Nike KD 13 Performance Review

 Is the Nike KD 13 better than last year’s Nike KD 12? Only one way to find out.

While I really enjoyed the traction on Kevin Durant’s last signature model, the Nike KD 12, the KD 13 feels like it takes things up a notch.

The pattern isn’t herringbone, but that isn’t always a bad thing. The nubs and circular cups are positioned in a way to maximize grip no matter which direction you’re moving or stopping.

The only indoor courts I’ve been able to play on have been really poorly maintained surfaces and the KD 13 has handled everything — in the solid rubber form. I was able to try out the translucent/glow soles on the same court and while they gripped well, they were noticeably lacking compared to their solid rubber counterpart.

Outdoors, the traction has been solid in terms of performance and about average in terms of durability. These newer shoes aren’t really made to last, so if you’re worried about longevity, you may want to look elsewhere. However, if you want something that’ll work well while they last, then the KD 13 is a solid choice.

Full-length Zoom Air is in place once again, and is placed directly under your foot as it replaces the traditional strobel board. This is just like the Nike KD 12. However, this time around there is an additional forefoot Zoom unit under the Zoom Strobel — making the shoe feel even more comfortable than the KD 12.
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The shoe feels springy under-foot, but smooth at the same time. Some might prefer the KD 12 in comparison as the midsole on that model is a bit firmer. You feel the Zoom pop a bit more. However, the feeling of the KD 13 is so smooth that every time I put them on, I’m always surprised with how damn comfortable they are.

The unsung hero here is the insole. If you’ve been around performance basketball sneakers for the past ten years then you’ll know this to be true. The insole here is the same as the Nike Zoom Kobe 6. A foam-based insole that molds to your foot so well that you feel as if you have a custom orthotic insert. This might be why the more I lace these up, the better they feel. It’s as if I get to experience a broken-in shoe with new cushion under-foot every time. Yeah, it’s that awesome.

While I felt there was nothing to write home about with the upper featured on the KD 12, the KD 13 makes the KD 12 feel premium in comparison. Textiles and ripstop style materials are used and it’s just not impressive at all.

The plus side of the materials are that it’s soft and offers a broken-in feeling right away. The down side is that it lacks strength for containment. That wouldn’t be such a bad thing if the forefoot midsole was caged or cupped your foot like the KD12. But the KD 13 focuses more on heel containment which leaves the forefoot a bit vulnerable.

Like most KD models, the shoe is a bit on the narrow side. However, going true to size is recommended to avoid having a sloppier forefoot that what’s already provided.

From the midfoot back they lock you in perfectly without any pain, pinching, or restriction.

While all of the support features you’ve come to expect are present, the lack of a forefoot outrigger or containment cage is something that I personally miss when comparing them directly to last year’s model.

There were times when the traction would grip so well that my foot would slide over the footbed, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. This is where an ankle roll is bound to happen. If you’re aware of it, then you can try to avoid it during game play. But sometimes feet just happen to be in your way and then all of a sudden your ankle and the court meet in a head on grudge match that will leave you feeling strained.

For me, this isn’t a deal breaker, but it’s definitely something I feel was overlooked. If anything, this feels like a mid top Kyrie with incredible cushion.

I really enjoy the Nike KD 13, but they’re not perfect. No shoe is, but the things I loved about the KD 12 have been removed. And that was a bummer.

Traction and cushion are both standout features and if those aspects are all that you care about then you should enjoy the hell out of the air jordan 35. But if you want or need forefoot containment and stability, then you might feel the way I do…they leave a bit to be desired.

adidas DON Issue 2 Performance Review

 The adidas DON Issue 2 is the second signature shoe for Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell. It arrives after Mitchell averaged 36 points per game in his 2020 first round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. In that series, Mitchell and fellow adidas athlete Jamal Murray ascended to new levels of NBA stardom.

Can the shoe match up to the abilities of the man himself? Let’s find out.

Traction

Indoors, the traction on the adidas DON Issue 2 has been nothing short of awesome. A completely different experience from my time in the adidas DON Issue 1. The traction is very reliable and doesn’t need much wiping — if any at all. If you play indoors, then you may end up having the air jordan 35 in your bag just in case you run into some nasty floors.

