The best classic women's leather sneakers

The Nike Air Force 1 was launched in the 1980s as a performance basketball sneaker, but has since become a street-style icon that's equal parts cool and comfortable.

The Nike Air Force 1 debuted in 1982 as a premier high-top basketball sneaker and quickly found itself on the feet of some of the NBA's biggest names. Encapsulated air units in the soles added springy cushioning while box-toe perforations offered easy ventilation, making the Air Force 1 a simple and stylish choice for the pros. While originally made for men, the Nike Air Force 1 quickly became a street-style symbol, and in 2001, Nike introduced women's sizing.

The Air Force 1 is one of the most enduring pairs from the innovative Nike Air franchise. The shoes seamlessly blend performance and style, making them a go-to on courts and streets alike. The leather upper, foam sole, and padding around the collar provide all-day comfort, and with the chunky, low profile, they have a casually cool style that looks good with everything. Nick Engvall, founder of Sneaker History, credits the Air Force 1 with starting the sneaker culture we know today.

Over the years, the Air Force 1 has seen many colorways and collaborations with designer brands. You can't go wrong with the clean, crisp, white-on-white pair though. At $90, these are relatively affordable for a pair of quality leather sneakers — though the price can be higher for different colorways.

Pros: Timeless style, comfortable, affordable

Cons: Can get dirty easily