Nike Air Force 1 Craft | The Air Woven Is Another Nike Shoe Years Ahead Of Its Time

The sneaker trend that is currently taking the world by storm is the easy-to-wear slip-on style with no laces and a glove-like fit. adidas is, of course, dishing out some of the more popular options right now like the adidas NMD and Ultra Boost, both of which happen to be top sellers and major factors in the German sportswear brand’s swift upswing. The truth is, Nike was producing this style of sneaker for decades, but the Air Woven that first debuted in 2000 was the true lifestyle-focused model that shifted trends long before we knew they existed.

The Air Woven was originally a hand-made shoe that dropped exclusively in Japan, eventually making its way to other fashion capitals like New York City and London. It turned heads immediately thanks to the strange textile pattern, but the shoe was more than a looker as it featured Air cushioning and a form-fitting upper. It laid the groundwork for woven uppers and profoundly influenced the development of Flyknit.

The Air Woven was never a mainstream shoe; it was definitely niche and appealed to fashion circles and eventually sneakerheads who chased after Japan-exclusive releases. Over the years, Nike sporadically released new Woven colorways and this Spring, it appears that a slew of colorways are in the books. Is it finally the time for the Woven to be received by the masses? See what’s in store for the Jordan Air Jordan 1 Retro Hi Flyknit royal below.

Photos: 43einhalb