Air Jordan 36 Review: 2-Month Indoor & Outdoor Analysis

Here’s something that might’ve taken the crown of the best basketball shoe of 2021 for some people. Presenting you my comprehensive Jordan 36 review where I’ll be putting the shoe through a variety of situations and giving you a detailed report.

I’ll break down the Air Jordan 36’s fit & comfort aspects, on-court performance indoors & outdoors, build quality & value for the $$$, versatility, and ultimately decide if it’s worth getting over the previous releases.

I. SPEC SHEET

click to inspect the full-sized image

II. 1-MIN REVIEW 

In a hurry? Here’s the short version: the 36th iteration of the flagship Air Jordan basketball shoe is looking like a success. It’s easily one of the best recent Air Jordan performance hoop shoes.

But the AJ 36 is as compact as it gets – don’t let the looks fool you. Wide footers should probably stay away from these, and others should try them on in-store if possible.

If not – TTS for narrow/neutral footers and up half a size for slight wide footers.

Traction was solid on all surfaces I’ve hooped on and these should also last outdoors as long as the previous shoes did, if not longer.

The addition of a full-length Zoom Strobel meant the AJ 36 is one of the most well-cushioned shoes in the lineup. The setup is versatile and comfortable but be aware of the forefoot Zoom Air unit that can cause a bit of tippiness while moving.

Support was excellent, and the Leno-Weave build combined jacquard with TPU which resulted in great durability, ventilation, and almost no break-in time but came at a slight cost of comfort.

If you’re non wide-footer, I don’t see how is this not an upgrade over the last few Air Jordan shoes if we’re talking performance.

III. FIT & COMFORT

How’s the sizing of the AJ 36? What about comfort? Anything else to know fit-wise?

SIZING GUIDE

Narrow, narrow, narrow…

I didn’t realize how compact the fit of the AJ 36s was until I put them on for the first time upon arriving at the mail in a size 10.5 US (half a size up from my usual choice).

It was surprisingly quick & easy to put these on but my jaw dropped once I laced them up and started walking around.

Length-wise, things are all good: I’ve got about a half-inch of space for the toes which I like. But width-wise and height-wise, not so good for my wide & thick feet.

The heel & midfoot portions felt decent albeit still a little tight but the toebox pretty much killed the experience for me.

My pinky toes were being jammed into the sides of the toebox, and the area right above the toes was hurting each time the shoe bent linearly. Not a good look.

Normally, I wouldn’t panic too much since a good portion of shoes break in and ultimately manage to provide at least an acceptable experience for my feet.

But here, the only components that broke in were the cushion, traction, and the midfoot plate. All of which helped the shoe feel more seamless but I just couldn’t break the upper in.

This Leno-Weave stuff they’re using throughout the upper is super minimal but it simply won’t budge. Not a few hours in, not a few days or even weeks.

Perhaps there’s a marginal difference vs. the shoe right out of the box but not enough to where I’d feel comfortable in these.

Bottom line: what you get is what you’ll stay with. Extremely weird to say that about a modern basketball shoe these days but the AJ 36 is here to shake things up.

Prominent wide footers like myself – honestly, skip these (stick with the AJ 34, 35, or check out this list instead). I never reached a point where I could play in the shoe comfortably. Some sessions resulted in numb pinky toes afterward, while others felt a little better but still suboptimal.

If you consider yourself just somewhat of a wide footer or a slight wide footer – my recommendation would be a half size up.

Neutral/narrow footers – true to size will provide the most secure experience for you but expect an extremely snug fit. If you don’t prefer that – a half size up is also an option.

TRYING THESE ON might be a necessity for some with the Air Jordan 36 because you won’t be able to stretch out the shoe’s stubborn upper almost at all.

If you have the ability to check these out in a live store – by any means, do so.

COMFORT

In terms of pure comfort for the feet – decent.

I’m definitely not the ideal hooper to constructively criticize comfort simply because my feet are pretty much incompatible with the shoe. It’s just too tiiiight as much as I wanted to love these.

But there would’ve been bright spots here if I didn’t have such huge feet. There’s adequate padding around the ankle & the tongue is nice and plush which sits next to the foot very comfortably.

The shoe is also really damn light. The Air Jordan line has seriously stepped up here with the last 3 models. Lightweight and Air Jordan didn’t typically appear in the same sentence.

But here, weight reduction is real. These feel quick, explosive, and fun to hoop in because of it.

But going back to the upper which is what wrecked things for me in the first place. Even if I was a normal/narrow footer – I still think this material that wraps around the foot is definitely not a very pleasant one.

It’s light, thin, and minimal, sure. But because of its TPU nature and pretty much zero stretching ability – the sensation of my foot coming in contact with the material upon a movement is a little irritating most of the time.

It just stops your foot in its tracks at all costs which means foot containment is impregnable here but unfortunately, this time it came at a cost of comfort.

I’m sure it’s a decent experience for a more average foot but I wouldn’t put these among the most comfortable basketball sneakers regardless.

IV. TRACTION

How’s the traction on a variety of courts? What about the reliability of the outsoles?

INDOOR PERFORMANCE

A group of us managed to rent a high school gym and play on a moderate-condition rubberized court. Not genuine hardwood but still not nearly as abrasive as an outdoor surface.

Let’s get it out of the way first – the AJ 36 is an indoor model. You could see this by inspecting the rubber thread of the outsoles which is just around 2 mm tall. Plus, a good portion of the colorways feature translucent outsoles.

But good ol’ herringbone traction pattern makes a return to the 36th sneaker and say what you want about the shoe’s outdoor capabilities – these outsoles will provide brilliant traction while it lasts.

It only took a couple of hours for the rubber to heat up and start moving more fluidly, so traction picked up too.

Accelerations, stops, cuts, jumps – every single movement was covered excellently. Even dirtier sports or areas with moisture didn’t cause any major slip-outs which tends to happen fairly often with a lot of other shoes.

