Is Air Force 1 still trending?

By Anthony Levine, Updated: 11-24-2021

Many sneakers have waves of hype behind them. You don’t want to be caught out there looking out of style with your next pickup. If you’re considering some AF1s, it’s only natural to wonder “Are Air Force 1 popular still?”

Yes, Nike Air Force 1s are popular to this day. They are consistently Nike’s best selling sneaker year after year.

Click/tap image to shop for these on eBay!

There’s hype, which alludes to the “buzz” around certain releases or models. Then there’s popularity, which can be looked at in terms of sales. If a shoe is consistently the best seller of the biggest sneaker brand, then it is easily the most popular sneaker out there.

The standard white on white Air Force 1 is of course a constant seller that is available everywhere. I don’t have the actual data on this, but I’m willing to bet that this sneaker alone accounts for a bulk of AF1 sales. It’s a perfect sneaker to buy when you don’t know what other sneaker to get and don’t want to take a chance on buying something “uncool”.

Why Are Air Force Ones So Popular?

The classic yet stylish look, proportions, availability, comfort and wearability all factor into the Air Force 1s popularity. Air Force 1s look great with most casual outfits and have a rich history that appeals to sneaker fanatics.

Click/tap image to shop for these on eBay!

The Nike Air Force 1 has experienced a resurgence in popularity, as fashion moves in waves. Occasionally, the sneaker takes a backseat to other “shoes of the moment”, but always resurfaces. Regardless if the AF1 is currently an “it” sneaker, it still sells the most and always remains a popular choice.

Who Made Air Force Ones Popular?

Collaborations with Travis Scott, UNDFTD, a Ma Maniere and others keep the sneaker on the frontlines of popularity. The AF1’s clout previously surged in the 2000s thanks to Nelly’s “Air Force Ones” song along with other celebrity endorsements.

Click/tap image to shop for these on eBay!

Upon the initial 1982 release of the model as a basketball shoe, Nike got 6 NBA stars of the time to promote the sneaker. Nike’s at-the-time new Air tech being hidden in the midsole in combination with the NBA player advertising campaign kick-started the sneaker’s popularity.

Typically, celebrity endorsements and/or high-profile collaborations drive sneaker hype, which causes the model to surge in popularity. While a shoe like the Air Force 1 remains consistently popular, bursts of hype help keep the sneaker top-of-mind in the current fashion landscape.

When Did Air Force Ones Become Popular?

The Air Force 1 gained popularity beginning in 1983 with the release of the lowtop version of the shoe. Lower cuts means wider accessibility for those wanting a low-key yet popular basketball shoe that is easier to wear.

Click/tap image to shop for these on eBay!

In Baltimore, trendy folks would constantly clamor for the next AF1 release, making the town a hotspot for early 80s sneakerheads. Being able to cop a fresh pair every time a new color came out, with limited availability saw the Air Force become linked with exclusivity.

Today as hundreds of thousands of pairs are churned out, the ability to have eye-catching palettes and limited versions keeps the sneaker a mainstay in the community. If you can’t get the collaborative pairs, you can at least get a colorway that suits you, provided it doesn’t sell out immediately. If all else fails, there’s always the trusty white/white pair that is consistently available.

Are Air Forces Still Trending?

Air Force 1s are always trending as far as overall sales for Nike. They consistently take first place in the brand’s top selling shoes. Hype for the sneaker of course goes in waves.

It’s impossible to be off trend in some 1s. The accessibility and universal appeal of the silhouette has manifested in high sales, particularly the all white and all black versions. It appears as though both colorways are permanently trendy and the odds are sneakerheads and non-sneakerheads alike can keep at least one pair of AF1 in the collection with little fear of them being “uncool”.

As far as hype goes, the sneaker may not always be top of mind as far as Sneaker News type websites. However, celebrities and brands often collaborate on the model thanks to the versatility the sneaker allows in terms of palette and materials. Just when you think the sneaker has slipped in status, a new collab gets announced and BOOM – the AF1 is hype again.

Are Air Force Ones Still In Style 2021?

Air Force Ones remain permanently in style as far as streetwear goes. There may be other silhouettes that take more of a spotlight, however the AF1 is never “uncool”.

For example, the Air Force 1 Flax is so popular, it releases every fall! Certain colorways make their way in and out of stock all the time and sell out instantly.

Whether it’s a dirty white pair of 1s or a collaboration with Supreme, Air Forces are bound to be seen on the feet of more people than any other Nike, if sales figures are any indication. Anytime I scroll through social media sites like Instagram looking at sneakers, it’s almost a guarantee that I will see at least one pair of Forces.

In conclusion, the AF1 ain’t going anywhere! If you aren’t sure whether or not a pair of AF1s are going to make you look out of style, don’t worry. The shoe is increasingly popular whether it’s a mass produced pair or an extremely limited release. In my opinion, the only thing to watch for is the quality of pairs. Personally I recommend going for the more premium releases, but you really can’t go wrong no matter what pair you choose.

Buy Air Force 1s:

• Air Force 1s on eBay
• Air Force 1s on StockX
• Air Force 1s on GOAT

Are Air Force 1 still trendy?

Is Air Force 1 most popular?

Is Nike going to stop making Air Force 1?