There are few sneakers as famous and respected worldwide as the Nike Air Force 1. And since it was first introduced in 1982 (thank you, Bruce Kilgore), it has been produced in literally thousands of different makeups, from the most basic white-on-whites to exotic styles in real croc and anaconda. We like to think of ourselves as the sneaker experts around here, but we still know when to reach out to those whose passion exceeds our own. So before compiling this list of The 100 Best Nike Air Force 1s of All Time, we talked with a handful of Air Force 1  ’heads around the world and had them break down some of their favorite Forces for us:

• Bobbito Garcia (@KoolBobLove) – Air Force 1 Expert, Sneaker Historian, Author of Where’d You Get Those?

• DJ Clark Kent (@DJClarkKent) – God’s Favorite DJ, Sneaker Designer, Air Force 1 Collector

• EMZ (@OperatorEMZ) – DJ and MC, Curator of Shoe Check, Air Force 1 Collector

• Josh Childress (@JChillin) – Small Forward for the Brooklyn Nets, Air Force 1 Collector

• Matt Halfhill (@MattHalfhill) – Founder and Publisher of Nice Kicks, Sneaker Expert and Collector

• Mouhamadou Hassan Amamou Ndiaye (@AFROKIX) – Air Force 1 Collector, Co-Creator of the Air Force 1 XXX Video

• Tyree Dillihay (@SneadsbyRee) – Artist, Creator of Sn’eads by Ree Comic Series, Sneaker Enthusiast, Director of Air Force 1 XXX Video 

• Gary Warnett (@gwarizm) – Sneaker Expert and Historian, Your Favorite Blogger’s Favorite Blogger

Year Released: 2011

The importance of technology when it comes to sneakers can’t be denied. While we can’t really condone messing with the design of the original Air Force 1, this Vac-Tech thing seems to be working pretty well, particularly on this iced-out, white-on-white pair.

Year Released: 2010

The mecca of Air Force 1s is no doubt, New York City. It’s where they became popular both on the court and off, and set the trend for the rest of the world for looking fresh. In 2010, Nike, with the help of @DJClarkKent at the design table, paid tribute to each of the 5 Boroughs with a special collection of varsity jacket inspired designs.

Year Released: 2004

In the mid 2000s, packs became quite the trend. No complaints here, though. The ”Wash Pack” or ”Laundry Pack” featured an Air Max 1, and Air Max 95 and one of the best Air Force 1s ever. The colorway features a canvas around the toebox and side panel, while the faded leather behind the Swoosh and on the toebox gives it an overheated look only extra time on the tumble dry cycle could give. This European release had some other nice details, like the metal lace eyelets and Gold Leaf accents that made it a hot commodity worldwide.

Year Released: 2012

When you talk to a number of Air Force 1 experts about the best and more than a couple mention these Year of the Rabbit Air Force 1s, that’s when you know they’re legit. The white base for a starting point is always a step in the right direction but the materials on the YOTR Air Force 1 have it running circles around any tortoises. That semi-translucent midsole, along with red and blue opposing Swoosh colors just put it leaps and bounds ahead of most recent releases.

Year Released: 2006

During the time where everyone was buying up bright colors and Bape (we know, not you right?), Nike dropped the Easter Air Force 1. Also known as the Easter Eggs due to the cracked egg logo on the tongue, these 2006 Ones were perfect for that pastel hoodie that you would never claim ownership to nowadays. It’s all good, though. The trend will come back around and these will be paying rent for resellers again…someday.

Year Released: 2006

The Escape Pack in 2006 featured a trio of Nike classics but two colorways of the Air Force 1 released. The brown and black on white was on point on the US colorup and details like the perforations behind the Swoosh made these hard to pass up if you had a chance at them. The Asia only joints were even doper with the Storm Blue Swoosh over black and grey paneling.

Year Released: 2004

”The Waterproof Air Force 1s from like, 2004, were pretty dope. Like an all wheat low. Those were the ones I liked.” – @MattHalfhill

Year Released: 2002

Leave it to Wieden & Kennedy to create a shoe that needs no marketing. The Wieden & Kennedy Air Force 1 takes the classic white on white and adds a crazy unique twist, pony hair. The Swoosh, outer toebox and heel are covered in a light colored pony hair that sets off these extremely limited Forces perfectly. Rumor has it there are 50 or less of these around, so consider yourself lucky if you’ve even seen a pair.

