When people talk about Michael Jordan’s sneaker game, they often bring up the AJ1, AJ11, and other well-known signatures. People are much less likely to think about the Nike Air Alpha Force, even though Michael Jordan wore them in 1988. But in 2023, the Swoosh will bring back the model, so many more people will learn about the silhouette and its history.
The sneaker is back with little new detail
Michael Jordan took the court against the New York Knicks on January 30th, 1988, wearing the Nike Air Alpha Force, one of the few times the player wore a non-signature shoe. Fast forward 35 years, and the exact same colorway that MJ wore during that game is making a comeback, this time in what appears to be original spec. Thankfully, the brand has done little to imitate almost three decades of age, keeping the white leather upper, midsoles, and laces free of yellowing. The details surrounding the shoe are just as clean, from the red ribbed collar, Swoosh, and outsole to the blacked out strap and “AIR FORCE” lettering.
Conclusion
It’s unusual to see a sneaker brought back to life, especially in its original shape. Fans of the original Air Force 88 will enjoy its comeback. Those who weren’t paying attention in 1988 will surely appreciate that one of the most popular Air Force 1s hasn’t had a retro style update in 11 years.
