Men's Nike Air Force 1 Trainers

Turn an Air Force 1 over and its basketball origins are still right there. The circular grooves in the rubber outsole were originally designed for pivoting on court, one of the details Bruce Kilgore introduced with the first Nike Air Force 1 in 1982. The leather upper, perforated toe and substantial sole have remained central to its design ever since. More than four decades later, men's Nike Air Force 1 trainers still carry those familiar features, although the choice now extends well beyond the original leather low-top.

Nike Air Force 1 '07 and the Classic AF1 Low

The Air Force 1 '07 is the familiar starMen's adidas Spezial Trainersting point. Stitched leather panels give the upper its structure, with perforations across the toe box and a padded collar around the ankle. Nike Air cushioning sits within the substantial sole, while the rubber outsole retains the circular traction pattern developed for basketball. It's a recognisably chunky trainer, particularly when compared with the slimmer court shoes elsewhere in Nike's archive.

The all-white Air Force 1 remains one of Nike's most familiar designs, with the clean leather panels and matching sole putting the shape on full display. Black Air Force 1 trainers offer the same construction in a darker finish, while two-tone editions bring more contrast to the Swoosh, heel tab and outsole. Leather will naturally crease around the forefoot with wear, something worth remembering if you're particularly keen on keeping a fresh white pair looking box-new.

Air Force 1 Flyknit, LV8 and Retro Editions

The Air Force 1 Flyknit 2.0 takes a noticeably different approach. Its knitted upper follows the original AF1 design lines while reducing the weight associated with a traditional leather construction. Nike also uses a foam midsole that doubles as much of the outsole, with rubber pods in high-wear areas. The result is a lighter build that retains the familiar Air Force 1 shape, with a different feel and less leather structure around the foot.

Nike has also revisited the Air Force 1 through Low Retro, LV8 and LX editions. Retro releases draw on earlier colourways and archive details, while LV8 and LX designs introduce different materials, finishes and construction choices depending on the edition. The Air Force 1 '07 LX Vibram is a particularly interesting variation, combining a textile upper with a Vibram rubber outsole for additional traction. It's worth checking the specific model rather than assuming every AF1 uses the same materials.

Nike Air Force 1 Sizing and Fit

Sizing is one of the most important differences between Air Force 1 models. Nike recommends going half a size down in the standard men's Air Force 1 '07, which it describes as fitting large. The Flyknit 2.0 is different, with Nike recommending half a size up for its closer-fitting knitted construction. Your usual AF1 size might therefore need adjusting when switching between the two.

The classic leather models also have a more structured upper than Flyknit, so consider how much room you prefer around the forefoot. Check the individual product's size guide before buying, especially when moving between editions.

Browse men's Nike Air Force 1 trainers by UK size, colour and style at Pro:Direct Lifestyle. For more options from the Swoosh, explore our men's Nike trainers collection, or take a look at Nike Air Max trainers if you prefer a running-inspired silhouette.