When Bruce Kilgore first designed the original Air Force 1 Lows back in the early ’80s (itself a low-top casualwear iteration of his high-top basketball shoes), he probably didn’t imagine his silhouette would go on to become arguably the most important lifestyle sneaker ever. Now streetwear reverence is evolving to haute couture as Nike is getting ready to drop the “Made In Italy” variants of the shoe, equipped with a $600 price tag.
A Return to Italian Craftsmanship
This isn’t Nike’s first foray into Italian manufacturing for the AF1 — the brand previously released limited “Made in Italy” versions featuring fine woven leather constructions. But those older models have become so rare they’re practically sneaker lore at this point. With only 800 pairs of each colorway being produced, this new pack follows that same exclusivity blueprint while pushing the luxury angle even further.
Instead of the traditional panel-heavy design we’ve come to expect, Nike opted for a seamless one-piece upper that flows from toe to heel. Starting with glossy patent leather at the forefoot, the material transitions to smooth matte leather across the sidewalls before finishing with textured reptile-skin embossing on the heel. It’s an impossibly clean gradient that showcases what Italian leatherwork can accomplish when given a blank canvas like the AF1 Low.
Minimalist Luxury Details
Another intriguing detail is that the Swoosh logo is debossed rather than stitched, maintaining the streamlined aesthetic, while waxed laces and a lily keychain add extra flare the the silhouette. Both the stealthy Triple Black and College Grey colorways stick to monochromatic palettes, letting the material transitions do the talking. The gray version features a translucent outsole, while the black keeps things traditional with standard rubber.
Nike’s History of Luxe Air Force 1 Lows
Nike has been elevating the AF1 Low into premium territory for nearly two decades now. The mid-2000s saw the introduction of the Bespoke series— custom editions allowing buyers to select exotic materials like ostrich, crocodile, or calfskin, some commanding prices up to $800. Then came the 2007 Anaconda Lux and the infamous Crocodile edition that retailed for $2,000.
More recently, collaborations with Louis Vuitton (from Virgil Abloh’s final LV collection, featuring diamond-dusted Swooshes) and Tiffany & Co. (with sterling silver accents) pushed resale values into five-figure territory. The Made in Italy pack feels like Nike establishing a permanent high-end tier for inline releases, with no celebrity collaborator required.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nike Air Force 1 Low Made in Italy Pack
Colorways: Black/Iron Grey-Sail; College Grey/Vast Grey-Sail
Upper: One-piece Italian leather with patent, matte, and reptile-embossed finishes
Details: Debossed Swoosh, waxed laces, lily keychain
Limited Edition: 800 pairs per colorway
Price: $600
Pricing & Availability
Both colorways drop this spring exclusively through Nike’s website and select retailers. At $600 and limited to just 800 pairs each, expect these to move fast.
Recap
Nike Air Force 1 Low Made in Italy Pack
Nike’s bringing back its “Made in Italy” Air Force 1 Lows with a seamless one-piece Italian leather upper that transitions from glossy patent to matte to textured reptile skin — limited to just 800 pairs per colorway at $600 a pop. It’s the Swoosh’s latest move to carve out a permanent luxury tier for the AF1 Low without needing a celebrity collab to justify the price tag.
