Nike is bringing back the Air Flightposite 3 for the first time, pulling another overlooked basketball design from the early 2000s into its retro lineup.

The first pair shown is far removed from the original Black/Royal colorway many collectors remember. Unveiled during Nike’s Spring/Summer preview in Paris, the new “Pink” edition covers the molded upper in a soft pink finish, then adds metallic silver pods, black underlays and brighter pink accents around the laces and outsole.

Its strange, armored shape remains the main attraction. Two oversized metallic panels sit along the side, while straps cross the upper in place of a standard lacing setup. Black sections beneath the straps sharpen the color blocking, and the split pink-and-black rubber outsole gives the shoe a basketball-ready finish.

The Air Flightposite 3 originally arrived during Nike’s Alpha Project era, when the brand was producing some of its most experimental performance footwear. Even among that group, this model stood apart. Its molded construction, rounded panels and aggressive profile looked futuristic in 2001 and still feel unusual more than two decades later.

Starting the retro run with pink instead of an original release suggests Nike wants the Flightposite 3 to reach beyond basketball nostalgia. The colorway fits the brand’s recent habit of reintroducing archive models through louder fashion-driven styles before circling back to familiar versions. An original Black/Royal pair is also expected to return.

The Nike Air Flightposite 3 “Pink Rise” is expected to release during Spring 2027 for $250 through Nike.com and select Nike Sportswear retailers. A firm launch date has not been announced.

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Photos: @kofromataf