Nike GT Cut basketball runners

G.T. Cut basketball shoes

Nike’s ‘Greater Than’ series debuted in 2021 with three basketball shoes designed to optimise specific performance attributes. Alongside models focused on running and jumping, there was a cutting-edge silhouette built for players who can find and create space with precision and speed. Its name is the Nike G.T. Cut.

The original G.T. Cut features an advanced cushioning system with a cushy, lightweight drop-in React foam midsole containing a shock-absorbing Zoom Air heel unit. Placed over a low-profile, full-length Zoom Strobel, it provides maximum responsiveness and comfort alongside decent court feel. Internal and external heel counters stabilise the foot, the latter extending along the lateral midsole to prevent ankle rolling. Combined with the plastic forefoot stabiliser and thickly woven upper textiles, this ensures excellent containment and lateral stability, while the soft neoprene tongue and toe brings comfort. Large ventilation slits enhance breathability, and the full-length geometric tread pattern on the rubber outsole delivers long-lasting grip on hardwood surfaces.

Nike evolved the series with the G.T. Cut 2 in 2022, incorporating a structured heel that improves containment alongside a lightweight midsole containing less rubber. A drop-in sockliner has been added and the Zoom Air unit refined for greater comfort and support, while the Phylon foam carrier offers sturdy durability and the midfoot shank extends into the heel to provide stiffening support without inhibiting forefoot flexibility. Tooth-shaped outsole lugs combine with the deep, herringbone-style tread lines of the so-called ‘smear traction’ forefoot pad to create elite-level grip for swift, precise footwork.

In 2024, the Nike G.T. Cut 3 became the first basketball shoe to contain a full-length ZoomX foam midsole. This lightweight component is incredibly responsive and, along with the updated midfoot shank extending into the forefoot, makes for a far more propulsive toe off. Its lightweight, flexible textile upper includes Flywire for durable forefoot containment, and the modified herringbone outsole pods provide targeted grip. Nike refined this shoe with 2025’s G.T. Cut 3 Turbo, its sturdy moulded panels improving lockdown and lateral stability for greater control and faster cuts. It also features a plush ZoomX insole for enhanced comfort and a carbon-infused Turbo Plate shank that further bolsters responsiveness.

The Nike G.T. Cut 4 was released in 2026 with the latest ZoomX 3.0 foam drop-in midsole alongside a special RBR-X insert for forefoot stability, a sturdy Cushlon carrier and a full-length Zoom Air Strobel for superior energy return. Its generative traction pattern optimises acceleration and deceleration during cuts and sprints, while the innovative exoskeleton upper blends durable synthetics with lightweight textiles for high-quality lateral containment and comfort. Lastly, the 3D moulded collar secures the heel as the moulded vamp and tongue provide a comfortable anatomical fit and locked-in feel.

Designed for the dynamic, high-tempo players of the modern game, the Nike G.T. Cut is a high-performance basketball shoe with striking agility and unrivalled speed.