Colin Kaepernick x Nike Air Force 1 CK: A Detailed Look
The date that Kap first took a knee is printed under the outsole.
Quarterback/social justice activist Colin Kaepernick and Nike are continuing their collaborative efforts with a new take on the Air Force 1 Low. The former San Fransisco 49ers star and the Swoosh Brand have already produced an Emmy award-winning “Just Do It” campaign and a special “True To #7” jersey, but this Air Force 1 marks the partnership’s first piece of footwear. Premiered by Kaepernick himself at his recent private workout for NFL teams, the co-created design provides a stark color scheme and plenty of meaningful details.
Black leather covers the majority of the upper’s real estate, with the Swoosh featuring a two-tone print that fades to white towards the heel. Of foremost note is the heel tab, boldly presenting a stylized take on Kaep’s visage that’s complete with a full afro. More pops of white are present at the bottom of the throat, both sides of the special tongue badge and the leather hangtag.
Although the upper provides striking details, the shoe’s signature mark arrives under its icy blue translucent outsole, with a printed “081416” embellishment running from toe to heel. This is a direct acknowledgment of the first date that Kaepernick protested police brutality by taking a knee on the sideline during the national anthem — August 14, 2016. A white midsole with black accents completes the look.
Reports state that the Colin Kaepernick x Nike Air Force 1 CK will release on December 23, but Nike has yet to confirm an official date. If you’re not in the mood to wait, it’s available early in select sizes at Stadium Goods, with prices ranging from $410 USD to $465 USD.
Nike is also set to release a special LeBron 17 “More Than An Athlete” in partnership with LeBron James‘s UNINTERRUPTED.
