Hit the jump for full review…
Traction – I can’t complain about traction at all. Herringbone is dispersed throughout and was extremely efficient. While at first glance you would dismiss the triangular surface, it actually holds up very well and provides you with very good traction. You won’t get that ‘squeak’ out of it – the squeak is overrated in my opinion – but you will be able to cut, slash, pivot & stop without hesitation.
Cushion – If you are already accustomed to playing in Kobe’s recent signatures, the cushion setup will be ideal for you. With the large volume Zoom Air placed in the heel you receive perfect cushion that is lightweight and responsive. The forefoot’s Met bag – Smaller localized Zoom Air under the ball of the foot – is responsive and works in tandem with the rest of the midsole. While the midsole itself does require some break-in time, once complete you will enjoy the ride immensely… especially if you loved the Zoom Kobe line as I have. Larger players may require a bit more cushion than what is provided but overall it depends on your personal preference.
Material – The upper is comprised of leather with a synthetic top coat. Its durable enough to withstand a heavy on-court beating but it loses its shape the more you play. Again, a break-in period is needed and once complete its like playing in an older pair of kicks… those of you who have ever laced up an older pair of shoes after wearing a newer pair will know exactly what I’m talking about… it’s like being reunited with an old friend; you may have had some time apart but once you are back together it’s as if nothing has changed.
I still feel an upgrade would do wonders if Nike ever chose to incorporate newer materials to this beloved hoops classic. If a Skinwire upper was in place coupled with a silicon coat – much like the Zoom Kobe VII – the materials would be able to retain its shape and provide you with a more secure fit throughout your time playing in them. Place a leather toe rand – just as they are now – on top on the updated material and you would have some additional protection to the thinner upper. With this, not only could it potentially increase their overall performance but it would allow for color applications to be nearly limitless which would allow designers to place some really cool graphics to the shoe giving it some more pop.
Fit – As stated above, the fit starts to lose its shape overtime. The materials and ventilation are the reason this happens but it’s not a huge setback in my personal opinion… it’s hard to harshly judge a shoe that was designed 8 years ago.
The midfoot offers you the greatest amount of lockdown while the toe is a bit on the spacious side after they are broken in. These are a low top shoe with a higher cut shell so the strap works fairly well with the lacing structure as it helps keep the shoe on your foot. With the current lacing system in place, the removal of the strap would offer a loose fitting heel which wouldn’t be a good thing so it’s a necessary piece of equipment on this particular model.
Ventilation – There are perforations throughout but they don’t offer too much air flow. These were designed far before the lightweight/ heavily ventilated era so for what it’s worth; they are above average for their time. The original Huarache offered much more air flow but that was with far less material in place so it’s almost like a double edge sword… you sort of have to pick your poison in a sense.
Support – The strap, as I was explaining earlier, is a necessary addition to the silhouette. Without it the heel wouldn’t stay in place even with the heel cup due to the lacing structure. With the strap – I personally dislike straps for the most part – they offered enough support by keeping the shoe where it needed to be… on your foot. Carbon Fiber is in place along the bottom of the shoe and provides you with adequate arch support. There is as additional Carbon Fiber plate located under the forefoot, directly under the triangular traction surface and is supposed to offer you a bit more spring to your first step. I can’t say I noticed its effects, which could be a good thing, except when jumping. If I jumped directly off the ball of my foot – this is where you are supposed to launch from if you wish to achieve your maximum vertical capabilities – I was able to lift a bit higher than usual… and by a bit I mean 1”… if that… I’m white so keep that in mind… we aren’t exactly known for our hops.
Overall – While the overall scores may not reflect my personal feelings towards the shoe, I have to remain non-biased, I thought they were fantastic. I can’t honestly say these are the best Nike Basketball shoes of all time for two reasons; 1. There are so many great shoes available now with more modern tech that it’d be inaccurate for me to state something so bold & 2. Nike’s Innovation Kitchen is constantly working on the latest and greatest so even if these were ‘the greatest of all time’ it would only last for a few more weeks until their Elite series releases… yes, the Elite series is actually that good… at least the Huarache-like LeBron 9 Elite.
If you are a Guard or fast paced Forward, these would be a good choice to have on-court. Larger players may want a bit more support and cushion out of their shoes so they may need to look elsewhere.
great review as usual. have you ever worn the 2k5s? and if so, how would you say they compare to these?