I did wipe the outsoles down occasionally but mostly out of habit since I didn’t feel these required constant babysitting. You put ’em on – you’re good to go. Unless you’re hooping on a pre-war monstrosity of a court.

I still recommend cleaning your outsoles occasionally though. This way you’ll preserve healthy traction for longer on just about any shoe.

OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

Outside, I expected nothing less from the AJ 36 and it’s exactly what I got.

I hooped on asphalt which is an older, more banged-up court but I also took these to a rubberized court which is less abrasive than asphalt but still generates more friction than any indoor surface would.

Both courts – no problems. Grip was even deadlier due to more friction and I could pretty much forget about wiping if I wouldn’t be doing it out of habit.

The rubber court I play on outdoors has a few “dead” spots where the rubber layer is torn off and the layer underneath it is slippery. These were the only areas where I felt a decrease in traction on.

Completely normal though – happens with just about every shoe I try over there.

Now, just because this isn’t an outdoor model at its core doesn’t mean it won’t last a while outdoors.

While the thread of the traction pattern seems shorter than the previous AJ models, the actual rubber compound feels a bit stronger. Nothing crazy but I noticed a difference upon inspecting all three shoes up close.

I stopped playing outdoors with these after about a month of action and stuck to the gym afterward just to preserve this $185 feat. Traction still performs well but some of the areas of the outsole did undergo some damage.

There isn’t much of a dramatic reliability difference between the AJ 34, 35, and this one if I had to give you a practical estimate. It should last a season of outdoor hoops but I’m not sure about more than that.

V. CUSHION

How much impact absorption & energy return is here? What about midsole stability & ride height?

 

The Air Jordan 36 features a full-length Zoom Strobel stitched directly underfoot, a large forefoot Zoom Air unit under it and a Phylon midsole to top it all off. Easily my favorite aspect of the shoe.

Nelson from Hoop and Life describes this cushion in a way with which I agree wholeheartedly: it’s almost a hybrid of the AJ 34’s soft & plush setup and the AJ 35’s firmer & more responsive take.

But this shouldn’t have been a surprise since a lot of us now know what a proper Zoom Strobel can do when it runs from heel to toe.

It’s mad comfortable to hoop in but I never sink into it too much as the unit quickly bounces back, creating an explosive sensation upon each movement. It’s every bit of awesome.

Another benefit here is how surprisingly low to the ground I felt despite having this much cushion to work with. No, it’s not on a level of a Kyrie or a Curry shoe but still very responsive nonetheless.

Another thing I immediately noticed (and ESPECIALLY after things broke in) is how explosive and efficient my movements felt.

The additional Zoom unit resides right where my foot pushes off the ground and the 3rd iteration of the Eclipse plate is not only there to provide torsional rigidity but also to act as a propulsion bridge.

Things started off a bit stiff but a couple of sessions quickly broke in the plate as well as the midsole. Definitely a fantastic overall setup that’s both fun and effective to play in.

One thing that I’m sure other hoopers mentioned is the forefoot Zoom Air unit protruding out of the outsole and creating an unstable feeling up at the front when moving around.

I did notice that slight tippy feeling at times (especially when just moving linearly) but for me, it was never to a point where I’d clearly feel a compromise in stability.

I could feel it sometimes and not to say that I prefer it (of course I don’t) but it never got past that phase. I can still hoop effectively. How it’ll work out for you will depend on what kind of player you are.

If you’re heavier, more explosive, and tend to use your athletic traits – chances are you’ll be just as fine as I was because your generated force to the ground will push the Zoom unit to the ground more.

If you’re a light low-profile guard who always plays below the rim and needs the absolute maximum court feel & precision – then you might feel the presence of instability more.

But in that case, I don’t think an Air Jordan model should be your ideal choice in the first place.

VI. SUPPORT

Is the shoe supportive & safe to play in? How supportive vs. mobile do they play?

One thing adidas and Jordan brand has in common is that they never fail in making their performance footwear as supportive, secure, and stable as possible.

Minus the forefoot Zoom unit detail, everything simply works in the Air Jordan 36 support-wise.

The shoe features strong TPU internal heel counters for heel & ankle lockdown, midfoot Eclipse plates for torsional rigidity, and a widened forefoot base with midsoles protruding to the sides for further stability.

My foot also sits inside the midsole carrier somewhat, creating a very secure sensation no matter the movement. Plus, there are additional foam sidewalls rising from the midsole up to the upper and keeping the foot in place.

There’s also the so-called 2-loop band system which further pulls down your foot once pressure is applied to the laces.

But the real winner here is probably the upper. It’s pretty incredible how strong it is despite its minimal footprint. There’s simply no chance your foot is coming out of the footbed no matter your style or weight.

Now, for me, it was more of a chore to rule out the fit aspect to be able to subjectively analyze other areas for people that don’t have feet as wide as mine.

If only these would’ve been a bit wider and roomier – I could’ve actually enjoyed everything I’m describing here. While now, it was more of a chore to go through. My feet were getting killed in there.

VII. THE BUILD

What are the upper materials and how do they feel on foot? How’s foot containment? What about durability?

BUILD OVERVIEW

The Air Jordan 36 offers a Leno-Weave upper which is jacquard reinforced with TPU ribbons. The area around the lacing system and the bottom heel portion and the front of the toebox is overlayed with synthetic suede panels.

This colorway also features a synthetic ankle collar that’s padded with foam and lined with a very nice microfiber material.

The midfoot plate that connects the forefoot & heel is made from TPU, and the outsoles are of course purely out of rubber.

PERFORMANCE

Right away, I could really tell how much focus there was on performance rather than anything else. Not comfort, not feeling “one-to-one”. Just pure performance and it shows here.

This jacquard upper is super lightweight but it’s reinforced with TPU. The end result is unrivaled foot containment paired with feeling fast.

