Nike Air Alpha Force 88

Hey Guys! Today we take a detailed look and review at the Nike Air Alpha Force 88 Retro sneaker.
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Release Date: July 15, 2023
Retail Price: $130
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[@brandonwhitney1189]

I wish Nike would retro the entire flight and force lines from 88 to 93. There are so many classics that everyone would enjoy.

[@retroesso]

That would be dope!

[@jamesl.robinsonjr.6338]

Again!!!

[@victorfernandez6432]

Air Revolutions please!!!

[@baltimorebigman5999]

Hell yea 👍🏽

[@sp1tf1r33]

I would 100% get the next command force if they come out

[@j.r179]

I had these back in ‘88 (with the Blue swoosh) and they look spot on !!! Can’t wait to see them in hand.

[@Sgtgee]

So cool little story about these. I’m 49 now and what I remember most about these was that back in 88, the actual Air Alpha Force commercial featuring Barkley was filmed in my after school school gym in NYC. But what I remember most from this was that the gym was closed for 2 days for this solo Nike shoot of Charles Barkley and all these cameras and crew were present in the gym except him. But the second day we actually got the opportunity to sneak in by the film crew and see Charles’s size 16 Alpha Force shoe crispy brand new, sitting on the bench waiting for him to appear. An an hour after that we got to see him being filmed with the shoes on grabbing rebounds during each take, and the icing on the cake was he signed nike makeshift Men at Work posters for us. I wish I still had that poster because man it was a great time to be basketball fan and kid. You know I had to cop these. Good video Chris as always. 🙏🏽

[@WearTesters]

Amazing story! 🙌🏼

[@eygothelephant]

They were $65 came out my freshman year could not afford $65 plus tax @ the txme my fav colour also besides the royal blue & grey & black versions. I actually bumped into Barkley in NIke Town in Chicagoland the nite they were set too play US & he was with the Suns summa txme 1993 my partna was like there goes Barkley we didn’t even take a pic but had a few words & kept on moving we all know Bulls 3peated that year oh & I’m 50 😉🐘

[@darrell9616]

I had these back in the day. Absolutely a Barkley shoe. I believe there was a poster with him wearing these. Anyway, I used these for hoops and tennis. Unfortunately, I had a air unit pop on the tennis court and Nike replaced them with another model (which sucked). Overall, a solid shoe that was reasonably comfortable for that era.

[@globeali7015]

Ay yo that toe strap is synonymous with barks'.

[@Swooshman_3]

I need these in Sixers Red, White and blue. Always wanted these cause Barkley wore them.

[@ericrinehimer1037]

I had that poster!!!

[@Beanz09]

That throwback was amazing😂 love the editing and info on the shoe 🔥

[@mannyd2333]

I had those back in the day. The reason why they marketed that MJ wore them because it was a Chicago color way and he had a few big games in them one was against the knicks. You seen the highlight of when he blocks Patrick Ewing from the side and the announcer says wow what a block. He was wearing those shoes.

[@J926T]

Yup, I definitely remember watching a couple of games back in the day when Mike was rockin' these shoes. Do you know, do you know, do you know?

[@passionateerrors]

They remind me wayyy too much of the Air Revolution but in low form. Which brings me to my next point, I would do INSANE THINGS just to get my hands on a Air Revolution in Game Royal or White/Red. Such an underrated 80s high top from NIKE that completely goes unnoticed for yet another year of panda dunks

[@bryantwilliams647]

These Were The Barkleys Where I Am From In Philly 💯 I Had The Black&Gray Back-N-Da-Day

[@MannyAvila]

The chemistry between you and your wife on your reviews are AWESOME and what makes this channel unique. 👍💪🙏🏼

[@mikebracchi2335]

I think your point on MJ and Barkley is super valid! That aside, as a Sixers fan, I would love it if they retro’d the Alpha Force 2 that ya showed from 2004! So dope.

