Andrew Rizzo Updated June 8th, 2024: Images of a sample pair of the Nike SB Air Force 1 have emerged. It’s not confirmed if this version is what’s set to drop next year, although it could be an indication of what to expect in terms of updated materials and construction.
In the wake of last year’s Nike SB Air Jordan 4 and new information regarding a Nike SB Air Max 95, Bruce Kilgore’s Air Force 1 is the next Beaverton silo to fly under the brand’s skate umbrella. Sneaker Files reports that a Nike SB Air Force 1 is in the works for 2025, teeing off anticipation for what’s sure to be one of next year’s most sought-after pick-ups.
The skate-tooled Nike SB Air Jordan 4 “Pine Green” of 2023 was an absolute success, earning “Sneaker Of The Year” praise from a wide cast of sneaker publications/figureheads. Given recent information about a new “Summit White/Navy” Nike SB AJ4 dropping next year, breaking news regarding a Nike SB Air Max 95 just the other day, and this latest development, it appears that we’re witnessing the early stages of a clear blueprint.
In comparison to most Air Jordan and Air Max shoes, the Air Force 1 stands out as a sensible model to be tapped for a skate re-tooling, but only on paper. People actually skated in the Air Jordan 1 (which has released as an SB multiple times) and Air Jordan 4 long before Nike came out with SB versions, but the Air Force 1 isn’t really called upon for skating due to its chunky sole. Even still, you don’t have to be a sneakerhead to identify Nike Dunk DNA, and moreover, Nike has actually gone down this line of thinking before. Consumers were infatuated by images of Nike SB Air Force 1 samples that surfaced online in the 2010s, many of which belong to a-list sneakerheads like DJ Clark Kent and Mayor. Most of those pairs, including AF1-soled versions of the Nike SB Dunk “Paris” and various Supreme x Nike SB Dunk “Cement” colorways, simply marry a Nike Dunk upper with an AF1 sole.
It remains to be seen how the upcoming Nike SB Air Force 1 will actualize in 2025, but at the very least, we can safely assume the shoes will come with skate-ready enhancements, visible or otherwise (like Zoom Air insoles). Sneakerheads will have to exercise patience while we wait on additional info/images, but in the meantime, enjoy detailed shots of those aforementioned Nike SB Air Force 1 samples below.
