Designed by Bruce Kilgore and first launching in 1982, it’s safe to say that the Air Force 1 is a legendary sneaker. We’ve seen thousands of different renditions over the years, from classics such as the OG “Triple White” pair right through to crazy collaborations with the likes of Off-White, Undefeated and so many more. As the first-ever sneaker to feature Nike Air technology within the sole too, the AF1 holds a pretty special place in sneaker history.
Here at Crepslocker we’re huge fans of the Air Force 1, therefore we’ve decided to delve into the sneaker archives and share some details regarding some of the rarest AF1s of all time. There were many different releases to choose from, however we’ve managed to narrow it down to just five winners that are true unicorns when it comes to Air Forces, meaning you’ll struggle to find any of these for sale unless you’re willing to pay thousands. So without further ado, let’s check out the rarest Nike Air Force 1s of all time!
CLOT x Nike Air Force 1 Low "1World"
If you’ve been in the sneaker circle for longer than a few months, it’s likely that you may have seen one of CLOT’s many AF1 collaborations. Usually following the same recipe, the highly-coveted Chinese streetwear label is known for crafting tear-away designs that feature decorative designs. This all started back in 2008 with the “1World” AF1. Crafted from red silk on the exterior layer, a real-leather brown layer was slowly revealed underneath. The pair also featured a translucent midsole and visible Air unit, a non-common feature for an AF1. Produced in extremely-limited quantities, there was even a special box variant of this release which is even harder to track down.
VLONE x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Launched in 2017 and created in collaboration with A$AP Bari’s VLONE label, these black and orange Air Force 1s were a special-edition run and are highly-coveted amongst sneaker enthusiasts around the globe. Crafted from premium pebbled leather, the kicks feature orange VLONE and “Every Living Creative Dies Alone” embroidery across the design and launched exclusively at NikeLab locations along with a range of apparel pieces too. Coming complete in a special-edition box, you’ll be hard pushed to find a pair of these under the £5,000 mark.
Scarr's Pizza x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Legendary NYC pizza spot Scarr’s Pizza has long since been a favourite with the city’s locals, therefore Nike decided to honour the restaurant with it’s very-own friends and family exclusive sneaker back in 2019. Using the Air Force 1 Low as the blank canvas for the collaboration, the pair was designed by sneaker aficionado DJ Clark Kent as well as Scarr Pimental, founder of Scarr’s Pizza. The duo opted for blue and orange accents and kept the pair relatively subtle, finishing off the look with a gum-rubber outsole. Only 48 pairs of these were ever made, with the majority being gifted to Scarr’s friends and family. A true holy grail for AF1 collectors!
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Low (Brown)
Louis Vuitton shocked the world by unveiling an Air Force 1 collaboration back in 2022, a partnership that many believed would never happen. Spearheaded by the late Virgil Abloh, the collaboration featured many different colourways and designs of the 1982 classic, featuring premium construction materials and iconic details such as “AIR” branding, monogram patterns and more. However, by far the most desirable pair was the classic LV “Brown” colourway. Opting for the French fashion house’s signature hue, the pair has since been known to sell for above the £60,000 mark. How much would you be willing to pay for this pair of rare Airs?
PlayStation x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Rewind back to 2006 and imagine the hype when a PlayStation x Nike collaboration was first announced. With both brands booming around the world, the sneaker was guaranteed to be a huge success, even with the footwear scene notably smaller than it is now. Working on the Air Force 1 Low, the duo decked the model out in patent leather with a colourway inspired by the Sony console’s logo. Key features included purple laces, the PlayStation logo printed on the rear and a blue outsole Limited to just 150 pairs, the kicks were famously worn by Kobe Bryant and remain a classic pair today, that’s if you can even find a pair for sale!