Nike PG4 Performance Analysis and Review
Written by schwollo
I know it seems like staying at home would give me tons of time to write reviews, learn how to play the sax and build the next google but if anything, staying at home with kids all day is like trying to hoop at the gym when theirs volleyball practice going on. … it just ain’t happening.
I actually played in these on release week and just haven’t gotten around to writing but I set time aside for myself today to finish this thing up. And before you say man I miss hooping so bad while you sit on the couch, eat chips and watch old sneaker reviews, you aren’t doing anything to get any better. I’ve jumped onto online training sessions for five bucks or for free, worked out at home (lost three pounds gained muscle), used Homecourt since it’s unlocked, YouTubed HIIT workouts, worked on my golf game indoors, hit the road on my bike I just dusted off, learned about lawn care, and cooked new dishes..the list goes on.
Anyways , the point is sneakers won’t get you any better and neither will whining so get to it and get off the couch.
Pros: traction, soft cushioning, fit, stability, containment
Cons: not a lot of bounce back but it’s comfortable and works well enough
Sizing Advice: go up half a size at least. Nobody should go down in size
Best for: any position
Buying advice: covid discounts anyone? Nike and all retailers have been having sales 24/7 so just be patient and not an ER patient to get these around 50-60 like all Pg’s. Please don’t use stimulus money on sneakers 🤦♂️
Weight
At 15 ounces this is a little heavier than normal for a low but it’s probably due to the shroud and zipper. Almost the same weight as the “lightweight “ Harden V4 , weight is all relative. Remember Kobe 4-6 are in the sub 13 ounce range.
Traction
I had low expectations on these traction wise but they performed well except on the dustier courts. I played at my pergo floor church court and was slipping everywhere but so was everyone else (only the Rose 7 does well there) so I can’t blame the shoes.
On clean floors or less dusty floors you’ll be fine. Just don’t lick your hands and wipe anymore..yuck..just spit on the floor and wipe..oh wait that’s not a good practice either..just slip and fall onto the floor and land with your hands onto the floor someone spit on..oh wait. Never mind just don’t go to the gym yet #stayhome
I’ve been happy with all the PG4 traction set ups so far and these are great but I still prefer the PG2 and 3 set ups a little more bc they have a sharper bite out all around.
Cushioning
I really enjoyed the PG2 and PG3 set ups with phylon and a big zoom unit in the forefoot. These have a similar set up but used a. Airsole unit which must have be just laying around the factory from 1994.
The Airsole unit doesn’t have the spring of Zoom so pairing with a softer foam feels comfortable but not springy if that makes sense. Does it affect my play? No not at all but it’s kinda just there. I think a firmer foam set up and Airsole unit would have been better feeling or just leaving it as it was would have been more enjoyable but I’m not nike or PG13. At least it doesn’t hurt my feet and works just fine.
Fit
These run small. I advise at least half a size up to a full size. I went with an 11.5 and it gave me the same space in the front as a regular size 11. From past experience you can go up even more and be ok so if you like more wiggle room, go up a full size.
There is no movement inside the shoe or any heel slip thanks to a nice amount of padding just a nice one to one fit out of the box.
Materials
This is a jazzed (clippered) up budget shoe. Take away the colors of the shoe and make it solid black and white and it doesn’t look like much.
Would not make a good mask
Amazing how much a logo changes the perception of a shoe huh? #branding101
Nothing to complain about. It’s mesh and synthetics and it works fine. No pinching Or anything
Support and stability
A very solid and wide base gives you plenty of support and stability. This is cut a touch higher than a typical low but it isn’t a mid by any means. No issues here with stability or support. Not overly flexible in the midfoot either.
Containment
No issues here.
Conclusion
Like PG13? I do too. Do I like how this shoe performs ? It’s pretty good, nothing great except maybe fit. Do I like how they look ? Not really. Do I feel like PG when I play in these? Eh?
🎶 Sometimes I dream that he is me..like Paul if I could play like Paul 🎶 just doesn’t have the same ring (z)to it. Don’t get me wrong this is a good solid shoe with no major flaws at a fair price but it isn’t something that I’d say wow, I want to hoop in these today. I know a few friends who love them so hey to each their own. In the PG line I still like the 2 and 3 a lot more than the 1 and 4 although all of them are solid. There really is zero point to paying retail for these with the NBA season on hiatus (maybe for the season ) and some really poor colorways and marketing by Nike. Maybe I’m just old 🤷🏻♂️ With all PG’a $50-65 seems to be the low price so if you have the 1-3 there really is no need to rush out and buy something that performs and plays similarly if not slightly worse unless you really love PG.
