Can a Shoe Have a Soul?

Read the review and find out why the Professor thinks the answer is a resounding yes.

[Prof’s Note: With the iconic XI dropping in two luscious colorways over the past five days (see Hypebeast for sweet pics of the latest drops), I felt compelled to bring back my review of this most loved shoe. Note that this review was originally published in December of 2001.]

There have been 15 shoes in the Air Jordan line to date and several have been, not only memorable, but historic. The Air Jordan I, Air Jordan V, and Air Jordan VI will likely be remembered as seminal works in the history of athletic shoe design. But of all of the Jordans released thus far, one best captures the essence of the man and his game: the Air Jordan XI.

figure 1. The Air Jordan XI in its most iconic White/Black–Dark Concord colorway. Sneaker fans have come to love its trademark patent leather rand, but try to imagine how shocking the XI would have been when it first hit store shelves in 1995.

The Nike Air Jordan XI was first released for the 1995–96 NBA season, Michael’s first full season back in the NBA after his two year retirement. At that point, some began to feel that the Air Jordan line had lost its way after a series of shoes—specifically the VII, VIII and IX—that didn’t quite live up to the level set by the magnificent Air Jordan VI. And then there was the X, which many sneakerheads of the era felt was the weakest release in the history of the Air Jordan line to that point. But with Michael rejuvenated and primed to reclaim his position atop the NBA, Nike stepped up in a big way and provided His Airness with a shoe that surpassed all that had come before it.

figure 2. Here’s the Air Jordan XI in its wickedly clean White/Columbia Blue–Black colorway. Note the use of synthetic leather in place of the ballistic nylon mesh employed on the upper of the White/Black–Dark Concord colorway pictured at top.

While the Air Jordan XI made use of some design elements previously incorporated into the Jordan line—elements like a translucent rubber outsole and a speed lacing system—on the whole, the shoe was strikingly new, and a clear representation of Michael’s distinctive sense of style. The design cue that stands out most, of course, is the XI’s patent leather rand, which extends over the toebox and wraps completely around the upper. To my knowledge, no other athletic shoe had made use of patent leather prior to the XI.

figure 3. And here’s the Air Jordan XI in Medium Grey/White–Cool Grey, which debuted as a retro release in 2001. If there’s such a thing as a low-key colorway of the Air Jordan XI, this is it.

And, more than just a showy design element, the robust patent leather serves as a reinforcing structure, boosting the shoe’s lateral support. The patent leather can’t quite match the level of support afforded by modern-day shoes that wrap Phylon (an example being the Nike Air Big Flyer Force) or TPU (an example being the Nike Air Pippen IV) high up around the midfoot and heel, but support levels are better than you’d expect from a shoe with a relatively minimal, largely-textile based upper. And there’s no question that the use of patent leather makes the XI a shoe that attracts attention—though, whether this is a positive or a negative will depend on your own appetite for bling.

As alluded to above, the patent leather rand buttresses a base of ballistic nylon mesh (note that some colorways feature synthetic leather in place of the nylon mesh). The upside of this extensive use of mesh is that the Jordan XI is a very light, comfortable shoe. The only downside is that, because the nylon mesh is highly pliable, ankle support is not quite what it could be. Thanks to the high cut of the lacing system it’s still better than average, but an anti-inversion structure would have made it excellent.

figure 4. Visible here is the Air Jordan XI’s translucent rubber outsole and its innovative full-length carbon fiber “spring plate,” which helps boost support and responsiveness underfoot. This shot also highlights the shoe’s speed lacing system, which does indeed help to speed the process of getting the shoe on and off. Just make sure to pull the laces tightly if you want to maximize fit and support—particularly on colorways that feature the more minimal ballistic mesh-based upper.

Contributing to the overall support and stability of the Air Jordan XI is its full-length carbon fiber “spring plate”. I believe that Nike refers to this device as a spring plate because the rigidity of its carbon fiber construction causes the plate to quite literally spring back to its flat state after the forefoot is flexed, potentially returning some of the energy that went into flexing the shoe back to the wearer. I can’t say that I necessarily noticed any added spring to my step, but the XI did feel highly responsive and offered excellent support and stability underfoot. The only potential downside that I could see to the extended plate is that lighter players may find the forefoot of the shoe to be overly stiff and clunky. Take a few jab steps when trying on the XI to gauge your comfort level with its rigidity up front.

figure 5. Pictured here is the Air Jordan XI in Black/Varsity Royal–White, which is colloquially referred to as the “Space Jam” colorway, a reference to the 1996 live-action/animated film of the same name starring MJ and Bugs Bunny. Note that the XI’s traction is unusually good for a shoe that features a mostly translucent rubber outsole. Note also that the translucent portions of the outsole will yellow, especially if left exposed to heat or sunlight.

Another component that almost certain contributes to the XI’s responsive feel underfoot is its full-length Air-Sole unit, which does a great job providing cushioning at both the forefoot and heel. I was actually somewhat surprised by the level of cushioning that the shoe provided. In fact, it may actually be a bit too soft for bigger/heavier players, but I think most guards and small forward-types will love it.

One last aspect of the shoe that surprised me was its traction. I’ve been disappointed in the past by the traction, or lack thereof, of previous Air Jordan models featuring translucent outsoles—e.g. the Air Jordan V and VI—so I was happily surprised to find that the Air Jordan XI provides very good on-court grip. I can, however, report that one negative characteristic of translucent soled Jordans is indeed carried over to the XI: yellowing. Keeping the shoe out of sunlight and away from heat sources should slow the process, but this would be rather impractical if you actually intend to wear the shoes.

figure 6. Here’s a bonus pic to help keep you warm through these frosty winter months: The Air Jordan XI in Black/True Red–White. As the kids might say, “It’s straight fire!”

To sum up, the Air Jordan XI Retro—more so than any other Jordan Retro to date—delivers the goods, not only in terms of style, but also substance. The XI is a shoe that you could actually play a full game in without feeling like you’re compromising your own performance or taking years off the usable life of your joints (read my review of the Air Jordan VI Retro for a counter example). Some may feel that the shoe’s iconic patent leather rand makes it a bit too, er, distinctive, to wear in public. But others will love it precisely for its in-your-face ostentatiousness. Whatever you think of its appearance, the Air Jordan XI Retro is a great choice for guards and small forwards who value comfort and light weight, and seek a shoe that offers an optimal blend of cushioning and response underfoot.

Who’s Worn It
Michael Jordan (G- Chicago Bulls); plus, several players, including Reggie Miller (G- Indiana Pacers) and Toni Kukoc (F- Philadelphia 76ers), have worn the Air Jordan XI this pre-season

Reviewed by Ernest Kim, December 23, 2014
	Air Jordan XI Retro Overall:  Comfort & Fit:  Cushioning:  Ankle Support:  Weight:  17.0 oz* * Based on a US men’s 11. For context, a can of soda weighs 13 oz.
Price: $125 in 2001 Key Tech: Full-length Air-Sole unit; full-length carbon fiber spring plate Pros: Great cushioning, very good fit and good ankle support combined in a lightweight, head turning package Cons: Ankle support is good, but could be better; long-term durability is a question mark given the minimal upper and full-length carbon fiber spring plate Buying Advice: One of the hottest shoes released in a year full of hot shoe releases, the Air Jordan XI Retro is a blast from the past that doesn’t disappoint. Unlike the Jordan VI Retro + which had us wincing with each landing, the XI offers surprisingly good cushioning, fit, comfort and ankle support. Even when compared to its on-court contemporaries, the five year old design of the Jordan XI still manages to hold its own. A must for Jordan collectors, but even those looking for a serious game shoe may want to consider these kicks. My only question is whether they’ll hold up for an entire season.

Prime Time or Past its Prime?

Can the Air Jordan VI still make the cut on court? Professor K laces up a pair of these classic kicks and tells it like it is.

[Prof’s Note: So you scored a pair of sweet Retro 6 Infrareds this past Black Friday and you’re tempted to bust them out on court. Good idea or bad? Read on to find out, and note that this review was originally published way back in September of 2000.]

Now before you get all crazy and start calling me foul names because of the poor overall review that I gave this shoe, remember that at Kicksology.net, we don’t take design or sentimental value into account when we do our scoring. Our reviews are based purely on performance on the court and, by that measure, the Air Jordan VI just doesn’t compare to the modern hoops shoes being released today by Nike, adidas, Reebok and others.

There’s no doubt that when the Air Jordan VI was first released for the 1990–91 season, it was the cream of the crop. Not only did it feature a head turning design, it employed the best of Nike’s technologies: Encapsulated Air in the forefoot, visible Air in the heel, a tough Durabuck upper and an early version of what is now the Dynamic Fit inner-sleeve (the inner-sleeve in the Jordan VI is constructed around a neoprene core, while today’s is constructed with a much more breathable textile/Lycra blend).

figure 1. Translucent rubber looks great, but often leaves a lot to be desired in the traction department and, unfortunately, the Air Jordan VI doesn’t depart from the script: Traction is very poor on hardwood.

While the Air Jordan VI Retro has hewn closely to the original, the Retro+ (as pictured here in its exclusive Olympic colorway) departs slightly from the OG in its use of a fully leather upper. This is a minor change and, in my experience, has only a minimal impact on the overall performance of the shoe.

On the topic of performance, what’s with the low overall score of two-and-a-half stars? Well, it all starts from the bottom up. While the VI’s clear rubber outsole certainly adds to the shoe’s aesthetic appeal, it doesn’t do much for its on-court grip. It’s been a long time since I’ve worn a shoe that offered such poor traction on hardwood right out of the box. Let’s hope that Nike comes up with some new compounds for the translucent outsole on the upcoming Jordan XVI, because the rubber on the VI doesn’t make the cut.

figure 2. Even though it’s 10-years-old, the design of the Air Jordan VI remains remarkably modern and fresh. And, to my eyes, this limited-edition navy/varsity red-white (aka Olympic) colorway is particularly sweet.

Next comes cushioning, which is provided by way of vintage Air-Sole units. I hate to say this, but hooping it up in the VI felt like playing on a pair of two-by-fours. The cushioning is so hard that it really shouldn’t be called cushioning at all. I’m amazed that a guy the size of Vin Baker can ball in these shoes because, after just one game, my knees were begging for something better. Nike has definitely made significant strides in cushioning technologies since 1991, and you can be sure that Baker will switch to more modern kicks once the day-to-day pounding of the NBA season starts to take its toll. 

