tinmy 2021
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i love this gameComprehensive 3-month OUTDOOR Air Jordan 35 Review
For this comprehensive 3-month OUTDOOR Air Jordan 35 review, I’ll break down the shoe’s fit & comfort aspects, performance, value for the price and we’ll also discuss the changes from the AJ 34 for those who have it and looking to upgrade.
But I’m not even going to tease you. The 35th AJ model is my favorite basketball shoe of 2020.
UPDATE: it has been almost a year since the AJ 36 launched and I’ve been able to finally start taking shoes inside on the beloved hardwood. I’ve updated the review where I’ll talk about how well the shoe held up in these 10-11 months and how’s the performance indoors.
I. SPEC SHEET
click to inspect the full-sized image
I. 1-MIN REVIEW
Jordan Zion 1 Review: Here’s MY 3-Month Outdoor Experience
An athlete’s debut signature sneaker can sometimes be iffy due to many things like a limited budget, not entirely clear target audience, or the design team still in the experimenting phase. Zion Williamson’s 1st shoe caught a lot of hype lately so here’s my comprehensive Jordan Zion 1 review that should answer most of your burning questions:
- How good of a performer is it and how does it fit?
- How’s the quality for a debut signature?
- Is it a versatile shoe or more of a big man’s option only?
- Will it last outdoors and is it suitable for a wide footer?
Let’s break it all down in the most practical and comprehensive review found on the Internet!
I. SPEC SHEET
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
Saving time? Here’s the gist of it: the Jordan Zion 1 didn’t impress me – there’s definitely room for improvement if the shoe wants to cater towards many different players and compete with other signature lines.
However, it was still playable and many players will get away with what the Zion 1 offers.
The shoe fit me a little weird (I’m a wide footer) – while TTS was the best option, there was quite a bit of space length-wise. Most guys should stick with TTS though.
Traction was fine, though these are a dust magnet – wiping WILL be needed on a weary court or even outdoors at times.
The full-length Air + forefoot Zoom Air cushion setup sounds awesome on paper but in practice, it will get the job done without blowing you away. I would’ve liked it to be just a bit faster-feeling.
Support was fine but it heavily relies on a perfect fit – if you can’t nail it downb (or close to it), you’ll likely have some issues.
The upper features basic open mesh and while it’s not my ideal choice – it worked on the court.
For alternatives, check out the Air Jordan 1 for a step-up, the Jordan React Elevation for a similar priced shoe and my shoe lists if you’d like to have more options.
III. FIT & COMFORT
Do they fit true to size or should you go up/down? How comfy are they? Anything else to know fit-wise?
SIZING GUIDE
This Zion’s shoe. Not ours. The shoe was tailored to best fit his foot, obviously. However, we’ve seen PLENTY of signature releases that manage to suit the actual player’s needs but also satisfy the regular consumer who actually buys them.
With the Zion 1, I’m not really sure if this is the case – the shoe just fits weird.
I’m a wide footer, let’s start there. The shoe started off a little tight in the midfoot and toebox areas width-wise. I couldn’t really move my toes inside the shoe and while normally that’s not that big of a deal – I did feel a little more pressure than I’d prefer.
Luckily, it didn’t take long to stretch out the extremely thin material and start feeling closer to optimal. The fit is still a snug one but for a huge wide footer like myself – I expected much worse.
Length-wise is where things threw me off. The shoe is acceptable in terms of width but why is it noticeably longer than a normal size 10 would be from Jordan brand? Or any other brand for that matter? Except maybe adidas.
I’ve got about half a toe of extra length up at the front which is definitely not ideal. However, it wasn’t deal-breaking either since this didn’t cause my feet to shift forwards and backward inside the shoe.
My feet feel bigger than normal with the Zion 1 on due to the extra space and while I don’t prefer that – I was still able to play in a comfortable manner.
So, wide footers – I recommend sticking to your true size and giving the shoe some patience as it’ll break in. I don’t encourage stepping down as you might fix the length but things might start feeling too tight width-wise.
For regular/narrow footers – that’s where the questions arise. I HIGHLY recommend trying these in a store if you can but if don’t have the ability to do so – true to size or a half size down will be the best option.
I suppose if you don’t really care about the extra length – you can stick TTS. Otherwise, if you’ve got a narrow, compact foot – stepping a 1/2 size down should be fine for you.
COMFORT
Despite the fit shenanigans, I don’t have any serious complaints in terms of comfort. This is definitely not the comfiest or the most luxurious shoe I’ve played in but they’re fine.
There’s good foam padding around the ankle which was nicely hugged, and even though the tongue is stupidly thin, I never had any issues with it as I did with a LeBron 19.
The Zion 1 is also surprisingly lightweight despite the beefy looks. It’s not the lightest-feeling shoe in the world though – but that’s mainly due to other performance factors that I’ll talk about later. For now – just know that these won’t weigh you down like a pair of clogs, nor you’ll be feeling as light as a feather.
Step transitions are very comfortable and smooth due to the cushion system, curvature of the platform, and flexible materials – so all good there.
The ultra-wide platform wasn’t anything to get used to either – the shoe felt stable and secure from the get-go.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip various surfaces well? Is dust/debris a factor? How long will the outsoles last outdoors?
