Over thirty years ago, Nike tested a series of Swooshless trainers through one of their Chinese factories, with a solitary line strike taking its place. Naturally, Nike went back to their iconic trademark for those shoes, but the samples live on in sneaker folklore as one of the most intirguing episodes from Nike.. Though the legendary “The One Line” run of samples is not often directly honored by the brand, this year’s collections of annual “NAI-KE” Air Force 1 has been remembering the project with fond memories through more than a handful of designs. It’s next ditches the recently-seen sashiko duds in favor of naturally-dyed canvas, premium leather liners, and a slew of new Eastern-influenced motifs.
The pair is dressed from toe to tail (and even the midsole) in dyed-tan canvas. Its rustic approach automatically gives the pair a traditional worn-in feel, though the structure of the pair stays strong. Laces receive a similar treatment, too. Midsoles are decorated with Asian-inspired motifs, with midplane dressed in sashiko-like stitchwork to further the Eastern connection. Nai-Ke branding in the back continues this again, with a direct callout to the 1980 sample series spott on the tongue. The pair is then completed by luxe leather liners and insoles, and Grind Rubber Nai-Ke-branded dubraes.
Enjoy an official look at this new tan-dyed Nike Air Force 1 “NAI-KE” here below, and look for these to roll out at select retailers in Asia this May.
Those of us elsewhere around the globe will have to hit the aftermarket sites below to secure a pair.
Nike Air Force 1 “NAI-KE”
Asia Release Date: May 2022
Style Code: DV4247-211
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