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What is the history of Nike’s “Air Force 1,” which started as a basketball shoe and has now become a standard sneaker?
The birth of the Air Force 1 “as a basketball shoe equipped with the latest features of the time.
The Air Force 1 was first introduced to the market in 1982 as a basketball shoe equipped with ” Nike Air. It was designed by Bruce Kilgore (BRUCE KILGORE). When they were first released, only a high-cut model was available, followed by a low-cut model. The shoe was equipped with various state-of-the-art features that were unprecedented at the time, such as air cushioning in the heel, pivot points on the outsole, and ankle straps for improved fitting.
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The first high-cut model, known as the “Air Force Zero” with a white upper and silver Swoosh, initially did not have ventilation holes in the instep. Later, due to players’ requests, it was added, and conversely, that was the only major change from the time of its release. The Air Force 1 was Nike’s first basketball shoe, but it was already of such high quality that it could be called a finished product.
Discontinuation and Revival of the Air Force 1 “Once discontinued, the Air Force 1 was revived by ardent demand from fans.
In 1986, Air Force 2, the successor to Air Force 1, was released. Although the Air Force 1 was discontinued along with the Air Force 2, its popularity in the street basketball scene and among general users remained strong, and there were many requests for its revival. Three shoe stores in the Baltimore area, Charlie Doe Sports, Downtown Locker Room, and Cinderella Shoes, appealed directly to Nike headquarters to re-release the Air Force 1. Upon receiving the offer, Nike headquarters decided to re-release the Air Force 1 exclusively at these three stores on the condition that 1,200 pairs per color be sold.
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As soon as the Air Force 1 went on sale at the three Baltimore stores, which later became known as the “3 Amigos,” users rushed to the stores after hearing the rumors. People from the East Coast would travel to Baltimore to purchase Air Force 1s. The popularity of the Air Force 1 led to the reissue of the first original model in 1988. In the 1990s, the Air Force 1 was officially re-released outside of the Baltimore area.
Popularity of the Air Force 1: “From a basketball shoe, the Air Force 1 has become a popular street shoe model.
With features such as air cushioning and ankle straps, the Air Force 1 was originally created as a high-tech sneaker, but in 1985, the “Air Jordan” was introduced. With the rise of high-tech shoes, led by the Air Jordan series, which pursued further functionality as basketball shoes, the Air Force 1 gradually shifted from its position as a basketball shoe to a street shoe. In 1994, a more fashionable mid-cut version of the Air Force 1 was released.
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Collaborations and concept models have solidified the popularity of the Air Force 1.
In 2002, hip-hop musician Nelly released a song called “Air Force Ones” named after the Air Force 1. Air Force Ones,” a song named after Air Force 1, which reached the top three on the Billboard charts. In addition, the company released collaborative and concept models with many artists and fashion brands. An apparel store in uptown New York City became the source of the Air Force 1 trend.
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Materials were also gradually updated, with the ankle strap now made of leather and a variety of materials used for the upper, including canvas, patent, and nubuck. In recent years, Nike has developed a number of models that pursue trends in addition to comfort, such as models with ultra soles and Lunarlon materials to reduce weight, models with flyknit uppers, and models inspired by military boots, establishing them as a representative pair of street shoes.
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