KICKZ PERFORMANCE REVIEW: JORDAN ZION 2

Is this the year in which we are finally going to see a full season of ZION Williamson basketball? Well, hopefully. His new signature shoes are certainly ready to go and as mentioned in my recent review on the Jordan Luka 1, I think it’s pretty exciting that Jordan Brand signed two young stars with two very different playing styles, as it also creates the opportunity for two very different signature lines.

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Design 

Unlike most performance shoes out right now, Zion went with a mid-top shoe again for this second iteration in the lineup. Good news for my ankles! However, with added support also comes additional weight. At 416 g, these are relatively heavy compared to most current shoe models. From a visual standpoint though, I definitely feel the old-school vibes. Not only because of the shape but also because of the materials that give the Zion 2 somewhat of a throwback look and feel. All the vibrant colorways add to that and this one, especially, certainly gives me flashbacks to the Toronto Raptors of the late 90s and early 2000s. I really like the all-around look of these.

Materials 

To underline the old-school approach of the Zion 2, Jordan Brand worked with suede, which I definitely like a lot (keep in mind that synthetic leather could be used instead, depending on the colorway). Jordan Brand worked with mesh where it needed to be more flexible and added some premium touches in the areas where it should be sturdy. All in all, the shoe doesn’t feel as bulky as it may look and the materials are high-quality. I did have to break it in a bit, but not for too long – pretty standard. The only downside may be breathability, as suede is not necessarily the best material in that regard. In general, though, I am happy with the move away from solely knits and mesh. It was about time to bring back leathers and suedes.

Traction 

The outsole didn’t perform great right out of the box. However, after breaking it in, the traction performed better than expected and actually provided some pretty good bite, especially on lateral movements. The Zion 2 has good grip on clean courts, but on dustier setups, I had to wipe regularly and the bite wasn’t quite as good. Nevertheless, I didn’t have any major issues with slipping or missing my braking point. So while its traction is not as strong as other models, like the new KD, PG, and Luka, it does get the job done. They can be used as outdoor shoes, but there are better options out there, like the G.T. Jump, for example.

Cushion 

When it comes to cushioning Jordan Brand noted that they used “a new concept that decouples the Strobel, shifting it from a full-length unit to a focus on the heel, allowing for 20 percent more Zoom Air on the forefoot”. Translation: the Zion 2 has an Air Zoom Strobel in the back to provide serious impact protection and a Zoom Air unit in the front to increase responsiveness and to get the shoe lower to the ground. Making it suitable for both players who like court fell and those who need impact protection. So, perfect for mobile and crafty big men like Zion himself. 

Fit 

Initially, not necessarily the greatest step-in experience, as some of the suede panels and even the ankle padding on the inside needed to break in until they conformed to my feet well enough. Additionally, the forefoot area is more on the narrow side, which I also needed some time to get used to. After that break-in time though, the shoe felt comfortable and contained my feet well. Despite the early issues with the fit, true-to-size worked out well for me. However, if you have a wider foot, I would recommend going up half a size.

Support 

You just hardly ever see these kinds of basketball shoes anymore. The old-school support features that the Zion 2 provides are simply phenomenal. Let’s start with the ankle support which is great and gives just the right amount of feedback. The combination of the lacing system, the heel counter, and the “performance cup sole, which wraps high up the foot” take care of containment and keep your feet securely in the footbed. Additionally, the base is wide and offers great stability and balance. As usual, the forefoot strap does not really do anything for me but everything else makes the support my favorite part of this shoe.

Bottom Line 

I liked the classic approach for the Zion 2. From the look, to the materials, to the support, this is basically an homage to the old-school shoes of the 90s. What made the shoe even better though, was how well thought out and how much sense each feature made, considering that this shoe is for Zion – one of the biggest guys in the game. You get plenty of impact protection and support. You also get a premium touch with the suede panels on the upper. I only had to deduct some points for traction and fit. Both elements aren’t bad but could be upgraded. Overall, this shoe is for you, if you want extra support (mid-cuts are so rare these days!) and value impact protection as well as court feel. At EUR 120,- this is definitely a good option.

Feedback 

Any questions? Find me on Instagram at @ONEtothe2.