Year Released: 2001

”All Wheats! Practically with Timberland-ish leather, and gum midsoles with the brown outsoles. The material on the inside was almost like silkish. Crack right there. Only Japan had those, I had maybe four pairs. There was an American release as a Mid, but I can’t wear Mids. The Japan release was the get.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 1997

The Jewel Swoosh is always a love-hate relationship for purists. This early CL edition Air Force 1 featured ice both on the side panel and on the outsole, setting the tone for creative endeavors by collaborators for years to come.

Year Released: 2002

”The West Indies Air Force 1 was really special to me because I had just moved from there back to the States. All the culture, it was a beautiful experience. That shoe means much more me than most.” – @MattHalfhill

Year Released: 1996

”Who was designing these things back in 1996? From a distance, they looked innocuous enough, but that snakeskin sets them off. Ivory snakes are the best, but that matching Obsidian outsole and heel embroidery with the blocky ’NIKE AIR’ font they’re pretty untouchable.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2005

”The Year of the Dog without the hair, to me, are crazy! I call them Year of the Puppies because they’re not the actual Hyperstrike ones but those are crack to me!” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 1998

In 1998 the ”Lemon Twist” Air Force 1 turned heads with a combination of midnight navy and lemon twist accents. Nike added purple contrast stitching and laces to the upper to make this colorway really pop. The added translucent lemon twist outsole was the icing on the cake that made even non-Air Force 1 ’heads take note.

Year Released: 2012

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, the Air Force 1 gets hit with all sorts of awesome for a special makeup. Properly done camo print, seamless ”Vac-Tech” upper and full length Air Max cushioning makes these easily one of the best Forces in recent years and then some.

Year Released: 1997

Let’s be honest, the Air Force 1 Mid gets no love. But in early 1997, Nike added a subtle element to the Mid that would change things forever. The Mid was the first to receive the ”NYC” logo that paid tribute to the city that started the Air Force 1 craze. The all black versions may have been first to display the new logo on the ankle strap but the navy and orange Syracuse-like color combo is one that few will forget.

Year Released: 2001

These are the Vapors you want to catch. Another 2001 release that real ’heads would have to have. The quality leather and shape on these, as well as others of the time, like the Chocolates, makes them highly sought after. You’ve heard people talk about the shape pre-2002, now you know what they’re talking about.

Year Released: 2003

The 2003 ”Gold Dust” Air Force 1 has a colorway that grabs attention but when you take a closer look, that’s when things get interesting. Along with the traditional leather upper materials done up in that unique Gold Dust finish, Nike switches it up to use corduroy on the toebox and side panel. As part of the European NYC series, this eye-catching colorway features the NYC logo on the heel and a Bison colored Swoosh and outsole to add some balance to the design.

Year Released: 2001

NYC rules the Air Force 1 world but don’t let that make you think Los Angeles ’heads aren’t up on them. In 2001, Nike gave the west coast its due with a Lakers inspired colorway featuring a graffiti inspired LA logo on the tongue and heel. The white leather joints accented in yellow and purple were the second in the series in 2002 and even the B-Grades with the flipped LA logo make you dig deep into your pockets.

”The LA joints are nice. These are from when AF1s still had the perfect silhouette. Shoeshine was selling these for like $450 or something on eBay in my size. They’re fresh…but not $450 fresh…for me at least! But considering how rare it is to find a pair of these DS, I understand why they’re at that price.” – @SneadsByRee

Year Released: 2001

”Very innovative and creative at the time. All white patent leather, clear sole, and the huge Jewel Swooshes with gradient red on the outside of the shoe, and gradient black on the inside of the shoe. In my opinion the old silhouette/cut of AF1s at the time was much better than now. just overall a dope quality shoe.” – @AFROKIX

Year Released: 2007

”These are the first Supreme Air Force 1s with visible Air Max bottoms. The crocodile back and the leather was crazy, but the whole midsole was clear which made them nuts. The first time I saw these I called everyone I knew and was like ”let me get the 13s, let me get the 13s, let me get the 13s. Haha.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2008

In 2008, Nike Sportswear decided to pay tribute to the past with tribute Air Force 1 colorways. The Air Mowabb ACG, Air Wildwood and Air Safari were inspiration for the three colorways that released, all of which were well done. It turns out the Air Force 1 is a perfect palette for the original Air Safari colors.

