Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot

The world’s largest footwear manufacturer Nike has never stopped creating and innovating with new designs coming out every year. Listening to the demands of the public, the Swoosh brand has been churning out new models that are keener to the requirements of the season. Shoes are released per season so that a summer-ready kick or a winter-ready sneaker easily satisfy the desires and needs of the growing sneaker market.

At times, the Swoosh brand has also been listening to millions of sneakerheads that can’t get enough of the iconic shoe classics. As a result, style hybrids are created by fusing one or two key design elements of one classic shoe with another to create a new sneaker design to be worn by the public.

  Lunar Force 1 Duckboot design inspiration

Among all Nike shoe creations, the Air Force 1 is one of the most coveted. Introduced in 1982, this high-rise basketball shoe was considered revolutionary when it was first dropped. Created by legendary shoe designer Bruce Kilgore, this high-top shoe was made to pay homage to the president’s plane. It was also the first to feature the ground-breaking Nike Air Technology.

The Nike Air Force 1 sneaker went on to become one of Nike’s bestselling kicks ever produced. Ever since the leather shoes’ release, the Air Force 1 has been subjected to many makeovers. Colors have been altered, cuts have been extended or shortened, and materials have been improved. There were even rare and customized releases that were made of premium materials that can only be seen in bespoke shops.

In the year 2008, another innovative shoe technology was used by the brand. The new cushioning and outsole technology called the Lunarlon debuted and featured in two models namely the Nike Lunaracer and Nike Hyperdunk. Developed by veteran shoe designers Kevin Hoffer and Eric Avar, the Lunarlon shoe technology gave both basketball players and distance runners the bouncy responsiveness and soft cushioning they required from their footwear.

The Lunarlon signature material according to Nike is innovative cushioning systems that will make your feet feel that they are above the clouds and later on walking on the moon. Lunarlon uses soft and responsive foam in the midsole that assures wearers of smooth and responsive strides.  The Lunarlon cushioning material also absorbs shock and reduces impact while walking. The entire design also makes use of high-density Phylon foam that supports a lightweight foam core. It results in a stable and supportive design that accommodates softer landing every time you pound the streets with your feet.

Four years after, the brand decided to combine AF1's already iconic silhouette with the technologically advanced Lunarlon cushioning. This fusion led to the creation of the hybrid Nike Lunar Force 1. Making an appearance on December 12, 2012, its debut was greeted with great enthusiasm.

The brand, however, aiming to maintain their status in the market, did not stop their pursuit of perfection. Various versions were designed and developed to meet consumers’ continually changing needs and demands, this includes the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot.

Launched in 2015, this shoe was built to endure the cold and rainy weather. Now, fans of the brand have an option to wear a sneaker/boot that is durable and water-resistant as well as fashionable, lightweight and comfortable. A wide array of colorways, not to mention a low cut-version called the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot Low, have been released for this model, proving this shoe’s growing popularity.

  Lunar Force 1 Duckboot colorways, design updates

The first sneaker-boot design for the Air Force 1 was first hinted in 2012 and was welcomed with enthusiasm. However, the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot was only dropped in time for the Fall/Winter season in September 2015. The all-black upper sits on top of a lunar midsole and a reinforced outsole to keep the feet dry and warm amidst the rain, sleet, and snow often associated with the cold season.

The following month in October 2015, the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot in black/light British tan colorway came with a brown leather upper, Watershield technology, a rubberized toe, and a padded ripstop collar. Another blood red colorway for the winter sneaker cleat is the black/team red colorway dropped in time for Halloween on October 30, 2015. The duck cleat design utilizes tumbled red leather on the top. Pairing the upper with a black rubberized forefoot and a similar ripstop collar and gum rubber outsole, the duck cleat is a favorite among fashionistas wanting a sneaker option to rock during the cold winter months.

Also released in 2015 is the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot in white. The all-white upper of the high-top cleat sits on top of a Lunarlon midsole and an icy blue outsole. The rubberized upper had star patterns all over and built to withstand the harsh elements of snow and rain during winter. It also has a D-ring lace loop that resembles that of utilitarian work cleats.

The 2016 Fall/Winter season was welcomed with two monochromatic Lunar Force 1 Duckboot colorways priced at $165 each. The first colorway is the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot “Ice White” that easily blends with the snowy outdoors. The winter sneaker-boot is equipped with a water-resistant upper, decked with premium leather overlays, and fitted with Lunarlon midsole for comfort.

An all-red ensemble was also dropped in 2016 with the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot “Team Red” comprised of a water-resistant upper, premium leather overlays, a comfortable Lunarlon midsole, and a heavy-duty gum outsole.

An army olive colorway for the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot was dropped January 2017. The army olive upper shares with it baroque brown tones at the Swoosh branding and a star-studded toe box. These are placed on top of an off-white Lunarlon midsole and a gum rubber outsole.

For Fall/Winter 2017, Nike goes all out with the winter sneaker cleat. The Swoosh brand updates the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot silhouette with a rugged makeover. The update features a durable upper made of ripstop nylon and rubber textile blend. The top design also has a studded toe, D-rings seen in hiking cleats make up the lacing system and a jewel Swoosh logo on the side. The first color options to come out are the black and olive colorways followed by the brown/black and the black/navy colorway versions retailing at $170.

Not contented with the high top version, Nike also dropped the Lunar Force 1 Duckboot in a low-top sneaker version. The low-top Lunar Force 1 Duckboot features a waterproof molded upper accented by D-ring eyelets and leather hits on the heel and tongue.

For the high top version of the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot, several colorways were dropped in 2017 that includes the linen, medium olive, and burgundy colorways that are more fashionable to rock during the Autumn months. All colorways were sold for $170 at retail.

A more expensive colorway was also released for $207 at retail called the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot “Metallic Gold” with tonal black and “Light Bone” accents in the overlays.

Further updating its design, the Nike Lunar Force 1 Duckboot  was released in 2018 featuring three new colorways called ”Sequoia/Gum,” “Obsidian/Gum” and “Triple Black.” The design resembles that of the low-top version of the duck cleat removing the studded toe box design in the upper.