Another benefit is breathability. This build doesn’t have any extra layers under Leno-Weave, so I could literally see my socks through the shoes. I think that’s a first for me. Hoops under the sun shouldn’t be a problem with these.

These barely require any break-in time but this also comes at a cost. This TPU-reinforced fabric refuses to stretch. Almost at all.

Because of this, it’s definitely not the most comfortable shoe in the world and you won’t be able to transform the fit if something’s off initially.

My feet happened to not properly fit the shoe as it’s way too narrow for me. Pair that with an upper that doesn’t move at all and the experience turns from uncomfortable to a chore.

Even for those who are luckier with their foot anatomy, you shouldn’t expect an extremely comfortable, soft as butter shoe here. It works, but it’s all about performance here.

RELIABILITY

Like I often say, it’s almost impossible to determine a shoe’s long-term durability if you’ve only had it for a couple of months yourself.

However, looking at the AJ 36 now and comparing it to the previous two models – this is definitely not a downgrade in the reliability aspect of the build. Don’t get it twisted. It’s probably an upgrade which is insane to say about a fabric-based sneaker.

It’s not just any fabric though. Jacquard by itself is already a strong material that won’t break down on you quickly.

Add TPU ribbon weaving to it and the AJ 36 appears among the most durable modern hoop shoes available today. 2 months of my time with the shoes weren’t enough for any noticeable damage to occur.

The heel pull tab is a little weary, and the toebox (mainly the right shoe) is a bit scratched up due to push-offs and occasional toe drags. But that’s about it. The upper is doing very much alright and it’s not looking to change soon.

VIII. OVERALL

Closing out the Jordan 36 review with a recap and final conclusions

The Air Jordan 36 is a successful evolution from all of the previous releases and it shows. It’s a sneaker that has a big budget but all of it is crammed into performance and I LOVE that.

If only the construction of the shoe was a bit roomier, these could’ve replaced the PG 6 and a few others as one of my main options to hoop in.

If you really want to try out the shoe but you’re a wide footer like I am, I recommend finding a PF version of the shoe that should be built on a wider last.

QUICK RECAP

The AJ 36 offers an extremely secure fit but most of you will be better off trying these in-store if you can. NOT an option for prominent wide footers.

Traction was nothing short of fantastic, even on a slightly dustier floor. These should also last some time outdoors but keep in mind it’s not an outdoor model.

The Zoom Strobel + forefoot Zoom Air did their thing in delivering bounce, impact protection, and responsiveness but some players (especially those that are lighter) might notice the protruding forefoot unit causing some instability.

All-around security is top-notch, while the Leno-Weave build is light but very strong. This is not a luxury type of build or one that’s focused on making your feet feel like they’re being hugged by pillows. Performance is key here.

I really do think it’s a solid upgrade over the AJ 35 since some annoyances like arch pain are fixed, and weight has been further reduced. Movement propulsion is even more aggressive and traction is just as good.

Air Jordan 36 Review: 2-Month Indoor & Outdoor Analysis

Here’s something that might’ve taken the crown of the best basketball shoe of 2021 for some people. Presenting you my comprehensive Jordan 36 review where I’ll be putting the shoe through a variety of situations and giving you a detailed report.

I’ll break down the Air Jordan 36’s fit & comfort aspects, on-court performance indoors & outdoors, build quality & value for the $$$, versatility, and ultimately decide if it’s worth getting over the previous releases.

I. SPEC SHEET

click to inspect the full-sized image

II. 1-MIN REVIEW 

In a hurry? Here’s the short version: the 36th iteration of the flagship Air Jordan basketball shoe is looking like a success. It’s easily one of the best recent Air Jordan performance hoop shoes.

But the AJ 36 is as compact as it gets – don’t let the looks fool you. Wide footers should probably stay away from these, and others should try them on in-store if possible.

If not – TTS for narrow/neutral footers and up half a size for slight wide footers.

Traction was solid on all surfaces I’ve hooped on and these should also last outdoors as long as the previous shoes did, if not longer.

The addition of a full-length Zoom Strobel meant the AJ 36 is one of the most well-cushioned shoes in the lineup. The setup is versatile and comfortable but be aware of the forefoot Zoom Air unit that can cause a bit of tippiness while moving.

Support was excellent, and the Leno-Weave build combined jacquard with TPU which resulted in great durability, ventilation, and almost no break-in time but came at a slight cost of comfort.

If you’re non wide-footer, I don’t see how is this not an upgrade over the last few Air Jordan shoes if we’re talking performance.

III. FIT & COMFORT

How’s the sizing of the AJ 36? What about comfort? Anything else to know fit-wise?

SIZING GUIDE

Narrow, narrow, narrow…

I didn’t realize how compact the fit of the AJ 36s was until I put them on for the first time upon arriving at the mail in a size 10.5 US (half a size up from my usual choice).

It was surprisingly quick & easy to put these on but my jaw dropped once I laced them up and started walking around.

Length-wise, things are all good: I’ve got about a half-inch of space for the toes which I like. But width-wise and height-wise, not so good for my wide & thick feet.

The heel & midfoot portions felt decent albeit still a little tight but the toebox pretty much killed the experience for me.

My pinky toes were being jammed into the sides of the toebox, and the area right above the toes was hurting each time the shoe bent linearly. Not a good look.

Normally, I wouldn’t panic too much since a good portion of shoes break in and ultimately manage to provide at least an acceptable experience for my feet.

But here, the only components that broke in were the cushion, traction, and the midfoot plate. All of which helped the shoe feel more seamless but I just couldn’t break the upper in.

This Leno-Weave stuff they’re using throughout the upper is super minimal but it simply won’t budge. Not a few hours in, not a few days or even weeks.

Perhaps there’s a marginal difference vs. the shoe right out of the box but not enough to where I’d feel comfortable in these.

Bottom line: what you get is what you’ll stay with. Extremely weird to say that about a modern basketball shoe these days but the AJ 36 is here to shake things up.