TRACTION PERFORMANCE
I’m still only able to only play outside on two surfaces – a classic blacktop and a more modern rubber surface. The traction was fine. Not the best, nothing deadly like a Curry 8 but just fine.
Would’ve I liked the bite to be a little more aggressive? Sure, but the baseline level of grip the Zion 1 offered me didn’t cause any problems.
What did cause problems was the rubber picking up dust and debris like crazy. If you play outdoors – chances are you’re not hooping on a pristine 10/10 surface. You WILL have to wipe these down frequently just to be sure.
A half an hour in, I take a look at the outsoles and they’re already looking absolutely nasty.
The actual performance drop when the pattern piled up dust wasn’t drastic but it kept me on my heels, thinking about the need to reassure myself and wipe ’em down every few minutes.
And there were a handful of moments where I slid out due to several spots on the court I played on which had the rubber surface torn off, so the shell underneath was much more slippery.
Pretty normal for that to happen with most shoes I hoop in on that court though.
Indoors is where things get a little moodier. I personally haven’t tested these indoors but from ALL the indoor reviews I’m seeing – people aren’t very happy.
Slip-outs, dust attraction, and a fairly weak base level of bite are what the hoopers report and something you should be aware of if planning to take ’em to the gym.
OUTDOOR DURABILITY
The rubber used throughout the outsoles looks and feels fairly thick & strong to the touch, so that was a good initial sign.
However, a few days in (yes, DAYS) and the pattern is already visibly getting wrecked, especially in the forefoot portion.
None of the knobs are fully burnt off but some of them are getting there, that’s for sure. This shook me since I received the impression that I was going to blow through these in a couple of weeks.
Luckily, that didn’t happen.
This is one of those shoes where the pattern gets banged up quickly from a visual standpoint but that doesn’t tell the whole story as I was still able to achieve a more-or-less same level of bite regardless. Props to the tacky rubber used that saved the day.
I don’t know how things will go 4-5-6 and more months later but right now, I can still grip both surfaces well while wiping periodically.
So bottom line – don’t let the visual cues fool you. While the Zion 1 won’t claim any accolades for the most durable outdoor shoe, it should surely last you at least a full season in the park.
V. CUSHION
How’s the impact protection? What about step comfort and energy return of the foam? Is it stable?
A full-length Air strobel stitched right to the upper, a Zoom Air unit in the forefoot, and a plush Phylon midsole to top it all off. Sounds like a crazy setup on paper.
Well, the shoe does retail at $120 – we don’t usually see such tech packed into such an affordable package. Props to Zion and Jordan for that.
However, the actual experience on the court wasn’t as crazy as the specs on paper. Things actually started off quite stiff and clunky – but just a few days in and I was able to actually feel the forefoot Zoom unit, while the Phylon midsole softened up and elevated the experience quite a bit.
The setup is definitely comfortable and fun to play in but I’m sure this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea performance-wise.
For me personally, I found the setup to be working okay – I was feeling super comfy with each stride, the midsole absorbs impact and my feet weren’t hurting after a longer session on concrete.
However, at times I felt that the foam could’ve been tightened up just a bit as I could feel my heel and midfoot sinking into the foam and ultimately impacting my quickness a bit.
Nothing crazy but ideally, I’d prefer something that’s just a little quicker or perhaps manages to return energy at a faster rate.
Obviously, a Zoom Air strobel would’ve fixed that but this is a $120 sneaker – classic Air is not the most advanced or versatile cushion anymore but it’s still better than nothing.
This ride is comfortable, the midsole is nice and plush but it all feels more like a pillow rather than a spring.
The forefoot Zoom unit offered some pop upon impact but even there, the Air strobel kind of overshadows it by making me slightly sink into the midsole before the unit springs back into place.
Again, this is all very subtle and nothing too crazy on-court, so don’t be thinking you’ll feel like a snail in these.
What I’m saying is for someone even lighter, quicker, and shiftier than me – you might end up feeling unnatural or a bit less sharp than you’d normally would in an ideal guard’s shoe for you.
Having said that, the setup is stable, and I didn’t feel alarmingly too high off the ground. The ride height is about average, so you won’t be slapped right on the ground, nor you’ll be super elevated like you would in a LeBron shoe.
VI. SUPPORT
How much all-around security does it offer? What about the build’s stability and foot containment? Any restrictions?
Support was pretty average for a Jordan basketball sneaker.
There’s a TPU heel counter for ankle & heel lockdown, foam of the midsole coming up in several areas acting as additional chassis for the foot, and the platform of the shoe is absolutely insanely wide due to those massive outriggers laterally.
There are also these elastic loops that the laces go through at the bottom two eyelets. Those further pull down on the upper when you crank down the laces and I feel like it did actually help keep the upper sit closer to my foot.
While the upper is mostly very thin, there are several Fuse layers that add some structure and I’ve had no issues with containment.
I don’t know how long it’ll take for Zion to wreck these but for me – it looks like they’re not budging anytime soon.
So the strong points were definitely stability (I don’t know why more shoes don’t utilize such outriggers), containment, and staying comfortable despite the features.
