5 Best Nike Shoes That You Must Know About.
November 11, 2021Nike is without a doubt one of the most popular sportswear companies on the market right now, owing to its long history of revolutionary footwear designs that have stood the test of time. Here we have list down the 5 best Nike shoes.
Since its inception in 1964, the Oregon-based company has produced a plethora of noteworthy sneakers, ranging from the classic Air Force 1 and Cortez silhouettes to one-of-a-kind collaborations with luxury fashion labels, streetwear brands, and big-name musicians such as Travis Scoot and the Grateful Dead. Its performance silhouettes and street shoe designs are known for their comfort and durability. Indeed, the company has sponsored some of the world’s most well-known athletes (who sport Swoosh shoes during games and in their leisure time).
Now, let’s take a look at 15 of the most iconic Nike shoes of all time, while readers may also add a number of these models to their wardrobes. There is a Swoosh pair for every taste, whether you choose a nostalgic style or a new unusual design.
Contents
1) Best Nike Shoes: Nike KD 14
Price: $189.99 – $281.99
Traction
The KD 14’s traction has been amazing if I contrast it to Nike Air Zoom GT Cut although cushion covering in Air Zoom GT Cut was on next level of ease with three layers. The shoe performed extremely well outdoors as well as indoors. They are my go-to shoe, at least until I get my new Puma Clyde All Pro.
Although they may not have the same bite as the Air Jordan 1, Nike Kobe 9, and Air Jordan XX8 models, the KD 14 is just as reliable as the other models.
Cushion
The Nike KD 14 Cushion features a full-length Zoom Air Strobel and a Cushion Midsole.
For being so soft, the Cushion is bouncy, responsive and soft. The Zoom Air unit keeps the shoe snappy underfoot and sluggish, while the midsole isn’t too thick (you can sit in most of them despite their thickness), so you get a plush ride with every step.
You can wear this shoe indoors or outdoors. Outdoors, I didn’t feel the blacktop or concrete. It was a smooth ride that made me feel like my feet were being cradled in comfort.
Materials
Materials may not be my cup of tea but they perform well from a performance perspective.
While the build is more supportive than the KD 13, it still feels light. The shoe is easy to break in and felt great on my feet after just a few weeks. These are my current favorite shoe. They are my favorite thing about the world.
Fit
It is not the most comfortable fit. After filming the video review, I was able try on a pair of size 9. I ended up purchasing a new pair in size 9.5. It is the exact same size as the one I tried. Size 9 was not available when the KD 14 was first released. I was limited to a size 9.5 unless I needed to go down 1/2 size. KDs are usually quite snug, so I was hesitant to take the chance. Although the size 9 was not as snug as I prefer, the 9.5 felt great so I bought it. To avoid potential problems, I recommend that you try them on in-store.
Lockdown was amazing. I felt secure from my ankle to my forefoot because the build isn’t flexible. I didn’t find the strap to stay in place all the time, so it was not a problem.
Support
Modern Nike Basketball shoes have a pretty standard support system.
An internal heel counter and standard shank are in place. The strap is not very useful, but it plays a greater role in the shoes support. In that sense, they are great. The soft Cushlon is reinforced by the TPU sidewall which keeps you on the footbed. The shoe’s base is also wide and comfortably cradles your foot.
Overall
I have loved the Nike KD 14 basketball shoe since 2021. They will be there forever. It’s possible. There are still many shoes to come out of June. The KD 14 provided excellent traction, good cushion, decent materials and decent support. It is a versatile and all-around performer.
Initial Impressions
The Nike KD 14 is a big shoe. The KD 12 introduced Zoom Strobel and the KD 13 added a forefoot Zoom unit. The KD 12 introduced the Zoom Strobel, while the KD 13 added an additional forefoot Zoom unit. This gave users a low-tothe-ground, bouncey feel and also kept their knees fresh enough to allow them to play longer. It would be disappointing if the line ended there. But it seems that it isn’t.
