
Back in 2006, Nike dropped an especially celestial Air Force 1 for the NBA All-Star weekend. The shoe, featuring a galaxy-inspired design with shimmering stars across its midnight-blue leather upper, instantly became one of the most coveted sneakers of the year.
Fast forward to today, and Nike seems to be channeling that same cosmic energy with their latest Air Force 1 release. This new iteration — though not officially linked to any All-Star events — boasts a strikingly familiar star-dusted design that immediately calls back to that 2006 classic.
The Celestial Connection
While saturated in midnight navy and featuring that signature crumbled sparkling effect, the reimagined AF1 sneaker does differentiate itself with slightly subtler branding. The lateral Swoosh of the 2023 maintains the original silver imprint, albeit with extra star embossing throughout.
"The '06 All-Stars set the standard for celestial sneakers, and this could be its spiritual successor."
Even the interior tongue logos share similarities, with constellations replacing traditional text in both editions, making it clear this was a deeply intentional nod to one of Air Force 1's most beloved colorways.
Colorway Comparable
While the upper's navy cheat looks nearly identical at first glance, there are some standout adjustments, including:
- Star placement:
- Midsole:
- Hardware:
Little tweaks per model but collective brings a contemporary elevation to the Once-in-a-blue-moon 2005-06 blueprint.