Nike Sabrina 3 Performance Review

When it comes to performance signature lines, consistency is key—you want to know exactly what you’re getting every time you buy a new iteration. That’s exactly what the Nike Sabrina line has delivered. I absolutely love it, and this is the third version, the Nike Sabrina 3. Here’s our performance review.

The Nike Sabrina 3 is a beast on the court, much like the Sabrina 1 and the Sabrina 2. While there are some minor tweaks, the line’s overall consistency is a major strength, similar to the Curry and Kobe lines. In a market with a lot of options, a consistent line like the Sabrina 3 is a huge plus for buyers who want a predictable, reliable shoe.

Traction

The traction on the Nike Sabrina 3 is awesome, and I would even say it’s a definite upgrade. The Sabrina 1 had solid traction, while the Sabrina 2’s was amazing. The Sabrina 3 is on par with the 2, but only for indoor courts.

The outsole features a repetitive “S” pattern in a radial design, which effectively combines radial and herringbone patterns. This covers all your linear and lateral movements. At times, the grip was so substantial on lateral cuts that it felt like it was sucking the shoe’s outrigger under my foot. I did have to wipe the soles on dusty courts, but that’s a common issue with almost every shoe.

For outdoor use, I would say no. The rubber is much softer and gummier than on the Sabrina 2, which I have used outdoors for months. While the Sabrina 2s have held up okay, the Sabrina 3’s outsole is just too soft to be durable outside. The traction will perform well, but the shoe won’t last long.

Cushion

The cushioning in the Nike Sabrina 3 feels like a slight upgrade. It’s a tiny bit thicker than the previous two models, just enough to be noticeable if you wear them side-by-side. The setup is a Phylon foam carrier with a Cushlon 3.0 injection inside the core and a Zoom Air unit in the forefoot. This is similar to the previous models but feels slightly better, providing more cushioning while maintaining excellent court feel and stability.

Materials

The materials, however, feel like a slight step down from the Sabrina 2. The upper of the Nike Sabrina 3 is made of various textiles, nylon, and a ripstop-like material with lightweight TPU yarn threading. While it gets the job done and keeps your foot contained, it feels less substantial and cheaper to the touch than the materials on the Sabrina 2.

Support

The support features on the Nike Sabrina 3 are consistent with the previous models. The shoe has a wide, stable forefoot with a large outrigger that provides excellent stability—it might even be bigger than the one on the Sabrina 2. There’s a small internal torsion shank and an adequate heel counter. The lockdown is great regardless of the size you choose. It’s a fantastic, consistent line that you can rely on.

Fit

The Nike Sabrina 3’s fit is also a little different, as it feels like they are on a new last. They have a slight curve, which I prefer over the straight-lasted design of the Sabrina 2. The shoe fits true-to-size for most, but if you have a very narrow foot, going down a half size might be a good idea. I bought a half-size down and Nike sent a true-to-size pair, and both feel great, though the smaller size is, predictably, a bit more snug.

Nike Sabrina 3 Summary

The Nike Sabrina 3 is a worthy purchase, especially if you were a fan of the first two models. It maintains the line’s trademark consistency while making slight upgrades in traction and cushioning.

The traction is outstanding on indoor courts, and the cushioning provides a perfect balance of responsiveness and court feel. The materials feel slightly less premium than the Sabrina 2, but this doesn’t impact performance.

I recommend most people stick with their true-to-size fit. Ultimately, the Nike Sabrina 3 is a superb performance shoe, but since the Sabrina 2 is still widely available at a discounted price, it might be the better value for now. However, if you want the newest model, the Nike Sabrina 3 will not disappoint.

Disclosure

While Nike did provide a pair of the Sabrina 3 to facilitate this review (we also bought another pair for comparison), the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.