| No discussion of sneakers is complete without at least | | | | statement on its own. The strap can be left dangling to |
| some mention of Nike Air Force Ones. These shoes | | | | the side or strapped tight depending on the style or |
| have been the first and most popular choice when it | | | | taste you are hoping to display. Also there is a |
| comes to every day shoes and collectors items for | | | | medallion that is tied onto the laces at the bottom. The |
| over 25 years. Since 1982, air force ones have been | | | | medallion has the inscription "AF-1" and "82". The 82 is |
| some of the biggest, best and most popular shoes | | | | displayed to commemorate the first year that the |
| available on the market. With each passing year Nike | | | | sneaker was manufactured and the AF-1 simply |
| has redesigned and improved the sneaker on the | | | | stands for Air Force Ones. Without this medallion or |
| whole and it seems to keep getting better and better | | | | the Velcro strap you can be sure that the sneaker is |
| with no signs of its popularity waning. | | | | not real and may in fact be a knockoff. |
| One of the characteristics that make the sneaker so | | | | Another key characteristic of the shoe as a brand is |
| popular is its versatility and the vast array of differing | | | | simply the star power behind it. Anyone who is anyone |
| designs. The brand itself has been promoted by | | | | within the rap industry or professional basketball |
| athletes and superstars from every walk of life. They | | | | players has purchased, worn or collected these |
| can be worn while playing basketball, soccer, running or | | | | sneakers in some way or another. Celebrities from P. |
| even just for every day activities. There really is no | | | | Diddy to Nelly to Michael Jordan have all become |
| set single purpose for these shoe and they are some | | | | known as connoisseurs of the brand on the whole. |
| of the most versatile on the market. On top of this, | | | | Some superstars have even gone so far as to have |
| there is a design or color combination for the tastes or | | | | collections that exceed the hundreds and at times |
| interests of any person. While the most popular color | | | | even thousands. |
| choice is the classic white on whites, you are never | | | | If you are looking to start a collection of sneakers or |
| limited by color. Many collectors go so far as to have | | | | even just hoping to find an appropriate pair or two |
| a pair that matches every hat or color coordinated | | | | then Air Forces Ones should often be the first place |
| outfit. That is proof of just how many colors and | | | | you look. No matter the color or design you are looking |
| designs can be purchased. | | | | for, these sneakers have widely become known as |
| While there seem to be infinite options when it comes | | | | the king of all sneakers. Collectors, enthusiasts and |
| to the design, there are few defining characteristics | | | | moderate consumers alike have all supported and |
| that identify the shoe as a brand. The Velcro strap | | | | loved this brand for the past 25 years, and quite |
| that is attached to both the mid-top and high-tops is a | | | | possibly for the next 25 as well. |
