👟 Heads up! We rely on affiliate links to help keep Dad Shoe Deals running. We may earn a small commission if you purchase dad shoes or other products using one of them — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our site!
Dad Shoe Debates is a special section on the Dad Shoe Deals website that breaks down debates surrounding dad sneakers. We pose provocative questions like, “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?” and answer them after carefully considering both sides of an argument.
Up for Debate
- “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?” is a question that emerged in 2025 after some Gen Zers started calling the iconic AF1 a dad sneaker.
- Some dad shoe enthusiasts, including us, reacted with “No way” when asked, “Are Air Force 1s dad shoes?”
- Others have admitted to seeing Gen Z’s point and argued, “The AF1 is a dad shoe.” It has created confusion over whether it deserves dad-sneaker status.
The Origin of the “Are Nike Air Force 1s Dad Shoes?” Debate
I was born less than 6 months after Nike released the original Nike Air Force 1.
The first sneaker I ever bought with my own money was the Nike Air Force 1 Mid “Navy/Orange.” I ordered it out of an Eastbay catalog shortly after starting high school.
And to this day, I just about always have at least one pair of AF1s on ice — in case I ever get a last-minute invite to a Nelly concert (which, coincidentally, almost happened last month when he performed at the Jersey Shore!).
I say all that to say this: The Nike Air Force 1 holds a very special place in my heart.
Like a lot of people my age, I consider the AF1 my favorite shoe of all time — and I don’t ever plan to stop wearing it for good. From the bright “Triple Whites” to the polarizing “Triple Blacks” and every color in between (including the Nike Air Force 1 “Light Photo Blue/Photon Dust/Racer Blue/Multi-Color”!), I’m an AF1 fan, through and through.
With this in mind, you can probably imagine how I felt last year when the question, “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?” started swirling around online in 2025. You can also likely guess what I thought after hearing that Gen Z was responsible for jump-starting this debate by saying that the AF1 is a dad sneaker.
Still, one of the many things that I’m dedicated to doing with Dad Shoe Deals and, more specifically, our Dad Shoe Debates section is keeping an open mind. So rather than simply writing off Gen Z’s unpopular opinion on the AF1, I’m going to carefully consider both sides of the “Are Air Forces 1s dad shoes?” debate before ultimately deciding what I think the answer to it should be.
In the words of AF1 aficionado Young Jeezy, let’s get it.
Why the Nike Air Force 1 Is Definitely Not a Dad Shoe
When I first saw the question, “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?” making the rounds, my immediate reaction was to yell, “NO!” I couldn’t believe it was up for debate, because I had never heard anyone even subtly suggest the AF1 might be a dad sneaker.
I had a bunch of reasons for feeling this way. Here is why I didn’t think the Air Force 1 deserved the dad-shoe distinction.
It Was Originally Designed to Be a Basketball Sneaker
Basketball sneakers are rarely considered dad shoes. Some notable exceptions exist, including the Nike Air Jordan 3 and the Ewing Athletics 33 Hi OG.
But generally speaking, basketball sneakers and dad shoes fall into two completely different categories.
I would argue that this alone makes the answer to the question, “Are Air Force 1s dad shoes?” a resounding “no.” Nike designer Bruce Kilgore created the AF1 in the early 1980s as a basketball sneaker, which should automatically keep it out of the dad shoe column.
It Has Strong Hip-Hop and Streetwear Roots
From the various iterations of the New Balance 990 to the Nike Air Monarch IV, dads have, not surprisingly, played a huge part in helping some of the best dad shoes of all time become popular. You can’t say the same about the Nike Air Force 1.
Believe it or not, Nike almost did away with the AF1 in 1984, citing weaker-than-anticipated sales. That is, until a handful of passionate AF1 enthusiasts from Baltimore stepped up and successfully convinced the Swoosh not to do it.
This led sneaker stores in Baltimore to launch a “Color of the Month” campaign for the AF1, allowing it to have a much bigger cultural impact. It eventually spread to sneaker shops in other cities and became part of the country’s burgeoning streetwear scene.
The Air Force 1 also made waves within the hip-hop community throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Countless rappers name-dropped the AF1 in songs and rocked them during shows and other appearances.
From Rakim and Jay Z to Fat Joe and the aforementioned Young Jeezy, hip-hop artists have helped transform the AF1 into the classic shoe it is today.
It’s Available in a Wide Range of Colors and Styles
Some of the most popular dad shoes come in a variety of colors and styles. The New Balance 574, for example, comes in a large assortment of colorways. Options range from neutral to bold.
