Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid Revealed!
When it was revealed that would be collaborating on the , reactions were mixed. Yes, has the magic touch when it comes to colabs, and yes, has an extensive history with the . They've crafted special and colourways, and their first-ever Nike colab was an that was released at . However, the Air Force 1 Mid lacks the prestige of the Air Force 1 Low and – it's more a shoe with a loyal cult following. Can Off-White change that?
It's safe to say that their take on it is quite unlike any Mid we've seen before. Uppers look to be made of a patterned synthetic material with thick seams and are overlaid with a heel counter and collar strap that boast a gridded pattern. Off-White's signature anchor lacing system, first popularized on its colabs, returns as well. Familiar Helvetica text sits under the lateral side's midfoot Swoosh, with midsoles offering a distorted last that seems to draw directly from Maison Mihara Yasuhiro's signature canvas sneakers. Outsoles are also altered, with their own wavy pattern and pops of off-road tread – which wouldn't look out of place as a part of the Off-White x Nike 'Athlete in Progress' collection from 2019.
Shortly after the leak, Virgil Abloh took to his personal Instagram to discuss the shoes in his signature stream-of-consciousness fashion, stating 'Off-White™ c/o Nike is a studio. borderline re-search lab. The shoes are a mere by-product of trying to define a larger idea of why shoes are technically meaningful, emotional & relevant. etc. ~ ethos & OCD signed, me.'
There's also a black collaboration in the works, but photos of that style have yet to be revealed. At the time of writing, a May 2022 release date has been floated but this is pending confirmation from either collaborative party.
Want more Off-White x Nike news? Take a look at SF's list of the partnership's best (and most polarising) colabs .