The Nike Air Bakin “Varsity Royal” will return during the Holiday 2026 season. Originally released in 1997, the shoes last debuted in 2008.
Quick Facts
Nike Air Bakin “Varsity Royal”
Release Date: Holiday 2026
Where to Buy: SNKRS
More Info: Nike Release Dates
Nike Basketball will revive the Air Bakin in 2026. Recently, we reported that the “Varsity Red” Air Bakin pair will return to retailers. However, that isn’t the only colorway that will return. Landing at retailers during the Holiday season is the “Varsity Royal” Nike Air Bakin, a colorway we haven’t seen re-released in almost 20 years.
The model was originally released in 1997, and the “Varsity Royal” is an original colorway. Since then, we only seen one other release, which was the first and only retro in 2008.
The Nike Air Bakin is linked to Tim Hardaway, who wore the Red pair. Mitch Richmond and Kevin Garnett also wore the silhouette and appeared in separate Nike commercials. However, most people tend to link the shoes to Hardaway.
Controversy was linked to the model, due to the “AIR” on the heels. It resembled the Arabic word “Allah.” Following backlash from the Islamic community, Nike would recall the shoe and re-release it with a standard Nike Air logo.
The 2026 “Varsity Royal” Nike Air Bakin will feature Blue on the upper with slits down the panels. The slits expose Black mesh, while Silver appears on the ankle, and Black nubuck wraps the shoes. More than likely, Nike Air branding will land on the heels in Blue, while White laces, an exposed Air unit, and a Black rubber outsole complete the design.
More Nike Air Bakin Releases
Nike Air Bakin Varsity Royal 2026 Release Date
The Nike Air Bakin “Varsity Royal” will be released during the Holiday 2026 season at select Nike Sportswear retailers, including Nike.com. The retail price is currently unknown. Regarding the time frame, the shoes will launch between October and December 2026. Once we have more info, we will update you. For now, check out more photos of the 2008 launch below.
Bottom Line
It’s about time that Nike brings back the Air Bakin. I love the Red pair, but it’s been so long since we saw a release of the Blue, which, at the time of writing, I am more excited for. I do hope they come with the original Air branding on the heels, but it’s unlikely. Hopefully, when the shoes drop, there are enough pairs to go around.
The information is exclusive, in collaboration with zsneakerheadz. Photos via liukangscloset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although not confirmed, you can expect the “Varsity Royal” Air Bakin to be on the limited side.