This Patent Leather Air Force 1 Is a Slick Throwback to the 2000s

Blending military-inspired khaki green with vibrant safety orange, these new are big, bold and shiny. Everything from the sockliner, tongue and lace guard to the shoelaces are drenched in olive drab, while pops of orange define the Swooshes, heel counters and outsoles.

The use of patent leather on an AF-1 conjures up nostalgic flashes from the early 2000s when pulled a reverse Uno card on BAPE. Instead of taking BAPE to court straightaway for their vibrant multi-colour AF-1 lookalikes, the Swoosh instead flooded the market with their own patent iterations. That didn't mean Nike withheld from the courts altogether, and the long-running legal clash over the similarity between the and Air Force 1 was only settled in April 2024 when Nike achieved trademark protection and secured a long-anticipated win in New York courts.

While these AF-1 diverge from the neon frenzy that was typical of that era, ‘Oil Green/Safety Orange’ is still a killer combination, but in all honesty, premium leather or even canvas might have been better options for a more upscale look. And be wary with patent leather – it’s unforgiving with creases and cracks!

Despite its enduring popularity, the sheer volume of AF-1s in the market has led to widespread oversaturation and softening sales around the globe. Nike have since eased back on the production numbers to sustain the model’s cachet, and it will be interesting to see how that strategy plays out over the next few years.

But for now, enjoy these slick ‘Oil Green/Safety Orange’ Air Force 1s. There's no info on the release date yet, so keep your eyes on Sneaker Freaker for more details as they come to hand.