The Nike Air Force 1 Cherry Blossom arrives as a follow-up to the Fall Leaves pair that released in fall 2025, continuing Nike’s recent run of more experimental, nature-inspired AF1s. Here, we get a clean Air Force 1 base wrapped in a removable cherry blossom–printed shroud, complete with leaf graphics. The shroud laces into place and can be fully removed to reveal the shoe underneath, giving the pair a genuinely interactive design element rather than just a cosmetic one.
Originally designed by Bruce Kilgore in 1982, the Air Force 1 was Nike’s first basketball shoe to feature Air cushioning, eventually evolving from a hardwood staple into one of the most iconic lifestyle sneakers of all time. This Cherry Blossom release builds on that legacy by pushing the silhouette in a more conceptual direction, using layered materials and removable components to add depth beyond a standard colorway swap.
I really liked the idea behind the Fall Leaves pair but never pulled the trigger, mostly because the colorway underneath the shroud didn’t fully do it for me. This Cherry Blossom version, though, hits much harder. The exposed colorway looks great once the shroud comes off and even gives off vague Purple Pigeon SB vibes, which I’m definitely not mad at. I’m a fan of Nike experimenting with premium AF1s like this, and I ended up grabbing these for full retail from Sneaker Politics without hesitation.
The pair comes in a standard black Air Force 1 box and includes sail laces along with the removable shrouds. Packaging is straightforward, letting the shoe and its concept do the heavy lifting.
Materials
Material quality is solid here. We get hairy suede throughout the upper, which feels soft and premium to the touch, paired with a leather Swoosh for contrast. Construction feels well executed, and for a pair labeled as “Premium,” the materials and overall build back that up. This feels like a step above a standard GR AF1.
Fit & Comfort
Fit is classic Air Force 1. These run roomy at true to size, and depending on your foot shape and preference, going a half size down could make sense. Underfoot, it’s the familiar chunky AF1 feel—nothing groundbreaking, but comfortable enough for everyday casual wear. Personally, I’m skipping the shroud for day-to-day use purely for practicality, but the option is there if you want to lean into the full concept.
If these are sold out at different stores online, you can try looking for them on eBay.
Colorway: Malt / Light Soft Pink
Style Code: IQ3472-298
Retail Price: $130
Year of Release: 2026