Thankfully, the overall fit of the Air Jordan VI is a bit better than its cushioning, but just a bit. The neoprene sleeve at the forefoot of the shoe boosts comfort and provides a smooth inner surface to reduce the potential for blisters. But the VI’s complicated lacing system makes it tougher than it should be to get a solid, locked-down fit—particularly at the heel. So, while the shoe is comfortable to wear, its sloppy fit leaves a lot to be desired from a performance perspective.

figure 3. The dreaded mark of the retro! Original iterations of the Air Jordan VI featured an embroidered “Nike Air” logo at the heel, so the Jumpman logo is a sure sign that a shoe is a re-issue. In my opinion, the Jumpman looks pretty damn good, so I’m not complaining.

Finally, in the area of ankle support, the Air Jordan VI is good, but not as good as you might expect from a shoe that rides so high up the ankle. Again, the culprit seems to be the lacing system, which gets in the way of the sort of lock-down most ballers crave. The ‘okay’ ankle support combined with the VI’s stable midsole platform should, however, do a reasonably good job of preventing ankle rolls during hard cuts.

To sum up, the Air Jordan VI Retro and Retro+ definitely score big on style, but, unfortunately, style doesn’t count here at Kicksology.net. If you’re looking for a solid performance hoops shoe, definitely look elsewhere (unless you like waking up with sore knees). But I should note that this is by no means an indictment of the VI. Instead, it’s a testament to the progress made in the athletic footwear industry since the VI was first released nearly a decade ago. Technologies like Zoom Air and adiPRENE+ have made shoes better, and sometimes it takes spending time with yesterday’s tech to remind us of that.

Who’s Worn It
Michael Jordan (G- Chicago Bulls); Ray Allen (G- 2000 Olympic Team); Vin Baker (PF/C- 2000 Olympic Team); Derek Jeter (Short Stop, N.Y. Yankees wears a special cleated version of the AJ VI Retro)

Reviewed by Ernest Kim, December 4, 2014
	Air Jordan VI Retro + Overall:  Comfort & Fit:  Cushioning:  Ankle Support:  Weight:  18.7 oz* * Based on a US men’s 11. For context, a can of soda weighs 13 oz.
Price: $120 in 2000 Key Tech: Nike encapsulated Air-Sole unit (forefoot), Nike visible Air-Sole unit (heel), early version of the Dynamic Fit inner-sleeve Pros: Sentimental value; exclusivity; comfort Cons: Poor cushioning compared to modern alternatives; sub-par fit for hoops; sub-par traction for hoops Buying Advice: If you’re looking to own a unique piece of Jordan history, the Air Jordan VI Retro+ would make a great addition to any collection. But if you’re looking for a high performance hoops shoe, the 10-year-old Jordan VI can’t touch recent releases such as the Air Flightposite KG or Air Big Flyer Force.

If Man Were Meant to Fly...

...we’d all have been born with a pair of these killer kicks on our feet. To find out why, read our in-depth review of the Nike Air Jet Flight.

[Prof’s Note: With Turkey Day right around the corner, I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight a shoe that I’m very thankful for: the Air Jet Flight. It’s not particularly well known, but any serious sneakerhead who was in the game in the early 2000s will have fond memories of this Aaron Cooper joint. Damn, I wish I still had a pair! Note that this review was originally published in March of 2001.]

This hoops season, we’ve seen several very interesting shoe releases from Nike. Of course, there was the SHOX BB4, which introduced an entirely new cushioning technology, and the Air Zoom GP III, which introduced Nike’s new MORF concept. Both represent new ways of thinking about footwear that may well “revolutionize” (I know, I know, I should be disbarred from professordom for using the ‘r’ word in relation to shoes, but work with me on this) athletic shoe design and development, but only time will tell.

The Nike Air Jet Flight, on the other hand, represents evolution at its best. No new breakthrough technologies to be found here—just the same old stuff brought together in a way that’s oh-so-much greater than the sum of its parts.

figure 1. The Air Jet Flight’s high wrapping midsole is visible here, as is the shoe’s strategically placed TPU-support brace (the TPU is embedded within the strip of red material that extends along the base of the ankle). Both contribute to the Jet Flight’s excellent on-court support and stability. On the bottom of the shoe, an internal TPU midfoot support shank is visible through the oval cut outs in the Jet Flight’s outsole, which, by the way, provides epic traction.

First off, let me come right out and say that I love this shoe. That’s right, L-O-V-E. If I played basketball professionally the Jet Flight would, without a doubt, be my everyday shoe. Heck, I’d even wear them to drive to practice in my 911 Targa (hey, I can dream can’t I). Can you tell that I’m enthusiastic about the Jet Flight? I don’t usually gush like this about a shoe, but the Jet Flight represents so much of what a hoops shoe should be that I can’t help but get charged up about it. So what’s so good about it? Well, I’m glad you asked...

The first thing that jumped out at me when pulling the Air Jet Flight out of the box was its weight, or lack thereof. At 14.6 ounces the Jet Flight is the lightest hoops shoe from Nike that we’ve reviewed this year, and it matches the adidas Mad Handle for the lightest hoops shoe that we’ve reviewed from any manufacturer this year.

figure 2. The red areas of the Air Jet Flight’s upper act like an outer cage, providing the support and stability that the lightweight mesh and Lycra portions of the shoe (seen here in light grey) lack. The combo delivered the perfect blend of comfort and lockdown. Speaking of lockdown, the Jet Flight’s oversized midfoot support strap also contributes to the shoe’s fantastic fit, while delivering the added benefit of quick tune-ability: pull the strap tight to maximize agility or open it up to maximize comfort.

