Gary Payton’s Nike Zoom Flight “The Glove” returns in Royal Blue on December 19th 2026. It’s priced at $170 through a raffle at Nike and select retailers. This is the colorway’s first retro since 2014.

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The style code is JA3823-463. Royal blue covers the entire zip-front upper. White leather panels break things up along the sides for some added contrast.

White Swoosh branding hits both the lateral side and forefoot. That same blue continues down through the sculpted midsole underneath. Heel script still reads “The Glove,” tying everything back to Payton’s longtime nickname.

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The zippered top remains the shoe’s signature feature. It wraps around an inner bootie instead of using traditional laces. That setup gave Payton the locked-in fit he wanted on court back in the late ’90s.

Interestingly, the royal blue shade is actually inspired by the packaging of Payton’s own well-known cannabis strain. It’s a small personal detail tucked into what’s otherwise a straightforward retro release. The sneaker is known not just for teh vibrant colorway, but also for its performance features.

The Zoom Flight 98 platform gave The Glove its shape. Zippered basketball sneakers were rare even back then but Payton’s version stood out immediately for skipping the laces.

Also that zip-front look has picked up new momentum recently. Retro Air Max 95 Zips, the Converse Shai 001, and the Adidas Don Issue 7 have all leaned into hidden-lace designs lately. The Glove fits right into that style that’s seemingly making a comeback.

Overall 12 years is a long gap for any colorway to sit quietly. For longtime fans of The Glove, this Royal Blue return feels well overdue.