The not-so-cool stuff was the fact that these rely on a near-perfect fit first.
I’m a wide footer and my foot’s also really damn thick, so I was already feeling snug and secure the moment I’ve put them on since I naturally fill out the space inside (besides up at the front).
But for someone who’s got a more compact foot, you might end up with a different experience.
The reason I’m saying this is because I’ve seen a few reports that mentioned questionable heel & midfoot security and I can definitely understand that if one’s foot simply isn’t fully compatible with the shoe.
So all in all, it’s a good chance you won’t have any security issues just like I didn’t but you never know. Everyone’s foot shape is different and there can never always be a 100% guarantee of satisfaction.
Just something to remember.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the materials used? How well do they perform on-court? How’s the quality & reliability?
BUILD OVERVIEW
The Jordan Zion 1 features an extremely thin open mesh build along with several Fuse overlays on high-wear areas such as the toebox and the lacing system. The heel portion features another synthetic overlay that’s a bit beefier but still fairly minimal.
The tongue is foam-backed, so is the lining around the ankle. The shoe utilizes a standard lace-and-tongue construction.
PERFORMANCE
The material choices are obviously right in line with today’s standards – everything’s about minimalism & shedding as much weight as possible now.
I personally don’t mind these materials when it comes to performance at all.
Even for a wide foot, I only needed a few days to break it in, ventilation is pretty good and the upper is definitely light despite offering solid support & containment.
A classic example of brands getting closer to nailing that perfect balance between structure and comfort.
While this mesh didn’t hug my foot in such a one-to-one fashion as a premium knit or woven would, I still didn’t find myself thinking about the build while playing.
I don’t mind it, it holds my foot in and doesn’t introduce any pinching, digging, or anything in that regard.
DURABILITY
An argument could be made that this build seems cheap for a debut signature sneaker. Well, I’m sure Jordan didn’t want to risk going all-out for the very first sneaker in the line in case they don’t sell much.
I get that, but there’s no denying that the build quality of these isn’t the best.
A couple of sessions and these already starting to look banged up: the ultra-thin mesh is getting uneven, the Fuse overlays that feel like leather are getting creases left and right and the fabric pull tabs are getting weary.
Nothing that would cause a negative impact on performance but pretty concerning if I’d plan to rock these and these only for several seasons.
Putting things into perspective though, this is in line with most other sneakers in this price range, so it’s not like the Zion 1 is the only shoe to be at fault here. Take good care of them and they should do the same for you.
Not the best quality but acceptable for a debut shoe. My two cents.
VIII. OVERALL
Rounding the Jordan Zion 1 review up: are they versatile? Who’s best suited for the shoe? Is it a good deal?
All in all, I didn’t hate the Zion 1. But neither did I love it.
It was a fairly average/mediocre experience that still allowed me to play effectively on the court and have fun shooting hoops but left an impression that some things definitely could’ve been tweaked and those tweaks could’ve been game-changers.
Nike KD 14 Review: 4+ Month INDOOR & OUTDOOR Breakdown
Let’s not waste any time. The KD 12 and KD 13 were great basketball shoes but not without the issues some people, including me, had. Hence I present to you my comprehensive 4-month KD 14 review! Durant’s latest signature model looks to make improvements and bring an extremely well-rounded performance sneaker to the table.
Is it mission accomplished or it still needs some work despite the hype? Let’s break it all down and test the shoe’s fit & comfort, performance, value for the price, versatility, and changes from the KD 12 & 13.
I. SPEC SHEET
click for a full-sized image
Do they fit true to size or should you adjust? How comfy are they? Anything else to know?
SIZING GUIDE
Played in the KD 13 or the KD 12? Then you know exactly what to expect.
A compact, narrow fit that hugs your foot in a very snug manner. Something some people love, while some don’t like that much.
But either way, I don’t think most of you will have a hard time picking the right size.
Regular/narrow footers will want to stick with their true size or the size you’ve worn the KD 13’s & 12’s. Expect the shoe to sit extremely close to your foot though but the materials do stretch out a tad bit over time.
I’m a pretty heavy wide footer myself, so just like the KD 13, I went up half a size and have no regrets. If you put yourself in the same category as I do, definitely go up 1/2 a size since you might have too much pressure in the toebox.
Length-wise, the KD 14 is near-perfect for me with a size 10.5 (my regular is 10) with about a half-inch of space for my toes. Width-wise, things were a little too tight up at the front but everything normalized in about a week’s time.
The end result is still a snug, near-one-to-one feel but due to some internal padding and a comfy upper, these are absolutely playable even for the most hardcore footers. Just give these some time and you’ll be alright.
CONTAINMENT
The most glaring issue for a lot of hoopers of last year’s KD 13 was the lackluster lateral containment due to a pretty flimsy build.
Good news – looks like this is fixed.
And the awesome thing is, I really didn’t notice too much of a difference in the structure/bulkiness of the build while we received a nice upgrade in the containment department.
The KD 14 still rocks a fairly minimal upper but it’s well-structured where it needs to be while keeping the rest lightweight to preserve comfort and freedom of movement. Despite a slightly heavier weight on paper when compared to the 13, there’s really no degrade in on-court performance that I would notice.
