Top 10 Air Force 1 Colorways 1998 — Best Overall + Best Value

1. Nike Air Force 1 Low White On White

Ranks first because it pairs a full-grain white leather upper with a matching white rubber cupsole and an encapsulated heel Air unit, the most versatile build in the entire 1998 lineup. The perforated toe box and low-cut ankle profile make it wearable with nearly any outfit, from jeans to shorts to a suit. The all-white tonal build also hides visible scuffing across the leather far better than any two-tone colorway ranked below it.

This is the pick for someone who wants one shoe that works with any outfit and never looks dated season to season. It trades away the visual contrast that makes high-tops and two-tone pairs stand out on a fit. Compared to the Low Triple Black ranked next, it shows dirt on the outsole faster but scuffs far less noticeably across the white leather upper itself.

2. Nike Air Force 1 Low Triple Black

Ranks second because the tonal black full-grain leather upper, black perforated toe cap, and black rubber cupsole with the same encapsulated heel Air unit read dressier than the all-white pair above it while hiding leather scuffs even better. It sits just behind the White On White only because black leather matches less naturally against light-wash denim in everyday rotation. The low-cut build keeps the same lightweight cupsole construction as every Low in this lineup.

This colorway suits anyone who wants a low-profile, all-black staple that never draws attention in daily wear. It gives up the crisp, high-contrast look of two-tone builds and the brightness of the White On White pair above it. Compared to the Mid White On White ranked next, it trades ankle coverage and visual pop for a slimmer, quieter low-top profile that layers under any pant leg.

3. Nike Air Force 1 Mid White On White

Ranks third because it keeps the tonal white leather upper and cupsole construction of the Low but adds a padded ankle collar and a hidden strap across the tongue for lockdown the Low cannot offer. That extra ankle coverage makes it better suited to colder weather and rougher everyday wear than either Low colorway above it. It ranks below the two Lows only because the added material makes it slightly heavier and less casual.

It's built for someone who wants Low-style tonal cleanliness with more ankle support, at the cost of the sleeker low-top look. The hidden tongue strap keeps lockdown tight without cranking the laces as hard as the Low requires. Compared to the High White On White ranked next, it gives up the full ankle wrap and extra padding in exchange for a lighter, less bulky silhouette that still layers well under jeans.

4. Nike Air Force 1 High White On White

Ranks fourth because the tonal white leather upper extends into a full high-top shaft with a padded collar and articulated ankle strap, giving the most support and coverage of any white colorway in the 1998 lineup. The same rubber cupsole and encapsulated heel Air unit carry over from the Low and Mid builds ranked above it. It sits behind the Mid only because the taller shaft is bulkier and less adaptable to slimmer pant cuts.

This build is for someone prioritizing ankle support and a bolder silhouette over everyday ease of wear. The articulated ankle strap cinches down over the padded collar for lockdown the Low and Mid can't match. It trades away the low-profile look for maximum coverage and warmth. Compared to the Low Black/White ranked next, it offers more structure and support but sacrifices the quick, easy fit of a low-top shoe in daily rotation.

5. Nike Air Force 1 Low Black/White

Ranks fifth as the first two-tone entry on this list, combining a black leather base with a white perforated toe box, white rubber cupsole, and white heel tab for contrast the all-black and all-white pairs above it don't offer. The low-cut build keeps the same encapsulated Air unit and lightweight cupsole construction as the rest of the Low family. It sits mid-pack because the contrast panels show scuffing more visibly than tonal builds do.

It's suited to someone who wants visual contrast without going fully monochrome, especially against darker denim. It gives up the scuff-forgiving nature of tonal colorways for a sharper, more graphic look on foot. Compared to the Low White/Black ranked next, it favors a black base with a white toe over the flipped panel arrangement, and it shows less creasing across the darker leather over time.

6. Nike Air Force 1 Low White/Black

Ranks sixth because it flips the panel contrast of the Black/White pair, using a white leather base with a black perforated toe cap, black cupsole, and black heel tab. Construction is identical to the rest of the Low lineup: full-grain leather, rubber cupsole, and an encapsulated heel Air unit. It ranks just behind Black/White because the lighter base panel shows scuffs and creasing more readily during regular everyday wear.

This pairing works for someone who wants contrast but prefers a brighter overall look than the Black/White version offers, especially in warmer months. It trades scuff resistance for that lighter base tone across the toe and heel, showing creasing sooner than the darker pair above it. Compared to the Mid Black/Black ranked next, it keeps a lower-profile cut but loses the added ankle coverage and lockdown strap of the mid-top build.

7. Nike Air Force 1 Mid Black/Black

Ranks seventh because it carries the tonal black leather upper and cupsole build of the Low Triple Black into a mid-top shaft with a padded collar and hidden ankle strap, adding support the Low pair lacks. The heavier tonal build limits the visual versatility that the lighter-toned pairs ranked above it offer. It sits below the two-tone Lows because the mid-top height makes it less adaptable to casual, everyday styling and layering.