[@charlesrhymes301]

Back in the day this was the shoe in addition to barkley shawn kemp mitch richmond chris mullin ron harper even reggie miller all wore this shoe for a time

[@KritikalThinker713]

Got'm in hand and I love them. I had the white and grey pair back in the 80'z. Nostalgia all over this thing.

[@victorfernandez6432]

Wow! Thanks for the video! This is the very fisrt time in a long, long, time that I feel really excited about a retro release. I had a pair just like those ones back in 88 and wore them until they fell apart. I hope not a lot of people care about this model here in Spain so I can grab a couple of pairs

[@shoepaeng]

In my mind, jordan wore these to know if nike made a better shoe for barkley, if nike did, jordan would take that personally 😅

[@lgarcia1249]

😂

[@gatesofwrestling]

I need that Nike Air Revolution to retro in its original height. Love that shoe

[@flaquis2729]

Oh wow, I totally forgot about those.

[@matthewhohenbery2287]

Jordan actually wore these for a home game during ‘88 season against the Knicks on January 30,1988. Because MJ preferred low-cut over high tops at the time, it’s considered a “bridge” between the AJ II and AJ III by Tinker Hatfield. Dope video and shoe as always, Billie Eilish collab makes ZERO sense!

[@felipepartida9622]

Back in the day, when I was in college I wore a pair of the Nike Air Alpha Force. Man! I got always compliments for my shoes. I've been waiting a lot for these shoes to come back, they were my favorite Nikes

[@bullisc]

you are correct, we referred to these as Barkleys back in the day

[@AnthonySmith-bq2if]

Air Jordan Legacy 312 is a synthesis of the signature details of three classic silhouettes: Air Jordan I, Air Jordan III and the Nike Air Alpha Force Low briefly worn by MJ in 1988 The Billie Eilish Air Force 88 are sold on Flight Club as well as Nike Air Force 88 aslo.

[@by_run]

That old school Force logo is 👌🏽 The good old days. Weird that they use MJ to market these. But it might boost the sales since it is MJ. 🤔 Awesome review as always. 🔥🔥🔥

[@Elijandre]

I just copped these this morning 🔥

[@danielthomas2895]

This is the other shoe that inspired the Jordan 312 Legacy. Might get these when they go on sale. Good video

[@bryanamah]

Hella fresh as heck man I love these shoes.. I appreciate this video y’all! Great timing 🎉❤

[@andrew1542]

I absolutely LOVE this sneaker!! I had a pair back in 1988, which I hooped in, and I’m so happy Nike is releasing this sneaker.. hopefully I can get a pair in my size when they release!!

[@hasanicoward4425]

Thanks man you never disappoint me, I been waiting for this color way to drop but I remember Barkley wearing them and being a Charles Barkley fan I wore them before Barkley got his own signature shoes

[@WearTesters]

No problem!!

[@addisonc.1606]

Great review as always. I feel like they mention MJ to try to sell the shoe because the average consumer does not really care unless it’s a hyped or a flagship retro release.

[@dunksole]

Also remember Shawn Kemp wearing them in the 1990 Dunk Contest.

[@matthewi.minnick5845]

I ran a 63 second 440 yd dash in gym class in 7th grade in a pair of these on a cinder track. Taking me W A Y back.

[@defb4dishonor211]

🧢

[@matthewi.minnick5845]

@@defb4dishonor211 dead serious. My gym teacher bullied me into track. 5:35 mile, 2:35 half in 7th grade. 51.2 400m on all weather in high school in spikes in 10th grade. I don't lie about my track accomplishments.

[@tsgrimey]

Love these Nike retros. Hope Nike rereleases Air Commands

[@michaelsanford4891]

They can connect whomever they want to these. They're back and I get to undo the first ever shoe I took

[@ebiedog]

I remember having a Barkley poster that had him wearing these shoes.

[@syyiidelamin7880]

Charles Barkley is still with Nike and he actually owns a large portion of stock. That he bought through a conversation with Michael jordan. During the time they both were signing to Nike.

