but are his kicks any good? That’s what we aim to find out in this review of the Air Garnett III.

by Professor K., originally posted in 2001

The short answer to the question above is an emphatic yes. If you want a longer answer, read on…

While the Garnett III is the third in the line of Kevin’s signature shoes, it’s the first to really stand out, not only from its predecessors, but from the other Nike hoops shoes as well. The combination of leather and blue or navy color gradients along the sides makes this a very distinctive shoe. The good thing is that the shoe is also a stand-out in terms of performance.

Let me start, though, with the one thing that I didn’t like very much about this shoe, and it’s a small thing. Because it lacks pull straps at the tongue or heel it’s a bit difficult to get the shoe on. Since that’s the biggest problem I had with the shoe, you know that the rest of this review is going to be pretty positive.

figure 1. In this image the midfoot support plate is visibly exposed at the bottom and instep of the Garnett III. Also visible is the nice attention to detail in the design of the shoe. The stitching detail that is employed in the leather portions of the upper is carried through to the rubber portion of the outsole.

The two things that I like most about this shoe are its stability and its light weight. As visible in figure 1, the Garnett III uses a carbon fiber midfoot support plate that provides solid support and tremendous stability. The shoe will not flex side-to-side at all and this helps to reduce the possibility of ankle roll when making quick side-to-side cuts. In terms of weight, because the upper is constructed, primarily, of fabric and leather, the Garnett III is exceptionally light. The only hoops shoe that we’ve experienced as being lighter is the Jordan XV (see the full review for the Jordan XV).

For cushioning, the Garnett III employs a combination of Zoom Air in the forefoot and Tuned Air in the heel. This is a great combination for bigger/heavier players because it offers the advantages of Zoom Air (lower profile, better court feel) combined with the advantages of Tuned Air (extra cushioning where you need it). The firmness of the Tuned Air unit in the heel also adds to the overall stability of the shoe.

Big men generally also need good ankle support and the Garnett III delivers in this area as well. There’s nothing fancy here, just good ankle coverage and laces that run up close to the top of the shoe. All of these things combined, the solid midfoot support plate, light weight, Zoom Air/Tuned Air, and good ankle support, make the Garnett III a very comfortable shoe to wear for long work outs or games. They also make the shoe a great choice for all-around training and conditioning.

figure 2. The distinctive design of the Garnett III makes it a standout, but its virtues run more than just skin deep.

To sum it all up, the Garnett III is a great choice for basketball players at all levels and of all shapes and sizes. People who play a fast, uptempo game will appreciate the shoe’s comfort, stability, and light weight and bigger people, who play a power game, will appreciate its good ankle support and firm cushioning in the heel. And I think most people will appreciate the appearance and overall attention to detail designed into the shoe. While at its list price of $140 the Garnett III is near the top end of sneaker prices, it definitely delivers the goods, and these days, is available at a much lower cost at mom-and-pop type shops. The final word is try it, you’ll almost definitely like it.

Who’s Worn It
Kevin Garnett (F- Minnesota Timberwolves), Marcus Camby (F- N.Y. Knicks), lots of international players in the Olympics