Charles Barkley’s Nike Air CB 34 "Godzilla" Could Return in 2026

Nike was believed to revisit a classic from Charles Barkley’s legendary sneaker catalog, with the Air Max CB 34 "Godzilla" set to return in Holiday 2025, as per Sneaker News. On Monday, March 24, Sole Retriever shared that the project had been canceled—at least for its initial launch by the end of the year. As always, information must be taken with a grain of salt.

Initially released in the mid-1990s, the shoe earned its Godzilla nickname through Nike’s unforgettable ad campaign that pitted Barkley against the towering movie monster in an oversized showdown—cementing its place in basketball sneaker history.

The Air Max CB 34 "Godzilla" is expected to arrive (whenever it does) in its iconic black, white, and purple color scheme, staying true to the design that captured the essence of Nike Basketball’s golden era. Sneaker News shared that the release will maintain the original build and details, keeping the aggressive midsole design, bold branding, and Air Max cushioning setup intact. Alongside the OG colorway, a Triple White was expected to return, along with several others to be revealed.

Nike last released the Air Max CB 34 in 2016, and its return in 2025 is set to be met with similar excitement. With Barkley’s continued cultural relevance—both as a Hall of Famer and outspoken basketball analyst—there’s never a bad time to revisit his signature footwear legacy.

Expect the Nike Air Max CB 34 "Godzilla" to return in 2026 at the earliest with a retail price of $150 via Nike.com and select retailers.

In other retro stories from the Swoosh empire, Team Jumpman is set to release the Air Jordan 1 "UNC Reimagined" in May.