How to Buy the Nike KD 14
- Colorway: Black/Copa/Orange Trance/White
- Release Date: April 14, 2021
- Style Code: CZ0170-001
- Retail Price: $150
Nike has the Nike KD 14 available.
2) Best Nike Shoes: Nike Air Zoom GT Cut
Price: $160.00 – $377.00
Traction
Although there was some time for traction to settle during indoor testing, it was well worth it. Despite the fact that most of my outsoles have a flat traction surface, I was able to feel confident in my movements. The rubber stuck to the ground for whatever reason.
The outdoor performance was not as impressive. The outsole isn’t showing any signs of fraying and the rubber is showing good signs that it is durable. The indoor coverage was better than the outdoor, but the grip was poor which puts Nike Air Zoom Tempo in a winner seat for the grip part. This was quite surprising, as I have excellent grip in almost all shoes outdoors. However, the GT Cut didn’t seem to be able to seamlessly transition from indoor to outdoor.
You’ll only see the indoor score. If I was to rate the traction based on its outdoor performance, I would give it a 6th Man badge.
Cushion
The cushion is very interesting because we have three layers Nike’s different cushions directly underfoot.
React is located below your foot and absorbs most of the impact of gameplay. A full-length Air Zoom Strobel is located under the React. An additional Zoom Air unit for the heel is also available. Although there are three layers, it is still minimal. The GT Cut is very low to ground, so you have enough impact protection to keep you comfortable but not too heavy on your feet. The GT Cut can be used for cutting and slashing. However, it is also suitable for anyone who prefers a low profile design with unlimited forefoot mobility.
It will be fascinating to see how the GT Run and GT Jump compare in terms of feel and cushioning.
Materials
All the materials are synthetic and, while it isn’t my cup of tea, it isn’t something I would complain about.
The soft, form-fitting neoprene construction is very comfortable. The mesh outer layer is strong and doesn’t require any break-in. Although there are a few TPU layers, you don’t feel like you’re wearing shoes made of plastic. You often feel like you’re not wearing shoes at all because of the lightweight construction.
This feature has proven to be quite durable so far. The only thing that has caused any wear is dirt, both from indoors and outside. There is no peeling, tearing or damage.
Fit
The Nike Air Zoom GT Cut is true to size. They fit me perfectly and I love every second of them. Because the materials are flexible, wide footers should not be a problem. If you have large feet, give them some time to adjust to your feet.
I had no problems locking down and lockdown was perfect. I was able lace securely in the areas that I like without any pinching or numbness.
Support
For a shoe this light, the support was excellent. The internal heel counter was strong and the TPU torsion bars did a great job of keeping the midfoot solid. The forefoot rubber/TPU brace wraps around the foot on lateral movements, ensuring that you don’t slip off the footbed.
Overall
Overall, I love my Nike Air Zoom GT Cut. These should be a good fit for anyone who is a Nike or no player. It’s hard to compare these with a Nike Basketball model other than the Nike Kobe 8 — but I think the GT Cut has a better upper than the Kobe 8.
The GT Cut is a lightweight, low-profile option that might suit your needs. You can get a little more protection from impact with the Nike KD 14
Initial Impressions
The Nike Air Zoom GT Cut, the first in Nike Basketball’s Greater Than series, is now available. The GT Run and GT Jump will be added to the line. De’Aaron Fox, the Sacramento King’s point-guard, and Sabrina Ionescu, WNBA star, are currently wearing the GT Cut.
Chris immediately notices the GT Cut line and the Greater Than line right out of the gate.
How to Buy the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut
- Colorway: University Red/White/Yellow
- Release Date: April 1, 2020
- Style Code: CZ0176-100
- Retail Price: $170
The Nike Air Zoom GT Cut in Black/Hyper Crimson/Vapor Green/Ghost will soon be available at Nike (style code CZ0175001). The colorway Chris showcases in the video can be found at iD4Shoes.