Year Released: 2003

The Carnival Air Force 1 released in extremely limited numbers around the world in conjunction with the Notting Hill Carnival festival in London. On a grander scale, the colors pay tribute to the Brazilian celebration of Carnivale. For sneakerheads, the celebration is one thing but the combination of leather and a very rare mesh toebox, makes them extra special. Both the black based and white based versions can fetch some serious change these days.

Year Released: 2009

One of the many designs by Air Force 1 enthusiast, DJ Clark Kent. This 2009 release dropped as part of the East vs West Pack. The combination of Knicks colors and premium materials is a winning combination. We can only hope the same is true for the current Knicks roster.

Year Released: 2007

Bobbito Garcia, aka Kool Bob Love, is undoubtedly one of the most knowledgable Air Force 1 aficionados around, even penning the book ”Where’d You Get Those?” that documented the early years of NYC’s sneaker scene, which was of course filled with Air Force 1s. In 2007, he released a handful of creative colorways, including this High-Top version nicknamed ”Beef and Broccoli.” Come on now, who doesn’t like beef and broccoli?

Year Released: 2008

The Air Force 1 has been praised for simple and timeless style ever since the Eighties but in 2008, a colorway that is far from simple out-shined most others. The Closing Cermonies Air Force 1 was created in conjunction with the end of the Beijing Olympics. The Metallic Gold finish lasered with Chinese inspired graphics was the next best thing to winning gold in the Olympics yourself. These were limited to 888 and released on 08/08/08, as with Chinese tradition, this many eights, luck is on your side if you got a pair.

Year Released: 2000

The Air Force 1 Puerto Rico line began with a simple and effective design back in 2002. It’s release coincided with the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York City and has continued to be a tradition ever since. the 2002 version began the series with an embroidered Puerto Rico flag on the heel, an element that changed the game when it came to limited edition Air Force 1 designs.

Year Released: 2004

Named after the killer whale, the Orca Air Force 1 featured a black and white colorway that was mesmerizing. This 2004 release featured color blocking that was so popular that it returned a number of years later in a Supreme edition Air Force 1 featuring Max Air and a translucent midsole. There’s also a ”reverse” Orca variation that was created exclusively for Vince Carter in 2005. Obviously the we’re giving the nod to the original Orca for setting trends.

Year Released: 1990

Bright colors didn’t pop off until the mid-to-late Nineties but the Air Force 1 was ahead of its time. In 1990, one of the early bright color makeups was this pair of orange and white Lows, which opened up the full color palette to future Air Force 1s. ”There were a few solid lows back then, royal blue, green and orange. All were fire and not very easy to find.” – @OperatorEMZ

Year Released: 2009

Like most LIVESTRONG Air Force 1 collabs, the ”On Your Bike Kid” version ties back to an earlier collab between Nike Sportswear and Los Angeles’ Undefeated. The black and yellow synonymous with LIVESTRONG is combined with the signature “wave weave” of Shemagh fabric to make for a timeless design.

Year Released: 2000

The Obsidian and Cone colorway may be fresh but when it came to this 2000 release it was the experimental material choices that made it a classic. This Air Force 1 Low combined tumbled leather paneling with mesh side panels, which paved the way for releases like the Carnival and B-More editions, just to name a few.

Year Released: 2003

The NYC series is a classic but few have the staying power as this 2003 edition of the Air Force 1 Low. The black and white makeup features tumbled leather and details, like the double-stitched Swoosh and subtle red accents on the heel log and through the NYC logo, that make it one of the best in the series. Simple, tried and true, NYC x Air Force 1.

Year Released: 1998

The ”Mushrooms” take the clean and simple approach. The all ”Mushroom” tan upper was set off with a Midnight Navy Swoosh. Then a white midsole separates the Mushroom tan outsole, making these perfect for fitting under a pair of denim.

Year Released: 1995

”The Canyon Gold and navy canvas AF1 from this period is one of the best Nike shoes ever. It pre-empts the attention seeking AF1 era a couple of years later with the jewels and Goldenrods and oranges. It was a bold makeup but the white midsole and the Night Blue accents stopped it getting too clownish.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2002

If you’re a sneakerhead than you know that the HTM acronym means business. HTM is the combination of three of the most creative minds in sneaker design, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Tinker Hatfield and Mark Parker. While the new silhouettes these three geniuses have created together under the HTM flag are pioneering feats, the quality, simplicity and beauty of their Air Force 1 designs are remarkable, beginning from the first version in 2002.

