Sneaker Diary: Nike Looks To The Future With AF-1 'NBA'
While football is definitely my spectator sport of choice, basketball season brings more than it's fair share of excitement and, honestly, better shoes. My first shoe was the Nike Cortez. My second? The Nike Air Force 1. Crisp whites with the laces to match, the AF-1 was always a solid go-to and a regular in my annual rotation. A pair of white uppies with a navy blue swoosh were so dear to me that I wore the rubber off the sole and, every year (until roughly 2004) I was faithful in my Champs V-Day AF-1 purchase. I grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota - the land of 10,000 lakes and significant sports franchises in each league - so, I've always been a fan of my hometown squads. The Vikings, Twins, Wild, and the Timberwolves were all a source of hometown pride and random outings with my pops.
As I've grown up, I've obviously adopted a new take on my own sneakerstyle but one thing remains the same: the Air Force 1 continues to stand the test of time. There's something about this shoe that takes me back to my days as a young woman in Minneapolis. And, even though I've put roots down here in Dallas, when I was gifted with a special NBA AF-1 and team jersey, it was as much a reminder of home as it was a nod to the future.
When I received Andrew Wiggins' Nike Minnesota Timberwolves jersey in the mail I was honored that my Nike family saw fit to gift me with something from my hometown team and, after diving into the technology behind this revamped swingman, I'm pretty sure that this will be a fan favorite for you die-hard basketball fans.
In addition to a fall recraft of the low top Air Force 1, Nike, which paid about $1 billion to produce the NBA's merchandise, took over as the league's official outfitter beginning this season and they've definitely made the switch worth your while.
The company has truly developed the fit of the future by syncing the jerseys to an app called NikeConnect. On the app, which is available to owners of both iPhone and Android devices with NFC capability, fans simply scan the QR code (located directly on the hem of their jersey) to their phone and they'll instantly be able to watch highlights of the player whose jersey they own AND simultaneously receive shoe deals. Players will also reportedly have the ability to release messages only to those who have bought their jersey.
There are a ton of NBA jerseys to choose from and I could totally get away with a Dirk Nowitzki swingman here in Dallas, but my Minnesota roots run deep, so it was only natural that I paired my Timberwolves jersey with a J.O.A. wool trench. My exact jacket is all sold out, but you can find a similar option here. Living in Dallas usually finds me dressing one way to leave the house and shedding layers throughout the day. Luckily, it's been pretty cold here as of late so, adding skinny cotton joggers and a light sweatshirt underneath were the perfect move to stay cozy during the day.
These days, I tend to stick to sneaker options that provide as much variety as they do comfort. It's actually funny because after our post detailing style options for the Classic AF-1 Low, I made it a point to grab two new pairs of white on whites to keep on hand and I've been wearing them quite a bit. I even made sure to incorporate them heavy on my last trip to NYC.
Whether you're a legit baller or scanning your jersey for a solid fan experience, basketball season can throughly inspire. After 35 years, the Nike AF-1 Low continues to showcase the versatility of a basketball classic that can also embrace different elements. This revamped look features an exaggerated Swoosh on the lateral side of each shoe while the iconic Jerry West NBA logo is displayed prominantly on the heel. Find the shoe that matches your favorite squad and lace up the Nike print laces for an added appeal.
While my Nike Air Force 1 Low "NBA" option might be a bit bright for you minimilists, there are plenty of more subtle options for you to choose from. If all else fails, you can grab a classic white/white in both WMNS and GS sizing. I’m looking forward downloading the Nike Connect app and getting into the magic this season. What team are you rooting for?
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Photos: 90Pts
DISCLOSURE: I was provided with items in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the brands mentioned above, and/or their affiliates, in any way. In addition, in the full spirit of disclosure, some links referenced above are affiliate links which means that CNKDaily may get a commission on anything you decide to purchase. We only recommend products and systems that we use and love ourselves so we know you, our readers, will receive the best experience possible.
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