Nike Air Force 1 Luxe

Air Force 1 Luxe

The Nike Air Force 1 Luxe is a Low sneaker made for men. It is constructed upon a bulky sole and has the appearance of a sturdy boot. The concentric circles typical of the Air Force 1 have been altered to form a diamond shape, while the grip lines are ridged zigzags in an angular design. The lugs along the side of the outsole are not uniform – every fourth one is sunken – leading to an uneven perimeter that matches the look of the tread underneath.

The midsole has a dual-layered profile consisting of a wider section at the bottom that forms a narrow step around the edge. This lower part has a textured surface with Air text embossed onto its lateral side in a bold, enlarged font. The top section is smooth and features a seam which accommodates long stitches. On some AF1 Luxe sneakers, the thread is the same colour as the midsole, such as on the Burnt Sunrise, with its classic gum brown tone. Then there are versions like the Black Gum, whose yellow stitching contrasts strongly against its black midsole. Ultimately, the thick, chunky midsole of the Air Force 1 Luxe combines with its outsole to give the wearer extra height alongside a solid, durable base.

Alongside classic overlays made of high-quality materials such as leather and suede, the swoosh has been emphasised through a double layer. Two pairs of large stitches connect this dual swoosh to the lateral midfoot panel, with just a single pair on the medial flank to bring contrast. There is also an extra stitched section at the bottom of the eyestay with a swoosh embroidered into it. Whilst these two elements share the same colour on models like the Summit White, shoes such as the Pecan or Pearl White colourway apply a different hue to each, in this example brown on off-white. This subtle branding effect adds a luxurious touch, as do the top eyelets, which are oval in shape, lined with metal or another sturdy material and surrounded by delicate stitching. The toe box contains perforations which are usually arranged in lines that fan out towards the front of the foot, one notable exception being the refined Brown Basalt, whose ventilation holes are formed into a captivating pattern of swirling lines.

The tongue carries debossed Nike text in the same thick font as the Air lettering on the midsole, and just below it is a broad, tapered lace loop. Many AF1 Luxe sneakers are fastened using rope-like laces that have metal aglets at their tips, while just a few, such as the Providence Purple, come with more traditional flat laces. At the back of the shoe, there is the familiar heel panel. It has a simple swoosh pressed into it and a large pair of stitches joining it to the heel strip below. Understated branding appears again on the insole – a swoosh with handwritten-style Nike text printed over it in lowercase letters. It’s the combination of these subtle touches and the robust sole that gives the men’s Air Force 1 Luxe its unique character.