Nike isn’t slowing down on fall-ready updates for the Air Force 1, and the latest drop proves that corduroy is making a comeback in fashion and in sneakers. Yes, the same fabric your mom’s college professor swore by is about to be all over your kicks. After a summer of shiny patent leather makeovers, the brand is trading gloss for texture with a full-on Nike Air Force 1 “Corduroy Pack”.
At least two pairs of the Air Force 1 Low are dropping this holiday season, both almost entirely wrapped in wide-wale corduroy. Nike kept the design grounded with leather Swooshes, leather heels, and nylon tongues, but the rest is all corduroy from front to back. Even the placement gets a little creative with vertical lines across the toe box and quarter panels, while the heel, toe, and eyelets switch to horizontal to break things up. It’s more thought-out than the usual “let’s slap on corduroy all over and call it a day” execution we’re used to with these models.
Color options include “Baroque Brown” (IM6533-200), which pairs the ribbed fabric with tan pebbled leather, and “Washed Coral” (IM6533-602), accented with beige detailing. Both sit on bright white midsoles and outsoles, which, let’s be honest, are destined to collect mud, leaves, and whatever your animals leave behind. But that’s part of the fall experience, right? Right?
Corduroy isn’t new to Nike, though. Sneakerheads will remember the Air Max 1 Patta collaboration back in 2009, which turned into one of the more sought-after Amsterdam exclusives. Then came Sean Wotherspoon’s hybrid Air Max 1/97 in 2018, drenched in colorful corduroy panels, instantly cementing itself as one of the defining sneakers of the decade. Then there was also a brown Air Force 1 drop at the beginning of last year that flew off shelves. So if Nike’s revisiting corduroy for the Air Force 1, chances are this is just the beginning of another wave.
As with most of Nike’s seasonal plays, the “Corduroy Pack” is rolling out in women’s sizing only, priced at $125 each. That’s a bummer, unless you have a small foot, of course. But while it might sting a little if you’re a guy who secretly wants in on the corduroy action, history has taught us that sneaker rotations don’t stay gender-locked for too long. Remember the patent leather Air Force 1s that started as limited pairs and then suddenly exploded into multiple styles? Expect the same ripple effect here.
Beyond sneakers, corduroy itself is having a cultural moment again. Heavyweight jackets, pants, and even caps are popping up everywhere in street style for Fall/Winter 2024. The fabric works for cold weather, doesn’t crease like crazy, and looks just as good with a hoodie as it does with something sharper. Basically, Nike knew exactly what they were doing by tapping into it now.
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