Nyjah Huston has grown from that dreadlocked kid at the X Games in the late 2000s to arguably one of the best skateboarders on the planet. Over the years, he's developed his own unique style and released many signature pro models. Today, instead of talking about those products, we're talking about the Nike SB NYJAH 3 Zoom Air skate shoe. Nyjah's third model is a complete redesign from its early incarnation, sporting a new look that appears to take inspiration from running and golf shoes. To see how this latest model performs on skates, we enlisted Tactics team rider Dakota Mead to put it to the test, spending approximately 20 hours skating at Nike SB's indoor skate park.
What are the benefits of the NIKE SB NYJAH 3?
Overall durability
Impact Support
lightweight
The first thing I noticed out of the box was the slim, sleek, and sporty look of the Nyjah 3. It's a completely different look from any skate shoe out there these days, or anything else I've seen before. The design of this shoe seems to take inspiration from running and golf, with a touch of skateboarding. Don't think of your old, worn-out trainers; these shoes are actually durable, lightweight, and mold to your feet.
After some research, we discovered that the overall construction, material selection, and hidden technology make this shoe exceptional. First, let's talk impact support, since Nyjah is always jumping big steps. The Nyjah 3 features Nike's patented Zoom Air unit under the heel, which is paired with the shoe's honeycomb outsole. The combination of the Zoom Air unit, vulcanized sole, and honeycomb outsole allows the Nyjah 3 to absorb big impacts and prevent heel bruising when jumping stairs.
The overall durability of these shoes cannot be ignored. To be honest, I thought they would wear out quickly. I'm sorry to say, I was wrong. The secret to their durability lies in the material chosen for the upper. It's a top-secret synthetic rubber-like material that offers durability even when performing flip tricks and ollies. As Dakota stated near the end of his review, "A lot of credit should be given to the rubber upper." He does a lot of flip tricks, so his shoes tend to wear out quickly. Despite some superficial scratches, broken laces, and a little dirt, the Nyjah 3s remained relatively unscathed under normal wear patterns.
Let’s talk about what we didn’t like much about Naija 3.
Plastic heel clip and lace loop
Difficulty wearing
One thing critics have pointed out in reviews is the difficulty of slipping into these shoes. This is due to the compact, slim design. Second, there's the rubber lace flap on the outside of the shoe. While it may look cool, it's inconvenient for actual skating. If the laces break, this flap can get in the way. This may be the result of Nike and Nyjah overthinking skate shoes. You can decide whether this shoe is the foundation for the future of skate shoes or a one-off attempt. The Nyjah 3 is durable, and that's undeniable.
What is the review's conclusion?
In conclusion, the Nike SB Nyjah 3's modern, minimalist aesthetic makes it an excellent option for skaters looking for a lightweight, breathable, durable shoe suited to skate styles that requires good impact support. However, some users may not like the sporty look or find the shoe requires a little extra effort to put on. Also, the plastic heel clip that secures the laces may be a practical drawback. Overall, its performance and durability are commendable, and I recommend it to skaters looking for a shoe that can withstand the demands of skateboarding. The Nike SB Nyjah 3 is a great skate shoe.
