The Nike Blazers sport a vintage and stylish look. It’s a head-turner shoe with mid and high-length neck options. On the other hand, the Air Force 1 resembles a classic Nike design with modern technology.
The shoes are quite different from each other. In this article, I will be comparing these shoes in terms of comfort, material, sizing, price, availability, and many more. Be sure to read the full article to find out the differences between the Nike Blazer and the Air Force 1.
What Is the Difference Between Nike Blazer and Air Force 1?
Like I said earlier, both shoes have some differences. Stay tuned as I compare the Nike Blazer and the Air Force 1 and spot the differences.
• Comfort
Both the Blazer and the Air Force 1 are comfortable shoes for the right wearer and for the right purpose. The Air Force 1 is the world’s first shoe to use an Air Bag in its midsole. Nike names this the Air technology. The midsole is super comfortable and is the biggest selling point of the shoe. The AF1 is suitable for all-day wear. But you shouldn’t wear it for high-impact activities.
On the other hand, the Blazer is a lifestyle sneaker designed for casual wear. The shoe will not feel as comfortable as the Air Force 1. It is not suitable for long-term wear and any sort of exercise.
• Sizing
According to Nike, both the Blazer and the Air Force 1 fit true to size. However, the Blazer is a really tight shoe. It’s narrower compared to the Air Force 1. Air Force 1 has more space in the toe region. I had to go half a size up in Blazers for the ideal fit because my usual size seemed too tight for me.
If you don’t like snug shoes, you should go half a size up for Nike Blazers. The usual size Air Force 1 should fit properly if you don’t have wide feet. If you have wide feet, half a size bigger of the Nike Air Force 1 will be good for you.
You can also check our article on Nike Blazer vs Converse.
• Material
Nike Blazer is mostly made of leather. The upper contains leather and synthetic overlays. Exposed foam on the tongue retains the vintage Blazer look. The shoe offers comfort and support despite looking old school. There is a classic rubber outsole with decent traction. Both Nike Air Force 1 and the Blazer are made from recycled leather rather than real leather. Like many other companies, Nike is also committed to using sustainable materials on its products as much as possible.
The Air Force 1 has stitched overlays on the upper. The upper in the Air Force 1 is also made of leather and suede. However, there are perforation holes in the shoe for better breathability. You don’t get that in the Blazer. The springy cushioning on the midsole is the Air Force 1’s specialty. The shoe also has a rubber outsole for traction and comfort.
• Durability
The Air Force 1 and the Blazer are both durable shoes. However, the durability of the shoe will depend on your usage. If you wear the shoes for the right purposes, you can expect decent durability. Neither of these shoes is good for athletic purposes. But if I had to pick one, I would pick Air Force 1.
The AF1 is designed for all-day wear, but you cannot wear the Blazer all day. It’s because the Blazer doesn’t have the support and comfort of the Air Force 1. The Blazer will last a few years if you wear it carefully or the shoe will wear off within a few months. The Air Force 1 is a more durable shoe overall. If you avoid high-impact activities, the shoe will easily last several years.
• Availability
You don’t have to worry about the availability of these shoes. The base version of the Blazer and the Air Force 1 is always available. You will find all versions of the Air Force 1 on Nike’s website. Nike Blazers are also common. The bottom line is these shoes are always available. But the varieties of the Nike Blazer might not be available in all retailers. You also can customize the Air Force 1 and the Blazer.
• Variety
There are plenty of options in Nike Blazers and Air Force 1. It’s difficult to mention all the varieties here. There is an Air Force 1 ‘07, Air Force 1 ‘07 Essential, The Air Force 1 Shadow, Air Force 1, Crater Next Nature, and so on. The Air Force 1 is available for little kids and big kids as well. The color options are abundant so you can pick whichever you like.
The Nike Blazer lineup is equally versatile. There are models for men, women, little kids and big kids. The Blazer comes in a lot of different colors and models. The popular versions of the shoe include Nike Blazer Mid ‘77, Mid ‘77 Vintage, Low ‘77, Low ‘77 Vintage and many more. Nike Blazer has a lot of skate shoes as well. If you like skate shoes, you can take a look at the Blazer lineup.
• Cost
The price varies greatly in the Blazer and the Air Force 1 lineup. It’s difficult to mention all of them here. So, I am mentioning only the base versions here. Nike Blazer Mid ‘77 versions cost $100 and the Low ‘77 versions cost $85 typically. The price may vary depending on unique designs and variations. Nike Air Force 1 is similarly priced as well. Most of the AF1 versions cost $100. The Mid versions and the High versions cost $115-$130.
Nike Blazer vs Air Force 1 (Table for Comparison)
You can also check our article on Nike Blazers vs Court Royale.
Summary
Nike Air Force 1 is a revolutionary shoe, and the Blazer resembles a classic Nike design. Both of the shoes are made of leather uppers and synthetic overlays. That’s the only similarity between these shoes. Air Force 1 has a much more comfortable midsole and is good for wearing all day.
However, the Nike Blazer is solely a lifestyle sneaker. It is not as comfortable as the Nike AF1. It is suitable for casual wear. The Blazer has some skate shoes for you if you’re into skating. It is hard to compare these two shoes. The shoes are intended for different purposes and are very distinct from each other. Both the Blazer and the Air Force 1 are great shoes.