After a somewhat disappointing season with the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook’s is entering a new chapter in his career as he is set to play as a Washington Wizard this upcoming season. The leaked official images give a detailed look at his forth signature shoe which he is expected to debut Spring of next year.
Upper
While retaining a mid-cut silhouette, the Zer0.4 features a less chunky design compared to its predecessors. The Zer0.2 and Zer0.3 featured textile and synthetic overlays and a additional inner sock liner placing the Why Not lines on the heavy side of basketball shoes. However, all the extra materials which added bulk has been stripped down giving the Zer0.4 a sleeker and lighter upper. The forefoot strap which was introduced in the Zer0.3 is no longer used. The lacing system also features bands covering the medial side and synthetic leather overlays covering the lateral side for maximum containment of the foot.
Midsole Cushion Set-up
The cut-out in the outsole shows that the forefoot Zoom Air bag has shrunk. The square Zoom Air bag from its predecessors has been reduced to a smaller Zoom Air bag found on the PG 3. This opens up two possibilities for the Zer0.4’s cushion set-up. Either Jordan brand has given the Zer0.4 an upgrade by adding a heel Zoom unit or the tech on the Why Not line has been downgraded. Until additional images are released to confirm the existence of the Zoom unit on the heel, the cushion set-up on the Zer0.4 is unclear.
Outsole
The Zer0.4 continues to have a decoupled outsole, exposing the TPU shank plate for a better heel to toe transition. The outsole pattern is a unique pattern to showcase Russell Westbrook’s unorthodox playstyle. It features short and thin grooves that are jumbled across the whole outsole.
As Russell Westbrook enters his 13th NBA season, the Why Not Zer0.4 looks to compliment his change in playstyle. Russell Westbrook isn’t the explosive player he was before and he needs a lighter shoe to help him stay competitive. The Why Not Zer0.4 looks to match his needs and the fans of the Why Not line whom have been wanting a lighter basketball shoe.
SNEAKER SPECULATION 