Prominent wide footers like myself – honestly, skip these (stick with the AJ 34, 35, or check out this list instead). I never reached a point where I could play in the shoe comfortably. Some sessions resulted in numb pinky toes afterward, while others felt a little better but still suboptimal.

If you consider yourself just somewhat of a wide footer or a slight wide footer – my recommendation would be a half size up.

Neutral/narrow footers – true to size will provide the most secure experience for you but expect an extremely snug fit. If you don’t prefer that – a half size up is also an option.

TRYING THESE ON might be a necessity for some with the Air Jordan 36 because you won’t be able to stretch out the shoe’s stubborn upper almost at all.

If you have the ability to check these out in a live store – by any means, do so.

COMFORT

In terms of pure comfort for the feet – decent.

I’m definitely not the ideal hooper to constructively criticize comfort simply because my feet are pretty much incompatible with the shoe. It’s just too tiiiight as much as I wanted to love these.

But there would’ve been bright spots here if I didn’t have such huge feet. There’s adequate padding around the ankle & the tongue is nice and plush which sits next to the foot very comfortably.

The shoe is also really damn light. The Air Jordan line has seriously stepped up here with the last 3 models. Lightweight and Air Jordan didn’t typically appear in the same sentence.

But here, weight reduction is real. These feel quick, explosive, and fun to hoop in because of it.

But going back to the upper which is what wrecked things for me in the first place. Even if I was a normal/narrow footer – I still think this material that wraps around the foot is definitely not a very pleasant one.

It’s light, thin, and minimal, sure. But because of its TPU nature and pretty much zero stretching ability – the sensation of my foot coming in contact with the material upon a movement is a little irritating most of the time.

It just stops your foot in its tracks at all costs which means foot containment is impregnable here but unfortunately, this time it came at a cost of comfort.

I’m sure it’s a decent experience for a more average foot but I wouldn’t put these among the most comfortable basketball sneakers regardless.

IV. TRACTION

How’s the traction on a variety of courts? What about the reliability of the outsoles?

INDOOR PERFORMANCE

A group of us managed to rent a high school gym and play on a moderate-condition rubberized court. Not genuine hardwood but still not nearly as abrasive as an outdoor surface.

Let’s get it out of the way first – the AJ 36 is an indoor model. You could see this by inspecting the rubber thread of the outsoles which is just around 2 mm tall. Plus, a good portion of the colorways feature translucent outsoles.

But good ol’ herringbone traction pattern makes a return to the 36th sneaker and say what you want about the shoe’s outdoor capabilities – these outsoles will provide brilliant traction while it lasts.

It only took a couple of hours for the rubber to heat up and start moving more fluidly, so traction picked up too.

Accelerations, stops, cuts, jumps – every single movement was covered excellently. Even dirtier sports or areas with moisture didn’t cause any major slip-outs which tends to happen fairly often with a lot of other shoes.

I did wipe the outsoles down occasionally but mostly out of habit since I didn’t feel these required constant babysitting. You put ’em on – you’re good to go. Unless you’re hooping on a pre-war monstrosity of a court.

I still recommend cleaning your outsoles occasionally though. This way you’ll preserve healthy traction for longer on just about any shoe.

OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

Outside, I expected nothing less from the AJ 36 and it’s exactly what I got.

I hooped on asphalt which is an older, more banged-up court but I also took these to a rubberized court which is less abrasive than asphalt but still generates more friction than any indoor surface would.

Both courts – no problems. Grip was even deadlier due to more friction and I could pretty much forget about wiping if I wouldn’t be doing it out of habit.

The rubber court I play on outdoors has a few “dead” spots where the rubber layer is torn off and the layer underneath it is slippery. These were the only areas where I felt a decrease in traction on.

Completely normal though – happens with just about every shoe I try over there.

Now, just because this isn’t an outdoor model at its core doesn’t mean it won’t last a while outdoors.

While the thread of the traction pattern seems shorter than the previous AJ models, the actual rubber compound feels a bit stronger. Nothing crazy but I noticed a difference upon inspecting all three shoes up close.

I stopped playing outdoors with these after about a month of action and stuck to the gym afterward just to preserve this $185 feat. Traction still performs well but some of the areas of the outsole did undergo some damage.

There isn’t much of a dramatic reliability difference between the AJ 34, 35, and this one if I had to give you a practical estimate. It should last a season of outdoor hoops but I’m not sure about more than that.

V. CUSHION

How much impact absorption & energy return is here? What about midsole stability & ride height?

 

The Air Jordan 36 features a full-length Zoom Strobel stitched directly underfoot, a large forefoot Zoom Air unit under it and a Phylon midsole to top it all off. Easily my favorite aspect of the shoe.

Nelson from Hoop and Life describes this cushion in a way with which I agree wholeheartedly: it’s almost a hybrid of the AJ 34’s soft & plush setup and the AJ 35’s firmer & more responsive take.

But this shouldn’t have been a surprise since a lot of us now know what a proper Zoom Strobel can do when it runs from heel to toe.

It’s mad comfortable to hoop in but I never sink into it too much as the unit quickly bounces back, creating an explosive sensation upon each movement. It’s every bit of awesome.

Another benefit here is how surprisingly low to the ground I felt despite having this much cushion to work with. No, it’s not on a level of a Kyrie or a Curry shoe but still very responsive nonetheless.

Another thing I immediately noticed (and ESPECIALLY after things broke in) is how explosive and efficient my movements felt.

The additional Zoom unit resides right where my foot pushes off the ground and the 3rd iteration of the Eclipse plate is not only there to provide torsional rigidity but also to act as a propulsion bridge.

Things started off a bit stiff but a couple of sessions quickly broke in the plate as well as the midsole. Definitely a fantastic overall setup that’s both fun and effective to play in.

One thing that I’m sure other hoopers mentioned is the forefoot Zoom Air unit protruding out of the outsole and creating an unstable feeling up at the front when moving around.

