AF1..The Phenomenon

As I previously mentioned..the Nike Air Force one is a definite essential in a sneakerhead's closet. The Nike Air Force 1, AF1 for short, was released in 1982 as one of the 1st in Nike's AIR design revolution. The leather sneaker came equipped with an air pocket in the sole for comfort! Immediately basketball player's on and off the court began wearing the shoe. Even NBA players were sporting the sneakers. Today, only Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace still wears the shoe in the NBA. 2007 marked the 25 year anniversary of the sneaker, and what better for a birthday gift than to be the number one seller in the history of athletic footwear. In a report by NY Times writer Fred Bierman stated, "Nike declined to release sales figures, but (it's) estimated that about 12 million pairs of the Air Force 1 were sold at its peak in 2005, and 10 million to 11 million were sold last year." (Bierman, 1). The ever so popular shoe can be found in a variety of colors, but the most essential is the All white (low, mid or high). It has become a staple in hip-hop culture today, thus putting it atop the sneakerhead's list of "must haves", but it wasn't always the sneaker that represented hip-hop. However, for ur listening and viewing pleasure:

Nelly and the St. Lunatics - Air Force Ones..Give me 2 purrrrr, I need 2 purrr! haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxGavd199X8
(Apparently Nelly and the St. Lunatics don't allow their videos to be embedded, you're going to have to copy and past the url in the address bar of a new window ..sorry)

For Bierman's complete AF1 article go Here

Requirements of a "Sneakerhead":
1. Must own signature Jordan' s (There are 23 Original releases...the more, the better)
2. Must own at least one pair of new Air Force 1's...the more the better