Thanks to the determined and saw-friendly team over at FastPass, we can now take a look at the Air Force 1 deconstructed.
FastPass elected to chop the Air Force 1 ’07 that released in July of this year (the original AF1 released in 1982).
While many say that the Air Force 1 can feel like a brick on-foot, the shoe does feature 3/4 length Air cushioning — but only in men’s sizing. Women’s pairs only feature a small heel Air unit, which doesn’t seem quite in line with Nike’s whole Equality campaign.
Because those Air units are fairly low-pressure and embedded in the midsole, the unit has no space to expand and contract. That can lead to a brick-like feeling on-foot. Modern sneakers like the LeBron 15 and KD 10 have combined Air with Zoom in setups that allow for the units to contract under load and provide better energy return.
The rest of the Air Force 1 is pretty straightforward, and it’s a product of its time; it uses an independent tongue design, a thick insole for some step-in comfort, and a cupped outsole that is similar to what brands like Converse use.
Share your thoughts regarding the ladies not getting the same cushioning as the men and let us know if you spotted anything interesting in this deconstruction.
As always, you can pick up the Air Force 1 at Nike.com.
Source: FastPass
Down with Nike!!
Damn……Nike is always up to their BS. I don’t know how these shoes are “described” as far cushioning for the women, but this seems a tad ridiculous. I’m so glad I quit buying Nike shoes. The company is straight trash. They release junk products that are from junk materials and/or they lie about the specs (Jordan 15)…….and those questionable work standards. How this company is making it is beyond me.
maybe it’s to give the women’s model a sleeker profile? throwing the equality campaign under the bus is pretty lame though.
It just seems contrary to the entire campaign… Especially since Nike is advertising these as the same as the men’s pair…
It could be size and instep. Wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a point to where it’s just impractical to create a smaller full length bubble. We’re talking about an older design here. With older production methods there probably were limitations.
In any typical re-use fashion I doubt they bothered to update the build with reintroduction. Pinning them for this is a retroactive jab. It’s like crapping on Subway for having Jared as their spokesperson in the past.
Not really I mean the shoe just came out again this year…and the brand has been pushing silhouettes for both men and women all year long. It’s about time someone chopped it up to see what was actually in it, and it turns out several female sneakerheads were happy to know this, especially because they’re paying the same price.
Moreover, this isn’t the first time Nike has been — let’s call it “shy” — about revealing what’s in its sneakers. We, with FastPass’ help, have shown that Nike has been disingenuous about its products several times, and that’s only the stuff people caught…
I can’t feel that crap anyway. Still, its a bush-league tactic by Nike.
Eh, you can’t see or feel the Air cushion anyway, so it’s not like the females got jerked. It’s a lifestyle shoe.
How the hell did Sheed play in these? He must’ve had PEs with Zoom right under his foot or something. I’d love to see a performance review for these, just for laughs.
I have surveyed the WearTesters staff but no one is willing to sacrifice their knees so I’m sorry bro!
Nah this is 4d chess from nike, you see just like reallife no matter hard you try to shoehorn “equality” there biological differences between genders just like these shoes.
Bravo nike this is inception level stuff
For whatever reason, it seems t 07 version is softer than previous versions, to to the point that I just bought my first pair of af1 last week. They were a great price and very unique. Impulse buy but in one week they are breaking in nicely.
Very few retro s have really good step in comfort. But that’s how it was growing up. Rubber cupsoles, polyurethane midsoles, leather uppers. You had to spend time breaking them in. Those pu midsoles took forever it seemed. Back when you would wear out the sole or upper long before compression set happened.
Women could no problem buy a small mens size. What’s the issue. This technology is definitely old but it’s proven. I alway keep a fresh pair. And I love all sneakers. If you realize why they it. Is because the womens shoe has a smeller insole and the shoe in itself has a narrower construction. Reason there isn’t equality is because women and men aren’t the same no matter wtf you or the world say plus Far more men play ball in general. How many women you see one court? Cause I’ve played in af1 growing up.
Have a cry about it mate
I swooped a pair of af1 luchadore’s and the cushioned part is crumbling and left the shoe sagging and lumpy. These have been in a box for the last 10+ years. How do you fix it