Uptowns. Flaves. Harlems. B-Mores. Airs. Forces. Ones. Whatsoever y'all cull to phone call 'em, the Nike Air Force one is as transcendent as whatever sneaker could possibly be, garnering adulation from veteran sneaker aficionados all the way downwards to the newbie who only wants something clean to kick information technology in. While that hasn't ever been the case, because the iconic basketball silhouette was almost discontinued in 1984 due to low sales—just a few short years after its debut in 1982—it has since solidified itself in the annals of sneaker civilization, even going equally far every bit becoming the 2d highest-selling sneaker in 2019, holding off the hype of the Adidas Yeezy Heave 350 or Jordan IV and XI Retros. And there is certainly no shortage of options, equally there seems to be something for every budget. Whether yous're willing to vanquish out buku bucks for a resale pair of the original "The Ten" collaboration with Fair or just demand a re-up of "Coke Whites" from the Pes Locker in the mall.

The versatility of the AF1 certainly allows individuals to figure out how the shoe fits within their constraints, but information technology always conforms. And the fact that these have a been a perennial starter pack sneaker for most iv decades speaks volumes. However, shit can become left very quickly if yous don't abide by the unwritten rules bestowed upon the states from our forefathers.

Choose Your Height Wisely

How to wear nike air force ones
Photo by David Cabrera

While 5'10 Twitter would likely trade a couple inches for their first-born child, that'southward non the kind of "acme" we're talking nearly. The preferential choice between the High, Mid, and Low variations of the AF1 has been at the middle of many BBQ cookout and spade game debates. While lows are typically at the pinnacle of many lists because of their versatility, the height should be determined based on a number of factors. For instance, Highs tend to wait like clodhoppers on big-footed folks, and then tread carefully my size 13 brethren. Lows are a go-to in summer to article of clothing with shorts, but Mids or Highs tin can easily be substituted in for whatsoever casual situation if coupled with a skillful pair of basketball game shorts.

There's Nothing Cute Most a Dirty Donkey Air Force One aka How to Make clean Air Force Ones

How to Clean Nike Air Force Ones
Epitome via Circuitous Original

Converse All Stars? Sure. Vans. Yea, why not? But AF1s? No one should be defenseless out in the daylight in a pair of Forces that look like they had a crude weekend at Coachella and were trying to ease their way back into the "existent earth." Preventative care is only equally, if not more important (just ask your parents) than how y'all clean your Forces post-soiling.

Waterproof 'em. Spray 'em with leather, suede and/or nubuck protector before wearing and after cleaning. Use at least two coats, depending on the product, and permit them dry before wearing. There are a ton of cleaning products that will do the play a joke on specific to the materials on your Forces, just you're probable to go the most bang for your buck with water, soap, a couple Magic Erasers, and prayer.

How to Avert (and Fix!) Major Creasing

How to remove creases from Air Force Ones
Photo by David Cabrera

Creasing on a leather sneaker is inevitable, especially as the leather starts to soften subsequently multiple wears. Simply in that location are ways to prevent major creasing. Use cream inserts that you tin sideslip inside your shoe by the toe box then they don't crinkle up every fourth dimension you take a step. Only again, these only piece of work so well. So, when Forces exercise start accumulating those article of clothing-whiskers, dampen a towel (preferably 1 that is white or that won't rub off on the sneaker), place it over the creased area, take a hot iron and gently atomic number 26 over the area and voila! It's the kind of sneaker magic we all wish we knew years ago.

If You're a Real One, Wearable 'Em With Baggier/More than Relaxed Pants

How to wear air nike force ones
Photo by David Cabrera

I know how difficult it is for some people to go backside the relaxed/wide-leg trouser movement, but if you're looking into what to wear with your AF1s, it may exist time to hop on the train. A pair of classic 874 Dickies that sit right above the top of your Lows, or some bulky Nike sweatpants with an elastic cuff for the Mids or Highs will never atomic number 82 you off-target.

Merely Be Mindful of Your Denim's Cut

How to Wear Nike Air Force Ones
Photo by David Cabrera

Every bit far as denim, the length and how they autumn (or don't fall) on acme of your Forces is the determining cistron. Actually, just almost any type of denim could work with Uptowns, but you lot MUST make sure they're tapered at the bottom and so they can stack up a bit as they hit the shoe. Y'all really don't desire to be out here looking like Michael Hashemite kingdom of jordan at whatsoever party that has Latina women in that location, thinking he got his "good jeans" on.

Keep a Pair of All-Whites on Ice

How To Wear Nike Air Force Ones
Photo by David Cabrera

There are three guarantees in life: death, taxes and price inflation will even effect the cost of Coke Whites. Information technology should go without saying that 1 should accept least one pair of White-on-Whites if you are even remotely interested in Forces. However, if you have the fiscal capability, information technology is imperative that you lot proceed a pair of them on ice. They will never become out of style and they go with just about everything. You lot know how your mom used to always keep some chicken in the freezer simply in case she didn't have anything else to cook, and it nonetheless came out bomb (as long every bit yous remembered to take it out to thaw when you got home from school)? A fresh pair of all-white Forces are the exact same affair to any outfit.

How to Properly Lace Air Forcefulness Ones

How to Lace Nike Air Force Ones
Photo past David Cabrera

I'k fairly sure that there isn't a single shoe that has more than "how to lace" tutorials on YouTube than the AF1. How you lace your Forces is one way to truly showcase your individuality. But don't become too beautiful. If you lot are going to try the double-lux-into-a-triple-axle of lacing, recall this: do not necktie them likewise tight. Even so, the length on the laces that come with Lows and Mids is perfect for the not-too-loose untied wait every bit long as done all the manner to the last or second-to-final lace hole. And if you find a pair with the laces looking like this out the box, keep them like that! It'due south similar a beautiful babe unicorn.