[@neverhadkicks6604]

Most Jordan collectors wanted these retroed because as you stated he wore them in game. He also marketed these low key. Look at the poster of him and his Mom in matching flight suits wearing this model.

[@latneyblunk3643]

Chris, I had an idea for how you can remember the difference between embossed and debossed. Embossed sounds like "IN-bossed" cause it goes in. Debossed, sticks out like the D sticks out. Lol. Hope that helps!

[@WearTesters]

🙏🏼😂

[@user-mx4ce9vc6l]

They had a jordan legacy version at jd sports today with Jordan logo where the force logo is and animal print and air on back heel I would really rather have the version in the video

[@TheDoozie43]

Had these and the delta forces in middle school. Glad to see them coming back! Best part is how they did the Nike Air on the back imo.

[@johnegbert2330]

Thank you for another break down of history and attention to material detail throughout versions/releases.

[@WearTesters]

Our pleasure!

[@omarlondon2059]

I hooped in those back in high school I feel old seeing them I got them again because they’re a throwback

[@oztheallknowing8592]

So Chris nike released 2 versions of this and you have the non Billie Eilesh. Since she is a vegan her pair is the smooth leather and has the Billie marking on the insole. That's the pair you get if you want the smooth leather. Personally I like the full grain pebble leather you picked up. And mike didn't like the 2 that's why he wore these for a few games. He attributes the air jordan 2 to his injury he suffered that year

[@WearTesters]

You should support our channel more often so you don’t miss information kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmln6SgebyXac0 The story about the 2 is completely false. He injured himself in the 1s and wore the 2 during recovery but wanted a mid not a high.

[@doch9399]

I’ve only seen the classic MJ blocking Mark Jackson while wearing this shoe. I will defer to those from Chicago who had WGN. I was limited in the number of games I saw. Definitely a Charles Barkley shoe. There’s a team photo of MJ in Air Revolution as well.

[@T-Bone-bu2nl]

He blocked Patrick Ewing in these shoes

[@chrisgranados2098]

Well I got a pair this morning. I wore these in high school so happy to get them back

[@ricflare7405]

Would love to see some Quantum Forces get the retro treatment. Barkley rocked all the forces if memory serves right, I had so many pairs as a kid. Crazy all have not been rereleased

[@aqchino0891]

Tongue in the originals had alpha force instead of air! Almost pretty sure! Can you confirm? Loved these! Had them in gray back in 88

[@bryango5979]

that brings back memories... my first nike air. i had those in royal blue and white. wish i could cop those again, if it ever drops here

[@alochoa8021]

Ayyy thanks glad u did this review!!

[@mwalkercpa]

I like this video because it shows me something different I have not been familiar with. Nike just drops stuff and I never really get the history of it without your videos!

[@MrMooie]

I love the throwback interlude!

[@joshhutton9534]

These are really good. Unfortunately I'm in a buying hiatus/selling half the collection. These would have been an easy cop 3 months ago.

[@johnc7054]

I used to rock a pair of these back in the day. Loved those shoes. Ty bro

[@youngboss87]

Just copped these in blue on clearance on Nike

[@Swooshman_3]

I’m going to assume the reason these aren’t associated with Barkley because this is not one of his “signature” shoes. (OG Sixers fans know he wore these in the 88-89 season) It’s more of a IYKYK type thing… need these in a red, white & blue (Sixers) colors! Great video Chris!

[@charleskiser2468]

The bottom of the tennis shoe is a cross between the Jordan 3 the Nike Delta Force Michael Jordan has warned the shoe three times the shoe was originally supposed to be the Jordan 3 but Nike me work the shoe and scrap the Skechers Air Jordan 3 that we have today is what we get from that

[@WearTesters]

MJ wore the shoe January’88 then debuted the AJ3 the following month for All Star weekend. It’s unlikely that this was to be the Jordan 3 when the actual Jordan 3 was already finished with production. However; 1987’s Air Revolution was supposed to have been the AJ3, but MJ wanted to ditch high tops for Mids. Which is how we ended with with what we now know as the Air Jordan 3.

