Okay, so you're staring at the CNFans Spreadsheet and you've noticed something that probably has you scratching your head: Air Force 1s ranging from ¥89 all the way to ¥400+. What gives? Are the expensive ones really that much better, or are you just paying for hype?

I asked myself the same question about six months ago. So I did what any reasonable person would do—I bought three pairs at different price points and put them through the wringer. Let me save you some money (or convince you to spend more, depending on what you're after).

The Three Contenders I Tested

From the CNFans Spreadsheet, I grabbed:

• Budget King (¥89): The famous "Umkao" batch that everyone talks about
• Mid-Tier Middle Child (¥190): A well-reviewed WTG (Wood Table Guy) pair
• Premium Player (¥380): The H12/Godkiller batch that claims to be virtually identical to retail

Same size, same colorway (classic triple white), same me wearing them around the city for weeks. Here's what actually matters.

First Impressions: Unboxing Day

I'm not gonna lie—when I opened all three boxes, my first thought was "they all look like Air Force 1s." And honestly? From two feet away, you couldn't tell the difference. But when you pick them up and start examining them closely, that's when things get interesting.

The Budget Pair (¥89)

The leather felt a bit plasticky, almost like it had a thin coating on it. The swoosh was slightly uneven if you really looked for it, and the toe box was a touch more boxy than retail. The Nike Air logo on the back was there, just a bit thinner than it should be.

The Mid-Tier Pair (¥190)

Noticeably softer leather right out of the box. The shape was better, with that proper curved toe box. The stitching was cleaner, and the swoosh placement looked spot-on. This is where I started thinking "okay, there might be something to this price difference."

The Premium Pair (¥380)

If I'm being completely honest? It felt like retail. The leather was tumbled properly, the shape was perfect, and even the insole felt right. The little details—the perforations on the toe box, the backtab positioning, the overall heft—were all there.

The Real Test: Actually Wearing Them

Here's where the budget pair started showing its true colors. After about two weeks of regular wear:

Budget (¥89): The sole started separating slightly at the toe. The "leather" developed creases that looked more like cracks. Comfort was okay, but my feet got sweaty faster than usual. Still wearable, but you could tell these weren't built to last.

Mid-Tier (¥190): Holding up great. Some natural creasing that actually looks good. Comfortable for all-day wear. The midsole hasn't yellowed yet. This is the pair I reach for most often, weirdly enough.

Premium (¥380): Performing exactly like you'd expect retail to perform. Breaking in nicely, aging well, zero quality issues. But here's the thing—is it really twice as good as the mid-tier? Ehh...

The Verdict: Where Should You Spend Your Money?

After this whole experiment, here's my honest recommendation depending on your situation:

Go Budget (¥89-120) If:

• You just want beaters you don't care about
• You're trying the rep game for the first time and want to test the waters
• You need something temporary while waiting for a better pair
• You literally don't care about longevity

Go Mid-Tier (¥170-220) If:

• You want the best value for your money (this is my sweet spot)
• You plan on wearing them regularly for 6+ months
• You care about quality but aren't obsessed with 1:1 accuracy
• You're building a rotation and need solid everyday shoes

Go Premium (¥350+) If:

• You're super particular about details and it would bother you otherwise
• You want something that'll last 1-2 years with heavy wear
• You're in environments where people might actually legit check you (weird flex but okay)
• You just want peace of mind

Pro Tips for Using the Spreadsheet

When you're comparing AF1s on the CNFans Spreadsheet, don't just sort by price. Look for:

• QC photos from other buyers: The spreadsheet often links to these. Real photos tell you way more than stock images.
• Batch names: H12, OG, and LJR are generally premium. WTG, Umkao, and "budget" in the title are... well, budget.
• Return policies: Some sellers accept returns, some don't. If you're spending more, make sure you have options.
• Shipping weight: AF1s are heavy. Factor that into your total cost when comparing.

My Final Take

Here's the thing about Air Force 1s specifically—they're supposed to be simple. It's a white leather shoe with a swoosh. The budget batches nail the basic look, the mid-tier nails the quality, and the premium nails the details most people won't notice.

For me? I'm buying mid-tier from now on. The ¥190 sweet spot gives me 85% of the premium quality at half the price. That extra ¥190 can go toward another pair entirely.

But that's just me. Check the spreadsheet, compare your options, and remember—the best rep is the one you're happy wearing. Everything else is just noise.