Year Released: 1997

The late Nineties was the beginning of bright colors and shiny finishes in the world of sneakers and the Air Force 1 took bold steps into color combos on this 1997 release. The midnight navy jewel Swoosh was set in place on the side of the the white leather upper but a the unique twist was the icy green outsole. This was one of the early introductions to the multi-color movement that hasn’t slowed since.

Year Released: 1993

”My grails. I been searching and searching for these since I first saw them. Wow. I had found a pair about a year ago for $700 and I tried to talk him down. Now I wish I just bought them for $700, it’s a lot but it’s getting to the point we’re not going to find them.” – @AFROKIX

Year Released: 2007

Denim has popped up on the Air Force 1 on a number of occasions but this 2007 version made its way to ’heads in the form of a general release. No doubt these were properly done because a similar colorway reappeared about four years later with even more attention to detail.

Year Released: 1998

”I wanted them to make that again. It was really dope, though, because it was all nubuck and except the white Swoosh and the all white bottom, so it just looked, like perfect. That’s when Vet’s, Jew Man, Cinderella, Charlie Rudos was taking all my cake. Olympia Sports in Philly, because we would go everywhere looking for Airs. That was the buying ten pair at a time days. You didn’t know so when you saw it, you copped as much as you could.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2002

Rasheed Wallace has a number of Air Force 1s on the best of all time list because Sheed has almost single-handedly carried the Air Force 1 by wearing it on the court since the beginning of time. OK, maybe not that long, but essentially since he entered the league in 1996, he’s been rockin’ Forces. In 2002, Nike made up a special version nicknamed the ”Rose Gardens” after the arena Sheed and the Blazers played in. The black patent leather and red accents, along with stitched in rose into the heel made these limited editions an instant classic.

Year Released: 2003

”Some of the Black History’s were real good but to me, the best ones were the first ones. With the black power flag on the sides, that shits just amazing. If I had the ability to control that, I’d go back to picking a simple color with real dope materials.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2008

The 1World series was filled with great Air Force 1 makeups but when you comine the premium materials and high quality versions with Rasheed Wallace, it gets even better. The Rasheed fadeaway logo became super-sized for this version of the Air Force 1 and a color combination of black, white and red is never a bad look. We don’t even need to mention Sheed played in these or that they featured Max Air cushioning.

Year Released: 2004

”Whoever was submitting CADs for JD in 2004 – and I know they weren’t just picking them off the shelves as a JD exclusive – was on point with the times. To some degree they were playing it safe for the UK consumer who liked this kind of thing, but that Skyline blue swoosh is a killer. It’s safe to assume that a lot of people were contacted by Clark regarding supplies of these.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2004

”The whole JD phenomenon is the reason a lot of people who learnt how to flatten boxes and evade duties were homeowners before the recession. The mania for some of these shoes overseas was crazy, yet they seemed to sit on shelves until enterprising characters bought the lot. It’s all about the blocking on this one and the colours sit with a gloomy, affordable sportswear aesthetic that kids were wearing (the AF1 had really picked up in the UK at this point) at the time. Nobody over here seemed to bug out on the Cowboys affiliations, just like nobody cared about the tie-in on the JD Portlands. They just liked the colours, but why were these US team themes UK only? Strange.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2006

San Francisco’s HUF began as a retail store, collaborating with Nike on a number of occasions. The 2006 ”Hufquake” Air Force 1 paid tribute to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 with an earthquake inspired print that was so well received, especially in the Bay Area, that it became a go-to choice for future HUF designs.

Year Released: 2006

Metallic finishes aren’t always a good look but in 2006 Nike had all the right elements with the ”Zinc” Air Force 1 Low. The toebox, lace panel and heel were all done up in a finish resembling the elusive alloy, while the black and white details give this colorway a timeless appeal.

Year Released: 2001

2001 was a great year for Air Force 1 aficionados. One of the best came in the form of the Hong Kong Air Force 1 from the co.jp series. It was radically subtle, with a single color upper and a stitched Swoosh outline that had never been seen before.

Year Released: 2008

The amount of detail that went into the Michael Lau edition of the Air Force 1 is unparalleled. The carried the nickname ”Crazy Force 1s” thanks to the art show and installation that Lau produced to go along with them (although it might actually be because of the time it took to stitch the pattern across the otherwise white on whites). The art and box that came along with these if you got a pair is off the hook, too.

