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This Nike and Levi’s Sneaker Looks Like an AI-Generated Mashup. It’s Actually Real

The Air Force 1’s overlooked sister shoe gets a blue-collar update.

Close-up of a sneaker showing a combination of blue woven fabric and light gray suede materials. The shoe features beige laces, detailed stitching, and a small white tag with black text. The midsole is off-white with a blue plastic support element.Nike

By Jack Seemer

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If three’s a party, how’s this for a guest list?

Nike, Levi’s and the venerated designer Nigo have come together for a limited edition mashup of the Air Force 3.

It’s an intriguing premise that sounds more like an off-the-wall what-if prompt for Midjourney or ChatGPT than an actual release.

However, the three-way collab is very real, very cool and cheaper than you might expect with three legendary names attached to it.

Pair of low-top sneakers with a mix of teal blue and light gray suede and fabric upper, beige laces, and a gray Nike swoosh on the sides. The midsole is off-white with a dark blue outsole. The design features layered panels and a padded collar.
The latest Air Force 3 collab between Nike and Nigo invites Levi’s to the party.
Nike

Blue dream

Nigo and Nike first came together last fall to reissue the Air Force 3, an overlooked offshoot of the Air Force 1, first released in the late 1980s.

Low-top sneaker with a mix of teal and gray suede and fabric panels, featuring a gray Nike swoosh on the side. The shoe has beige laces, a padded collar, and a white midsole with a slightly aged look, paired with a dark blue outsole. The design includes textured suede overlays and a cushioned sole with visible detailing near the heel.
The Air Force 3 first came out in the late 1980s as a sister shoe to the more-famous Air Force 1.
Nike

“The AF3 is a hidden masterpiece that I remember loving at the time,” Nigo said upon its release last year. “Through my first collaboration with Nike, I want to reintroduce everyone to its magnificence.”

“The AF3 is a hidden masterpiece that I remember loving at the time.”

A followup in December again centered around the Air Force 3, albeit with pony-haired uppers inspired by the Planet of the Apes franchise.

The latest drop is decidedly more tame, yet no less novel.

Across two distinct colorways, “Enigma Stone” and “Olive Gray,” a denim base serves as the foundation for the design — with the latter most resembling a worn-in pair of blue jeans.

Close-up of a sneaker featuring a mix of textured materials including blue denim and gray suede. The shoe has beige laces and a prominent gray Nike swoosh with white stitching. The midsole is off-white with gray and black accents.
Faded denim gives the “Olive Gray” colorway a worn-in look from day one.
Nike

Other details include suede paneling and leather Swooshes, while the iconic Levi’s tab can be spotted on the lateral side of the right shoe.

Close-up of a sneaker featuring a mix of materials including grey suede overlays and blue denim fabric. The shoe has a metallic silver Nike swoosh on the side, beige laces, and a midsole with a textured cream and blue design. A small white tag with black text is visible near the collar.
Only the right shoe features the Levi’s tab.
Nike
Close-up of a sneaker tongue featuring a blue fabric with the word "FORCE" and a basketball graphic in white. The shoe has beige laces threaded through suede eyelets, with a gold lace tag displaying the word "FORCE" and a basketball design. The sneaker also has a gray Nike swoosh on the side.
The shoe also comes with a metal lace charm.
Nike

The insoles also feature Levi’s cobranding, going so far to feature a vintage cowboy figure named Shane, which the denim brand used in advertisements throughout the 20th century.

A pair of white shoe insoles featuring a printed design of a smiling cowboy wearing a brown hat, green shirt, red neckerchief, and blue jeans. The cowboy is holding a yellow and red sign that reads "LEVI'S FOR NIGO" and "NIKE AIR FORCE III." The design is oriented so that the cowboy appears upright when the insoles are placed inside shoes.
The figure on the insole is a deep-cut Levi’s reference named Shane, which the brand used throughout the 20th century.
Nike
Vintage Levi's advertising cutout featuring a smiling cowboy wearing a large brown hat, green shirt, and red neckerchief. The front side shows him holding a yellow sign with red and black text that reads "LEVI'S AMERICA'S FINEST OVERALL FITS 'EM ALL." The back side displays a yellow arrow with red text saying "LOOK FOR THE RED TAB" diagonally across the cowboy's back. The cutout has a worn, distressed look.
Shane appeared on in-store advertisements across America.
Levi’s

Availability and pricing

None of the involved parties have confirmed a specific release date for latest Air Force 3, however, both colorways are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

Like previous Nigo and Nike collabs, they will likely cost around $160 — much less than you might expect for a shoe with not two but three vaunted names on it.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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