So I’ve decided to skip the first three shoes in my newly-found budget shoe line by Nikey (I know, I’m a bit late to the party ?) and just winged it with the 4th one. With that, I bring you my comprehensive 2+ month, OUTDOOR Nike Precision 4 review.
SHOW TABLE OF CONTENTS
HEADS UP! NOT A TYPICAL SCENARIO…
But this one could be IMPORTANT for some of you.
This will be a shoe that you’ll either glimpse on and forget by tomorrow or something that might turn out to be a super practical investment, provided you’re on a tight budget and looking to play some ball, and quickly! And that’s because (spoiler alert!) $70 and a quality basketball shoe usually don’t belong in the same sentence.
After a couple of months of hooping on the blacktop, I’ll break down the shoe’s fit & comfort aspects, on-court performance, versatility, evaluate its value for the price, and might prove to you why the Precision 4 just might be enough.
I’ll also provide some alternative shoes if the Precision 4 doesn’t sound like something that’ll fit you but you still want a similar feeling/performing sneaker.
I. SPEC SHEET
click to enlarge the sheet
BEST DEALS OF THE PRECISION 4
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II. 1-MIN REVIEW ?
For those in a hurry: The Nike Precision 4 is a very solid basketball sneaker for those looking to save as much $$$ as possible.
They’ve got a snug, secure fit but one that worked even for a wide foot. Most guys should stick true to their usual size.
Traction was nothing short of fantastic outdoors and much like most other budget shoes from the Swoosh, it looks like it’ll hold up well outdoors.
Cushion was probably the weakest part of the shoe since it only sports a basic foam midsole (EVA) that’s probably Phylon. If you’re looking for tons of cushion – this is not it. Fans of a low-profile, ultra-fast ride should definitely enjoy these though.
I didn’t have any major issues with security despite the minimal build and barely any structure to the upper.
It doesn’t have the strognest torsional support or the best containment for a heavy dude/high-flyer but chances are you’re not any of those if you’re looking to get this shoe.
The Precision 4 sports a pretty decent knit upper with a few Fuse overlays on high-use areas and despite feeling cheap, I’ve definitely played in worse. These won’t get in your way when it’s time to hoop.
For alternatives, check out the Nike Zoom Freak 2 for an upgraded low-top and the Renew Elevate if you’re looking for something with a bit more cushion at the same price range.
> The full review is below
III. COMFORT & FIT
Do they fit true to size or should you go up/down? How comfortable are they? Anything else to know fit-wise?
SIZING GUIDE: TTS FOR MOST
Let’s address the important stuff first. Most people can go with their regular size/regular Nike size. Even wide footers like myself – there shouldn’t be major issues.
They didn’t feel very good at first but like all knits are, nothing to worry about. I broke them in within a couple of days and was good to go.
These still feel a little tight width-wise for a wide footer but not to a deal-breaking limit. And they do leave just a little bit of headroom at the toebox area and would likely leave about the same margin width-wise for some of you.
Not for me though, due to my boat of a foot.
So if you prefer a complete one-to-one snug fit as a regular/narrow footer, going down half a size can be an option but the midfoot & forefoot areas aren’t fairly compact, so you might end up with an overly tight fit.
And if you’d like to go up 1/2 a size as a wide footer, there might be too much unwanted room length-wise.
True to size for most foot shapes is what I’m trying to say.
COMFORT: ALL GOOD ☑
General comfort-wise, nothing to brag about but once I remind myself these retail at $70, I come to my senses.
While there’s a lack of any premium materials, buttery-smooth lining, or pillowy-pillow soft padding, none of that can take away the fact that the shoe is still comfortable, plays well, and offers somewhat of a distraction-free experience.
Forgetting you’ve got a shoe on while playing is the least a budget model should bring and this is a bit more than just that.
The Precision 4 is almost ridiculously light coming it at just under 12 ounces (337 g.) and definitely plays that way as well.
