Nike Renew Elevate 3 Performance Review

Nike Renew Elevate 3

The Nike Renew Elevate 3 is an OK budget model from Nike, for under $80.

Colorway: Black/Wolf Grey/Cool Grey/White

Release Date: 2022

Style Code: DD9304-002

Price: $80

The Nike Renew Elevate 3 is a budget model released by Nike in 2022. The previous iterations of the Nike Renew Elevate have been above average performance models with a very reasonable price tag of just around $80 USD.

The big draw of the Elevate line has been the implementation of Nike’s Renew foam cushioning. Renew is the takedown version of React, both of which have proven to be very effective cushioning setups.

This year’s version maintains the previous model’s price tag and made some upgrades aesthetically. But, how did it perform on the court? Let’s jump in and find out.

Traction

The traction is the shoe’s best feature. The sole features a mix of herringbone and a radial traction pattern which gives decent coverage on all types of changes in speed and direction. The rubber is on the harder side and the grooves are deep which makes the shoe a good option for outdoor hoops (as far as the traction is concerned). The sole wraps around the toe, heel, and lateral areas of the shoe to give extra coverage on more exaggerated push-off moves in all directions.

There are two sections cut out of the traction pattern to allow the foam cushioning system to expand when compressed but they didn’t affect the all-around traction in my experience.

One slight drawback is that the grooves on the sole do accumulate dust after a while, but a quick wipe down is enough to get the traction biting the floor again.

Cushion

The cushion is decent, nothing amazing, but serviceable. In the previous model, Nike used a dual-density foam setup that featured a full-length slab of Renew foam as well as EVA. In this version, however, Nike skimped on the Renew and just used a thin, 3/4 unit. But, admittedly it still works well.

The Renew is thickest in the heel, and that’s where you will feel it the most, especially if you tend to heel strike. The forefoot is much less cushioned, but there’s plenty of court feel and responsiveness. I played with these a lot outside and I was able to stay on the court pain-free for about an hour. Anything more than that and I was hurting the next day.

Materials

The materials are easily the worse part of the shoe and affect the shoe’s fit and support, but more on that later. The shoe’s upper consists primarily of a soft and stretchy woven material that requires no break-in time. There are a couple of fuse overlays in high wear areas and two synthetic leather overlays on either side of the heel of each shoe. The woven material is reflective as well and makes the shoe look greyer in hand. All the design details are stitched into the shoe.

The shoe doesn’t look or feel bad in hand but once you start playing in them the upper turns out to be too forgiving to offer great support or fit, which leads us to the next category.

Fit

The Nike Renew Elevate 3 fits slightly long, and the soft woven upper creates significant dead space in the toe box of the shoe. I ordered a size 12 and I could have easily gone down half a size.

The extra length and the dead space on the toe are a bummer because they allowed my foot to slip forward on hard stops and jammed my toes into the front of the shoe. If this has ever happened to you before, you know how bothersome it can be, and how not fun aching toenails are.

If I had a better fit, it’s possible that this wouldn’t have been an issue, so if you can, go in and try these on or try half a size less than usual.

Support

The support on the Nike Renew Elevate 3 worked well enough, but it’s no all-star in this aspect. The shoe has a very wide forefoot with outriggers on either side which provide a solid base and no tipping. There is also a heel cup and two lace cables on either side that help keep your foot locked into place.

The problem with the support, was again the fit and materials. The materials stretch too much to contain your foot on movements with high torque, and the extra space allows your foot to slide down the footbed.

The wide base, lace cables, and heel counter compensate for a lot of these deficiencies, and the shoe does not feel unstable or unsafe in any way.

Nike Renew Elevate 3 Overall

The Nike Renew Elevate 3 is an ok shoe, nothing special in my opinion. If you are looking for a budget basketball shoe and these guys ring your bell aesthetically, then go right ahead. They will not disappoint you. But, I will also say that there are better budget options for similar pieces out there. Even if you want to stick with Nike, for practically the same price you might prefer to go with the Nike PG 6 or the Nike Giannis Immortality. I do think the Nike Renew Elevate 3 looks better than either of those models but to each his or her own.

Nike React Infinity Run 3 Performance Review

The Nike React Infinity Run 3 is a slight update from the Nike React Infinity Run 2 and continues the line’s tradition as a popular, comfortable model with minor issues.

Tyler: The original Nike React Infinity Run has been a staple in my rotation since its release in 2020 (I’m currently on my third pair). When the second iteration came out, I was excited to experience the updates, namely the lockdown. But, to my surprise, it didn’t have the same magic as the first and I immediately hurried back to the original version. With incremental updates to the Nike React Infinity Run 3, I was cautiously optimistic about this performance review.

Drew: The Nike React Infinity Run 2 was a sort of a meh update. It fixed some things but created other issues (including an eye-roll-inducing stitching controversy on YouTube). The Nike React Infinity Run 3 appears to be a solid mix of the two originals that perhaps creates the best one yet.