I did notice that slight tippy feeling at times (especially when just moving linearly) but for me, it was never to a point where I’d clearly feel a compromise in stability.

I could feel it sometimes and not to say that I prefer it (of course I don’t) but it never got past that phase. I can still hoop effectively. How it’ll work out for you will depend on what kind of player you are.

If you’re heavier, more explosive, and tend to use your athletic traits – chances are you’ll be just as fine as I was because your generated force to the ground will push the Zoom unit to the ground more.

If you’re a light low-profile guard who always plays below the rim and needs the absolute maximum court feel & precision – then you might feel the presence of instability more.

But in that case, I don’t think an Air Jordan model should be your ideal choice in the first place.

VI. SUPPORT

Is the shoe supportive & safe to play in? How supportive vs. mobile do they play?

One thing adidas and Jordan brand has in common is that they never fail in making their performance footwear as supportive, secure, and stable as possible.

Minus the forefoot Zoom unit detail, everything simply works in the Air Jordan 36 support-wise.

The shoe features strong TPU internal heel counters for heel & ankle lockdown, midfoot Eclipse plates for torsional rigidity, and a widened forefoot base with midsoles protruding to the sides for further stability.

My foot also sits inside the midsole carrier somewhat, creating a very secure sensation no matter the movement. Plus, there are additional foam sidewalls rising from the midsole up to the upper and keeping the foot in place.

There’s also the so-called 2-loop band system which further pulls down your foot once pressure is applied to the laces.

But the real winner here is probably the upper. It’s pretty incredible how strong it is despite its minimal footprint. There’s simply no chance your foot is coming out of the footbed no matter your style or weight.

Now, for me, it was more of a chore to rule out the fit aspect to be able to subjectively analyze other areas for people that don’t have feet as wide as mine.

If only these would’ve been a bit wider and roomier – I could’ve actually enjoyed everything I’m describing here. While now, it was more of a chore to go through. My feet were getting killed in there.

VII. THE BUILD

What are the upper materials and how do they feel on foot? How’s foot containment? What about durability?

BUILD OVERVIEW

The Air Jordan 36 offers a Leno-Weave upper which is jacquard reinforced with TPU ribbons. The area around the lacing system and the bottom heel portion and the front of the toebox is overlayed with synthetic suede panels.

This colorway also features a synthetic ankle collar that’s padded with foam and lined with a very nice microfiber material.

The midfoot plate that connects the forefoot & heel is made from TPU, and the outsoles are of course purely out of rubber.

PERFORMANCE

Right away, I could really tell how much focus there was on performance rather than anything else. Not comfort, not feeling “one-to-one”. Just pure performance and it shows here.

This jacquard upper is super lightweight but it’s reinforced with TPU. The end result is unrivaled foot containment paired with feeling fast.

Another benefit is breathability. This build doesn’t have any extra layers under Leno-Weave, so I could literally see my socks through the shoes. I think that’s a first for me. Hoops under the sun shouldn’t be a problem with these.

These barely require any break-in time but this also comes at a cost. This TPU-reinforced fabric refuses to stretch. Almost at all.

Because of this, it’s definitely not the most comfortable shoe in the world and you won’t be able to transform the fit if something’s off initially.

My feet happened to not properly fit the shoe as it’s way too narrow for me. Pair that with an upper that doesn’t move at all and the experience turns from uncomfortable to a chore.

Even for those who are luckier with their foot anatomy, you shouldn’t expect an extremely comfortable, soft as butter shoe here. It works, but it’s all about performance here.

RELIABILITY

Like I often say, it’s almost impossible to determine a shoe’s long-term durability if you’ve only had it for a couple of months yourself.

However, looking at the AJ 36 now and comparing it to the previous two models – this is definitely not a downgrade in the reliability aspect of the build. Don’t get it twisted. It’s probably an upgrade which is insane to say about a fabric-based sneaker.

It’s not just any fabric though. Jacquard by itself is already a strong material that won’t break down on you quickly.

Add TPU ribbon weaving to it and the AJ 36 appears among the most durable modern hoop shoes available today. 2 months of my time with the shoes weren’t enough for any noticeable damage to occur.

The heel pull tab is a little weary, and the toebox (mainly the right shoe) is a bit scratched up due to push-offs and occasional toe drags. But that’s about it. The upper is doing very much alright and it’s not looking to change soon.

VIII. OVERALL

Closing out the Jordan 36 review with a recap and final conclusions

The Air Jordan 36 is a successful evolution from all of the previous releases and it shows. It’s a sneaker that has a big budget but all of it is crammed into performance and I LOVE that.

If only the construction of the shoe was a bit roomier, these could’ve replaced the PG 6 and a few others as one of my main options to hoop in.

If you really want to try out the shoe but you’re a wide footer like I am, I recommend finding a PF version of the shoe that should be built on a wider last.

QUICK RECAP

The AJ 36 offers an extremely secure fit but most of you will be better off trying these in-store if you can. NOT an option for prominent wide footers.

Traction was nothing short of fantastic, even on a slightly dustier floor. These should also last some time outdoors but keep in mind it’s not an outdoor model.

The Zoom Strobel + forefoot Zoom Air did their thing in delivering bounce, impact protection, and responsiveness but some players (especially those that are lighter) might notice the protruding forefoot unit causing some instability.

All-around security is top-notch, while the Leno-Weave build is light but very strong. This is not a luxury type of build or one that’s focused on making your feet feel like they’re being hugged by pillows. Performance is key here.

I really do think it’s a solid upgrade over the AJ 35 since some annoyances like arch pain are fixed, and weight has been further reduced. Movement propulsion is even more aggressive and traction is just as good.

Move Game Day vs. Game Day Pro: Which One Should YOU Get?

Co-founded by the one and only Damian Lillard, the Move performance insoles have been getting a ton of praise and attention. For what’s supposed to be a versatile solution from casual wearers all the way to high-level athletes – let’s quickly go over both versions of these insoles if you’re in the middle of choosing.

