As one of the most sought-after sneakers worldwide, knowing the best places to buy Air Force 1s is crucial for completing your sneaker collection with those highly sought-after pairs.
However, determining the best places to buy sneakers can be a complex task, given the vast number of in-person and online stores that stock and sell the popular Air Force 1 model.
Fortunately, we have compiled a list of our favourite locations, considering factors such as their diverse selection of Air Force sneakers, customer-friendly return policies, user-friendly interfaces, and other standout characteristics that make these websites stand above the rest for picking up some of the best sneakers around.
So, if you're on the lookout for a pair of the best Air Force 1s on the market, rest assured that our list has got you covered. Let's dive right in...
Best places to buy Air Force 1s
1. Nike
With Nike manufacturing Air Force 1s, it's unsurprising that its website is one of the best places to secure a pair along with some of the best Nike sneakers on the market. However, we'd argue there's so much more to like about the store than it simply being the place where new Air Force 1s drop.
Firstly, Nike owns both Jordan and Converse, so you can browse some of the best Air Jordans and Converse shoes around as well as its range of Air Force sneakers.
It also has its own launch page called SNKRS, which lists some of Nike's most anticipated shoes ahead of time, including upcoming Air Force 1 releases. Therefore, you can stay informed on exactly when the shoes you're after are going to drop.
If that wasn't enough, the brand also has a free membership system that means you never have to pay for shipping, and grants you access to exclusive products ahead of their release.
Also, Nike's returns policy gives you 60 days (30 in the UK) in which to send back your sneakers if you're not completely satisfied with your purchase. So, on the whole, we'd say Nike is the place to visit for new Air Force 1 drops.
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2. StockX
While Nike is a great place to buy new designs, StockX, a second-hand resale marketplace, is well worth checking out if the Air Force 1s you're after have sold out.
The website functions like a sneaker stock market, offering data on price changes to help you work out if how much you're paying for a specific pair of Air Force 1s aligns with how much they've cost in the past.
Also, what's great about StockX is the company authenticates every purchase you make to ensure, based on its own verification processes, the sneakers you're buying are legitimate. This is particularly useful when it comes to purchasing rare and no doubt expensive Air Force 1s second-hand.
Perhaps one drawback is that all sales are final. However, with it being a resale website, you can simply list your shoes back up if you're not 100% satisfied with your purchase. For more tips on this, check out our guide on how to resell sneakers right here.
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3. GOAT
GOAT is another resale marketplace where you can find almost any Air Force 1 throughout history, including both new releases, like some of the best sneaker collabs around, and retro offerings.
The website is fairly intuitive to use. You can simply search for Air Force 1s, or for a specific model, in the top left. Alternatively, you can filter down to Nike sneakers by heading to the Featured Brands section under the Home tab.
When it comes to buying, you can either purchase the shoes outright, or you can submit a bid based on how much you're looking to pay for the Air Force 1s in question. Once a deal is finalised, GOAT sends you the shoes once they pass its own verification process.
GOAT also has a returns policy. You get three days to return your shoes if they fall under the categories New In Box, New No Box, and GOAT Clean. As long as they're returned in the same condition as shipped, you'll be entitled to a refund. So, if you're not happy with a purchase, GOAT has you covered.
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4. Flight Club
Flight Club is another place where you can buy and sell both new and retro Air Force 1s. Established in New York over 15 years ago, its perhaps now best known for stocking some of the rarest shoes on the market at in-person stores and online.
The website is easy to navigate, allowing you to filter to Air Forces 1s in a matter of seconds by highlighting the Sneakers then Nike tabs, before clicking on the Air Force 1 section. The homepage also presents you with a direct link to the most talked about sneaker on the market at the time of visiting. This can be handy when the Air Force 1s you're after are some of the hottest shoes around.
Flight Club also offers a ship-to-verify service, as most of the sneakers it lists online are provided by independent owners. Unfortunately, this does mean all sales are final, however, you can always sell your shoes back to Flight Club if needed.
Ultimately, we'd say Flight Club is well worth checking out, especially if the Air Force 1s you desire have sold out and are particularly hard to come by second-hand.
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5. Kick Game
While we've primarily focused on the US market so far, Kick Game is your go-to source if you're on the lookout for a fresh pair of Air Force 1s in the United Kingdom.
Kick Game boasts both physical stores and a user-friendly online platform, making your shopping experience a breeze. On their homepage, you can conveniently filter your search for Air Force 1s using the Sneakers and Nike tabs.
Kick Game also has a generous return policy, which allows you a comfortable window of 14 days from the receipt of your order to initiate returns. They offer a full refund as long as the shoes you're sending back are in their original, pristine condition.
As a bonus, Kick Game maintains an engaging YouTube channel where you can virtually explore its physical stores and get a firsthand look at the Air Force 1s they have in stock. So, if you're based in the UK, Kick Game is unquestionably a destination worth considering for your sneaker needs
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Buying new Air Force 1s can sometimes lead to a ton of questions. Don't worry though, we've answered some of the most frequently asked queries below...
When does Nike release new Air Force 1s?
There's no set time or date for each new Air Force 1 release, with Nike seemingly dropping its latest designs at random throughout the year.
However, due to the popularity of the sneakers, you'll often find at least one new Air Force 1 design is released each month. That said, this isn't always guaranteed.
One of the best ways to keep on top of all the upcoming Air Force 1s is to regularly check out Nike's SNKRS launch page alongside the store's New & Upcoming Drops section. Here, you'll find an array of new Nike sneakers to mark in your diaries if you're interested in picking up a particular pair of shoes.
Can you still buy Air Force 1s after they've sold out?
When Air Force 1s go out of stock, there are two main options to consider. The first one is to wait for them to be restocked by Nike or official retailers. However, not all models are reissued, which leads to the second option of purchasing them second-hand.
To ensure that you don't end up with counterfeit shoes, we recommend using a reputable resale marketplace as mentioned in our list. These platforms verify the authenticity of every purchase, giving you peace of mind when buying.
Although the cost of obtaining a particular pair of Air Force 1s may be higher than the retail price, you can sometimes find them for less on these marketplaces. Therefore, it's worth considering them as an option to get your hands on a coveted pair.
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