Outdoors, however, I didn’t get the best grip. For some reason they lost their bite. This is new to me as I can usually expect shoes that do well indoors to do even better on outdoor courts. Durability usually takes a hit, but grip, which is what is most important when talking about traction, is usually elevated on rougher outdoor surfaces. They’re not horrible outside, but they’re a shoe I’d really lean towards only using indoors.

Cushion

Bounce is back and it’s not as noticeable as it was in the New Balance KAWHI . Once things start to break in, then you can tell you have decent cushion under-foot. However, the plush and rubbery feeling that Bounce usually offers isn’t there with this shoe.

The tooling features adidas’ old Feet You Wear (FYW) system and I believe that’s the reason why the Bounce is a bit muted. FYW focuses on mobility and court feel. Cushion usually contradicts those two attributes. Now, if you’re looking for mobility and court feel, and don’t feel like sacrificing cushioning in order to enjoy those aspects, then you can consider the DON Issue 2 as the Kyrie for adidas Hoops. It will offer you just enough cushion to complement the court feel and mobility setup.

Materials

Lots of lightweight textiles and a few synthetic overlays. Pretty standard for today’s basketball shoes. Nothing here stood out as being great. Nothing stood out as being bad either. Everything is there and it all works just fine. No complaints from me as far as performance is concerned.

Would I have preferred some premium touches? Perhaps. The design isn’t one that screams “wear me casually.” So while I would have appreciated some premium touches, it really doesn’t bother me that there’s nothing premium here.

Fit

The adidas DON Issue 2 fits true to size, although they are a bit on the snug side. Especially at the forefoot towards the base of the tongue. Wide footers may have to go up a 1/2 size or pass on the shoe altogether. Lockdown was solid due to the snug fit. Just make sure you lace them up all the way or the heel may feel a bit floppy when in motion.

Support

Everything you’ve come to expect is there — and then some. Torsional support is great. Heel support is great as well. You sit within the midsole, so lateral movements are well covered from a containment standpoint. Additionally, the base is fairly flat and wide which further enhances stability from heel to toe.

Overall

The stadium fits has been a surprise hit for me on court. While I won’t be keeping them in my outdoor rotation, I’ll keep them in my gym bag for indoor runs.

Traction and fit are very good. Cushion isn’t the Bounce I fell in love with, but it’s good enough when you factor in the added mobility and range of motion received from the FYW system. At its $100 price point, the DON Issue 2 is a very good bang for your buck option. You won’t break the bank and you won’t be sacrificing any performance attributes because of it.

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Performance Review

 Ever since the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4% was introduced in 2017, runners have asked Nike for a daily trainer featuring ZoomX. The requests only increased when the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% came along in 2019 and Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% in 2020. In 2021, Nike is finally giving the the people what they want. A daily trainer with a thick ZoomX midsole named the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run.

And after at least two release date delays (stupid pandemic), those excited runners are getting anxious. To hold you over until the official release of the Invincible Run, here’s our full performance review.

At $180, the Nike lebron 18 Invincible Run is the same price as the beloved Nike ZoomX Pegasus Turbo 2. Many hoped it was a replacement. But it’s a much different shoe. Not worse, just different. Keep reading or press play about to get all the details.

Cushion

Let’s start with the star of this shoe, the full length ZoomX midsole. The exact amount of ZoomX varies in proportion to the size of the shoe, but a Men’s size 10 has a heel stack height of 36.6mm and a forefoot stack height of 27.6mm. So not Vaporfly or Alphafly levels of ZoomX, but close to what the Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% measures in the heel.

And all that ZoomX does work. The Invincible Run is super bouncy. This should put to rest the dumb theory that the carbon plate is the sole source of the bounce in super shoes. It helps, but the main source is Pebax aka the super foam Nike calls ZoomX.

The ZoomX midsole is also curved with Nike’s rocker geometry. Rocker geometry creates a smoother heel to toe motion so I’m glad they’re using it on more shoes. One thing to note is you’ll get a lot more ground feel on toe off without a plate bisecting the ZoomX. Pushing off on your toes bottoms out of the lesser amount of ZoomX at the tip of the shoe. It’s not a problem, and even helps when picking up the pace, but it’s an odd feeling in such a well-cushioned shoe.

