In the first week of 2019，maybe no other sneakers that can be more attractive than Jordan Why Not Zer0.2.
From the begining of exposure, it shows the unique color scheme, shoe logo and other details of innovative layout. Moreover, Russell Westbrook has never lack of of news. All of them constitute our first impression of Why Not Zer0.2. But when it launches, we find that it has more rich story than we have thought. Today, let’s see the story of Russell with Why Not Zer0.2 and Jordan Brand.
On Oct. Of 2012，Russell Westbrook signed the official contact with Jordan Brand. He said,“It’s an honor to be able to sign with Jordan Brand. I still remember clearly that my mother was ever standing in line to buy Air Jordan for me. That was a pair of Air Jordan 9 “Cool Grey. Now, I become a member of Team Jordan. It’s incredible.”
Russel weared Air Jordan 28 in the game on Dec., 2012. “Air Jordan 28 is a explosive product. It’s perfect for me. It’s a special feeling to wear Air Jordan as a spokesperson.
After triennial waiting, Russell Westbrook had his first signature leisure shoes on Aug., 2015. “Fashion was not the driving force for me to buy shoes in my growing experience. So I hope my signature shoes can be owed by more children, and they can wear Westbrook 0 to show themselves.”
Westbrook 0.2 was launched with the new comprehension of fashion on Oct., 2016.
On Jan., 2018, Westbrook had his first signature basketball shoes, Why Not Zer0.1. Time flies, Why Not Zer0.2 is coming.
His second signature performance sneaker, the Why Not Zer0.2, is a reflection of this: The design may seem chaotic, but Westbrook planned every element of it with a specific purpose in mind. Here are five things to know about the shoe.
1. Every colorway has a meaning
The lead colorway of the Why Not Zer0.2, dubbed “Future History,” features vibrant color-blocking on different performance materials. At first glance the design may seem random, but each color is meant to reference a uniform that has helped define Westbrook’s career.
“Every colorway has a meaning behind it that is special to me,” says Westbrook. “With the Why Not Zer0.2, I wanted to take that storytelling to the next level with an exposed tag that helps illustrate the meaning behind the colors used.”
2. It honors those closest to him
The only thing Westbrook loves more than the game is his family, which is why he added his family crest on the inner tongue. He also used a black block on the midsole to honor late best friend, Khelcey Barrs III.
“It’s become a tradition for me to honor Khelcey by writing ‘KBIII’ on my game shoes. Each colorway of the WhyNotZer0.2 will have a designated area for me to write that on. I want people who wear my shoe to understand that playing with a purpose bigger than yourself is important,” says Westbrook.
3. Tech trumps trends
When it came to this design, Westbrook said he wanted a shoe that was created specifically to harness his game rather than follow any current style trends.
“From the first design meeting we had, my number one priority was making the best performance basketball shoe possible. I knew that if it was authentic to me then it would come out great,” he says. “That’s what the Why Not? mentality is all about: Doing you regardless of what people think and being confident in who you are.”
Unsurprisingly, the final result still manages to embody Westbrook’s signature Why Not? fashion sense.
4. It’s for the kids, too
Since entering the league, Westbrook has remained committed to inspiring the youth through his charitable work, and his message to them has always been: “Why Not Me? Why not follow your dreams?” That’s why he pushed the Jordan Brand design team to create a premium performance shoe with an accessible price.
“Being a father, it was important to have my signature shoe available in full family sizing. You don’t see that often with performance shoes but for me it’s all about inspiring the next generation. That also means making the shoe affordable and accessible to people all around the world,” says Westrbook.
For the design,we rarely see a star’s signature shoes of two generations which have such big difference. It should be said that the appearance of Why Not Zer0.2 is totally different with Zer0.1.
The first published colorway includes 9 colors. The contrasting colors make it easy to associate the Westbrook’s style of dressing.
Material: The vamp is made of mesh and nylon texture. The grain design elements re very plentiful. The different part have different functions and use different color rendering. The vamp uses hot-melting. So the weight of the sneaker is light.
The outsole is separating design of forefoot and heelpiece part. The middle part is connected by a stiff TPU texture. The configuration of insole uses ZOOM Air Cushion with Flight plate. It’s similar to AJ29. Although such configuration is not better than Zer0.1, but it is Westbrook’s favorite configuration. The TPU on connecting middle part shows Westbrook’s logo “W”. The shoe tongue logo is also seamed on the TPU support of heelpiece part. So the TPU support on midfoot is also thick. The shoe body is with TPU lacing, which also improve the protection.
Westbrook wears Air Jordan 29, 30 & 30.5 frequently. So this kind of outsole design should be his favorite type.
The most unique design of this sneaker is on the outsole. We can see the grains on outsole using unitive concentrated circular rings. The most unique part is the shoe logo on the heelpiece part of outsole. This kind of design has never appeared before.
The shoe upper is double-deck design. The inner sleeve is thick and comfortable. The outer layer is high, but undoubtedly, that will improve wrapping performance and protection. The TPU on heelpiece also improve the stability. With the full-length inner sleeve, the protection and comfort can be assured.
Cushion: Why Not Zer0.2 changes the full-length Zoom Air of Zer0.1 to forefoot Zoom Air cushion. It increases the area of forefoot Zoom Air. This design is more suitable to Westbrook.
As the second signature shoe of fashion icon Westbrook, the design of Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 is unique. The design style is fearless and fashion-forward. It’s very suitable to Westbrook.
Many people have been expecting to buy it. Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 will take an important position on the actual combact sneakers of 2019.
