Nike Ups the Tempo in the Slide Game
This article was published on August 12 and updated on March 26, 2023
Brand: Nike
Model: Air More Uptempo Slides
Release Date: Available now
Price: $85
Buy: Nike, Finish Line and JD Sports' websites
Editor’s Notes: Nike saw the slide competition was getting stiff, so it decided to up the ante — or tempo, I should say — with another hybrid house shoe.
For its next order of business, Nike took its timeless Air More Uptempo silhouette and reworked it into a slip-on sandal. And thus, the Air More Uptempo slides were born (I mean, what else would they be called?).
From the puffy graffiti "AIR" lettering to the visible Air units on the midsole, the Nike Air More Uptempo slide sandal echoes the soul of the shoe launched into fame by former NBA star Scottie Pippen.
Much like the Swoosh's other in-house sandals, Nike's Air More Uptempo supplies both sport and lifestyle sensibilities. Essentially, the classic basketball shoe becomes a fitting selection for sandal conversion.
Pippen's six NBA championships with the Bulls alone were a testament to the Air More Uptempo's on-court capabilities.
On the other hand, the shoes maintain a presence in sneakerheads' personal rotations, which speaks to the Uptempo's prevailing off-court shoe status. Even Billie Eilish and IISE are fans.
Like the Air Max 90-turned sandals, the spirit of the sneaker is undoubtedly present in the Air More Uptempo slides, just in lace-less sandal form.
Whether you're repulsed or digging the vibes, Nike's Air More Uptempo sandal slides is finally here afters months of teases. First landing in in the Black/Multicolor/Sandrift color (pictured up top), I suspect the other rumored schemes — the OG Black/White, White/Black, and ombré White/Teal/Aqua — won't be too far behind.
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