Nike’s Chinese Zodiac series started in 2002 with four years of somewhat run-of-the-mill Air Force 1 colorways. After 2005, the designs started to become more detailed, embodying the theme of each sign through material instead of just a hit of embroidery. This China-exclusive series has become somewhat of a meter stick of how wild or conservative that year’s shoes will be. 2010 continued the return to simplicity and clean styling, which is shown through 2011′s Year of the Rabbit.
Thanks to Verse for the 2002 AF1, Collective LTD for the 2003 AF1, and Ya5hir0 @ Webshots for the 2004 AF1.
2002′s first of the Chinese Zodiac series, a very simple Air Force 1.
2003′s Year of the Goat, another subdued Air Force 1.
2004′s Year of the Monkey Air Force 1 get’s a little fancier with more detailed embroidery.
In 2005, The Year of the Rooster Air Force 1, featured laser detailing at the heel.
The Year of the Dog Air Force 1 embodies 2006′s high contrast trend.
In 2007, Nike moved away from the Air Force 1, to this highly detailed Dunk Hi.
2007, The Year of the Pig, also saw this pink triple hybrid, Nike Footscape Woven 360. Surprisingly this is still available at our store.
A pair of Nike Wildwood 90 Free Hybrid’s celebrated the Year of the Rat in 2008. The GS Year of the Rat Vandal is still available at our store.
The other Nike Wildwood 90 Free Hybrid featured rat er… pony hair.
A more subdued design for 2009, this Year of the Ox Blazer has a unique molded heel piece.
2009 was the third year in a row to feature two Chinese Zodiac shoes, the second being this Air Max 1.
200 of these shoes came packed in a special box, this Year of the Tiger Nike Cortez features pony hair and reflective stripes.