COMFORT
As for sheer comfort, not a lot different going on from the last few models but that’s not a bad thing at all.
Moderate amount of padding around the ankle, there’s enough forefoot flex to accommodate for smooth step transitions, the shoe doesn’t feel overly heavy and the build moves well with the foot while being slightly beefed up to better contain one’s movements.
No distractions, no real issues or annoyances that I would think about while playing so it’s definitely a pass. Nothing crazy or revolutionary but a job well done in my book.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip various surfaces well? Is dust a factor? How long will these last outside?
INDOOR PERFORMANCE
Finally, the KD 14 is the first shoe in a loooong time that I was able to hoop in an actual gym. Boy, it feels damn good to step on the hardwood again and soak in those nasty squeaks. Music to my ears.
We’re not getting herringbone but I can’t be mad – these outsoles worked just fine gripping just about any surface I stepped on.
Indoors, I play on a local school gym, so it’s not the best condition floor there is but it’s being cleaned occasionally so it’s not that bad. I’ve had no issues accelerating, stopping, cutting, or slashing to the rim at all.
I’ve managed to play a couple of 4-quarter, full-paced games inside and never slid out or slipped.
The bite is great and doesn’t really degrade despite a bit of dust piling up in the pattern. This is probably due to the tall grooves of the pattern which helped preserve that A-grade grip no matter the condition.
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE
Most of my action was still in the park though and the traction was even deadlier there. Abrasive surfaces will do that to shoes, of course, so don’t worry about losing traction outside. Unless you’re hooping on glass.
One thing I’ve heard a few people report is the traction starts off a bit iffy but quickly breaks in after a few games. I happened to start my hours in the KD 14 outside on concrete which is probably why I never experienced this myself.
So if you plan on having your initial run with the KD 14’s in a gym, be sure to not panic if you’re experiencing some slippage or lag since some of Nikey’s hoop shoes always come with some kind of coating on the rubber that needs to rub off before you can experience the full potential of these aggressive grooves staring at you.
That’s right – I said staring. Put both shoes next to each other and the pattern forms a skull. Nice touch? I think s
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
Nike Air Max Impact Review : MY 5-Month Outdoor Experience
This one’s for the frugal. Originally priced at just $90, you can grab these at even lower now. But is it a good performer? Will it last outdoors and turn out to be a great buy for cheap? Let’s find out everything there’s to know in my detailed 5-month Nike Air Max Impact review.
Behind the review: tested by a 6’1 amateur player at ~175 lbs. Explosive two-guard, slasher to the rim. On the athletic side. Wide, thick-footed.
I. SPEC SHEET
Model: Nike Air Max Impact
Build: mid-top
Weight: 13.23 oz / 375 g. (size 10.5 US)
Retail Price: $90
Cushion: heel Air Max unit & foam midsole
II. FIT & COMFORT
SIZING GUIDE
I’ve been to a local retailer of mine a couple of days ago, so I had a chance to try these on before ordering online. The user feedback is true – the shoe does fit on the tighter side. Especially within the initial 1-2 weeks.
I’ve got wide & thick feet – a nightmare combo for a lot of today’s hoop shoes. I’ve gone up half a size and definitely made the right choice. There’s a little bit of room in the toebox height-wise but nothing crazy. Length-wise, things are perfect.
Width-wise, the shoe felt a bit suffocating for my midfoot at first but that’s due to my tall bone of the foot which also made it a chore to put the shoe on the first 1-2 weeks. After that, the materials stretched out a little and these fit just fine now.
No heel slippage, no side-to-side movements inside the footbed, no issues. All good there.
So for regular/narrow footers – I think you’ll get away with your usual size, though expect a snug, near one-to-one fit. If you’re a wide footer or prefer some room, going up half a size will do the trick.
COMFORT
Comfort-wise, the Air Max Impact feels, well, fine. There’s no reason to expect anything luxurious for this price but I have no major complaints. The fit’s fine, there’s some subtle padding around the ankle, and despite the cheap materials, they still sat nicely with my feet after some time.
I did have a few minor issues though.
The tongue is on the thinner side and while it is padded with foam (just a bit), yanking the laces down to a maximum always results in slight pain as the sharp curvature of this tongue digs into the lower portion of my shins.
I never needed to crank the laces down like that though on a real scenario on-court, so I’m fine. Those who perhaps found the fit a little too roomy and really want that lockdown might need to deal with this issue.
And of course, people with more forgiving foot shapes than mine might not experience it the same way as I did but I think the tongue is just a tad bit too thin for the job when pressure is applied. Nowhere near the disaster the LeBron 19’s tongue is but still could be improved.
In addition to that, let me just say that a shoe can be on the average or even the heavier side in terms of weight but a well-built shoe can often feel much lighter than it actually is on paper.
The Air Max Impact felt heavier than it actually is for me. It was never absurd or anything like that but it was always kinda there. You know that feeling when you put a good shoe on, start playing and completely forget you’ve got a pair of ’em on? Well not really the case for this one.
I think another thing to blame for that is the platform. While the forefoot portion can flex to a degree upon a torsional bend, the midfoot and heel portions literally can’t be budged.
