Nike SB Air Force 1 – Made To Skate

The original Air Force 1 came out back in 1982. It was Nike’s first basketball shoe with visible Air, started as a high top, and turned into one of the most iconic sneakers ever made. It left the courts fast and became a street culture staple that has been around for over 40 years. Nike SB has reworked just about every other classic for skateboarding, but they left the notorious AF1 alone until now. They finally built a dedicated skate version that keeps everything people love about the AF1 while making it actually perform on a board.

Nike SB has reworked just about every other classic silhouette for skating since they started in 2002, but they left the AF1 alone until now. They finally built a dedicated skate version that keeps everything people love about the AF1 while making it actually perform on a board.

They kept the low top shape but made real changes underneath. The midsole sits lower with a dropped footbed so you get way better board feel and more flex in the forefoot. There is still a heel Air unit for cushion when you land tricks. The outsole uses a modified herringbone tread that gives solid grip without being too stiff. Up top they added a thick padded collar with memory foam and hidden internal straps so your foot stays locked in whether your laces are tight or loose. The tongue is reinforced and padded, the toe profile is reshaped for better flick control, and the seams are built tougher with stitch-turned construction to hold up to daily skating.

Nike did this iteration of the AF1 because skaters have been rocking regular AF1s for decades anyway. The team listened to their riders and the wider skate community, took years of feedback, and finally made a version that works properly on a board without messing up the classic look and feel. As one of the designers put it, they had to find the right balance between delivering for skateboarders and honoring an icon.This is the AF1 skaters have been waiting for. Clean, durable, comfortable right out the box, and built to actually skate.

We are releasing the Light Orewood Brown colorway this Friday. It comes in full premium suede with that creamy soft brown tone. Pink Foam hits show up on the heel tab and insole for a subtle pop, the midsole is clean white, and the outsole is gum for a classic look.

Release Information

• Friday, April 17
• First come, first served
• In-store 11AM EDT
• Online 2PM EDT
• Sizes 6M-15M available
• MSRP $120
• One pair per customer