It’s got a fairly acceptable ride the midsole provides, step transitions are smooth and the shoe is really damn flexible.
Two main factors that make the sneaker so flexible and nearly overly-flimsy are the lack of a midfoot shank and of course, the nature of a knit upper.
While that can be an issue for these kinds of compact, barebones type of shoes, I felt they were secure enough even for an explosive guard.
Foot containment was fine as I never rolled out of the footbed and even though that knit is really thin, a few Fuse overlay pieces help hold it together laterally & medially.
And I believe this was just enough to get a pass for me security-wise.
Sure, there will be better options for 200 lbs LeBron-like players coming at 50 miles per hour who need maximum support and lockdown but for most of us mortals, this keeps that mobility/security balance in check.
Surprised to say, I wasn’t disappointed.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip various surfaces well? Is dust/debris a factor? How long will the outsoles last outdoors?
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE
I’m not mad that there’s no herringbone on a cheap shoe like this and while that might be a slight throw-off for hardcore traction enthusiasts (if there is such a thing), this outsole had enough bite AND consistency to keep me happy.
You could say the primary focus for this shoe was an outdoor environment, so as expected, traction was completely fine while I was banging both blacktop and a synthetic rubber court outside.
The heel portion of the outsole is a circle pattern that’s a little more spaced out than the section at the front.
There were a few times where a shoe using an inconsistent pattern or multiple patterns throughout the outsole lacked consistency in biting the actual courts.
Not the case for the Precision 4. The little circle-shaped area where you plant the ball of your foot bites really nicely but so does the rest of the outsole, provided you find yourself at more extreme angles.
Dust wasn’t much of an issue at the back, while the front area picked up debris a little quicker (due to the denser pattern at a few spots). If you’re not a huge outsole wiper, don’t worry.
A few good wipes, occasionally at best, were enough to keep things at 100%.
OUTDOOR DURABILITY
Are they ready for long-term outdoor play? I think so.
While it’s no XDR, this rubber is tacky, strong and the grooves are mildly deep. Besides some cosmetic damage to the outsoles, the shoe still grips the courts just as well as out of the box. I’m pretty sure it should stay that way for at least a year.
V. CUSHION
How’s the impact protection? What about step comfort and energy return of the foam? Is it stable?
The shoe’s cushion setup is merely a foam midsole and while Nikey didn’t specify what that midsole is specifically, my guess it’s just Phylon. Cushlon would’ve likely felt a little softer and none of the other stuff matches a $70 budget anyway.
But don’t let the description fool you – while this midsole won’t be anyone’s “dream” setup, I would take this type of ride over a Kyrie 2 or a Mamba Fury ANY DAY of the week. And both of those are more expensive than this shoe.
As long as you don’t expect to be walking on clouds or getting yourself LeBron 18-like cushion (or even something close to it), you’ll be good.
There’s moderate impact protection at the heel along with a minimal feel of cushion upon impact. No real spring back or “mushiness”, so to speak.
At the forefoot, virtually nothing there but responsiveness and court feel, as you stay very low to the ground. A pretty usual budget type of setup but one that offered a little more than I’ve expected.
Low-profile guards that are light and quick, spot-up shooters, or just guys that prefer a quicker ride will like the Nikey Precision 4.
For heavier players that put more torque on their legs, and/or explosive playstyles that involve a lot of athleticism could absolutely get away with this type of setup but I’d be lying if I said there are no better options.
I’m myself a 175 lbs guard and while I do play explosively and didn’t find this setup ideal for me, it does get the job done. If we’re talking critical cushion components that is: impact protection, stability, and a little bit of stepping comfort to make sure things don’t feel like bricks.
VI. SUPPORT
How much all-around security does it offer? What about the build’s stability and foot containment? Any restrictions in result?
With some of the support features you’d see on a pricier basketball shoe missing, a correct fit & a platform that promotes stability are what hold the support department together.
