Nike Air Force 1- "Simple, Iconic and stylish" are the 3 words I would use to describe this simple pair of sneakers that's in every Gen z and Millennials hearts. It's an essential in any girl's closet due to its versatility and minimal design that can go with any outfit and be worn in any occassions.
But let's admit it , at the time of this blog the White Nike Air Force 1s is going for $110 in men's and women's size, and that's a pretty hefty price tag for just a basic white pair of sneakers especially for broke people like us *cry*
Lucky for you, over the past 4 years of buying and selling sneakers I have sort out figure out some ways that you can get this iconic pair of sneakers for cheap and by cheap I mean up to 60% off retail price! So I'm not gonna gate keep and show you have I have learned!
Where to NOT buy Nike Air Force 1s if you want to get them for cheap
Before we get into where and how to get this iconic shoes for cheap first we have to know where to not buy them
1. Nike.com
The first place to not go to is the place that made the shoes itself -Nike.com .
Why is that ? Well it's because from what I have seen in the past 4 years they never go on sale on their website, despite of any holidays or discounts, the White Nike Air Force 1s will always be excluded from those promotions due it's populairy and high demands
2. Local or Online Sneaker Resale Store
In case you don't know what a resale store is, it's the type of stores that do not have direct relationship with the manufacturer which the manufacturer is Nike in this case
Typical stores that you usually see in the mall are Retail Stores like Hibbet Sports, Footlocker, Finishline, etc these store they have a relationship with Nike therefore they are able to get the shoes from Nike for a bulk discount (Wholesale Price) and sell it in the store what Nike demands on the other had Resale stores can't do this.
Example of Big Resale Stores would be Stadium Goods, Flight Clubs, and there are tons of other smaller resale stores that you will find online or locally, these type of store they buy shoes on the current market from other individuals or other individuals will consign their sneakers with them and then they sell them for a mark up in their store for a profit
From what I have seen most of these stores will sell the White Nike Air Force 1s for even higher than the retail price , here is an example of a size 8 womens on Stadium Goods, it is currently selling for around $140 before sales tax
3. Retail Stores like Finish Line, Hibbet Sports, Champs, etc...
Similar to Nike.com, because Nike supply the shoes to these retail store Nike will usually require them to follow a ceratin pricing policy (this is called MAP pricing) . so you won't get any luck trying to get the shoes for any lower than the retail price.
So how can you get Nike Air Force 1s for cheap ?
1. Opt in For Pre-Owned/Used Pair- Saved at least 30-50% off retail
Wait don't skip yet! I know what you're thinking when you see this, it might not be as bad as you think it is.
If you have never bought used sneakers before this might have made you cringe a little because of all the negative things that is associated with used sneakers like the common phrases I have heard are : " eww, how unhygenic", " I don't know where someone elses feat might have been?!" " what if it smells weird?"
But hear me out, like everything, there are levels not all used sneakers are worn to the ground and some are only lightly used you just need to shop around be a little patience to look for the pair with the price and condition that you're comfortable with.
Some people don't mind buying a cheaper pair for a bit worse condition and clean them up at home and some just need a little bit of a discount and get a pair that is is only worn once or twice. All I'm saying is it all depends on what you're comfortable with
Look on Ebay and Poshmark
Read the description and check the photos carefully!
This is important! As a sneaker seller myself too many times I have seen buyer purchase an item and return it because they did not look through all the photos or read the condition in the description carefully enough so when they recieve the shoes and some flaws are not what they were expecting they wanted to return it
But the problem here is the seller or Ebay will not accept the return if the flaws are mentioned in the photos or description
So make sure to read the description and look through the images thoroughly
Set "Saved Searches"
On these 2 selling marketplaces there is a feature where you can saved your search along with the filter for that search and when new items are added that meets your criteria they will notify you through email
I recommend search for broader words like " Af1 , White AF1 , White Nike , White Air Force" instead of very specific word like " Nike Air Force 1 Triple White" so that you will see more listings in your search that might have not appear of your search is too specific .
Always Send offers to the Sellers
If the seller have an offer feature that means they are open to hearing offers so If you see a pair that you like, send offers to them, now don't be disrepectful and lowball them with a ridiculous offer but send them a reasonable offer and they will most likely accept your offer or send you a counter offer.
If you can't find what you want just wait it out
The key to getting the best deal is patience, some will get lucky and get it right away but if you don't just saved searches and check you email once in a while to see if any new pairs pop ups , or you can go to the website/app and search for it couple times a week and I'm sure you will be able to find one
Look at the seller's reviews but don't let it determine your buying decisions
Everyone look at reviews when shopping online nowadays and yes it's a great way to get an idea of how trustowrthy the seller is and have they been doing great with other things that they have sold in the past BUT if you see a pair that you like but the seller reviews don't look too great that might just mean its a new seller on the platforms
2. Buy New Pair Without Box or has Defect On Ebay: Save 5% to 15%
Believe or not Nike shoes box does have some value for some people because some people like to keep the boxes so missing the box will decrease the value of the shoes therefore shoes without its box will usually go for less this is a great way to get a discount if the box is not important to you.
Getting pair with defect is a great way to get some money back in your pocket
To briefly explain thisnot all shoes Nike produce will have perfect quality control some shoes end up on having some minor manufacturing flaws such as maybe the Nike Swoosh is slightly crooked or the stitching is slightly off, most of these flaws from my experience are not visible to a normal person.
Though there will be some exceptions in defects that are not caused by Nike so it's important to look through all the images and read the description to see what those defects are.
This way you will not get you as much savings as getting a used pairs, but if getting a new pair of shoes is your priority this is a great way to go while still having to pay full price
To find pairs that are like this, Simply search the term "Air Force 1 White" and use the filter on the left of the Ebay website or on the top right if you are using mobile and choose " New Without Tag", "New With Defect", "Not Specified"
Conclusions
In conclusion, the Nike Air Force 1's simplistic yet timeless look is a must have for any closet, but the price tag that is currently at is not something that everyone can afford so here are 2 ways to save some money while still getting to own this iconic pair of sneaker
Firstly, explore pre-owned options. Gently used sneakers can be found online through platforms like eBay and Poshmark. Be sure to pay attention to the descriptions and images. Always negotiate with sellers, and don't let sellers reviews determine your purchase decision, if you see a good deal go for it, both of these platforms offer protection to buyers in case something goes wrong
Secondly, consider new pairs without boxes or minor defects. Skipping the shoebox or accepting minor manufacturing flaws can significantly cut costs without compromising quality.
Ultimately, snagging the iconic Nike Air Force 1 at a reasonable price requires diligence and patience. Fashion can be affordable with the right choices, letting you flaunt this timeless classic without straining your wallet.