Nike’s Beloved ‘The Glove’ Sneakers Are Coming Back After More Than 10 Years

One of Nike’s classic 1990s basketball sneakers is set to return in 2026 in its original form.

According to early leaks, the Nike Air Zoom Flight ’98 The Glove will make its long-awaited comeback during fall ’26. Made famous by former Seattle SuperSonics star point guard Gary Payton, the Air Zoom Flight ’98 The Glove — sometimes referred to simply as The Glove — was a groundbreaking model for Nike at the time.

True to its name, the shoe featured a zipper-equipped wrap-around shroud which concealed the shoelaces and the rest of the upper, but that wasn’t the only significant tech used on the shoe. Inside, a “monkey paw” TPU cage further contributed to the shoe’s glove-like fit with added stability. This atypical upper was paired with Zoom Air cushioning underneath, making it a speedy and sleek choice for Payton, who was one of the game’s top point guards at the time of the sneaker’s release.

The Air Zoom Flight ’98 The Glove was a pivotal point for Nike’s late-‘90s basketball output and many subsequent models would use similar full-zip shrouds. Notable was the more affordable Air Son of Glove takedown model, which has yet to receive a reissue, as well as follow-up signature shoes for Payton. The brand also used a zippered shroud on its Air Flightposite sneaker, which debuted in 1999.

Despite being one of Nike’s most beloved retro basketball shoes, The Glove hasn’t been seen at retail in quite some time. The model was last available in 2014, making it more than a decade before its eventual reissue next year.

Early reports from Sneaker Market indicate that the Nike Air Zoom Flight ’98 The Glove is expected to return during fall ’26 with a potential September launch date. The sneaker will arrive in its original Black/White/University Red colorway with a style code of IV6206-010. Retail pricing has not been confirmed. Images of the original style’s 2013 retro appear below courtesy of GOAT.