Devin Booker’s first signature shoe, the Nike Book 1, has certainly stirred the pot. Some might call its design understated. Others, perhaps less charitably, might suggest it’s simpler than a dial tone. Nevertheless, when it comes to colorways, this shoe is an All-Star. It’s as if the Swoosh decided to compensate for the design’s minimalism with astonishing, kaleidoscopic hues.

The shoe’s aesthetic might be a source of spirited debate (is it a masterpiece of restraint or just… restrained?), but it definitely captures its namesake’s off-court style.

On the basketball court, he’s a master of the crossover, as are his shoes, crossing over from the hardwood to the concrete. And perhaps that’s the nexus of the Book 1’s success: its inherent simplicity was purposefully engineered for crossover appeal—a rare feat in the oft-ostentatious world of performance basketball footwear. In an era of shoes that look like they’re about to launch into orbit, the Book 1 is refreshingly grounded.

It’s also the perfect canvas, a blank slate upon which Booker and Nike scribbled some of the most iconic colorways from the latter’s vast archives. They’ve treated this shoe like a mood board, transcribing sneaker history onto its unassuming silhouette. From personal homages to throwbacks that wink at connoisseurs in the know, the Book 1 exemplifies the power of color.

So, without further ado, let’s explore the best colorways of the Nike Book 1. A collection that proves even the simplest design can tell a thousand colorful stories.

fragment design x Nike Book 1

With the Leather “Python” as the base, the fragment design (FRGMT) x Nike Book 1 bears the signature motifs of Hiroshi Fujiwara. Signature blue Swooshes, a stark contrast against the textured snakeskin leather, dance along the sides while the iconic lightning bolt emblem electrifies the heel.

Unfortunately, the shoe has been ascertained to remain an F&F exclusive. Nonetheless, for what it’s worth, there have been many PEs that saw a release years after. And the FRGMT head honcho never denied that possibility. In fact, he’s even considering another collaboration down the road.

Nike Book 1 “Air Safari”

Inspired by the Nike Air Max 1 “Safari”, Booker first teased the Nike Book 1 “Air Safari” during NBA Media Day last season. It was the perfect display of the Book 1’s versatility, using the silhouette as a canvas for other quintessential Nike colorways to be painted over.

Nike Book 1 “Shattered Backboard” PE

Taking its design cues from the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard”, indubitably one of the most beloved colorways in the AJ1 family. Although the Book 1 variant of the colorway hasn’t been announced for a release (but they should!), the original AJ1 has—scheduled for 12 July 2025, in lieu of the archetypal silhouette’s 40th anniversary.

Nike Book 1 “1995 All-Star”

Another well-executed homage from the Nike Book 1. This one is for the iconic 1995 All-Star game jerseys worn by some of the sport’s greatest. So iconic, this is a colorway easily recognizable by basketball’s biggest fans. When the pair comes out in the summer this year, expect them to find a spot in many collectors’ closets.

Nike Book 1 “Forrest Gump”

The “Forrest Gump” colorway may be most associated with the Nike Cortez, but its simplicity has been proven to work perfectly with the Book 1 as well. It’s also a thoughtful allusion to Booker’s off-court style, having worn the Cortez several times. The perfect complement to his West Coast-inspired aesthetic.

The Nike Book 1 “Forrest Gump” has been confirmed for release on 22 January 2025.

Nike Book 1 x Air Max 95 “Neon”

To the discerning fan, the allusion is apparent. This one gives a nod to another hallmark Air Max colorway. Book 1 is a masterclass in “stealing like an artist,” borrowing just enough key elements from its source to make it familiar and applying them onto a new canvas to make an entirely new work.

Nike Book 1 “Kobe 1 Protro” PE

Booker has been open about his deep reverence for Kobe Bryant, his early career an attestation of the Black Mamba’s influence. Translating the aesthetic of the Nike Kobe 1 onto the Book 1 is a masterful feat, but the true depth of this homage lies in its deeper meaning.

More than just a stylistic nod; the Nike Book 1 “Kobe 1 Protro” PE is also a poignant reflection of Booker’s enduring connection to his idol, even after their passing.

Nike Book 1 “Mowabb” PE

The Nike Book 1 is a chameleon of a shoe, constantly shifting its colors while paying homage to unexpected corners of the Nike archive. The pair one thinks of when they see the titular colorway isn’t the exact shoe they’re looking at.

This time, the Book 1 ventures into ACG’s rugged terrain, reinterpreting the signature “Twine” colorway of the ACG Air Mowabb. The intricacies of translating the Mowabb’s utilitarian aesthetic may seem daunting, but the Book 1 successfully captures its essence, proving that even the most challenging inspirations can be methodically translated.

PJ Tucker x Nike Book 1 “Texas vs. Kentucky” PE

PJ Tucker is the NBA’s sneaker savant. First, he treated fans to a crimson spectacle with an all-red “Chapter 0” PE iteration of the Book 1. But ever the sartorial showman, he followed this with a playful homage to college basketball royalty, donning the “Texas vs. Kentucky” colorway, a nod to his own collegiate chapter (Texas) while perhaps subtly (or not so subtly) riling up his former rivals.

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Although most of the aforementioned colorways remain player exclusives at the time of writing, here are a few that you can definitely get your hands on:

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