The Nike Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ from NIKE Inc. - classic comeback with modern tweaks

The Nike Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ brings Gary Payton’s wraparound shroud design back to shelves with updated materials and Zoom cushioning. This classic drives the price of NIKE Inc shares (ISIN US6541061031).

Reviewed: ad hoc news Lifestyle & Consumer desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-26, 04:00. Details in the imprint.

The Nike Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ sits on the shelf like a coiled white and black shell, the zippered shroud hiding the neon swoosh and laces until you peel it back with a soft rasp. On foot, you feel the Zoom cushioning thud gently under the midsole with each step.

What returns with The Glove

The Nike Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ is a retro of Gary Payton’s 1998 signature shoe, bringing back the full wraparound fabric shroud that defined its look on the NBA court. Under the zip, the inner shoe carries the classic wavy midsole and exposed forefoot Zoom unit for responsive impact protection.

On recent store listings and sneaker sites, the new run of Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ keeps the bold contrast palette, with black outer shroud and lighter inner panels that flash when you unzip it mid-walk. The fit still feels snug, almost glove-like around the forefoot, with a slightly roomier heel for casual wear.

Design, feel and everyday use

Slip the shoe on without the shroud and it feels like a slightly chunky 90s basketball sneaker, with a cushioned collar that brushes the ankle and a firm midfoot that keeps your foot from sliding. Zip the shroud up and the outer fabric hugs over the laces, making the shoe feel tidier and more streamlined under jeans.

The rubber outsole still features the circular traction pattern associated with Payton’s stop-and-go style, which grips wet pavement well enough for everyday errands. You do notice the weight on longer walks, yet the forefoot Zoom unit softens landings, so the shoe remains surprisingly practical for casual use rather than just display.

What makes this retro stand out

Product manager Nicole Krumm, part of Nike’s heritage basketball team according to recent sneaker community profiles, has emphasized how The Glove’s shroud and inner shoe create two looks in one: stealthy zipped and loud unzipped. That dual identity is what separates it from more straightforward retro releases of the era.

Compared with other lifestyle reissues in the Nike catalog, the Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ asks the wearer to interact with it more: you hear the zipper slide, feel the stretch of the outer mesh, fold the shroud back to show the inner color. For collectors, that tactile ritual is as important as the cushioning spec sheet.

Price and availability

Recent retailer listings in Europe and the US point to a typical lifestyle launch price around the mid-range for Nike retros, with the Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ often sitting below flagship Jordan models but above basic court silhouettes. Limited colorways and region-specific drops can nudge resale prices higher when stock tightens.

In Germany, availability is mainly through selected sneaker boutiques and large online retailers when a drop window opens, while in the US the shoe appears in basketball and lifestyle channels tied to Nike’s SNKRS platform. Once initial pairs sell through, restocks tend to be sparse, which pushes the model more toward enthusiast territory than mainstream wear.

Where it falls short

For buyers used to featherlight running shoes, the Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ can feel raw and hefty after a day on your feet. The shroud also adds a layer that traps warmth, so in hot weather the shoe runs warmer than low-cut mesh trainers and may not suit long summer walks.

The zipper and shroud system, a visual highlight, brings maintenance quirks: dirt collects in the folds, and frequent zipping can fray the fabric edge over time if you are careless. This makes The Glove better suited to rotational wear rather than a daily beater that you abuse in all conditions.

Stock context for NIKE Inc

All told, the Nike Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’ showcases how Nike mixes heritage storytelling with current materials to keep basketball-rooted lifestyle shoes in the conversation for collectors and casual buyers. NIKE Inc shares (ISIN US6541061031) trade primarily on the New York Stock Exchange in US dollars, providing global investors with direct exposure to these product cycles.

Key facts on The Glove retro

• Product: Nike Air Zoom Flight 98 ‘The Glove’
• Manufacturer: NIKE, Inc.
• Category: Lifestyle sneaker
• Launch: Original 1998, various retro drops in recent years
• RRP / Price: Typically mid-range Nike retro pricing in US dollars and euros, varying by market and launch wave
• Availability: Selected Nike channels, specialist sneaker retailers and online platforms in the US and Europe
• Target group: Basketball fans, sneaker collectors and lifestyle buyers seeking a retro with a distinctive shroud design
• Highlight / USP: Wraparound zip shroud that hides or reveals the inner shoe, giving two distinct looks from one pair

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.