Another surprise from Jordan Brand. The Jordan 2X3 performance review is up next.
The traction and midsole tooling was taken directly from the Jordan Jumpman Hustle, a model I enjoyed, but didn’t love. Not due to the tooling, it was more the upper that I wasn’t in love with performance wise — I loved how those look aesthetically. However, the traction on this pair of Jordan 2X3 features solid rubber, something that ended up making a pretty big difference compared to the translucent rubber outsole that was on my pair of the Jumpman Hustle.
While the Hustle’s didn’t have bad traction, it was actually very good, but the bite that I get out of this pair is just better. Seeing as how the outsole is the exact same on both models the only thing I can point at that is definitively different between the two is the rubber compound itself. This is just another case of solid rubber being more reliable than translucent.
Luckily, the outsole here is a no frills, no gimmicks and no storytelling herringbone pattern. So, if or when translucent rubber is used you won’t compromise the grip much. But if you wanted to steer clear of any potential issues, even small ones, then solid rubber is the way to go.
The outsole itself is ideal for outdoor use as well. Its herringbone is thick and aggressive. It should wear evenly and hold up longer than tiny nubs, circles or squiggly lines.
Like the outsole, the midsole and cushion setup are the exact same as the Jordan Jumpman Hustle.
I’m pretty sure the forefoot Zoom Air unit is what you’ll find in an Air Jordan 13 and 14 Retro — and like those shoes, the forefoot feels springy underfoot while maintaining a low profile height for court feel.
The Phylon used here should be touted as well. While it’s basic, it feels great. Like the Jumpman Hustle, while offering minimal cushion on paper, the Jordan 2×3 is so damn comfortable. The shoe might look thick and chunky but it certainly doesn’t feel like it.
I love the large exaggerated rounded heel area as well. I always feel these aid in transition if you happen to heel strike, but after watching some footage I was also able to see that it aids in a smooth stop. Like most, I strike my heel when braking. The rounded edge of the heel allows me to break while transitioning into my forefoot so I have zero delay in getting my feet planted for a jumpshot. It’s a small little detail that many won’t care about or notice, but it’s something I always felt with setups like this but never actually looked to see if what I was feeling was true. Turns out it is.
Again, the tooling is thick and chunky looking. Like you’d get a bit of clunkiness out of the setup while in motion. But the design of the tooling actually proved to provide quite the opposite affect.
The materials are nothing to write home about. Just mesh and textiles. Some nylon lining the innards for structural support. Synthetic leather is used in some areas, but like the mesh, it’s nothing to write home about.
It is comfortable and requires very little break-in time, but is not premium in any way.
Something I’ve found interesting is that this textile has been pretty durable. Its shown very little wear other than being a little dirty. So, why Flyknit on the Jordan CP3.12 feels better on-foot, this has been holding up a little better. Kind of weird since Flyknit is marketed as a premium knit versus your average mesh.
The Jordan 2X3 fits true to size.
Unfortunately, they’re not available in the U.S. for some reason so I can’t recommend that wide footers try them on in-store this time around. However, they are available at select Euro and China retailers so if you happen to have a wide foot I’d recommend looking for a pair from a Chinese reseller that are labeled as “Jordan 2X3 PF” — PF indicates that the shoes were built on a wider last for wider footers. If you’re not a wide footer make sure you don’t buy a pair labeled PF — otherwise you’ll end up with a shoe that is too wide.
Lockdown was a nice surprise. The lacing structure is very simple and there aren’t a lot of eyelets. It initially had me worried about dead space, but when I was laced up I was locked in really well. No dead space. No volume above the toe. No issues at all.
All of the above helped play into the shoes support. The model looks pretty basic, and it kind of is, but they do everything really well which helps the shoe fit and feel as natural as possible while being one of the most unnatural things you can wear.
The base is flat and wide. It also extends a bit to act as an outrigger. There is an internal torsional bar while the rear section of the upper and midsole does a great job at keeping your foot on the footbed.
The Jordan 2×3 is the Jordan Brand team shoe that looks like it could have been a signature and they play like they are a signature.
Great traction. Solid cushioning. Decent materials. Fit was surprisingly good — and there are versions for wide footers overseas. There wasn’t much not to like. Other than being unavailable in the U.S.
2019 continues to be a great year for basketball shoes and we’re only halfway through the year. Can’t wait to see what else 2019 brings.