That would’ve been fine in some cases but here, my heel actually sits higher than the rest of the foot despite the platform looking flat from an outside view. So, flat sole, elevated heel, minimal flex. This resulted in choppy step transitions for me.
Put on a pair of Curry 8’s and you could immediately feel the difference in how smooth each heel-to-toe stride feels.
Still though, it’s nothing deal-breaking. I was coming off the adidas Harden Vol. 5, so pretty much any step transition is an improvement from that weird a** shoe. Just keep in mind that the Air Max Impact felt more like a light tank rather than a formula.
III. TRACTION
TRACTION PERFORMANCE
A classic herringbone pattern is all over the outsoles of the Air Max impact. But surprisingly, it grips the floor fairly well. No deadly bite here, none of that. Just solid grip that took care of movements so I have no real complaints here either.
This tacky rubber definitely catches quite a lot of dust & debris if you’re playing on an iffy surface, and it does reflect on the traction at times. I never slid out to a major level but could feel a slight delay on a slippery spot on the ground or when forgetting to wipe ’em down after some dust accumulation.
Despite all of that, most guys will play just fine in these. I don’t know how these perform indoors but seeing a few reviews – the reported results are pretty much in line with my outdoor experience.
Just wipe these down when you can and you’ll be a-okay.
OUTDOOR DURABILITY
Nikey’s budget models usually go in-hand with better-than-average durability for outdoors, and this includes the outsoles. The rubber used here isn’t the strongest I’ve ever seen but it should definitely have you covered for a few seasons. Even on the tough blacktop.
I’ve played on concrete and on a rubber surface for just over 5 months. Didn’t play every day but it was enough to see that the rubber used here is resilient. Not a single major scratch in the grooves. Just some leftover nastiness inside the pattern.
If the base level of traction was deadlier – these would’ve ended up both in the Best Tractions and the Best Outdoor Shoes. No question.
IV. CUSHION
We’ve got a decent setup for cushion – a large Air Max unit in the heel along with a standard foam midsole (likely Phylon). But hey, these are $90, so don’t expect clouds underfoot. The air jordan 1 unit is heavily caged in TPU and the foam midsole isn’t your grade-A plush stuff.
However, the ride still felt decent. Especially for the money.
I consider myself to be a good athlete – I play with a lot of explosiveness, quickness, and grit while slashing to the rim.
I’m not a heavy guy by any means but the volume of jumps, cuts, and drives each session can definitely take a toll on the body if the shoes aren’t absorbing impact as they should. Particularly on an outdoor surface.
The Air Max Impact did its job fairly well: good impact protection in the heel but this is definitely not a soft, plush unit. There’s a tad bit of bounce upon a harder jump/land but it’s mainly here to deliver performance, not leave you in awe comfort-wise.
You’ll need some good ol’ Zoom Air for that. And a bit more cash.
And don’t forget that Air Max needs a bit more time to soften up and do its job at an optimal level. Give these a week or two before fully judging the cushion.
The forefoot portion offers nothing except responsiveness and court feel. The Phylon midsole used here is pretty stubborn but these kinds of setups can last a long time since they don’t bottom out as fast.
The end result is, once again, decent. As I’ve mentioned, I’m not a huge fan of the unnatural elevation in the heel and a flat slope down to the front. This made the heel-to-toe strides feel just acceptable rather than smooth and it could even make certain guys feel slower than they actually are.
I didn’t personally feel that way but someone who’s even lighter, quicker, and shiftier than me might. Something to keep in mind.
All in all, not an other-worldly setup by any means but you definitely get what you pay for here. A ride that should complement most players/positions is a good one in my book. Just don’t be expecting crazy bounce or pillows under your feet.
V. SUPPORT
All-around security is where the Nikey Air Max Impact did the best job. Despite the cheap materials, everything else just works.
Of course, it all begins with a proper fit and this one’s a pass – no extra room to be found if you get the size right (which shouldn’t be hard here). The platform of the shoe is flat and while there’s no hardcore outrigger to catch ankle rolls, the protrusion of the outsole in the forefoot portion was enough.
There’s also a MASSIVE external heel counter that cups the heel very nicely. The lacing system is traditional but with a twist that’s the real MVP of this shoe’s lockdown. Nikey calls this “4 fingers of lockdown”.
It’s basically a synthetic piece that’s on top of the upper which is being pulled down once you crank up the laces. 2 bands on each side connect the laces with the synthetic piece and the result is lockdown for days.
Foot containment was also fine – I never rolled out of the footbed and the same piece helped hold the build together.
I feel like everything else could’ve been scrapped and this piece would’ve still been enough to strap you in for a secure ride. There were also no restrictions, pinching or any other issues – just good lockdown.
Definitely the shoe’s strongest point in my opinion.
VI. MATERIALS & BUILD
The upper is your standard 90-dollar stuff: lightweight mesh is all throughout the build, while the white piece is synthetic leather. The tongue is a textile that is slightly padded with foam. The lining inside the ankle area is nice and smooth. The heel area has a synthetic finish to it.
While I’ve played in uppers that are more comfortable and feel even nicer to the foot while having better properties to wrap around it, the experience the Air Max Impact offered was solid.
