- SHARE:
Many sneakers have waves of hype behind them. You don’t want to be caught out there looking out of style with your next pickup. If you’re considering some AF1s, it’s only natural to wonder “Are Air Force 1 popular still?”
Air Force 1: Still Popular To This Day
Nike Air Force 1s remain popular to this day. They are among Nike’s best selling sneakers year after year. While trends come and go, the sneaker stays a classic whether you are into collecting sneakers or not.
The AF1 might not always be what’s hyped up at the moment. There’s not always a “buzz” around the model. So, some might see the times when there are no hyped up Air Force 1s and assume that they are not still popular.
Yet the AF1 continues to remain one of Nike’s top sellers year after year. If a shoe is consistently one of the best sellers of the most famous sneaker brand, then it is easily among the most popular sneakers out there. This is why Nike keeps making the sneakers in mass quantities in dozens of colorways every year. No one except the most insufferably snobbish hypebeasts are going to make fun of you for rocking some Air Force 1s.
The standard white on white Air Force 1 is of course a constant seller that is available everywhere. I don’t have the actual data on this, but I’m willing to bet that this sneaker alone accounts for a bulk of AF1 sales. It’s a perfect sneaker to buy when you don’t know what other sneaker to get and don’t want to take a chance on buying something “uncool”.
I’ve been to multiple places in the US and around the world and I’ve seen the Air Force 1 at least once on someone’s feet nearly everywhere I’ve gone. That alone tells me that regardless what is hot at the moment, the AF1 is always a presence.
Why Are Air Force Ones So Popular?
The classic look, proportions, availability, comfort and wearability all factor into the Air Force 1s popularity. Air Force 1s look stylish with most casual outfits and have a rich history that appeals to sneaker fanatics.
The Nike Air Force 1 has experienced a resurgence in popularity, as fashion moves in waves.
Nike smartly continues to release retros and new colorways to ensure that the model is always in stores in one form or another. As Nike has perfected manufacturing hype, it has gotten into a rhythm producing a good mix of accessible pairs and limited releases. Sneakerheads can go after the limited joints while others can join the club too with one of the plethora of general releases.
The sneaker has a timeless look, but also appeals to retro and vintage fanatics. Even though it evokes the bulky 1980s sneaker aesthetic, the lines and paneling allow it to blend in with nearly any trend (except when low profile “sock-sneakers” were all the rage). It’s become a “uniform” of sorts for streetwear and most Nike collectors have at least one pair.
For a retro, the shoe is also very comfortable. The roomy fit gives a bit more room to breathe than the typical narrow Nike fit. While the midsole contains older Nike Air tech, the insoles are typically comfy and the height puts a decent amount of distance between the wearer and the ground.
Occasionally, the sneaker takes a backseat to other “shoes of the moment”, but always resurfaces. Regardless if the AF1 is currently an “it” sneaker, it still sells well and remains a popular choice.
Who Made Air Force Ones Popular
Initially, NBA superstars initiated the Air Force 1’s rise in popularity. Sneaker shop exclusives, celebrity endorsements and even popular musicians have helped the AF1 stay consistently popular for decades.
The presence of the new Nike Air tech in combination with the NBA player advertising campaign kick-started the sneaker’s popularity.
Upon the initial 1982 release of the model as a basketball shoe, Nike got 6 NBA stars of the time to promote the sneaker. Nike’s at-the-time new Air tech was a big factor here. Nike’s advertising could capitalize off of the “Air” theme, even though the Air unit is hidden in the shoe’s midsole.
As time has gone on, Nike has mastered the art of the collab. Typically, celebrity endorsements and/or high-profile collaborations drive sneaker hype, which causes the model to surge in popularity. As the model’s popularity begins to dip slightly, Nike can time a high-profile limited release or celebrity collab to keep the model top of mind.
For example, after a bit of a lull, the AF1’s clout surged in the 2000s thanks to Nelly’s “Air Force Ones” song. As time has gone on, Nike has not been coy with using celebrity endorsements to move the needle. Collaborations with Travis Scott, UNDFTD, a Ma Maniere and others keep the sneaker on the frontlines of popularity.
Long story short, celebrities, collabs and limited releases have ensured that the Air Force 1 remains consistently popular. Bursts of hype help keep the sneaker top-of-mind in the current fashion landscape.
When Air Force Ones Became Popular
The Air Force 1 gained popularity beginning in 1983 with the release of the lowtop version of the shoe. A lower cut meant wider accessibility for those wanting a low-key yet popular basketball shoe that is easier to wear.
While the high top AF1 got some attention via the aforementioned celebrity basketball endorsements, the sneaker would truly become popular when the low cut version released.
In Baltimore, trendy folks would constantly clamor for the next lowtop AF1 release, making the town a hotspot for early 80s sneakerheads. Being able to cop a fresh pair every time a new color came out, with limited availability, saw the Air Force become linked with exclusivity. The “color of the month” releases that came out in conjunction with some well-known spots in Baltimore helped Nike gain some of its first experience in working with retailer exclusives.
Today, Nike continues the idea of exclusivity which makes some pairs of the model have some hype behind them, even while other “in the moment” models are enjoying some popularity. You can almost guarantee the next limited release of Air Force 1 is just around the corner, and this has been a trend that has existed since the first low top pairs were released in the 80s.
Air Forces Are Still Trending
Air Force 1s are always trending as far as overall sales for Nike. They consistently are among the brand’s top selling shoes. Hype for the sneaker comes and goes, but Nike is getting increasingly savvy at maximizing hype for the model.
It’s impossible to be off trend in some 1s. In my personal view, it’s the definition of a timeless sneaker.
The accessibility and universal appeal of the silhouette has manifested in high sales, particularly the all white and all black versions. So, even without the hype, the sneaker sells well, being viewed by many as a “standard” or “go to” casual shoe.
As far as hype goes, the sneaker may not always be top of mind as far as Sneaker News type websites or social media. But Nike still releases sought after pairs to this day. Plus, the sneaker has matured to become a bit of a staple as outlined above. So even if we are in a period where the model is not hype, you will still look on trend rocking a pair.
Celebrities, shops and brands still often collaborate on the model thanks to the versatility the sneaker allows in terms of palette and materials. Just when you think the sneaker has slipped in status, a new collab gets announced and BOOM – the AF1 is hype again.
Air Force Ones Are Still Stylish Now
Air Force Ones remain permanently stylish as far as streetwear goes. There may be other silhouettes that take more of a spotlight, however the AF1 is never “uncool”.
For example, the Air Force 1 Flax is so popular, it releases every fall! Certain colorways make their way in and out of stock all the time and sell out instantly.
Whether it’s a dirty white pair of 1s or a collaboration with Supreme, Air Forces are bound to be seen on the feet of more people than almost any other Nike, if sales figures are any indication. Anytime I scroll through social media sites like Instagram looking at sneakers, it’s almost a guarantee that I will see at least one pair of Forces.
In conclusion, the AF1 ain’t going anywhere! If you aren’t sure whether or not a pair of AF1s are going to make you look out of style, don’t worry. The shoe is increasingly popular whether it’s a mass produced pair or an extremely limited release. In my opinion, the only thing to watch for is the quality of pairs. Personally I recommend going for the more premium releases, but you really can’t go wrong no matter what pair you choose.
Buy Air Force 1s Online:
Related Air Force 1 Articles
If you are a fan of the Air Force 1, check out these other articles I’ve written about the model: