Nike Air More Uptempo 96 Black/White Release Date FV2291-001

Nike has no shortage of bold sneaker designs in its archive and yet, there is perhaps no model as audaciously branded as the Air More Uptempo. Last seen in 2023, the in-your-face design is returning once again.

The Nike Air More Uptempo 96 is officially set to be reissued Friday in its original black-and-white colorway. The upcoming rerelease retains all of the signature details that have made the sneaker such a fan favorite over the years including its nubuck construction, contrasting white details, heel jewel Swoosh logo and of course, blocky “AIR” lettering across both its lateral and medial sides.

As its name suggests, the Air More Uptempo 96 was originally released in 1996 and it was made famous on the NBA court by Michael Jordan’s former Chicago Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen. While Jordan wore the iconic Air Jordan 11 during the 1996 NBA Finals, Pippen was laced up in the equally legendary Air More Uptempo, both leaving a storied footwear legacy.

Nike Air More Uptempo 96 OG (pair).

Nike

Not only was the Wilson Smith III-designed Air More Uptempo aggressive in its graffiti-inspired styling, but it was also a highly capable on-court performance shoe for its time. The shoe’s full-length visible Max Air was among Nike’s top cushioning setups of the era and the roster of players who wore the model are a testament to its performance abilities.

Along with Pippen, fellow NBA legend Charles Barkley wore the Air More Uptempo during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Meanwhile, other players like Gary Payton and Reggie Miller wore the Air Much Uptempo, which featured a near-identical design but used visible Air cushioning only in the heel.

The Nike Air More Uptempo 96 returns Friday in its most famous colorway from Nike’s Snkrs app and select Nike Sportswear retailers for $170. The sneaker’s style code is FV2291-001. A full look at the 2026 iteration appears below.