Upon putting on the Jet Flight, I was blown away by how comfortable the shoe was. The combination leather/Lycra spandex-mesh upper fits like your favorite pair of socks, but without the holes. The lack of any kind of stiff or constraining material at the forefoot flex point makes the shoe feel great the very first time you put it on—no break-in time required. Even people with wide feet should feel great in these kicks. And the shoe fits as well as it feels. The large midfoot strap supplements the hidden eye-stay lacing system to provide a locked-down fit that keeps your foot and the shoe working as one. This is a good thing.

The hit parade continues on the court. The Max Air unit in the heel and encapsulated Zoom Air unit in the forefoot combine to provide excellent overall cushioning. As in the Nike Air Flight Max II, the forefoot Zoom Air unit felt to my dogs to be a bit softer than those employed in other Zoom Air-based shoes we’ve tested this year, but this shouldn’t be a problem unless you’re very heavy for your size (if so, a shoe with higher capacity cushioning at the forefoot would be a better choice).

A large TPU midfoot support shank and high wrapping midsole (see figure 1) combine to provide excellent stability. And to make it all oh-so-much better, the outsole of the Air Jet Flight provides more traction than you’ll know what to do with (the Jet Flight uses the same outsole design as the Nike Air Flight Max II).

figure 3. In profile, the Nike Air Jet Flight is reminiscent of a running shoe. And, much like a good running shoe, the Jet Flight is comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. A wonderful design detail that’s just barely visible in the photo above is that the molded Swoosh logo is bordered by a thin strip of chrome—not the sort of attention to fit-and-finish that you typically find in a $90 hoops shoe.

So, are there any downsides to the Jet Flight? Well, I had to play long and hard, and the only one that I could find was in the area of ankle support. The shoe doesn’t provide very much ankle coverage, but the combination of a solid heel counter (it’s internal, so you can’t see it on the outside of the shoe) and a strategically placed TPU brace that runs just under your malleoli combine to provide better ankle support than you’d expect. Still, larger players or people with weak ankles may want a shoe that offers more coverage. That’s really all I could come up with in the minus column.

To sum up, the Nike Air Jet Flight is an exceptionally good all-around hoops shoe. It offers very good cushioning combined with a level of comfort and fit that’s unmatched by any other shoe this season. And, at $90, it’s a screaming value from Nike. If you’ve been looking for a shoe that offers great performance and all-day comfort, look no further: the Nike Air Jet Flight is it.

Who's Worn It
Bruce Bowen (G- Miami Heat); Baron Davis (G- Charlotte Hornets); Dirk Nowitzki (F- Dallas Mavericks); Keith Van Horn (F- N.J. Nets); Jason Williams (G- Sacramento Kings); also, the street baller Sean Jackson is seen wearing the Air Jet Flight in Nike’s hugely popular “Freestyle Rhythm” commercial.

Reviewed by Ernest Kim, November 19, 2014
	Nike Air Jet Flight Overall:  Comfort & Fit:  Cushioning:  Ankle Support:  Weight:  14.6 oz* * Based on a US men’s 11. For context, a can of soda weighs 13 oz.
Price: $90 Key Tech: Nike Max Air (heel); encapsulated Zoom Air (forefoot); full-length Lycra spandex-mesh Dynamic Fit sleeve Pros: Incredible comfort and fit; lightweight; very good cushioning; great traction; great value Cons: Ankle coverage may be too low for some Buying Advice: The Nike Air Jet Flight is one of those rare shoes that might actually change the way you play. It’s so comfortable and light—and provides such excellent traction—that it might just make you want to go harder on both sides of the ball. No other hoops shoe released this year feels this good; a great choice for active guards and forwards.

Interstellar review

I saw Interstellar last night and can’t get it out of my head.

First, should you see it? My answer to that question is easy: Yes. If you have even a remote interest in cinema, Interstellar is worth watching in a theatre on the biggest screen you can find. The tougher question is whether you’ll enjoy it. The current 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is indicative of the mixed opinions of professional reviewers, and I can understand their lack of consensus. Many movie-goers will actively dislike the film, while many others will love it—very few will fall in between. Such a dichotomy of opinion is generally reserved for those rare films that cloak a deeply personal story within the gilded folds of a grand epic, and that’s Interstellar to a T.

The official Interstellar movie trailer from Christopher Nolan, starring Matthew McConaughey. http://www.InterstellarMovie.com/

Two reviews that I think fairly and effectively encapsulate the positive and negative views of the film are from Kenneth Turan of the L.A. Times (positive) and Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post (negative). Here are key excerpts from their reviews...

Turan: Much less of a B picture dramatically than last year’s “Gravity,” [Interstellar’s] exploration of the ways in which love, mendacity and the core nature of humanity are informed by the physical and psychological demands of outer space ensures that this story will stay with you, its themes taking permanent residence at the back of your mind.

Hornaday: Once Cooper and his colleagues cross back and forth between the space-time continuum, “Interstellar” falls into the talky trap, with the filmmaker trying to overcome plodding, drearily explanatory passages with Hans Zimmer’s basso profundo organ-music score and pummeling sound effects.

