Today we’ll take a look and review the features of one of the most popular budget basketball shoes, the Nike Air Max Impact 4. This is the 2022 iteration of this shoe that has been around for over 4 years now. From the beginning the idea was to create an affordable basketball shoe as an alternative to its more expensive models. Like with this series, the Giannis Immortality the KD Trey 5 or the Precision basketball shoes Nike have achieved that by using their stylish designs in combination with cheaper materials and basic technology all while providing a good value. They wanted buyers to have a choice if they did not want to spend over $100 for a pair of Luka 1 or Zoom Freak 4, just to name a couple. Since the previous version of this shoe was a success, the brand made slight changes to this version, leaving it in essence unchanged. There are a couple of design elements added and a different upper material which are different from the older model.
How They Fit
We got our hands on a pair in gray, black and crimson, one that we were able to get in a recent sale from Nike directly. Out of the box the shoes feel pretty solid and they look pretty nice for a $90 shoe. On a first try they feel comfortable and they fit true to size while also a bit snug which is what you want from a basketball shoe. Even if the box is quite roomy, if you have wide feet you may still want to go up half a size on these. Not sure what size you need? You can check our Nike size chart here.
Upper
Much like the Nike Air Max Impact 3 , this version features a mesh upper with TPU overlays. The material used is a bit different from the older model, it looks a bit cheap but it does the job in terms of breathability and foot lockdown. The latter is also enhanced by the support web that goes under the mesh between the lacing system and the midsole. There is plenty of cushioning around the ankle and the tongue which feels nice and adds some support on the court. The TPU overlays are placed to add some protection in the forefoot but also support on the sides where it is much needed while playing. What we’ve come to realize quickly while doing this Nike Air Max Impact 4 review is that given their upper construction these are excellent on indoor courts where they’ll keep your feet ventilated but even in the gym for light workouts.
Sole Unit
The sole unit of the Nike Air Max Impact 4 remained unchanged when compared to its predecessor. This is good news because the setup was much appreciated by those wearing these on and off the court. The midsole is made of injected Phylon with a visible Air Max unit in the heel that looks like the one on the LTD sneaker. The midsole is not very flexible which likely means that Nike used some internal shank to keep it a bit stiff which is needed for stability. Overall the cushioning is pretty good, with a good shock absorption and decent bounciness in the forefoot. The outsole is made from a solid, sticky rubber with herringbone pattern which delivers great traction indoor and outdoor and it is very durable. This is certainly a pair of basketball shoes that you can wear as a “beater” on the court when you want to protect your precious, more expensive models.
Bottom Line
All in all, to resume our Nike Air Max Impact 4 review, this is an excellent budget sneaker, probably the best out there at this price. As you’d expect from a Nike shoe it is quite versatile, both in terms of technology and looks. You can wear these on the court but also casually as an everyday sneaker or in the gym for light exercises. Given the success of the series Nike will likely continue to improve this model even more in the years to come.
