The Nike Air Force 1, introduced in 1982, was the first basketball shoe to use Nike Air cushioning.
Designer Bruce Kilgore created the shoe for basketball, drawing inspiration from hiking boots and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Its name refers to Air Force One, the aircraft used by the president of the United States.
The Air Force 1 originally appeared as a high-top with an ankle strap, followed by low-top and mid-top versions. Nike briefly discontinued the model in 1984, but demand from sneaker shops and collectors helped bring it back.
A common mix-up is confusing the Air Force 1 with the Air Jordan 1. The Air Jordan 1 arrived later, in 1985, while the Air Force 1 was Nike’s earlier Air-cushioned basketball model. The shoe later became a major lifestyle and hip-hop staple.