Is it the shoes? Let’s hope not otherwise I should have bought some Hustle Harts.
Geez, sometimes these easy reviews make me feel like I’m cheating the readers of some quality content. Overall, the PG2 is a little lower, slightly smoother and has a little more bite than it’s predecessor.
Just to add to my content, here is an interview with the designer courtesy of Nice Kicks
Pros: traction, decent Zoom after break in, fit, stability, pretty good containment
Cons: Zoom needs time to break in foam around it
Sizing: true to size for everyone except maybe ultra wide footers
Best for: guards
Buying Advice: $110 is fair but most colorways are sitting so $90 or less is even better. Bottom around $55-60
Weight
14.5 ounces which is about the standard weight for a mid. The Kyrie 4 is the exact same weight as is the KD III. It is one ounce lighter than my PG1 in a size 11.5 though.
Traction
Sorry took these pics early on so they look really clean
Thin and pliable rubber on a multi directional pattern is always a good sign. Even with this translucent rubber, I had no issues at all except for an occasional wipe. The traction was great on the PG1 so I’m happy it improved a little. I’d expect the solid outsoles to perform slightly better.
Improvement: slightly but yes
Cushioning
I felt the PG1 cushioning was a bit lackluster as it mostly felt like Phylon. I guess I wasn’t the only one because this year Nike made the Zoom bag thicker from 8 mm to 10 mm. Per the interview noted above:
Some people didn’t feel the Zoom enough, so we increased it. In the 1, we had a 8mm bag that was bottom-loaded. For the 2, we’ve gone with 10, which basically means you’re standing right on top of that bag and it goes all the way to the rubber.
There is definitely more feedback and bounce with the bigger Zoom bag but it takes a little time to break in the foam that sits around it unless you can precisely put your foot onto that Zoom bag on every step.
If you check out Fastpass’s picture there really is no foam on top of the Zoom aside from the strobel board. Wow, actual truth in advertising.
Fastpass measured the bag to be 11mm so that’s a nice bonus.
There is very little protrusion from the Zoom so that kind of evens things out in terms of the use of a bigger Zoom bag but no foam on top or bottom is the real MVP.
The rest of the midsole is Phylon and it feels lower to the ground and softer overall than the PG1. Nike stuck the same ultra thick 6 mm insole into the PG2 so it does a nice job with step in comfort since it literally is directly underfoot. A typical insole like you find on the Kyrie 4 is usually 2-4 mm so this fat insole will make a difference especially with step in comfort.
Overall, cushioning feels good, softer than the PG1 with a little more fun in the forefoot. The PG2 also feels like it rides slightly lower than the PG1.
Improvement: slightly but yes
Fit
True to size unlike last year’s PG1 which was short and tight. The PG2 started off a little tight for me but loosened up with play. I think all players can go true to size with the PG2 unless you have crazy wide feet.
I had no heel slip and no movement side to side straight out of the box which isn’t a surprise at all to me. I really appreciate not having to decide between two different sizes. Thank you Nike!
Improvement: no, different type of fit same result
Materials
Mesh and a touch of suede. Although the materials are unremarkable, they way Nike put these together make it feel and look like a more expensive shoe. As I said in earlier posts PREMIUMINIZING creates a sense of value which makes a shoe feel special without breaking the bank. The materials on the PG2 are flexible and strong in the right places without break in which is what this gimme now world wants.
Improvement? Who cares
Support and Stability
The inner sock actually comes up a little higher than the PG1 but remains flexible.
Since this is a low, support comes only from the fit and the normal flex heel counter.
Stability is very good thanks to a low to the ground ride, flat outsole and forefoot outrigger
Improvement? More flexible just as stable so yes slightly
Containment
This rand across the forefoot helps keep the foot in place on hard cuts. There is a little give still since there isn’t a huge raised midsole like the PG1. It isn’t bad at all and doesn’t affect anything though but it is noticeable on hard cuts.
Improvement? No
Conclusion
The PG2 is one of those shoes you can buy online without trying on and not really worry about anything because it just works straight out of the box. No weird sizing, no major break in time, no major flaws and it is priced fairly at $110. It doesn’t have any real bells and whistles aside from the Paul George name but really, the PG2 is all any player would need. Is it the greatest or most fun shoe I’ve ever played in? No, but everything about it is solid. In fishing terms, this is a solid four pound keeper but nowhere a ten pound hog. Still, it’s way better than a dinker and more than enough to keep me happy.
Let’s fish PG13!
Should you buy these at retail? If you’re in a pinch for shoes, sure but if you wait a month or two or three, you’ll get a serious deal on a good shoe. The All Star color barely raised heart rates and the OKC colorway is sitting everywhere. If the PG1 clearance prices are any indication, expect these to hit $60 down the road. In the short term, $90 or less is easily attainable and fair.
Overall, just like the PG1 this is a solid second team player maybe even a first team alternate thanks to the traction. I’d like a little more Zoom but for $110 I can’t complain.
Pic courtesy of SI
schwollo.com 
Nice review Schwollo. Maybe the shoe Gods were lobbing an easy one over the plate for you after going through the fit issues with the Curry 4.
Pretty straight forward shoe – decent all around at a decent price point.
Might have to give these guys a go. I liked the PG1 but I couldn’t really feel the zoom and even though I went 1/2 size up – they were still too narrow for me. After a few sessions I gave up; maybe if I kept wearing them they’d break in a bit more but at my age I just don’t have the patience for it.
Thanks for the review. Keep up the great work.
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Thanks as always Don hope you’re warm in Canada! Yes this was a piece of cake review. I couldn’t feel it in the pg1 either so it was a nice surprise with these.
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No problem. Hope things are going well for you.
It’s getting a bit warmer up here – snow is finally starting to melt but apparently it’s coming back this weekend (yuck). So no outdoor hoops for a while.
Any initial thoughts on the new Kobe AD NXT 360?
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Looks like a rehashed Kobe XI but most ppl will like how it looks. I expect it to play a lot like the Kobe xi. What’s snow btw? 🙂
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I have extremely narrow feet and loved pg1 fit. I still tightened those a little. You think there will be enough space length wise if I half size down?
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Did you go true to size with the pg1? You could go half a size down I guess but depends on how you like your shoes to fit
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Hmm I thought the forefoot zoom would feel amazing seeing as it’s a 10mm bag with nothing in between the outsole and stroble board. Is it because of the foam? I was thinking it would make it into your Where’s Zoom guide!
First time commenting but love your reviews, quickly becoming my favourite!
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I thought the same thing . I think if you’re a very on your toes 24/7 player you’d feel it more than a regular heel to toe type player like myself. I need to update my list of zoom sorry !
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Nice and brief review man! Well done!
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Great review. Always appreciate reading and seeing the comparisons you make.
Do you feel as if these would accommodate an ankle brace, or would it be difficult with the inner bootie?
Thanks!
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There should fit most braces easily but ultra thick ones like the Zamst may need to go up half a size. Braces like the Adidas speed wrap easily fit though.
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Very much appreciate the quick response, thank you!
Been using a laceup McDavid brace. Can’t wait to ditch the brace, but my last ankle sprain was a gnarly grade 3 sprain so not quite 100% yet smh lol.
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Errr yea a grade 3 is horrible. Did it in high school was on crutches for 6 weeks and my calf was a noodle. Rehab and strengthening is your best friend !
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Thanks for continuously putting out some high quality reviews, especially amidst a lot of bias that shoe culture and reviews seem to display.
I’ve been playing in the 32s for a bit, and am looking for a shoe a little more free-ish feeling. I enjoy the cushion a ton but the traction and feel of the shoe leave me wanting a bit more. (Traction to a lesser extent.) my style is pretty similar to KT. The PG2 seems like it could be a good option but with the plethora of options I’m not sure where to go. Thank you!
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Pg2 is a solid option. You kind of just put it one and go. All the bells and whistles on the 32 are nice but it’s a little overdone feeling. The Why Nots are a great performer but don’t feel that special underfoot. If you’re looking for less shoe the Dame 4 is another good option but traction isn’t the greatest. Any others you are considering ?
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On the adidas side there is the CLB18 and the harden vol 2 which would be the others. Supposedly the 18 fixed the heel slip problem which would be seemingly a major upgrade, but the vol 2’s cushioning looks great assuming it doesn’t feel like it rides as high as it looks/as the 32 can feel.
Absolutely, the 32 is really nice feeling but after a few runs it starts feeling a little less “free” even in a low.
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I passed on the clb18 since it’s basically the 16 with extra eyelets. And they’ll hit clearance for sure. Vol 2 is a great shoe but traction on dusty floors isn’t great. It rides average height so you’d be ok there as well. Lots of good options out there nowadays it’s just hard to find great options
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Yeah I guess its just between the vol 2 and the pg2 for me- the clb isn’t moving at all, i remember the clb16 was still in stock when they put the prices at 60-70
Probably go with the pg2 since the cushion seems adequate even though its not boost with a better traction than the vol 2
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That’s good logic.
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Just wanted to give you an update, ended up getting the XXXI lows, the support is a little sketchy with the protrusion but I think I’ll get accustomed to it as the fit breaks in. Keep putting out great reviews!
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Thanks ! Protrusion feeling goes away during play, you should be ok
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the pg1s were pretty good so if these are wider and have zoom you can actually feel then ill be picking up a pair. really waiting on prices to go down or a colorway I actually like. not sure if you seen the kobe day colorway but if it isn’t limited then ill most likely get that pair
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Yea I’ve seen it. Not for me but to each their own
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finally got a pair and theyre are exactly how you described. got the okc colorway for under $80 on ebay. definitely smoother than the pg1’s. I got a sz 9 instead of a 9.5 like I had in the pg1’s and they started off tight but they broke in as I played in em.
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Nice glad they are working for you! Nice price too !
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Hey schwollo what shoe would you say is the closest to the jordan 28 cushion wise? All I have are memories of wind hitting my face blowing by people. I was interested in the lebron 15’s but read your review and a few others and seems no kne feels safe. Any suggestions?
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Definitely not the the Lebron xv although the cushioning is nice. I don’t think you’ll get that same unlocked zoom feeling as the XX8 in many shoes especially if you like zoom in the forefoot and heel (not full length). Hyperrev 2016 has very nice Zoom and traction but isn’t as sexy looking lol . Best bet for zoom like the xx8 is the xx8 but it Just isn’t durable
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yeah the 28 was pure perfection, I put my lebron 11 insole in the kobe 9 but I’ve ran the traction off those. I have the rev 16 but something about the fit I don’t like.
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Look on eBay for another pair or goat or stock x . I don’t think they are priced too high or unfairly. The SE model is just as good imo and cheaper. Newer doesn’t mean better so that’s why i stock up when I find a shoe I know I really like.
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Schwollo- you are the best, most thorough and thoughtful sneaker reviewer on the internet. It’s not debatable. These other more high profile reviewers are sharecroppers in this here shoe review game! I appreciate that you have kept this space ad-free and unbiased. I’m not even gonna lie, when I first started reading your reviews 2-3 years ago I didn’t like them at all. They were super cynical and I kept thinking, “what is this guy’s problem?”. Then I went to other review sites and couldn’t get an honest review from any of them because they’re all compromised by Ads, secret (although blatantly obvious) deals with brands (with under armour being the main culprit) etc. They all deny that they’ve been compromised, but who are they kidding?? I’m not one to knock anyone’s hustle, it’s just, those guys keep screaming at the top of their lungs that they are unbiased while attending UA, Jordan Brand and Adidas events where they receive loads of free shoes and gear (and I am almost certain that UA Marketing actually makes cash payments to a select few of them).
But I digress…keep up the good work man, I appreciate everything you post here!
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Rich, that made my day thanks a million!
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Great review, short and sweet! I just got a pair of pg 2s, I had to get them in a half size up from my normal and I was rly impressed by how they still fit well. Im loving them so far just wish they had a zoom unit in the heel to. If these had full length zoom they would be beastly.
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Yea one size fits one size type shoes are ridiculous. Nike does a good job with sizing and adaptive fit even with lows unlike adidas lol
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Great review! How do the PG2s compare to the KD10s; specifically from a cushioning standpoint? I love the KD10s, hated/returned the KD11, and am looking to get these.
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Kind of comparing apples to oranges with full length zoom vs forefoot zoom only. The foam in the pg 2 isn’t bad at all just not as fun as full length. Forefoot zoom is very good in it though. I prefer the pg 2 over the pg1 and kd10 9 11 haha
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One more specific question. I always wear orthotics in my shoes because of plantar fasciiits and I preferred the KD10s (removable insole) bc of this. Do the PG2s have a removable insole? Any other shoes with removable insoles that you recommend?
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Yes the pg2 has one similar to the pg1. Most every shoe has a removable insole nowadays except for a few (curry 2). Lots of good shoes out there so depends what you want out of a shoe.
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