Nike S.T. Charge Grit Zwart K003

The Nike S.T. Flare 2 is a basketball shoe built specifically for the streets. Not the gym, not the arena. The concrete playground, where most performance basketball shoes simply were not designed to go. S.T. stands for Street Tough. The original Flare 1 was developed exclusively for the Chinese market, where outdoor concrete courts are part of everyday life. The Flare 2 takes that foundation further and is now available in Europe. At KICKZ we have these street-ready tools in stock with the full spec intact:

Key Features
The cushioning setup is built differently from a standard basketball shoe, and for good reason. A thick drop-in insole made from Cushlon 3.0 foam wraps the foot and absorbs the kind of repeated hard impact that concrete delivers with every step. Up front at the toe, a Zoom Turbo Air Unit adds a small but noticeable dynamic response. Responsive without being harsh. A shank plate through the midfoot keeps things locked during sharp cuts and lateral moves. The XDR-X outsole uses a rubber compound specifically formulated for asphalt and concrete wear, and it wraps deliberately high around the shoe, covering close to 70% of the upper. Built for foot and toe drags and the smooth gather that street game demands.

Size and Fit
Normal to narrow foot: true to size. Wide foot: go half a size up. Out of the box the fit is snug and the outer construction feels stiff. That is normal and expected given how the shoe is built. It loosens after a few sessions on the court. Anyone who uses orthopaedic insoles should look elsewhere: the drop-in system is fixed and cannot be replaced.