Despite not doing anything outstanding it’s still a first teamer for me. Keep those last dance episodes coming ESPN!! 🐐
schwollo.com 
People say it is lack of torsional rigidity and can be bended in half like a piece of paper. The surface does not wrap the feet tight either. Do you feel that?
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No, no issues and I actually test for that bc of my plantar fasciitis. The shroud isn’t skin tight it’s more for looks the underlay work does enough though.
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I have PF as well; how would you say the arch support is on these? I use the WNZ2.0 and KD12 because of solid support and not being overly flat
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It’s ok but I’d stick to WNZ2 and Kd12
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Just a heads up the pg2 and 3 featured injected phylon, not cushlon. Great review tho
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Cool thanks I’ll edit
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SHOES RUN SUPER SMALL, I HAD TO GO UP A WHOLE SIZE AND ITS STILL KINDA TIGHT. MAYBE WHEN I CAN FINALLY PLAY IN EM THEY’LL BREAK IN AND LOOSEN UP?
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They get looser as you play. Insole compresses some and they just loosen up all around . I thought same thing when I got my pair as well
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I’m dying @ “which must have be just laying around the factory from 1994…”. As a 90s kid I totally felt that haha!
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😂 let me know when Lebron asks for Airsole in his sigs (not the witness line)
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Haha probably not too far off!
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Any plans for the next review?
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Jordan alpha 1
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Since the only difference between these and the AJ11 are the placement of the Air sole (right under the foot vs inside the midsole), safe to say Nike’s innovation theory this time around proved to be correct since I felt like the AJ11 had more responsive (a bit more Zoom Air-y) cushioning compared to these that felt like marshmallows. Thoughts?
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Not sure but probably a combo of that and the foam change. Definitely not the same foam as the Xi.
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Oh yeah, true! The foam here definitely feels like softer, more like Cushlon? Lol can’t wait to see if the PG5 keeps up the Air sole cushioning or shifts back to Zoom!
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Yea much more like Cushlon than regular Phylon .
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Next review coming soon? Hope ur family’s doing well.
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Jordan alpha 1 . Haven’t been able to hoop anywhere indoors obviously
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It’s crazy because I almost didn’t order these because all other reviewers say you slide off the footbed even one said it’s not safe. However, you a guy who has good size and pure kicks, guys who review shoes and fly all over the court says containment is good…sometimes makes me wonder if some shoe reviewers either follow each other lead or are paid to say certain things…also common consumer reviews I saw dont mention poor containment 🤷🏾♂️
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How deep do you sit in the midsole???
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A few mm below not much .
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Btw…finish line has the oreo colorway for 60 dollars up to a size 13 in case you or anyone else wanted that colorway…already ordered mines thanks to your review
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When can we expect the write up on lawn care? I could use some tips.
Nice review as always. Glad you’re keeping busy with things other than basketball.
Take care My Friend
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YouTube is awesome for lawncare. I learned a lot about boring stuff like staining refinishing etc..you take care as well!
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Hey man great review on this. The containment feels like AJ31 where u sit just a bit below the midsole. Also what’s that plastic line on the lateral side of the midsole?
Also thoughts on the durability of the outsole?
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Yea it works a little better since there is a little plastic piece at the forefoot and it isn’t flyknit so less stretchy . I think the little line is a tiny shank. I haven’t googled it yet haha
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Welp I just bought one in size US13 (definitely have to 1 size up). The outsole is similarly soft to freak 1, westbrook why not and one take, KD13, and peak taichi flash. I guess almost none of the newer models have durable outsole ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
guess the little plastic piece works like adidas containtment barrier like dame 5 and that laceless model
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How long do Nike air cushion last before going ‘bottoming out’? Do they last forever as long as they don’t pop?
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Eventually the gas will escape but usually that’s 7 plus years down the line . Foam usually dies by then anyways
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Just got mine for $30. I’m going to love these. I love full length air.
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