Since his tragic death in January 2020, NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s sneakers have become some of the most in-demand styles on the market, with fans chasing after nearly every release Nike has issued. Yet an upcoming Kobe tribute on a classic Nike shoe may prove to be one of the hardest to obtain of them all.

The soon-to-be-released Nike Air Force 1 was first seen on the feet of Bryant’s eldest daughter, Natalia, at the 2024 Mamba League Invitational tournament in August (where wife Vanessa and daughters Bianka and Capri also debuted Kobe-themed Air Force 1s).

The sneaker features a mostly all-black leather upper which is debossed with Bryant’s sheath logo in a repeating pattern. Los Angeles Lakers colors fill in the accents, with gold and purple covering the branded portions including embroidery of Bryant’s jersey number and logo at the heels. 

But the most significant detail of the sneaker is hidden on the insole, which boasts a “Mamba forever” tag and reveals that only 8,000 pairs of the colorway were produced. Each pair is individually numbered and will come packaged in a white box with a snake scale texture and Bryant’s signature in metallic gold.

Nike’s plans for future Kobe sneakers extend far beyond the Air Force 1. In 2025, a number of anticipated pairs from his signature line will be released including “What the” Kobe 8 and Kobe 9s, a new-look “All-Star 2.0” Kobe 6 and more. And this holiday season, the “Christmas” Nike Kobe 9 Elite High is expected to return for its 10th anniversary.

Although Nike has yet to formally add this limited-edition black Air Force 1 Low “Kobe Bryant” to SNKRS, a white colorway is scheduled to be released on Dec. 6, leading some to theorize the black pair will arrive the same day. The limited-edition style has a SKU of HV5122-001 and is expected to retail for $150. 

NBA Stars Pay Tribute to Kobe Bryant With Sneakers On-Court

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A social media sneaker critique spilled into an in-person confrontation Saturday at ComplexCon in Las Vegas.

During the convention’s “Sneaker of the Year” discussion, rapper and panel member Lil Yachty addressed a recent Instagram video shared by industry veteran Brandon “Bimma” Williams, who was in the audience. The rapper’s expletive-laced rant lasted nearly seven minutes and was rooted in Williams’ criticisms of Lil Yachty’s upcoming Air Force 1 collaboration.

“It’s like bro, every shoe don’t gotta be fifty f**king colors,” Lil Yachty said. “I wanted to do some real calm, sexy s**t. Like, navy blue is a good-ass color. And white, you feel me?”

The rapper’s Nike “Us Force 1” Air Force 1 collaboration, which is branded with the logos of his Concrete Boys group rather than his own, has received flack from Williams and other social media users for what they perceive as an overly simplistic design reminiscent of Nike’s widely available general release colorways. In his original video shared Nov. 13, Williams plays off of the rapper’s “Lil Boat” nickname, using several puns to dissect the collaboration. 

“Let’s talk about why Lil Boat’s Uptowns probably should have stayed docked,” Williams said. “Look, after a year of unwanted white-on-white Air Force 1 collabs, these just feel like a general release. Maybe throw these overboard.”

Williams, who has parlayed his industry experience into his own collaboration marketing platform, said he believed Lil Yachty’s “It’s Us” branding was too similar to Kith’s “Just Us” mantra. Williams also questioned the rapper’s authenticity as “one of hip-hop’s biggest sneakerheads,” citing a story where Lil Yachty admitted to being unfamiliar with Jay-Z’s music. 

“This is my thing, right?,” Lil Yachty said during Saturday’s panel. “I hate when people act as if all shoes must be like this…I don’t even understand. Everyone has their own take on a sneaker, so if I wanted to make an Air Force and I want it to be white and blue, if you don’t like it, that’s cool.”

Aesthetic aside, what Lil Yachty seemed to take exception with most was Williams questioning his personal ties to hip-hop and sneaker culture. 

The profanity-laden clips circulated on numerous social media accounts Saturday, and Williams took to his own @bimmawilliams Instagram Monday to respond. Once again using nautical puns and Jay-Z references, Williams ran through his resumé and addressed the tense situation. 

“There’s a difference between hate and a critique,” Williams said in the Monday response. “The latter is a gift and in return, you try to reduce me to a hater…and even though ya’ll tried to have standing up there silently, I didn’t need a mic because the community stood with me.”

Lil Yachty’s Concrete Boys x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Us Force 1” collaboration will be released first on Nov. 20 followed by a global release on Dec. 2. Retail pricing has not been confirmed.

Nike’s cache of Halloween-themed sneakers this year is more stacked than ever, but the brand may have saved the best for last with the reveal of a new Air Force 1 redesigned to resemble one of horror’s most iconic villains.

