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If you’re a big fan of the Jordan shoe line, then you’re not gonna want to miss out on the Jordan Why Not Zer0 signature line. If this is unfamiliar to you, it’s actually a signature shoe of a basketball player named Russell Westbrook, who has teamed up with the well-known Jordan brand.
It’s understandable why the Jordan brand has partnered up with Westbrook, I mean, the guy has some serious skills with the sport! His aggressiveness and great athleticism is similar to Michael Jordan himself back in the day. So who wouldn’t want to make a signature shoe for a player as promising as that?
To give you a glimpse of this rising star player, he belongs to the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder and plays the position of a point guard. He performed so well, especially during the 2016-17 season wherein he had a historic MVP run. Since he’s seen as one of the most exciting players in the NBA, he was given an opportunity to wear a custom-made PEs from the Jordan brand which is exclusively made for him: the Jordan 30.5. We’ll get into more details about Westbrook and his signature shoe line as we go along.
This is why we are gladly introducing you to our review of the Why Not Zer0.2! You may scroll down further to see a more detailed review of the shoe.
Before we actually dig into the details regarding the Jordan Why Not Zer0.2, we’re going to tackle a little bit on the Swoosh brand’ contract with Russell Westbrook first so you can get a glimpse behind the shoe line.
Table of Contents
Overview Of The Jordan Why Not Zer0.2
Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 by Nike
- 5/5 rating
- Top: High
- Signature: Russell Westbrook
- Lockdown: Lace-Up
- Colorways: Black, Blue, Gold, Green, Grey, White
- Released: 2019
Nike: Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 Review
5/5 Overall Rating
Pros:
These shoes are flat-out awesome, a lot of consumers claim The XDR version of this shoe is very durable These fit true to size A shoe that provides excellent performance at an affordable price The traction is amazing. The circular patterns work on both dusty and clean courts The lockdown and support of the shoes are loved by many. The foot is kept secured thanks to the midfoot straps and large heel counter The cushioning may not be full-length but nonetheless, it’s still very comfortable The materials may be basic but it does its job right, and to make things better, it doesn’t require any break-in time Compared to its predecessor, the Zoom Air Unit on the Why Not Zer0.2 is bouncier The Phylon on the heel feels great
These are a bit bulky and heavy The US release of this shoe has a soft rubber sole so it won’t last when used outdoorsCourt feel is not that good due to the thickness of the forefoot Zoom unit that makes it feel like the feet is high off the ground There’s an annoying rubbing sensation felt around the ankle areaThe shoes aren’t that wide on the bottom which makes the feet feel unstable and there’s no outrigger as well
What do most people think of this product?
Whenever Russell Westbrook steps foot on the court, he just gives off this quick and fierce playing style which makes him break the defense of the opposing team. His performance is reflected in his NBA records which just goes to show how awesome this player really is!
This is why the creators behind Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 made sure that the shoe is an exact reflection of Westbrook’s playing style. Westbrook simply stated this about the shoe’s design, “From the first design meeting we had, my number one priority was making the best performance basketball shoe possible. I knew that if it was authentic to me, then it would come out great,” Then he goes on to explain, “That’s what the Why Not? mentality is all about: Doing you regardless of what people think and being confident in who you are.”
This basketball shoe features a deconstructed upper, a decoupled outsole with an exposed midfoot shank for additional support and stability, and a lofted midfoot strap that keeps the feet locked-in and adds breathability too.
Cushioning
The cushioning used for this shoe is the Zoom-laden, two-piece sole unit which is a great thing in terms of comfort and responsiveness. Moving on to the forefoot area we’ll see the Zoom Air bag which provides the player with propulsion. It also features an exposed TPU plate for torsional rigidity and added stability.
Some people who have already tried out this shoe prefer a full-length cushioning because you get more court feel with it since the feet sit closer to the floor. But if you’re the type of player that loves a bouncy feedback from their cushioning, then this shoe is definitely for you.
Traction
A circular pattern is used for the decoupled outsole which is known for having a nice grip when players perform pivots and side to side movements. The traction performs well on both indoor and outdoor courts. However, it’s important to note that the outsole runs on the softer side so it’ll be prone to wear and tear when used outdoors.
Fit
Most consumers report that the Jordan Why Not Zero.2 runs true to size. It’s advised for people to stick to their true size once they plan on purchasing these. Wide-foot users have bought these shoes that are true to their size and they didn’t complain about the fit. However, it’s still advisable for these people to fit their shoes in physical stores to get a more precise fit.
Lockdown
As for the lockdown, it makes use of a lofted midfoot strap to give players a more secure fit. For increased stability and keeping the feet secured on the footbed, a heel TPU piece is in charge of that. The shoe also features a dual-layered collar for a more comfortable and secure feel.
