Nike Basketball's Air Bakin design from 1997 is expected to re-release during the Spring 2026 season.
Reported by Sneaker Files, the news is the latest example of the Swoosh conglomerate revisiting some of its hoops-informed models from the last 30 years. Silhouettes like the Flightposite have also joined the company's roster of products in the last two years, satiating nostalgia of those who were around for their original run, while introducing the innovative design to new audiences.
For the uninformed, the Air Bakin was developed by the legendary Eric Avar. Debuted on the hardwood by the Miami Heat's Tim Hardaway, the tall sneaker featured an eye-catching "Black/Varsity Red/Metallic Silver/Orange Blaze" color scheme, which recently inspired Kevin Durant's KD 18. Although the pair found success on the NBA stage and won sneaker enthusiasts over, the original production run was ultimately recalled because of controversy sparked by the Air branding on the spine.
Members from the Muslim community expressed concerns over the Air Bakin's cursive, flame-reminiscent font at the spine as the branding hit resembled Allah in Arabic.
Although Nike, Inc. didn't develop the sneaker with ill-intentions—the shoe was part of a playfully-named series of outdoor-oriented basketball footwear that included the Air Grill and Air B-Que—it attempted to rectify the situation by covering the Air logo with a fabric patch. The move didn't help and resulted in the Air Bakin disappearing from the market.
Since '97, Avar's design has gained a cult following, with some collectors seeking out and paying top dollar for original pairs of the Nike Basketball sneaker.
Every subsequent retro of the style has had Nike Air text on the spine, and the impending reissue should be no different.
Stay tuned for firm Nike.com release details and official photos of the pair. And for more sneaker news from the Swoosh family, check out all upcoming Jordan Releases.
