Nike Air Zoom GT Cut Performance Review

 Nike Basketball’s GT series of footwear seems promising after the first model, the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut, impressed me on-court.

Traction

Traction required a bit of break-in time during indoor testing, but once the dust settled, things were pretty much a go. The grip held well and I had nothing but confidence in my movements, despite main sections of the outsole I tend to use featuring a flat traction surface. For whatever reason, the rubber just stuck to the floor.

Outdoors on the other hand — wasn’t quite as good. The rubber is showing good signs of durability as the outsole hasn’t frayed at all. However, the grip was lacking in comparison to my indoor coverage. It was quite a surprise as I tend to have great grip in nearly every shoe outdoors, but the sb dunk  just didn’t seem to have what it takes to transition well from outdoor to indoor.

The score that you’ll see will be for indoor only. If I were to rate the traction on outdoor performance alone I’d have to give it a 6th Man badge.

Cushion

Cushion is interesting as we have three layers of Nike’s various cushions directly under-foot.

React sits below your foot and does a solid job of absorbing most of the impact from gameplay. Under the React is a full-length Air Zoom strobel. There is an additional (traditional) heel Zoom Air unit as well. While there are three layers of cushion, this is still a minimal setup. You’re very low to the ground and you have just enough impact protection to make you feel comfortable, but also extremely light on your feet. While the GT Cut is, as its name states, for cutting and slashing, anyone that prefers a low profile setup with what feels like limitless forefoot mobility should enjoy the ride.

It will be interesting to see how the upcoming air jordan and GT Jump differ in terms of cushioning and feel.

Materials

The materials are all synthetic, and while that isn’t usually my cup of tea, I have zero complaints.

The neoprene build is soft and formfitting. While the mesh outer layer is strong without needing any break-in time. There are a few layers of TPU here and there for structure but you never feel like you’re wearing a shoe made of plastic. The entire build is so light and airy that you often feel as if you aren’t wearing shoes at all.

This aspect has also proven to be fairly durable thus far. With the only wear and tear shown being dirt from playing indoors and outdoors. Otherwise there is no peeling or tearing anywhere.

Fit

The Nike Air Zoom GT Cut fits true to size. They fit perfectly 1-to-1 and I have loved every minute in them. Wide footers should be okay as the materials used are very forgiving. Just give them a little break-in time if you’re maxing out the space internally and once things start to conform around your feet you should be good to go.

Lockdown was excellent and I have no complaints at all. I was able to lace tightly in the areas I prefer without lace pressure causing pinching or numbness.

Support

Support was solid for a shoe that is this lightweight. The TPU torsion bar did a good job keeping the midfoot rigid while the internal heel counter is quite strong. There is also a forefoot rubber/TPU brace that hugs the foot upon lateral movements ensuring you don’t roll off of the footbed and it did a perfect job containing without discomfort.

Overall

Overall, I love the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut. If you’re a Nike or nothing player, then these should suit you well. The best comparison to a previous Nike Basketball model would be the Nike Kobe 8 — but the GT Cut has an upper that I wish we had on the Kobe 8 at the time.

If you’re looking for a low profile, lightweight setup then the GT Cut might be right for you. If you require a bit more impact protection then you’ll want to stick with something like the Nike KD 14.

Air Jordan 19 Performance Review

 The original Black Mamba…

Traction – Herringbone is used full length and this is one of those rare occasions where it isn’t always the best option. On clean floors the traction was super sticky and nearly flawless… sprinkle a tiny bit of dust onto the floor and the super sticky and nearly flawless traction turns into a slightly slippery experience. Even wiping regularly couldn’t keep the dust away so I found myself wiping my shoes every chance I could just to try and give it the best it could be. Reminded me a lot of my Air Jordan 5 experience… everything looked good but only played the way it looked in certain conditions.

Cushion – Probably the best overall cushion setup of any Air Jordan. We have a Phylon midsole with heel and forefoot Zoom Air – double stacked in the heel. The only way I can explain how they feel is that you’re playing on a cloud but a supportive cloud. Not too soft and not too firm, definitely not what I’ve been experiencing with other double stacked setups. For the cushion alone, these are a must try. You may not enjoy their aesthetics but it happens to be the most comfortable Air Jordan I’ve ever put on.

Materials – I love the materials and even with this pair being an original – not a Retro – they held up beautifully… even the glue. Patent leather is placed on the toe for reinforce strength and durability while plush leather makes up the rest of the shoe. Just the right amount of support and strength… for something so visually unappealing… they were designed beautifully.

