Nike Zoom Flight 2K3

Hero in a Half Shell

PURE PERFORMANCE.When you look at the Zoom Flight 2K3 those two words are the first words that come to mind.It looks fast,light weight,new materials,aggressive traction,full length zoom air.The shoe features a revolutionary thermo-formed outer shell which provides light weight support.The material is more rigid than foamposite material but still pliable.

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note the outrigger on the forefoot for added stability as well as the beautiful profile of the shoe.

With the use of the thermo-formed outer shell,weight is greatly diminished.The shoe from top to bottom is extremely stable.Outriggers on the lateral side of the forefoot gives the wearer a wide and stable base on while slashing to the basket.The shell provides great ankle support.It is less pliable than foamposite material.But still rigid enough to offer excellent support.The cut of the shoe is also fairly high extending above the ankle bone.This however manages to create another problem where the edges of the top of the shoe has only thin strips of thinly cushioned material covering the edges of the shell.When wearing no show socks,chafing will occur and will cause discomfort.Quarter socks will give you enough coverage to prevent the material from rubbing on the skin.Another problem I encountered was that my heel was slipping a bit.Even after wearing two pairs of socks to try to remedy the problem to fill in the open spaces,the heel area just wasn't fitting right.The shoe features a dynamic fit sleeve with extra coverage in the Achilles area to prevent chafing that takes place around the rest of the ankle area.Unfortunately when putting on the shoe,your heel will push the sleeve down even after loosening the laces and you end up fishing for the pull tab and due to the rigidness of the shell,it becomes an index finger dexterity and strength exercise.

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a look at the wide heel as well as the troublesome heel pull tab

Cushioning is provided via full length zoom air.However,it felt to be a little bit higher than I am used to in terms the application of zoom air.It was still responsive and managed to absorb the shock I put on my feet during active play but just felt like I was sitting higher than similar shoes in it's class.The shoe breathes very well with the shell being perforated for breathablity.The dynamic fit sleeve is lined with mesh as well adding to the already excellent moisture management.

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note the 5 dots on the lateral side of the forefoot meaning the shoe is in the "Alpha Project" family of shoes.

Traction is excellent.With plenty of surface area and herringbone traction for the forefoot area,the heel features what feels to be a rubber compound that feels a bit softer than the herringbone traction and small speed nubs for maximum traction.I had absolutely no problems with traction on both well and poorly maintained courts.

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If I was to grade a shoe simply by how or whether it performed,the Nike Zoom 2K3 would receive top scores.However,the shoe isn't without it's flaws.The outer shell felt like it restricted my movement and did not really allow my foot to get the angles I normally get on other shoes in it's class.

Comfort and Fit-2.5/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-3/5

Comfort and fit was the biggest sore spot on the shoe.Cushioning lost points for the the shoe feeling like it sit higher than what was expected.