An adventurous streak has carried the Nike Air Force 1 Low through much of the year with material swaps on its upper including pony hair, denim, patent leather and even a patent leather that looks like denim. Continuing in the same ethos soon will be a particularly shaggy version of the sneaker inspired by an expression credited to William Shakespeare but also eerily similar to the most haunting mascot in sports.
The Nike Air Force 1 Low “Horse of a Different Color” features immensely hairy and orange pony hair on all panels of its upper. In an early preview on the Snkrs app, Nike called out the expression that gives the shoe its name and also pointed toward to the movie that brought it to life, “Wizard of Oz,” referring to it not by name but only as a “beloved cinematic fantasy,” lest any potential for legal action be raised.
A third, even more unofficial connection can be found via Gritty, the delightfully disturbing and degenerate mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers who’s routinely gone viral since his introduction in 2018. His coat looks practically identical to the shoe’s upper, which sits above a white midsole and translucent orange outsole.
This bold period for the Air Force 1 Low has also included pony hair with cow and leopard prints, and changes beyond textiles have brought monk straps, floral appliqués and shrouds, and a forthcoming square-toe shape that’s proving particularly divisive.
If those many options cater to the more audacious consumers, Nike has also appealed to the purist by bringing back the ’01 construction generally considered superior and more true to the shoe’s original proportions from the ’80s.
The Nike Air Force 1 Low “Horse of a Different Color” hasn’t been locked down with full release details but will arrive at some point during the fall fashion cycle.
