

Before landing properly, these have been doing the rounds on Nike SB’s Creased Tour over in the US – getting skated, battered, and put through their paces across the East Coast.