There is no shortage of great options to pick from when searching for a great Air Force 1 alternative. However, trying to find the best shoes like Air Force 1s isn't straightforward considering there are just so many options to choose from. Fortunately, we've put together a list of suitable substitutes to help you out, allowing you to enjoy the same fashionable appeal you love without having to pay the full price for the Air Force 1 design.
To make our selection, we took a closer look at some of the best sneaker brands and their roster of shoes to pick out footwear that, firstly, look almost identical, and, secondly, are a little cheaper to pick up, in most instances, than the Air Force 1.
Not only are these amazing sneakers a little cheaper to buy for the most part, but adding any of them to your collection means you can diversify your wardrobe beyond simply owning a vast array of some of the best Air Force 1s on the market.
So, we'd highly recommend considering a pair of shoes like Air Force 1s for your collection. And, luckily for you, our list is the perfect place to start your search. And, as an aside, check out the best places to buy sneakers if you're after any of these great Nike alternatives.
With that covered, let's get into it...
Shoes like Air Force 1s
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+ 51. Nike Court Vision
The Court Vision is often compared to and mistaken for an Air Force 1 due to its uncanny likeness. However, this is what we think makes it an ideal alternative if you're looking to stick to something from Nike.
What's particularly great about the Court Vision is that a regular pair will cost less than a comparable set of Air Force 1s. For example, despite the "Valentine's Day" Court Vision featuring the exact same design as the 2022 "Valentine's Day" Air Force 1, the Air Force 1 cost more at launch than the Court Vision.
Why is this? Well, for one, the Court Vision doesn't have the long history of the Air Force 1, nor is it in the spotlight quite as much. Also, the shoe doesn't feature the same Air bubbles in the midsole, which you may find makes it slightly less comfortable to wear.
However, when it comes to finding a like-for-like replacement for less, you won't find a shoe out there that's as similar to the Air Force 1 as the best Court Visions around.
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click to enlarge + 52. PUMA GV Special
If you're looking to move away from Nike, but still want something that gives the 'chunky' aesthetic, then the PUMA GV Special is well worth checking out.
Originally designed for tennis, the shoe has its roots in sports, much like how the Air Force 1 was made to be one of the best basketball shoes on the market in 1982. As a result, the sneaker features a similarly packed midsole to, originally, and to this day, improve comfort.
Moreover, we feel the overall shape and design of the shoe draws many parallels to Nike's sneaker. For instance, you get similar perforations across the toebox, plus the curved lines along the side give a close resemblance to Nike's iconic Swoosh.
So, when it comes to picking out shoes like Air Force 1s that aren't made by Nike, we'd say the PUMA GV Special is worth considering.
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click to enlarge + 53. adidas Forum
The adidas Forum is perhaps the least like the Air Force 1 in terms of likeness. However, there are plenty of similarities between the two models, especially when it comes to how the two shoes came into existence.
Like the Air Force 1, the Forum debuted in the '80s and was designed primarily for basketball, with top NBA stars at the time, such as Patrick Ewing, wearing the model.
Due to its comparable background in basketball, there are some similarities in its appearance as well. For instance, the midsole is noticeably 'chunky' in a similar fashion to the Air Force 1. Also, if you look at the two models face-on, you may struggle to separate the two if it weren't for the Forum's tongue strap.
Ultimately, the adidas Forum has more in common with the Air Force 1 than you might think, thus making it a great alternative option to consider, especially as its one of the best adidas shoes on the market.
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click to enlarge + 54. Reebok Club C 85
The Reebok Club C 85 is of a similar ilk to the PUMA GV Special in that it was originally made for tennis, but is more used as a sneaker for everyday wear nowadays, much like the Air Force 1.
Furthermore, the shoe features a fairly similar look and a vast selection of colourways to choose from which, again, draws a parallel with the Air Force 1 model.
If you're a fan of the popular "White" Air Force 1 '07 in particular, then the sheer number of white Club C 85 sneakers Reebok has available is definitely another reason why it's such a great alternative.
So, give Reebok's Club C 85 range a browse if you're after a pair of shoes like Nike's Air Force 1.
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click to enlarge + 55. Nike Blazer
The Blazer is another great alternative to the Air Force 1 from Nike itself due to its similar look and roots in basketball.
The Blazer, however, pre-dates the Air Force 1 by just under 10 years. And, given its appearance, we wouldn't be surprised if Bruce Kilgore, the designer of the original Air Force 1, took some inspiration from the Blazer for his creation.
That said, unlike the Air Force 1, the Blazer is more commonly found as a high-top, although there are plenty of low-cut iterations to choose from if you're a fan of lower-collared shoes.
As an overall package, we'd definitely put the Nike Blazer up there as one of the best shoes like Air Force 1s on the market, and benefits from being one of the best Nike sneakers right now as well.
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