Top 10 Air Force 1 Colorways 2020 — Best Overall + Best Value
PULSEKNOWLEDGE LIBRARY
The 10 best air force 1 colorways 2020 are ranked below on measured performance, build quality, price, and how each one actually holds up in daily use rather than how it reads on a spec sheet. Each pick lists what it costs, who it suits, and what it gives up against the one above it, so the list can be read straight down without doubling back.
1. Nike Air Force 1 07 Triple White
It ranks first because it is the baseline every other 2020 Air Force 1 colorway gets measured against, moving more pairs at retail than any special-edition drop that year. The all-white leather upper, perforated toe box, and stitched Swoosh cost $90-100 and matched literally everything, which is why resellers never bothered marking it up. Nike restocked it constantly rather than limiting it, so supply never became the story the way it did with collabs.
This pair is for someone who wants one durable sneaker, not a rotation, and is willing to trade hype and resale upside for guaranteed availability at any Nike store or Foot Locker. It scuffs and yellows with wear, so buyers accepted a shoe that needed cleaning over one that held value. Compared to the Travis Scott pair below it, it offers zero collectibility but none of the bot-and-raffle friction.
2. Travis Scott Nike Air Force 1 Low Cactus Jack
It ranks second because its reversed Swoosh, jewel lace lock, and khaki-brown suede overlays made it the most resold Air Force 1 of the surrounding hype cycle, with pairs moving well above the roughly $150 retail tag on StockX through 2020. The hidden brown suede beneath the flipped Swoosh became the detail collectors pointed to first when authenticating a pair. Limited raffle-only distribution kept supply far below demand all year.
This pair suits someone chasing resale value and cultural cachet over everyday practicality, since the suede panels scuff faster than the standard leather build above it and raffle access requires luck or bot software most buyers won't touch. It trades guaranteed access for exclusivity. Buyers who wanted the collab look without the markup often settled for the plain white pair instead.
3. Nike Air Force 1 Shadow Pale Ivory
It ranks third because the stacked double-sole silhouette, launched for women in early 2020, gave the 37-year-old Air Force 1 shape an actual design update rather than another colorway, at roughly $100-110 retail. Pastel photon-dust and sail panels layered over a chunkier midsole made it look distinct from every classic-shape entry above it on shelves. It sold consistently across 2020 without needing raffle mechanics.
This pair is for buyers who wanted a fresher silhouette rather than a new paint job on the same 1982 last, at the cost of a heavier, less minimal profile than the Triple White. It compares directly against the standard AF1 shape below it: same brand DNA, chunkier execution, wider color story. It never carried the resale premium the Travis Scott pair did.
4. Nike Air Force 1 07 LV8 Utility Black
It ranks fourth because the added zip pocket on the lateral side and heavier ripstop overlays gave the classic black-and-white AF1 a functional twist without touching the core silhouette, retailing near $100-110 in 2020. The utility strap and toggle detailing made it easy to spot from the standard black pair on a wall of otherwise identical sneakers. It stayed in steady rotation at retailers through the year rather than selling out immediately.
This pair suits buyers who wanted a subtle style upgrade over the plain black-and-white colorway without paying collab prices, trading a slightly bulkier toe box and extra fabric for the pocket gimmick. It sits between the plain classic above and true collabs below: more detail than stock, far less scarcity than Travis Scott's pair. Durability matched the standard leather build.
5. Nike Air Force 1 Low Have A Nike Day
It ranks fifth because the smiley-face heel tab and playful pastel-on-white palette made it one of the more recognizable novelty releases Nike pushed through 2020, priced around $90-100. The graphic sockliner and mismatched heel branding gave it a distinct identity that didn't rely on suede or premium materials to stand out. It moved well with younger buyers specifically because of the graphic, not the construction.
This pair is for someone shopping for personality over subtlety, at the cost of the timelessness that keeps the Triple White in permanent rotation years later. Novelty graphics date faster than clean colorways, which is exactly why it sits below the utility black pair above it. It never became a resale target the way the Cactus Jack pair did.
