Verdict from 2 experts and 98 user reviews
8 reasons to buy
- Because of the canvas upper, these low-top basketball shoes require no break-in time.
- The soft material in the wing does not dig into your ankles unlike the material in the high-top.
- The main highlight of the Why Not Zer0.1 Low is the shoe’s phenomenal lockdown. The beefy padding in the back area creates a vacuum-like nook for the heel, ensuring absolutely no internal slipping.
- Although the shoe’s silhouette looks bulky, it actually doesn’t feel like it. In fact, it feels very streamlined, says a reviewer.
- A lot of wearers feel that the price of these Russell Westbrook shoes is just right, giving them bang for their buck.
- Several users are happy that Nike removed the ankle straps from the design as they did not do much for the shoe’s lockdown.
- According to a couple of testers, the Low’s upper, which is made of canvas, is a bit more breathable than the regular shoe’s, which is made of a combination of mesh and synthetic materials.
- Many are surprised that even with the bottom-loaded cushion, the midsole is still able to strike the perfect balance between responsiveness and impact protection.
6 reasons not to buy
- A couple of testers say that since the pattern is quite dense, dust tends to get stuck in between the grooves and the shoe really needs light wiping when used on dusty courts.
- The ribbed heel counter at the back of the Why Not Zer0.1 Low looks bulky.
- Several testers can't feel the bottom-loaded Zoom Air unit as much as they do the top-loaded ones.
- Some complain that the laces of these Jordan basketball shoes are too long.
- The Zer0.1 Low’s canvas upper feels a bit less supportive and less sturdy than the synthetic fuse upper of the regular version, says one wearer.
- Most users remove the added lace lock since they find it unnecessary to the lockdown. It also digs into their feet when they tie their shoes tightly.
Bottom line
The Why Not Zer0.1 is an excellent and all-around hooping shoe, just like Russell Westbrook's Why Not Zer0.2. Its Low version is loved even more by several wearers. At least $10 cheaper, the shoe amazingly retains all the technologies that make Russell Westbrook’s mid-top shoe an excellent option for hooping.
Tip: see the best basketball shoes.
Good to know
Russell Westbrook has long been an ambassador of the Jordan Brand. In fact, he has been the face of both the Air Jordan 28 and Air Jordan 29. In early 2018, he is finally given his first signature shoe: the Why Not Zer0.1. These Jordan basketball shoes feature a two-layer upper, an ankle strap, an easy-pull lacing system, and a full-length bottom-loaded Zoom Air unit. A few months later, a low-top version of the shoe was released. Not much is changed to the silhouette. In fact, only the ankle strap is removed.
Cushion. An 8mm thick full-length Zoom Air unit is embedded underneath a layer of Phylon foam in the midsole. This setup makes the Zoom Air unit the first to make contact with the ground.
Traction. The Jordan Why Not Zer0.1 Low’s micro tread pattern features multidirectional nubs that originate from the center of the forefoot. Because the pattern is tightly put together, it might attract some dust. However, one or two light wipes will reset the grip.
Length and Width. Reviewers report that the Zer0.1 Low runs long. If the basketball shoe is available in your local shoe store, try them on. You might have to go half a size down, though, as the toe area is said to be quite roomy.
Lockdown. The construction of the shoe has a lot to do with the Jordan Why Not Zer0.1 Low’s phenomenal lockdown. The two-layer upper gives the shoe a snug and dynamic fit. The shoe’s speed lacing system tightens with just one pull of the top.
Another feature that sets this shoe apart is its thickly padded internal ankle pillow that makes sure that all dead spaces are filled. The heel cup conforms to the unique contours of the base of the foot, securely grasping it.
The upper is composed of two layers. The inner sleeve is made of soft breathable mesh that keep the foot comfortably free from bunching or pinching. The external layer is made of either textile canvas or synthetic fuse, depending on the colorway.
The shoe also has a huge external heel piece that is made of compression molded Phylon foam. This feature helps with containment and stability.
The Why Not Zer0.1 Low has a full-length bottom-loaded Zoom Air Unit beneath the Phylon foam in the midsole. The outsole is made of either a translucent or solid rubber compound.
Russell Westbrook is known to be a fashion forward icon, it does not come as a surprise that his signature shoe is aesthetically pleasing with just the right amount of flashiness. The Zer0.1 Low’s huge ribbed external cage is what gives it the “Oomph!” factor.
The Jordan Jumpman logo is embossed on the midfoot, the lateral side of the heel, and the outsole. Lastly, it has Russell Westbrook’s logo as a nice finishing touch to the tongue.
- Black/White
- Cement
- Triple Black
- UCLA
Jordan Why Not Zer0.1 Low Quai 54
Released together with other basketball shoes during Quai 54, a Jordan-sponsored yearly streetball tournament that is held every summer. The “Quai 54” colorway mixes green, pink, blue, white, and black one the upper, giving it unique kind of flashiness.
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