As the first Nike Air basketball shoe, the Air Force 1 started in performance yet became a cultural phenomenon. Its debut in 1982 marked a new era in Nike innovation, thanks to its remarkable cushioning. In the decades since, the AF1 became Nike’s most iterated design of all time and has released in hundreds of remixed models and colorways.

After Nike tried for more than two years to bring Air into basketball shoes, designer Bruce Kilgore took the lead, relentlessly prioritizing function for the rigors of the game. He worked with engineers and podiatrists to put Nike Air technology in basketball shoes.

Along the way, he gathered inspiration from college players, streetballers, and even a Nike hiking boot called the Approach.

The final result was indeed a game-changer. Kilgore and his team created a new Nike Air unit just for the AF1, with functional details throughout the shoe: full-grain leather for durability, toe piece perforations for breathability, concentric outsole circles for traction, and padding for heel, Achilles, and ankle protection.

Beyond elevating Nike’s basketball line, the AF1’s utilitarian aesthetic, bold advertisements, and athlete co-signs attracted the culture.

After a brief hiatus, retailers in Baltimore led the silhouette’s resurgence. Combined with limited models, adoption from the hip-hop and fashion communities, and special collaborations, the AF1 remains an ever-evolving icon.