The cushion is the marketing star of this shoe and lives up to the hype. The only complaint on the cushioning is the mediocre insole. But with all that ZoomX, Nike didn’t really need an insole to add more cushion, so I see why they did what they did.

Traction

The Air Jordan 35 a full length waffle-like rubber outsole. I say waffle-like because the lugs aren’t as close as a traditional waffle outsole and they’re more of rounded rectangles and ovals than waffle squares. It’s great coverage. I only experienced slippage during a torrential downpour over certain sections of slick road. It’s not perfect traction, but good enough to handle most conditions.

And while the outsole is fully covered by rubber, it has two thinner more pliable pieces of rubber at the lateral toe and medial heel. I asked Nike why they put those there but didn’t get an answer. My guess would be weight savings in non high wear areas but I’m not 100% on that. I’ll update this review if I get an answer.

As for durability, I’ve hardly worn the outsole down while wearing them on a ton of runs and casually. We already know ZoomX is resilient. Combining it with this outsole is likely to result in a shoe that lasts 300-500 miles.

Fit

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run fits true to size. There’s good room for toe splay in the toe box, a narrower midfoot (though not as narrow as the Tempo Next%), and a very traditional running shoe heel. This is the first ZoomX shoe with a traditional heel and it feels luxurious by comparison. I think most wide footers will be good with their normal Nike running size. It’s a lot more accommodating than something like the Nike Pegasus 37 and reminds me of the Nike Vomero 14’s fit.

Support

Nike knows ZoomX is super plush so they beefed up support to counteract the natural instability of the foam. Your ankles will still have work to do to keep you completely stable in the Invincible Run, but what Nike’s done is helpful.

Specifically, Nike exaggerated the midsole. The forefoot extends beyond the footbed quite a bit by running shoe standards and thus feels like it’s got integrated outriggers. The heel is also exaggerated all the way around including in the rear where you’ll get a thumbnail of extra backend that makes me think of some of the recent Hoka models.

Finally, Nike tops off the support with an integrated heel clip similar to the React Infinity Run and Infinity Run 2…but maybe even beefier. The heel clip connects with two extra side heel counters that help keep the heel on the footbed. With a regular internal heel counter still included, Nike was clearly cognizant of rollover potential. They really focused on making this shoe a lot more stable than their racing models.

Materials

Comfort was clearly the driving force in the materials used. A Flyknit upper with an extremely plush half neoprene, half mesh gusseted tongue just feels great on foot. Nike likes to make their running shoes super cool looking. Sometimes they do it at the expense of upper comfort. They avoided that urge here and went the more traditional running shoe route. And it worked. It’s my favorite Nike upper since the Vaporfly 4% Flynit.

For some serious runners, the Invincible Run’s 11.1 ounces in a Men’s size 10 and 8.9 ounces in a Women’s size 8 will be too much shoe. They’ll likely relegate the shoe to easy days. However, the majority of the running population will easily trade the extra weight for the upgraded support, cushioning, and durablity.

Overall

If you wanted a ZoomX daily trainer since the Vaporfly Next% released, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run is here, and it’s everything you hoped for.

It’s not a particularly fast shoe, but it does everything well including handle tempo runs and fartleks. At stadium fits, it’s worth the price. All that ZoomX and outsole rubber make it a supremely comfortable, bouncy, and durable shoe. You’ll get plenty of use out of this one and be comfortable all along the way.

Watch the Throne: The Return of the “Carmine” Air Jordan 6

 WATCH THE THRONE. The phrase in itself inherently implies that one is to guard, protect, or remain vigilant over a possession. So, for the sake of argument—and for the purposes of this article—let’s imagine that possession to be an NBA title.

Now I already know that most of you are ready to point out that Michael Jordan won his first ring while wearing the Air Jordan 6. So based on the definition given, how could he guard his possession—the NBA championship—if he hadn’t won it yet? Well, therein lies the beauty of the headline.

