Yeah I don't think there's any type of cushioning in there. I own them and don't feel anything going on at the forefoot. Thatdoesn't mean they're uncomfortable, however.
How about scooping up a pair of XX2's on eBay on the cheap? ZK1's are one of my favorites, too, but the XX2's have an outrigger, are stable, andfit a little wide.
When it comes to tying them tight, is it a lot like the Zoom Kobe 1s? Where no matter how tight you tried to get them, they seemed to loosen up during play?