Words by Offspring Community member Henry Pedro @Blcklistd

There is no denying the influence and impact of the Nike Air Force 1. The Nike Air Force 1 is a worldwide phenomenon. It is quintessential to footwear as Coca-Cola is to beverages.

I had a moment when I first connected with a pair of Air Force 1. I laid eyes on a pair of Nike Air Force 1 x Roc-A-Fella in a display cabinet at an independent store in Soho, London, in 2005. A fresh white Nike Air Force 1 with the Roc-A-Fella embroidery on the shoe's heel. Without asking the shop owner questions, the phrases ‘fresh’, ‘clean’ and ‘New York for a Nike Air Force 1 all made sense. I didn’t desire the shoe in the cabinet, but I understood the magic behind the sneakers. The bilingual nature of the Air Force 1 in the different settings it may find itself. It's versatile without looking or feeling out of place. You could be forgiven for wearing an Air Force 1 to church or court. I’m not sure the same deference would be given to other sneaker models.

A US export in the 90s, Its genesis in the London scene was one of a subculture which belonged to the streets. Its association with Hip-Hop and the negative rep that followed made the Air Force 1 not initially embraced by mainstream culture. Wearing a pair of Air Force 1 back then, like Hip-Hop, was to send a message or make a statement.

Its organic growth within the London subcultures allowed Air Force 1 to form its own London identity. The shoes are laced from the bottom eyelet of the shoe to the top and finished with a big loopy bow. This unique lacing system is mimicked in the collaboration with Samuel Ross’ A Cold Wall brand and the Air Force 1 models.

Within the UK sneaker culture, I have learnt that fans of The Nike Air Force 1 are an obsessive bunch. The scrutiny placed on shoe elements such as shape and creasing. It's often mentioned that older models of the Air Force 1s have a better shape. However, the real bugbear is creasing. Its consternation has led to the creation of crease protectors or anti-crease shoe shields.

Our relationship with the Nike Air Force 1 in recent times begins at school. ‘Start ‘em young’, as the saying goes. To be worn as multi-purposed utilitarian footwear or drawing them when asked to sketch a shoe. In particular, The triple black variant is the sneaker of choice for those that require footwear to blend with their school uniform, play football at break time and casually hang out with their friends in the neighbourhood.

The love affair with the shoe continues beyond school. In some cases, The Nike Air Force 1 can be considered a part of a rite of passage into adulthood. For example, attending the interview for that first job or going on that first date. The versatility of the sneaker is the London appeal. You’d see Air Force 1s at any event in London. Smart or casual. Air Force 1 can speak many dialects.

Like humans, the shoes also go through stereotyping and personas. The triple black variant taps into the stereotype of someone being up to ‘no good’. Meanwhile, the triple white variant is a statement piece of looking ‘fresh and clean’.

Many Londoners may not subscribe to the notion of multiple purchases of triple white Air Force 1s. Unlike some of the sneaker’s illustrious American aficionados. The unspoken code is keeping them crispy clean and not getting them ‘cooked’ (very dirty and out of shape).

For those that can't afford to throw them away after one wear, the alternative is using a cloth or toothbrush to clean them. Keeping those triple white Air Force 1s pristine is a lifestyle. Not a habit.

To be a disciple of the Air Force 1 is to live by a particular code that does not conform to the norm. To rebel without being offensive. Steeped in history, yet timeless. Loved by some, mutually respected. It’s not difficult to see why the Air Force 1 is the ultimate go-to shoe for some.

Check out more from Henry on Instagram @Blcklistd