Tim Hardaway’s most recognizable Nike sneaker is coming back in a Miami Heat look.
The Nike Air Bakin High SP “Varsity Red” is set to hit shelves at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29. The retro pair will retail for $170 in adult sizes on the Nike SNKRS app and at select retailers.
The return brings back the OG colorway that made the shoe a cult favorite. A black mesh base sets the tone, while Varsity Red synthetic nubuck overlays give the upper its Heat-flavored edge.
Yellow rope laces tie the whole thing together, and “Nike Air” shows up on the tongues and heels in Varsity Red. White Nike Swoosh logos stand out on the midsole and ankle collars, while retro Nike Basketball branding appears at the top of the toe box.
The visible Max Air unit in the heel and black rubber outsole finish the package.
Eric Avar designed the Nike Air Bakin in 1997, and the shoe still looks like it belongs. Its chunky build, ribbed upper, and padded high-cut ankle collar give it that unmistakable late-’90s shape.
Underfoot, the setup includes a Phylon midsole, an encapsulated Air-Sole unit in the forefoot, and an exposed Max Air unit in the heel. The rubber outsole is built for both hardwood and outdoor runs.
Hardaway wasn’t a signature Nike athlete, but he was the face of the Air Bakin. He showed up in multiple marketing campaigns and helped push the shoe to another level.
The model also carried some baggage. The original Nike Air wordmark ran into issues, the branding was changed, and the shoe still stayed hot. It has since seen limited retro runs in 1997, 2007, 2014, 2023, and 2026, and it even helped inspire a recent colorway of Kevin Durant’s 18th signature shoe.
If the release disappears fast, pairs may show up on resale sites like StockX and GOAT.
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