The Air Force 1, specifically the Air Force 1 Low, has always been culturally relevant. Though, the recent growth and virality of the sneaker came has propelled even the most classic of general releases to become coveted sneakers. Wherever you go, there’s an AF1 in the vicinity.
In 2021, the Air Force 1 Low was one of the most Googled shoes. And unfortunately, cooked (severely worn) AF1 Lows have become prop-like in the depths of TikTok and Instagram Reels, turning it into a punchline and point of contention for AF1 purists.
With 2022 being the 40th anniversary of the Air Force 1, we’re almost sure Nike has big plans on the horizon. However, a price increase was not what we had in mind.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the AF1 rise in price. If history tells us anything, it won’t be the last time either.
However, the timeline of the AF1 Low’s price isn’t well documented. The Air Force 1 Low debuted around the mid to late-90s and retailed just under $60, according to Complex. In the early 2000s, the shoe was increased to $80. It’s unclear when the shoe started to hit the shelves for $90. However, we know that the Air Force 1 was priced at $100 in 2022.
In addition to the AF1 Low, other sneakers in the Nike, Inc. catalog will also see a price hike. Just last month, the Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey” was priced at $225 instead of $220, as we saw with the 2020 “Jubilee” and the 2019 “Bred” releases. Other Jordan retros will see a $10 increase this spring and summer with the Air Jordan 3, Air Jordan 4, etc. However, the Air Jordan 1 will stay at $170 for the foreseeable future as the AJ1 recently increased from $160 to the $170 we’re used to seeing now.
The increase of the AF1 Low isn’t some orchestrated attempt in tandem with the 40th anniversary of its iconic High predecessor. Unfortunately, it’s a part of the game.
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