See, Michael didn’t actually break out the Air Jordan 6 Carmine on an NBA court until the beginning of the 1991-92 season. By then, he and the Chicago Bulls had already won their first title, having defeated the L.A. Lakers in five games. And knowing how history played out from there, this would mean that MJ was in “Watch the Throne” mode to re-up and defend their championship heading into 1992. Hence the headline of this article.

See back then, Mike wouldn’t break out the newest Air Jordan model until that season’s All-Star break. Up until that point, he would wear the previous silhouette, usually in an alternate or PE colorway. When MJ finally did debut the Air Jordan VI for the latter half of their 1990-91 schedule, he wore the “White/Infrared” colorway during the regular season and the infamous “Black/Infrared” colorway during the playoffs and finals. So essentially, the “Carmine” Air Jordan VI acted as a bridge between two championship seasons.

 

But despite the history surrounding it, the best part about ANY Air Jordan is its namesake. As a kid growing up, the greatest commercial, pitch, or plug for any Jordan sneaker was simply to watch Michael Jordan play the game of basketball. You can put all the Nike branding you want on the shoe. (Ironically, the Air Jordan VI would be the last Air Jordan signature model to feature “Nike Air” visibly anywhere on the sneaker—other than the insole—until the Air Jordan XXX3). You can have Spike Lee produce all the commercials. You can have all the celebrities you want posting their pair on social media. At the end of the day, Michael Jordan sold Air Jordan sneakers better than anyone sold anything else. EVER! Hell, his ability to push product even extended beyond sneakers. You wanted to drink Gatorade because HE drank it. You wanted to eat Wheaties because HE ate it. You wanted to wear Hanes…err, Jordans… because HE wore them. He embodied swag. He was the epitome of cool. He made you want to be “Like Mike”. And the “Carmine” Air Jordan VI was one out of many sneakers in his signature line that did just that. Or at least made you feel like it…

Now it’s been 30 years since we’ve seen this OG iteration of the “Carmine” VIs. During that time span we’ve only received Jordan Brand-ed versions of this colorway. The first retro was a part of 2008’s Countdown Pack, alongside the Air Jordan XVII, and then we saw it retro again in 2014. The colorway and color blocking remains the same as previous versions, with slight variations in the shade of red or carmine. However, this 2021 pair goes back to its OG roots, equipped with “Nike Air” branding on the heel. It also includes the standard design cues of the Air Jordan VI like the abstract“2-3” hidden in the design of the upper. The clean, reinforced toe box—a first for basketball sneakers at the time. The unique, 2-holed tongue design, that served to be both fashionable and functional. The rear spoiler on the collar of the heel that was molded in a way that it didn’t tear up your Achilles, while maintaining its usefulness. And, of course, the iconic lace patch featuring the “Jumpman” logo. This was keeping in theme with the Air Jordan III, IV, and V—basically any Jordan designed by Tinker Hatfield up until that point—where the Nike branding was strategically placed on the back of the shoe and the Air Jordan branding was placed on the front. This was meant to symbolize Michael Jordan leading Nike into the future.

As far as I can tell, Jordan Brand did a good job of paying attention to the details, which includes the overall shape of the shoe. But I already know some die-hard collectors are going to find things to point out. Minute things like the height of the tongue, or the missing indentation inside the stitching around the ankle pods. I’ll admit that it would’ve been nice to see both of those design elements brought back in their OG form on this retro, but it’s still not a deal breaker for me. Another point of contention, that I know I’ll hear about, is the blue tinted outsole. Some people prefer the original clear outsole. I tend to side with the brand’s decision to produce it in this new way. The blue tint is to counteract the oxidation process which turns clear outsoles yellow. It doesn’t stop it 100%, but it does fight it off enough to give your sneakers some longevity as far as aesthetics is concerned. So for me, it’s a necessary trade off. So even IF you decide to deduct points away for any of those reasons, this “Carmine” Air Jordan VI retro still gets a strong 9, 9.5 out of 10.

