Nike Air Force 1 Shadow

Layers of fine materials work alongside compelling graphics to give this Air Force 1 Shadow a high-quality look. Underfoot, the height of the Sail midsole has been increased to 41mm, lending the wearer an elevated appearance, while the outsole, which is also in Sail, provides excellent traction through its circular grip patterns. Air lettering emerges from the lateral heel of the midsole just beneath a panel of rubber with more Air branding in Sesame.

Set atop this sturdy base is an upper made up of a series of smooth leather panels, once again covered in the off-white tone of Sail. In the forefoot, an additional suede mudguard has been slotted in between the primary one and the perforated toe box. It is decorated with a dynamic leopard print design that features a light dark background with black and reddish patches dispersed across it. The same material reappears on the primary lateral swoosh and the secondary heel panel, both of which share the space with a second layer. A sandy-coloured leather swoosh can be seen behind the lateral swoosh, before a Sesame suede heel panel with black Nike text embroidered into it obscures much of the leopard print pattern underneath it. Meanwhile, on the medial flank, a Sesame swoosh also appears in suede, bringing more plush textures to the design.

Further layering comes in on the eyestay as a white top section rests over another in Sesame suede. Around this part, several areas of mirrored branding create an intriguing visual effect. Firstly, in the toe end of the eyestay, Sesame AF1 lettering sits below a white lace dubrae with the same lettering debossed into it. Next, a pair of patches adorns the tongue. The lower one is Sesame with Nike Air text in black, and the main one displays Sesame branding on a Sail base. Finally, below the smooth, soft padding of the white inner lining, the insole contains two mirrored sets of Nike Air lettering, one in black, the other Sesame, thus rounding out the sophisticated look of this sneaker.