Nike Book 2 Launches Today With "Rising" Sneakers

This is the first drop in a multi-shoe collection expected to release through 2026. Two other designs have already been revealed, Phoenix and Spiridon, with Phoenix releasing on January 16. While these shoes will be available through Nike’s SNKRS app, they will also be sold at “select retail locations” on their drop days.

“Rising” is an excellent opener, sporting an arresting black and safety orange colorway and a unique midsole that evokes images of lava or coal. These strike a balance between fashion and function, although some commenters have noted the lack of vents may lead to sweaty feet on the court.

The Book 1 had an unusual rollout that caused problems for both resellers and fans. Nike launched the first colorway, “Chapter One,” exclusively at Art Basel Miami in December 2023 with only 500 numbered pairs. Those immediately hit the secondary market at over $1,900—more than 12 times the $150 retail price.

Even Devin Booker publicly criticized Nike for the release strategy. When Complex called out the brand for dropping his debut shoe at an art event in Miami instead of Phoenix where he plays, Booker agreed in the comments. Celebrities like Drake, DJ Khaled, and Kevin Durant got pairs while regular fans and resellers got shut out entirely.

For a better comparison, skip the Art Basel chaos and look at the Book 1 “Mirage” instead. That was the first actual retail release in February 2024, and it’s a much closer comparison to what we’re seeing with the “Rising.”

The “Mirage” sold out within minutes at $140 retail and flipped on StockX for upwards of $250. Nothing crazy, but clean profits for resellers who hit on SNKRS. Several other Book 1 colorways throughout 2024 and 2025 followed similar patterns, with most general releases pulling $180-$250 on the secondary market.

Booker’s signature line proved it has a dedicated buyer base willing to pay premiums. The Book 1 saw nearly 30 different colorways over two years, and the limited production kept resale values steady even on general releases.

The “Rising” being the debut colorway of the Book 2 adds appeal. Launch colorways typically perform better than later releases, and the Phoenix Suns-inspired black and orange works for both collectors and Suns fans.

Here’s the big unknown: did Nike actually increase production after the Book 1 criticism?

If they kept numbers tight like most Book 1 releases, this could move fast and hold value. If they flooded the market to avoid another PR disaster, resale margins shrink significantly. Unfortunately, we won’t know until the dust settles.

Nike’s 60-day return window makes this relatively low-risk. Cop what you can, hope for a juicy market, and sell them for a profit. The worst case is you’re out shipping costs if the resale doesn’t materialize.

The Book 2 “Rising” also serves as a useful test for the rest of the series. Nike has already confirmed multiple colorways dropping throughout 2026, including the “Phoenix” (January 16) and “Spiridon” (February 6). How this first release performs will tell us a lot about whether the Book 2 line is worth tracking all year.

Tomorrow’s drop won’t make anyone rich, but it’s a clean opportunity to start 2026 with a few units that should turn modest profit. Set your alarms for 10 AM EST and see if Nike finally got the production numbers right.