Year Released: 2008

Camo and Air Force 1s go together like bread and butter, so when Nitro Microphone Underground’s artist, Gore-Texer, had the chance to create an Air Force 1 colorway, digital camo was the obvious choice. the entire upper of the Gore-Texer Air Force 1 is comprised of 3M, so when the light hits just right, there’s no concealing the heat on your feet with these.

Year Released: 2000

You can count the number of players to have their image turned into an icon and placed onto a sneaker. Rasheed Wallace’s picturesque fadeaway became an instant favorite amongst sneakerheads when it was first stitched into the heel panel of the Nike Air Force 1 for the 2000 NBA All Star Game. The simple black and white colorup with the newly designed ”Sheed” logo would set the standard for years of player exclusives to come. Thankfully for many ’heads, there were a limited number of these created even outside of Rasheed’s size, so there’s hope for us all to obtain a pair.

Year Released: 1998

Another 1998 classic, the Goldenrods featured the bright yellow hue that gives these Air Force 1 their nickname. These turn heads from a distance and if you’re lucky enough to see them up close, that crystal clear Jewel Swoosh makes them hard to resist.

Year Released: 2001

”Chocolates! Europe and Japan release only. The leather was that dope, really rippely leather, I don’t know what they call it, maybe tumbled leather. The swoosh was like nubuck and it was stitched into the leather. The swoosh was a cream color and so was the midsole. So crazy!” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 1993

”I don’t think the golds were a wide release. I only saw them at Nike in Oregon when we picked the top 100 Air Force 1s in 2005. They blew my mind.” – @OperatorEMZ

Year Released: 2007

”I have every single Bobbito. I thought those were dope. They came out at a time when Nike wasn’t really doing collabs on the Air Force 1. It was one of those things, when they were doing limited editions but they didn’t do that many collabs for the Air Force 1 25th Anniversary but they did with Kool Bob Love. I liked the second colorway. I actually got those and they’re autographed by Bobbito. So those were really dope.” – @MattHalfhill

Year Released: 2002

The beauty of the Air Force 1 to a lot of old school collectors is its simplicity. While the 25th Anniversary might have been cool with all the recreations, the 20th Anniversary editions in 2002 kept it true to the roots of the Air Force 1 with a straight forward colorway and a stitched in anniversary logo. Classic, the way the Air Force 1 should be.

Year Released: 2008

”I thought the Bird’s Nest were dope because we had seen so many things with materials and color blocking thrown at an Air Force 1 but the Bird’s Nest, they were really taking that shoe to a whole different direction. I thought they were really, really dope. If you ask me what the best Olympic inspired shoes are, those have to be in the top 3. I think you have to consider them an Olympic inspired shoe because they were inspired by a venue. It wasn’t team colors but it was inspired by the architecture of a stadium. I thought the Bird’s Nests were insane.” – @MattHalfhill

Year Released: 1999

With so many great limited editions on this list, you can count the number of general releases on your own hands. However, the Glacier Blue Swoosh on a Medium Grey upper, is one GR that not many will forget. Not to mention, they’ll set you back as much as most limited joints.

Year Released: 2008

”The Black Fridays were nuts. It wasn’t just the shoe, it wasn’t just the experience. A lot of people will tell you the experience was so cool but LET ME TELL YOU, the experience of Black Friday was f*cking cool, OK. I know it was awesome at Mercer. I know it was awesome in Boston. I know it was awesome in Miami. Guess what, I got to see it. I went to every single one of them and travel with Clark Kent the whole way getting all kinds of stories, all kinds of knowledge. It was just unforgettable. That was a once in a lifetime experience.” – @MattHalfhill

Year Released: 2006

”The Astros I spent a long time trying to find. I didn’t find my Astros until the DJ AM memorial auctions, that’s how I got my Astros, was from the DJ AM auctions. Those things eluded me forever and when I saw them in his auctions, I had to get them then.” – @MattHalfhill

Year Released: 2006

”The gold ones, the untouchable. My man has one of those in all white too.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2001

”This is a hard Uptown makeup, but to be honest, it’s the sort of shoe that Europeans took for granted, but New Yorkers lost their minds over. Gum soles on an AF1 are a must, and that heel is a nice compliment. It just works and sticks to the essence of the shoe. Remember when Acorns seemed to be a Euro-only drop? A lot of resellers did well out of these and those.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2002

Air Force 1s from the co.jp series in 2001-2002 are some of the most sought after releases even today, over ten years after they initially released. A prime example of the quality color choices back then is the ”Energy Rush” Air Force 1. The Metallic Copper Swoosh and heel tab pop perfectly on the white leather upper, while the Walnut colored inner lining is mated up with a matching Walnut outsole.

