Everything about these kicks has a certain finesse, right from the wavy overlay design to its iconic iridescent accents. There’s no debating that the ’90s brought us some of the most remarkable basketball shoes ever seen. Marked by their chunky shape and daring style, these kicks didn’t fail to catch attention. The Nike Air Zoom Flight 5 “White Navy” is a shoe that’s truly hard to forget, but in case you did, here’s a little reminder of why these kicks continue to inspire admiration.
A Nod to Jason Kidd’s First-Ever Signature Shoes
You might not have come across this legendary piece from the sneaker world’s archives. The Air Zoom Flight 5 was Nike’s first step in celebrating Jason Kidd’s career in 1996/1997. The model was initially released in two iconic colour combinations: the famed “Black Lapis” and the eye-catching “White Navy,” which we focus on in this article.
Kidd held this model in high esteem; in fact, they were arguably one of his most favoured as these shoes found their way onto his feet throughout his rotations across four different NBA teams.
During his stint with the Dallas Mavericks, Kidd was seen sporting the white variant, while he stuck to the black edition following his transition to the Phoenix Suns. Both designs comfortably adhered to his team colours at the time, so they were compliant with the rigid dress code rules of the NBA during that era.
However, when Kidd moved on to play for the New Jersey Nets and, later, the New York Knicks, he alternated between different Player Exclusives (PEs), including a white, red and silver pair and a white, orange and blue colourway, respectively.
A Closer Look at the Iconic 90’s Hoops Classic
Sure, the black variant might have a larger fanbase than any of the other colourways, but there’s a unique appeal to the white and navy version that shouldn’t go unnoticed. With its crisp all-white full-grain leather upper featuring navy blue accents and the standout iridescent TPU “bug-eye” detailing—a salute to its predecessor, the Nike Air Zoom Flight 95 sported by Jason Kidd—it possesses its own brand of classic charm.
Adding another notch to its style quotient is the distinctive spiked rubber outsole, reminiscent of a track shoe known for its top-notch grip. It’s clear to see why Kidd remained faithful to the Zoom Flight 5 for all those years.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, however, the model was touted for its performance on the court. The shoe was outfitted with Phylon lateral support wings, Zoom Air cushioning, and a TPU midfoot shank. Despite its rather bulky appearance, the shoe was surprisingly lightweight, offering excellent balance and stability to those who wore it.
Then, as a nod to its muse, the iconic logo of Jason Kidd can be found on its tongue and heel, adding to its desirability for any basketball shoe fanatic.
Did Nike Re-release the Air Zoom Flight 5 Model in 2024?
Needless to say, it’s been a rather quiet few years for fans of the Kidd and the quintessential 90s Air Zoom Flight 5, with barely any attention given to this classic shoe in the retro release market.
Outside of a sprinkling of non-OG colourways over the years, an appearance on Nike ID around 2005 and a 2008 reissue of the OG “White Navy” colourway, fans haven’t had much to go on, particularly with the absence of any true re-release of the famed “Black Lapis” variant.
In its own way, Nike Basketball paid homage to this celebrated 90s staple through the Nike GT Cut 3 “Air Zoom Flight 5” under the “Greater Than” series, coinciding with All-Star Weekend festivities.
Despite sharing much of the original’s fan-favourite features, such as the navy blue wave overlay, an iridescent pod, and that iconic fore-foot Swoosh, the Zoom GT Cut 3 isn’t, in essence, the Air Zoom Flight 5. Thus, it only emphasises our call for a proper Air Zoom Flight 5 retro release.
This beloved hoops classic needs to return to shelves soon. Its timeless allure and iconic aesthetic are undeniable. However, while we anticipate the reemergence of this pair into the market, we can find a handful of these gems on websites like eBay and GOAT.
While we patiently wait for its much-needed return, do follow us here on Sneaker Fortress for more news on potential retro releases and where to locate such elusive sneakers like the Air Zoom Flight 5.
What’s your take on this retro basketball shoe from the 90s? Should Nike do another retro-release of the Air Zoom Flight 5? Share your views below in the comment section!
Source: Kicksigma
Images: @jimmy.shoetron
