Sneaker News 
Before the sneaker culture exploded into what it is today, hype and info on the latest kicks were really just a word of mouth thing, and for the most part, most of the hottest sneakers around weren’t quickstrikes or limited releases or collaborations. They were just fresh kicks that you would see in your local sneaker spot. While some of us were smart enough to preserve some OG gems, we all have plenty of regrets about some classic treasures that we beat into the ground. In the case of some of these blasts from the past, we couldn’t have ever known that they would eventually be considered classics.
The Air Force 1 has been around for almost 30 years, and in that time, we’ve seen the iconic style dipped in almost every color combo imaginable. While the AF1 has been a sneaker style staple since its conception, its popularity has seen some peaks and valleys through the years. In the mid to late 90’s, Nike was pushing boundaries with progressive new designs and many older or lower profile releases flew under the radar.
Back in 1997, shortly before the Air Force 1 explosion that kicked off the new millennium, most AF1 colorways were still pretty basic, so when something like this popped up, it definitely stood apart from the pack. Thanks to the simple, stylish color scheme, the “Mushroom” Air Force 1 has endured the test of time to be considered by many to be a classic. The tan upper and outsole came together with the white midsole and navy Swoosh to comprise one of the most luxurious and outside-the-box looks that had ever been seen on the AF1 silhouette at the time.
As you can see, this pair has seen some good use in the last 13 years and although it’s bittersweet to imagine how nice a crisp never-worn pair would be right now, that would negate the years of pleasurable wear and the whole intended purpose of owning a pair of hot kicks in the first place. Let this be a reminder to the all the younger collectors and DS stackers out there, that while its nice to keep them crisp, knowing that you have some fresh heat on ice in the closet doesn’t always measure up to the satisfaction that can be felt by putting those soles to concrete.