Indeed, your opinion of Hans Zimmer—and particularly his contributions to previous Nolan films—is probably the best indicator of how you’ll react to Interstellar. If you liked his work in Inception and The Dark Knight Rises, chances are better than good that you’ll enjoy Interstellar. But if you found the scores for those films overbearing, you’ll likely share Hornaday’s less positive take. And she is by no means out on a limb: Complaints that the dialogue in Interstellar is too often overshadowed by its score and sound effects are already widespread.

Perhaps I’m being a Nolan apologist here, but, after seeing the film, I’m fairly certain that what some are describing as sound mix issues were actually conscious directorial decisions. In the scenes in which the score washes over the dialogue, the intent is not to convey information through language, it’s to engender feeling through a combination of sight, sound and the physicality of over 10,000 watts of audio power vibrating the air around you. Nolan seems to hint at this in a fantastic interview with The Guardian:

“What I’ve found is, people who let my films wash over them—who don’t treat it like a crossword puzzle, or like there is a test afterwards—they get the most out of the film,” he said. “I have done various things in my career, including, with Memento, telling a very simple story in an incredibly complex way. Inception is a very complicated story told in a very complicated way. Interstellar is very upfront about being simple as a story.”

The Guardian piece also discloses an interesting tidbit: “No green screens were used during Interstellar, the majority of which was shot with real locations, miniatures, or sets using massive projectors.” Though highly unusual for our modern era of film-making, I think Nolan’s insistence on physical models and practical effects is of a piece with his desire to make audiences feel his films rather than simply viewing them. The “reality” of his sets and scenes coaxes the viewer into letting our guard down—into suspending disbelief just enough to allow the otherwise unbelievable things we’re seeing scratch beneath the surface of conscious thought to touch our emotional cores.

At left is a bust of Costanza Bonarelli by Gianlorenzo Bernini, circa 1635—a masterwork of representational sculpture. At right is a sculpture from Pablo Picasso’s Cubist period called Head of a Woman, circa 1909. Both are powerful and affecting works, but they deliver their impact in fundamentally different ways. Whereas a movie like Gone Girl benefits from David Fincher’s Bernini-esque hyper-reality, Interstellar is more in the vein of Picasso’s visceral symbolism.

I know I’m getting pretty highfalutin here, but the best way I can think of to describe Interstellar is to say that it is to conventional cinema as abstraction is to representational art. Both are mechanisms that humanity has developed to communicate across time; one takes a more literal approach to that communication, while the other is more visceral. If you go into Interstellar looking for that more literal A leads to B leads to C form of storytelling, you’ll leave disappointed. But if you open yourself up to the film as something you process with your feelings as much as your intellect, I think you’ll find it a deeply rewarding experience.

Agree? Disagree? Either way, let’s continue the conversation on Twitter @edotkim.

Return of the King?

Does the Nike Air Zoom Generation, the first shoe designed for teen phenom LeBron James, mark the beginning of a new era of greatness for the Swoosh?

[Prof’s Note: A confluence of events—last weekend’s release of the Wheat Foam One, Beats’ fantastic Re-Established 2014 spot and the upcoming NBA season, with LeBron’s return to Cleveland representing a key storyline—convinced me that now was the time to resurrect this classic review, which was originally published in January of 2004.]

To be honest, who cares? I suppose a sizeable contingent at a certain Beaverton address does, but to the everyday baller it’s about hoop, not hype. If that’s your perspective you’re in the right place, because this review is firmly focused on the performance of the Air Zoom Generation. If you want to know about fashion go look at Vogue. If you want to know about financial implications go read the Wall Street Journal. If you want to know about on-court aptitude, keep your eyeballs rolling on down this page.

Before getting started, though, I want to send out my sincere thanks to Asad for the hookup on the extremely hard to find white/white–midnight navy–varsity crimson (aka 1st Game) colorway of the Air Zoom Generation. We wouldn’t have been able to bring you the photos you see here without him, so much love Asad!

figure 1. Pictured at top is the Air Zoom Generation in its work boot inspired wheat/wheat–gold colorway released in advance of All-Star weekend (and worn by LeBron in the Rookie Challenge). Shown directly above is the very limited white/white–midnight navy–varsity crimson version, better known by sneakerheads as the “First Game” colorway. For me at least, seeing the AZG in profile conjures up visions of the Air Jordan III and IV; there seems to be something in the overall silhouette and eyestay treatment that links the shoes.

Moving on to the review—all the hype around the Air Zoom Generation, including the overblown and over-reported tidbit that its design was inspired in part by James’ infamous Hummer H2, has overshadowed the fact that it is, on its own merits, an interesting shoe. It harks back to the old school to a degree I’ve never seen in an individually endorsed product from Nike. Historically, Nike’s endorsed (aka signature) shoes have been technological tours de force, embodying the state of the art in athletic footwear for their day. The shoes in the Air Jordan line are a great example of this, as are Penny Hardaway’s signature shoes from back in the day (including the wildly innovative Air Foamposite One), and Vince Carter’s current line of Shox-based shoes.

