Nike's latest Air Force 1 release has sneakerheads feeling a strong sense of nostalgia, as its star-studded design bears uncanny resemblance to the legendary 2006 NBA All-Star edition that became an instant classic.

The 2023 iteration features a crisp white leather base covered in metallic silver micro-stars, nearly identical to the design language Nike employed seventeen years ago for the All-Star game in Houston. While the color scheme has been slightly tweaked – the new model features icy blue accents where the original used red – the overall aesthetic is remarkably similar.

Sneaker historians will note that the 2006 edition was part of Nike's annual celebration of the NBA All-Star Game, featuring special packaging and limited availability that made it one of the most sought-after AF1s of the mid-2000s.

"Nike seems to be mining its archive for inspiration recently," said Jason Petrie, sneaker columnist for Sole Collector. "While this isn't an exact retro, it's clearly drawing from the same design well that made the 2006 pair so memorable. The star pattern was instantly recognizable then, and it still carries that same magic today."

The new star-covered Air Force 1 is set for release November 1st on Nike SNKRS and select retailers, priced at $150 – a significant jump from the original's $90 retail price in 2006 but actually relatively modest compared to today's premium sneaker market.