Paul George Shoes: Best PG Basketball Shoes [2024] (2024)

Paul George is an electrifying NBA player currently shining on the court for the Los Angeles Clippers as the team’s small forward.

He is a lockdown defender known for his ability to guard multiple positions.

At 6’9″, George is a versatile force who delights fans with his athleticism, scoring, and all-around game.

George’s accolades speak for themselves: two All-NBA First Teams and the 2013 MIP award. He indeed continues to elevate his game and improve on the basketball court.

With his sights set on an NBA championship, popularity, and talent, Nike believes George’s basketball journey holds great promise when he plays with a great shoe.

In this article, I will review in detail the best Paul George (PG) basketball shoes.

Paul George’s History With Nike

Paul George experienced a severe leg injury in 2014 when he tried to contest a layup by James Harden.

Because of that, he remained out of the season for the next eight months.

However, during this time, Nike saw his potential as a spokesperson. The brand noticed how fans and players gravitated toward him during his recovery.

This led to the official unveiling of the PG line in 2016, released in 2017.

The line has continued to be successful since George’s injury, and subsequent models followed.

The Story Behind Paul George’s Nike PG Line

“Years ago, Paul George came to the Nike design team with a sketch of his ideal shoe. He requested a locked-in fit, plush comfort, and a unique style that looked as good off the court as during the game time. Working tirelessly through every detail, PG and the Nike design team brought his vision to life – and in the process, discovered new, innovative ways to not only enable but also enhance his incredible versatility on both ends of the floor.”

– According to Nike’s PG Collection website

The story behind Paul George’s Nike PG line is rooted in his resilience and Nike’s recognition of his potential.

Paul George has been with Nike since he entered the NBA in 2010.

Yet it was in 2016 when he was named Nike’s 21st signature basketball athlete throughout the brand’s history.

The PG 1 became a hit with fans when it was also released in September of that year. The release of the PG1 solidified George’s status as one of the NBA’s most popular players.

Following the PG1, George launched six more signature shoes: PG2, PG3, PG4, PG5, PG6, and PG7.

Paul George Shoes Before The Release Of The PG Sneaker Line

Before launching the highly anticipated PG sneaker line, Paul George had the privilege of sporting a range of Nike basketball shoe models.

George found himself rocking Bryant’s iconic kicks during the formative years of his career – he was a huge fan of Kobe, by the way.

Nonetheless, as a Nike-endorsed athlete, he could wear these Nike basketball shoes at the time.

Nike Zoom Hyperfuse (2010)

Paul George made his NBA debut in 2010, rocking the game-changing Nike Zoom Hyperfuse.

It is a sneaker known for its lightweight and durable design.

Despite initially flying under the radar compared to other rookies, George steadily made his mark on the Indiana Pacers roster.

The Nike Zoom Hyperfuse is currently unavailable at retailers, but it’s a shoe that helped launch the career of one of the NBA’s brightest stars.

Nike Zoom Kobe 6

Nike Hyperdunk 2012

Paul George wore the Nike Hyperdunk 2012 during this breakout season, which featured a perfected version of Lunarlon cushioning and eye-catching Flywire strands.

He had previously been a role player, but when Danny Granger was out for most of the season, PG stepped up.

George’s Pacers eventually faced LeBron James’ Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, where he memorably posterized Chris “Birdman” Andersen in Game 2.

PG then became a household name in the playoffs.

Nike Hyperdunk 2013

In the 2013-14 season, Paul George showcased his style and skills in the Nike Hyperdunk 2013.

His choice of Hyperdunk 2013 contributed to his standout performances during that season.

This sneaker boasted exposed Flywire for a secure fit and Lunarlon foam for bouncy cushioning.

Nike Hyperdunk 2014

Despite the injury PG suffered while competing for a roster spot on the United States national team for the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Nike still had major plans for him.

Nike has released this shoe featuring a white upper with navy and yellow accents, matching the George’s Indiana Pacers jersey colors.

The shoe also had a special “PG13” logo on the tongue.

A Hyperdunk 2014 Paul George PE was released in select quantities, but PG did not get to wear them due to injury.

Nike Hyperdunk 2015 Low

The Nike Hyperdunk 2015 Low complemented Paul George’s unstoppable 2015-16 season performance on the court.

This sneaker perfectly matched the vibrant colors of the Pacers’ Hickory high uniforms, with a red and gold gradient upper and a gold-speckled red midsole.

However, the Nike Hyperdunk 2015 Low Paul George PE was a limited-edition release in 2015.

Nike Hyperlive

Paul George rocked the Nike Hyperlive during the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, instantly gaining popularity among sneakerheads and his fans.

The Hyperlive is a well-rounded basketball shoe that offers a good balance of performance and comfort.

The “All-Star” colorway of the Hyperlive is a limited-edition release with a red upper, gum sole, and golden, black Swoosh.

It is a good choice for players looking for a lightweight, responsive shoe.

A Complete Timeline Of The Nike PG Line

These sneakers represent the evolution of Paul George’s signature line with Nike, showcasing his style and performance on the basketball court.

From PG 1 to PG 6, each Nike PG shoe embodies Paul George’s dynamic spirit and relentless drive.

1. Nike PG 1

Paul George’s first-ever signature sneaker – the PG1 – was finally released!

The shoe is part of Nike’s budget line but doesn’t skimp on performance. The PG1 is packed with features that make it a great performer on the court.

The Nike PG line follows in the footsteps of renowned Nike athletes like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Here are some key features of the PG1:

Dynamic Flywire upper for support and lockdown
Lunarlon cushioning for a comfortable ride
Durable rubber outsole for traction

2. Nike PG 2

With Kyrie Irving’s line moving to a higher price range, George’s shoes filled the void as the most affordable option in Nike’s signature lineup.

While some may perceive this as a disadvantage, it actually played to George’s advantage.

PG 2 builds on the success of PG 1, offering even better performance and value. The fit is improved, the cushioning is more responsive, and the shoe is overall more streamlined.

Here are some key features of the PG2:

New adaptive forefoot band for lockdown support
Zoom Air cushioning
Half-bootie construction secures the foot with a streamlined fit

3. Nike PG 2.5

The Nike PG 2.5 is a performance basketball shoe released in 2018.

Paul George debuted his new Nike PG 2.5 sneakers in a Fortnite-inspired colorway featuring royal blue, teal, and red.

It is the successor to the Nike PG 2, and its most notable improvement is the redesigned outsole for better traction.

The PG 2.5 has a herringbone traction pattern that provides a good grip on various surfaces.

Another obvious update of the Nike PG 2.5 is the return of the midfoot strap.

4. Nike PG 3

This PG installment is dubbed the “NASA” Nike.

The shoe is styled in a Racer Blue upper with custom NASA branding and a translucent outsole inspired by the moon’s craters.

This moon-inspired traction provides excellent multidirectional grip with a distinct aesthetic.

Here are some other key features of the PG3:

Enhanced cushioning with a larger Zoom Air unit in the forefoot
A new adaptive forefoot band provides lockdown support
Improved traction with redesigned outsole
Midfoot strap inspired by Paul George’s passion for space exploration

5. Nike PG 4

The Nike PG 4 is a performance basketball shoe released in 2020.

The PG 4 is a low-cut basketball shoe with a full-length Nike Air cushioning system that provides cloud-like comfort and responsive performance.

It is perfect for versatile two-way players.

Here are some key features of the PG4:

Full-length Nike Air cushioning for responsive comfort
Zipped-up mesh overlay
Comfortably padded low-cut collar

6. Nike PG 5

The Nike PG 5 is Paul George’s fifth signature basketball shoe, designed to enhance his performance on the court.

It features an updated cushioning system with Nike Air Dot Weld Strobel technology.

This all-over flexibility helps a player transition smoothly between both ends of the court, making the PG5 a perfect on-court shoe for the two-way player.

Here are some key features of the PG5:

Lightweight and flexible cushioning
Multi-directional tread pattern
Available in a variety of colorways to suit different styles

7. Nike PG 6

Paul George’s game on the court is versatile and comfortable, and his signature shoe, the Nike PG 6, is no exception.

Last Updated on: February 12, 2024

Featuring Nike React technology, the PG 6 provides springy cushioning that ensures a smooth and responsive ride.

The integration of forefoot straps with the laces offers dynamic containment.

Here are some key features of the PG5:

Lightweight and breathable upper mesh.
Rubber outsole with a multidirectional tread pattern.
Forefoot straps integrate with the laces

Different Colorways Of The Nike PG Line

Nike often releases limited-edition colorways for events like the NBA All-Star Game and the NBA Dunk Contest.

With each new model, Paul George’s signature line continues to introduce fresh and exciting color options that allow you to express your individuality both on and off the court.

Here are some different colorways for Nike PG Line:

Nike PG 1 – “Home”

Paul George first debuted the Nike PG 1 “Home” colorway on January 13, 2017, during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The design draws inspiration from the Indiana Pacers’ home uniforms, featuring white, navy, and gold accents.

Nike PG 2 – “Playstation”

Paul George debuted the Nike PG 2 in a “Playstation” colorway on February 10, 2018.

The shoe features a black upper with white accents, and the tongue has the words “Paul George” and “PG2” in white.

The shoe also has the PlayStation logo on the heel and a PlayStation controller on the insole.

Nike PG 3 – “NASA”

Nike debuted PG 3 in a NASA colorway on January 26, 2018.

The shoe features a bright orange mesh upper and a collar created with spacesuits in mind.

NASA-specific accenting can be seen across the rest of the sneaker, including logos on the heel and the tongue.

Nike PG 4 – “LA Clippers”

Nike debuted PG 4 in a LA Clippers colorway on January 17, 2020. The shoe features a royal blue and red upper, matching the franchise’s home uniforms.

The shoe features a contrasting white mesh medial with a splatter print at the forefoot and a camo-like pattern on the midsole’s Air stripe.

Nike PG 5 – “Black and White”

Paul George debuted the Nike PG 5 in a black and white colorway on January 21, 2021.

The shoe features a black upper with white accents, and the tongue has the words “Paul George” and “PG5” in white.

George wore the PG 5 during the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.

Nike PG 6 – “Fluoro”

Nike has officially unveiled George’s next signature shoe, the PG 6. It was made available on February 9, 2022.

The lateral heel features a bright crimson embroidered Swoosh, and Paul George’s signature is on the tongue pull tab.

Conclusion

Paul George and Nike’s collaboration has produced a line of sneakers that are both performance-driven and stylish, reflecting George’s personality and taste.

It also represents the evolution of Paul George’s journey as a basketball player.

As the Nike PG line continues to evolve, we can expect even more exciting designs and technologies that push the boundaries of performance footwear.