Our verdict

True to its name, the nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 really knows how to maximise your jumps. We are in awe of its innovative cushioning setup which loaded our takeoffs with the most explosive power! Not to mention its fantastic impact-absorbing qualities upon landing. We are convinced that this shoe is a treat for bigger players whose playing style involves lots of jumping blocks, dunks, and jump shots.

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  • Extra powerful energy return
  • Outstanding impact protection
  • Dependable grip on clean courts
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  • Very secure foothold
  • Highly breathable upper
  • Fits to a T

nike dunks sb raging bull dunk high Cons

  • Zero court feel
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  • Heavier than average

Audience verdict

89
Great!

Who should buy

Don't miss out on the nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 if you are in search of the following:

  • explosive rebound for jumps (especially for centres and power forwards)
  • a tonne of cushioning and shock absorption (for big guys)
  • all gray nike dunks sweat su girls

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 review

Who should NOT buy

If you are a quick guard with a nimble playing style, then the G.T. Jump 2 is the exact opposite of what you need.

We believe that you will appreciate a better ground feel in a much lighter package. Have a look at the nike dunks KD 16 or the Jordan Tatum 1 instead.

nike dunks g t jump 2 lab test 21541636 main

nike dunks sb raging bull dunk high | Cushioning

Heel stack

On foot, the nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 feels very high off the ground. But it is not a surprise given how much focus nike dunks gave to the shoe's cushioning setup.

nike dunks g t jump 2 heel stack 21541574 main

Measuring its heel stack height with a calliper, we got 35.6 mm which is over 5 mm taller than average! In fact, it is taller than 93% of our lab-tested hoop shoes so far!

With a very generous helping of nike dunks React foam in the heel, the G.T. Jump 2 offers some of the best impact protection we've experienced on the court!

What's more, the shoe comes with a full-length Zoom Air strobel that sits right under the insole offering a splendid touch of responsiveness.

No matter how big of a player you are, we promise that heel-dominant strikes are going to feel very safe in this shoe.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 35.6 mm
Average 29.2 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
23.2 mm
Heel stack
38.4 mm

Forefoot stack

With two massive Air bubbles in its forefoot and a Zoom Air strobel on top, the G.T. Jump 2 also has some of the thickest forefoot stacks we've seen! No, wait, it is THE thickest we've ever seen!

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 Forefoot stack

With a calliper measurement of 29.2 mm, the shoe is as thick in the forefoot as some other basketball shoes are in the heel.

The bounce and energy return of this setup is superior to everything else we've experienced on the court. There is a good reason why this series is called "G.T." (or "Greater Than"). It is intended to help athletes "do that one thing greater than they’ve ever done before." And in the case of this shoe, it is about achieving the most explosive jump.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 zoom unit

We subscribe to the statement that the nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 has the potential to add centimetres to your vertical jump!

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 29.2 mm
Average 21.7 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
15.5 mm
Forefoot stack
26.8 mm

Drop

Measuring the shoe's heel-to-toe drop, we got a slightly lower-than-average reading of 6.4 mm.

nike dunks g t jump 2 drop 21541577 main

But given the shoe's very dynamic cushioning, the drop felt not as low as the static measurement might suggest.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 6.4 mm
Average 7.5 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
4.0 mm
Drop
13.7 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The nike dunks React foam makes up the biggest portion of the G.T. Jump 2's midsole. We could feel its incredible softness during the playtest.

The fact that it is one of the softest cushioning foams on our roster was also confirmed in our Shore A durometer measurement. The tool showed 16.0 HA which is over 60% plusher than the average!

nike dunks g t jump 2 midsole softness 21541587 main

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 16.0 HA
Average 24.7 HA
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Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
11.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
38.6 HA

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Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

To prevent the plush cushioning from going out of control, it is encased in a much firmer EVA foam (possibly Phylon?).

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 nike dunks react cushioning

Pressing our durometer against that foam returned a much higher reading of 36.6 HA. That's a whopping 130% firmer than the React foam.

nike dunks g t jump 2 secondary foam softness 21541591 main
Test results
G.T. Jump 2 36.6 HA
Average 27.2 HA
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Insole thickness

Like all that midsole cushioning wasn't enough, the G.T. Jump 2 also features a thicker-than-average insole!

nike dunks g t jump 2 insole thickness 21541592 main

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The insole is also divided in half by density - firmer in the heel for stability and softer in the forefoot for cushioning.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 5.6 mm
Average 4.8 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Insole thickness
8.6 mm

Size and fit

nike dunks sb raging bull dunk high | Size

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 is true to size (141 votes).