Fit – They fit true to size and they are awesome. Other than the cushion, the fit and lockdown are their best attribute. The weird mamba inspired shroud provides the best lockdown I’ve ever experienced… in any shoe. They’re a little tricky to get on so make sure you give yourself an extra minute or so but once you’re locked in you’re ready to take flight.

Ventilation – My socks were heavy after playing in these every time. Absolutely zero ventilation on these guys but thankfully the lockdown made it so that you didn’t receive any blisters or sloppiness upon lateral movements. The Air Jordan 19 and Nike Zoom Glove are two of the worst ventilated shoes I’ve ever worn. Keep that in mind for those that play outdoors.

Support – The support is abundant but not restrictive like the recently reviewed Jordan Zion 1. You’re perfectly locked into place, dual outriggers for forefoot lateral & heel medial support while the Carbon Fiber shank provides slight spring back and torsional support. Abundant but not restrictive… again, beautifully designed when it comes to performance.

Overall – Aesthetics aside… these things might be my favorite on-court Balenciaga Triple S just after the XX8 (as of this review). If you can find a pair that are in wearable shape, or possibly the 2008 CDP version, then I would highly recommend them. The shroud is a little much so if you’d like to avoid that feature then try to hunt down a pair of the Air Jordan 19 SE’s. Their ventilation sucks pretty bad but everything else in this shoe is great… just make sure you dry mop the court before you play.

Only 4 more pairs to go… it’ll be weird when I’ve finally completed the project. It’s literally taken me years to finish.

Air Jordan XVII (17) Retro Performance Review

 Jazz it up…

Traction – This is how you pull off a storytelling traction surface. The entire design is based on MJ’s love for Dunk and instead of using some random pattern they went with herringbone – which worked really well. They used contrasting colors to add additional effects without sacrificing coverage. Now, I will say that the traction wasn’t perfect but it was pretty damn close. Only time I had an issue was during certain movements where the shoe flexed at a point where the traction wasn’t in contact with the floor so I had slight slippage but that didn’t happen often so it was nothing crazy… very minor and its the only thing I experienced that I could nit-pick on.

Cushion – This shoe was built for an aging MJ that required quite a bit of support in order for his knees to hold up on-court. There was a blow molded Air unit in place at the heel – I still don’t know the difference between blow molded Air units vs a regular one – which was housed within a giant TPU (plastic) cage. The entire heel area reminded me a lot of caged Jordan Zion 1 but firmer. Was it incredibly uncomfortable? No, but it wasn’t what I’ve been used to with previous Air setups. However, forefoot cushion was fantastic. Zoom Air is placed at the forefoot and the entire forefoot section of the shoe is built traditionally with a Phylon footbed which happens to be double lasted. Its a really interesting way to construct a shoe where you have incredible support with adequate cushion.

Material – I love the materials used on this 2008 CDP version and especially the originals which featured buttery leather uppers. This pair utilizes a nice nubuck at the heel and forefoot. This has its strong points and weak points. Its strength is its fit and feel along with the minimal break-in time required. As for the weakness… its just not as durable as leather overall but again… that’s me nitpicking since the materials are really nice in general. There is a section of woven material – identical to what was used on the LeBron 9’s support wings – at the midfoot that offers great fit and its the most durable section of the upper. My favorite material used is located at the collar… the Neoprene lining is so comfortable it makes all other collars seem inferior.

Fit – They fit true to size and lockdown for me was near perfect. Only gripe is that I had to lace them all the way to the top eyelet and I usually leave one or two free so I have better range of motion for my ankles. I couldn’t do that with these since every time I tried my heel would flop in and out of the shoe a bit but once laced them up the way they were intended then they were perfectly fine. The midfoot lockdown was fantastic and you even have additional lacing options if you wish with the Shroud’s ‘eyelet’ system for a more snug fit. We also have a squared toe again so that area of the shoe is very comfortable while stoping and changing direction without jamming any toes.

Ventilation – Definitely not their strong suit… but not as bad as the XVIII. *Spoiler alert

Support – As mentioned earlier, this shoe was designed for an aging MJ that needed more support than his past models provided. The TPU heel, lacing system and Carbon Fiber plate running throughout the entire outsole provided some of the best support I’ve had in any Air Jordan to date… almost topping the XX8. Only reason why I’d personally choose the XX8 over these is due to the fact that they offer support that wont restrict my movement at all while these are a bit more restrictive overall.

Overall – This was probably the one shoe – besides the Balenciaga Triple S– that I was looking forward to wearing the least. I don’t know why… I’ve just never been entirely enthusiastic about the model in general. After playing in them they’ve actually surpassed my initial impression and are among the top performance models featured within the Air Jordan Legacy. This is definitely one model that I’d love to see get the Retro treatment as they are 100% playable even by today’s standards. Truly an innovative sneaker that was ahead of its time.

