Nike’s Most Important Sneaker Is Slowly Mastering a Classic Mil-Spec Material

The sportswear giant’s latest Cordura-equipped release is a compelling hybrid of the classic AF1 low and other past rugged iterations.

Nike Air Force 1 Cordura 2025 angled heel shot

By Ben Bowers

Published July 15, 2025

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Nike has created countless iconic sneakers over the last 60-plus years, but no sneaker is arguably more influential for the sportswear giant than the Air Force 1.

On the innovation front, it was the first Nike shoe to incorporate the brand’s Air Sole unit.

Nike Air Force 1 '07 Men's Shoes — The most popular Air Force 1 Low form is known as the “Triple White” for obvious reasons. Its leather upper gives the shoe a premium, dressier feel, but breathability suffers, and the sneaker is also heavy. That’s likely one of many reasons why Nike has always experimented with new designs for the Air Force 1 that incorporate various types of materials.

On the business front, the Air Force 1 is a footwear empire unto itself. And that’s not an exaggeration. In 2020 and 2021, the Air Force 1 was the best-selling sneaker on Earth. Court filings from Nike have also revealed that Nike generates $800 million in Air Force 1 sales annually.

Sure, things have slowed down lately for the brand and the Air Force 1 in the post-pandemic world, but there’s still no denying its power. With releases like the upcoming Air Force 1 Cordura “Dark Obsidian,” Nike continues to prove it’s not afraid to experiment with its icon to suit all styles and tastes.

The Next Rugged Chapter

Nike Air Force 1 Cordura 2025 detailed side — Nike previously released a version of the Air Force 1 equipped with Cordura that was also called Dark Obsedian. But the upper of that dark blue sneaker was made from a less durable suede.

Cordura is a durable, high-performance fabric originally developed by DuPont and widely known for its resistance to abrasions, tears, and scuffs.

Made primarily from nylon or nylon blends, its often used in gear that requires ruggedness, such as backpacks, luggage, and motorcycle apparel.

Cordura also has a long-standing relationship with the military. Due to its toughness and reliability in extreme conditions, military-grade variants have been adopted for tactical gear, uniforms, and body armor covers.

Nike also has a long track record of applying Cordura to various sneakers, ranging from the Air Max 90 to the recent C1ty Premium.

The rugged fabric has also routinely appeared on various AF1 models in recent years, including in 2021 with a boot version of the AF1 in Cordura and more recently with two iterations of the Air Force 1 Low ’07 in similarly named Dark Obsidian and Iron Ore colors.

The Best Version Yet?

Nike Air Force 1 Cordura 2025 shown from heels — The white logo on the heel and small swooshes near the tip of the laces are the only contrasting color elements on the new Air Force 1 Low Cordura Dark Obsidian

Unlike previous Air Force 1 Cordura releases, the Air Force 1 Cordura “Dark Obsidian” combines the rugged material with glossy leather rather than suede or matte leather.

The swap should offer a slight upgrade in durability and weather resistance, especially compared to suede. More importantly, it better mirrors the classic look of the prototypical Air Force 1, which traditionally features an all-leather upper.

A pair of Nike Air Force 1 Cordura sneakers in light "Iron/Ore" gray with the shoe's toes pointed to the right is shown against a light grey background. — The Cordura Air Force 1 “Iron Grey Cordura” was released a few years back and looked clean. However, the ample use of suede on the upper defeated Cordura’s durability improvements in many ways.

The result is the closest thing yet to a best-of-both-worlds sneaker for fans of the original AF1.

The slight sheen and elevated look are still present, though by swapping in Cordura, this version should feel lighter on the foot and easier to break in, with minimal impact on longevity.

Pricing and Availability

Nike Air Force 1 Cordura 2025 pair — The exact release date or final price for the new 2025 Nike Air Force 1 Cordura “Dark Obsidian” haven’t been confirmed yet.

There’s no official word yet on when the 2025 iteration of the Air Force 1 Cordura “Dark Obsidian” will drop, though Sneaker News reports that it should appear sometime this fall, likely in late September.

There’s also no official word on pricing, either, but based on other models currently on the market, we won’t be surprised if it sells for between $100 and $130.

About the Author: Ben Bowers is the Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of Gear Patrol. Throughout his tenure in media, Ben has written and reported on everything from consumer tech to whiskey, watches, cars, camping, and personal style. These days, he gets to write less than he’d like to.