Guys, if you're on the fence, COP THESE RIGHT AWAY. Played again in them tonight and going down half size was the perfect decision for the midnight suede color way. These are really true to the OGs (except for the insole, which I stI'll have my OG insoles if I really wanted them that bad). The Zoom and Phylon are bouncy, not dense like the 2012 (the new ones are softer Phylon and squishier). The lockdown is insane for the heel, and the strap stays attached. I'm not sure why the 2012 pair sucked but I'm so happy they corrected these. My 2012 pair actually feel OK now for outdoor hooping, but I actually went and bought material to make a new strap adhesive because the straps sucked. The traction is bananas, of course, and I'm definitely copping every color way when they drop prices again. I'm still completely happy for $100, but having more pairs for cheap will happen....these are that close to the OG Make sure you try them on in store first depending on color way. I'm not sure how the leather ones fit, I'm guessing TTS, but the suede color way definitely has a little more room. For that sock fit that the originals provided I had to drop .5, but it may not be the same for the leather and nubuck color ways.
@jrdatrackstar23 appreciate the feedback. I've been sold, just haven't jumped on some yet as I've been on a streak of literally picking up nothing. They will be had
I was going to wait until they dropped down in price (like in 2012) but I saw them in the windows at Foot Locker for $100. Asked about how many sizes they had and he said they had been moving them pretty quickly once the price drop came. I tried them on thinking they wouldn't feel like the OGs, but right out of the box the Phylon and Zoom felt better than my 2012 pair ever did. Didn't want to take any chances of them disappearing so I copped instantly....
Man I am just so happy they kept these like the originals. The more you wear/play in them, the more they take your foot shape and get the broken-in baseball glove type feel. Nike got it right this time (finally), definitely copping more so that I'm set for life basically when the price drops more. I pray ppl keep sleeping on them so I can cop tons more pairs of the All Star colorways and Midnight Suede colorways
Picked up the asg on sale and the heel lockdown is perfect, which is my first requirement for a great shoe. The strap feels unnecessary, like its they're only to take away some mobility.
yeah it doesn't really do much in terms of support. I think I remember how it sort of aided in a one-to-one feel though, nice and connected "proprioception" that some people like. It's been since the originals that I've played in a pair. Trying to decide between black/yellow/whites and the grey/uni blues. I really want the jetstream royal pair to drop haha
Nike needs to quit playing around and just release this pair: I love those, not a huge fan of the lasered joints though. I'm still sitting on my Jetstreams that are NDS and my DS Pair of 2K3s
That's how I feel about the strap. I like mine tight for that feel, though I played in the Kobe 4s and 5s just fine. My left foot is smaller than my right (due to being rolled so much), so I need the strap on that foot for heel lockdown. On my right foot, it's barely strapped.
Wow. Played in these today and i can see why people praise this shoe so much. They are extremely low to the ground but still cushioned like the kobe 5. I can imagine taking these off and putting on something like the xx9 and feeling disconnected from the ground. How durable is the 2K4? The Kobe 5 wasn't durable and that was one of the only cons of that shoe.
The shape is the main thing that goes with this shoe as far as long term durability is concerned. The material longevity varies since some color ways are leather while others are durabuck. They hold up well in my experience but I treat my shoes before wearing them and maintain them.