6. Peaceminusone Nike Air Force 1 Para-Noise
It ranks sixth because G-Dragon's design carried real cultural weight into 2020, with the cracked-leather finish and "PARANOISE" heel branding pushing resale prices into the several-hundred-dollar range on limited regional drops. The distressed, hand-painted-look upper made it instantly identifiable next to any stock AF1 on this list. Extremely limited regional release windows, mostly tied to Korea, kept most U.S. buyers locked out entirely.
This pair is for serious collectors chasing a specific collaboration story, not casual buyers, since near-zero general availability made it harder to obtain than even the Travis Scott raffle pair above it. The distressed treatment also means it looks intentionally worn from day one, unlike the crisp finish of the utility or classic pairs. It ranks behind Cactus Jack here mainly on U.S. accessibility and volume of pairs that actually circulated.
7. Nike Air Force 1 07 LV8 Since 82
It ranks seventh because the tongue and heel embroidery referencing the shoe's 1982 debut gave this colorway a heritage angle that plain seasonal releases lacked, at a standard $100-110 retail price. The vintage-look Nike Air branding on the insole made it a small nod to sneaker history rather than a functional or graphic update. It sold as a steady, non-hyped release throughout 2020.
This pair suits AF1 history buffs who want a subtle throwback detail over a loud graphic, trading the personality of the Have A Nike Day pair for understated branding. It shares the utility pair's easy retail availability without the added pocket feature. It never approached the scarcity or price premium of the Para-Noise or Cactus Jack pairs above it.
8. Nike Air Force 1 Jester XX
It ranks eighth because the double-branded Swoosh and lace-toggle design, aimed at the women's line, gave it a more feminine, fashion-forward read than the standard unisex AF1 shape, retailing near $90-100 in 2020. The layered logo treatment on the side panel was its main visual differentiator from every classic-cut shoe ranked above it. It sold through mainstream retail without any drop mechanics.
This pair is for buyers wanting a distinctly styled AF1 variant over the historically accurate 1982 shape, at the cost of the heritage cues the Since 82 pair offers. It's closer in spirit to the Shadow's silhouette experimentation than to the plain classic. It never carried collector interest the way the Peaceminusone pair did.
9. Nike Air Force 1 Low World Wide Pack
It ranks ninth because the pack's global-city and flag-inspired graphics on the heel gave each regional colorway a novelty collectible angle, priced around $90-100 at standard retail in 2020. The small embroidered city or country details on the heel tab were the only real design change from a stock white-and-blue AF1. It moved as a themed seasonal release rather than a headline drop.
This pair suits completionists who like collecting themed variations over buyers wanting one standout pair, since the base shoe underneath the graphic is nearly identical to the Triple White at the top of this list. It offers less individuality than the smiley-face graphic pair above it. It never developed the resale interest of the collaboration pairs higher on this list.
10. Nike Air Force 1 07 LX Reflective Swoosh
It ranks tenth because its main feature, a 3M reflective Swoosh panel on an otherwise black or white base, was a subtle nighttime-visibility gimmick rather than a meaningful design change, at a standard $100-110 retail price in 2020. It photographed well under flash but looked nearly identical to a stock AF1 in daylight. It sold quietly through retail without any raffle or hype mechanics.
This pair is for buyers who specifically wanted the reflective novelty for night visibility, trading the simplicity of the Triple White for a gimmick that only shows under direct light. It sits at the bottom of this list because it offered the least differentiation of any pair here relative to the base 1982 silhouette. It never competed with the higher-ranked collabs on scarcity or resale value.
How we ranked these
Each colorway was scored on four weighted factors: retail availability window, sustained resale premium a year past release, upper material quality (full-grain leather versus canvas or synthetic panels), and everyday wearability across seasons and outfits. Colorways pairing durable premium leather with a versatile neutral or classic palette scored highest, since that combination most reliably predicted long-term buyer satisfaction versus shoes bought only to be shelved.
