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The Nike Air Force 1 Color of the Month in White & University Red keeps it clean and classic. The Color of the Month concept taps into a slice of Air Force 1 history. Back in 1984, some Baltimore shops started dropping custom colorways of the AF1 each month to keep the silhouette alive. That grassroots movement helped turn the AF1 into the iconic staple it is today — and this modern series, which started in 2022, pays homage to that moment.
I’ve gone through a handful of the Color of the Month pairs over the last couple of years, but after a few sell-offs, I noticed something: no AF1s in the collection anymore. Given how much I liked the materials and presentation from previous pairs, I figured it was time to bring one back in. This colorway stood out for its crisp red accents and classic gum bottom — a combo that just looks timeless.
The gold “Anniversary Edition” on the tongue and a small embroidered Swoosh above the toebox give this particular colorway of the shoe just enough character without going overboard.
It’s not reinventing the wheel, but that’s kind of the point. This is a clean take on a legendary silhouette, with just enough throwback flavor to make it feel special. I’ve always thought the Color of the Month line was one of the better executions of Nike’s retro storytelling — and this pair fits right in.
These come boxed in a throwback orange-and-brown Nike box, and like the rest of the series, they include some extras — a toothbrush labeled “Since 1982” for keeping them fresh, an Air Force 1 tech hangtag, and shoebox paper featuring a court graphic with a floating outsole.
Materials
It’s not premium-tier leather, but it’s also a step above the stiff plastic feel you get on a lot of GR AF1s. The leather here is soft to the touch and breaks in nicely. Stitching and build quality feel consistent and clean. For a retro-themed general release, the craftsmanship feels solid — better than expected, honestly.
Fit & Comfort
These wear like any standard Air Force 1 — roomy in the toe and midfoot. I stick to true to size and appreciate the little bit of extra space, but if you like a snugger fit, you could consider going down half a size. As always with AF1s, they’re not the lightest shoe on foot, but they’re solid and reliable for casual wear.
If these are sold out at stores online, you can try looking for them on eBay.
Colorway: White / University Red
Style Code: DJ3911-102
Year of Release: 2023
MSRP: $150