Since its introduction in 1982, the Air Force 1 has been one of Nike’s most enduring silhouettes, with a design that hasn’t changed much in the over 20 years since.  This year, the shoe gets a lightweight makeover in the form of the Nike Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit, combining the iconic silhouette with their popular knitted material.
A lighter version of the same basketball shoe once worn by Moses Malone and Charles Barkley, it weighs a whopping 50 percent less than the 1982 original, all while maintaining the same shape and dimensions. Not only is it lighter, it’s also more comfortable and longer-lasting, making for a pair that reinvents the classic while retaining all the things that made it special.
The Nike Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit uses different yarn weights at strategic sections of the upper to both recreate the shape and provide better performance, such as a thicker yarn to bring more volume to the toe, thinner threads on the vamp for improving ventilation, and better stretch on areas that will bend frequently. Instead of the usual midsole and outsole combination, it uses an injected midsole with its own encapsulated Air-Sole unit in the heel for superior cushioning and impact protection, as well as rubber pods under the toe and heel for more durable performance. Features include an adjustable ankle strap with a hook-and-loop closure, a foam collar that recreates the original fit, a leather heel tab, a leather tongue, and pivot points for smooth transitions.
Available now, the Nike Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit is priced at $175.