And finally I’ll end with this. Often times the brand is criticized by people, like myself, for trying to fix something that wasn’t broken. But as of late, it seems like Jordan Brand is making more of a concerted effort to address those concerns and appease those of us who grew up with these shoes. To that I say both sides need to have an understanding. On our side, we need to understand that things evolve and change. Part of the beauty and downside of nostalgia is realizing that nothing ever stays the same. So appreciate the memories. We can still hold brands like Jordan accountable, and to the standard that they set for themselves, while also understanding the realities of the industry. On Jordan Brand’s side, while it may seem like we’re always complaining, and we’re never happy, it’s a good thing to have fans who are still this invested in your products to want to see you succeed. Even if it comes in the form of vocal, constructive criticism. No disrespect to anyone else, but there’s a reason no one is yearning for the “good ol’ days” of Under Armour.

The “Carmine” Air Jordan Retro VI will officially release on Saturday, February 13th, on the Nike SNKRS app and at all Jordan Brand retailers for $200. Not sure if there will be a shock drop before then, but it’s probably best to be on the lookout. Good luck. #sneakerhead

Nike Infinity Run vs Infinity Run 2

 Our Nike Infinity Run vs Infinity Run 2 comparison highlights all the similarities and differences so you can decide if you want to buy the new Infinity Run 2 or stick with last year’s original Infinity Run.

Last year’s Nike React Infinity Run was one of the best running shoes of the year. Some reviewers, including Jodi and I, named it our best everyday running shoe of 2020. And it released during the first week of 2020! To grab the best everyday running shoe title and then maintain it all year like that is extremely impressive.

Can the Infinity Run 2 possibly live up to the sterling reputation of its predecessor?

Infinity Run vs Infinity Run 2: What’s the same?

• Cushion. The full length React midsole of the Infinity Run returns unchanged in the Infinity Run 2. That’s a good thing. The fat slab of React was the best thing about the original. And because it’s the same one used on the original, we know it lasts hundreds of miles without losing that plush React feeling.
• Traction. The outsole is also exactly the same. It’s got full heel to toe coverage with some well-placed flex grooves in the forefoot. Again, not a bad thing. The traction is amazing in wet conditions and extremely durable. Most people got 300-400 miles out of the Infinity Run, in part because this outsole wears so slowly. Not messing with a really good thing was the right move.
• Rocker Geometry. The rounded midsole shape returns. Nike running used it to make the heel to toe transition super smooth and it delivered. I know plenty of folks that are glad it’s back. It gives you a Vaporfly-like feeling in your daily training shoe. The Infinity Run 2 does come with the same beefy arch that bugged some people, but I think the majority of people enjoyed the extra arch support. So if it annoyed you, take note.
• Support. Both shoes have the same wide midsole and TPU clip. The heel clip extends from the heel to midfoot on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. Thanks to the new, more padded upper, you won’t notice the TPU clip as much in the Infinity Run 2. You get the same great support but in a comfier package. That’s a win.
• Offset. The original’s 9mm drop returns in the Infinity Run 2. Anything 8 to 12mm is a fairly standard running shoe offset.
• Price. Nike kept the $160 price point the same. While $160 is on the higher side of the everyday training shoe price continuum, the Infinity Run earns those extra dollars with its performance. That said, a higher price would hurt the value prop. I’m glad Nike matched last year’s price.

Infinity Run vs Infinity Run 2: What’s different?

