Gary Payton’s Nike Air Zoom Flight The Glove is coming back in one of its better-known colorways. The “Royal Blue” pair, last released in 2014, is expected to return during Holiday 2026.

The shoe keeps the look that made The Glove easy to spot during its original run. A zippered shroud covers most of the upper, wrapping around the foot over an inner bootie for the tight fit the model became known for. That setup was a big part of the Nike Zoom Flight ’98 and still gives the shoe a look unlike most basketball sneakers from that era.

Royal blue takes over most of the upper, while white leather breaks things up around the sides. White Swooshes appear along the lateral side and forefoot, with more blue continuing across the sculpted midsole. “The Glove” branding on the heel ties everything back to Payton’s longtime nickname.

The Royal Blue colorway hasn’t been on shelves in more than a decade, making this the first retro since 2014. It also comes as Nike continues digging through its older basketball catalog and bringing back models that haven’t had much attention in recent years.

Nike Air Zoom Flight The Glove Royal Blue 2026 Release Date

The Nike Air Zoom Flight The Glove “Royal Blue” is expected to release December 19, 2026 in men’s sizing. Retail is set at $170.

Stay up to date with all upcoming sneaker releases from our Sneaker Release Dates page.

Source: @zsneakerheadz