I’ll break down the specifications and differences between the Move Game Day and Game Day Pro options, compare my basketball experiences with both, detail the pros & cons, and evaluate which one is better for YOU.

MOVE INSOLES: THE SPECS

Here are the defining specifications of both versions & main differences

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Both the Game Day and the Game Day Pro have a similar set of core features that make them both suitable for a lot of different wearers.

Either of the insoles share details such as an anti-friction cloth surface to prevent slippage, an EVA heel crash pad that adds some heel cushion but also reinforces heel stability, and also the same grippy forefoot portion that makes sure the insole or your foot doesn’t budge inside the shoe.

You’ll also get the same anti-odor properties with each variant, and you’ll be able to freely choose the size based on your shoes with both options.

However, there are a few defining differences between the Move Game Day and the Move Game Day Pro.

The regular Game Day insole is priced at $39.99 which is the more affordable option, while the Pro ups the ante with its $59.99 price tag.

For cushioning, both insoles feature a dual-density foam setup but it’s not entirely the same.

The regular Game Day offers the so-called DS37 Energyfoam for the top layer and Shockfree foam as the bottom layer of cushion.

The top layer is where most of the step comfort comes from, while the bottom layer of Shockfree foam mostly handles impact protection, as well as making the insole a bit more resilient.

The Game Day Pro, however, yields an altered setup in terms of cushion.

The top portion utilizes Pulsion Energyfoam, while the bottom layer features Shockfree. Overall, this is a slightly firmer setup with less air inside the foam which means it’ll last longer, and provide a bit more stability.

The shape is another difference between the two insoles. While the framework of both options is nearly identical, the Game Day Pro has a noticeably more pronounced arch area.

But the most defining area of difference is the midfoot plate that takes care of torsional rigidity and movement propulsion.

The Game Day insole features a very lightweight & flexible midfoot plate that’s made of EVA foam, so expect minimal structure.

The Game Day Pro steps things up here: the plate is mostly made of nylon in a way that mimics carbon fiber.

The end result is stronger torsional rigidity, and more aggressive step propulsion but also a stiffer sensation underfoot.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE GAME DAY

Here’s how I felt during my time with the Move Game Day insoles on the basketball court

I’m a wide footer who’s got a thick foot in general but my arch is neutral. I primarily tested the Move Game Day insole for about a week of outdoor basketball, and the two shoes I’ve hooped in were the adidas Dame 8 and the Nike Kyrie Low 4.

Honestly, shoving the insole into the shoes and stepping on the court for the first time felt natural right away.

The insole isn’t overly structured, it’s lightweight, it barely needed an hour or so for the shape to conform to my feet, and the overall experience was great. Nothing super special or revolutionary but still really damn nice.

Granted, the Dame 8 is already a fantastic basketball sneaker in my book, so it’s not like it needed much of a boost in terms of cushion or support.

But I did immediately start noticing the added plushness of each step and each heel-to-toe stride feeling even smoother than it was without the insole.

The materials did their job in making sure my feet are staying in place and my socks aren’t shifting on top of the insole. My feet weren’t getting any hotter than they would without the Game Day inside either.

For a well-rounded shoe such as the Dame 8, the Game Day insole was merely a slight comfort booster than anything else.

For the Kyrie Low 4 which is a much more minimal sneaker – that’s where the added benefits became much clearer.

I’m not a fan of the Kyrie Low 4’s almost dead-feeling cushion, so the Game Day insole worked wonders here.

Don’t expect the ride to go from minimal to mad bouncy though – this isn’t what the insole is about. It’s supposed to complement the performance of your footwear and it’s exactly what it did for me here.

Each step felt more pleasant, and the addition of a bit more shock absorption also helped my feet and legs feel fresher during longer sessions. But again, we’re not talkin’ night-and-day differences here.

The Kyrie Low 4 is also a pretty minimal shoe in terms of support.

They lack a proper midfoot plate but even though the regular Game Day insole offers some extra torsional rigidity, I barely felt a difference that would mean something on the court.

The main benefits here are undoubtedly comfort and upgraded impact absorption. If you feel like your shoes are lacking in these areas and you’re not able to purchase another pair – this is where the Game Day could prove beneficial to you.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE GAME DAY PRO

Here’s how I felt during my time with the Move Game Day Pro insoles on the basketball court

For the Pro version of the Move insole, the premise was the same: about a week of playing time in the Nike PG 6 & Kyrie Low 4 (mainly outdoors).

I can tell you that the Pro version immediately felt different from the regular one. In a nutshell, I could actually feel that it’s there sitting inside the shoe vs. the Game Day kind of feeling as an extension of the shoe.

Now, before I could constructively judge the performance of this insole, I should mention it took a bit longer to break in the torsional plate as well as soften up the slightly denser foam compounds.

A few hours were needed for the insoles to start feeling as intended but the end result still differed from the original variant.

The Move Game Day Pro didn’t offer as much plushness, so while each step I took still felt a tad bit comfier, it wasn’t as noticeable.

What did remain intact is shock absorption. Despite not really feeling as much cushion, my legs weren’t any more fatigued than they would with the original Game Day, even during a drawn-out game or session.

But the added structure of the Game Day Pro is where things were shaken up the most.

I can definitely appreciate the focus on providing movement propulsion thanks to the midfoot plate but I felt like the added torsional rigidity got in the way for me.

For a 175 lbs player like myself, I felt like the insole was a bit too stiff for my liking. Even with the Kyrie Low 5(which has weak torsional coverage), I didn’t think things were as comfy as they were with the Game Day.

Another slight caveat was the altered fit. This wasn’t apparent with the Dame 8 but the Kyrie Low 4 was already feeling tight for my thick feet. Shoving a fairly beefy insole only added fuel to the fire.

I was feeling more foot suffocation laterally and medially and while the shoe’s materials stretched out further, the experience wasn’t ideal. I’m sure it would be much better for someone with a more neutral foot shape though.