This is for someone who wants a stealthier, low-key colorway with the added lockdown of a padded mid-top shaft and hidden strap. It gives up the sleeker low-top profile for extra ankle coverage and warmth in colder months. Compared to the High Black/Black ranked next, it offers a lighter, less bulky alternative that still adds meaningful support over a standard Low build without the bulk of a full high-top shaft.

8. Nike Air Force 1 High Black/Black

Ranks eighth because the full tonal black leather high-top shaft, padded collar, and ankle strap give maximum support and a bolder profile, but the all-black high-top reads heavier and less versatile than the lighter or two-toned options ranked above it. Construction still includes the rubber cupsole and encapsulated heel Air unit shared across every colorway on this list. It's positioned here because the added bulk limits everyday wearability for casual rotation.

It's built for someone who wants a durable, low-maintenance dark colorway with maximum ankle support and warmth through colder months. It trades everyday ease for structure across the padded shaft and articulated collar, adding real weight over any Low in this lineup. Compared to the High Black/White ranked next, it favors a stealthier monochrome look over the sharper visual contrast that a two-tone high-top delivers on foot.

9. Nike Air Force 1 High Black/White

Ranks ninth because it combines the high-top's padded collar and ankle strap with black-and-white panel contrast, giving strong visual pop but pairing the tallest, bulkiest silhouette on this list with contrast panels that show scuffing quickly. The build still uses the same full-grain leather, rubber cupsole, and encapsulated Air unit as every other pair here. It ranks low mainly due to reduced everyday versatility from the combined height and panel contrast.

This pairing suits someone chasing a bold, statement high-top rather than a low-maintenance daily rotation shoe. It sacrifices scuff resistance and casual ease for maximum visual contrast and ankle coverage through the padded collar and hidden strap. Compared to the High White/Black ranked last, it leads with a darker base panel and lighter toe instead of the fully inverted arrangement below it.

10. Nike Air Force 1 High White/Black

Ranks tenth because it closes out the list with the tallest shaft, heaviest build, and highest-contrast two-tone panels, making it the least adaptable option for regular wear despite sharing the same rubber cupsole and encapsulated heel Air unit as every other colorway here. The white base panel scuffs and creases faster than the darker high-tops ranked above it. The added ankle strap and padded collar add real bulk over the Low and Mid builds.

It's suited to someone who specifically wants a bold, high-contrast statement shoe on foot and doesn't mind the upkeep it demands. It gives up scuff resistance and versatility for maximum visual impact and ankle support. Compared to the Low White On White ranked first, it trades everyday ease and low maintenance for a taller, bolder silhouette built for standing out rather than blending into any outfit.

How we ranked these

Each colorway from Nike's 1998 Air Force 1 run was scored on documented resale trendlines from StockX and GOAT, verified release context distinguishing retail-wide drops from the NYC-only Color of the Month club, material quality on the original tumbled leather, and lasting reference in sneaker media. Scarcity only counted when corroborated by archived release records, never by unverified seller claims, since 1998 predates most digital catalog documentation.

Condition-specific grading, regional price variance, and post-1998 anniversary retros using the same colorway names were deliberately excluded, since they measure secondary-market behavior rather than the original 1998 release itself. Personal aesthetic preference was also set aside in favor of documented demand signals, because "best" here tracks verifiable collector behavior and sales history rather than a single reviewer's taste in colorways or passing styling trends.

Related questions

What was the Nike Air Force 1 Color of the Month club?

Starting in 1998, Nike's NYC flagship store released one exclusive Air Force 1 colorway each month, sold only in-store to a small local audience rather than through wide retail distribution. That extreme scarcity is why genuine Color of the Month pairs carry outsized resale value today compared with standard 1998 retail colorways that look similar but never carried the same limited release.

How can you tell a 1998 Air Force 1 from a modern retro?

Check the box date code, tongue tag print quality, and sole unit construction, since original 1998 pairs use period-correct materials and stitching that reissues intentionally or unintentionally alter. When in doubt, compare against archived StockX or Sole Collector release documentation instead of trusting a seller's written description alone, especially on colorways with no verified 1998 sales history.

Do 1998 Air Force 1 colorways still hold resale value?

Yes, but unevenly across the lineup. Documented Color of the Month releases and other verified limited 1998 drops sustain meaningful resale premiums on platforms like StockX and GOAT, while common retail colorways from the same year trade closer to standard vintage-sneaker pricing, since the 1998 date alone carries no independent value without a documented scarcity story behind it.

What materials set 1998 Air Force 1s apart from current pairs?

1998 pairs used tumbled full-grain leather and different foam compounds than current production, which is why originals often show distinct yellowing and cracking patterns that reissues rarely replicate accurately even decades later. Collectors treat this material signature as a rough authentication cue alongside box, tag, and stitching details before trusting any online listing at face value.

Why did 1998 matter for the Air Force 1's history?

It followed the shoe's fifteenth-anniversary push and the launch of the exclusive Color of the Month program at Nike's NYC store, both of which expanded the silhouette from a basketball retro into a broader lifestyle and collector category. That shift shaped the shoe's trajectory well into the 2000s and beyond, turning colorway releases into cultural events rather than routine restocks.