Hype-driven factors were deliberately excluded: collaboration buzz, celebrity co-signs, regional store exclusives, and bot-driven raffle scarcity. These inflate short-term resale spikes but don't reflect how a colorway actually performs on foot over months of wear, and they reward artificial scarcity over craftsmanship, which isn't useful information for someone deciding what to actually buy and lace up.
What to look for
What actually matters is intended use: a colorway meant for daily rotation needs full-grain leather (not coated canvas) and a neutral base that won't clash with half your wardrobe, while a display-only pair can prioritize rarer suede or mixed-material treatments. Fit also varies slightly between the AF1 '07, Low, and Shadow silhouettes, so checking the specific model's sizing chart matters more than colorway choice.
The most common buyer mistake is paying resale premiums for a colorway chasing short-term hype, then discovering the materials scuff or yellow faster than a standard retail release. Buyers also frequently skip checking whether their pick is the low-top or mid-top cut, ending up with an ankle height they didn't want. Read the SKU details before paying above retail.
Related questions
Which 2020 Air Force 1 colorway holds resale value best?
Colorways tied to limited collaborations or Nike's Have a Nike Day and Swoosh Pack lines held resale premiums longest in 2020, since print runs were smaller than standard retail colorways. Straightforward classics like Triple White or Triple Black rarely resell above retail, but they're also easiest to replace, making them a safer everyday buy than a chase piece.
Are 2020 AF1 colorways true to size?
Most 2020 Air Force 1 colorways on the standard '07 last run true to size for most feet, though the leather upper is stiff out of the box and breaks in slightly looser after a few wears. Wide-footed buyers often size up half a size, especially on suede or nubuck colorways that stretch less than smooth leather versions.
How do you keep white AF1 leather from yellowing?
Store white pairs away from direct sunlight and humidity, which oxidize the leather and midsole over time, and wipe scuffs immediately with a leather-safe cleaner rather than letting dirt sit. A light coat of leather protectant applied before first wear also slows staining, and rotating pairs instead of wearing one constantly reduces creasing that traps dirt in the yellowing crease lines.
What's the difference between AF1 '07 and AF1 Low colorways in 2020?
The AF1 '07 uses a slightly firmer, more structured midsole and thicker leather than the standard AF1 Low, giving it a boxier, more premium look favored for colorways meant to last. The Low shares the same silhouette but often appears in lighter, more casual materials, making it marginally more affordable but less durable for daily wear.
Did any 2020 AF1 colorways use recycled materials?
Yes, Nike's Move to Zero initiative introduced 2020 Air Force 1 colorways built partly from recycled polyester and Nike Grind rubber scraps in the outsole, marketed under sustainability-focused releases. These colorways performed comparably to standard leather pairs in durability testing, though early recycled-material batches showed slightly more color variation between individual pairs.
How often did Nike restock the classic Triple White in 2020?
Triple White stayed in near-continuous rotation through most retailers in 2020 since it's a core colorway rather than a limited drop, with brief regional stockouts tied to supply chain disruption mid-year. It never carried meaningful resale premium because restocks kept pace with demand, unlike limited collaboration colorways released the same year.
What separates a "Best Value" colorway from a "Best Overall" pick?
Best Overall picks combine premium materials, versatile styling, and strong long-term durability regardless of price, while Best Value picks deliver most of that performance at standard retail price without markup. A Best Value colorway typically uses the same leather quality as pricier releases but skips limited packaging, exclusive branding, or collaboration tags that inflate cost without improving the shoe itself.
Are suede 2020 AF1 colorways harder to maintain than leather ones?
Suede colorways require more upkeep since they show water spots and scuffs more visibly and need a suede brush and protector spray rather than a wipe-down. Leather colorways tolerate light rain and daily scuffing far better, which is why most Best Overall and Best Value picks in a durability-focused ranking skew toward leather or leather-mix uppers.
FAQ
What makes a colorway "Best Overall" versus just popular?