[@allgoodwoods219]

I might have to cop these! I wanted so bad in 1988. I was already wearing a men’s 9 at 9 years old and my mother didn’t want to pay for them.

[@dwharton8983]

Man I kinda wanted a pair when I was younger, wow man I can't believe you allowed that voice message to be played .😂😂

[@KennyPolaris]

6:49 Who else repeated Chris's song like I did, raise your hand

[@WearTesters]

🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️🙋

[@terrancemoore1776]

Even MJ laced the air alpha force 87-88 season.

[@wreckitralphbricks8683]

I like the dragon ball shirt 👕

[@RampagingChipmunk]

If I were Nike, I absolutely would have mentioned Chuck in the advertising and maybe even tried to get him to film or at least narrate a commercial.

[@Phillipe013]

Congrats amazing movie! Can you tell me what’s the brand of your DBZ shirt?

[@superroboted]

Unofficial Barkley's...Still want them to release a better constructed 180 retro again

[@donnellwilson1215]

Chris, Marketing 101 for Nike 👌🏾 Throw Jordan in the Mix and it will Sell 😂😂😂 Genius…NOT! We Already Know and They ain’t Fooling Us…Just those that Don’t Know 🙈 That’s where You come in with the EDUMACATION 😂😂😂 Appreciate You 💯 and All You Stand For 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Keep Em Coming and I’ll Keep Watching ☝🏽☝🏽☝🏽

[@Ulyyyyy]

In retrospect, it’s cool that he wore these in between 2 and 3. I think they’re re-releasing these as a Billie collab tomorrow

[@thedrace]

Dope shoe...wish they did the blue OG colorway....major nostalgia with these!

[@globeali7015]

Ay; I just wanted to say I peep an infancy of the Jordan 4's at the mid outsole the hump isn't quite as steep but very similar.

[@YungShadBeatz]

They need to retro all these throwback shoes in kids shoes as well, some stuff I wouldn’t wear for myself but I do want my kids to wear them.

[@usedblazers]

I’m itching to buy these just to hoop in. Seems like they would be a nice ride on the court.

[@russellgray1917]

I've been waiting for these....Yes, they were definitely a Barkley shoe, I think MJ only wore these once or twice. I'm pretty sure that these were Barkley's go to shoe in his early days in Philly. Great shoe back in '88, I hope that Nike doesn't mess it up. Definitely hoping to get a pair or two. Thanks for another dope video and review from Weartesters.

[@ZEPLUS7]

Yo Chris, I un-stitched the strap and cut the leather flaps off my Jordan legacy 312’s and had the open leather cuts stitched. I also think these alpha forces would look so much better customized with the removal of the strap even though it’s thee original design. It would be kinda cool to see the overall Silhouette of the shoe rocked without the strap IMO!

[@stephenlamley541]

Ngl I prefer the leather look as it's ok leather for Nike as you stated. Yeah I'm in found some for 60uk not paying 120 or 30.

[@channelZER01]

i saw someone with these on and thought it was a new mode for the air trainers lol so much i went home and searched for new red and white air trainer 1's lmao fire shoe and honestly super glad they backed away from the billie eilish branding. nothing against her but wtf des gaga know about cameras?

[@BB-ed4om]

I got the Billie version bc they’re easier to find but the only difference I can find is the insole so no big deal.

[@teamogxla4727]

Alpha forces, you could get those at Mervyns back in the day

[@52griffin]

First show I ever bought back in the day $49.99 at the time . $$ from my first job .

[@robbass4367]

I don't think Nike should use MJ for marketing purposes. It's a good looking shoe, though. Great review Chris..........

[@BB-ed4om]

Jordan 3s are a bit more comfortable because of the tongue and the softer leather but these are sick

[@carloscordova9147]

Any pics of Barkley wearing these? Other that the Nike ad. I remeber him wearing the AAF 2’s and the AAF 2’s with the Air Force 3 midsole, but haven’t seen any pics of him in the AAF 1

[@samaantree]

I prefer the pebble leather so long as it’s nice and soft 😊

[@syyiidelamin7880]

He only wore them once, right before Tinker gave him the 3s. I think he scored 48 points against the Knicks in them.

