Nikes Air Force 1 Low Subtly Adopts the Sneaker Loafer Trend With a Buckle

Nike‘s capacity for playing with the Air Force 1 Low knows few bounds, and for its next act, the classic sneaker will take a page from loafers.

The Nike Air Force 1 Low Triple Black is getting dressed up with loafer buckle. The silver-tone hardware is adorned with a Swoosh and appears at the bottom of the laces. Rather than serving as a lace dubrae, the piece is attached via loops. Pebbled leather with more texture than usual forms the upper, and metallic branding is used for the mustache and tongue. A further nod to loafers then comes via a brown insole.

Earlier this year, the all-black Air Force 1 Low looked to another arena of dress shoes by taking on a patent leather upper. The infamous colorway will also be rendered in denim soon, and Nike SB used it for its version of the sneaker retooled for skateboarding.

This Air Force 1 treatment is one of the more subtle renditions of the sneaker loafer trend, although Nike has leaned into it harder with the Air Max Phenomena and a Comme des Garçons collaboration on the Air Max Dulce. The Air Jordan Mule has also catered to the women's market with a platform sole and loafer strap.

The buckled Nike Air Force 1 Low doesn't yet have a firm release date but is expected to release this summer through Nike's website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is still to be confirmed.