Our verdict
The first shoe in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s signature shoe line is a remarkable on-court performer. Taking cues from Kobe basketball shoes, the Zoom Freak 1 provides locked-in support, a comfortable fit, and a responsive ride. Most players observed that this shoe offers an adequate shield against impact. In the end, this pair of basketball shoes earned praises for getting the job done.
Pros
- Grippy on clean courts
- Worth every penny
- Great impact protection
- Comfortable fit
- Excellent lockdown
- Soft and flexible upper
- Responsive forefoot cushioning
- Tons of court feel
Cons
- Materials feel cheap
- Not for dusty courts
Who should buy the Nike Zoom Freak 1
The Nike Zoom Freak 1 is a solid choice if:
- You are looking for a shoe protective enough to minimize tensions and stress in the lower extremities.
- A basketball shoe that fits snugly is what you are after.
- You prefer a well-cushioned shoe that also offers ample court contact.
Who should not buy the Nike Zoom Freak 1
Look elsewhere if a shoe that has top-notch material quality is what you prefer. The Nike Adapt BB 2.0 might fit the bill. Also, take this shoe off your wish list if you love playing on outdoor courts which most of the time could become dusty. You might be better off with the Nike Kyrie 5.
The comfiness of the Nike Zoom Freak
Most players love how soft and flexible the upper feels. According to them, the materials require little to no break-in time. Also, many wearers commented that this basketball shoe is quite comfortable to play in.
Protective and responsive sole platform
The Nike Zoom Freak 1 features a resilient foam midsole with a double-stacked Zoom Air unit. Under the heel, two Zoom Air bags are stacked on top of each other and they provide extra cushioning during hard landings. A good number of players mentioned that the double-stacked Zoom feels awesome and that this Nike pair is very bouncy and offers a ton of impact protection.
Many reviewers also reported that this basketball companion feels like a guard shoe. They claim that the forefoot cushioning is very responsive and offers a lot of court feel.
Inferior materials
Most wearers of the Nike Zoom Freak 1 lament that its materials feel cheap.
Solid clean court traction
These Nike basketball shoes boast a combination of solid and translucent rubber that provides increased multidirectional grip on the hardwood.
The solid rubber portion is equipped with a geometrical traction pattern while the translucent section features a rose pattern that commemorates Giannis’ late father. A good number of players reported that the Nike Zoom Freak 1’s traction works well on clean courts.
Exceptional lockdown
The Nike Zoom Freak 1 features a lace-up closure system with internal bands that lockdown the forefoot every time you lace up. The fit and lockdown are just amazing, nearly all testers assert.
Also, the padded collar helps lock you in at the heel area. And for increased stability and containment, the Zoom Freak 1 also boasts a rubber clip that extends up from the outsole up to the midsole.
A worthwhile investment
According to a few owners, these Nike basketball shoes are great for the price.
Light and breezy
These signature Nike basketball sneakers feature a textile upper that provides lightweight support and breathability.
Not for dusty courts
Nearly all reviewers are frustrated that the translucent portion of the outsole performs poorly on dusty courts. They say that it quickly collects dust and requires frequent wiping.
Special Colorways of the Nike Zoom Freak 1
Nike Zoom Freak 1 ‘All Bros’
The Zoom Freak 1 ‘All Bros’ collection is inspired by Giannis’s relationship with his brothers Kostas, Francis, Alexis, and Thanasis.
Nike Zoom Freak 1 ‘Coming to America’
Nike basketball and Paramount Pictures team up to create a special colorway of the Nike Zoom Freak 1. Inspired by Giannis’ favorite movie, the ‘Coming to America’ colorway boasts a leopard print upper as a nod to Prince Akeem’s shawl. Other details include a furry black tongue with “Coming to America” written in gold.
Nike Zoom Freak 1 ‘Greece’
The Nike Zoom Freak 1 ‘Greece’ was launched to commemorate the 2019 FIBA World Cup. These Nike basketball shoes feature a photo blue upper and a white midsole as a nod to the Greek flag. Gold accents complete the silhouette.
Nike Zoom Freak 1 ‘Roses’
This colorway of the Zoom Freak 1 pays tribute to Giannis’ late father Charles. These white basketball shoes feature metallic gold and university red accents.
Nike Zoom Freak 1 ‘Soul Glo’
This colorway pays tribute to the amusing “Soul Glo” commercial in the movie Coming to America. These Nike basketball sneakers feature a black upper with yellow and red contrasts.
