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Across every era of athletic footwear, there are few periods that produced as many iconic models as the 1990s. Brands were firing at all cylinders and basketball sneakers hadn’t yet veered into overly technical territory, allowing many of them to find crossover success as everyday casual shoes. From Air Jordans to Foamposites, Nike, Inc. has the deepest archive of ‘90s court classics, and the brand will soon bring back one of its most beloved pairs in the Air More Uptempo.
News of a 2026 Nike Air More Uptempo reissue first surfaced in November and now, more details are emerging. The upcoming retro is set to feature all of the sneaker’s signature details in its original Black/Black/White colorway. Most notable for the blocky, oversized “AIR” letters that wrap the lateral and medial sides of the shoe, the Air More Uptempo wasn’t just an exercise in bold branding. The shoe was also a more than capable on-court performer thanks to its visible full-length Air units, which was the peak of Nike cushioning in the mid-‘90s.
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Though it’s since been outclassed by the top-performing sneakers of modern day, the Air More Uptempo’s on-court prowess is supported by the stars who wore it in the ‘90s, most notably basketball hall of famer Scottie Pippen. The former Chicago Bulls star wore the model in 1996 during pivotal moments, including the NBA Finals and the Summer Olympics. And while Pippen is the most notable player to lace up the boldly branded sneaker, it was also worn by other players in the Olympics, including Charles Barkley. Similarly, a takedown version of the model dubbed the Much Uptempo was worn by the likes of Gary Payton and Reggie Miller.
Designed by longtime Nike designer Wilson Smith, the Air More Uptempo’s legacy has also been intertwined with pop culture. The sneaker made an appearance on the big screen in the 1997 film “George of the Jungle” and years later, was featured in a coveted three-shoe collaboration with streetwear brand Supreme.
The Nike Air More Uptempo is set to be released on Sept. 25, according to House of Heat. The sneaker will retail for $170 with availability from Nike’s Snkrs app and select Nike Sportswear retailers. The style code for the upcoming launch is FV2291-001. It’s worth noting that the 2023 iteration is pictured here, however the upcoming rerelease is expected to feature the same details.