The Nike Air Force 1 is possibly the most iconic sneaker from Nike. It has stayed relevant for decades now. Learn about the classic sneaker below.
1
The Nike Air Force 1 was designed by Bruce Kilgore. The now iconic shoe debuted on shelves in 1982. The Air Force 1 was the first basketball shoe to utilize Nike Air technology. It pioneered a soft, springy, and cushioned fit for the game of basketball.
80s
NBA players during the early 80s era wore the Nike Air Force 1 and helped to raise its profile. Basketball stars like Moses Malone, Bobby Jones and Jammal Wilkes wore the shoe on the court. The style, mixed with the technology, made it a revolutionary product for Nike.
Culture
It is currently a fashion staple and one of the most recognizable shoes Nike has ever produced. The Air Force 1 has been boosted in popular culture largely because of how it has been embraced by rappers and influential celebrities across the globe.
Stays Fresh
Nike is constantly updating and remixing the look and feel of the Air Force 1. This has allowed the shoe to stay fresh and in demand. Pairing it with designers like Virgil Abloh has also let the Nike Air Force 1 remain prevalent in the public eye.
NIKE, Inc.
In 1971, Nike would become the new name of the company. The winged Greek goddess of victory inspired the name. The iconic Nike Swoosh was also created in 1971. A graphic design student created the world famous logo. The logo was crafted to convey speed and the goddess Nike was its inspiration. The first shoes to feature the Nike Swoosh were the Nike Cleat and the Nike Waffle Racer at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
The first Nike factory location opened in 1984 in Portland, Oregon. This led to the first Niketown opening in 1990, which was also located in Portland. Niketown was able to broaden the storytelling ability of the brand. Consumers could interact with the products in the store, learn more about them, and the athletes that endorsed them. More Niketown locations would quickly follow. Locations that would be placed all over the world. This would strengthen Nike’s status as a global retailer.
In 1996, Nike launched nike.com. The site focused on storytelling initially. It gave site visitors the chance to learn more about Nike’s large list of athletes. Storytelling has always been an important part of Nike’s brand. The storytelling has grown more mythical and epic as time passes on for Nike.
The Nike website got bigger and more unique in 1998 when NikeiD launched. The ability for the consumer to customize their own Nikes was trailblazing at the time. In 1999, the site fully transitioned from an editorial hub to an e-commerce platform.
Shoe Palace
Shoe Palace has had the privilege of carrying Nike Air Force 1 shoes for decades now. They have consistently been one of our most in demand products – especially the AF1 in white. You can find the Nike Air Force 1 and Nike products at Shoe Palace.
- Adam C. Better
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