Nike Kobe AD vs Adidas Harden Vol 1

 Hadn’t done one of these in a long time so here you go. I’m not enamoured with either but I compared each aspect so you can pick and choose what works for you.

Here are the original reviews:

Price: 

$160 Kobe AD

$160 Harden PK

$140 Harden non PK

Similar prices across the board although Adidas shoes will always go on sale faster and harder than Nike. These are both on the high end and are about average for superstar sig shoes but as I said earlier Hardens will be get cheaper more quickly. Nicekicks had a nice deal for $98 already.

Weight: 

Kobe: 13.5 oz

Harden: 17 oz

Traction 
Both shoes provide excellent traction on clean floors or when freshly wiped so it really come down to sub optimal conditions.

I’ve found that any dust just makes the Harden traction slippery so constant wiping is needed while the Kobe 6 protro just hums along and sticks with minimal wiping.

Winner: Kobe 

Cushioning

Boost has been getting a lot of press and love on sneaker sites and rightfully so. Addictive feel and just fun to wear.

Lunarlon isn’t my first choice but it does a good job overall, however I’ve found Lunarlon wears out out quickly compared to other cushioning set ups. I can’t say in the long term for certain but pretty sure the Kobe AD will suffer the same fate even with its “microtuned” set up. The Zoom in the heel isn’t what you actually see on the midsole it is a typical 8 mm Hyperdunk esque Zoom and can barely be felt.

In the shoe’s current state, the AD isn’t bad at all but the Harden’s Boost easily just feels better.

Winner: Harden 

Fit

Although there is a lot more to the fit than the exterior size of the shoe, look at the huge discrepancy in size between two size 11’s. The Harden looks like at least a size 12. I didn’t even line them up perfectly.

I wasn’t even going to bother writing this part because finding the right size and getting just the right fit in then Harden was the most time consuming thing I’ve done with shoes in the past few years ..that and the Crazylight Boost 2016.

With the Kobe AD, I bought my true size 11, put them on and was done. No heel slip, no side to side movement. I could have gone up half a size and still been fine.

Adidas really needs to look into standardizing their sizing or at least making it more similar to Nikes. There is nothing wrong with being the same size as your competitor.  Most first time Adidas customers will just say forget it because they bought the wrong Adidas size and bought their normal Nike size. Which is better keeping a customer or keeping your pride? Granted it would cost a lot to change their manufacturing process and machines etc, so time to call your finance department to do a cost benefit analysis.

Winner: Kobe

Materials 
I feel I need to remind people I only include materials because readers want to know how they feel. The Harden Vol 1 materials are excellent and  easily feel and look better than the mesh on the Kobe AD. They provide a nice value to the consumer. Primeknit or mesh Harden, the materials are easily nicer than the Kobe AD

Winner: Harden

Support and Stability

Both shoes use TPU cages on the lateral side to keep the shoe stable. I’ll give the edge to the Harden Vol 1 because they feel wider and the AD has the occasional forefoot outrigger rolling which is anything but a plus.

Winner: Harden 

Containment 

The Harden looks like it would run away with this category but the Kobe did a decent job even without any physical barriers. However in the end, more is better

Winner: Harden

Conclusion 

What do you want out of a shoe? That’s what it boils down to. If you want a more comfortable ride and better materials and value, go with the Jordan Zion 1. If you want a better fit and traction go with the Kobe A.D. For me, I weigh traction most heavily and the Kobe A.D. worked far better than the Harden. The cushioning isn’t as good as the Harden but it works well enough for me.

If you want to save money, just wait for sales as they will both get to the $100 price point or below.

Air Jordan XVI (16) Retro Performance Review

 Marching on…

Traction – Herringbone is in place in targeted section for optimal impact or strike zones… and it worked really well. I was worried about the translucent rubber along with its slightly yellowed appearance (due to age) and whether or not it would grip the court but I was very pleased with it overall. Dusty courts were definitely a different story and required the outsole to be wiped clean with your hands at every dead ball. With all that being said, the little tiny black rubber nubs along the lateral section of the outsole were the most surprising feature. Not only was it a way to tell a story but it also had a really nice function or purpose on the floor. Those little nubs stick out of the translucent section just enough to grab the floor perfectly during lateral maneuvers which made cutting or running though screens to catch and shoot a breeze. A part of the design that likely has gone unnoticed to casual wearers was a really surprising touch that only a basketball player would appreciate.

