Comparing the Air Force 1 vs Stan Smith is a nuanced task, considering their distinct origins. The Air Force 1 emerged as a basketball shoe, designed for optimal performance on the court. In contrast, the Stan Smith's roots trace back to the tennis scene of the mid-1960s. Despite their differing backgrounds, both sneakers have evolved into staples of everyday footwear, prompting the question of which one to choose.
To aid in this decision, we explore the similarities and differences between these amazing sneakers. While acknowledging that personal preference plays a significant role, we aim to provide an impartial assessment of their respective strengths and weaknesses.
However, before delving into our verdict between the best Air Force 1s and Stan Smith, it's crucial to delve into their rich histories and understand how they reshaped the landscape of sneaker culture. And that's where we're starting...
History
Although both sneakers have a long history, the Stan Smith was actually introduced first in 1965. Initially, they were named after the famous French tennis player Robert Haillet, who had been endorsed by the brand.
However, in the late 1960s, the renowned American tennis player Stan Smith became associated with the sneakers, prompting adidas to rename them as the "adidas Stan Smith" in 1978.
Since then, hundreds of Stan Smith colorways have been released as they moved away from being great tennis shoes into becoming more sneakers for everyday wear. That said, the original Stan Smith featuring white leather and green accents remains a fan favorite and arguably one of the best adidas shoes ever made.
The Nike Air Force 1 made its debut in 1982, marking a significant milestone in the basketball shoe industry. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, it was promoted as one of the best basketball shoes around. In a remarkable marketing move, Nike enlisted six of its top NBA athletes to launch the Air Force 1 campaign with great fanfare in 1983.
Despite Nike's efforts, however, the brand discontinued the original #4190 design by 1984. Demand was there though, with three stores in Baltimore having a particular desire to see the Air Force 1 return. Nike agreed, but only if the retailers would take 1,200 pairs of the two initial colorways.
These retailers accepted and took on the 1,200 pairs of the "Royal Blue" and "Chocolate Brown" designs and, in doing so, inadvertently retro'd a sneaker for the first time. It also created the "Colour of the Month" series, aka the sneakers which Nike credits as the savior of the Air Force 1, which, like the Stan Smiths, are some of the best Nike shoes available today.
Price
If you're curious about the price comparison between Air Force 1's and adidas Stan Smith's, the answer is quite simple. On average, Stan Smith's tend to be cheaper than Air Force 1s. To illustrate this, you can compare the price of "Triple Black" Air Force 1s, arguably some of the best low-tops around, with the "Triple Black" Stan Smiths.
This is most likely due to the extra materials used to manufacture the larger Air Force 1 model, the addition of Nike's Air technology, and perhaps even the sneaker's greater popularity.
Design
When it comes to the design, it's important to remember that one was originally designed to be a low, lightweight tennis shoe, while the other was built for support on the basketball court.
As a result, Air Force 1's are the larger and slightly taller of the two. This is mainly down to the aforementioned Air units packed into the midsoles for added cushioning, making the shoes ideal for everyday wear.
On the other hand, Stan Smith sneakers have a lower-cut design and relatively thinner midsoles, which might not provide as much support as Air Force 1s do for everyday wear.
It is worth noting though that recent Stan Smith releases have been made out of recycled content as part of adidas' commitment to using only recycled polyester by 2024. As a result, Stan Smith's now come with vegan uppers and outsoles made from rubber waste, all whilst maintaining their timeless aesthetic.
Air Force 1 vs Stan Smith: Which should you buy?
Choosing which of the two sneakers you should buy will ultimately come down to personal preference. That said, we feel that the wider variety of Air Force 1 colourways available means there's more likely to be an Air Force 1 style out there to suit everyone's taste.
It's worth keeping in mind though that Stan Smith's are cheaper, and you can now pick up models made from sustainable materials. adidas is even releasing new designs to provide even more variety in its selection of Stan Smiths available.
Ultimately, the choice is yours though. If you're really unsure though, we'd recommend finding both pairs in a store and trying them on to see which of the two suits you best.
Read More: Best sneaker deals
That's it! We hope this guide has helped you pick between the timeless Air Force 1 and iconic Stan Smith shoes. Stay tuned for more like this at RealKit.
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