A Review Of The Nike Air Force 1 ’07 Sneakers

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The list of sneakers that can claim to have had near instant success while managing to stay relevant for several decades without even a slight dip in popularity is a short one. Easily sitting at the forefront of this exclusive class is the Nike Air Force 1, which has commanded cultural importance from inception. Without a doubt, Nike's ultra famous basketball inspired silhouette is the company's best selling shoe of all time.

Even anecdotally speaking, for my first adventure abroad after graduating high school, I proudly purchased the Nike Air Force 1 mid tops in black leather with a pink swoosh on the side as my preferred travel sneaker. Of course they looked great, but admittedly my decision to choose them was influenced in part because of their mainstream prominence at the time. That was twenty years ago, and yet it's remarkable how the shoe's popularity hasn't waned at all since then.

Released in 1982, designer Bruce Kilgore cleverly incorporated inspiration from an existing Nike hiking boot to create the first basketball shoe to use Nike's revolutionary lightweight Air cushioning technology. This unique innovation marked a significant milestone in achieving an unprecedented level of performance in athletic sneakers at the time. It quickly received the stamp of approval from professional basketball players, which then solidified its legitimacy among discerning sneaker connoisseurs who appreciated the sneaker's simple yet elegant lines.

With all of that said, you might be wondering if it's still a worthy option today. I decided to test the Nike Air Force 1 ’07 sneakers in the stealthy triple black colorway to find out.

Materials & Construction

The Nike Air Force 1 ’07 is comprised entirely of an attractive tactile textured leather upper and a reinforced rubber sole. The shoe feels incredibly well crafted, and I admire its simplicity in regards to the types of materials used.

There's no mesh to be found here, as you'll find only leather and rubber on the exterior. As a result, this is a very durable shoe that can undoubtedly take a beating and one that is easy to clean as well.

I normally don't care much for all black or all white sneakers, but the masterful layering of details, the smooth lines, and immaculate stitching hold enough visual interest for it to work together beautifully here. Specifically, the way the Nike swoosh overlay and rubber toe cap are stitched is a visually pleasing sight to behold.

Leather sneakers tend to look great, but can be pretty inflexible until they've had plenty of time to be broken in. That's why I was somewhat surprised to find that the shoe isn't overly stiff even out of the box. This shoe is reasonably comfortable right away following a short break in period.

Although you might not even notice that it's there until you press down firmly, the Nike Air Force 1 ’07 sports excellent heel cushioning. But while there's also sufficient comfort in the forefoot area, it doesn't feel quite as robust. Overall though, the slightly lesser cushioning in the forefoot doesn't seem to be taking anything away from the general experience of wearing the shoe.

Speaking of cushioning, both the heel collar and ankle area have no shortage of comfy padding. Likewise, the tongue has a moderate amount of padding but because it's essentially encased in the ankle padding area, the amount of protection is still largely excellent.

Comfort & Performance

In terms of fit, the Nike Air Force 1 ’07 is somewhere between true to size and half a size down. Despite me being a size 10 in most other sneakers, the 9.5 size that I picked up fits me perfectly. The shoe provides a cozy snug fit that hugs your foot in a way that feels reassuring. In fact, you don't even need to tie the laces for the sneaker to stay on securely, which is also a testament to a well designed shoe.

Breathability is an important aspect of comfort. So it's nice to see that the shoe has perforations on the toe area for added ventilation. While it certainly isn't as breathable as mesh, it's a thoughtful addition with practical benefits.

The outsole of the Nike Air Force 1 ’07 is plenty grippy for use in urban environments such as on concrete. However, it doesn't have quite enough traction to be recommended for slippery surfaces or hiking trails.

It also shouldn't be used as a dedicated running sneaker, as there are better options for that such as the New Balance 530. The difference in comfort and performance in the NB 530 is in another league entirely. Theoretically, you could play basketball in the Nike Air Force 1 ’07 and it wouldn't be problematic, but the all leather construction may prevent you from being as agile as you might be in a modern specialized performance basketball shoe.

There's only one notable downside I encountered in use with the Nike Air Force 1 ’07. When walking, I found that my heel would rise out of the shoes slightly with each step even though the overall fit was quite snug. It's certainly something I can get used to, but it was mildly annoying to be honest. On the whole however, this is a sneaker with more than adequate comfort that can be worn everyday without being a burden.

Pros

• Stylish iconic design
• Pairs well with nearly any outfit
• Affordable price point
• Durable leather and rubber construction provides peace of mind for longterm use
• Easy to clean
• Ample comfort for walking

Cons

• Leather upper has a tendency to crease easily
• Doesn't hug the heel of the foot as well as other sneakers
• Not the best choice for use as an athletic shoe

Verdict

The Nike Air Force 1 ’07 isn't the perfect sneaker for athletes, and for situations where you'll be on your feet all day long there are better options. But as a general use daily driver the comfort it provides is more than sufficient. Although this shoe might fall a bit short in performance, it more than makes up for it with style.

Whereas other popular sneakers' claim to fame is their highly technical and sometimes flashy design, the Nike Air Force 1 ’07 has an understated monochromatic philosophy that perfectly suits the aesthetically inclined. It's quite simply the most minimalist basketball sneaker ever. And because of this, it pairs well with almost everything.

Lastly, this legendary shoe gets my stamp of approval for its very reasonable price given the value it provides. You're getting a durable sneaker with a timeless silhouette, all wrapped up in some incredibly sleek colorways that easily get noticed. The Nike Air Force 1 ’07 was already an icon back when I was young, and it still happens to be the king today.