[@shannonsims1511]

Charles Barkley wore these

[@Dkgtrukeepingitdatruth]

Cool 😎 hope these come out with alot of colors away MJ wear theses

[@derekdaniels9808]

These are comin home

[@christianknight9669]

This shoe is fire 🔥 also I hope they would have multiple color ways of this shoe

[@eygothelephant]

I want a 13 & hopefully I can snag me a fresh pair….I neva got them in HS when they were $65 which was a lot back then. 🐘

[@nastymigui]

Waited for ever. I have seen pictures of 3 different games so just one thing is sure. Nike again is not aware of their own history.

[@Jcskateguy23]

The 2s sole is more like the 89 89 solo flights .Remember those

[@robertwilliams9288]

They need to bring the air Nike revolutions back. They were better than most of these comebacks even some Jordan. The first ball shoe with visible air pockets 1986.

[@kennyxbusic]

pebbled leather is a huge bummer, have been looking forward to these for months. hope they put flat leather on some other colorways

[@siab5759]

Do these really fit true to size or do they have that Air Force 1 fit or Dunk fit? I usually wear 8.5 but when it comes to Air Force 1’s and dunks I have to half size down. My feet aren’t narrow, but they aren’t too wide either

[@alanconsidine2579]

Did nike sneak in 2 releases ,,coz now i'm seeing billie ones on nike withe her name on the box tland the og smooth leather

[@kyyyllleee310]

I know this comment has nothing to do with this review lol but Reebok recently came out with a chunky skate version of the club c in collaboration with beams and I know you’re a fan of the club c’s in general. Would love to hear your opinion on the shoe!

[@benbodhi5942]

Hey guys, why u don’t do a review of the Nike dunk low Chicago split…I know u like the Chicago look greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@ga4931]

Have you coo the new Chicago split. We need a video on those

[@avo2986]

Wait so do the coconut milk ones also have that pebbley leather? The whole reason I liked them was because of the smooth look

[@Everydaykaen]

Let's do the dunk low chicago

[@russellhowardjr.9894]

Dope review, as always. Love this shoe, as with most all the other “Barkley” sneakers. I do remember seeing both CB and MJ wearing these. I was lucky enough to snag these. My only regret is that they weren’t rereleased in the Sixers color way. That’s the color way that comes to mind regarding these sneakers. Well done my friend. You never disappoint!

[@GK__18]

I really don’t like this texture on the leather… but I don’t like even more for these associated w the Billie Eilish… guess I will just wait for a GR version w smooth leather and cop… hopefully will get a white blue smooth leather GR, then that would be ideal

[@user-hn8eo7sh4m]

I wonder if Nike read the comments and removed Billie eilish

[@WearTesters]

We were told after we had made the video that there will be a Billie Eilish version but it’s a different colorway now.

[@miky9619]

They use Jordan because it was on his feet. To have Jordan wear that model is something people will never forget and is a great marketing campaign for the soon to be released retros. It's like how New York basketball fans tell you yeah MJ played for Chicago but was born in Brooklyn. Mind you he left New York at two months and is a Carolina boy but don't tell that to New Yorkers and MJ's two months in New York.

[@jouudelrey]

i am so confused, the billie eilish x nike air alpha 88 shoes existed before? & the material is just different? Is the rest the same? Then where's that from Billie the shoe/you collab? I'm just confused, can someone explain this to me? When did the shoe exist before & what is the new Billies cooperation about if it was almost identical before? 😭

[@WearTesters]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmln6SgebyXac0

[@angelopuyat3683]

What other colorways are in the pipeline for this shoe? Cool review as always!

[@chrisl2765]

I was HEATED when everyone kept putting MJ out on it instead of Barkley! Give the man the roses!