Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3: Who Is This Shoe For?

If anyone knows what’s going on with the GT Hustle / GT Run line please, comment below. The Nike GT Run, the first sneaker in this line, was just bad. It attempted to be an agile and versatile hoop shoe intended for wing players, but failed on all fronts. The GT Hustle 2 was a huge improvement, but it was a very different style of basketball shoe, with a very low-profile cushioning system, solid traction, and absolutely no torsional support (for some unknown reason). It felt like almost like a barefoot basketball shoe.

The GT Hustle 3 switches everything up once more.

The Nike GT Hustle 3 looks and feels like a beefed-up running shoe. It’s a good-looking shoe, equipped with a crazy cushioning system, but, implementation is everything and several details of how this shoe is built create certain inconsistencies. Let’s see how they performed on court.

UPDATE: The Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 made it on our list of the most comfortable basketball shoes of the year.

Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 Review

Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 Tech Specs:

Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 Traction

The Nike GT Hustle 3’s traction setup performed very well on court. The shoe features a gum-rubber outsole and a radial traction pattern. The multidirectional coverage and the bite provided by the traction pattern aren’t amazing, but the rubber compound Nike used more than makes up for it. Gum rubber works great on indoor courts, and it works great on this model.

This setup will also work well outdoors, but durability will be an issue. The rubber compound is soft, the traction pattern is thin, and the sole will wear down quickly if used on outdoor surfaces. Another slight concern with the outsole’s durability has to do with the flex point in the forefoot of the shoe.

The U-shaped “Mustang” Zoom Unit features a small cut-out to allow it to bend easily underfoot as you play. The question is, will that section fatigue over time and split? Time will tell. Hopefully, if this occurs, the shoe will still be under warranty.

Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 Cushion

Cushioning in the Nike GT Hustle 3 is clearly the shoe’s standout feature. Some players will love it and others not so much. The shoe is equipped with an impressive mix of cushioning tech. First, we have a Zoom X insole, right underfoot, beneath that, we have, in the forefoot, a Zoom Air strobel, and in the heel a thick slab of what Nike calls “soft foam” but we believe is React.

Under the Zoom Air Strobel of the forefoot, there’s a large volume, U-shaped Zoom Air unit. As you might have guessed, this setup is super plush and comfy underfoot and can be described as a max cushion setup. This will work great for hoopers who want elite impact protection and a cushy, joint-sparing experience on court.

On the other hand, this is a very thick setup, that, although still reactive, offers very little in terms of court feel, and means the wearer plays very high off the ground. So, if you’re looking for a low-to-the-ground, tactile ride, this won’t be the shoe for you.

Also, basketball shoes with such a thick midsole can suffer in terms of stability. As we saw in the Nike GT Jump 2, with the correct build, this doesn’t have to be an issue, but, does the Nike GT Hustle 3 boast such a build?

Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 Materials

The Nike GT Hustle 3 brings back an airy and soft version of Flyknit, a material we haven’t seen in a while in Nike basketball shoes. This version of Flyknit is light, breathable, and supportive, though not to the extent of previous, more structured Flyknit iterations. The material’s open-cell areas allow for excellent airflow, keeping the foot cool during play.

This modern Flyknit integrates structural zones with ventilation zones, enhancing both support and breathability. While it lacks the “crispness” of Flyknit seen in shoes like the Kobe 9, it serves its purpose well in the GT Hustle 3, offering a good balance of comfort and performance.

This being said, if we’re talking about larger explosive players, this may not be enough to keep your foot on the footbed, especially on hard stops and cuts on the court. And, unfortunately, the Nike GT Hustle 3 doesn’t have much more to solve this issue.

Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 Support

Support in the Nike GT Hustle 3 is decent, but not amazing. The shoe’s design includes several features aimed at providing stability, such as a wide forefoot, a top-loaded TPU torsional plate, and a substantial heel counter in the rear of the shoe. The Flyknit upper incorporates Flywire-like elements to enhance lockdown, ensuring the foot stays securely in place, at least for lighter, shiftier players.

Again, if we’re talking about heavier hoopers, the mix of the lack of containment and the thick midsole could create stability issues in the shoe. If you can generate enough torque to force your foot off the footbed, and the soft midsole collapses underfoot, ankle sprains could become an issue.

Nike Zoom GT Hustle 3 Fit

Fit is a critical aspect of the Nike GT Hustle 3, and tends to be snug. The Flyknit upper contributes to this tight fit, making the shoe feel like a sock once it has broken in. Players with wide feet might find the initial fit too restrictive, but the material is designed to stretch and adapt over time. True to size is recommended for most players unless they have exceptionally wide feet. The snug fit ensures that the foot is well-secured, enhancing the overall support and performance of the shoe.

Nike GT Hustle 2 Overall

The Nike GT Hustle 3 offers a mixed bag of performance features. The cushioning is great and would be amazing for outdoor use, but the traction on that type of playing surface would suffer greatly. This amount of cushioning would also be great for big, powerful basketball players who need elite impact protection, but the build and containment might not be able to keep up with these types of players.

Traction is excellent on indoor courts, the cushioning is plush and stable, and the Flyknit upper should be enough to lockdown lighter hoopers. If you’re a lighter guard who enjoys a substantial amount of cushioning underfoot, this might be the shoe for you. Additionally, if you’re a heftier player but you have a very linear playing style, you may also be a good candidate for the GT Hustle 3. Admittedly, this is a rather odd target consumer, but Nike knows what they are doing (or do they?).

Nike GT Hustle 3 Summary

Nike GT Hustle 3

The Nike GT Hustle 3 offers a mixed bag of performance features. The cushioning is great and would be amazing for outdoor use, but the traction on that type of playing surface would suffer greatly. This amount of cushioning would also be great for big, powerful basketball players who need elite impact protection, but the build and containment might not be able to keep up with these types of players.

Product Brand: nike

Editor's Rating:
8

Pros

• Amazing cushioning
• Reliable traction

Cons

• Stability
• Lockdown