Cushion – A heel blow-molded Air unit is in place – don’t ask me what that means… I have no clue – along with a forefoot Zoom unit and Phylon midsole. Overall, they feel nothing like the OG… shocking, I know. However, they weren’t uncomfortable at all. They just didn’t offer the same responsive ride that the original does. Again, nothing really shocking there as I’ve had this same hit or miss experience throughout the new jordans 2021 and even with some current models that feature the once great Nike tech.

Materials – The materials are great all the way around. Patent leather, nice raw leather, nubuck and mesh… you have a little of everything… its like a freaking buffet of materials. They will require some break-in time up front with the patent leather but everything else falls into place rather nicely. Its a durable build with nice contrasting panels… nothing to complain about at all.

 

Fit – They did something new with the Air Jordan XVI in the toe area, shaping it to be more squared which was partially a fashion decision as some high end dress shoes feature a squared toe but there was also a performance aspect attached to it as well. With a squared toe you allow the foot to fit inside the shoe more naturally and it also removed any toe crunching you may or may not experience in other models. This will be beneficial for wide-footers and with this setup I’d go true to size. For people like myself, with a slightly narrower foot, going down 1/2 gave me the snug and secure fit that I personally look for. Once that was done then everything else worked perfectly together in terms of their lockdown. If you are unable to try on a pair – likely at this point since they have only released once in 2008 since their initial debut – then the fit may be something that concerns you… getting the right size at least. If you get the right size for your foot then you wont have anything to worry about at all.

Ventilation – As we’ve seen before, ventilation is not their strong suit. The Air Jordan XVI+ on the other hand… those are much more breathable so if you need ventilation then at least there is an alternative… you just have to hope the original pair of XVI+’s are still wearable on-court.

Support – Their support is solid overall. Nice wide forefoot as the platform followed by a nice fit and a full length spring plate/ torsional system. This coupled with everything noted above makes them on of the more well-rounded Jordan Zion 1 models I’ve worn to date.

Overall – I like them overall, finding myself going back to them quite often despite their lack of cushion. Their overall low profile feel and fit were my favorite attributes while the traction followed suit… so long as the floor was clean. I know its a long shot but Jordan Brand should really consider making the kyrie 4 low one more time for a Retro run… casual wearers and hoopers alike will enjoy them.

Allbirds TrinoXO Tee Review

 Allbirds builds products out of natural, eco-friendly materials and emphasizes comfort. I recently reviewed Allbirds’ first running shoe, the Tree Dasher. And while it had some flaws, it was a super comfortable shoe. Alongside the shoes, I also received the new Allbirds TrinoXO Tee.

And while our apparel reviews don’t get the interest and views our shoe reviews do, I’m always happy to review a new t-shirt. The t-shirt world has so many options that I find it helpful to point out whenever I find one what’s comfortable and well-fitting.

Does Allbirds’ focus on comfort translate well to a t-shirt? Keep reading to find out.

Pros

Comfort. Somehow, Allbirds managed to use crab shells (!) to make a super smooth material blend. Granted, only 5% of the material is from Chitosan. That’s the shelly stuff that’s also sometimes used as a dietary supplement. The jordan zion 1 comes from the TENCEL Lyocell (65% of the blend) which is basically a softer, lighter version of cotton. Allbirds favorite material, merino wool, comes in at 30% of the material blend. And the shirt’s trim includes 3% Spandex to help with stretch. All of that combines for a softer than cotton feel that’s great against skin.

Reinforced seams. The neck, shoulders, and side seams all have extra backing. This prevents unwanted stretching and improves durability. It’s a little thing that really makes the t-shirt feel premium.

Fit. The TrinoXO Tee fits true to size. I’m typically a large and a large fit perfect. It’s a more classic fit that slims slightly towards the waist but accommodates most body types. The sleeves aren’t too short and it’s long enough for taller people. I’m 6’6″ and lifting my hands above my head doesn’t show off my belly. Tall folks know how rare that is in regular sized t-shirts.

Durability. I washed and dried the t-shirt a bunch and paid close attention to any potential neckline taco-ing, shrinking, or odd wrinkling. None of those issues appeared. The TrinoXO Tee is built for the long haul.

Breathability. The Merino Wool makes this warm enough to be used as your t-shirt layer during fall/spring…but it’s still breathable enough for a hot summer day. I was able to test the t-shirt in 90 degree Florida temps. On those days, the dunk low let in a nice breeze and I sweat less than in my favorite cotton/poly blend t-shirts. I honestly didn’t expect this little benefit given that merino wool usually keeps me warmer. All in all, this is a great summer t-shirt.