As mentioned in the fit section, you can achieve a secure fit with these that’s close to a one-to-one for me to begin with. The platform of the shoe is fairly wide externally and it’s also pretty flat.
Pair that with these little outriggers we’ve got and lateral support becomes pretty sufficient.
While the upper is a thin knit, it does a fair job of not over-stretching. So once again, pair that with Fuse overlays in a couple of areas and containment becomes solid.
There is no real midfoot shank in place, so flat footers should think twice about this one. The lacing system is traditional, with no flywire cables this time but overall lockdown was mostly fine.
I did have to tighten the laces up a few times during the course of a game/session but that comes as pretty expected with a limited budget to work with. That mainly had to do with cheap laces used & the piece that holds the lacing system together isn’t the best quality either.
So, are there shoes that provide stronger overall support due to a more structured upper & additional support components implemented? Sure. Are there shoes with more torsional rigidity? Absolutely.
But putting it into perspective, it’s a VERY cheap shoe and even with the absence of certain stuff you usually see on a hoop shoe, I still feel a whole bunch of guards should find the Precision 4 sufficient.
I would usually prefer something with a little more rigidity and additional support but that’s because of my playstyle and the constant issues I have with my right ankle. It might just be enough for you.
So, if you’re looking for a mobile, quick little shoe that puts focus on freedom of movement while still keeping a fairly secure ride, you’ve got it.
Once again, probably not the best option for a big guy or someone who’s super explosive but I’ve played in $120 shoes that offer less than that.
Cut ’em some slack.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the materials used? How well do they perform on-court? How’s the quality & reliability of the build?
BUILD OVERVIEW
As you know by now, the upper is a basic knit material along with Fuse overlays on the toecap and around the laces. Not a $200 knit, sure, but what does that really mean? As long as it’s a knit and holds your foot together, I don’t have many complaints.
The shoe utilizes a standard lace & tongue build along with a standard lacing system.
PERFORMANCE & RELIABILITY
But if you wanted to nitpick – sure, there are arguments to be made. It’s not the most breathable knit I’ve experienced (even though ventilation is pretty good overall). It’s not the most durable looking knit I’ve seen.
It’s not the softest or the most “premium” feeling knit for your foot.
But if these came at $140 and Nikey called the upper “Ultraknit 1.0” or some other fancy name (I’m looking at you, Flyknit), a lot of people would’ve not seen the difference.
That is the real troubling stuff about today’s deceiving shoe market when nothing can truly be compared. However much the brand decides the shoe will cost, they just wing it and call it a day. Well, it’s probably not that simple, and much more thought goes into the process but you get the idea.
The market is inconsistent as s**t.
But going back to this upper in particular, I would’ve been fine if they had priced the shoe at $100 or something. It’s really not that bad. It’s comfortable, breaks in super quickly, offers some ventilation, and containment wasn’t bad.
I’d imagine something like Battleknit on a LeBron 16 will last longer than what we’ve got here but that’s hardly a comparison with the price difference.
There’s no real damage to the upper 2+ months in except some frays around the toecap area but that’s pretty normal for a soft-based shoe.
Speaking about practicality, this is a no-brainer in my book. Outdoor-ready and will last longer than today’s average $100 indoor shoes you see so much of.
VIII. OVERALL
Rounding the Nike Precision 4 review up: are they versatile? Who’s best suited for them? Is it a good deal?
And there you go. Another day, another market anomaly.
Why does this one cost so little, while a “flagship” AlpdaDunk is priced at $180 with its knit upper marketed as actual Flyknit, but feels like crap? We’ll probably never know. But hey, you can grab a solid pair of outdoor hoop shoes for $70 – enjoy it while you can!
QUICK RECAP
The Nike Precision 4 offers a little bit of everything: they’re fairly comfortable and offer a secure fit, traction is great and outdoor-ready, cushion isn’t that impressive but still provides moderate impact protection & step comfort, all-around support is very lightweight and minimal but should work for a lot of guards.
