Nike Air Force 1 Utility 2.0

These Air Force 1 Utility 2.0 boots have a military-inspired look that goes with their rugged build. Heavy-duty lugs create strong definition along the edge of the outsole, which is gum-coloured. Across its underside, the usual ringed patterns have become more diamond shaped, and rather than being arranged in smooth lines, they are jagged, thus providing optimum grip. Meanwhile, the midsole has been stacked into two sturdy layers in Fossil Stone. The lower one has a lightly textured surface and bold Air lettering, while the one on top of it is set slightly closer in towards the upper, which gives it a ridged edge, and has a smooth surface with a stitched groove running around it.

The upper is made of tough Fossil Stone tumbled leather with a weatherproof coating. This makes up the forefoot and rear overlays as well as the toe box, which has no perforations so that it keeps out the elements, and the midfoot panels. The eyestay also exhibits this material and has extra layers of reinforcement where it meets the forefoot mudguard and the rear overlay at the top of the laces to offer the wearer even more protection. Instead of a metal lace dubrae, the leather from the bottom of the eyestay loops over the bottom end of the laces, with AF1 lettering printed over it in Pearl White.

Over the front of the high collar, which serves to stabilise the ankle, is a strap that is held in place by a military-style metal buckle. It has a suede patch with a Pearl White swoosh on the front for a touch of luxury, and behind it on the mesh tongue is another patch with Nike branding text. The padded inner is also made of mesh, while the insole contains another Pearl White swoosh. On the heel, the tab is made of suede in the same Fossil Stone hue that decorates most of the design. Across its surface, deco-stitching effects give a further nod to its military inspirations, and a suede heel strip imprinted with a swoosh adds more fine detailing. Finally, the flanks are adorned with large Fossil Stone swooshes in durable leather, thus completing this solid boot in style.