The strong suits of such a build are minimal break-in time, no added bulk or weight to keep you secure, and decent ventilation. The downsides would be the amount of structure it provides and of course, the lack of “premium” on the build.
Not everyone will need more structure than what’s found here but big, explosive dudes that are freight trains running to the rim would likely need something a bit beefier. For the rest of us though, I don’t think you’ll have a problem here. I didn’t.
DURABILITY
What about durability? 5 months in and I’ve yet to come across a major issue. Nothing’s breaking down on me besides some cosmetic damage. The heel portion is scratched up, the logos on the tongue are pretty faded and the mesh on the toebox area looks a bit weary.
But that’s about it – and none of it affected how I played so I say we’re good. I expect these to last a few good seasons, even outdoors.
If you can get past the fact that the shoe feels cheap to the touch and doesn’t offer any premium components such as genuine, raw materials, or a smooth knit, you’ll be fine as there’s really nothing wrong with the upper. It’s not bubbling on me as some cheaper shoes tend to do, nor does it feel cheap when my foot’s in there.
VII. OVERALL
The Nike Air Max Impact is yet another basketball shoe from Nikey’s massive collection that offers players just the things they need on the court without paying top dollar.
If you want a luxury pair of hoop kicks, you’ll need to look elsewhere but considering the prices, these are sitting at right now, this can be a fantastic pickup for those who can’t afford to spend $140+ on a sneaker.
QUICK RECAP
The shoe offers a snug, near one-to-one fit while going TTS. For wide footers – most of you will need to step up 1/2 size. Traction’s fine (nothing crazy) and will last a while outdoors. Cushion’s fine too – nothing special in terms of the way it feels but performance-wise, it took care of me no matter how long the session was.
Security is the shoe’s toughest area, as it provided stellar lockdown without feeling overly restrictive or clunky. And if you can look past the cheap material choices and decent build quality – they simply get the job done when it’s time to play.
I’ve actually just recently tested the second shoe, the Air Max Impact 2, right after this one for a few months. Click here for a full review and see how it stacks up!
Jordan Why Not Zero 3 Review: Indoor @ Outdoor Analysis
The third signature sneaker from the ferocious athlete Russell Westbrook was actually my first to try (reviews of the rest are coming!) and since I’ve got these for over a year now, let’s break it all down in my comprehensive, long-term-based Jordan Why Not Zero 3 review.
I’ll break down the shoe’s comfort & fit aspects, on-court performance from a variety of areas, build quality & reliability, versatility, and value for the price you’re paying. I’ll also provide alternatives that I think would be good replacements in case you find certain areas of the shoe lacking for your preferences.
Let’s get it!
For those in a hurry: the Jordan ‘Why Not’ Zer0.3 is a solid all-around performer that won’t give you any headaches and deliver for just about any build or style of play.
The shoe should fit most people, including wide footers, true to their usual size. Traction was questionable at times but a quick wipe usually takes care of slip-outs. Not the best option for long-term outdoor action though.
The foam midsole + forefoot Zoom Air cushion setup was pretty nice and a solid happy medium for just about any player.
Support wasn’t lacking, just like most Jordan basketball shoes. The only nitpick about that would be the slighly heavier weight compared to an average basketball sneaker in 2021.
The basic foam-backed mesh build isn’t the most premium but breaks in super quickly and performs well. I’m 6 months in with the shoe and the only damage to it is purely cosmetic.
For alternatives, check out the Air Jordan 34 & 36 for a more premium upgrade, and the LeBron Witness 5 for a more budget-friendly option.
III. FIT & COMFORT
How’s the fit and should you go true to size? What about comfort? Anything else to know?
My wide feet never seemed to have many problems with most Jordan basketball shoes and right out of the box, the ‘Why Not’ Zer0.3 joined that club.The shoe has a pretty regular fit – not too roomy but not extremely snug either. All foot shapes should be okay with their usual size, so don’t overthink this one.There are about 0.2-0.3 inches of wiggle room length-wise (which is perfect for me personally) and the shoe didn’t feel overly tight even before I started putting hours into it. Pretty rare for me these days.I had no heel slippage, no side-to-side movements inside the footbed, so things were feeling nice and secure. Definitely a job well done here.
COMFORT
In terms of the pure comfort experience, I’d be lying if I said these are special and make it to the “most premium/comfortable” club but that didn’t make things underwhelming in any way.
The ‘Why Not’ Zer0.3 offered me solid heel-to-toe transitions, there’s a moderate amount of foam padding inside the shoe, and that large pillow that cups my ankle & heel felt nice in there.
This is definitely not the lightest shoe in the world but if you’re upgrading from the previous ‘Why Not’ Zer0.2 – you’ll definitely notice a decrease in weight and how fast these feel now.
Even for those who don’t have experience with Westbrook’s previous models – the above-average weight number of the shoe shouldn’t bother you when it’s time to play.
Especially if you’re an explosive athlete like Russ is.
One thing that did bother me initially, was the rigid TPU midfoot shank that sits underfoot and is responsible for decoupling the shoe’s midsole. I could definitely feel slight discomfort upon each step but all I needed was a few sessions before the plastic started breaking in and molding to my foot shape.