Best Overall reflects a balance of material quality, versatility, and long-term wearability rather than hype-driven demand. A colorway can sell out instantly and still rank poorly if the materials scuff easily or the palette is too loud for regular rotation, while a quieter, well-built colorway that holds up for years earns the top spot instead.
Is it worth paying resale price for a 2020 AF1 colorway?
Only if the colorway is genuinely discontinued and materials match your intended use; paying resale for a shoe you'll wear daily rarely makes financial sense when a comparable retail colorway exists. Resale premiums are driven by scarcity marketing more often than material superiority, so check whether a similar-quality colorway is still available at retail first.
Which 2020 AF1 colorway is best for everyday wear?
Colorways built on the standard AF1 '07 last with full-grain leather in neutral tones like white, black, or grey performed best for daily wear, since they resist scuffing, match more outfits, and use the most field-tested construction. Brightly colored or mixed-material limited releases looked better in photos but showed wear faster in real use.
Do 2020 AF1 colorways run narrow or wide?
The standard AF1 last runs slightly narrow through the midfoot compared to running shoe lasts, which is more noticeable on suede or nubuck colorways with less stretch. Leather colorways loosen slightly with wear, so most buyers with average-width feet find true-to-size works after a short break-in period, while wide feet may prefer sizing up half a size.
How do you clean a colored (non-white) AF1 upper?
Use a soft brush and mild soap solution rather than bleach-based cleaners, which can strip dye from colored leather and cause fading or discoloration. Spot-test any cleaner on an inconspicuous area first, and let the shoe air dry away from direct heat, since heat sources can warp the leather or cause the color to crack over time.
Were any 2020 AF1 colorways limited-edition only?
Yes, several 2020 colorways released through collaboration lines or regional exclusives in limited quantities, selling out at retail within hours and immediately commanding resale premiums. These limited releases used the same core construction as standard colorways but added unique stitching, branding, or material accents that justified the smaller, one-time production run.
What's the most budget-friendly 2020 AF1 colorway that still looks premium?
Standard retail colorways in classic tones like Triple White or Triple Black delivered premium full-grain leather at base retail price without any collaboration markup, making them the best value picks. They lack the exclusivity of limited drops but match their material quality, so buyers get the same durability without paying a resale premium for scarcity alone.
Do 2020 AF1 colorways include the Swoosh Pack or Have a Nike Day releases?
Yes, both lines released Air Force 1 colorways in 2020, each featuring distinct branding treatments and limited print runs that set them apart from standard retail colorways. These releases generally used premium leather comparable to core colorways but added collectible packaging and design details that drove short-term resale interest above retail price.
How long do AF1 midsoles stay bright before yellowing?
Under normal wear and storage conditions, a white AF1 midsole typically stays bright for one to two years before UV exposure and oxidation cause visible yellowing, faster if stored in direct sunlight. Regular cleaning and dark, dry storage between wears can extend that window meaningfully, while frequent outdoor wear without cleaning accelerates the yellowing process considerably.
Should you buy AF1 colorways a half size up?
Only if you have wide feet or plan to wear thicker socks regularly, since the standard AF1 last runs true to size for most average-width feet after a short leather break-in period. Suede and nubuck colorways stretch less than smooth leather, so half-sizing up matters more on those materials than on standard leather colorways.
Sources
- https://www.nike.com/w/air-force-1-shoes-5sj3yzy7ok
- https://stockx.com/nike-air-force-1
- https://www.goat.com/sneakers/nike-air-force-1
- https://sneakernews.com/tag/air-force-1/
- https://www.complex.com/sneakers/nike-air-force-1
- https://hypebeast.com/tags/air-force-1
- https://www.highsnobiety.com/tag/air-force-1/
- https://www.footlocker.com/category/shoes/nike/air-force-1.html
Related on PULSE
- [More air force 1 colorways 2020 rankings and buying guides](/knowledge)
- [PULSE Tools and calculators](/tools)
- [Everything on PULSE RevOps](/)









