Nike Air Force 1 Shadow

A range of soft greys and earthy browns lends this Air Force 1 Shadow a gentle style, while layered effects bring it added dynamism. The sole unit moves through Summit White across the ringed structures on the outsole to a light tan colour around its edges and back to Summit White on the midsole. Highlighting the lateral heel is a piece of Summit White rubber with wide stitching attaching it to the midsole and upper. It is also embossed with pale brown Air text to match the slightly smaller set on the midsole underneath.

Even more layering occurs on the upper as the panels alternate between Summit White, the slightly grey off-white tone of Pure Platinum and the even darker Wolf Grey. The last hue appears on the secondary forefoot mudguard, which is visible underneath another white one around the edge of the toe box and more prominently on the medial midfoot. The eyestay has also been split into two layers – one in Summit White obscuring most of the Sesame-coloured one underneath it. Two sets of AF1 lettering appear in its bottom end, the first debossed into the eyestay itself and the second etched into the metallic lace lock above it. Behind this, the tongue is made of a wide mesh that gives it a knitted feel. Two patches adorn its top section, one with cream-coloured branding on a Wolf Grey background, the other white text on Sesame.

Two of the three swooshes that decorate the shoe’s flanks are also Sesame, as is the primary heel tab, which has white Nike text sewn through it. A second heel tab can be seen behind this, but only along its grey top edge. The third swoosh, which rests underneath the Sesame one on the lateral side, is printed across the midfoot and rear panels. These come in different materials, the former a linen-like fabric, and the latter premium leather. The linen fabric continues under the rear overlay to pop up again around the collar, before appearing through the toe box as well. Rather than perforations, this segment has a series of small bumps where the aeration holes would normally be. This material brings the design a softer, cosier feel, and further comfort is added on the interior in the form of plush padding in a light shade of cream. The white insole provides support underfoot, and two sets of Nike Air branding mirror each other on its surface. One of them comes in Wolf Grey, the other Sesame, but both are printed in a substance that seems to glisten in the light, finishing off the design with a sparkle.