The upper is a knit but it’s not as bad as the price tag suggests.
Picking these up even at $100 shouldn’t feel like a scam, and that’s more than enough for me. Best shoes under $100 candidate for sure!
The scores of the shoe are below!
? BUY THE PRECISION 4
IX. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Not entirely sure on the Precision 4? You might want to check out these similarly performing alternatives
NIKE ZOOM FREAK 2
If you’re hunting for a quality low-top but perhaps feel like the Precision 4 lacks in cushion or you’re someone who’s an explosive athlete – Giannis’s second signature sneaker, the Zoom Freak 2, should help you out.
Those have a forefoot Zoom Air unit to go along a Phylon midsole for cushion, and a bit better-structured build that should hold even a heavier guy’s foot inside the footbed with no issues.
NIKE RENEW ELEVATE
If you can’t afford to spend more than what the Precision 4 costs, look no further than the Renew Elevate. Sitting at $80, those will offer you more cushion (full-length Renew), a pretty decent upper, and long-term reliability for outdoor action.
X. DO YOU THINK THE PRECISION 4 IS FOR YOU?
I hope Nikey has answered your budget-balling prayers…
Alright, that’s it for the Nike Precision 4 review! I have to say, these caught me off guard. How about you?
Did you have a chance to pick these up? Perhaps you feel different about ’em? Or you’ve got a question I haven’t answered in the review?
The latest Precision 5 is out! I’ve tested those for a couple of months in an outdoor environment – and the results are INTERESTING. Check out the review!
While you’re here, check out a whole list of handpicked models that are all under $100. The Precision 4 is also on its way there!
Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!
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Thanks for an awesome review, Julius. I have to disagree about low-price and high quality not going together in the same sentence. I bought a pair of Nike Air Versatile a few years ago for no more no less than $50! The shoe is almost as good as new even today and I wore them a lot! I was not expecting them to last so long because it was a bargain and I used to believe that you have to pay a top dollar for the top qualtiy. However, they are still “alive” today. Seems like Nike Precision 4 follows the same route. I’m not a big fan of low-tops but I might consider these in the future. Thanks for another great review! Keep up the good work!
Yeah, I do get what you mean Ivan – it’s not ALWAYS about having a higher price attached to higher quality materials/tech but scenarios like yours are becoming less and less common these days, honestly. Brands are making shoes that would last exactly how much they intend them to before a consumer needs a replacement. More replacements, more money in Nikey’s pocket.
But that’s why the Precision 4 is a breath of fresh air – these things have a price of an older Nikey trainer with no aThlete attached to it. It doesn’t break the bank and it works.
Hey,
I love Nike trainers and these new Nike Precision 4 look great and very affordable. I have been wearing Nike trainers since I was a baby and they have always been my favourite brand. Not just in trainers but also in golf gear, shirts, jumpers, tracksuits etc.
Have you read the book “Shoe Dog”? It is about the guy who owns Nike and started it from nothing. It is such an inspirational book and I would highly recommend it if you haven’t already read it.
I also saw on the news this morning that a rapper has come out with a new “Nike Satan” trainer. It has the five pointed star on the top of the laces. Very strange. Check them out and do a review of them.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the amazing work.
All the best,
Tom
Yep, the Precision 4 is a low-key formula with a price of an older, cheaper Nikey trainer.
I haven’t heard about Shoe Dog though – heard about the owner’s story a bit but might be a good read in the near future! Kinda feel a bit ashamed I haven’t heard about the book lol, but haven’t been doing a lot of reading lately, so that explains that.
Yep, I’ve seen the Satans yesterday, looks pretty simple but I still think they’re dope. And getting them, especially where I live – that’s a no-go lol. Not ready to pay a fortune for a rare sneaker since it’s got Lil Nas X’s name behind it. But always cool to see such ideas and more collaborations happen – that’s for sure.
All the best to you to Tom!