I have, along with the 2k6. The 2k5 are a bit wider in the midsole and sole are but they’re more of the same as the 2k4. The 2k6 (or Elite) were an abomination. Way too clunky, high, and nothing like the original. That’s when I moved over to the Kobe line.
I havent but if they ever re-release id like to try them.
Man I was cringing while reading your review coz I knew that the overall score would not be what I expected. I guess you’re right, you can’t judge these shoes based on hype, by them being dubbed as the greatest performance shoes of all time from Nike. But personally, these are the best perfomance shoes I’ve played basketball in (I only have the melo m4, m7 and adidas supernatural creator to compare it to). Or maybe that’s just the hype speaking and the supernats would be the best that i have ever played in. lol
I love them but i just have to go over the details so ppl can make an informed decision.
Great performance review! For me 2k4’s are still my all time favorite performance shoe followed closely by the Zoom BB1 and the Ultraflight. That being said I haven’t tried any of the Kobe line so any of those could be amazing and I wouldn’t know it. The low cut of the Kobe’s concerns me though as someone with multiple ankle injuries.
I do think your idea of an updated 2k4 with more modern tech incorporated should be done immediately!
Thanks again for doing what you do!
Appreciate it!
Will you review the adidas crazy cool??
Not sure yet but possibly
I would love to see a review on the Crazy Cool’s….especially because no retailers in my area carry them so I can’t go try them on.
Ill see what i can do but im backed up right now.
Thanks for the long-awaited review, I’ve been lookin’ for this for years.
It’s hard to say something is the greatest of all time because you never know what will follow. There can always be something better to come.
But now I can understand why these are the greatest back then.
Thank you once again. (I have a chance to play in the Total Package, the takedown version of the 2k4,recently. I must say that they aren’t bad)
Thanks!
will the traction last outdoor guys?
Whatsup man I really enjoy your performance reviews being a tech junkie myself. Do you think at some point in time you will do a perf. review on the early Lebron line maybe zoom generation-4?
Ive thought about it but there are other things id like to do before those.
Are these true to size? Because the original 2k4 was a little bigger, meaning i had to get’em half size smaller to get a perfect fit.
And you said you won’t do a huarache 2012 BB review because they are not for playing ball. could you eleborate on that a little more? i’ve seen jamal crawford play in them a couple of times and since i have bought them (but not worn yet) i don’t know wether to sell’em or give’em a try on the court.
Thanks
I bought my regular size and was fine but since the shape warps a bit you could prob get away w going down 1/2 sz
Great review! I was looking forward to this one and have been on the fence on making these my next shoe for playing ball. The idea for an upgraded version sounds feasible. I hope Nike would read this and consider those ideas.
Thanks! I would gladly welcome the changes to this model. I know some dislike hybrids or modern tech changes to older styles but as long as it works im all for it.
Amen to that!
Hi NW 2303,
Tks for the great review s usual.
Btw, the tongue can be well located while playing?
Hi NW 2303,
Tks for the great review as usual.
Btw, the tongue can be well located while playing?
Thanks. The tongue is part of the sleeve so you cant move it anywhere.
Hi nightwing, great review!!! I’m interested in purchasing these sneakers but I can’t decide between these and fly wade 2. Please help me!
Depends on what you want or what you are looking for. The reviews and ratings should help you figure out that stuff.
Man I just noticed where you said these have a spacious toe when broken in, which really sucks. I got this same colorway expecting them to fit like a sock and be glove like like my OG suede 2k4’s, but now I see that these will always be spacious in the store and never form to my feet like those did. I’m so disappointed, and these also feel lower to the ground than my original 2k4s did, which I’m also disappointed in, as if there isn’t the same amount of Zoom or they didn’t include the carbon fiber spring plate in there this time around.
Who knows, but unless I haven’t broken them in enough, these don’t fit like my original 2k4s and allow way too much movement within the shoe. I’ve logged around 5 hours of playing time in, and like a couple days of casual wear.
I want to get these. After all the reviews, I am looking for a great basketball shoe. Would these provide great cushion? Add these with Elite Socks, what do you think about cushioning support?
are the materials of the regular ones and the year of the snake the same?
Man someone stole mine and I want to buy them but I can’t find these anywhere new