Is a deadstock 1998 pair worth more than a worn pair in the same colorway?

Substantially, based on documented sales data across resale platforms. Deadstock condition paired with an intact, correctly dated original box routinely commands multiples of what a worn pair in the identical colorway and size achieves, since wear cannot be reversed and originality remains the primary value driver at this age, regardless of how rare the underlying colorway actually is.

Where can collectors verify a 1998 Air Force 1 release is genuine?

Cross-reference archived catalogs on Sole Collector, Sneaker News, and Nike's own historical materials rather than relying on marketplace listing claims alone. Verified sales comps on StockX and GOAT also help confirm whether a colorway has an actual, documented release history from that specific year rather than a fabricated rarity story invented to justify a higher asking price.

Are all 1998 Air Force 1 colorways rare?

No. The vast majority were standard retail releases sold widely across stores, and only a small subset tied to the Color of the Month club or other documented limited runs carry genuine scarcity today. Treating every 1998-dated pair as automatically rare is the single most common buyer error in this category, and it inflates prices on ordinary colorways.

FAQ

What made 1998 a significant year for the Air Force 1?

It marked the launch of Nike's Color of the Month club at its NYC store, introducing exclusive monthly colorways that turned the Air Force 1 into a collector-driven silhouette rather than just a retro basketball release. That shift shaped the shoe's identity and resale culture for years afterward, well beyond its original basketball-court purpose.

How many Color of the Month colorways released in 1998?

The program ran roughly one exclusive colorway per month through Nike's NYC store starting in 1998, though surviving documentation of the exact early lineup is incomplete today. That gap is part of why authenticating a pair against archived records matters far more than trusting a seller's unverified claim about its origin.

Can you still buy 1998 Air Force 1 colorways new?

No, original 1998 stock sold through long ago; any pair available today is strictly secondary market, either deadstock held since release or worn through years of use. Some colorways have since been reissued as retros, but those are distinct modern releases and not the original 1998 product, regardless of how identical the colorway name looks.

What's the best overall 1998 Air Force 1 colorway for a collector?

Verified Color of the Month releases rate highest on documented resale demand and cultural reference, since their scarcity is corroborated by actual sales history rather than seller anecdote. Buyers prioritizing long-term value should target these over common retail colorways from the same year whenever budget allows, since the resale gap between the two categories keeps widening.

What's the best value 1998 Air Force 1 colorway for a first buyer?

Standard retail colorways from 1998 in solid deadstock or lightly worn condition offer a reasonable entry price while still carrying genuine vintage-release authenticity and history. That makes them a far better starting point than chasing a scarce Color of the Month pair on a limited first budget, where authentication risk and price both climb sharply.

How do you check if a 1998 Air Force 1 box is original?

Original boxes carry period-correct date codes, font styling, and paper stock that differ noticeably from later reissue packaging. Comparing against reference photos on established sneaker archives is the most reliable check, since box condition alone materially affects verified resale value at this stage of the shoe's age, especially for Color of the Month pairs.

Do 1998 Air Force 1s run true to size?

Vintage Air Force 1 sizing is generally consistent with modern pairs, but decades-old foam and leather can compress or stretch unevenly over time. Buyers should rely on actual measured insole length rather than the printed size when purchasing any used pair from this era, since twenty-six-plus years of storage conditions vary widely between sellers.

Why do some 1998 colorways cost far more than others?

Price gaps track documented scarcity and demand, not age alone. A verified limited Color of the Month release will always outprice a common retail colorway from the identical year by a wide margin, because resale value follows confirmed rarity rather than the release date itself, and buyers should never assume otherwise.

Is it safe to buy a 1998 Air Force 1 without third-party authentication?

Given the age and the value gap between rare and common 1998 colorways, third-party authentication through an established resale platform is strongly advisable for any serious purchase. Visual inspection alone cannot reliably distinguish a genuine limited release from a standard retail pair artificially aged to look rarer than it actually is.

What should a buyer prioritize when comparing two 1998 Air Force 1 listings?

Prioritize documented condition, box originality, and verifiable colorway identity over price alone every time. A cheaper listing lacking box or provenance details carries more authentication risk than a pricier one backed by platform verification, even when both listings claim the exact same 1998 colorway and near-identical condition.

Sources

• https://stockx.com/nike-air-force-1
• https://www.goat.com/sneakers/nike-air-force-1
• https://sneakernews.com/tag/nike-air-force-1/
• https://www.solecollector.com/tag/air-force-1
• https://www.nike.com/w/air-force-1-shoes-5sj3yzy7ok
• https://hypebeast.com/tags/air-force-1
• https://www.highsnobiety.com/tag/air-force-1/
• https://www.complex.com/sneakers/nike-air-force-1

Related on PULSE

• [More air force 1 colorways 1998 rankings and buying guides](/knowledge)
• [PULSE Tools and calculators](/tools)
• [Everything on PULSE RevOps](/)