The Nike Zoom GT Hustle 2 is a low-profile, agile guard shoe that boasts a full-length Zoom Air Strobel. If you liked the original Nike GT Cut, you will like these.
Colorway: Black /White/Pink Foam/Pure Platinum
Release Date: 2023
Price: $170
If you were wondering, no, there isn’t a first version of the Nike GT Hustle. Nike’s GT (Greater Than) line originally had 3 models: the Nike GT Cut, the Nike GT Jump, and the Nike GT Run. Of the bunch, the Nike GT Run was clearly the weakest model, so Nike has decided to sub that model out for the GT Hustle. So it is, technically, the second version of a Nike model, but that model is the GT Run.
It also seems that the GT Hustle 2 will be Victor Wembanyama’s shoe for 2023-24 which is odd because it is very clearly a low-profile guards shoe. Wemby is shifty for a 7’4″ player, but I don’t think anyone would say he plays or moves like a guard.
The GT Hustle 2 is actually very reminiscent of the first Nike GT Cut, which is high praise ’cause that shoe was awesome. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and let’s dive into the review to see the strengths and weaknesses of these potential bad boys.
Nike GT Hustle 2 Review
Nike GT Hustle 2 Tech Specs:
Nike GT Hustle 2 Traction
The traction on the Nike GT Jump 2 is weird. The sole of the shoe is covered in traction pods that are somewhat similar to running shoe spikes. Those pods are etched with a herringbone traction pattern. After brief initial testing, it seems like this traction pattern will work splendidly on court. Those pods seem in no danger of being ripped off and the traction pattern sticks to the court very well.
The herringbone traction pattern provides great multi-directional coverage, and, as an added bonus, the rubber Nike used to construct the outsole looks like it will hold up better than most to the rigors of outdoor play. One aspect that might not be optimal is that the traction looks like it will accumulate dust easily on dirtier courts, but a quick wipe should suffice to keep you going.
Nike GT Hustle 2 Cushion
The Nike GT Hustle 2 comes equipped with a firm Phylon midsole (some Nike materials claim that it’s Cushlon) that sits below a full-length Zoom Strobel. This is probably the shoe’s best feature, if what you are looking for is a VERY low profile, reactive setup with just enough impact protection. The GT Hustle 2 is a guard’s dream in terms of cushioning and is very reminiscent (as we have mentioned) of the OG GT Cut.
This setup proves that you really can build a shoe with elite court feel, and reactiveness that’s very low to the ground and still maintains a good amount of comfort, compression, and impact protection. If you are looking for max cushion set up this is definitely not the shoe for you, but if you want an agile guard show, the GT Hustle is as good as it gets.
Nike GT Hustle 2 Materials
Materials on the Nike GT Hustle 2 are very nice by today’s standards. There is nothing premium on the shoe, and it’s primarily built with mesh and textiles, but all of these are top-notch. They provide a really nice comfortable 1 to 1 fit, conform well to your foot, and keep it well-ventilated. They’re also layered in such a way that they will also provide good lockdown and containment.
One nice detail is the tongue. It’s built in a perforated, fluffy neoprene-style foam. This will help alleviate a ton of lace pressure and add a good amount of comfort and ventilation as well.
All in all, the materials feel cheap in hand, especially considering the $170 price tag, but they feel and perform very well on the hardwood (or blacktop).
Nike GT Hustle 2 Support
There really is nothing much to say regarding the GT Hustle’s support, because there really isn’t much of anything to boost this feature in the shoe. We have no shank plate, no spring plate, and no containment features outside of the materials and the all-around build. The shoe is wide and the cushioning is stable but that’s about it.
Now, that doesn’t mean that this shoe is unsupportive: The Phylon midsole is dense enough to not require a shank plate, you play so low to the ground with such a minimal cushioning setup that stability is not an issue, and the materials of the shoe hug your foot in such a way that it isn’t going anywhere no matter how hard you stop or cut as you play.
What it does mean is that if you’re a player who needs a little bit extra in this department, then you will have to look elsewhere. Torsional support can be an issue for some foot types and you have very little of that in this shoe. One option you could consider if this is an issue for you and you still want to try these out is using a sturdy insole with a built-in shank plate, like Move Insoles.
Nike GT Hustle 2 Fit
The Nike GT Hustle 2 fits true to size so go with whatever size you usually use with Nike and you should be good to go. It’s also a nicely comfortable and snug fit, but if you like a very snug-fitting shoe on court, you might be able to get away with going down half a size. If that’s your plan, make sure to try these on in-store.
Nike GT Hustle 2 Overall
The Nike GT Hustle 2 is an enormous improvement on the Nike Dunk and might just be one of the better performance models we see this year, but it’s definitely more of a niche basketball shoe. The very low-profile cushioning system, the minimal support features, and the traction could make the Nike GT Hustle 2 one of the best guard shoes of the year.
But it might not be enough for bigger players with a more power-based playing style. This also makes it a strange choice as Victor Wembanyama’s first shoe with Nike in the NBA. He might eventually switch models if these can’t keep up with him, but all around the GT Hustle is a top-notch performance model, maybe just not for everyone.
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