Glove love: Zoom GP retro review

 Sole View: Nike Air Zoom GP retro review

Fit: 9/10

Cushioning: 9/10

Traction: 10/10

Support: 10/10

Materials 9/10

Aesthetic: 1997/1997 forefoot rand/overlay Popular with the Air Jordan 12 all of the bells, whistles and tech for your favorite lockdown down defending, trash talking Hall of Fame Point Guard out of Oakland. clean, fun, and stable with a ski boot lockdown lace cover emphasizing “the Glove” nickname and concept.

Fit: 9/10: the full grain leather upper which was come at the time, but a premium now wore well. there are also colorways with suede and nubuck/durabuck as well. the well spaced lacing, medial side monkey paw structure, solid heel counter and shape all contribute to a well fitting basketball sneaker. the lace cover and ski boot closure system are the main visual point however it does work and function well. you can actively feel it as you tighten the rachet/system. i think the sneaker would be fine without it, but from a visual and marketing standpoint this was cool AF during the time of it’s release. very fun, clever and visually appealing for any one who appreciated Nike Alpha project or any other well designed themes during the 90’s and early 2000’s. the fit was secure and stable horizontally for quick and agile moves on the offense and defensive end. “pick up your puppies lol” 

Cushioning: 9/10: the cushioning, like the 1997 hawkflight and Zoom flight 98 feature Heel and forefoot Zoom air and a full length or 3/4 length Carbon fiber Spring plate. The Shape of th forefoot Zoom Air units on the origin version of these sneakers released in 1997, 1998, and 1999 respecfully covered more of the forefoot and were segmented to promote flexibility and natural foot motion longitudinally and laterally. the 2019 retro of this version uses a standard forefoot unit, but again the cost to produce and manufacture this sneakers has changed as well the manufacturers and business models from those time. Even though these released through the Nike Sportswear division they still work well of the court. Current Basketball sneakers have moved forward in all aspects, but heel and forefoot zoom, with an actual carbonfiber spring plate and low profile phylon midsole still hold their own on the court. still fun, low the ground, stable and responsive. I didn’e experence and injuries or discomfort from the cushioning. impact protect is fine on the hardwood. these would better better served on the hardwood, but cand still hold up outdoors if necessary.

Traction: 10/10: peaked herringbone, soft pliable rubber and anatomical forefoot flex grooves. Perfect on clean hardwood floors. No issues whatsover. All sprints, crossovers, defensive slides and basketball movements were covered. I wouldn’t recommend these for outdoors as there are more affordable and durable options made specifically for that. Great traction for and active player on the perimiter at either guard or forward position.

Support: 10/10: for guards and lighter active players the support on the Zoom GP is Great. the Stable internal heel counter, fit, monkey paw structure, low to the ground stance, ankle padding and cut (higher medial side providing support while the lower lateral side not inhibiting natural range of motion and mobility. the Lower profile, Carbon plate and flared out wider forefoot and flat heel help to keep you grounded and stable on lateral movements, preventing ankle injuries and allowing you to move quickly.

Materials 9/10 the Material were great especially for 1999 which was a pivital time in the world/country and  a turning point in performance basketball materials. we would see the release of the 1999 flightposite 1 which pushed the envelope of a foamposite sneaker for guards (the Originginal foamposite and foamposites pros were design for around taller/larger point forwards like Anfrenne “Penny” Hardaway & 6 time NBA Champion Scottie Pippen. Performance basketball sneakers would move onto more affordable non-stretch synthetics that kept there shape over time, patent leathers, nubuck, durabucks and so on would be the norm until the PU skins, knits, wovens, meshes, natural fibers, textiles and others that we have today. while I am a fan of synthetic, vegan, recycled modrn materials that don’t use animals/animal skins (if you don’t eat meat or dairy or own a farm, then why use animal skins in your products. If you do then use the entire animal like some/many culture do with honor and respect for the animal whose life you have used to nourish and/or sustain you. As long as it’s done cleanly,ethically and honorably without any wastefulness. Sometime it’s a cultural thing, a conscious decision (health, lifestyle, environment, supplychain, ecosystem, life, religious) or sustainablity/green design/development/manufacturing reason.) Either way the materials on the Zoom GP were top teir, premium and the standard for the time. the quality of the materials on all of the colors were top notch.

Overall If you are a fan of the Trash talking, Hall of fame NBA champion defensive Point guard from Oakland then grab them. If your were a fin of well designed and innovative Basketball sneakers from the 90’s then grab two lol. Still fun to play in and wear off the court. still great lockdown, cushioning, support, traction and fit. Stay safe and enjoy.