The lockdown is very good I should say. The only downside with the lockdown is located on the rear area of the shoe and if you’re wearing a specific kind of socks, that may cause issues with keeping the feet secured inside the shoe.
Materials
The Jordan Why Not Zer0.2’s upper is constructed out of lofted materials which gives players enhanced breathability and comfort. Then, an overlay is placed on the forefoot to provide more support and durability when players execute side to side movements.
The knit and mesh upper doesn’t require any break-in time which is a plus, and it’s both comfortable and durable. It would’ve been better though itf the materials used were textile and leather, but this works just fine anyways.
Support
Some people say that the support on these shoes are decent, but not as good as its predecessor. In contrast to the Zer0.1 which has a wide flat base, the Zer0.2 doesn’t have that. From other shoe reviews, I’ve stated that a wide flat base is best for having stability on your foot, which is why the Zer0.1 has better stability compared to its successor. The Zer0.2’s design is more focused on giving the player speed.
The support on the midfoot and heel area all come from the TPU plates that makeup the FlightSpeed system. This doesn’t put any weight on the two areas and instead, it provides more flexibility on the toe area.
What could’ve made this shoe close to being perfect was making the forefoot area wider. But nonetheless, support is still decent.
Conclusion
Overall, the Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 is good enough to be considered as an all-around basketball shoe at a decent price. A lot of consumers who have bought this shoe clearly recommend that others grab themselves a pair as well! Nike did a good job at constructing the second signature shoe of Westbrook, from the design down to its features and performance, it all just meshes together perfectly.
Confused? Here’s How To Choose The Right Basketball Shoe For You
Fit
We consider this to be the most important factor in choosing the right pair of shoes. Even though the shoes you want look good, if they don’t fit you properly then there’s really no sense in purchasing it. It’ll make you unhappy and you’d be wasting your money on a pair that you can’t even comfortably wear on the court. Basketball is a very demanding sport and it requires your whole foot to function properly in order to play well. Shoes that don’t fit you will damage your feet, ankles, and knees. So in order to prevent injuries from happening then consider fitting the shoes first and then buy them.
If the shoes are too loose then you’re susceptible to twisted ankles and a damaged knee. A shoe that’s too tight on the other hand will result in injury on the toes. We highly recommend that you purchase a pair of basketball shoes in person rather than buying them online. This gives you a more accurate fitting and you can test them by walking and jumping in the store.
Durability
Buying a pair of shoes that will last a long time is an ideal thing. Serious ballers need a shoe that can withstand the demands of the sport. In basketball, seasons last months, and if your shoe is made out of cheap materials then expect to have a lot of foot and knee injuries. As we’ve said, looks aren’t always everything. Your shoe may look badass and give that swag vibe but the question is, are they made of durable materials? Looks won’t take you far when it comes to a heated game so be wary of that. Shoes become less safe as time goes by, the initial benefits you get from the shoe such as the fit, support, and the absorption begin to fade. When you decide to cop another pair of shoes, make sure to buy durable ones.
One good material we would recommend you check out is Nike’s new and improved version of the FlyKnit: the BattleKnit. This material gives a nice hug on foot but it doesn’t restrict your movements as it offers flexibility and it moves with the foot for an explosive and excellent response.
Traction
This talks about the grip on the sole of your shoes. This plays a big factor for a player when playing on the court. You’ll notice the difference in your performance if your shoes don’t have the right traction. Traction is responsible for giving you acceleration to your speed. This makes you move quickly in-court as well as giving stability in your stance. The absence of traction would ultimately mean no speed, power, and agility.
Support
The key to searching for a pair of shoes is finding the perfect balance between support and movement. You have to make sure that the ankle has enough room to move, so look for shoes that don’t have overbearing ankle support. We recommend you purchase athletic tape since this is the best way to add support to your ankles.
Comfort
If you want to make sure that the shoes you’re going for provide comfort, it’s best to fit them in person rather than taking your chances through online shopping. Comfort is an essential factor you must take seriously because if you wear uncomfortable shoes during the game, it’s going to take our mind off of playing because of how bad it feels on your foot. We all know that basketball requires 100% of the player’s focus, so keep in mind the comfort that you’ll get from your pair of shoes.
Price
The price tag is everything when it comes to buying the right pair of shoes. Inexpensive shoes are commonly thought to equate to poor quality. While that may be the case sometimes, the same concept applies to expensive shoes. Pricey shoes don’t always mean that they perform super well. The majority of these high-end shoes are priced like this because they were made by iconic people and the purpose behind the existence of these shoes is mainly for a status symbol rather than actually using it for sports, specifically basketball.
You can still find great shoes at a decent price point or you can also invest in expensive ones, just make sure they fit you well, provide enough traction, have good durability, support, and give a comfortable snug on your foot.