Year Released: 2002

”It was leather with this linen-like material in them. They called them Acorns because of the color. They were just hot and nobody had ever seen them in the U.S. because for a while you could only get them in Europe. Eventually, they popped up in the U.S. at outlet stores, the B-grade version. Most people who have these, actually, have the B grade version. Even those are fire though.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2005

”The JD gum sole was reportedly the result of a misunderstanding at sample stage. A gum midsole and white outsole still plays it safe enough to be commercial, but it was destined to make Americans lose their minds. A happy mistake.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2003

Jay-Z dropped arguably one of the best albums ever in 2003, The Black Album, was not only a classic but it was delivered in an array of marketing elements that would make Wieden & Kennedy salty. Everything from Nokia cell phones pre-loaded with the album to these Air Force 1s that had sneakerheads calling to raise the limits on their credit cards.

Year Released: 2008

The 1World Air Force 1 collection is regarded by many as the best series to ever release. One of the highlights, figuratively and literally, is the Krink Air Force 1. Graffiti artist Krink worked his signature paint drip style into the upper but true to the lifestyle of graf, these Air Force 1s do their best work at night, thanks to an upper made of entirely 3M material.

Year Released: 2001

Known to some as the ”Campgreens” and others as the ”Canvas Troopers,” whatever you want to call them, these 2001 Air Force 1s were unforgettable. The Japan only release featured an olive colorway that may or may not have led to the olive/army trend in sneakers, we’ll let you decide.

Year Released: 2006

The LeBron James Chamber of Fear campaign solidified King James as the new face of Nike Basketball. Along with the unforgettable commercials and colorways of the Zoom Soldier II, Nike worked up 6 versions of the Air Force 1 in limited numbers and dropped them around the country. The Fearless Warrior edition was the dopest of the bunch and numbered, making them even more prized for sneakerheads.

Year Released: 2001

”The Blueprints hark back to a time when a good shoe would get you unwanted male attention. It would be remiss to claim that the internet was in its infancy, back in 2001 (a good year for things called Blueprint), but getting hold of this shoe meant you had to know people. Magazines like Boon and Sneaker Jack were full of this kind of thing. Canvas on an AF1 is a beautiful thing, but the minimal swoosh was a big move that paid off when it could have killed that sublime mix of Blueprint and Carbon.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 1989

”That was a uniform. Go to Gap, buy a pair of jeans and get your black on black Air Force 1s, this was before the white on white phenomenon. Crazy! Wear them every single day. Wear them to play ball, wear them to the movies, everything!” – @KoolBobLove

Year Released: 2006

Los Angeles’s Undefeated got their shot at creating a unique version of the Air Force 1 in 2006. The signature “wave weave” of Shemagh fabric comes from the Arab headdress and scarfs used to protect against the heat of the desert. The ”Inside Out” Undefeated Air Force 1 that dropped in a purple based version with blue accents is a challenge to come by and can set you back some serious cash.

”The purple in combination with the pattern on the panels on the Undefeateds is what sets those off. Undeniably dope.” – @SneadsByRee

Year Released: 2009

”

Year Released: 2001

”Yes, I have the those. I have the white ones. Those things I originally bought for my wedding day. I didn’t have a girlfriend and I bought them and thought, ’I’m gonna get married in these one day.’ My wife was not having me wearing those at the wedding. I wore them only one time and it was to the Air Force 1 25th Anniversary party, definitely one of my favorites. And they were only $200, that was what was crazy about them, and the beautiful smell of that Italian-made leather. They were super pristine, I don’t even know how to describe them.” – @MattHalfhill

Year Released: 1995

”The White Canvas/Gum was aspirational footwear. Pure NYC. The canvas SCs around 1995/1996 remain perfect and they look a lot better than the post 2007 rolled seam canvas creations. These epitomize clean living in difficult circumstances, which is kind of the basis of the white-on-white’s appeal. Keeping leather clean is one thing, but canvas? It might be the first white low with gum I ever saw too.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2008

Famed graffiti artist KAWS got his chance at the Air Force 1 in 2008 as part of the 1World project. Needless to say, he didn’t disappoint. Taking a premium black suede and adding his signature ”XX” in the form of Neon Yellow stitching on the left toe box. Along with the creative needlework, two-tone Neon Yellow and black laces and a translucent Neon outsole made these must-haves for everyone and their mother. Nowadays, expect to give up a first born to get your hands on a pair.

