Patent leather Air Force 1s are coming back. Recent releases from Lil Yachty and Lebron James have highlighted this early 2000s classic, and today, a first look at an upcoming Summer 2026 release showed a standard-issue pair in “Topaz Gold”.
Patent leather on the Nike Air Force 1 became prominent in the early 2000s, when Nike began experimenting with glossy finishes to give the classic silhouette a fresh, standout look. While the AF1 had long been a staple in basketball and street culture, patent leather introduced a more fashion-forward edge. The 2002 “Easter” and “Luxe” releases helped popularize the material, followed by memorable colorways in the mid-2000s that leaned into bold shine and bright tones. These drops connected the AF1 to hip-hop style trends of the era, cementing patent leather as a defining chapter in the shoe’s evolution.
Next Summer, Nike is apparently bringing back the glossy finished look for the AF1. This morning, @sneakermarketRO shared a first look at the new colorway via a single in-hand photo. The pair features an upper constructed entirely from patent leather, a design choice recently only seen on Lil Yachty’s Concrete Boys pairs as well as Lebron’s upcoming AF1 release. The look is primarily cast in a soft “Topaz Gold” shade of yellow, adding a contrasting pine green Swoosh, and darker Laser Orange laces.
NIKE AIR FORCE 1 LOW “TOPAZ GOLD” RELEASE INFORMATION
Nike’s latest new colorway of their Air Force 1 Low has not been announced for release, though the sample tag in the photo has them penciled in for Summer 2026. This pair comes in a patent leather build nearly all of which comes in a soft “Topaz Gold” shade of yellow. Pairs will likely be available from both Nike and select retailers, with an expected $120 price tag.
Nike Air Force 1 Low
Color: Topaz Gold/Pine Green-Light Laser Orange-Midas Gold
Style Code: IO4489-700
Release Date: Summer 2026
Price: $120
Check out the early image below, and stay tuned to JustFreshKicks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more of the latest sneaker news, release dates, and restock alerts.