The Air Zoom Generation, while employing several materials and technologies still considered high-tech, is a shoe that could, by and large, have been released back when the only “crisis” gripping the nation was what exactly President Clinton did with a certain overeager intern (ah, the good ol’ days). The difference is, back then, it would have retailed for $150, while today it retails for $110—an unheard of figure for a Nike signature shoe (in an interesting bit of historical continuity, the Air Zoom Generation’s retail price is within a few cents of the inflation adjusted price of the Air Jordan I, which hit the market at $65.00 back in 1985). So does that make the Air Zoom Generation a good value in today’s dollars, or an also ran, already past its prime? As I’ll bet Bill said, let’s start from the top and work our way down...

figure 2. The circular dimpling visible along the inner surface of the ankle collar is the visual signature for Nike’s Sphere technology. First introduced in apparel, Nike Sphere creates a “personal atmosphere” against the skin, keeping you cooler in the heat and warmer in the cold; it also helps to accelerate moisture-wicking. This marks its first application in a shoe and, in my experience, the tech actually works, as I believe it did contribute to the Air Zoom Generation’s beaucoup comfort.

The one entirely new element designed into the Air Zoom Generation is its Sphere inner bootie. For those unfamiliar with Sphere or booties, let me break this down a bit. A shoe with an inner bootie has a sock-like layer built-in to its inner. Generally lined with a smooth, elastic material (often Lycra), the bootie protects the foot from any seams and stitching exposed within the inner, and provides a closer, more comfortable fit. Nike has been building hoops shoes with inner booties since the early 90s, so the bootie, while certainly a plus, is not new.

Although new-er, Nike Sphere does not quite qualify as new either. First introduced a couple of years ago in apparel, Sphere is a fabric technology that employs a combination of structural design and material properties to create what Nike calls a “personal atmosphere.” Central to this is a repeating pattern of dimples—in some applications they’re round and in others square—built into the fabric. The dimples prevent a given piece of apparel, be it a shirt, shorts, or a jacket, from clinging to the body, even when soaked with sweat. Instead, the dimples enable a thin layer of air to form between the body and the fabric, regulating temperature (i.e. keeping you a little cooler when it’s hot outside and a little warmer when it’s cold) and increasing airflow. The increased airflow, combined with the intrinsic moisture wicking properties of Sphere material, also speeds the evaporation of perspiration, keeping you cool while you’re active and preventing that nasty clammy feeling when you’re not.

figure 3. It’s clear that heat and moisture management were key concerns in the development of the Nike Air Zoom Generation. First there’s the Sphere inner bootie built into the shoe, but the materials and design of the outer also maximize airflow. An obvious example is the large vent cut out of the medial arch of the shoe as pictured above.

So booties are old hat and Sphere has been around ... “what’s new” you ask? The truly new part is that the Air Zoom Generation marks the first application of Sphere within a shoe. When I read about this a little while back I thought it simply meant that the Zoom Generation’s inner bootie would be lined with the dimpled Sphere material, but when I finally got my hands on a pair I found that the bootie is actually silky smooth. This puzzled me until I felt around within the shoe. What I realized then is that Nike didn’t just slap on some fabric and call it a day. If you think about it for a minute, that wouldn’t have made much sense; the inner of a shoe is pressed right up against the foot so, while the Sphere material would have helped wick moisture away, the central idea of a “personal atmosphere” would have been lost; it would have been Sphere in name, but not in function.

To Nike’s credit, instead of taking the chintzy route, the company went the extra mile to apply the true Sphere concept to the inner bootie of the Air Zoom Generation. They accomplished this by sandwiching a thin layer of padding between the inner and outer surfaces of the Zoom Generation’s bootie. The entirety of this padded layer—from the tip of the toebox to the collar around the ankle—is marked by a repeating pattern of circular cutouts (the holes are about the diameter of a pencil eraser—see figure 2). The circular cutouts act just like the dimples in Sphere fabric; they lead to the formation of a thin layer of air between the foot and the outer layer of the bootie, regulating temperature, increasing airflow, and dissipating perspiration.

I have no way to quantify the effects of the Sphere inner bootie, but I can say that the Air Zoom Generation was supremely comfortable for every minute of my eight test wearings. The smooth, nearly seam-free lining of the bootie and the thin layer of padding encased within it certainly helped, but I can also say that my feet never felt hot—even at the end of a grueling two-hour session of full-court action. I can’t say that heat build-up has ever been a big problem for me, but extraordinary comfort is always a big plus.

figure 4. Visible here is the Air Zoom Generation’s hidden eyestay lacing system augmented with metallic “lace rails” over the midfoot. Lateral lockdown was generally good, but I experienced more front-to-back movement within the shoe than I would have liked. Note also the very low-key, tonal LJ23 logo embroidered onto the tongue. All of the LeBron specific signifiers incorporated into the Air Zoom Generation are surprisingly subtle.

The only downside to the Sphere inner bootie is that padding at the ankle is minimal, limiting the amount of support the Air Zoom Generation can provide. The shoe is cut relatively high for a modern-day mid and fit around the ankle was excellent, but because the ankle-area is only lightly padded, the shoe did not provide as much support as I had expected (it’s good, just not as good as the cut would lead you to expect). On the positive, other aspects of the Zoom Generation’s design allowed me to play without worrying about my ankles, but more on that in a minute. Before going there, let me talk about fit, because that’s another area where I felt the shoe could have been better.

The Air Zoom Generation locks things down by way of a hidden eyestay lacing system augmented with metal “lace rails” over the midfoot and metallic eyelets at the ankle. I'm pretty sure the lace rails are meant to provide a more secure base for the laces, allowing them to do a better job holding down the foot and preventing movement within the shoe. Unfortunately, while the rails look cool, they didn’t really deliver for me in the fit department. Side-to-side fit was excellent, particularly at the forefoot, where I felt absolutely no movement, but during full-court play I could feel my foot shifting forward within the shoe on hard stops. During half-court play I didn’t notice this at all, but the rigors of full-court action seemed to ruffle the Zoom Generation’s fit system a bit, no matter how tightly I laced the shoe. The problem with front-to-back movement is that it can allow the toes to get mashed up against the front of the toebox and that’s exactly what happened to me. I didn’t end up with broken toenails or purple toes, but I did come away with some postgame soreness.

figure 5. I mentioned above that the Air Zoom Generation is linked in my mind’s eye with the Air Jordan III and IV—particularly in profile. That could all just be in my head, but it’s not an entirely outlandish thought considering that Tinker Hatfield—the design legend behind every Air Jordan shoe from the III to the XV—participated in the creation of the AZG. Also involved in its design were Aaron Cooper and Eric Avar. Talk about a footwear design dream team—that trio has more juice than Tropicana!

I think there are two culprits here: an overly pliable upper and a pancake flat footbed. First, the upper. I mentioned above that the Air Zoom Generation was supremely comfortable thanks to its built-in Sphere inner bootie, but at least some of the credit also needs to go to the shoe’s soft, supple outer. In the case of the limited edition white/white–midnight navy–varsity crimson colorway pictured here and the widely released white/white–varsity red–black colorway, the outer is made of a combination of full-grain leather and a lightweight fabric with a knit texture. These materials work hand-in-glove with the Sphere inner bootie to help the shoe breathe, and their pliability makes the shoe feel great right out of the box, but neither provides the rigidity necessary to help the lacing system keep the foot completely locked down during really hard stops. All but one of the remaining colorways of the Zoom Generation will feature fully leather uppers, which should help in this regard (though the elimination of the textile will almost certainly have a negative impact on breathability), but strategic use of synthetic panels, as in the recently reviewed New Balance BB885, could have been even more effective.

As for the footbed, in short, it’s flat. There’s a slight ridge under the arch, but that’s about it. People used to wearing old-school shoes will probably like this because the Zoom Generation will feel familiar, but those accustomed to the level of midfoot support provided by most modern-day athletic shoes may find this a bit disconcerting. Aside from providing almost no support underfoot, the flatness of the footbed makes it a good deal easier for the foot to slide back-and-forth within the shoe. An insole insert would be a big help on both fronts—just keep in mind that the Zoom Generation’s sockliner is glued in.

figure 6. This shot provides a good look at the outsole of the Nike Air Zoom Generation. The shoe employs a slight variation on the tried-and-true zig-zag herringbone pattern. The difference is that the ridges on the Generation’s outsole have a flattened surface, whereas the ridges on a traditional herringbone outsole are sharply angled. Traction provided by the outsole was good. Also visible here is a portion of the Air Zoom Generation’s full-length carbon fiber spring plate (it’s the checkered structure visible through the cutouts under the midfoot). See the full review for more on the plate’s performance.

So the flatness was a downer, but everything else about the Air Zoom Generation’s feel underfoot was a joy. The shoe is built on a lightweight Phylon midsole augmented with a low-profile Zoom Air unit within the forefoot and a standard Air-Sole unit within the heel. Because the Zoom Air unit is fully encased within the midsole, the Zoom Generation does not provide as “springy” a feel as a shoe like the Air Ultraposite (which has a full-length Zoom Air unit built into its sockliner), but after a couple wearings the Generation did provide a nice, responsive feel up front. Even the heel provided a nice bit of cush once the midsole was broken in (after my second wearing).

Down at court level, the Zoom Generation features a solid rubber outsole with a minor variation on the tried-and-true herringbone pattern. Traction wasn’t Spidey-like, but it was above average, and the outsole looks like it should hold up well to wear both indoors and out.

figure 7. From this head-on view, you can see the clever engineering of the Air Zoom Generation’s outsole. The subtle outward flare, or outrigger, along its lateral (pinky-toe side) edge helps to enhance stability, while the sweeping curve, or radius, along its medial edge contributes to a more natural (i.e. less clunky) feel underfoot. In terms of both traction and overall feel, the terrific design of the Air Zoom Generation’s outsole elevates the entire shoe.

Now, I promised earlier that I would explain why the Air Zoom Generation allowed me to play without worrying about my ankles and, since I wouldn't pull a Clinton and straight-up lie to you (I've been watching too much C-SPAN), I'll go there again. And there is actually a reason why I’ve held off till now to get back to the topic—it starts down at the outsole.

First, the outsole isn’t just a slab of rubber glued on to the bottom of the shoe. Instead, it’s a precisely engineered element that, beyond its role in providing traction, plays an important role in the overall performance of the Generation. It extends out on the lateral side of the shoe, forming a subtle outrigger that enhances stability and makes it very unlikely that you’ll roll your ankle over on a hard cut (see figure 7). Conversely, the medial side of the outsole is rounded inward, mimicking the shape of the foot and allowing you to pivot and move laterally more naturally. The shape of a shoe’s outsole may seem trivial, but remember that it’s the only component that actually makes contact with the ground beneath you. Just like a bad set of tires can make the best of cars drive like a lemon, a poorly designed outsole can make an otherwise excellent shoe feel clunky and cumbersome. Not falling into that trap, the terrific design of the Air Zoom Generation’s outsole elevates the entire shoe.

Another outsole-related component that contributed to the Zoom Generation’s confidence inspiring feel was its full-length carbon fiber spring plate (it’s sandwiched between the outsole and midsole—see figure 6). First used in the storied Air Jordan XI, the Generation’s spring plate serves a multitude of functions. To begin with, as the name suggests, it acts as something of a spring, storing the energy applied to it when the forefoot of the shoe is flexed, and then releasing that energy by immediately springing back to its original shape as the foot is raised off the court. Don’t expect it to increase your vertical, but it could reduce the total amount of energy you expend over the course of a game. Next, as a rigid structure underlaying the shoe, the spring plate acts as an impact distribution device, spreading the force of big takeoffs and landings across more of the midsole’s surface. This protects the foot from undue stress at any one point and is, in my opinion, a big plus. Another plus: The rigidity of the carbon fiber prevents the shoe from flexing under the midfoot, which is critical for minimizing the strain placed on the plantar fascia (an over stressed plantar fascia can lead to a painful condition called plantar fasciitis). And last, but certainly not least, the carbon fiber spring plate prevents the Air Zoom Generation from twisting at the midfoot. By making the shoe torsionally rigid, the plate compels the forefoot and rearfoot to work in tandem, stabilizing the whole of the foot and providing a sound base for the entire body.

figure 8. This shot provides a good look at the large “bumper” built into the heel of the Nike Air Zoom Generation. It helps lock down the rearfoot and is a major contributor to the shoe’s overall stability. Made of thermoplastic urethane (i.e. heat formed plastic), the bumper and prominent chrome accents scuff very easily, but any damage will be purely cosmetic—the structure is beefy and built to last.

One final component that I need to mention is the large “bumper” wrapped around the base of the Air Zoom Generation’s heel (see figure 8). Made of a thick chunk of what I believe to be thermoplastic urethane (TPU), the bumper is basically an extra-beefy externalized heel counter. It injects a big dose of support and keeps things on lockdown at the rear. By preventing the heel from shifting side-to-side within the inner, it plays a major role in keeping the shoe upright and stable at all times.

These elements working together—the artful design of the outsole, the multi-purpose carbon fiber spring plate, and the beefy heel bumper—are what allowed me to play in the Air Zoom Generation without any concern directed towards my ankles. I’d go so far as to say that the shoe could have been a low-cut and I still would have felt the same sense of security. Now, no shoe can absolutely prevent an ankle injury (as LeBron learned when he landed awkwardly on another player’s foot in Utah last week), but the Air Zoom Generation does a better job than most.

figure 9. Here’s a last look at the Nike Air Zoom Generation in its wheat/wheat–gold colorway. Note the subtle contrast between the rough leather accents at the heel and topmost tip of the tongue, and the buttery smooth main body of the upper. The net result is an interesting mix of rough-and-ready construction boot and luxe high-fashion. It’s not for everyone, but I’m a big fan and, of all the colorways of the Air Zoom Generation, I think it best represents LeBron James’ diamond-in-the-rough persona.

Alright then, to sum up, the Nike Air Zoom Generation is a solid shoe for all-around players at any position. Allowing a bit too much front-to-back movement within the shoe and with an overly flat footbed, the Generation is not perfect. But it has a lot to offer in the areas of impact protection, cushioning feel, stability, and, most especially, comfort. Another plus is that its genuine, full-grain leather/textile upper should hold up very well over time—this even though the Generation is one of the lightest legitimate all-around/all-position shoes on the market today. No, it doesn’t mark a major advance in the design of athletic footwear, but the Air Zoom Generation does bring together a handful of truly useful technologies and, if you look at the complete package (Sphere inner bootie, carbon fiber spring plate, Zoom Air at the forefoot, standard Air-Sole unit at the heel), the shoe offers quite a bit of performance and content for its price. I wouldn’t characterize it as a budget buy, but neither would I characterize it as an extravagance. If you want to feel like the king without paying a king’s ransom, the Air Zoom Generation is a great choice.

Who’s Worn It
LeBron James (F- Cleveland Caveliers)

Reviewed by Ernest Kim, October 25, 2014
	Nike Air Zoom Generation Overall:  Comfort & Fit:  Cushioning:  Ankle Support:  Weight:  16.0 oz* * Based on a US men’s 11. For context, a can of soda weighs 13 oz.
Price: $110 Key Tech: Zoom Air (forefoot), encapsulated Air (heel), full-length carbon fiber spring plate, Nike Sphere inner bootie Pros: Excellent comfort; excellent fit at the forefoot and around the ankle; very good impact protection; lightweight; good traction; good value Cons: Allows too much front-to-back movement; minimal support under the arch Buying Advice: While it might not set the world on fire, the Nike Air Zoom Generation is a solid shoe for players at any position. Buy it if you’re an all-around baller in search of top-notch comfort and first-rate impact protection in a lightweight shoe. Forget it if locked-down fit is your top priority.