Year Released: 2006

”Those were hard as hell to find in size 11. I don’t know why they came in size 11 but there are probably 12 pairs floating around in size 11. I was fortunate enough to find those. It’s not even the fact that they were limited, but they had the ostrich on them, which I’m a huge fan of. They were a PE when PEs were PEs, it wasn’t player edition, it was player exclusive.” – @MattHalfhill

Year Released: 2007

”I mean, white-on-whites with Anaconda skin on them? They just took perfection up another level! If you have them you’re lucky because they only allowed the first shipment into the US. Something with the materials, I guess the the real anaconda skin was against the law. Crazy expensive, but worth every penny. The leather on them is Italian lambskin.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2007

”I actually got those as a gift from my agent. Not sure how he got them, but he hooked me up. I’ve even worn those joints with a suit before. That’s how versatile they are. The detail and quality of that shoe is crazy. I know they are expensive but they are dope regardless of the cost.” – @JChillin

Year Released: 2001

”Cocoa Snakes, straight Japan release. Crack, crack, crack! Snake, white leather, black swooshes, a perfect silhouette, with a perfect look. They never came to the United States, only through re-sellers.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2001

Have we mentioned how many dope AF1s came out in 2001? The 3M Snakes are one of the greatest of all time. Some may even say the best. This UK and Japan only release featured pebbled leather and a snakeskin Swoosh that was simply stunning.

Year Released: 2008

”First person who’s a f*cking DJ to design shoes, it goes to market and they blow out in 20 minutes across the country! A whole pack! That’s mean, B.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 1998

”Anything suede and baby blue is a must for me, it takes me back to my one of my fave sneakers of all time, the baby blue adidas campus circa 1984. Plus, back then, these were very bold and different for Air Force 1s. It’s right around the time they were really getting popular.” – @OperatorEMZ

Year Released: 2003

”To me it’s one of the most beautiful pair of shoes PERIOD!!! The choice of color, material they used, lasering, artwork, and they came out at a time where AF1s were the HOTTEST kicks on the market, nothing was messing with it, no jordans no SBs not NADA!! The creativity with the one piece leather, fat laces, all over laser print, the art and limited to only 200 pairs the dope box definitely makes NUMBA ONE AF1 of all time to me.” – @AFROKIX

Year Released: 1996

”Snakeskin just sits with the AF1 well — that whole 1980s hustler legacy behind it is part of the shoe’s power. Now everyone’s playing with reptile (to be fair, adidas did an excellent job of it back in the 1980s and early 1990s too) but in small doses, it’s even more lethal. To me, there’s a trinity of reptile — this 1996 duo is best, followed by the 3M snakes and the Cocoa snakes. The Cocoas lose points for the retro. Who was doing this kind of thing in 1996? It’s sublime — some would argue that a gum sole would have been a perfect finish, but everyone slept on these. Everybody. The Ivory snake swoosh and the context of the shoe’s release makes this my favourite Air Force 1 ever. I’ve seen this twice, beneath plastic with a yellowing sole. It actually looks even better with the yellowing, too.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2005

”Once again great concept, the cherry blossom of Japan, nice and sober colorway. Great quality leather, nice lasering details, dope color blocking with the hot pink sole, nice detailed stitching on the heel and one of my favorite things about the shoe is the lasered wooden box, which at the time I believe was a first.” – @AFROKIX

Year Released: 2006

”I’m a fan of the show to start with, I love the tumbled leather, the choice of color, and the fact that the shoes represent LA. The artwork and the detail of the laser on both shoes is dope. The lining inside the shoes is very nice and that’s a detail that is usually left alone on AF1s. The fact that they never released make it so much harder for collector to get therefore great satisfaction for whoever is blessed to put their hands on a pair.” – @AFROKIX

Year Released: 1983

”The low-cuts were tough to get, if you could cop a low-cut in white-red, you were ridiculously the man. People can’t even appreciate how hard it was to get the low-cuts.” – @KoolBobLove