Official product images of a Nike Air Force 1 Low “Jason Voorhees” have hit the web, giving a detailed look at one of the brand’s more creative spooky season creations. Riffing off of the Air Force 1’s signature toe box perforation holes, the placement of the dots has been rearranged to match Jason’s hockey mask with two larger cut-outs signifying the slasher’s eyes. 

It’s a subtle-yet-unmistakable reference, and it’s the only major change the brand made to the otherwise plain white look. A premium leather gives the shoe’s upper an elevated aesthetic, but it’s otherwise a standard all-white Air Force 1 affair — which is hardly a critique given the creative spin on the toe design.

Nike has a complicated history with horror movie-related sneakers. In the late 2000s, the brand designed the infamous “Freddy Krueger” SB Dunk Low, a striped sweater-looking sneaker with blood splatter details that was never formally released. It’s said that New Line Cinema called for a cease and desist on the shoe, which led to the (attempted) destruction of units that were produced, but a handful of pairs trickled out and regularly resell for thousands.  

The fall season has been ripe with Halloween and horror movie-themed releases. In addition to a number of Halloween-timed sneakers from Nike, Jordan Brand and Adidas, Crocs got in early on the action in September with a “Friday the 13th” look of its own. The brand’s Jason-styled clogs are now sold out and were released alongside looks referencing “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “It Chapter Two.” 

As for Nike, it’s confirmed that its “Halloween” Air Force 1 Lows and Dunk Lows featuring etched skull toe boxes will be released Oct. 24 at retail prices of $140 and $130, respectively.

This Jason Voorhees-inspired Nike Air Force 1 Low does not yet have a confirmed release date, but it’s expected to launch on Oct. 23 for a retail price of $150. The “White/White” colorway has a SKU of IB4025-100.

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It’s been a busy month for the viral Nike Air Force 1 sneakers pictured on the cover art for Kendrick Lamar’s newest song. 

The untitled song, which has been dubbed “Watch the Party Die” by some outlets, was shared by the rapper Sept. 11 on Instagram and featured an image of a pre-owned pair of black Nike Air Force 1s. It didn’t take long for internet sleuths to discover that the art was from an eBay listing which listed the shoes as “vintage” and sold for $70 the same day. But just when it seemed like the story would end there, the sellers of the sneakers came forward — and upped their asking price.

Billy Lingo and Darla Wilson, who run eBay the account Good2BYou out of North Little Rock, Arkansas, spoke with local affiliate THV11 on Sept. 24. 

“What happened was I sold the shoes and I said, ‘Oh, great. I sold a pair of shoes,” Wilson told the station. “So I got them, boxed them up, printed the label. And all of a sudden, my phone was blowing up.”

After realizing they were holding a potential piece of hip-hop history, the sellers canceled the initial sale and relisted the shoes for auction, this time at a starting price of $5,000 with a Buy It Now option of $75,000. 

“We had an opportunity put before us, and I’m not a greedy person,” Lingo said. “You know, I’ve got a Buy It Now for $75,000 and I know that’s probably not going to happen, but it could.”

However, as of Sunday, the shoes are no longer available for purchase on the account, which is instead selling T-shirts printed with the cover art.

When reached for comment, the account owners told FN they canceled the most recent auction after experiencing “cyber bullying and harassment” over the listing. 

With plans to sell the shoes at a later date, the Air Force 1 owners said competing eBay accounts and e-commerce stores are now selling merchandise with the image, which they say they own.  

As for Lamar, it was announced Sept. 8 that he’ll headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on Feb. 9, 2025. 

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Nike, Inc.’s 2024 Halloween lineup is quickly becoming one of the company’s biggest holiday collections, with launches spanning multiple brands including Jordan Brand, Nike Basketball and Nike Sportswear. With the spooky season nearing, yet another pair has surfaced that will be joining the fast-growing series.

With details similar to the Halloween-themed Nike Dunk Lows which surfaced at the beginning of the month, this upcoming Nike Air Force 1 Low blends elevated materials with 3D details. Images shared by Instagram user @jw0574 give an idea of what to expect from the upcoming release.

Unlike the brighter neon colors seen on the Dunk Low, the Air Force 1 Low takes a darker approach with a dark red cracked leather upper. The leather appears to have a wear-away effect which could reveal a lighter color underneath, but that feature has yet to be confirmed.

Matching the Dunk Low, the ’24 “Halloween” Air Force 1 Low dons a molded plastic skull motif that fills in the entire toe box. This molded material is also used on the Swoosh logo on both sides of the shoe. Blacked waxed shoelaces add a premium touch, which could be indicative of a higher-than-usual retail price.

