Does It Still Basketball? Nike Air More Uptempo '96!

Summary

In this video, the Soul Brothers review the Nike Air More Uptempo, a retro basketball shoe worn by Scottie Pippen. They discuss various aspects of the shoe, including traction, cushioning, materials, fit, and weight. While the shoe offers decent performance, it’s bulky, heavy, and doesn't stand up to modern basketball footwear. The cushioning feels high off the ground and the shoe lacks adequate ankle support. Despite its durability and retro appeal, they advise against using it for performance basketball, recommending more modern alternatives. Ultimately, the shoe's aesthetics and nostalgia factor are its strongest points.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Nike Air More Uptempo is a retro basketball shoe originally worn by Scottie Pippen.
• 😀 The shoe's traction is inconsistent, with some days providing good grip while others are slippery.
• 😀 The durability of the shoe's rubber is suitable for outdoor play, though it was not specifically tested outdoors.
• 😀 Cushioning in the shoe is unclear, with speculation that it uses Air Max or Air technology, but it's difficult to confirm.
• 😀 Despite the cushioning, the shoe feels high off the ground, which affects the user's preference for responsiveness.
• 😀 The materials are very bulky, with multiple layers of synthetic leather and thicker construction, which makes the shoe feel stiff and heavy.
• 😀 The fit is okay, but the toe room can be uncomfortable for those with narrower feet.
• 😀 Ankle support is minimal due to the shoe's mid-top design, though the overall foot lockdown is good.
• 😀 The shoe is significantly heavier than many other basketball shoes, weighing 17 oz for a size 7.5, making it feel slow and bulky on the court.
• 😀 The shoe's aesthetics are polarizing, with the reviewer considering them ugly but acknowledging the appeal for fans of Scottie Pippen and retro designs.
• 😀 Despite the shoe's weight and aesthetics, it is durable, although ventilation is poor and the shoe can get hot during use.
• 😀 At a price of $160, the shoe is considered expensive for its performance, with the reviewer suggesting it's only worth buying for its aesthetic or nostalgic value rather than for basketball performance.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the review in the transcript?

The review focuses on the Nike Air More Uptempo shoe and its performance for basketball, with insights into traction, cushioning, materials, fit, support, weight, and aesthetics.

How did the reviewer describe the traction of the Nike Air More Uptempo?

The traction is described as decent, with some inconsistency in performance. On some days, the shoes provided good grip, but on other days, there was slight sliding due to dust or moisture on the court.

Was the reviewer able to confirm the type of cushioning used in the Nike Air More Uptempo?

No, the reviewer could not confirm the exact type of cushioning used, but they speculated that it might be Air Max or Nike Air, based on the presence of air bubbles, though they were unsure.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the cushioning's performance?

The reviewer found the cushioning to be okay but preferred a thinner foam material for better responsiveness. They felt the shoe's height made them feel too high off the ground, which negatively impacted their experience.

How does the reviewer feel about the materials used in the Nike Air More Uptempo?

The reviewer criticized the materials for being overly bulky and stiff, with multiple layers of leather and synthetic materials. They found it unnecessary, especially given that the shoe felt heavy and overly thick.

What is said about the fit of the Nike Air More Uptempo?

The fit is described as generally good, though the reviewer mentioned issues with the toe room, finding it uncomfortable despite not having particularly wide feet.

What did the reviewer mention about the shoe's support and ankle support?

The support was generally good, with the materials not stretching and keeping the foot in place. However, ankle support was found to be lacking, as the shoe is more of a mid to low cut with inadequate ankle protection.

What is the reviewer's perspective on the weight of the shoe?

The reviewer found the Nike Air More Uptempo to be very heavy, with a weight of 17 oz for a size 7.5, which they considered excessive. The weight contributed to a feeling of slowness and bulkiness during movement.

What did the reviewer think about the aesthetics of the shoe?

The reviewer was not fond of the aesthetics, describing the shoe as one of the 'ugliest' they had seen and referring to those who liked it as 'hype boys.' They did, however, find the triple white version to be acceptable.

What conclusion did the reviewer draw about the Nike Air More Uptempo's suitability for basketball?

The reviewer concluded that the Nike Air More Uptempo does not perform well for modern basketball, feeling bulky and slow compared to more current shoes. While it is a nostalgic shoe for fans of Scotty Pippen, it is not ideal for serious basketball performance.