Nike Air More Uptempo "Black/White" Returns: A Nod To The Pippen Era

The Nike Air More Uptempo is heading back in its original Black/White colorway, continuing the periodic revival cycle of one of the most iconic basketball silhouettes of the '90s. This is the colorway tied directly to Scottie Pippen, worn during the Chicago Bulls' legendary 72-10 season and their championship run in 1996.

This release stays truer to the 1996 original than recent retros have. The upper is built on a black nubuck base, highlighted by the oversized "AIR" lettering stretching across both sides, outlined in white for that signature high-contrast look. A black jewel Swoosh continues to sit at the heel, a detail that's become a defining marker across the shoe's many re-releases.

Underfoot, the shoe sticks to the formula that made the silhouette famous, with a full-length Air unit running the entire length of the sole for cushioning that outperformed most of the field when it first debuted. A black rubber outsole paired with a large white Swoosh rounds out the look, keeping the chunky profile that helped turn the Air More Uptempo into an icon both on and off the court.

Nike Air More Uptempo

Style CodeFV2291-001

Release DateAug 21, 2026

Retail Price$170

Designed by Wilson Smith, the Air More Uptempo has never officially carried Pippen's name as a signature model, yet it's tied so closely to him that the two have become nearly synonymous. Nike bringing the Black/White colorway back every few years speaks to the staying power of the original design, one that's long outgrown its roots as just another basketball shoe.

The Nike Air More Uptempo "Black/White" officially releases on August 21, 2026, priced at $170.