The Nike Air More Uptempo turns 30, and Nike is apparently celebrating the way only the Uptempo can: by writing one more giant word on the side. Fullress reports an Air More Uptempo "30 Years Of Uptempo" in Black/Sail/Anthracite, style code IX8627-010, slated for December 23 at $180. Nike hasn't put out its own release notice yet, so treat the date as reported for now. We'll update this post when it's confirmed.
The big move is on the lateral side, where the famous AIR lettering becomes PIP, a nod to Scottie Pippen, the player who made this shoe famous back in 1996. Flip it over to the medial side and the classic AIR is still there, so you basically get two shoes in one, depending on which way you're standing in the photo. The upper is black with smooth sail overlays across the perforated side panels and forefoot, the tongue gets an iridescent Uptempo badge, and the insoles carry special "30 Years Of Uptempo" branding with a big 30 right where your heel lands. The Max Air cushioning stays exactly where it's always been.
Our take: the Uptempo has never been subtle, and a PIP version on black with sail letters is about as tasteful as a shoe with a three-letter name on it gets. It reads like a tribute, not a costume, and the two-sided lettering is a fun detail for anyone who knows the history. A two-days-before-Christmas date also makes it the gift Pippen fans will claim they didn't ask for.
Nike Air More Uptempo "30 Years Of Uptempo"
Colorway: Black/Sail/Anthracite
Style code: IX8627-010
Price: $180 (reported)
Release: December 23, 2026 (reported, not yet confirmed by Nike)
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Report and images via Fullress.
