The Jordan Why Not Zer0.1 Performance Review is here so get your popcorn, get your candy, get whatever it is you may need because this review is about to be a movie.
The outsole of this shoe looks like the ammo coming from the spaceship in the Atari game Space Invaders. I like to call them ammo pellets. If you look closely at the pattern, you can see the herringbone-like design is broken up into those pellets and comes to a point to create a blade-like nub. However, the traction performed more like a butter knife than a blade.
Have you ever tried to cut a frozen pizza with a butter knife? It works and does a good job — it’s just a pizza cutter would have been better. That’s exactly how the Why Not Zer0.1 traction performs on dirty courts; it works just fine and does a good job but it would have been even better if the courts were clean.
On a clean court, or somewhat clean court, I was stuck on the hardwood for the most part. I had to wipe every now and again but all in all nothing major. If I had to sum up the traction in one word I’d say it was fire. Keep in mind that the outsole is translucent so it is possible that traction could be even better with a solid rubber option.
After hooping the Why Not Zer0.1 I swear it feels like Jordan Brand has made some adjustments to its full-length Zoom because this setup felt perfect. Usually, full-length Zoom is always lovely, but it’s either too bouncy or too stiff (neither one is bad, I may just be nitpicking).
However, the Jordan Why Not Zer0.1 is perfect for me — I have zero complaints. The bounciness is there, but it isn’t too much. The impact protection is there, but it isn’t too stiff, and on top of that you get some adequate court feel. I love the cushion in the Why Not Zer0.1; grab a pair, let the shoe break in, and you will see what I’m talking about.
As for the materials, if you can get over the fact that your feet will be as hot as Satan’s bathwater and wrapped in plastic, then you’re in for a treat.
This shoe uses a one-piece mesh inner sleeve with a synthetic fuse overlay along the upper. The materials may seem basic on paper, but once you get them on-foot, you will soon realize that basic has come along way.
For starters, the mesh layer feels good around your foot; it’s soft, and there’s no pinching or plastic feel. The reason I think these materials work so well together is that instead of Jordan Brand making the upper one piece it layered it. All of the comforts come from the mesh layer whereas the support and structure come from the fuse layer.
The fit is another area of the shoe where Jordan Brand got it right. The shoe runs a bit long but doesn’t hinder your play at all. I went with my normal size, and the shoe started a bit snug. Once I was able to get the forefoot laces to loosen the fit became bomb.com.
Wide-footers, you guys, should be okay going true to size. A buddy of mine has a wide foot he copped the Why Not Zer0.1 in his normal size — he says it fits just fine. Despite all of that, it will be extremely smart to try these on in store before you purchase. Only you know what size you need/want.
Lockdown was like putting your foot into its own little personal jail cell. The moment your foot slides into the shoe the fit just grabs you and locks you in. The materials lay your over foot to keep you strapped down like a seat belt. The heel is ultra padded so it feels like your heel/Achilles is being sucked to the back of the shoe with no movement whatsoever.
One thing a Russell Westbrook signature shoe needs is support. That man’s play style is so aggressive — and all over the place. He needs something to support all of that body. With that being said, almost every feature on the Why Not Zer0.1 played a role in the support category.
For starters, the base is flat and wide, and by wide, I mean the outrigger is crazy — the entire lateral side of the shoe is pretty much the outrigger. Not to mention you are is sitting down in the midsole, so the foot isn’t going anywhere. Those materials I talked about earlier, they hold you in check.
That big black heel counter you see at the back works wonders with the help of the fit. The heel is nice and secure in the back of the shoe, and the black heel overlay just adds to containment. The strap around the ankle wasn’t needed, but for the most part, it kept you locked in. I think it’s mainly there for aesthetic reasons
As you can see, the Why Not Zer0.1 is fire, on and off the court. I didn’t expect the shoe to perform this well, but damn! Solid traction, great cushioning, great fit and lockdown, support was on point. Russ made a statement with these shoes.
I have now have added another budget-friendly performer to my rotation. My top three kicks to hoop in right now are all under $125. What is the world coming to?
Haha first thing that came to my mind!
My favorite would be the jordan 28