My thoughts on 2011 Nike Zoom Air Force 1 boots…

Posted: 15 January 2011 08:49 AM

OK folks, thought I would post my experience on trying to get some Nike boots on my feet the past couple of days.

My quest started via my blackened toes after a hard day of riding at Sunshine last weekend.  My old second-hand 32s weren’t cutting the mustard anymore so I needed something to replace them.

Yesterday I walked into a local shop just to see what they had and I caught the Nike Zoom Air Force 1 on the wall.  Immediately I wanted to try them on, I love the retro styling of the boots!

I tried on some 9s (as my boot size is a 9, usually) and was blown away by the heel hold.  I tried on Burtons, Vans and 32s and was instantly impressed how the Nikes put my heel in a choke hold.  The boot was hella snug but nothing was painful so I wasn’t too concerned.  The lacing system was awkward, the hooks on the upper outer shell are small and placed close to the velcro strap…  plus the pull string inner lace system doesn’t really tighten the liner I found.

Now I work at a shop and get a solid discount, so to pay the $325 retail for the Nikes was a tough pill to swallow but I figured I would wear them at my place at night to see what my feet really thought of them.  Not to mention I really like the colourway I picked:

I was stoked and looking forward to breaking them in a bit at night.  My feet however didn’t like my taste in boots. :)

I was going to pop my custom insoles in the boot when I noticed the stock Nike ones seemed to have decent arch support so I decided to wear them for the break in.

About an hour into wearing them my feet slowly went numb.  Not a bit, the outer three toes on both feet were out cold.  It became painful and I had to peel them off.  I wear thin microfibre socks, nothing crazy.  I was disappointed so today I went in to try then next half size up.

Unfortunately it was the same story for the 9.5s…  the Nike Zoom Air Force 1s are made for narrow feet, that became apparent to me.

So to wrap up this story I’ll bullet point the pros and cons of the 2011 Nike Zoom Air Force 1s in my opinion:

Pros:
- sick design and colourways
- awesome heel hold, probably best I’ve tried
- actually seemed to have a decent stock insole with hard arch support(!)

Cons:
- made for narrow feet
- difficult lacing / strap system
- boot shell is actually pretty big…  my 9 Nikes were visibly longer then my old 9 32s.

I didn’t buy them, I ended up checking my shop and they just got a shipment of Ride’s so I scooped up some Jackson Boa Coilers (sick boot, will post my thoughts on it with some riding).

Posted: 17 January 2011 06:03 PM

Gutted those boots look sooo nice Steve! I’d just wear them around the bars just too look the dogs boll*cks.

Since I bought my first set of Vans I’ve been a diehard customer, but I think I might have to try some Nikes on after my Andreas Wiigs kick the bucket. I have narrow feet and a particularly narrow heel and achilies I also like good support under my arch so they sound ideal.

Only issue is I’m going to be doing a fair bit of hiking and split board touring next season if all goes to plan and I’m not sure if I’ll need something stiffer and a bit more rugged… we’ll see but thanks for the heads up.

Hey do you reckon you’ve got an idea of the profile/fit of any other boot brands. It would be cool to get an article together.

Posted: 21 January 2011 08:28 AM

Apparently the Air Force 1’s are the stiffer of the Nike bunch, so says easyloungin crew.  Dunno where Ruf’s new model fits into the mix though.

You owe it to try it, if they fit you will be in heaven…  the fit would make all the con’s disappear in my mind.

I have a grip on a few boots, I’m sure if we mash heads together we’d be able to make a good article. :)

Posted: 24 January 2011 05:17 PM

My Vans are beginning to get a bit pungent so I’ll definitely be picking up some new boots in May… I just need to find out who’s arm I need to twist to get some at a good price.

Did you get the impression that they are boot that will break in and be super cushy or a boot like 32s that kind of remains firm throughout its life?

Posted: 28 January 2011 06:55 AM

Missed the reply, I would think they would hold up quite well considering the support I felt.  However best bet would be to ask at easyloungin.com as they have an active link talking about all Nike boots.