Air Force 1

I believe.

I have seen these shoes for years, and I have passed on them so many times. It wasn’t till a friend from the UK picked up a pair and took some details shots that I started admiring the pair. Not typically a fan of all-white shoes, but these in person are really fresh. They were released in 2002 as Nike’s Year of the Horse release.

It has this pearly upper and has an interior dressed by some sort of red satin. This sits above a lacquered outsole and has “I Believe” embroidered on its heel as well as the face of Daruma. For those who don’t know, Daruma is the shortened name of Bodhidharma.. a Buddhist Monk who is considered the father of Zen Buddhism. A lot of nice details. I’m glad I pulled the trigger on them finally, a great add to the collection.

Dicey.

Originally these were known as the “Dragon” Air Force and was limited to sales only in Asia. They were eventually released within the widely acclaimed 1World Pack. This pair was designed by former Boston Redsox ace, Japanese born Daisuke “Dice K” Matsuzaka. They’re more commonly known simply as Dice K’s. Personally aside from the CLOT’s and Marok’s, the Dice K’s were my favorite within the 1World Pack.

Collectors frequently give the same regard to these beauties based on the variety of top tier materials. Ponyhair covers the tip & toe-box, a leather wrapped midsole that sits above an orange outsole. An amazing dragon scaled leather drapes the eyestay and foxing. There is even a dragon logo that forms the number 18 on the heel of the shoe; the number Dice K donned while pitching for the Red Sox. Premium at its finest to say the least for this pair.

AF1 Black History Month 2008

Every year Nike releases a special shoe to commemorate Black History Month. Some years the shoes have been available to the general public while others have extremely limited and only given to selected individuals. The BHM release in 2008 was just that. Its been a sought out shoe for many Air Force 1 lovers and just has exquisite detail. African mud cloth on the foxing, premium leather for the rest of the upper and liner. The leather of the vamps and toe box are laser etched with symbols used on mud cloth decorations. The sock liner is also laser etched with inspirational words from Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The shoe is completed with wooden deubre’s and and lace tips. Just a beautiful shoe and proud that I am owner of a pair.

AF1 Houston All-Star

Air Force 1 LE “Houston All -Star”. These were released in 2006 and were issued only to certain folks during the NBA All-Star game. These pay ode to the old Houston Astros uniform colorway if you recall. From what I have heard, only 64 pairs of these were released & were never released to the public, very limited. Patent leather upper, white midsole, navy blue outsole and a great colorful insole. Definitely a must for any AF1 aficionado.