Quick Facts
- The Air More Uptempo turns 30 next year, and Nike is celebrating big
- Alongside the return of the Black White, the fan-favorite Cobalt Bliss is officially coming back
- Originally worn by Scottie Pippen during the Bulls’ 1996 title run, the Air More Uptempo remains one of Nike’s most iconic ‘90s basketball designs.
- Expect a release in Fall 2026
The Air More Uptempo turns 30 next year, and to celebrate, Nike is bringing back some of the biggest and best colorways in the silhouette’s history. Following news that the legendary Black White is returning, another pair has been confirmed to re-release, that being the Nike Air More Uptempo Cobalt Bliss.
There’s no debating that the Air More Uptempo is one of the greatest retro basketball sneakers ever made. Designed by Wilson Smith III and immortalized on the feet of Scottie Pippen during the Chicago Bulls’ 1996 championship run, the model embodied the attitude, swagger, and maximalist design ethos of ‘90s hoops culture. Its oversized “AIR” lettering, full-length visible cushioning, and unapologetically bulky shape set it apart from every other court shoe of its era – and three decades later, it remains just as influential.
Adam Cheung is a writer and editor who specialises in sneakers and streetwear. Over the past few years, he's curated features and guides for everyone from Burberry to Nike. Often travelling between the UK and Hong Kong, don't be too surprised if you find Adam anywhere else around the world taking street photography or feasting on the local delicacies.