While this large skull shape is a new look for the Air Force 1, Nike has previously used skeleton themes on the sneaker for Halloween releases. Beginning in 2018, the Air Force 1 was released in white with an X-ray-like skeletal foot depiction on its sides. The concept was revisited with new colors releasing in black (2019), orange (2020) and purple (2021). 

Along with this newly surfaced Nike Air Force 1 Low and the aforementioned Dunk Low, Nike’s slate of Halloween releases this year includes an “X-ray” Kobe 5 Protro, special colorways of Devin Booker and Ja Morant’s signature sneakers and an Air Jordan 1 Low equipped with a light-up tongue. 

As of publishing, the is no confirmed release date for this Nike Air Force 1 Low “Halloween” colorway, but readers can expect it to be released in October. This story will be updated with more details as they’re announced. 

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The Best Sneakers of All-Time From the ESPYs Red Carpet [PHOTOS]

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Just days after confirming their relationship, “Love Island USA” stars Kenny Rodriguez and JaNa Craig were spotted enjoying some quality time together in New York City before meeting up with other cast members for the season’s reunion. The couple, who have rapidly gained a following, showcased their distinct street styles during the outing.

Kenny chose a timeless yet striking look, wearing white Nike Air Force 1 ’07 sneakers. The thick soles of these sneakers added a modern touch and some extra height, pairing well with his casual black jeans and a varsity jacket. The pristine white of the Air Force 1s contrasted sharply with his all-black attire, anchoring his outfit with a classic sneaker vibe.

JaNa, meanwhile, added a glamorous twist to her streetwear with strappy bronze metallic sandal heels. These heels, with their pointed toe footbed, brought a refined edge to her look. The metallic finish of the sandals glimmered in the light, drawing attention and complementing her fitted, satin mini dress by Outcast. The sandals’ delicate straps and sleek design enhanced the overall elegance of her outfit, blending femininity with contemporary fashion.

Together, Kenny and JaNa made a stylish pair as they navigated the busy streets of New York. Their complementary outfits highlighted their personal styles while underscoring the unique dynamic of their relationship. This outing not only marked their new status as a couple but also set them apart as trendsetters within the fashionable backdrop of the city.

The highly anticipated reunion of the latest “Love Island USA” season will bring the cast back together for the first time since leaving the villa. The reunion is set to premiere on August 19.

As Nike continues to “open the vault” — a social media colloquialism referring to recent leaks of the brand’s plans to retro coveted, closely guarded sneakers — more storied styles are purported to return. While many of these are strictly rumors at this point, there are certain shoes, such as the “Wu-Tang” Dunk High and Undefeated x Air Jordan 4, which are all but confirmed to launch in the near future. Another pair that appears to be returning in some form during 2025 is Nike’s Air Force 1 PlayStation collaboration with Sony. 

Sources indicate that the PlayStation x Nike Air Force 1 Low, originally produced in 2006, is set to return as a retail release in ’25. Only 150 individually numbered pairs were made of the ’06 version, making it an extremely collectible and sought after item in today’s market. According to Nike, before proceeding with the patent leather iteration of the shoe that most fans know, it presented a different sample version to the PlayStation team. 

That pair was constructed with a premium black leather and red shoelaces, but Sony wanted a shinier look, which led to the patent leather build. The red laces were also ultimately replaced with purple, but the rest of the shoes remained mostly the same. Aside from the glossy patent leather, the sneaker’s signature feature is its PlayStation-colored gradient fade at the heel, which also includes embroidery of the “PS” logo. The arrival of the ’06 version was timed with the release of the Sony PlayStation 3 video game console.

As sneaker culture’s popularity increased, pairs like the PlayStation x Nike Air Force 1 became iconic. There’s a famous photo of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant reacting to seeing the sneakers. The shoes regularly bring in thousands at auction houses such as Sotheby’s. Nike has worked with Sony in other capacities through the years including a new version of the Air Force 1 in 2018, numerous collaborations on Paul George’s signature sneakers and a three-way collaboration with Travis Scott on the Dunk to mark the arrival of the PlayStation 5.

At this stage, it’s not yet known if the ’25 PlaySation x Nike Air Force 1 will resemble the unreleased sample version or the patent leather look, but it’s expected to follow the design of the coveted ’06 pair. See both versions of the shoe below and check back for more updates on this release soon.

Nick Jonas was spotted in a casual look while in Los Angeles on July 18.

Worn with white ankle-length socks, Joans wore a classic pair of all-white Nike Air Force 1s. The low-top athletic style was comprised of white leather uppers, distinct silver hardware, matching white lace-up closures and non-slip flexible rubber soles.

The singer loves the style so much that he wore them a few days prior on July 18 along with a gray-centric ensemble. The sneaker silhouette was released in 1982 and utilized a revolutionary air cushioning system that was geared towards helping basketball players up their performance. Nike’s classic Air Force 1 style offers any look a classic and clean touch.

