Nike Air Force 1 Sizing: How Do They Fit?

Designed by Bruce Kilgore and first hitting the market all the way back in 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 is easily one of the most popular sneakers of all time. It’s been on sale for well over 40 years and yet the design has remained pretty much unchanged - because, as the old saying goes, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Loved by many and even often called “the best sneaker of all time”, the AF1 has become synonymous with sneaker culture, and hundreds of brands have used it as the blank canvas for collaboration over the years. It was the first-ever sneaker to feature Nike’s now-classic Air technology, and was originally intended for the basketball court.

Now regarded as a lifestyle staple, and worn by millions of people on a daily basis, the Air Force 1 is one of the best-selling sneakers of all time. But just how does the AF1 fit, and what size should you buy? Join us here at The Sole Supplier as we take a detailed look into Air Force 1 sizing.

When it comes to sizing, the Air Force 1 is notorious for fitting on the larger side. It’s not clear as to why this happens, but it’s a widely-regarded fact that you should opt for half a size smaller than your regular size if you’re buying a pair of AF1. Of course, the silhouette comes in plenty of different variants; there’s the classic High, Mid and Low-top offerings, as well as special-edition pairs such as the AF1 React. While these variations might have slightly different build quality of fabrics, you can be safe in the knowledge that all Air Force 1s are crafted from the same last, meaning that they’ll fit exactly the same.

Buying a pair of trainers in a size smaller than your usual size might unsettle infrequent sneaker buyers, but if you cop your standard size then be prepared to be sliding out of your AF1s, as they’ll definitely be too big. Of course, if you can head to a bricks and mortar store to try on a pair for yourself, we’d highly recommend this.

As we mentioned earlier, the Nike Air Force 1 was the first-ever sneaker from the Beaverton brand to offer the now-established Air technology. After months of careful consideration and design, the unit, or “bubble” was finally approved for production, spanning the length of the midsole and concealed within rubber walls (it wasn’t until 1987 when the Air Max 1 first introduced visible Air). Of course, this technology doesn’t stack up next to its modern-day equivalents, but for a lifestyle sneaker the AF1 is still without a doubt a solid option.

While you wouldn’t want to head out and run a marathon in a pair, they can take on the task of enduring hours of city wear without any issues. The uppers are also remarkably forgiving, so you need not worry about developing blisters or any other nasty symptoms that can happen when wearing uncomfortable kicks.

There’s an undeniably retro look about the Air Force 1, but that’s not to say that it can’t look great in a contemporary context. In fact, the silhouette can work in just about any outfit, as long as it’s styled correctly with the rest of the garments. For an iconic AF1 look, we’d suggest matching your kicks with a two-piece tracksuit, to really get that NYC Hip-Hop vibe. However, if you’re looking for a more casual offering, simply slip on your AF1s with a pair of loose-fitting denim, a T-shirt and a flannel shirt. This will create a laid-back workwear fit that’s currently bang on trend.

During the warmer months of the year, the AF1 is ideal for styling with shorts, so make sure you’ve got the right type of socks to pull the fit off. Make sure they’re also Nike, as no one wants a brand clash, and if possible avoid having too much of the sock on show, as you might look like you’re headed to the gym rather than out for a few drinks in the sun.

There’ve been countless incredible Air Force 1 releases over the years, making it hard to narrow down a list of the best pairs of all time. Initially, the colourways that spring to mind when thinking of the AF1 are both the “Triple White” and “Triple Black” offerings. There aren’t many pairs that are as iconic as these two, however it’s also impossible not to mention some of the incredible collaborations we’ve seen since the model’s inception. Names such as Louis Vuitton, Off-White, Stussy and AMBUSH have all presented us with takes on the silhouette over the years, and they’ve all been solid releases that now demand hefty money on the resale market.

If one thing is for certain, it’s that the hype behind that Air Force 1 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so prepare for plenty more solid releases in years to come. Make sure to stay locked in right here at The Sole Supplier for all the latest sneaker news and updates, and while you’re with us check out the rest of our site too!

Want to know more about how certain Nike styles fit? Be sure to check out our other Nike size guides below: