Nike PG 2 Performance Review

Find out if Paul George's second signature model, the Nike PG 2, is a worthy follow-up to his successful Nike PG 1.

Nike PG 2
Image via Nike
Nike PG 2

Paul George’s first signature shoe was a long time in the making, and almost didn't happen thanks to the freak injury he suffered in 2014 on the U.S. national team in preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The lengthy recovery ultimately pushed back the launch of his inaugural model to 2017, when he officially became Nike’s fourth active signature basketball athlete.

With Kyrie’s line moving to a slightly higher price point, that opened the door for George to claim the most affordable option in Nike’s signature offerings. While that may seem like a disadvantage, that tier has a strong track record for producing performance hoops sneakers that are not only good values, but good shoes period.

Like the earlier days of both KD and Kyrie’s offerings, the PG 1 got George’s line off to a quick start by offering a shoe that was low on frills and high on value. It wasn’t perfect though—the fit left something to be desired, and although the cushioning was good, the shoe felt a bit too bulky. For $110 though, it was hard to complain much.

Could the PG 2 live up to the now-high expectations set by its predecessor? Could it improve on its problem areas?

Hover over the dots to find out if the Nike PG 2 is a worthy follow-up. 

Nike PG 2 - Fit

Nike PG 2 - Cushioning

Nike PG 2 - Ankle Support

Nike PG 2 - Traction

The biggest issues with the Nike PG 1 were its fit and bulky feel, and the PG 2 went above and beyond in correcting them—those were among the biggest highlights of new model. The PG 2 still isn’t perfect though. It took a surprisingly long time to break in, and its traction took a slight step back from the original. It’s also not the most comfortable shoe ever, thanks to constant lace pressure at the top of the instep. But the good far outweighs the bad here. The forefoot lockdown is unparalleled, and the Zoom bag offers exceptional response. Then there’s the price: $110. There’s simply nothing that matches the PG 2 in terms of value. For players who favor low-tops, it’s an easy recommendation regardless of budget.