Year Released: 2002

”I used to write graf and Stash is my man from way back. The combo of those two things, along with the fact they were suede, make them a favorite of mine.” – @OperatorEMZ

Year Released: 2004

”I got the Mitas when we were playing in Toronto. At that time, Nike had regional releases and different countries had some different kicks. I ended up getting a few pairs of those.” – @JChillin

Year Released: 2006

”DOPE DOPE DOPE!!! I love patent leather on AF1, they appeared (’cause they never dropped) in 2006 at a time when Bathing Ape was making a killing with the Bapestas, which were none but a pale copy of AF1, and the number-one reason for their success was the fact that they used loud colors and patent leather. So when Nike came up with the Playstation AF1 for me it was their way of shutting everything down!!! The choice of colors, the materials, the concept and teaming up with SONY was their way of saying ’you can try, but you’ll never get close.’ DOPE shoe, unique concept, great choice of color and material.” – @AFROKIX

Year Released: 2001

One of the early collaborations on the Air Force 1 was with Japanese brand atmos. They worked what could be one of the best colorways ever onto the Air Force 1, a simple blue on grey that could as well been uniform for the Georgetown Hoyas. The green insole added a twist, for those lucky enough to set their feet in a pair.

Year Released: 2002

”Courir Air Force 1 are the best black Air Force 1s I’ve seen. Those are like unstoppable, perfect looking shoes. With NIKEiD you can try to make them over but they’re just not the shape of the old ones. You can try to make them, it’s just not the same.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2009

”Everything about that shoe is nothing but innovation!!! The traditional red Chinese silk with all the details recovering the premium lasered leather with the clear air max midsole. The Chinese holiday candy box with the set of different laces. Without a doubt the best pair of the whole 1World pack and one of the best Air Force 1s ever made and released to the public.” – @AFROKIX

Year Released: 2003

”Vibes are crack. I got those from a friend of ours, Beth Gilles, she’s the one who gave them to me and those are f*cking amazing!” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2005

”Insane. If you got the ones with the spiderwebs, those were insane. People don’t even recognize, if you take a picture, in the spiderwebs, it seems like they light up. I got the whole set sent to me when they were on display in Undefeated. That was very, very early, and those are still super bomb!” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 2001

”My man was like ’Clark, I know you want to go sneaker shopping when you come over to Japan, I heard these [Linens] are coming out.’ I asked him to send a picture, and back then there was no such thing as a digital camera, so he actually mailed me a picture. I was supposed to be in Japan the week after, but I called all the promoters I was working for to see if I could play the week before. One promoter couldn’t move the date up, and I told him I’d play for him for free. I flew in on a Thursday, got paid on Friday. From the money I made on Friday, I took a part of it, and literally bought 10 pair of Linens on that Saturday. I was driving around town to every store trying to get every 11.5, or 12, or 11. There was no lines, no hysteria. I was like, I want every one in my size. And if I had any brain, I would’ve bought them in every size I could’ve.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 1995

”Back in the day, the UK was devoid of AF1s. You had to visit spots like Passenger and there’d inevitably be small sizes of imports coming through. In the mid to late 1990s, I remember Foot Locker got some highs and the mid got a push in 1998 before a slew of Lows followed. I guess the UK was considered a low and mid market. It really was the kind of thing you’d grab on a US holiday and the all black sole Hi and the all red sole Hi were objects of desire. The Carolinas are that kind of shoe – what you saw on Junior M.A.F.I.A member’s feet in ’The Source’ wasn’t necessarily available at JD down the road.” – @gwarizm

Year Released: 2006

”Every single time I see them, I’m buying them. Ill colors, perfectly designed, ill materials and they’re just great looking. It’s too simple to wear. If you like jeans, you can put them them. If you like khakis you can put them on. It’s undeniably one of the most beautifully designed Air Force 1s.” – @DJClarkKent

Year Released: 1982

”We called it the Zero, with the nylon mesh, if there’s a number one, that has to be it! The reason why is because when I first saw it in the store, I thought it was like a hiking boot. It was so ridiculously different than anything that had came out before. As a ballplayer, they were a revolution. I don’t think any shoe had the initial impact in terms of performance, as the Zero with the nylon mesh.” – @KoolBobLove

Year Released: 1987

”The best shoe ever made, the perfect silhouette. You can’t mess up white on white, it’s the epitome of what a sneaker is supposed to be. Number 1.” – @DJClarkKent