Our verdict
Zion Williamson is a really big and powerful player, and his second signature shoe is built for players like him. Its design and overall structure contain so much force and high levels of aggression on the court. It's all about powerful cuts, forceful offenses, and determined sprints to the basket. It's as if the Jordan Zion 2 is saying: "give it your all or not play at all!"
Pros
- Strong side-to-side grip
- Tremendous support
- Very pronounced court feel
- Reliable energy return
- True-to-size fit
- Breathable
- Good for bigger men
- OK for outdoors
- Casual style
Cons
- Dust-prone outsole
- Lacks impact protection
- Seriously needs breaking in
Who should buy the Jordan Zion 2
This basketball shoe from the Jordan brand is a good match for the following:
- bigger players with aggressive play styles
- guards who appreciate a lot of court feel for their offensive drives
- wearers with narrow to normal-sized feet
Who should NOT buy this basketball shoe from Jordan
Some potentials of the Zion 2 cannot be unleashed if its wearer is on the lighter side. Hence, this shoe is not for lighter players who value quickness and minimal-feeling uppers. They are better off with the Nike KD 15 or the Air Jordan XXXVI. The KD 15 is also a good pick for those who want outsoles that resist dust.
Players who love a lot of cushioning are also advised to look past this shoe. They are better off with the Nike LeBron 19.
A strong grip, especially for side-to-side movements
"Really good; they really dig into the court well," an expert says about the traction, especially when doing lateral movements. He continues that this gives him a lot of confidence, so he is able to respond much more quickly and move much faster despite this shoe's apparent heaviness and bulkiness.
Another expert is so impressed that he had nothing else to say but: "It just sticks." He then proceeds to give the traction a 10 out of 10.
Dust is an issue
While the traction truly works, an expert warns that the outsole is a "no bueno" on dust. It does pick up a lot, so wiping is heavily needed.
Well-ventilated
The Zion 2 employs a breathable mesh material in the toebox as well as some ventilation holes in the tongue area. That way, you get a pretty good airflow throughout the shoe.
In the video below, you can see the most transparent part of the upper. That's where it gets the most breathable.
The Zion 2 offers excellent containment
"The best part of the sneaker!" This is how one expert describes the support that the Jordan Zion 2 gives. Another agrees and says that the upper, with its several layers of durable materials, simply "contain a ton of speed, a ton of force."
He then describes how the ankle area is padded so it delivers "tremendous support" back there. He also takes note of the heel counter, which he describes as "the thickest and most supportive" he has ever encountered.
To confirm the comment about the heel counter, we also gave it 5 out of 5 (where 5 is the stiffest) in our subjective assessment.
It must be noted here that the materials are initially stiff. Fortunately, they do get better in time and as more games are played. Players just have to be patient as they bide the break-in period for this one.
The forefoot strap allows for fit adjustments
The Jordan Zion is equipped with a strap. According to one player, this provides good lockdown and support in the midfoot-forefoot area. Another reviewer is more appreciative of this feature. He says that it allows him to "dial in how much support and fit" is desired. He continues that the snugger the fit is made, the more capable he is to be faster with his moves.
Tremendous court feel from the Zion 2, anyone?
A reviewer reports that the court feel is "real solid", especially in the forefoot area. Because of that, he is more in control of his movements and he is able to move faster.
The shoe's forefoot stack height is 19.1 mm which is 1.4 mm thinner than the average. It is one of the lowest-to-the-ground among our lab-tested shoes.
Be ready to give up some compression
Admittedly, the Zion 2 is not so much for cushioning as it is for court feel. An expert even reports that the cushioning system once "felt like cardboard."
Checking the midsole softness with a durometer, it looks like the cushioning is on the firm side. For reference, it is 20% firmer than the Jordan Luka 1.
Disclaimer: We take durometer measurements 5 times to make sure the results are accurate. The photo shows one of the takes.
As for the midsole thickness, it can be considered average at 27.1 mm.
Disclaimer: We always check the stack height with the insole included.
The insole on the Jordan Zion 2 is not very impressive either. At 3.3 mm, it is thinner than the average 4.2 mm.
The heavier the wearer, the bouncier the midsole
An expert says that this shoe is meant for bigger players, adding that the more that the midsole is pressed by the wearer's weight, the more energy return it provides.
But even if you are not a particularly heavy player, you are also likely to benefit from the shoe's springiness. The thing is, the Zion 2 is VERY stiff shoe, meaning that it doesn't bend that easily.
We measured that the Zion 2 is 18% stiffer than basketball shoes on average. It is actually the stiffest one on our list as of now.
The Zion 2 fits true to size
Experts recommend going true to size, especially if you have narrow to medium feet. They say that those with wide feet can go at least half a size up.
Again, it must be noted that the shoe is initially "very very snug" and a bit uncomfortable. It seriously has to be broken in.
The Jordan Zion 2 can be played outdoors
This basketball shoe from Jordan is sturdy enough to be used outdoors. Its outsole rubber is described by one expert as "really hard" and "pretty impressive." He adds that this shoe "grips fantastic" on asphalt.
Checking the rubber with a durometer we found that it is not that hard, actually. It is even 2% softer than the average.
Same story with the rubber thickness. The layer is only 3.2 mm thick which is less than the average 3.5 mm.
He just wants wearers to note, though, that the middle portion of the outsole is made of a softer rubber than the one used for the sides, so it is the first to bottom out.
This shoe looks like a lifestyle sneaker
Because of the multiple layers of colored supportive materials in the upper, this shoe truly looks like a basketball-inspired lifestyle sneaker.
Thus, the Jordan Zion 2 is as much a fashion item as it is a performance tool on the court.
