EQLZ Equalizer “In The Lab” 247 NXT “Venom” 26FG24713A

A low-top, high-performance basketball shoe designed by Aaron Cooper that bridges raw court performance with aggressive street lifestyle aesthetics. The “247” name signifies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — built for both the 48 minutes on the hardwood and daily casual wear. The NXT version upgrades the original 247 by shedding the restrictive knit upper in favor of a traditional tongue setup that sits lower to the ground for a faster, shiftier court feel.

Design Concept: Venom

A deep, stealthy black aesthetic sharply contrasted by striking vibrant green digital accent lines running across the silhouette. The upper is heavily inspired by the underwater rays of a Mako shark — structural TPU-blended textiles paired with sleek patent leather overlays form its aggressive, fluid shape. An oversized, heavily padded microfiber tongue nods to classic 90s sneaker culture while remaining deeply futuristic.

Performance Profile

• Full-Length PEBAX Supercritical Foam: Premium PEBAX midsole housed in an EVA carrier frame, with a supercritical foam strobel unit directly underfoot — explosive forefoot court feel with strong heel impact protection
• Sharkskin Suction Traction: Translucent outsole with anatomical pressure-map layout featuring inward-curving rubber nubs inspired by shark scales — one of the best traction setups on dusty courts, as flexible nubs bite through debris
• Dual TPU Stability Rails: Hard plastic TPU plates wrap both medial and lateral sides, forming dual stability rails that prevent ankle inversion during hard crossovers without a bulky outrigger
• Cat-Tongue Heel Lockdown: Sculpted inner heel lined with texturized microfiber — locks securely against your sock to prevent any slipping

Sizing & Fit

• True to Size (TTS) for Most: Unlike the original 247 which ran large, the NXT fits true to size when worn with standard thickness basketball socks.
• Wide Feet / High Instep: Size up 0.5. The rigid TPU side rails and patent leather overlays are quite stiff initially — going up half a size ensures proper midfoot comfort.
• Break-In Note: The textile composite upper can feel slightly rigid out of the box but molds comfortably to your foot after 1–2 days of wear.