You know that weird feeling when you’re friends with somebody, and they’re friends with another one of your friends, but the three of you have never hung out all together? That’s sort of the deal with Nike’s latest sneaker collab.
This month, two major Swoosh collaborators—Levi’s and Japanese streetwear icon Nigo—are teaming up on a new iteration of the Air Force 3, the archival sleeper hit that Nigo reimagined for his first official Nike linkup in 2024. First released in 1988, the largely forgotten hoops silhouette received a major boost when the Bape founder and Kenzo designer splashed it out in bright primary colors last fall.
Levi’s, for their part, has collaborated with both Nike and Jordan Brand on several occasions over the years. Just a couple months ago, they launched their latest endeavor, a trio of Air Max 95s draped in different shades of classic Levi’s denim. The blue-jean giant has also previously worked with Nigo, releasing a co-designed Canadian tuxedo in classic hickory stripes back in 2023.
Now, all three are teaming up on a new Air Force 3, one that eschews the eye-grabbing tones of Nigo’s original effort for a range of muted blues. The base of the upper is coated in faded Levi’s denim, set off by dusky grey suede paneling. The Air Force basketball logo adorns the tongue in white, while the heel features a signature red Levi’s tag. There’s also a distressed sole, giving the shoe a lived-in look—the best pairs of Levi’s, after all, are the ones that have already been worn a thousand times. The finishing touch? An inner sole featuring illustrations of the Levi’s cowboy, a hallmark of the brand’s ad campaigns throughout the 20th century.
The Levi’s x Nigo x Nike Air Force 3 ‘Denim’ hits SNKRS and select retailers on October 16 for $150.