• Fit. This was where the original Infinity Run got the most complaints. In the Infinity Run vs Infinity Run 2 battle, it’s why I’d choose the Infinity Run 2 as the winner. The accommodating, wide last returns. But the original’s sock-like fit doesn’t. For some people, the sock construction compromised the lockdown. I heard plenty of reports of heel slippage. Some foot shapes had the issue. Others, like myself, didn’t. The Infinity Run 2 still has a flyknit upper but the rear portion of the shoe is well-padded. There’s also flywire used for the lace loops. The flywire extends down the foot and connects to the midsole. The new lacing structure combined with the plush heel collar vastly improves the fit and lockdown. It’ll surprise me to hear reports of heel slippage in the Infinity Run 2.
• Materials. Both uppers are flyknit. The Infinity Run 2 uses more padding on the tongue and collar. This prevents another occasional complaint. Wearing your socks too low in the Infinity Run invited blisters at both the top of the tongue and achilles. Again, it didn’t happen for everyone, but I’m glad it’s no longer a problem. And sticking with a flyknit upper was the right call. The toe box is still roomy and stretchy for toe splay. The flyknit also allows the Infinity Run 2 to maintain high breathability. Just like the original, the second Infinity Run will be a good summer shoe. There’s only one materials-centric item to note on the Infinity Run 2. The tongue connects directly to the upper and is mostly thin flyknit. If you pull the tongue hard, you may bust some stitches connecting the body of the tongue to the padded top. Doing so won’t ruin the shoe, but it’s a watch out. Unlike other running shoes, you don’t need to yank the tongue into place, it’s already there and can’t move much.
• Weight. In the men’s size 10, the Infinity Run weighs 10.3 ounces and the Infinity Run 2 weighs 10.7 ounces. You get a lot of extra upper comfort for those 0.4 ounces. It’s a worthwhile trade.

Infinity Run vs Infinity Run 2: Overall

The Nike Infinity Run vs Infinity Run 2 is a comparison of essentially the same shoe sporting different uppers. They’re both the same price and feature the same great cushioning and outsole. The upper’s fit and comfort are the big difference.

If you currently run in the original Infinity Run and don’t have issues with the fit, you don’t need to get the Infinity Run 2 right now. But, be confident that when you do end up buying the new version, it’s an upgrade.

If you, like several others, thought the original was great except for the potential collar hotspots and lockdown issues, then the Nike Infinity Run 2 is exactly what you want. Nike solved almost everything that bothered runners and made the entire shoe better. The more comfortable, better fitting upper is a big success. High fives for the design team.

The original jordans 2021 line was the best shoe for wide footers in Nike’s line upon its release last January. With the introduction of the Infinity Run 2, it’s still a wide footer friendly, great everyday training shoe, but now it’s even better.

 

Nike Zoom Pulse Performance Review

 The Nike Zoom Pulse, built for and tested by nurses, promised to be the perfect combination for me, a nurse of 27 years, who’s spent a lifetime wearing and mostly loving Nike sneakers.

The shoes were revealed by Nike in November of 2019. Nike designers worked with the input provided by healthcare workers at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Oregon Health & Science University. Unbeknownst to us at the time, Nike had designed a shoe in recognition of frontline health workers mere months before the horror of a global pandemic. Suddenly, the recognition of our healthcare workers was in the forefront of all our minds.

The kind folks at sneakernovel sent me a pair to try out. I’ve spent the last two weeks, roughly 85 hours, putting them through their paces.

This review is a guest contribution from Jonathan Faulkner. Jonathan is a registered general nurse currently working as a clinical education practitioner at Queens Hospital in England. He’s a long time watcher and reader of sneakernovel.

Materials

Though you would presume the most important aspect of a Nurse’s footwear is cushion, that’s actually the second consideration. The first is always materials. A shoe that’s not easy to clean, no details required, is not going to be worn in any healthcare setting. 

The Nike Zoom Pulse is primarily made from a water-resistant material and features a laceless design. The upper is made of a synthetic polyurethane-coated material, with a reinforced overlay on the toe box acknowledging the need to use many medical devices operated via toe lever. 

The slip-on design has two pull tabs. One of the two at the rear, linked to the elastic strap extending from the mid point of the shoe to surround the flexible heel. There is also a rubber sole, with deep grooves and what feels like a very hard and durable rubber compound. In all, the materials are deliberately and clearly functional, chosen to be easy to clean and durable, fitting the brief for the intended wearers perfectly. 

The materials and blocking used also allow for a lot of flexibility in design. My pair are the Black/Teal Tint/White/Blue Hero version, where the small swoosh and asterisk insignia on the pull tabs and elastic straps are the focal points for the minimal flashes of color. The materials pattern flexibility can be seen to greater effect in some of the other more outlandish and bright colorways. Those designs are much better suited to Nurses and healthcare workers working with children.

