To help evaluate the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo, I went on a two-mile run to gain a feel for the shoes’ comfort and weight.
I also completed some agility and footwork drills to help flesh out traction and stability. Finally, I spent plenty of time hitting on the court to gauge overall performance.
Style 9.4
The Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo is a clean-looking shoe from a distance.
However, they’re chunky looking up close, which isn’t very appealing to me. The midsole is super thick, and the shoes feel a bit bulky when wearing them. To be fair, Nike pulled inspiration from their basketball shoes when designing them, but this attempt isn’t my favorite look.
I’m also not a huge fan of the folded and rounded fabric that makes the eyelets. Aside from that, the upper’s material looks and feels premium. However, overall, the styling of these shoes is a miss for me.
Lacing 8.9
The Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo is solid when it comes to lacing.
The laces pull through relatively easily, but most importantly, they offer a snug fit and hold tight while playing.
Beneath the laces, you’ll find a standard tongue, which is plenty thick for comfort. My only mild complaint is that they’re a bit clunky to unlace. The thicker laces seem to get hung up on the flexible eyelets.
Comfort 9.2
In terms of comfort, the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo is excellent.
They’re some of the most comfortable tennis shoes I’ve worn, with impressive impact resistance and an overall plush feeling ride that comes from the full-length Zoom Air Unit embedded into the midsole combined with plenty of responsive foam that’s soft underfoot.
Regarding fit, the shoes don’t have any odd quirks or pressure points either, which is a nice bonus, and I didn’t find they required any significant break-in, which is always a plus.
Overall, if comfort is a priority, they’re top-notch, but if you prefer a more responsive shoe that rides closer to the ground to provide more connection to the court, then these aren’t for you.
Stability 8.8
As far as stability goes, the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbos are a bit lacking
Generally, they performed adequately, but I did find them feeling a bit loose around the ankle regardless of how I laced them up.
At times, I found that my feet slid a bit too much within the shoe, especially on a warmer day. Combined with the higher ride, I lacked strong confidence in them when I pushed myself through more aggressive movements, but they got the job done.
All things considered, I think stability is an area for improvement.
Traction 9.1
Regarding traction, I thought the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo performed well.
They provide plenty of grip while allowing sufficient give for sliding, a sweet spot that I think is ideal for hard courts.
Although you can use these shoes for clay, the tread pattern isn’t ideal for that surface, so I’d encourage you to opt for a shoe with a standard herringbone tread pattern if that’s your primary surface.
Durability 9.0
When it comes to durability, the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo offers a long-lasting outsole that has held up well to the pounding of a hard court without any significant areas of concern.
However, the moderate protection for the shoe’s upper isn’t overly impressive, so that’s an area to watch, especially if you drag your toes.
I would have loved to see Nike pay closer attention to the toe, where most shoes offer added durability in the form of a toe cap, just above the white toe guard in the case of the GP Turbo.
On the inside, you’ll find a rubber panel protecting the front of the shoe, but it only extends halfway over the top. As a result, it leaves a portion of the toe open to damage.
Weight 8.5
As far as weight goes, there’s no denying it. The Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo is a heavy shoe, and that fact will turn many players away right off the bat.
However, to a degree, the shoes redeem themselves in this area as they’re surprisingly springy, so they don’t feel sluggish. Instead, they’re relatively quick for their weight.
I think the biggest area where the weight holds them back is during more precise movements, as you’d experience when moving up to the net.
Ultimately, if lower weight is a high priority, you’ll want to look elsewhere, which is somewhat surprising considering their target style of play.
Ventilation 8.3
Finally, the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbos are pretty poor when it comes to ventilation. Even during moderate outdoor weather, I found the shoes lacked the necessary breathability to help keep my feet cool, which led to some internal sliding and detracted from their stability.
I don’t expect this will be an issue for everyone, but it feels like an area that Nike completely overlooked. If you purchase these shoes and ventilation is at all a concern, I’d encourage you to opt for a lighter colorway to reflect the sun on a warmer day.
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