The traction and midsole tooling was taken directly from the Jordan Jumpman Hustle, a model I enjoyed, but didn’t love. Not due to the tooling, it was more the upper that I wasn’t in love with performance wise — I loved how those look aesthetically. However, the traction on this pair of Jordan 2X3 features solid rubber, something that ended up making a pretty big difference compared to the translucent rubber outsole that was on my pair of the Jumpman Hustle.
While the Hustle’s didn’t have bad traction, it was actually very good, but the bite that I get out of this pair is just better. Seeing as how the outsole is the exact same on both models the only thing I can point at that is definitively different between the two is the rubber compound itself. This is just another case of solid rubber being more reliable than translucent.
Luckily, the outsole here is a no frills, no gimmicks and no storytelling herringbone pattern. So, if or when translucent rubber is used you won’t compromise the grip much. But if you wanted to steer clear of any potential issues, even small ones, then solid rubber is the way to go.
The outsole itself is ideal for outdoor use as well. Its herringbone is thick and aggressive. It should wear evenly and hold up longer than tiny nubs, circles or squiggly lines.
Like the outsole, the midsole and cushion setup are the exact same as the Jordan Jumpman Hustle.
I’m pretty sure the forefoot Zoom Air unit is what you’ll find in an Air Jordan 13 and 14 Retro — and like those shoes, the forefoot feels springy underfoot while maintaining a low profile height for court feel.
The Phylon used here should be touted as well. While it’s basic, it feels great. Like the Jumpman Hustle, while offering minimal cushion on paper, the Jordan 2×3 is so damn comfortable. The shoe might look thick and chunky but it certainly doesn’t feel like it.
I love the large exaggerated rounded heel area as well. I always feel these aid in transition if you happen to heel strike, but after watching some footage I was also able to see that it aids in a smooth stop. Like most, I strike my heel when braking. The rounded edge of the heel allows me to break while transitioning into my forefoot so I have zero delay in getting my feet planted for a jumpshot. It’s a small little detail that many won’t care about or notice, but it’s something I always felt with setups like this but never actually looked to see if what I was feeling was true. Turns out it is.
Again, the tooling is thick and chunky looking. Like you’d get a bit of clunkiness out of the setup while in motion. But the design of the tooling actually proved to provide quite the opposite affect.
The materials are nothing to write home about. Just mesh and textiles. Some nylon lining the innards for structural support. Synthetic leather is used in some areas, but like the mesh, it’s nothing to write home about.
It is comfortable and requires very little break-in time, but is not premium in any way.
Something I’ve found interesting is that this textile has been pretty durable. Its shown very little wear other than being a little dirty. So, why Flyknit on the Jordan CP3.12 feels better on-foot, this has been holding up a little better. Kind of weird since Flyknit is marketed as a premium knit versus your average mesh.
The Jordan 2X3 fits true to size.
Unfortunately, they’re not available in the U.S. for some reason so I can’t recommend that wide footers try them on in-store this time around. However, they are available at select Euro and China retailers so if you happen to have a wide foot I’d recommend looking for a pair from a Chinese reseller that are labeled as “Jordan 2X3 PF” — PF indicates that the shoes were built on a wider last for wider footers. If you’re not a wide footer make sure you don’t buy a pair labeled PF — otherwise you’ll end up with a shoe that is too wide.
Lockdown was a nice surprise. The lacing structure is very simple and there aren’t a lot of eyelets. It initially had me worried about dead space, but when I was laced up I was locked in really well. No dead space. No volume above the toe. No issues at all.
All of the above helped play into the shoes support. The model looks pretty basic, and it kind of is, but they do everything really well which helps the shoe fit and feel as natural as possible while being one of the most unnatural things you can wear.
The base is flat and wide. It also extends a bit to act as an outrigger. There is an internal torsional bar while the rear section of the upper and midsole does a great job at keeping your foot on the footbed.
The Jordan 2×3 is the Jordan Brand team shoe that looks like it could have been a signature and they play like they are a signature.
Great traction. Solid cushioning. Decent materials. Fit was surprisingly good — and there are versions for wide footers overseas. There wasn’t much not to like. Other than being unavailable in the U.S.
2019 continues to be a great year for basketball shoes and we’re only halfway through the year. Can’t wait to see what else 2019 brings.
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