Each stride is now seamless and all is fine, so don’t get overly worried if you experience something similar during the beginning hours of your time with the sneaker. This ain’t no work shoe – rest assured!
IV. TRACTION
Do the outsoles handle a variety of surfaces & conditions well? What about durability indoors & outdoors?
INDOOR PERFORMANCE
I did have my concerns with the shoe’s traction since most reviews I’ve seen/read were reporting on questionable grip these provide.
Well, I can’t say my fears fully came to fruition but I’ve definitely had shoes that offered deadlier and more consistent traction over the years.
The sneaker features a herringbone-like traction pattern all over the outsoles for multi-directional coverage. Herringbone’s great but the main thing about these was the rubber. It’s really damn pliable and gives in a little too much at times and I end up slightly slipping out on a stop, cut, or change of direction.
Indoors, I play on a moderate condition high school hardwood floor which is cleaned occasionally but it’s definitely not your A-grade pristine court.
The base level of traction is fine (although there are better) but when dust or moist comes into play – the number of slight slip-outs turns from occasional to acceptable. That would be the best way to describe this one.
Also, linear coverage seems to clearly be better than lateral bite.
There’s not a huge difference there as I was still gripping the floor upon a lateral movement acceptably, I could just feel that things felt tackier when forward and backward motions are dominating instead of side to side.
Due to the soft rubber compound, wiping the outsoles off from an overabundance of dust/debris is super easy and quick though.
I wipe out of habit anyway but if you’re someone who doesn’t – a quick wipe or two will be all you need when you feel like your bite is getting less consistent mid-session.
Overall, I would rate the traction indoors as acceptable.
The slight delays in stops/cuts/accelerations, etc. aren’t the most devastating and didn’t prevent me from playing the way I play but take away another 15%-20% of bite and/or consistency and I wouldn’t be enjoying my time in these. I hope that’s a useful indication.
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE
Normally, if a shoe lacks a strong bite indoors, it makes up for it outdoors since concrete parks or rubber surfaces provide much more friction, thus the rubber can bite into it better.
But since this shoe’s rubber is pliable and the pattern can be budged so easily, there was barely a difference from when I was hooping on hardwood. It’s pretty weird and unusual but it is what it is I guess.
I guess I could notice marginally better traction on a rubber surface court I usually play on outdoors but the small slip-outs and sensitivity to dust were still there, just the base level of bite was a little stronger.
On concrete, things were about the same as they were inside a gym.
I haven’t played in the previous Jordan ‘Why Not’ Zer0.2 but I did read that people were having more consistent experiences with that shoe in terms of traction.
OUTSOLE DURABILITY
Since I already gave away that these use a seriously pliable rubber compound, things aren’t going to look good for long-term outdoor hoopers with the ‘Why Not’ Zer0.3.
Seriously, I don’t remember the last time the outsole rubber felt so soft and could be so easily moved around by the touch. While that doesn’t always directly line up with actual durability, this is definitely a shoe that won’t be put among the most reliable outdoor options.
I’ve been trying to mix up my sessions about evenly indoors and outdoors for the 6-month period I was testing these (about 2-4 times per week with a few exceptions) and despite that, the traction pattern, especially on the right shoe, is looking pretty wrecked.
It’s not fully gone but the areas under the balls of my feet and the lateral side of the forefoot portion are super weary now.
However, the actual difference in performance vs. the shoe out of the box is still marginal. I’m fairly confident I’d be able to get through a full season of outdoor hoops. Longer than that though – I wouldn’t bet on it.
V. CUSHION
How’s the shock absorption, the cushion’s energy return, and step transitions? What about ride height and stability?
The Jordan ‘Why Not’ Zer0.3 features a foam midsole along with a large, segmented Zoom Air unit in the forefoot. A fairly standard setup for the price and one that also feels fairly standard. Don’t get too disappointed though – this stuff works well.
I needed about a couple of 2-hour sessions for the midsole and the Zoom unit to fully break in and start working to their full potential.
Since then – the setup is well-balanced, it’s comfortable, the forefoot portion is nice and bouncy, and the ride is fairly low off the ground. You won’t be as low profile as in a Curry or a Kyrie shoe but this is definitely a happy medium for just about anyone who steps foot in these.
The heel portion is a bit stiffer than the front since it only features EVA foam there but I can’t say I felt like I was lacking heel impact protection or a proper heel-to-toe transition.
Both were there, it’s just the actual feel is a bit more subdued when compared to the forefoot.
The ride is also stable thanks to a resilient foam midsole that doesn’t overly compress and it’s also caged up with TPU sidewalls in multiple areas all around the foot.
This is definitely a fantastic jumper’s shoe. If you’re someone who’s even remotely close to the explosiveness and style of Westbrook – you’ll appreciate how energetic the ride feels with the forefoot propelling every step and jump.
Not to say it’s a bad setup for anyone else – it’s a versatile setup that should satisfy just about any player or build who’s looking for a comfortable, efficient, and secure experience cushion-wise.
VI. SUPPORT
How much security does it offer? What about stability and foot containment? Any trade-offs in comfort/mobility as a result?
