Nike Air Force 1 FAQ

Answers to the most-common questions about the Air Force 1.

Author: Graeme Campbell Updated: September 24, 2024

How to lace Air Force 1s?

The Air Force 1 can be laced tightly or, for a more casual look, worn loose. The latter remains the most familiar method of styling the shoe, usually complementing relaxed pants. Worn tight or loose, the lacing style is typically carried out in a criss-cross pattern and applies to the Low, Mid and High silhouettes.

To ensure a uniform lacing style, remove the laces from the Air Force 1s. The laces are then threaded through the eyelets, with care taken to ensure they stay flat. They are then weaved in and out of the eyelets, in a criss-cross pattern. The pattern goes in through the eyelet, then across the eyelet on the other side. The laces should face up without any knots or twists.

What are the Air Force 1 upcoming releases?

Nike constantly refreshes the Air Force 1 range with new colorways and models. The latest releases can be found on our dedicated Air Force 1 page.

Upcoming and recent AF1 releases include:

How to style Air Force 1s?

The Air Force 1’s popularity goes hand-in-hand with its versatility; the silhouette can be worn with shorts in summer to jeans, cargo and baggy pants in winter. Due to its blocky profile, it is advisable to wear the Air Force 1 with relaxed pants that drape over the sneaker. If there is a preference for tapered or skinny pants, it is advisable to opt for a more streamlined shoe.

How much height does the Air Force 1 add?

Thanks to its considerable midsole and weighty toe box, the Air Force 1 adds roughly 1.18 inches, or 3 cm, to one’s height.

How much are Air Force 1s?

The Air Force 1 is available for $50 and up.

When did Nike Air Force 1s come out?

The Nike Air Force 1 first debuted in 1982, before being discontinued in 1984. The silhouette was then re-released in 1986.

Do Air Force 1s fit true to size?

Unlike most Nike shoes, the Air Force 1 fits large. It is recommended that the wearer opts for half a size down, or a full size down for a snug fit. This oversized fit is due to the rounded toe box, which generally offers more room.

Are Air Force 1s comfortable?

While a groundbreaking innovation at the time of release, Nike has since moved beyond its proprietary Air cushioning system. This means the Air Force 1 is no longer suited for sports, as was its intended purpose. Today, the Air Force 1 is an ideal lifestyle shoe, built for comfortable all-day wear.

How to prevent Air Force 1 creases?

Sneakers are made to be worn, and it is inevitable that any Air Force 1 will crease with time. In recent years, crease guards have emerged to mitigate against damaging the leather, and can be adapted to various sneakers. It is also advisable to use shoe trees to keep the leather in optimum shape.

How to clean Air Force 1s?

It is not recommended to machine wash Air Force 1s because of the shoe’s leather build. Instead, the shoe should be cleaned with specialist sneaker-care products. Find out how to maintain yours with our How to Clean Sneakers Guide.

What does “Have a Nike Day” mean?

“Have a Nike Day,” a play on “have a nice day,” was a retro slogan that Nike reintroduced to launch Sean Wotherspoon’s Air Max 97/1 in 2018. Nike has since released a colorful, smiley-centric collection of Air Force 1 and Air Max sneakers featuring the throwback slogan.

Where to buy Air Force 1s?

You can buy the Air Force 1 on GOAT. Explore a curated selection of sneakers in the grid below.

Do Air Force 1s come in women's sizing?

Yes, Nike makes women's Air Force 1s.

How do I know if my Nike AF1 is original?

GOAT uses machine-learning technology, digital authentication, in-hand verification or a combination of these methods to determine if sneakers are fake or real. By doing so, we seek to ensure the Nike Air Force 1s you purchase are both authentic and as-described.

Can men wear women’s Air Force 1s?

Men can wear women’s Air Force 1 sneakers. The conversion for women’s to men’s for Air Force 1s is typically 1.5 sizes. For example, if you wear a US men’s 9 in Air Force 1s, you would wear a US women’s 10.5.