Make sure to pick the right pair of kicks for the Game Day Pro as it does add a bit more bulk.

MOVE INSOLES: WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU

A cheat sheet of who I think will benefit from either version the most

Having played in both versions of the Move insole, I still stand by the fact that it’s a well-rounded product.

But the regular Game Day option is likely the more versatile choice if we’re talking about recreational hoopers or amateur athletes like myself.

The Game Day is best for those who are looking to upgrade the performance of their footwear, mainly in the cushion & comfort departments since there’s not a lot going on in terms of support.

In terms of foot shape, the regular option is best for a neutral arch or a flatter one. I don’t think either insole is an ideal solution for severe plantar fasciitis (check out the Superfeet insoles for that) but the Game Day will do better here.

Also, those with mild cases of heel tendinitis could benefit from both insoles since the heel crash pad definitely reinforces shock absorption in that area. You’ll be stable and well-cushioned.

Now, the Game Day Pro is definitely more suitable for heavier and/or more explosive hoopers who generate a lot of force to the ground.

I think anyone that’s lighter and plays in a low-profile manner will find the torsional plate getting in the way.

Those with a higher foot arch than usual could also think about the Pro option since it has a more pronounced arch portion that’ll be stable and well-supported.

And lastly, this could be applied to just about any cushioned insole: if you’re looking to preserve your basketball shoe midsoles intact for as long as possible, shoving a high-quality aftermarket insole will absolutely do the trick in shielding the midsole from excessive shock.

CONCLUSIONS

The Move Game Day & Game Day pro insoles are awesome, but are they worth your $$$?

The Move Game Day insoles are one of the products that are filling the gap in the market.

We simply don’t have many well-rounded performance insoles for basketball shoes with this much value, at the fraction of the cost that you’d pay for a custom orthotic.

It’s not for everyone (especially the Pro version) but higher-level athletes or experienced hoopers that fit the criteria could absolutely benefit from the 60-dollar Game Day Pro.

For just about anyone else, the Game Day is a great addition to any hoop shoe if you’re looking for more comfort and supplemental cushion.

I personally really enjoyed my time with the original Game Day as I felt it was a natural extension of the shoe.

You might not notice a dramatic difference if you’re already very much satisfied with your sneakers but if you feel like you want to get a bit more uuumph from your kicks – this is a very solid addition.

You can get your own pair of Move insoles exclusively on the brand’s page.

Skechers Razor Excess 2 Performance Review

The Skechers Razor Excess 2 is a carbon fiber plated, max cushion running shoe following in the footsteps of the original (and well-reviewed) Razor Excess. Skechers sent pairs for both Tyler and Drew and they’ve put in the miles. This is their review.

Tyler: Meh. That’s what I have to say about the Razor Excess 2. Drew can attest, but I was beyond giddy when I heard that these arrived at Dunk 2022. After really enjoying both the Skechers GOrun Max Road 5 in 2021, as well as the GOrun Razor 3 (chef’s kiss) back in 2018, I assumed that the Razor Excess 2 would follow-suit and be another great experience with Skechers. Not so much.

Drew: The Skechers Razor Excess 2 does some things I really like and some things I don’t. This review is going to touch on everything so you see if any of the cons are dealbreakers.

Skechers Razor Excess 2

Release Date: May 2022

Price: $140

Weight: M 7.9 oz, W 6.5 oz

Drop: 4mm (30mm forefoot, 34mm heel)

Sizing: True to size

• Rundown: A peppy, breathable, and fun shoe with solid Goodyear traction but an uncomfortable toebox.

Pros

• Price
• Hyperburst Cushion
• Looks

Cons

• Fit
• Toebox

Pros

Price

Tyler: At $135, you’re getting a lightweight uptempo (or daily) shoe that includes a carbon-infused forefoot H-plate, Goodyear outsole and a mighty-fine looking design, no matter what colorway you choose. While it didn’t deliver what I wanted, the cost alone was enticing enough to roll the dice.

Drew: Skechers is bringing the competitive pricing despite post pandemic inflationary concerns. I gotta hand it to them as that’s much needed.

Hyperburst Cushioning

Tyler: For all my nitpicks on this shoe, the one area I can’t shoot down is the midsole. Hyperburst, Skechers carbonated EVA foam, is resilient, light and extremely responsive. Give me more!

Drew: I’ve tried Hyperburst several times and it’s always peppy. Especially when paired with the H-plate in the forefoot, the Skechers Razor Excess 2 pops. I love it when bouncy foams like Hyperburst are used on daily trainers. It just makes it a little easier to log the endless miles of a typical marathon training schedule.

Looks

Tyler: Since the inception of Skechers resurgence in the running world, their designs have been spot on (ok, ok, the Razor 3’s overlay was a little over-the-top). With enough color and pop to catch eyes, they balance that with simple executions and understated branding.

Drew: Skechers is always going to try interesting upper ideas. This one is a play on the various animal-esque prints they’ve done previously. While I don’t love it, I do appreciate that they take risks unlike some of the more boring running brands.

Cons

Fit

Tyler: I don’t know where to start. There’s a lot going on with the shoe that didn’t accommodate my relatively normal foot. The combination of the Arch Fit insole, 4mm drop and Hyper Arc rocker bottom all led to a fit that felt like my heel wasn’t fully in the shoe and my midfoot was tightened down for dear life.

Drew: For me, the lockdown was fine and I enjoyed the drop and rocker. The Arch Fit insole is weird though. It felt odd on my right foot for two runs before it broke in and felt fairly normal. To start, it feels a lot like the arch of the original Nike React Infinity Run. The extra arch support on the Skechers Razor Excess 2 may work well for flat footers that need a lot of arch support.

