John Kim 
Knock three off the list: Air Jordan VI, Nike Dunk High, Nike LeBron 8. For the next category of custom sneakers, we’re diverting back to Nike Sportswear classics, and in this case, the most iconic Nike Basketball shoe in history. The classic white-on-white Air Force 1 became a popular custom-sneaker canvas, as painting the faces of some notable figures (anywhere from Barack Obama to Spongebob Squarepants) or even fashioning the swooshes and uppers with faux-luxury print from high-end European design houses became a common method of customization. The timeless nature of the Air Force 1 will forever make it a relevant shoe, and these eight different Air Force 1 customs depict the wide range of custom concepts over 28 years of existence, so take a look at the Nike Air Force 1 customs after the jump and vote for your favorite at the very end!
NIKE AIR FORCE 1 MID ‘HOMER SIMPSON’
Designed by: Pimp My Kicks
Homer Simpson is long regarded as one of the greatest television characters in history, and Pimp My Kicks paid homage to the worlds laziest father by painting the upper in cartoon style and using Homer-specific details like his precious locks of hair and his favorite pastry dessert. We’ll leave you with one of Homer’s greatest quotes: “A bee bit my bottom, and now my bottom is big.”
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NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW ‘808s & HEARTBREAK’
Designed by: MACHE
Kanye West has a unique influence to the sneaker game, which culminated in Nike’s production and release of an actual Kanye West shoe (called the Air Yeezy). Before the release of the Yeezy, sneaker customizer MACHE fashioned these Air Force 1 Lows inspired by the album artwork from Kanye’s 808s & Heartbreak album, which uses a tweed material similar to Kanye’s suit and the funky artwork in the background on the heel and swoosh.
NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW ‘MERCURIAL VAPOR ELITE’
Designed by: C2
Last year’s World Cup was one of the biggest events of the year, so sneaker customizer C2 took the uber-sexy Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Elite cleat and transformed it into an Air Force 1. One of the cleanest sneaker customs we’ve ever seen is deserving of one of the eight spots in this Sneaker News Battle Of The Customs.
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NIKE AIR FORCE 1 ‘HAUTE CHARTUCERIE’
Designed by: BlackYard
Welcome the the meat-eater’s sneaker. This Nike Air Force 1 Low custom was on display at Art Clash 09, for which artist BlackYard displayed this beef carcass-inspired sneaker and hung it on meat hook. Put that salad fork down and se the extra detailed shots and dope display below.
NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW ‘JAILBREAKER’ SERIES IV
Designed by: AKALAZY
This particular project was done for Air Force 1 aficionado DJ Clark Kent, whose sneaker closet will always have spot for a pair of Forces in his ever-tightening sneaker closet. A tonal distressed denim upper is featured with yellow contrast stitching, perhaps a pre-cursor the recent release of the Air Force 1 Low Premium ‘Denim.
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Designed by: J2
All of the featured Air Force 1 Low custom sneakers have a unique concept as its inspiration, but sometimes all you need to do is take one sick colorway and slap it on another shoe. J2 took the Nike Air Max 1 ‘Atmos’ colorway and transferred it impeccably onto a pair of Forces, using the elephant print on the heel and the eye-popping teal on the swoosh and heel-tab.
NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW ‘TROPICAL SUNSET’
Designed by: Ecentrik Artistry
The Nike Air Force 1 Low is a can’t-go-wrong summer shoe, which is why this most recent Air Force 1 custom makes plain ol’ sense. Using a tropical beach as the theme, this white-on-white Air Force 1 has been transformed into a scenic backdrop, depicting the final minutes before the sun calls it a day.
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NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW ‘BENTLEY’
Designed by: JGOODS
This particular Air Force 1 Low custom was commissioned by an All-Star MLB player, one who wished for his $78 shoes to match his much more expensive car. Torii Hunter, outfielder for the Angels, hit up JGOODS for this special project, which features a signature Bentley grill on the heel with Hunter’s ’48’ logo.
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