Cushion

Cushion wise, the Zoom Pulse uses a Zoom Air unit in the heel and a soft foam to provide that much needed comfort throughout the working day. I can’t find any details on the size or dimensions of the Zoom unit. I was prompted to look for specs because I could not feel the unit at all, either on the first step in or at any point during a shift. Having said that, the set up is nevertheless comfortable. There’s no denying the comfort, but there is not a feeling of having a Zoom unit underfoot at all. 

The Zoom Pulse also features good arch support and the insole, which is removable, is a nice plush insert. Despite not being able to feel the advertised Zoom heel unit, the comfort of the set up maintained throughout a 12.5 hour shift. During a typical shift, I walk approximately 5 to 6 miles. Over the two weeks of testing, they felt slightly more comfortable by the end. I attributed the increase in comfort with the elastic strap at the back and the overall heel fit breaking in to better accommodate my foot. Don’t get me wrong, they were comfortable from the start, but if I were to give them an 8 out of 10 for cushion and comfort at the beginning of testing, I would give them an 8.5 by the end of the two weeks.

Traction

The rubber sole and the tacky stiff compound used in the rubber provides a great bite. The surfaces we work on are a type of linoleum. They’re maintained to be pristinely clean. The reason these shoes have such great traction is the interaction between the shoes and these particular surfaces. The sole has a pattern made primarily of varying sized circles. The central design motif consists of an ECG rhythm and an asterisk type symbol (also repeated in other elements on the shoe). The deep grooves incorporated into the pattern allow a good amount of flexibility. Though the go-to for outsole traction will always be herringbone, the pattern and the rubber used here are great. 

On the occasions when there was a sudden requirement to move quickly, and especially when I inadvertently came into contact with fluids on the floor, again I won’t provide any detail, the shoes always, without exception, maintained their traction. That instilled great confidence whilst wearing them. The fact that the grooves are relatively deep also allows them, as with the rest of the shoe, to be easily cleaned.

Support

The cut here is really low, disconcertingly so, and the low coverage around the heel and ankle is a concern. However, the construction of the shoe, fit and the midfoot arch provide a good feeling of good support. 

One of the few negative elements I found in the Zoom Pulse is linked with the support. That’s the lack of laces. On one hand, the ease of a slip-on shoe that’s so easy to keep clean is absolutely great. On the other hand, the ability to adjust a shoe to a more individual degree, like laces provide, has a direct influence on feeling truly supported. I have a lot of colleagues who like using clog-like footwear but it’s not something I’m a fan of support-wise.

Fit

I normally wear a US size 9 and sometimes a 9.5 in narrower shoes. My foot is on the wide side. The Zoom Pulse I tested was a US size 9. They fit very well, definitely true to size. The elastic strap at the heel pushes your foot right into the shoe and encourages a very snug fit. This is required due to the lack of laces. There are no pinch points. Though I was worried the heel might dig into my achilles when I first unboxed the shoe, it didn’t. 

If possible given current conditions, I really recommend trying these on in person. The fit is paramount as no further adjustment can be made with the slip-on design. The snug fit and waterproof materials used also make this a warm shoe to wear. There’s no ventilation whatsoever…though the low cut does provide some much needed relief.

Overall

The Nike Zoom Pulse isn’t perfect, but they’re pretty close.

The attention to detail in meeting the requirements for the medical professionals these shoes are intended for is excellent. They are easy to clean, easy to pull on and off, and are very comfortable. That’s the holy grail trifecta right there. 

The pros massively outweigh the minimal cons for these shoes. Though I prefer a shoe to have laces and a higher cut and I see these omissions as a negative, I’m fully aware that having both these features in place would negate some of the main benefits of the shoe. For that reason, I’m willing to look past them. One of the greatest compliments I can give to the Nike Zoom Pulse is how quickly I forgot that I was wearing them. In other shoes, I’m often aware of how my feet feel in them throughout the shift and their weight especially. With the Zoom Pulse, that wasn’t the case. The occasional reminder I had them on came mainly as a result of colleagues asking “What are those?”

I heartily recommend these shoes. When they were first released, they sold out swiftly, but are now more widely available. My only hesitation is the current price, I think $120 is $20 higher than they should be priced. But overall, I think these will be a great purchase for healthcare workers, even if they’re a little expensive.