I recently came across the Nike Air Foamposite Pro Green Camo, and seeing the shoe again reminded me of why Foamposites developed such a cult following in the first place. This particular Green Camo colorway originally released in June 2013 with a retail price of around $240. More than a decade later, we’re looking at Foamposites approaching the $250 range before you even factor in sales tax.
But price aside, there aren’t many basketball shoes that look—or feel—quite like a Foamposite.
How Is the Foamposite Shell Made?
The defining characteristic of the shoe is obviously that famous Foamposite shell. Unlike a conventional basketball sneaker where you’re looking at multiple pieces of leather, suede or synthetic material stitched together, the Foamposite gets much of its identity from its molded synthetic upper. That construction is also one of the reasons I’ve always described Foamposites as being built like German tanks. When you pick up a pair, you immediately understand what I mean. This isn’t a flimsy shoe. The upper feels substantial, rigid and built to take some abuse.
The Green Camo Colorway
This particular version dresses that molded shell in a green camouflage pattern, giving an already unusual sneaker an even more aggressive appearance. You also get the large Nike Swoosh running along the side of the shoe, along with glossy contrasting details that stand out against the camouflage shell. Nike incorporated textile, mesh and nubuck-like materials into other areas of the upper, so the entire shoe isn’t simply one giant molded piece. There are also perforated areas that assist with ventilation.
Getting In and Out of the Shoe
Foamposites aren’t exactly the easiest shoes to slide into, so the pull tabs on the front and rear are functional rather than simply decorative. They give you something to grab onto when you’re putting the shoe on or taking it off.
Once your foot is inside, the molded upper creates that locked-in feeling that has always separated Foamposites from more conventional basketball shoes.
Carbon Fiber and Traction
Flip the shoe over and you’ll find another important feature: the carbon-fiber shank. Its purpose is to provide additional torsional rigidity, helping prevent the shoe from twisting excessively through the middle. The Green Camo edition is then finished with a gum rubber outsole, which I think works particularly well with the military-inspired camouflage upper.
Are Foamposites Comfortable?
This is where you have to understand what you’re buying. The Foamposite is not a lightweight basketball shoe. It’s actually pretty heavy, and whenever I handle a pair I find myself wondering how Penny Hardaway played at such a high level wearing shoes like these.
The shoe also doesn’t give you the same obvious soft foam midsole experience that you’ll find on many contemporary basketball models. A significant portion of the underfoot comfort comes from the internal cushioning and insole. So don’t buy a Foamposite expecting it to feel like one of today’s ultra-light performance models. That’s not really what this shoe is about.
They’re Built to Last
Where Foamposites really shine is durability. That molded shell is tough. If you’re familiar with the model, you already know that these shoes can take quite a beating. That’s one of the reasons the Foamposite has managed to remain relevant for so long. Even as basketball footwear has moved toward lighter materials and increasingly sophisticated cushioning systems, the Foamposite still has an audience.
There simply isn’t much else that looks like it.
Is the Nike Air Foamposite Pro Green Camo Worth It?
That depends heavily on what you’re looking for. If you’re approaching the shoe strictly from a utilitarian basketball perspective, its weight and price are legitimate considerations. There are plenty of modern basketball shoes that are lighter and offer newer performance technology.
But the Foamposite isn’t just another basketball sneaker. You’re buying the unmistakable molded upper, the durability, the history surrounding the silhouette and a design that still manages to look futuristic years after its introduction.
The Green Camo Foamposite Pro takes all of that and adds one of the more distinctive patterns to the shell.
For longtime Foamposite fans, collectors, or anyone who remembers the era when Foamposites were everywhere, this is a shoe that deserves another look.
Check out the Nike Air Foamposite Pro Green Camo here:
Air Foamposite Pro Green Camo $165
Watch my full video review:
