Quick Facts
- The Nike Air Zoom Flight The Glove is getting a retro in 2026
- Although not technically his signature shoe, the sneaker is most famous for its connection to the legendary Gary Payton
- The pair will be released in its original black, white, and university red color scheme
- Expect a release July 31, 2026 for $170
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Nostalgia really does have a chokehold on sneaker culture right now. We like to think freshly cooked-up designs have staying power, but most of the time, we’re all guilty of running right back to a pair of sneakers from the 20th century. Nike knows this all too well and is constantly digging through the archives to revive designs from decades past, most successfully doing so around the golden age of Nike Basketball, the mid-to-late ‘90s. A pair that perfectly fits this description, and with the recent zipper trend, is Gary Payton’s signature Nike sneaker, the Air Zoom Flight The Glove, which will finally be getting a retro release in 2026.
If you’re not familiar with Gary Payton, we’ll give you a quick rundown on the NBA star. Payton was drafted second overall in the 1990 NBA draft by the now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics. He would play for the franchise for 13 years, bouncing between the Bucks, Lakers, Celtics, and Miami Heat in his final years, the latter of which is where he won his only NBA title. He’s considered one of the greatest point guards to ever take the hardwood and earned his nickname “The Glove” for his stellar defense. More specifically, his ability to steal.
Nike signed Payton in the ‘90s and he would become the face of multiple sneakers before finally getting his own shoe, the Zoom GP. One of these, which even today is attributed to Payton, is the Air Zoom Flight ‘98 The Glove, which was designed by Eric Avar, the mind behind many of Kobe Bryant’s signature sneakers. Clearly designed around Payton and his nickname, the sneaker is technically NOT a signature model, just like how the Air Foamposite One is connected to Penny Hardaway. The model is completely shrouded in neoprene, which is attached via a zipper that reveals the actual internals of the Zoom Flight ‘98. Inside is the Monkey Paw, a plastic cage around the heel that mimics the five fingers of a monkey’s paw to help with stability. As for the cushioning, Nike placed Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot.
Gary Payton’s “The Glove” was last released in 2014 during a small retro run. So far, the only confirmed colorway to come back in 2026 is the original black, white, and university red rendition. The pair is nearly all-black, with white accents hitting the Swoosh logos on the forefoot, tongue, and sole unit, and on parts of the toe, midsole, and outsole. Inside sit pops of university red.
The Nike Air Zoom Flight The Glove OG will be released July 31, 2026 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $170. For more updates on the latest releases from Nike, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.
2014 Retro Images via GOAT
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