Nike React Infinity Run 3

Release Date: May 2022

Price: $160

Weight: 10.5oz

Drop: 8mm (26mm forefoot, 34mm heel)

Sizing: True to Size

• Rundown: Insert

Pros

• Lockdown
• React Midsole
• Accommodating Fit

Cons

• Innovation
• Lacing

Pros

Lockdown

Tyler: I’m the first to admit the fit of the original left a lot to be desired, especially in the heel lockdown and shallow lacing (I needed one more eyelet!). Version 2 improved on both of those slightly, but this third version really secures the foot with a slightly higher tongue and heel. With some slight padding to boot, the lockdown is perfect with no need to fidget mid-run.

Drew: Though the collar looks similar to the Dunk Low, it fits better. The tongue is more substantial while the heel padding isn’t quite as thick. But I’m not sure either of those changes make the difference. There’s a slightly different angle to the heel geometry that helps the heel hug the achilles and heel bone thus making both more secure inside the shoe.

The increased lockdown may also be because the large TPU support clip is a slightly different shape. It’s less blocky and more free-flowing as it swoops around the arch and heel. It seems more anatomical than the heel clip used on the first and second Infinity Run models. This pays dividends with the heel feeling more natural and ultimately more secure.

React Midsole

Tyler: The Nike React Infinity Run 3 carries on the tradition of the past models, providing an excellent dose of React that doesn’t lose its plushness during runs or throughout the life of the shoe. Whether you’re pushing double-digit miles on the weekend or throwing these things on after 6 months of wear and tear, the React feels and performs the exact same. I also think that no matter what type of foot strike you have, this midsole provides an extremely balanced ride.

Drew: The full-length React midsole of the Nike React Infinity Run 3 returns unchanged from the past two models. That’s a good thing. The fat slab of React was the best thing about the original. And because it’s the same one, we know it lasts hundreds of miles without losing that plush React feeling. Nike isn’t tweaking it because so many people love its feel and continue to support the Infinity Run line.

Accommodating Fit

Tyler: The stability rails around the heel, wide toe box, and dialed-in lacing make this such an enjoyable shoe to wear. Whether it’s for a run or to run errands, it accommodates many foot types. As a bonus, the Nike React Infinity Run 3 doesn’t have the exaggerated arch as prominent as it once was (although that never bothered me).

Drew: The upper still accommodates every foot type without issue. I know narrow footers and wide footers alike who love the Infinity Run line. But the Nike React Infinity Run 3 features the best upper of the bunch. The Flyknit is softer and more comfortable than ever before. Nike let Flyknit be Flyknit without molding it. This way it can better mold to your foot over time ensuring a great long term fit.

Cons

Innovation

Tyler: As much as I really enjoy the Nike React Infinity Run 3, a part of me is slightly confused as to why there hasn’t been a larger overhaul to this model. Version 1 and Jordan 2022 were released within a year of each other with this third iteration hitting shelves well over a year after the previous model. Surely, Covid and supply-chain issues have thrown a wrench in a lot of things, but it makes me curious as to how much this model will evolve over time.

Drew: The Nike React Infinity Run 3 is for people who enjoyed the first two and only wanted small improvements to the base shoe they loved. Shoe tech nerds won’t see enough changes to make it worth it.

It’s not a bad thing if your main objective is running miles with a similar ride and feel to what you’re used to. Heck, you even get better lockdown and a more comfortable upper. However, we have to call it out. There’s a sizeable portion of our audience looking for new and different with every shoe purchase.

Lacing

Tyler: Initially appearing in Infinity Run 2, the eyelets on either side of the tongue are super close to each other. With the Flyknit upper and more accommodating fit, this isn’t as much of a problem as I’m making it out to be, but I would love to see a little more separation to ensure a uniform fit across all of the laces.

Drew: The lacing system was a complaint with both previous Infinity Run models and it’s basically the same as the Infinity Run 2 here. It’s suboptimal and makes it tough for narrow-footed runners to find the right fit. It’s not a huge deal, but hopefully, the next version will finally give us a better lacing system.

Nike React Infinity Run 3 Summary

Tyler: The Nike React Infinity Run 3 is what the Infinity Run 2 should have been. It feels like a natural progression from the first Infinity Run with optimizations to areas that fell short on the original. While it may not be preferable for faster days, I think calling it an “easy day shoe” does it a disservice – this thing can handle a lot of what’s thrown at it. If you enjoyed the first version, you’ll love this one. If you’re thinking that you’ll just grab the Infinity Run 2 at a discount, I’d urge you to fork over the extra cash and enjoy the upgraded plush heel and tongue.

Drew: We said it at the beginning of this review, the Nike React Infinity Run 3 is a solid incremental update to the Infinity Run line. It won’t knock your socks off but if you loved running in either of the first two, the Infinity Run 3 is a shoe you’ll want in your closet.

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.