Yea, I'm hooked on these. My OG 2k4 lasted for a while but has a bruises lol. The 2k12 pair had horrible durability and felt like crap compared to the original. These are basically perfect. I'm shocked I'm playing in them because I thought I needed more cushioning, but opposite has happened in my Rose 6. I had an Achilles injury and knees hurt. My knees and Achilles have felt better since hooping in the 2k4 again, and the cushioning is responsive, firm and forgiving, and noticeable. These are like a beefed up version of the Kobe 5 with a thicker midsole, so they're still low to the ground but have more cushioning so they won't bottom out like the Kobe 5 midsole did. They also have a carbon fiber plate underneath the forefoot met zoom bag, which is why I prefer these over the Kobe lows. The 2k4, I would say, is just "as durable" as the Kobe 5 except the midsole and cushioning, which lasts longer and won't bottom out (I was still playing in my 2k4s until recently they started separating at the midsole). I've heard durability issues from both the OG 2k4 (2012 doesn't count) and the Kobe 5, but I never durability issues with either as far as the upper goes and stuff. The shape "wears down" on the 2k4, but to me that's the point and how I like it because the outrigger and wide base keeps you safe. It is like a broken in baseball glove feel, and they feel like wearing nothing but socks with rubber and cushioning strapped to the bottom of your feet. Here is the original Kicksology review for them. You can basically go off this review since these are more true to the original http://web.archive.org/web/20040724...ksology.net/reviews/nike/zoomhuarache2k4.html
@jrdatrackstar23 have you played in any pairs w/ the more suede-like upper? I just ordered the black/yellows in a half size down. I'm hoping the material holds fine, more worried about containment as they break in. I can't remember if the original jetstream pair I had was a durabuck or suede or whatever. Guessing there shouldn't be too much difference? Just liked the black/yellows out of what is currently available, but since these are only for hooping I'm hoping it wasn't a mistake going with a suede pair
My OGs are nubuck (which is what the black/yellows are), and they definitely have a more sock-like fit than the Jetstream colorway (which is suede). It was for this reason I had to go down a half size for the Jetstreams, but I would probably have gone true to size for the nubuck (my OGs are 9.5, my suede Jetstream is size 9 and is perfect). You may luck out and it fits you, but I would definitely try them on in store first. I tried to go 9.5 in the Jetstreams, but the moment I started playing in them I felt so much dead space and my foot was swimming. I played in the leather pair as well (from 2012) so I would go true to size in the All Star colorway as well (so 9.5 for me). I remember Prof K specifically saying that you should either avoid the suede pairs or go AT LEAST half a size down. Mine have broken in nicely and shaped to my foot... I definitely plan on copping AT LEAST 2 more pairs, so I will probably get one nubuck (the black/yellow) for playing in, and then either the jetstream or All Stars to rock (and eventually hoop in).
^Thanks for the reply! Anxious to get these in... it's literally been since maybe '06 - '07 that I've played in this shoe, when I think I wore the Jetstream pair for 2 seasons straight. Zoom probably deflated by then haha... I always had an eye on the Nike iD and re-release pairs, but never jumped. Looking forward to lacing them up
No problem, glad others are trying to give the shoe another go because they're amazing! I use to think the 2k5 was my fav shoe (still my runner up next to these), but I actually never tried a pair until 2008~ish (bought them from eBay, an OG NikeID pair). It's actually a good thing you've waited until now because these are the first retros like the originals (never tried the 08 limited pairs).
So the consensus is TTS on durabuck pairs like the blk/yellow??? I tried the blk/yellow pair on instore and they felt super stiff from a cushioning standpoint...I'm assuming they need to break in?? I remember having to break my og pair in. They aren't going to be ready fresh out the box like todays shoes I am assuming.
As far as I can remember even with the originals, they didn't really shine for me until after a solid break in. I mean they were nice out of the box, but I'm sure they were pretty stiff as well.
Yes, these need broken in. For me, out of the box, I could already notice the Zoom (still need broken in but you can definitely feel it and the midsole is already kinda responsive out of the box). They truly started to shine after I played in them for about 5-6 hours total (2 days of 1:30-2 hrs of basketball and 2 games of 45 mins). I'm taking a shot in the dark, as I haven't tried on the durabuck pairs in store, but judging from my OGs yes. The only pair I would suggest half size down is the suede for a snug containing fit. Otherwise, your feet will be swimming in them. I imagine the durabuck pairs will be better when it comes to fit because those actually form to your feet way better, whereas suede isn't really good for performance (although I love mine, they aren't AS SOCK-LIKE and form fitting as my OG durabuck/nubucks).
Thanks for the feedback guys. Repped. Just to clarify, the only suede pair that you guys are talking about, which you suggest going a half size down in would be the "olympic" colorway right?? Also, the last couple of people that have responded have said they loved their pair...just curious what other shoes have you been hoopin in and how long have you had your 2k4's. Just want to see if they are up there with some of the other nike bball shoes and if they are durable. I have read reviews about these tearing, the '12 pair tearing. I currently hoop in and love the KD 8....I know, people hated these but they actually fit me well so sizing wasn't a problem for me and I loved the traction, cushion and fit.
I wouldn't go out of a shoe that works for you. I was playing in the Rose 6 prior to these, and the Kobe 9 before these. I just know that playing in the Rose 6 after around 5 months I've developed back, knee pain, Achilles injuries, etc. I suffered the same (not as bad) in the Kobe 9. These pains are getting less frequent in the 2k4, and the Rose 6 Boost got so firm that they're not even comfortable anymore. The 2k4 has noticeable cushioning and is also low, but still thick enough to provide impact protection. The heel Zoom is thick and forefoot met bag is thick as well (not bouncy, but how Boost should've felt to me).