The start of something: Jordan Jumpman Pro

Retroactive Review

Jumpman, Jump man! As we all know the Nike Air Jordan along with Mike Jordan, Nike, TNT, Marketing dollars/ad teams, executives, David Stern, his coaches, Trainers, his relatives, friends, family members, team mates, opponents and successes on the hardwood local and abroad help the create the new standard for Athletic and commercial success in his respective industries. Quite  popular many wanted to be like Michael. While that may not have been the best strategy, the footwear, branding, marketing teams did a great job in allowing any person young or older to aspire to new heights and join in on that story.

Being at the top of the basketball sneaker category in price and positioning wasn’t the easiest sell for most parents in the 80’s and 90’s as the role of sneakers in North America was starting to take an unprecedented shift. With that being said the Jumpman Pro was everything you could ask for in a performance hoops sneaker that wasn’t an official “Air/numbered Jordan/Jordan Brand model” (more on that later). 

Technically an early sample of what would become the Air Jordan 12, the Jumpman pro acted as a bridge between the Air Jordan 11 & 12 (could be touted as the 1st .5 model (See Tinker Hatfield, Wilson Smith, D.E., Gentry Humpry, Tom Luedeke and others). The Original Jumpman Pro still served as a precursor to the Jordan Brand and team Jordan models and athletes that came after.

Traction 8/10: Translucent rubber with Solid rubber and peaked herringbone traction pods in the heel worked well on any court indoors and outdoors (very 90’s indeed). Was great for that era. 

Cushioning 9/10: very great for the time phylon midsole with a full length carbon fiber/composite plate and a full length top loaded zoom air unit in adult/men’s sizes. A great cushioning experience for any player (see Kevin Garnett 1996/1997). They took what worked from the AJ 11 and made it lower to the ground and more responsive.

Fit 9/10: Eva foam backed leather upper and lining made the Jumpman pro, well fitting with right lining and padding/foams at the heel and ankle. With a more ergonomic/lower cut than the AJ 12, the Jumpman Pro hit the sweet spot of ankle support and security without being cumbersome or overly restrictive. Just make sure to get your proper size.

Materials 9/10: full grain Leathers, air meshes, foam and suedes/nubuck/durabuck made up many of the most popular sneakers from the 90’s era. At $119.99 retail. Still pricey at the time for a hoops sneaker. The materials did not disappoint.

Support 8.5/10: the full length carbon fiber plate, foam backed upper, metal eyelet, fit, heel counter and ankle cut all contributed the a very comfortable and supportive sneaker that supported all basketball movements without being overly restrictive and minimizing injuries.

Comfort 8.5: Again the design, materials and feature all came together to create a great sneaker that was comfortable on the court and off the court. If you only had one pair of sneakers for the season or school/year/year then these were not a bad option at all. Just remember to get your proper size for the best experience (See Brannock device). I’ll fitting sneakers/shoes or products can cause a lot more problems than necessary. Great fit over forcing to fit in as always the better long term move.

  

Aesthetic 8.5/10: Again this can be sentimental as the implicit bias for the Subject and the brand/marketing and nostalgia or our childhoods can overlook some details. I do believe just from the profile views, time of the release, design/production and impact created afterwards for the brand and business that this was a very important and overlooked sneaker in the Jordan brand story. There have many retro is this sneaker with multiple material, quality, colorway and cushioning changes/adjusts that have just not equated to the original release (such is life lol). If you’re a fan of the design and story behind it, see if you can find a pair online, at an outlet/thrift store or on sale. If they rerelease the Jumpman in it’s original form with top quality or improved materials (genuine or top/equivalent quality leather, upper materials, foam, full length zoom-air and real carbon/composite in the shank plate then don’t hesitate to get a few pairs.

Family Matters: Zoom Freak 5 perspective

 The Zoom Freak 5 All-Star Game “Thanasis thanks for sharing” is a solid sneaker for guards and lighter forwards who what a lightweight performer with a great story.

This was released as the All-star game colorway/make up for that year. I the like family oriented details, inverted color panels on each shoe as well as the material choices. 

Materials 7/10: Choose what works for you. Synthetic/man made materials have come a long way in the performance basketball category. If you like keeping costs low as a manufacturer, designer, retailer or customer then man made synthetics that minimize stretch over time can be a better option that doesn’t have to come from animal hides. Green design and considered/sustainable practices for those who may not consume meat and other animal products. The patent synthetic leather has a nice iridescent finish that is fitting for an all-star colorway. The nylon/mesh/textile upper features a unique logo pattern across the body of the sneaker that is lightweight and strong enough for indoor hoops in combination with the other synthetic/patent leather panels and overlays. The design of the sneaker, including its integrated synthetic leather support system (midfoot/lateral containment) works will for indoor hoops. There are better options for out hoops.

Fit 9/10: for me the fit was great. I’d suggest going true to size if you prefer a snug fit, but again try before you buy if you can. 

 Traction looks fine even though it has more graphic detail linked to the Nigerian Antetemkumpo families time in Greece. This has been a theme since his initial signature sneaker release. The pattern is a little flatter than a peaked herringbone outsole, but it looks like it will get the job done.

Cushioning: Again it’s not just what you do, but how do it (and many times why you do it in the first place) that really matters. A forefoot zoom air unit and phylon midsole sounds like a pretty standard set up however the grooves of the outsole, shape/sculpture of the midsole and details like the cored out outsole/midsole space directly under the heel help to provide accurate impact protection/ force dispersion for a great experience within the budget/costing constraints of a manufactur/plm/design/development/merchandising budget.

Comfort 8/10: the Zoom freak 5 ASG is lightweight, minimal and thin/minimal in terms of comfort. It felt like a stripped down performance car, built for speed and handling. With that being said the fit of the shoe is were the comfort comes from. The internal padding is kept to a minimal, but there was also minimal movement within the shoe. Wear double or thick socks if necessary.

Durability 7/10: as long as the quality of your pair is solid the then the design and materials on the ZF5 ASG will hold through a full season on the hardwood. Outdoor hooping would probably not help in this area.

Support: the fit, materials, overlays and intergrated midfoot support system all work to give you good support without sacrificing your natural movements or range of motion. For a guard or light Forward/Center the ZFK5 ASG should have you covered for all basketball movements on the hardwood.

Aesthetic 8/10: beauty is in the beholder. Purchase them if you are a fan of The Antetkumpo brothers/families and the swoosh. While I appreciate the cleanliness of the design, materials and colorway. I could have done away with the extra large swoosh personally, but I get it. Ironically that extra large swoosh works as a functional element providing lateral support overlaying the lightweight nylon panel. Props to the design/production/manufacturing teams. Branding, sales & Marketing for the wins.

Story 10/10: probably one of the best implementations of story telling in a performance basketball sneaker (I’m a little biased on this one for good reason). The Zoom Freak  5 ASG “ Thanasis thanks for sharing” highlights the older sibling Thanasis sharing his sneakers with one of his younger siblings Giannis who would later become on of the best pros in the family (at the moment…) with some awards and being the star player to help bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first championship. Giannis and his siblings have done a great job in keeping their family values and fathers legacy alive in the ways they have treated/looked out for each other while navigating the difficulties of their journeys through Nigeria, Greece, other countries and the United States. Being your brothers keeper isn’t always easy in any part of life, but staying strong, honorable and loyal to your loved ones and values throughout the entire journey of life (before, during, and after success) is something to be respected. So Thanasis, thanks for sharing and looking out for your sibling/siblings. All the best. 

Air Harden 2010 low?: Adidas Harden vol.1 review

 Retroactive Review 

Houston we have a solution. The James Harden vol.1 was a very good start to the new signature Hoops face of Adidas. It’s not always what you do, but how you do it. James Harden, the tough West coast Lefty guard made a name for himself at Artesia High school, paid his dues in Arizona (Arizona State), and had a get start in OkC, became a full fledged start player in Houston. And withe new roles/responsibilities came the Upgrade in Deals, business & Endorsements. A Lefty Guard Who could score, Pass, play make and run your offensive sparks off of the bench (Ginobili 2.0). Running Mike Diantoni’s high speed offense which was great for lead guards (Nash, Jeremy Lin, Chris Duhon, & others) allowed him to put his skills on full display. With Adidas innovations such as Primeknit & BOOST. The timing was near perfect.

Traction 8/10: the Harden vol 1 used a data driven pattern based on Hardens foot strikes, footwork and movements ( Such as has patented STEP BACK). It also seemed to be inspired by Fibonacci numbers. It’s a great story and Idea, but I think peaked herringbone with the right rubber compound was a bit better on the hardwood. 

Cushioning 9.5/10: the main innovation of this time period was Boost cushioning. Developed be NSAF a biochemical engineering company. Boost marked a major step in the growth/area of footwear cushioning innovation. Like, Springy, bouncy, responsive & COMFORTABLE. A midsole comprised of heated pebax/TPU foam pellets molded into one consistent unit.

Combined with their TPU infinity plate which acts like an extension of their torsion plate helped to keep the foot stable, supported and even provided some snap back propulsion (in theory) by extending through the forefoot allowing it to pop back into shape, keep the heel and forefoot working together and preventing injuries such as plantar fasciitis and overpronation. The TPU cage on the lateral side also helped with stability while leaving the some exposure on the medial side still allow some natural movement through running/sprinting gait cycle.

The cushioning is perfect if you are a guard or forward who isn’t heavy for your height. The court feel is good and the cushioning/impact protection is great in the heel. I just felt that the forefoot cushioning was a little too thin for me using the inline insole. A custom or after market orthodic can remedy this easily

Fit 10/10: the fit is one the best features of this sneaker: the well padded Prime Knit upper is well padded and sculpted around the ankle. With a solid internal heel counter, burrito wrap tongue and PU fuse reinforced offset lacing the heel and midfoot are very secure and comfortably locked in place. The forefoot uses an approach that I fort witness/experience in the Air Jordan 2010 although it implemented it a little different or even better. The Harden vol 1 uses a floating toe cap as well. What great about this feature is that underneath the toe cap is the soft prime knit or mesh of the upper which keeps is breathable and moisture wicking, the floating toe cap is detached from up and around the toes enough to still provide protection and support WITHOUT being overly stiff or restricting natural movements. The raised TPU side walls of the midsole also help to keep the foot from sliding off of the footbed on hard cuts, drives and step backs. 

Comfort 9.5: Again the combination of all of these features were implemented in a way that did NOT sacrifice comfort. From the plushly padded primeknit upper, burrito wrapped tongue, extra padded and sculpted ankle collar, floating toe cap and caged boost midsole. The comfort of the Harden  vol 1 left little to be desired. Swap out the insole with a custom or better orthotic and you have on of the most comfortable basketball sneakers of that era.

Materials 10/10 the materials on the Harden 1 can vary from Premium Primeknit, alternative knit patterns, jacquard/woven uppers and well as mesh combination with Leather, suede or nubuck. Different colorways use different material combinations, but the olive pair in these review used a combination of prime knit and nubuck/suede that was comfortable, stylish and functional on the hardwood.

Durability 8/10

For indoors the pair/colorway shown was fine in terms of durability. The upper materials are fine for indoor hoops. The TPU caged midsole worked well with the infinity plate to help support the boost midsole while helping to keep the foot stable and prevent it from bottoming out. The rubber outsole should hold up fine over a full season as long as they are kept indoors. These are not the best option or first option for outdoor hoops as there are other/better options for that at a better/lower price point.

Aesthetics 9/10: buy what You like and what works best for you and your needs. Personally I think the Harden vol 1 is on of the best Preliminary Signature sneakers to come from the 3 stripes for a while. Visually and from a player/designer perspective I put these up there with the T-Mac 1 and D rose 1 in terms of aesthetics. They created a sneaker that was designed around the needs of their Athlete while adding or remixing their latest or previous technologies/innovations in a provoking and appealing package. 

Overall the Harden vol. 1 was a great first Signature Sneaker and lead the way for James Hardens time with the 3 Stripes. He is currently on Vol. 10 with no looks of slowing down. You may be able to still find a wearable or DS pair for your collection. Depending on what the future holds look for the retro or Restomod version.