Still, there aren’t any dad shoes that come even remotely close to matching the AF1’s astounding number of colorways. Nike hasn’t officially kept track of exactly how many AF1 colorways there are, but experts estimate the number falls somewhere between 3,000 and 10,000.
By comparison, one of the best-selling dad shoes ever, the Nike Air Monarch IV, is only available in about 20 colorways, and many are rare and hard to find. The AF1’s huge colorway selection creates a clear distinction between it and dad sneakers.
It Lacks the Comfort of Traditional Dad Shoes
Dads wear dad shoes for many reasons. Comfort is one of the biggest. They routinely praise the Nike Air Monarch IV as one of the comfiest shoes they’ve ever worn.
Even younger dads who buy dad shoes like Monarch IVs just to be funny or ironic are often pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they are.
People don’t always say the same about the Air Force 1.
Just check out this Reddit post called “Are Air Force 1s Comfortable?” to see how unfavorably many people view the AF1 in terms of comfort.
Some Redditors describe AF1s like this:
- “They feel like walking on wooden blocks”
- “They’re the most uncomfortable shoes I’ve ever worn”
- “I got my first AF1 two weeks ago, and I’ve never worn shoes this uncomfortable”
- “The thing I hate most is how they make it feel like you’re wearing high heels”
- “I bought AF1s for the first time. Are they supposed to feel like bricks? I also can’t bend my shoes at all. Is this normal?”
I’m apparently in the minority, as I find AF1s very comfortable once they’re broken in. I actually have a pair that is easily over a decade old, and I’d consider it one of my favorite sneakers to wear because it’s so comfy.
At least some others agree:
But even I am willing to admit that the consensus seems to be that AF1s aren’t as comfortable as they should be. It’s another reason why I have the answer to the question, “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?” being “no.”
It’s Rare to See Actual Dads Wearing AF1s
When was the last time you saw a dad wearing a pair of Air Force 1s? I’ll wait…
I’m sure dads who wear AF1s are out there, but they’re few and far between.
Part of the appeal of dad shoes is that actual dads have worn them for so long that younger people have had to learn how to style them to make them look cool. The AF1 doesn’t have this same appeal, since it isn’t as popular among dads as the sneakers we consider real dad shoes.
Why the Nike Air Force 1 Could Be Considered a Dad Shoe
I’ll be honest: My first instinct any time I’ve heard someone ask, “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?”, has been to scream, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” My brain just hasn’t been prepared to process a proper response to what has felt like such a silly question.
I’m always up for a challenge, though, so I sat back and really let my mind wander while wondering, “Are Air Force 1s dad shoes?” as part of this exercise. Surprisingly, it helped me come up with several reasons why I could see some people choosing to consider the AF1 a dad shoe.
It Was Released Almost 50 Years Ago
Fun fact: The first dad shoe, the New Balance 990, and the Nike Air Force 1 were released in the same year. They both hit stores in 1982, meaning they’re over 40 years old and well on their way to turning 50!
The AF1’s age doesn’t automatically make it a dad shoe. At the same time, I can’t blame some people for saying “yes” to the question, “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?” based solely on how long it has been around.
It Isn’t as Prominent Within the Hip-Hop and Streetwear Worlds as It Once Was
At one time, you couldn’t sit and watch a new rap video or flip through a streetwear spread in a magazine like Vibe without seeing a cornucopia of colorful Air Force 1s. It was almost as if they were part of the uniform worn by rappers and streetwear enthusiasts.
This isn’t really the case anymore. While AF1s still make their fair share of cameos in music videos, on concert stages, and even on red carpets, so many other options exist these days. Young artists, in particular, are more likely to try to stand out by bypassing AF1s in favor of their alternatives.
Don’t get me wrong: Certain rappers like Jim Jones continue to sing the AF1’s praises and stock up on AF1s so they always have a fresh pair on hand. However, not everyone is following his lead these days, with many of his counterparts opting to wear boots, dad shoes, and other options.
It Has a Very Basic Design
“Basic” is the word many Gen Zers use to describe the Nike Air Force 1 nowadays. It’s also the word that has motivated many to answer “yes” when asked, “Are AF1s dad sneakers?”
“Basic” is also the word that I and many others use to describe dad shoes. Just look at these excellent examples of dad shoes from popular sneaker brands with pretty basic designs:
The Air Force 1 wouldn’t look that out of place lined up next to these sneakers. In this regard, I can see how some people would sneak a peek at it and say, “That’s a dad shoe, just like all the other dad sneakers next to it.”
