Nike SB is launching a new Color of the Month series for the Air Force 1, partnering with skate shops across Europe, Asia, and North America to design regional exclusive colorways. The program draws inspiration from Nike‘s original Color of the Month initiative, which debuted in 1984 and helped save the Air Force 1 from discontinuation when East Coast retailers requested rotating exclusive colors to drive repeat purchases.
The SB version follows the same philosophy but goes global. Four collaborators will each release their own Air Force 1 interpretation, with designs exclusive to their respective regions. Amsterdam’s Ben-G handles Europe, Nocturnal represents the US out of Philadelphia, Instant Skateboards takes on Japan, and Fly Streetwear covers China.
Ben-G’s entry comes dressed in Light Chocolate suede with Court Purple accents on the Swoosh, outsole, and Nike branding. The design includes Ben-G’s logo on the outer heel. The modified SB Air Force 1 has emerged as Nike’s skateboarding take on the classic silhouette, offering enhanced durability and board feel compared to the standard basketball model.
The Air Force 1 remains one of sneakers’ most enduring silhouettes since its 1982 debut as a basketball shoe. Its transition into skate culture reflects the shoe’s versatility across disciplines. Nike SB itself established the skateboarding subsidiary in 2002, creating performance-focused versions of classic Nike models while building a collaborative network with independent skate shops worldwide.
The Color of the Month approach proved effective historically and continues to drive interest in foundational silhouettes. By distributing design duties to trusted regional partners, Nike SB taps into local skate culture expertise while creating scarcity through regional exclusivity. This strategy encourages collectors to seek out international pairs rather than treating each release as a universal drop.
All four Color of the Month pairs are expected to release in October 2026.
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