Matt Varga The Nike Air Force 1 was famously tooled for basketball at one time, now receding in that lane in favor of modern tech and tooling and stamped unquestionably as one of the most massive style icons out of Beaverton. Yet arguably the buzziest it’s been in recent years has been in returning to performance, albeit in a different sport entirely. As the Nike SB Air Force 1 remains a steady drumbeat on the headlines, we’re catching wind of a black suede, gum-soled variation first spotted just days before publishing.
Worn by a Nike SB representative at this weekend’s release of the Bluetile Nike SB Dunk Low, the Nike SB Air Force 1 Low “Black/Gum” finds excellence in simplicity. A black nubuck upper build is joined by the classic skate combo of white midsoles and gum outsoles, finished with a white leather backtab. Though here hidden by some jumbo carpenter pants, assuredly the same skate-ready hallmarks (slouchy build, additional padding around the foot entrance) remain in place.
Overall, this continues a straightforward streak for the retooled silhouette. “Wheat,” black/blue, and brown/black executions are confirmed for releases later this year, while even Yuto Horigome’s collab edition leans on a restrained palette to match custom branding.
The Nike SB Air Force 1 “Black/Gum”