3) Best Nike Shoes: Jordan Zion 1
Price: $169.99 – $313.00
The Jordan Zion 1 is the first signature shoe for one of the most hyped and popular high school and college players of the generation. A lot of hopes and expectations have been set with Jordan’s moniker. The time has come. They didn’t disappoint nor were they overwhelming.
To find out if Zion 1 is right for you, watch the video and then read the article.
How to Buy the Jordan Zion 1
- Colorway: Black/White/Metallic Gold
- Release Date: April 29, 2021
- Style Code: DA3130-002
- Retail Price: $120
Nike will sell the Jordan Zion 1 for $120
The Jordan Zion 1’s performance:
During his time at Duke, Zion Williamson once ruined a sneaker in-game when his foot pulled through the top material. To avoid another disaster like this, the Zion 1 has one of the most extensive lateral outriggers ever seen in a basketball shoe.
On clean courts, the traction pattern is quite sticky, but it is a dust magnet and requires constant cleaning on filthy courts.
With a soft foam midsole, Air Strobel, and forefoot Zoom unit, the cushioning is well-balanced. It’s not extremely bouncy, but it does give impact protection and feels quite smooth when switching from heel to toe.
The materials are thin and soft, and they do the job, but they don’t have a luxury appearance or feel to them.
Overall, the Zion 1 is a decent and reasonably priced first signature shoe that is suitable for all player types.
MATERIALS
I’m quite sure this is the thinnest mesh/synthetic top I’ve ever tried… I can practically put my hand in a shoe, blow on it from a distance, and feel the air flowing in (she said). So, sure, the ventilation on these is exceptional to begin with.
The form-fitting feature is another advantage of having a very thin design, as the Zion 1 hit all the appropriate locations for me right away. Just so you know, the materials themselves aren’t that pliable. That is why, in order to obtain a fit that works for you, the proper size and some additional time spent tweaking the lacing system will be the secret formula.
CUSHION
This is, without a question, the most fascinating aspect of the sneaker — a full-length Zoom Air Strobel with a touch of cloud-walking feeling emanating from a velvety layer of foam.
In comparison to the Nike KD 14 or Cosmic Unity, it’s like a large man’s take on Zoom Air Strobel implementation. These two tough boys take advantage of Zoom Air’s raw, quick power increase while maintaining a low-profile design. While the Jordan Zion 1 is first and foremost about plushness, it quickly morphs into a Zoom Air explosion.
TRACTION
The Zion 1’s dust magnetism on indoor courts may be attributed to either a tight design, transparent rubber, or a mix of the two.
I was getting some significant bite before the bottoms started collecting that awful material off the ground like a mop. But, unless you regularly care after them, it doesn’t take long.
Stepping on an outside surface exposed a different animal to the light. My feet were always stuck to the ground with rage as they acquired my trust to just let them do their thing while I focused on mine.
4) Best Nike Shoes: Nike Kyrie 6
Price: $47.99 – $195.95
We have completed the Performance Review of the Nike Kyrie 6. It will be hopefully helpful for interested buyers.
The Kyrie 6’s traction looks like an evolution from the Kyrie 5. Therefore, its performance has also evolved.
The Kyrie 5 gave me good traction undoubtedly, but the Kyrie 6 provided even better. It has a tackiness I have never needed to wipe, no matter what court I used it on. It has excellent traction in all directions. From heel to tip, and wrapping around the sides. No matter what footwork you do, the Kyrie 6’s traction should be present everywhere.
Although the rubber is not ideal for outdoor use, outdoor basketball will still be possible with great traction.
In other words, It’s the same setup as the Kyrie 5, but with an added twist.
Usage Of Zoom Turbo
Nike is using the Nike Zoom Turbo again. It’s a cushion I love. It’s just right for the job, with enough bounce and low to ground. It is not a bad thing to sacrifice court feel and stability in exchange for a little cushion.