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1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

We found the G.T. Jump 2 to be perfectly fitting in our regular men's US size 9.

nike dunks g t jump 2 fit 21541643 main

Measuring its toebox in the widest part, our calliper showed 102.5 mm which is on par with the average of basketball shoes in the same size.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 nike dunks sb raging bull dunk high
Test results
G.T. Jump 2 102.5 mm
Average 101.6 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
92.6 mm
Toebox width - widest part
109.2 mm

Toebox width - big toe

We were also delighted to find that the shoe doesn't taper aggressively toward the toes.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 wmns nike dunks flex supreme tr 4 price list

Our second calliper measurement showed how wide is the shoe's toebox near the big toe. At 76.8 mm, it is just the same as the average.

We had just one concern about the G.T. Jump 2's upper - is its fabric going to stretch out with use? Forrtunately, it won't.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 upper under microscope test

Aside from offering fantastic breathability, the shoe's Leno weave is also highly resistant to stretching which is essential for the shoe's long-term support.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 76.8 mm
Average 76.9 mm
Compared to 59 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
71.2 mm
Toebox width - big toe
85.1 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Overall, the nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 has a pretty stable construction thanks to elements like:

  • a stiff jump plate
  • a firm carrier foam with extended sidewalls
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  • webbing loops that connect the laces to the base of the shoe

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 lateral support

The only factor that detracted from the shoe's overall stability was its high platform.

The substantial midsole kept our feet pretty high off the ground which got our ankles working a bit more than usual to steady the footing.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 ankle pillows
The ankle pillows don't add any extra support, they have more of a cosmetic function.

Don't get us wrong, it's not a wobbly basketball shoe per se but if you are used to relying on strong ankle support, you may find it missing in the G.T. Jump 2. Consider the Jordan XXXVIII instead.

Torsional blueity

Don't be tricked by its soft cushioning - the G.T. Jump 2 has plenty of stiffness to make it a very stable shoe.

When we attempted to twist the G.T. Jump 2 in our manual test, it simply refused to give in! All of its stabilising components came into play forcing the shoe to protect the status quo.

Having tested nike dunks roshe run grey mango tree price in nurseries, we can confidently state that this is one of the most blue ones out there. Thus, ts torsional blueity got the highest score - 5 out of 5.

Rolling your ankles will not be as easy in this one as it might seem. 

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 5
Average 4.4
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional blueity
5

Heel counter stiffness

We also found that the G.T. Jump 2 has a rather strong heel hold.

Giving it a good push and squeeze revealed how much blueity the heel counter actually holds. On a 1-5 stiffness scale, we gave it a solid 4 out of 5.

We never felt as though our heels were getting out of control thanks to this firm and secure rearfoot design.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 4
Average 3.7
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

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A nice and wide platform is another illusion contributor to the G.T. Jump 2's stability.

nike dunks g t jump 2 midsole width in the forefoot 21541593 main

Measuring the widest area of the shoe's forefoot with a calliper, we got 119.8 mm. This is even a few millimetres wider than average!

This is all thanks to the outrigger on the lateral side of the sole which comes in handy during sharp turns and cuts.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 119.8 mm
Average 115.0 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
106.2 mm
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124.5 mm

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nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 Midsole width in the heel

Even though it is just the same as the average at 90.1 mm, the shoe's heel helped us feel planted landing on our heels.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 90.1 mm
Average 90.3 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
80.0 mm
kobe bryant 9 elite kids
105.1 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

With the shoe's large Zoom Air units in the forefoot, flexibility is not to be expected in the G.T. Jump 2.

But don't worry, this nike dunks shoe is not much stiffer than the average hoop shoe.

Measuring how much force it takes to bend it to a 90-degree angle, our gauge showed 41.1N - right about the average.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 profile

But we noticed that the shoe comes with a moderately rockered profile in both the heel and the forefoot. It helped our feet move smoothly from heels to toes despite the shoe's stiffness.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 41.1N
Average 38.5N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
17.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
62.2N

Weight

There is so much to the G.T. Jump 2's midsole, it could not help but affect its weight.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 Weight

Putting the shoe on the scale in a men's US size 9, we got 15.6 oz (442g). That is more than an ounce heavier than average.

