Today we’re taking a closer look and review the features of the Jordan Why Not Zer0.3, Russell Westbrook’s third signature sneaker. A hoopers shoe through and through, it is only right to see how well this flashy sneaker performs on the court. Russell Westbrook has teamed up with Jordan brand once again after the success of his former two Why Not performance basketball sneakers. At first glance the Zer0.3 model seems a little overwhelming with details, yet somehow the more you look, the more you admire the aesthetic.
A trending topic amongst current shoe fashion seems to be the deconstructed look, heavily influenced by Virgil Abloh and Off-White, the look is usually assigned to lifestyle sneakers. The Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 suggests that this look may start to creep into the hooping realm as this sneaker perfectly executes subtle features of deconstruction.
Upper
Westbrook’s third release now seems to be lighter than ever and it goes without saying that this is due to the use of ultra-light synthetics that make up the mass of the upper. A big feature of the sneaker is the Velcro strap across the midsole that locks your foot in place. Often seen on hoop shoes like the Kyrie 6, the addition of a strap benefits balance and control on the court. The use of nylon cable lacing reinforces this more so, allowing for a tight and secure fit.
The Zer0.3 seems to have a slightly lower ankle collar than its predecessors, however the collar has an inner sock booty which protrudes a little higher and hugs your ankle. Wide grip pull tabs on the heel and tongue allow for easy accessibility and it is worth noting that the sneaker has additional tabs located around the upper, simply for aesthetic purposes and branded with Jordan and RW branding.
Attention to detail is immense with this shoe. The upper is layered with panels which all offer a unique pattern, material or mesh sequence. It’s this in addition to the bright colourways that give this sneaker the flashy Russell Westbrook personality and we wouldn’t want it any other way!
Sole
Reminiscent of the midfoot tab on the Jordan 5, the midsole features jagged teeth which run from toe to heel. The forefoot incorporates Jordan brands Zoom Air technology which is super bouncy although it does need some breaking in before it becomes most noticeable. The cushioning alone is far better than previous Why Not models and the sneaker works well to enhance hooping air time.
The outsole is slightly decoupled by a TPU shank for torsional stability and this is branded with the iconic Jordan Jumpman logo on the lateral side. The outsole itself is a little soft which means that it would be less ideal on an outdoor court and is quick to gather dust. This being said, it is somewhat easy to wipe down and can offer great grip on a clean indoor court. Lateral sliding is present but not too overwhelming thanks to the zig-zag grip pattern in true herringbone fashion. You can check the Jordan shoes size chart here.
Bottom Line
All in all, to conclude this Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 review, this is a top of the line basketball shoe that also makes for a flashy lifestyle sneaker off court. It is an improvement from its predecessor and it’s made to take your skills to the next level. The $130 price seems fair given the materials and technology used and the good news is that you can get these for less nowadays as the year ends.