Just like most Jordan basketball sneakers, the Zer0.3 delivered in offering a supportive and stable experience no matter the movement at a little-to-no cost in mobility.
The shoe features beefy internal heel counters to lock down the heel & ankle, TPU sidewalls that come up from the midsole in several areas for proper foot containment, a large TPU midfoot shank for torsional support, and a midfoot strap that loops around the midfoot and actually does help with midfoot lockdown a bit.
Yes, the strap is not a complete gimmick this time (something that we’ve seen far too often these days) and while it doesn’t make a night and day difference, I could definitely feel it pulling down the upper if I strap it up wholeheartedly.
It does loosen up a bit fairly quickly though, so that’s one thing that it shares with most other straps on basketball footwear. Would the shoe perform just fine without the strap? Absolutely.
However, I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t do ANYTHING at all.
The platform of the shoe is moderately wide and even without proper outriggers in place, lateral stability was never an issue for me, and I’m someone who’s had issues with my right ankle for years now.
Can’t say I noticed the shoe getting in the way in terms of hurting stability.
There are also two extra loops that the laces go through in the upper forefoot portion right under the strap which also helps with extra lockdown in that area. A little detail but a pretty neat one that I also felt did its job.
Now, in a perfect world, I would’ve loved if the shoe would’ve been just a tad bit lighter-feeling, sure. All this stuff like a beefy shank and a plastic strap does make up for a heavier build.
It’s something that I didn’t particularly notice in a practical scenario when I was hooping but more when I’d actually pay attention to it when I’d compare multiple shoes by switching pairs every few hours.
It’s definitely not Retro Jordan-like heavy, don’t get me wrong there. Light, quick guards, or low-profile spot-up shooters could notice it but take just about any other player and you’ll be absolutely fine in these.
A job well done!
VII. THE BUILD
What are the upper materials and how well they’re made? How’s the performance of the build as well as general quality & reliability?
BUILD OVERVIEW
The Jordan ‘Why Not’ Zer0.3 features a foam-backed mesh build with multiple synthetic overlays on the toe, heel, ankle, and several other areas.
It’s a pretty crazy-looking build at first glance but in reality, it’s really not that different from other shoes – the multi-colored overlays give an impression that all this STUFF is on the shoe while it’s really just paint.
The shoe has an inner bootie construction as the whole ankle area where your foot sits in, is inside a stretchy sleeve underneath the main layer of the build. The tongue isn’t completely separated and is instead part of the inner bootie.
The lacing system is traditional though.
The sneaker also features a large pull tab for easier entry for the foot on lebron 19, a plastic loop that the strap goes through, and a hard plastic (TPU) midfoot shank plate.
PERFORMANCE
Despite feeling a bit bulky at first, there are really no glaring issues with the build performance-wise.
The foam-backed mesh breaks in and stretches out super fast, it moved well with my foot and offered no annoyances like pinching, digging, or overwhelming pressure. For most people, a few days will be all you need to fully break everything in.
Ventilation is pretty good too – the open mesh design allows for some breathability when compared to a traditional full-on synthetic or a thick knit.
The only small gripe I’ve got with these is related to my annoyingly wide and tall feet. These are a bit tough to put on since I have to stuff my boat-like feet into that fairly compact inner bootie/sleeve.
BUILD RELIABILITY
For $130, you’re getting yourself a fairly basic build, decent quality, and at least a couple of seasons of playing time. It’s impossible to tell exactly how long these will last you since there are two many variables but these are about average in terms of value for the price you’re paying.
The stitch work is decent, the mesh is moderately thick, and doesn’t look it’s going anywhere 6 months in, and the only damage to the shoe so far is purely cosmetic.
The synthetic overlay on the toe is probably looking to worst at the moment but again, it does nothing to hinder performance. So far, all the stitching is still in place, nothing is severely faded in terms of paint either.
The midsole is starting to yellow which I hate but sadly there’s not a lot you can do about that. Well, technically, you can, but I personally don’t care to get involved in such a process so I’ll live with it.
I’ve seen better deals for this amount of money but I have also seen worse. This falls right in the middle somewhere.
VIII. OVERALL
Summarizing the Jordan Why Not Zero 3 review: is the shoe worth the $$$? How versatile is it? How does it stack up against the competition?
I can’t say I was completely blown away or had an experience of my life with the Jordan ‘Why Not’ Zer0.3 but what I CAN say, is I felt secure, comfortable, and confident in there. Definitely a solid buy if you’re a Westbrook fan or just looking for a well-rounded shoe.
And since the ‘Why Not’ Zer0.5 is right around the corner – this one will be two years old soon, so you’ll definitely be able to grab ’em for under retail.
QUICK RECAP
The shoe should fit most guys true to their usual size, including wide footers. Traction was the most questionable part of the shoe but even then, it was acceptable.
Cushion was nice and should fit just about any style or build, support was a non-issue and the mesh build did nothing to impress but definitely did its job when it was time to play.
I haven’t yet fully tested the ‘Why Not’ Zer0.2 or the Zer0.4 but from what I hear, reports are saying the Zer0.3 still has the best cushion setup. If you’re someone who values that over other aspects – this is your shoe!