It Can Be Worn in Many Scenarios
One of the many things people love about dad shoes is that you can wear them for just about anything. It isn’t uncommon to see someone wearing dad sneakers to:
- Mow the lawn
- Clean the garage
- Work on a car
- Tackle a home improvement project
- Attend a football game
I could say the same about the Air Force 1. I wear it to tackle a wide range of tasks, and many other AF1 loyalists do, too. And I guess I can understand how that might translate to, “The AF1 is a dad shoe!”
It’s a Little Too Accessible
One thing worth noting before we close out this debate: Gen Z didn’t always consider the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe.
Just two years ago, articles about how Gen Z needed to stop wearing AF1s everywhere — including to work — were all the rage.
So, what changed? What made so many Gen Zers ask, “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?” and answer “yes”?
Many have said they’re “over” AF1s simply because they’re so easy to buy, since most sneaker stores have Triple White AF1s for sale alongside at least a few other colorways. As a result, their novelty has worn off.
Should this lead to AF1s and dad shoes getting clumped together in the same category? Gen Z sure seems to think so, and to be fair, it isn’t hard to see how they arrived at this theory.
Settling the “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a Dad Shoe?” Debate
After looking at the Air Force 1 through a slightly different lens than I’m used to, considering what Gen Z has had to say about AF1s over the last year, and taking my own feelings into account, I believe that I have a much better understanding of why young people feel the way they do about Nike’s classic shoe.
But do I agree with Gen Z’s “dad sneaker” assessment of the AF1?
I’m not there yet.
As the AF1 continues to age, I might be more inclined to say “yes” when I’m asked, “Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe?” But for now, I’m not ready to write it off as just another dad sneaker.
I’m also not quite ready to retire my AF1s completely and only wear dad shoes. It’s still my GOAT sneaker, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon — much to the chagrin of my Gen Z teenager.
10 Nike Air Force 1s Worth Wearing This Summer
Do you love Air Force 1s as much as I do? Then this is one of the best times of the year to put on a new pair.
There is nothing quite like finishing off a summer look by lacing up bright white AF1s or wearing them in an even bolder colorway.
Here are 10 Nike Air Force 1s worth wearing between now and the end of the summer:
- Nike Air Force 1 “White/White/Black”
- Nike Air Force 1 “Flax Wheat/Gum/Light Brown/Black”
- Nike Air Force 1 “White/Deep Royal Blue”
- Nike Air Force 1 “Light Smoke Gray/Armory Navy/Gum/Light Brown”
- Nike Air Force 1 “Cool Grey/Wolf Grey”
- Nike Air Force 1 “Black/University Red/Black”
- Nike Air Force 1 “Medium Olive/Cargo Khaki/White”
- Nike Air Force 1 “Asparagus/Aluminum/Phantom/Wheat Grass”
- Nike Air Force 1 “Light Armory Blue/Obsidian/Diffused Blue”
- Nike Air Force 1 “World Tour”
Is the Nike Air Force 1 a dad shoe in your eyes? Let us know why or why not.
Take a look at our other Dad Shoe Debates here. We also invite you to search for the latest dad shoe deals by visiting our Dad Shoe Discounts page or to discover more about dad sneakers by grabbing a seat for our Dad Shoe 101 class.
FAQs About the Nike Air Force 1
When Was the Nike Air Force 1 Released?
The Nike Air Force 1 was originally released in October 1982. Nike designer Bruce Kilgore created it, initially building it to be worn as a basketball sneaker.
Why Is the Nike Air Force 1 So Popular?
The Nike Air Force 1 is popular for many reasons. People have typically cited everything from the sneaker’s timeless appearance and affordability to its durability and plethora of colorways as reasons for buying AF1s time and again.
What Is the Best Nike Air Force 1?
The best Nike Air Force 1 is difficult to pinpoint because there are simply so many different AF1 options. Experts believe Nike has released between 3,000 and 10,000 AF1 colorways over time. Nike has also unveiled low, mid, and high-top versions, leaving you to decide which you like most.
Are Nike Air Force 1s Out of Style?
No, Nike Air Force 1s are not out of style. Many people continue to wear them in 2026, and they will likely wear them in 2027 and beyond, too. However, AF1s have fallen out of favor with some age groups. Most notably, Gen Zers aren’t wearing AF1s as often as they used to.
Is the Nike Air Force 1 Cool?
Yes, the Nike Air Force 1 is still considered a “cool” sneaker, despite its waning popularity among Gen Zers. It has an iconic design and a massive collection of colorways that have kept it cool for decades now.