Cons

Price. At $48 each, the TrinoXO Tee isn’t cheap. Don’t get me wrong, you’re getting quality materials and workmanship for your money but…I know a lot of people aren’t comfortable spending that much for a t-shirt. However, there’s a good chance you get double the lifespan of a typical shirt from the TrinoXO. To me, that can justify the price. This is not your typical t-shirt purchase.

Overall

The kd 14 Tee is eco-friendly, comfortable, breathable, and fits well. Basically, everything you want in a t-shirt. The cost is a drawback, but my testing indicates the quality and durability over the long term will justify the price. You’ve just got to decide whether you’re willing to pay for quality t-shirts in the same way you pay more for quality materials on your shoes.

Nike Go FlyEase Performance Review

 The Nike Go FlyEase looks to be the most inclusive shoe of all time with its hands-free system. And because of that, we’re going to do something a little different with this review. Chris’ typical detailed look and review are included in the video above. But the text of this review comes from someone who needs what the Go FlyEase offers. Take it away Ryan:

I’m Ryan Jans. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and am physically differently abled. My reviews (both here and on my own site) focus on ease of entry and accessibility for people like me. Thanks to another member of the WearTesters Discord community, I was able to secure a pair of the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low University Gold

After some good wear time, my review is ready. And yes, the format will be slightly different than what you’re used to but that’s 100% because the use case for this shoe is also different. Keep reading for the inside scoop on this innovative shoe.

Introducing the Nike Go FlyEase

Nike always tries to push the envelope with new technologies in footwear. From the original waffle sole in the early 1970s which added traction for runners, to ZoomX foam in the mid 2021 that helped Eliud Kipchoge run the first ever sub 2 hour marathon, innovative design is in Nike’s DNA. Now, Nike’s designers have created the Nike Go FlyEase, the brand’s first ever hands-free shoe. But, is the Go FlyEase just a mere gimmick or is it a true innovation? Well, I aim to answer that question in this review.

Materials

The upper on the Nike Go FlyEase comes in two layers. The inner layer comes in a neoprene-like fabric that doubles as the liner. Outside of that is a very thin open mesh. Apart from that, there are some overlays for added durability and structure.

I really like the upper. It’s soft and breathable, great for the summer. This upper reminds me of the Primeknit upper found on the adidas Ultraboost 4.0 both in terms of out of the box softness and comfort. However, the Ultraboost 4.0’s upper is definitely thinner than the Go FlyEase’s upper.

Moving on to this shoe’s claim to fame: the hands-free FlyEase system. The midsole/outsole folds, making the midsole pop up. The outsole is a different color and has a cut out in the area that folds. A thick rubber band is found where the upper and sole meet. That rubber band provides the tension needed for the folding design.

Ease of Entry

How to put on the Nike Go FlyEase:

1. Fold shoe at heel area
   1. Heel should pop up
2. Slide toes in
3. Step down onto heel
   1. Heel should sink back down

How to take off the Nike Go FlyEase:

1. Place opposite toe into heel
2. Slowly slide toes out
   1. Heel should pop up

I’m impressed with the FlyEase system on the Go FlyEase. It works very well. I found it intuitive and had no trouble putting them on the first time. I’m worried about what might happen if the rubber band snaps. However, the rubber band seems to be well made and durable. Just be aware that snapping the rubber band is a possibility, but not a probability.

Cushion

The cushion setup on this shoe is simple. It’s just a full Cushlon foam midsole. Even though the midsole pops up, it’s not removable. Also, I don’t think an additional insole will work in these due to how the shoe opens.

I prefer softer foams, like adidas’ Boost or Jordan Zion 1. However, I think the underfoot cushion in the Go FlyEase is ok, but nothing too crazy. I can wear them all day long without too many complaints.

Traction

The traction pattern is all linear and the rubber used feels durable and grippy. The Go FlyEase’s traction is above average for everyday lifestyle wear. I didn’t slip in these at all.

Fit

Wide enough for most people. Length is perfect when you go true to size.

Support

There is no way to tighten the Go FlyEase’s fit. So, finding your right size is very important. Ordering true to size should prevent any heel slippage.

Overall

So, is the KD 14 a gimmick? In my opinion, no. Why? Because there’s a legitimate need for a shoe like the Go FlyEase. Most of that need comes from the differently abled community. So, if you’re like me and have a physical limitation, I highly recommend this pair. However if you are fully able, I would suggest you not buy the Go FlyEase and give someone who needs them (for the functionality) the chance to purchase a pair. I hope other brands will soon follow in Nike’s footsteps and make their own hands-free footwear.