COMPARED: Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘01 vs. Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘07

For the last 19 years, we’ve become accustomed to a single shape used on the Nike Air Force 1 Low, the ‘07 cut. As you can guess, Nike introduced this version of the AF1 in 2007, but prior to this, the silhouette featured a different mold, fit, and overall look. Nostalgia being the driving force in the footwear world, Nike found it was time to bring back the 2001 shape of the Air Force 1 Low.

Not everyone was around for those days of the AF1, but it’s a time when the model became revered in the streetwear scene. Sure, the ‘90s saw the creation of the AF1 Mid and the adoption of the model across different cities and regions, but Forces became the force (pun fully intended) they are today during this period.

History of the Air Force 1 Low ‘01

The first release for the Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘01 came in collaboration with Japanese streetwear legend NIGO, founder of BAPE, on the Last Orgy 2 colorway. The pair was an homage to the magazine column that NIGO and Jun Takahashi (founder of UNDERCOVER) wrote throughout the ‘90s, and the release was chaotic. It dropped at a small pop-up in London, which went fine, but the online release caused the Human Made website to crash. Add to that the limited nature of the project and the online discourse around the “new” cut of the model, and it was clear everyone was feigning for a pair of ‘01 Air Force 1s.

Luckily, Nike is not limiting the Air Force 1 ‘01 to just collaborations, though we’ve seen other collab colorways from NIGO and Victor Victor. We’ll be treated to regular releases and restocks of classic colorways of the AF1 in the 2001 cut, including the Triple White that is probably sitting in your closet right now.

Now that there are two versions of the Air Force 1 on the market, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to compare the Air Force 1 Low ‘01 with the ‘07 cut and show the differences between the two.

Differences Between the Air Force 1 Low ‘01 vs Air Force 1 Low ‘07

General Shape

When looking at the Air Force 1 Low ‘01 and the ‘07 from a zoomed-out view, you can clearly see that the general shape of the shoe is slimmer. Though this is due to a variety of different minute details, you can’t ignore that the ‘07 looks bulkier and appears heavier compared to the ‘01.

Toebox

This is another factor that contributes to the slimmer general shape of the ‘01 Air Force 1. On the ‘07 AF1, you can see the toebox is more square and taller. The 2001 version of the AF1 Low reduces the toebox height, slimming it down and creating a more curvy and streamlined look.

Slimmer, More Athletic Fit on the ‘01

Over the years, the AF1 has been known as a bulky and heavy silhouette that doesn’t necessarily provide a great feel underfoot. And while the ‘01 AF1 uses the same internal cushioning, the overall shape and mold provide a slimmer and more athletic fit. This won’t necessarily affect the fit too much, as you’ll still likely need to go down a half size since the model runs big, but you can read more on how the Air Force 1 Low fits in our official AF1 Sizing Guide.

Heel Tab Shape

Looking at the heel tabs of the Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘01 and Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘07, you’ll see a glaring difference. The ‘07 (pictured on the left) is more square on its top portion, and it stands taller. On the other hand, the ‘01 cut (pictured on the right) is slimmer and rounded, providing a bit more cushion on the heel and giving the silhouette a streamlined look.

Padding

Aiding the athletic look and feel of the 2001 AF1 is the additional padding used on the ankle collar. Now, it’s not beefed up to a major degree, but it’s definitely noticeable on foot and visually.

Midsole

The rubber used on the AF1 ‘01 and ‘07 is probably the same compound, but the finish on the outside appears different. On the top, you can see the ‘07 cut of the model has a randomized pattern, while the bottom (‘01 cut) uses a hexagonal pattern on the rubber.

Swoosh

Nike’s Swoosh logo is no stranger to undergoing makeovers over the years, and that includes the AF1 ‘01. It’s not as drastic as some other examples over the years, but the 2001 Air Force 1 comes with a rounded logo compared to the ‘07 cut.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com