Much like Jonas’ application, the sneaker is usually worn along with casual looks in neutral tones including athleisure and denim. The shoe is so popular in fact that a decade ago, sporting goods analyst Matt Powell told the New York Times that the shoe sold an estimated 12 million pairs in 2005 alone, more than two decades after its debut. Boasting longevity thanks to its versatility, the sneaker is still in many people’s sneaker rotations to this day.

Going matchy-matchy, the “Sucker” singer wore a Kith two-piece set in a deep blue hue. The breezy coordinating style was comprised of an oversized short-sleeve button-down and baggy shorts. Both the top and bottom featured Kith’s logo printed throughout in an embossed textural style, making it look quilted from afar. Additionally, Jonas wore black sunglasses and a watch.

When it comes to footwear, Jonas’ styles range from retro to slick. The “Camp Rock” star’s red carpet footwear range is vast, including trendy Maison Margiela x Reebok sneakers, Kenneth Cole boots, and Christian Louboutin brogues. His off-duty wardrobe frequently includes colorful and comfortable neutral sneakers as well, hailing from the likes of Converse, Vans, Vagabond Shoemakers and Pierre Hardy, to name a few.

Nike Air Force 1 ’07, White

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After dressing up for the 2024 Tony Awards on Sunday, Nick Jonas kept it casual in New York City with a pair of classic white Nike Air Force 1’s on Monday.

“The Good Half” star stepped out in the city on June 17 wearing a simple but well-coordinated ensemble consisting of slim black pants and a gray short-sleeved shirt befitting of the warm June day. His sleeves included a white border that matched his pristine sneakers. He accessorized with a watch and aviator sunglasses.

Jonas opted for a well-known pair of sneakers to navigate the busy streets of New York City. His spotless Nike Air Force 1s appeared as though they had just been removed from the box; the bright white shoe contrasted his otherwise dark ensemble. The monochrome all-white low-top shoe, considered an essential wardrobe item for many an athlete or layperson, was first introduced in the mid-1990s. The best-selling “Triple Whites” or “Uptowns” lent a clean and classic sensibility to Jonas’ off-duty look.

The “Jealous” singer isn’t always wearing sneakers — he recently hit the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival wearing Christian Louboutin’s Chambeliss Night Strass patent leather dress shoes. Just the day before he was seen in New York in his Air Force 1’s, the Broadway alum was wearing an all-black suit with patent leather shoes to the Tony Awards; the actor has a penchant for a monochromatic outfit.

Looking ahead, Jonas stars in Robert Schwartzman’s upcoming comedy-drama “The Good Half” as a man who returns to his hometown of Cleveland to attend his mother’s funeral. The film is scheduled for release in the U.S. on July 23.

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Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ Couple Style

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Nike’s skateboarding division, Nike SB, has generated a lot of industry buzz for the brand in recent years. Who could forget 2020’s “Chunky Dunky” collaboration with Ben & Jerry’s or the furry Grateful Dead Dunks? In 2023, the skate entity teamed up with Nike, Inc. subsidiary Jordan Brand for an Air Jordan 4 that was a sneaker of the year contender in many circles. For 2025, the intrabrand collabs will reportedly continue.

One of the next models slated to receive the SB treatment is Nike’s iconic Air Force 1. Originally released in 1982, the Bruce Kilgore-designed model has been one of the Swoosh’s most enduring, bouncing back from am early-‘80s discontinuation thanks to a handful of retailers in Baltimore who urged Nike to keep the shoe in production. It blossomed into an east coast status symbol, eventually catching on internationally and becoming one of Nike’s top-selling sneakers year to year.

According to an early leak from Sneaker Files, a Nike SB Air Force 1 can be expected in 2025. Specifics aren’t yet known, but if Nike SB’s previous tweaks to shoes like the Dunk and Air Jordan 4 are any indication, fans can expect an Air Force 1 that has been upgraded for skate performance. Those shoes were updated through numerous wear test sessions with professional skaters, so it’s likely that Nike will take a similar approach with the Air Force 1.

Although in-hand images of the 2025 Nike SB Air Force 1 have not yet surfaced, an older sample pair shared by @sbcollector on Instagram may give fans an idea of what can be expected. That sample version features a black-and-gray colorway with a seamless construction mixing leather and suede. The tongue features a wide mesh for breathability, and the shoe’s standard Nike Air branding has been replaced with a red Nike SB logo. It’s important to note that this pair is a sample from years ago and may not represent what will arrive at retailers in 2025.

More details on the 2025 Nike SB Air Force 1 are expected to surface soon. In the meantime, readers can find out about the upcoming Verdy x Nike SB Dunk Low “Visty” here.