The Nike Air Max2 CB '94 "Varsity Royal" Releases August 2026

The Nike Air Max2 CB '94 is making its return in the "Varsity Royal" colorway, coming back to market for the first time since 2004. While other Barkley signatures cycled through retro runs over the years, this particular pairing of black, royal blue, and white sat untouched for more than two decades, making its 2026 comeback a notable one for fans of the silhouette.

The upper is built on a foundation of black nubuck, with royal blue leather visible through the model's signature cutout panels and continuing onto the tongue and collar. Small silver mesh windows break up the darker sections, adding a subtle textural contrast across the build. A white midsole provides clean separation underfoot, while the jagged black sections climbing up from the outsole and the visible Air cushioning in the heel keep the design firmly rooted in the original construction. The result is an unmistakably bulky '90s basketball profile, one that reflects the era when Barkley's signature line matched the physicality of his game.