But we are convinced that bigger players (the shoe's target audience) won't find it as heavy.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 shoe weight

It's the nimble guards who are used to more grounded footwear may find the G.T. Jump 2 somewhat bottom-heavy.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 15.59 oz (442g)
Average 13.79 oz (391g)
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
11.29 oz (320g)
Weight
17.46 oz (495g)

Breathability

Breathability is rarely a priority for basketball shoes. nike dunks air presto premium grey denim shoes black!

In our proprietary ventilation test, this nike dunks shoe eagerly expelled all the smoke we pumped into it. Its entire upper took part in the airflow demonstrating a higher-than-average level of breathability.

Just take a look at how incredibly thin and transparent the shoe's upper material is! We didn't hesitate to give the G.T. Jump 2 a high breathability score of 4 out of 5.

nike dunks g t jump 2 microscope test 21541631 main

If you feel like you've seen this type of material before, try thinking of a potato bag. Yes, it is the same kind of Leno mesh! Its open construction allows for fantastic ventilation without losing strength.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 4
Average 2.5
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

The downside to this airy fabric is its obvious lack of wear resistance compared to other basketball shoe uppers.

But nike dunks thoughtfully added protective overlays on the high-wear areas to enhance durability.

We tested the strength of the fabric string on the toebox with a Dremel at the speed of 5K RPM. It turned out to be quite sturdy, earning the shoe's toebox a high durability score of 4 out of 5.

nike dunks g t jump 2 toebox durability comparison 21541548 main
Test results
G.T. Jump 2 4
Average 3.7
Compared to 56 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

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Compared to the glaring holes we saw on other shoes after the same test, this nike dunks shoe deserves a high score for heel padding durability - 4 out of 5!

nike dunks g t jump 2 heel padding durability comparison 21541550 main
Test results
G.T. Jump 2 4
Average 3.5
Compared to 53 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

The G.T. Jump 2 features a pretty hard rubber for the outsole. Pressing our Shore C durometer against it returned a higher-than-average reading of 87.6 HC.

nike dunks g t jump 2 outsole hardness 21541576 main

nike dunks calls it "XDR" for "Extra Durable Rubber." But let's return to our Dremel to check if that's really true.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 87.6 HC
Average 81.9 HC
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Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
61.3 HC
Outsole hardness
91.0 HC

Outsole durability

After drilling the shoe's outsole for 22 seconds at a higher speed of 10K RPM, we felt like the word "Extra" should be dropped from the rubber's name.

Its thin undulating lugs didn't do as well as some of the other traction patterns we've tested.

According to our tread gauge, the depth of the damage on the G.T. Jump 2 reached 1.9 mm which is notably deeper than average.

nike dunks g t jump 2 outsole durability test 21541555 main
Test results
G.T. Jump 2 1.9 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 44 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Good thing nike dunks packed more rubber to prolong the outsole's shelf life. Our calliper measured 5.8 mm which is thicker than average.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 Outsole thickness

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That's why we can't recommend using the G.T. Jump 2 on concrete outdoor courts.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 5.8 mm
Average 4.0 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
2.9 mm
Outsole thickness
6.9 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

The nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 features various traction patterns throughout the outsole to maximise performance.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 outsole

This setup helped us catch the grip when we needed it, especially during sharp and abrupt turns.

We found it to be most effective on clean courts, but a quick wipe did the trick when it started to get dusty.

Tongue padding

The tongue and collar of the G.T. Jump 2 are pretty lightly padded compared to the average.

Based on our calliper, the tongue is only 6.4 mm thick.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 Tongue padding

This is where the G.T. Jump 2 might feel odd to players who are used to the more substantial wrap around the instep and ankle.

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 6.4 mm
Average 9.4 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
15.9 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 features a bootie design in which the tongue is fully integrated into the rest of the upper.

nike dunks g t jump 2 tongue gusset type 21541597 main

It is a common upper setup among basketball shoes which helps to create a more secure lockdown around the foot and ankle.

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Test results
G.T. Jump 2 Bootie

Heel tab

There is no heel tab at the back of this nike dunks shoe's collar.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 Heel tab

Don't mistake the loop at the shoe's heel for a finger loop. It is part of the shoe's cushioning system (the jump plate).

Test results
G.T. Jump 2 None

Removable insole

You can fine-tune the underfoot experience by replacing the shoe's stock insole.

nike dunks G.T. Jump 2 Removable insole
Test results
G.T. Jump 2 Yes