Moreover, We have a slight twist to the midsole compared with last year’s setup. The Injected Phylon felt great straight out of the box, as did the Zoom Turbo. The combination of the Zoom Turbo’s thinner midsole and slightly softer forefoot cushioning really makes it shine. Apart from this, It provides a smooth transition from heel-toe with just enough cushioning to last a game or three hours of pickup hoop sessions.
Materials are back to the Kyrie 4, which I loved — for the most parts.
How Does Nike Kyrie Feel?
The Kyrie 5’s forefoot feels more like the Kyrie 5, although the textile is not as stiff as that used on the Kyrie 2. The textile is still flexible enough to move with the foot, but not too much. It is durable, which is great for people who put a lot of strain onto their textile shoes. Hopefully you won’t break any in them for a while.
The heel section is my favorite. It is a soft, genuine leather that feels amazing. It wraps around our ankle and heel in a way that feels almost like second skin.
These thoughts are very similar to my feelings about the Puma Cyde Hardwood. This material setup should be used more often. This type of material should be used more often.
The Nike Kyrie 6 was too small for me. Personally, I went 1/2 up. This is something that I don’t do very often. While they are still quite tight, it is the right fit for me in comparison to Nike KD 14 which was not the most comfortable fit for me although they had good traction. To ensure the perfect fit, I strongly suggest you try them on in-store.
Lockdown was excellent. The tight fit may have been due, but the lacing structure worked well and was implemented in two different ways. The internal hidden lacing is available in the midfoot, and the forefoot has the semi-standard nylon cables. Moreover, the collar has the traditional punched holes that work well.
The midfoot strap didn’t do much for me. It could be there or it could not. I believe the fit and lockdown wouldn’t be changed much.
Overall Conclusion
The Kyrie 6 supports are pretty standard. Flat sole with rounded edges that act as an outrigger. The shoe has a heel counter that allows you to place your foot inside the shoe. This helps ensure that your foot stays on the foot bed and doesn’t roll off.
The Nike Kyrie 6 is a great alternative to the Nike Kyrie 5. Although it’s not the best shoe ever, the slight tweaks to the sole are enough to make the difference once you get on your feet. Furthermore, they run a little smaller than normal so make sure to try them on before you buy.
I hope our review will be helpful for the interested buyers of Nike Kyrie 6. We’ll see you next time.
5) Best Nike Shoes: Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next
Price: $159.87 – $398.00
The Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next daily training shoe is the Nike Air Zoom Next Alphafly, which is the elite Nike Running marathon shoe. Here is my complete comparison of the Nike Air Zoom Next Tempo vs Alphafly. The Alphafly was sold out everywhere so most people want to know more about the Tempo. It can handle speed training, long runs and everything in between.
Now, get ready. Let’s see how Nike’s 2020 second-most anticipated running shoe performs.
Cushion
Tempo uses the same Zoom Air pods for the forefoot that were used in the Alphafly. These high volume pods are extremely bouncy, and I was delighted to feel them again underfoot. Nike’s premium ZoomX foam is also found in the forefoot, midfoot, and forefoot. ZoomX foam is super lightweight and super plush. The super-soft Pebax is used to make it. Pebax is a super foam that saves your legs during long runs. It’s almost universally loved for this reason. After the ZoomX has been removed, a wedge made of React foam was placed at the heel. Although React foam is amazing, it’s not as light as ZoomX. Nike included it in the heel to provide stability and comfort for daily running conditions.
The Tempo replaces the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 (and Nike Zoom Fly 3), in Nike’s running line-up. The Zoom Fly 3 only used React, while the Pegasus Turbo 2 had a smaller, more compact ZoomX and React combo. Nike created a cushioning system that combines the best of both the Zoom pods with the ZoomX.
