The Nike Air Zoom Flight ’98 “The Glove” is coming back, and the official look shows Nike did not stray far from the original.

The familiar black-and-white colorway is intact, along with the zippered neoprene shroud that made the shoe stand out in the first place. Underneath sits the hidden “Monkey Paw” support system. The sculpted sole and long, aggressive shape are back too, without much effort to soften the design for today.

That is probably the right call. The Flight ’98 came from a stretch when Nike Basketball was willing to let performance shoes look strange, and this one was never built to blend in. Even now, the covered lacing system and wrapped upper still feel different from most retro basketball releases.

Gary Payton is the reason the model carries so much weight. His “The Glove” nickname came from his defense, but it also fit the shoe’s tight, enclosed construction. Payton wore the model during one of the defining periods of his career, giving it a place in Nike Basketball history that went beyond the design itself.

The line never reached the size of Nike’s bigger signature franchises, but this pair stuck around. Collectors remembered the zip-up build, the sharp black-and-white blocking, and a shape that was hard to mistake for anything else.

Nike Air Zoom Flight The Glove 2026 Release Date

The Nike Air Zoom Flight ’98 “The Glove” is expected to release July 31, 2026, through Nike.com and select Nike Sportswear retailers. Retail is set at $170. Check out the official photos below.

Stay up to date with all upcoming sneaker releases from our Sneaker Release Dates page. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram.