*Sorry about the delay, kids’ Spring Break put me behind a few weeks since Spring Break puts me behind on work stuff which then puts me behind other stuff etc…*
It’s funny how fast enthusiasm and hype wane after a few weeks.. one week it’s all forums and sneakerheads talk about and the next week it’s on to the next shoe. Kind of like how fast the Thunder went from possible Warrior stoppers to the 7th seed in the West. This year’s playoffs are going to be 🔥
Like Forest said, you never know what you’re going to get with a box of OKC Thunder. Conversely, you do know what you’ll get from the Why Not Zero 2… a great all around performer at a decent retail price. Wait as always folks, that one month with months hot shoe won’t hurt your skills or lack there of any.
Pros: traction, cushioning, fit, SUPPORT, stability containment, feels premium
Cons: traction pattern may tear with wear.
Sizing advice: true to size
Best for: any position
Buying advice: Wait as always. Stats are great but the world isn’t in love with Russ. $100 or less is fair, bottom around $50-65.
Weight
16.5 ounces which is slightly heavier than most mids.
Traction
Like the WNZ1, the traction is excellent. Very soft and pliable rubber with good depth keeps dust at bay. Excellent bite right out of the box on all surfaces with very little to no wiping on dusty floors
The only issue , although I haven’t had it yet, is these split 0 will split or tear with more wear. Anytime you segment pieces of an outsole, they are prone to tearing. UA are you listening ? Definitely not recommend outdoors.
Overall, well done JB!
Cushioning
Similar sized forefoot cushioning as the AJ 33 but less protrusion still gives the wearer plenty of forefoot zoom feel. It’s like 1998 again y’all!
It isn’t AJ XX8 feeling since the protrusion is huge but the size of the Zoom unit and the removal of foam make the Zoom feel Zoomy! It’s nice to see Zoom make a slight comeback now if we can only get Nike/JB to give us heel Zoom too. Glad I have all my Soldier VI’s!
The rest of the cushioning is injected Phylon which feels good underfoot from the get go. You won’t mistaken it for Lunarlon or Boost or anything premium but you’re not going to miss it either. It has just the right amount of give and spring to it that you don’t miss it and actually enjoy the full ride.
Well done JB!
Fit
I went true to size and these have a little more room than the Why not 1 which is a good thing imo. If you want a really tight fit you could go down but true to size should fit most everyone
No movement inside the shoe, no heel slip, so simple I barely have to write a paragraph.
Straps for just a little more lockdown around the midfoot
Same with the wrap around around the ankle
Overall I had zero issues out of the box, none during play which is exactly what you want.
Great job Nike!
Materials
Materials don’t matter for me but these materials LOOK way more premium than most shoes in the 140 under range. All the textures and contours gives off a luxurious feeling than pretty much every shoe I’ve reviewed under $140. Once again, value is the operative word. No difference in performance versus something made out of plain mesh like you see in the toe box but it feels a lot more expensive than most.
It’s a bit of a throwback with the quilted feel ala Aj xx1, xx2, Lebro sphere linings etc but on the outside instead.
Nice job stretching that dollar for us JB!
Support and Stability
A shoe with some support ? Why not right ?
With the basketball shoes going lower and lower every day, it’s nice to feel some support around my ankles. It isn’t a sock like mid cut but a mid with some actual structure. You can still fold over the lateral side but if you push from the medial side from the inside, you have some actual support. JB/Nike used an asymmetrical design on the AJ XIV and Soldier VI with a higher medial side and this gives off a similar feeling of support.
Midfoot support is good as well with a nice plastic midfoot shank in the shape of a W.. as in Westbrook for those who aren’t 🕵️♂️.
There is also plenty of arch support as you can see on the medial side.
Although the WNZ2 does not have an outrigger it is plenty wide in the forefoot for support.
Overall zero issues with support and stability.
Well done JB!
Containment
Yeppers, no issues here
Conclusion
I’ve literally got nothing to complain about with this shoe. If The AJ XX8 had a baby with the Soldier VI, this is pretty much what you’d get. JB made the WNZ2 a lot more fun this time around with a bouncier cushioning set up while keeping the shoe just great all around.. kind of like Mr. Triple Double.
Price wise, at $125, it isn’t the cheapest shoe out there but if you’re worrying about a $15 difference between what typically constitutes “budget”, maybe you shouldn’t buy these at retail and just wait like I always suggest. Russ isn’t loved like MJ, Steph or Lebron so guess what, these will fall in price just like the WNZ1 (man I hate typing the whole name). Fair is around $90 with the bottom around $50-60. With the playoffs and Thunder season possibly ending early, expect these to drop in price quickly by summer.
The streak of first teams continues for 2019
schwollo.com 
These have been on my radar both for off/on court use. I’m waiting for that £50 price tag- but highly doubt it here. Nice review and you just made me decide to get one :p
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Nice! Had to read this quick once I saw your IG post.
I’m excited for the KD12 but waiting for a legitimate review before I pull the trigger. In the meantime while I get impatient, would you choose this or the Lebron 16?
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I like these more. Lebron XVI still a little too high for my liking.
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Playing in the HDX currently and the cushioning is not as active as I would like. WNZ2 bouncier? Trying to alleviate sore knee’s.
As always you’re the man Schwollo.
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Yes it is bouncier in the forefoot bc it’s a lot bigger. Heel feels like similar to hdx but no zoom same foam feel
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Another great review! Would you choose these over the PG3s?
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Tough call. With all the first teams I suggest buying based on looks or your fav player because they are all really good. I’m a PG13 fan fwiw so I’d go pg3 personally
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The rounded edges of the sole concerns me, and you said you don’t like rounded heels. It didn’t cause a problem I guess?
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Not in this case. If it did I would have noted it right away lol
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I have an issue where the corner of the shank plate digs into my flat arch, but usually it only becomes apparent after 3 hour basketball session.
The phylon broke in nicely around the zoom unit so it feels like the zoom unit is slightly protruding when I step on the forefoot.
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These have too much arch support for my flat feet. The medial wing digs into my foot. Very annoying.
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I just stumbled across the kd 12’s in finish line and all I can say is good luck getting your feet in the shoe. I have wide feet and I tried a half size up, NEGATIVE.
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Haha ive never had an issue with getting my foot in so that doesn’t really worry me
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How’d it feel?
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It felt good on my fingers but I really wish I could have gotten my foot in. Maybe I will try again tomo lol
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I would’ve used this 👨🔬 instead of 🕵️♂️, but that’s just me! it’s great that you ‘barley’ had to right anything about the fit!! lol. Great read as always Schwollo. Just when I thought these were ‘Nah’ from a design perspective, you convince me otherwise. Will look out for these for rock bottom price then. ✌️
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I need to rum spill Czech
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Hey man, which zoom shoes have the best impact protection for you? I dont know if you get knee pain, but i judge the impact protection based on if i feel it or not after games. Boost is the best for me. Aside from the lebron 16(that has the zoomiest zoom), which zoom shoes are the most forgiving for your legs and feet?
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I don’t really get knee pain knock on wood . Kd 9-11 are great for zoom and cushioning pg 3 why not 2 also Lebron x xi xiv xv. If Boost works stick with Boost.
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Appreciate you, bro. After both this and your PG3 review, I have to keep reminding myself I’ve grown to prefer full foam setups over Zoom, ‘cause both of those shoes sound great.
But thanks again for your reviews. Found myself once again recommending them to a friend a couple days ago—he had hit me up from the sneaker store considering some V3s. I fired back some impressions, the link to your review, and screen shots of your Pros and Cons section and the conclusion. Basically any time someone asks me about performance specs of b-ball shoes, I steer them toward your website. 👊🏼
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💪 👊 🤛 🤜
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Hey have you ever tried the insoles with zoom built into them? I saw some with heel, heel and forefoot and full length zoom
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I have not but I heard they feel good even if they aren’t official Nike
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I was thinking of getting the heel ones for my why not 0.1 to have heel cushioning directly under or a full length one for the hd 2017. I think the hd would be the best shoe ever with full zoom and full react under…
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I’m sure they are a little thicker so you may want to buy it first then try on in store
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So the insoles came in and felt great but then I went to Marshall’s and got the pro bounce 2018 for 30 bucks. Wondering if I should put the insoles in them or would that be too much??? Bounce and zoom sounds great in theory tho…
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Try it out ? Should be ok
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Schwollo what would you choose PG 3 or WNZ 2 compare each category I cant decide what to buy for my birthday iam 12 and point guard 5’3
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You’ll be fine in either at that age and will probably outgrow them within a few months. Go with your favorite player or which one you like more looks wise. Both are great.
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Hey Schwollo! Have you ever played in the Jordan Super.Fly 2’s? (https://sneakernews.com/2014/01/27/jordan-super-fly-2-blue-red-purple/) If you have, 1) what were your thoughts on that shoe? 2) would a guard be able to wear them?
Thanks! Keep up the great work!
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I have not
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Hey Schwollo, how does the zoom air in these shoes compare to the forefoot zoom found in the Soldier VI ?
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Very similar in feel I think the wnz2 is bigger though
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Ah I see. Thank you!
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I got a question how is this forefoot zoom size and bounce compared to pg 3 zoom and how does it compare to the forefoot of the marquee boost
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Pg3 felt the zoomiest to me since its big and thick and right under the ball of my foot. Why not 2 is good too . Forefoot of marquee boost feels like boost. All are good overall
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Just got one for 70 bucks from Nordstrom rack. Really good as you mentioned. Read your article after my experience with why not 2.0 and feel the same things. Glad my thought got approved! Well done sir! Will follow your post!
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Glad to hear it !
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