Nike added a soft composite plate instead of the carbon-fiber plate in the Zoom Fly 3 or Alphafly. This is because carbon fiber bends more easily than carbon fiber. Nike also added a plush, recycled ZoomX insole to complete the package. The Tempo’s cushioning is amazing. There are many pieces that work together to make the Tempo feel great underfoot. It’s soft, yet also responsive, stable, and bouncy. This is one of the most comfortable cushioning systems of the year.
Traction
The Tempo’s wave traction pattern was first found on the Alphafly. The Tempo outsole, unlike the Alphafly’s lightweight outsole, is made for strength and durability. Tempo has a wavy pattern across the forefoot, with some midfoot coverage. It also has two oblong pieces from the same rubber on both the medial side and the lateral side of the heel. Even in wet conditions, the outsole is very stable.
The rubber compound is very hard. After weeks of testing, I haven’t noticed much wear to my pair. Nike claims that Tempo’s traction will last at least 300 miles.
Fit
The most polarizing aspect of the Tempo is its fit. Tempo is available internationally for a while now and I have seen many wide-footed people complain about the difficulty of getting it on their feet. My right shoe’s heel tab was so tight that I had to break a few stitches trying to get it on. PSA: Before you slip it on, unlace your Tempo. The Tempo’s collar isn’t as flexible as the Alphafly, which has a very similar collar.
Once you can get past the collar, the collar will be removed. The internal midfoot cage keeps the foot in place (a feature that many believed the Alphafly had missed). The whole upper, including the midfoot, is lightweight and airy. The tight collar and wraparound achilles pad ensured that I had no heel slip.
Materials Used In Air Zoom Tempo Next
Combining Flyknit in one heel and the forefoot, with Flyknit at the heel, the upper is great. Atomknit’s breathability is outstanding and summer running is a breeze. To provide structure, there’s a thin fuse overlay at your toe. It’s not noticeable and adds some durability to my toe, so it didn’t bother me. What was the only thing I didn’t love about these materials? The laces. The laces were taken from the Nike Vaporfly Next. They are thin and light but not too wide or too thin. If you have larger fingers, they can be annoying but you can cover them through HyperIce Vyper Foam Roller which will ease you with any discomfort felt after wearing. I wish Nike would have used the Alphafly’s laces instead.
Support Features In Air Zoom Tempo Next
The Tempo’s racing-focused sibling, Alphafly, is the most criticized. It’s designed for road racing, where uneven pavement and turns are not a concern. Tempo is designed to handle uneven pavement and turns. It can also be used for occasional excursions into dirt, grass, or gravel.
Few things make a difference. The Zoom Air pods feel almost like outriggers and the forefoot stack height of 27mm isn’t too high. 2) The midfoot cage supports the Atomknit and reinforces the laces. The Tempo’s footbed was very secure and I felt no danger of slipping off. I felt completely attached to the shoe because of its midfoot hugging sensation. It makes a big difference to use React instead of less stable foams like ZoomX. The heel has less side-to-side motion, and it feels more secure when you jump from curb to curb or vice versa.
Despite this, the support is not perfect. The midsole is not designed to support the wearer and the Zoom pods for the forefoot can compress. A few landings on the outside can cause the wearer’s foot to tip over towards the lateral forefoot. This is true for most shoes that have two large Zoom pods in their forefoot. It’s worth the tradeoff in cushion and bounce.
Overall
The Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next running shoe is Nike’s best-selling everyday shoe. It lives up to its billing. The shoe has the most cushioning of any Nike running shoes, other than the Alphafly or Vaporfly. The outsole is durable and grippy. Although the Tempo has some fit issues, they are not a problem for most people. You’ll still enjoy solid materials and good breathability. The daily trainer costs $200, but it is a great ride for those who put in a lot of mileage.
Recommendation
A quick recommendation if you are not into Nike shoes you can definitely check our Puma and Under Armour Shoes to get a more broader review so you can choose the best running shoes according to your needs.