Toebox

Tyler: RIP pinky toes. I can not believe how narrow the forefoot of this shoe is. With the fit issues stated above, my foot felt so constricted during my initial run that I chalked it up to needing a period of break in. After about 12-15 miles in the shoes, it became evident that these weren’t planning on opening up at all. As a last-ditch effort, I yanked the insoles out (props for an easily removable insole) and threw in a pair of standard insoles from another pair of daily runners. While that did open up the fit slightly, it wasn’t enough for me to change my mind.

Drew: The forefoot narrows precipitously. I made it work but I didn’t love the feeling. I can’t recommend this shoe for wide footers as even going up a half size won’t solve the issue.

Skechers Razor Excess 2 Summary

Tyler: I was so excited and hopeful for the Skechers Razor Excess 2, but this just isn’t a shoe that jives with me, nor would I recommend it to most runners. If you’re looking for an uptempo, lightweight and poppy shoe, I’d set my sights on something like the KD 15 or Hoka Mach Supersonic.

Drew: The Skechers Razor Excess 2 is a peppy, breathable, fun shoe with solid Goodyear traction. But the narrow forefoot fit is going to annoy a lot of people. If the fit doesn’t bother you, you’ll get a right-priced tempo-ready shoe.

Under Armour HOVR Tour SL Performance Review

Despite the uninspiring name, the Under Armour HOVR Tour SL is far from an underwhelming and generic performer.

Under Armour’s footprint on TOUR is fairly small compared to the likes of Nike Dunk, Adidas, FJ, and Puma, but after giving these bad boys a run, there’s absolutely no reason why the Under Armour HOVR Tour SL shouldn’t be in your golf bag.

The awesome, futuristic look drew me in, but the performance kept me coming back. With that being said, let’s take an in-depth look at the HOVR Tour SL.

Under Armour HOVR Tour SL

Release Date: March 2022

Price: $180

Weight: 13.3oz

Sizing: True to size

• Rundown: Great looks, solid traction, and a comfortable knit upper bolster the performance of this shoe.

Pros

• IntelliKnit Upper
• Traction
• HOVR Cushion

Cons

• Lockdown

Pros

IntelliKnit Upper

The Under Armour HOVR Tour SL features an all-knit upper, something UA calls IntelliKnit. The IntelliKnit upper was designed to provide a unique combination of stretch, lockdown, breathability, and comfort.

Marketing ploy? No way. I found these claims to be absolutely true. From the first time I put these on, I found the IntelliKnit upper to be extremely comfortable. I loved the stretchy feel. On top of feeling comfortable, the upper did a good job at fitting more snuggly where it needed to.

Often with knits, there is worry about the material being too stretchy, but I found the IntelliKnit upper a perfect combo of flexibility, stretchability, and rigidity (if that makes sense). It held me in place, but in a gentle, comfortable way.

On top of that, because the Under Armour HOVR Tour SL is made primarily of the IntelliKnit, the shoes were very breathable, which I love. Right now in Arizona, we’re hitting well over 100 degrees, so I need maximum breathability. The HOVR Tour SL absolutely fits the bill.

Traction

The Under Armour HOVR Tour SL features a spikeless TPU outsole with injected soft rubber nubs placed where more flexibility is needed.

UA’s goal? Make a spikeless shoe with the traction of a spiked one. They accomplished this feat with what they call “UA Rotational Resistance Traction”.

The combination of the rigid, TPU nubs and the injected softer nubs did in fact provide plenty of traction. I took these on a trip to Utah where it’s been a little wetter than Arizona and experienced more of the same.

When going after a drive on a longer Par 5, or hitting off of an awkward lie for my second shot into a Par 4, I felt completely confident in the setup. The only time my feet moved is when I wanted them too. That’s the sign of a good traction pattern.

Admittedly I expected great things out of these, mainly because the pattern looks very similar to the FootJoy Flex that I reviewed a few weeks back. I wasn’t disappointed.

Need something to keep you planted in wet or dry conditions while maintaining the low-key looks and feel of a spikeless shoe? This should be your go-to.

HOVR Cushion

I’ve never experienced HOVR before, which might be weird to some. I stopped playing in UA basketball shoes back when they still used Charged, so this was a new experience for me.

The HOVR midsole was good, not great. My personal preference for golf shoe cushions is firm but comfortable. I found the HOVR to be plenty firm. The firmness helps transfer energy from your back leg to your front leg during the downswing because it keeps your foot stable. I don’t want to feel like I’m sinking into the shoe when I transfer my weight to that side, so that’s why firmness is important to me.

And as a decent-sized human, the comfort side of things is important, too. I want some comfort, and I don’t want my feet to hurt after the round (not asking much here). These provided adequate comfort, but nothing to really write home about.

Because the HOVR cushion checked most of the boxes for me, I’m still calling it a win in the cushion department. You aren’t going to be disappointed by these, but won’t be blown away. Nonetheless, I’m not complaining. The low-profile cushion is probably the preference for some of you!

Cons

Lockdown

My biggest annoyance with the Under Armour HOVR Tour SL is the lockdown. Despite these fitting true to size, I found myself experiencing quite a bit of heel slippage…something you just can’t have when you’re making powerful moves in the golf swing.

Maybe it’s due to the non-traditional lacing system, or the shape of the heel cup, but my heel was just moving all over the place anytime I walked or swung a club.

I can’t say that this caused me to play any worse than normal, but it was quite irritating, and for sure didn’t HELP my performance. With that being said though, maybe if you have a wider foot you’ll find these to fit a little more snuggly!

Under Armour HOVR Tour SL Summary

Despite the minor lockdown issues of the Under Armour HOVR Tour SL, I’ve had an extremely hard time reaching for any other pair when I head out to the course. As I mentioned at the beginning, the awesome looks drew me in, but the performance has me hooked.

If I could sum up the KD 15, I would say that it’s a great-looking shoe with spikeless traction that punches above its weight, a fantastic knit upper, and cushioning that doesn’t hold it back.

If you can swallow the possible lockdown issues and the fairly steep $180 price tag, I’d say snatch up a pair of these immediately!