The Legacy of AF1s

If you’ve lived in Toronto or any major city in the world, it’s now common to see streetwear enthusiasts eagerly lining up around the block to wait for the release of some brand new, limited edition, only-100-units-ever-produced sneaker. If you’re not part of the streetwear community, it can be difficult to fathom the devotion it takes to wait several hours for the chance at getting your hands on a pair of sneakers. Yet the increased popularity of streetwear, and the adoption of its culture by high fashion and luxury brands have made access to limited edition items—Think a Supreme x Louis Vuitton skate deck or a pair of “Semi-Frozen Yellow” Yeezy Boost 350s—crucial to cementing one’s authenticity, and place in the community. Owning these items, for some streetwear devotees, is key to distinguishing between “posers” and those who are the real deal. Although this attitude has come to dominate streetwear culture, there still exists those key pieces that stay timeless, accessible, and authentic. One such item is Nike’s Air Force One sneakers.

Nike first released the hi-top version of Air Force Ones in 1982 as a basketball shoe. (The lo-top version was released the following year). The shoe immediately became popular amongst basketball players and was seen on NBA stars like Moses Malone. But the sneaker found its true place as a cultural zeitgeist after gaining popularity on the East Coast in cities like Baltimore and New York, and after becoming the official footwear of rappers like Jay-Z and Nelly. Since the original release 38 years ago, Nike has released various colourways of the sneaker, but the all-white colourway remains one of the best-selling, most popular shoes of all time. White Air Force Ones are so ubiquitous in contemporary culture, that they’ve gained shoutouts in popular rap music—on the song “Grace,” from his recent album My Turn, rapper Lil’ Baby drawls: “I got designer for days but it's somethin' about 'em / Go crazy for white Air Force One.”

Despite many imitations, it seems nothing can beat a classic pair of white Air Force Ones. One reason might be their inexpensiveness—a new pair goes for around $120 CAD. Even more, they’re easy to wear and have maintained their crisp freshness for over three decades. In their ease and accessibility, white Air Force Ones have come to represent the democratic nature and self-expression that is inherent to the origins of streetwear. Next time you’re thinking of lining up in below freezing weather to cash in on some new Yeezys, pull out your old Air Force Ones instead.

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Condition Chart

VSP Consignment hand-selects our collections by our stylists to include masterfully crafted, versatile, and contemporary pieces. Although many of our pieces are pre-owned, we strive to collect items of excellent condition, but on occasion, there may be slight signs of wear. We try our best to mention all flaws in our product descriptions. On pieces that do not include the size and fabric tag, we make an educated guess to the best of our ability, and it is noted in the description.

New with Tags

The item is brand new with original sales tags and packaging.

Excellent

This item is pre-owned and has no visible flaws.

Very Good

This item is pre-owned and has minor signs of natural wear and tear, which may include but are not limited to signs of laundering/dry cleaning.

Good

This item is pre-owned and has multiple flaws and signs of wear, including, but not limited to, signs of abrasion, pilling, and tears on seams. Flaws are most likely repairable.

Vintage

This indicates that the item is a collectible from twenty years ago or earlier. Natural distressing, if any, is characteristic of the beauty of use. It is still in good condition for an item from a previous time.

As Is

Items show significant signs of wear, such as worn corners or discoloration, and may have elements requiring repair, like small holes or tears. All items marked "As Is" are final sale.