The New Grail is Here

Nike just changed the game. The Nike SB Air Force 1 is finally real - a skate-engineered reimagining of the most iconic sneaker silhouette on the planet, built from the ground up for life on the board. This is the shoe every skater has been waiting for.

Backed by a stacked AF-1 Team of Karim Callender, Ville Wester, Antonio Durao, Casper Brooker, Poe Pinson, Cyrus Bennett, Joseph Campos, Elijah Odom, Troy Gipson, the team have been launching the SB AF-1 at skate stores across the US with the "Creased" tour.

What Is the Nike SB Air Force 1?

Since its introduction in 1982, the Air Force 1 has been an undisputed icon - first on the basketball court before infiltrating street culture and fashion. Now, for the first time, Nike SB has taken that legendary silhouette, rebuilding it from the ground up specifically for skateboarding. The result is a shoe that looks exactly like the AF1 you know and love, but performs like nothing else in the skate market.

The Nike SB Air Force 1 is the product of feedback, with the Nike SB team skating and testing early samples, pushing the team to get every detail perfect.

Key Performance Features

Every millimetre of this shoe has been rethought for the demands of skateboarding. Here's what makes the Nike SB Air Force 1 genuinely different:

Air Unit Heel Cushioning
A Nike Air unit in the heel delivers serious impact protection for heavy landings and long sessions.

Reduced Midsole Height
A lower midsole profile puts you closer to the board, maximising the feel and feedback skaters depend on.

Modified Herringbone Tread
The classic AF1 outsole is redesigned with a herringbone pattern optimised for grip, flex, and board control.

Internal Fit System
Sit straps, fit pods in the collar lining, and a reinforced padded tongue keep your foot locked in, whether you skate laced or loose.

Revised Toe Profile
A refined toe shape gives skaters better pop control and precision during technical tricks.

Durable Stitch-Turned Seams
Stitch-turned construction eliminates interior seam bulk, delivering comfort and durability straight out of the box.

The Legacy Behind the Silhouette

The Air Force 1 has always occupied a rare space in sneaker culture, a shoe that transcends the sport it was made for. Introduced as the first basketball shoe with Nike Air technology, it became the template for decades of sneaker design and a cornerstone of streetwear.

Nike SB has been at the intersection of performance and culture since 2002. Their work retooling the SB Dunk - adding durability, board feel, and impact protection has laid the groundwork and the Nike SB Air Force 1 is the next chapter in that story.

When & Where to Get Them

The Nike SB Air Force 1 debuts in the Light Orewood Brown colourway in April 2026, releasing in Boardertown stores nationwide and online at boardertown.co.nz.