Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wears New Orange V.A.A. x Nike Air Force 1 Low

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was poised to be the future of Converse’s push back into the performance hoops sector, but that’s no longer the case. Don’t get it twisted, SGA is still one of the best players in the NBA and deserves a signature model, but Nike Inc, which owns Converse, shifted the OKC Thunder superstar over to Nike Basketball. That means his second signature model, the Shai 002, will come under the Nike banner, and now that he’s repping for The Swoosh, he made sure to make the brand a focus on NBA media day. Joining a slew of first looks today, including a new Futura Nike Book 2, the LeBron 24 Chosen 1s, and Tyrese Haliburton’s Puma Hali 2, SGA went the lifestyle route and debuted a never-before-seen orange Virgil Abloh Archives Air Force 1 Low.

V.A.A. x Nike Air Force 1 Low Orange Details

Though we have seen an orange version of Virgil’s take on the Air Force 1 Low, that version was still under the Off-White banner. It also uses a completely different shade of orange and features different details, namely, orange laces that blend in with the upper. The new V.A.A. version worn by SGA comes with bright white laces that pop against the vibrant orange upper. Metallic cracked leather Swooshes, a signature of Virgil’s AF1 designs as of late, are lined in black.

The video that shows SGA wearing this new V.A.A. AF1 doesn’t zoom in on the shoes, but you can make out the Nike Air tag that is shifted to the side of the tongue, another signature detail of Abloh’s. You can also just barely make out the iconic zip-tie, but there’s no clear shot of the medial side. Rest assured, the medial midfoot features the classic text in Helvetica font found on Virgil designs. Finishing the shoe is a tonal rubber midsole and outsole, which features black “AIR” text on the midsole as opposed to the black on the OG Off-White sample.

Is the V.A.A. x Nike Air Force 1 Low Orange Releasing?

The Virgil Abloh Archives x Nike Air Force 1 Low Orange isn’t confirmed to be releasing, but with SGA rocking the pair, it has us hoping that a release is imminent. So far, V.A.A. has only released two products with Nike, the Cryoshot Zoom M9 and the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Alaska. There was also the Sesame Air Force 1 Low, but after official images emerged months back, but there’s no indication that pair is actually getting a release. While we wait for more info on the V.A.A. x Nike Air Force 1 Low Orange, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.

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