Li-Ning Way of Wade 7 Performance Review

The Way of Wade 7 is finally here. How many of you slept on this solid performer?
Starting with the outsole, Li-Ning decided to go with a translucent traction pattern with Dwyane Wade’s logo all over it, which is different. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this before, but it’s dope. The traction was solid; they do pick up dust on dirtier courts but as long as you keep up on your wipes, you will be fine.
If you are looking for something you can play in outdoors, I do think this shoe can be a candidate because it won’t wear down as quickly as others.
The cushion is a little different this year in the 7’s. Drive Foam has been removed and replaced with something that looks a lot like Boost. The deconstruction of the shoe is here on thesoleline.com, so if you want to see what that new cushion looks like, go check it out.
Anyway, the cushion didn’t feel as plush as it did in the Way of Nike LeBron 16 . The Wade 7’s is little more on the firm side, but not a bad firm.
The cushion is still lovely especially with the pillow on the heel of the insole. My goodness, this thing gave me life. Responsiveness is there, only if you concentrate. However, the impact protection is fire and makes up for that lack of responsiveness — it’s definitely a comfortable ride.
Moving on to the materials, you got a textile mesh upper with a synthetic shroud at the forefoot. I feel like the shroud is there for looks and the reason I say that is because it didn’t do anything for me. It didn’t wrap my foot the way I would have liked.
However, the mesh underneath had its back for sure because that stuff wrapped my foot nicely. It’s like taking a baked potato wrapped up really good in foil, a.k.a mesh, then putting it in a bag, a.k.a the synthetic overlay. The overlay is pretty soft, so you don’t have to worry about it pinching or anything like that. Overall, I enjoyed the materials
As for the fit, the Way of Wade 7’s does run a bit long. Some of you may want to go down a half-size. I went true-to-size and that works for me. However, what works for me may not work for you. Wide footers, I think you guys can stay TTS as well.
If you own a pair of the WOW 6’s, they fit a little like that so you can use that shoe to help you with your sizing. If you don’t own the WOW 6, then may God be with you, because Lord knows if I tell you all one thing and I’m wrong, oh man, y’all will turn into mini-devil babies and try to tear a brother down. It’s all love though.
Now, the support was fire. This shoe did a great job of making sure your foot is secure and glued to the footbed. The midsole is cupping the midfoot, so no lateral movements occur. There’s an internal heel counter and a carbon fiber external heel counter in place to contain the heel. The base is wide, giving you a natural outrigger and a huge carbon fiber shank plate for torsional support. I have no complaints about the support whatsoever.
Overall, the Way of Wade 7’s are a fun shoes to play in; I enjoyed playing ball in these thang thangs. Would I recommend them? Most definitely. I think more people should give the Wade’s a try anyway because if you ask me, they are a sleeper.

Stanley T. With Nike Kyrie 5 Performance Review

Just before the year ends, a performance review on the Nike Kyrie 5 comes in from a bag man’s perspective.
Nike’s Kyrie 5 uses a completely different pattern than last years herringbone with some intricate designs to it. Though it’s not your typical herringbone, the multi-directional grooves gave the shoe not only a cool look, but most importantly, a functional one. No matter the change of direction or how hard I pushed the shoe, the traction was exceptional. Occasionally, you’ll need a quick wipe on those super dirty courts but on clean courts wiping the bottom of the shoe, although a habit of mine despite having good traction or not, was almost an afterthought.
The multi-directional patterns allow you to play quickly without hesitation and that’s what I prefer. While I’m not the quickest of the bunch, I do change directions often, forcing my defender off balance and by doing so, allowing myself to manipulate my stance and trust my footwork. I think quick, smaller guards or even guys who are primary ball handlers, will easily take advantage of traction this reliable. I would suggest playing with these indoor mainly. However, for those who don’t have the option or have the overseas release with the XDR rubber traction outsole, it might not last long but it’ll do the job and then some, while it lasts.
Nike utilizes the new Nike Air Zoom Turbo in the Kyrie 5. While this setup definitely gives a small nod to articulated Zoom Air of the past, it feels quite different however. For a heavy-footed person like myself, the Zoom definitely felt noticeable upon foot placement, especially heavy directional changes and planting. While the Nike Zoom Turbo isn’t overly bouncy, it does its job, especially with how the Zoom Turbo is cored into the Phylon midsole to compliment outsole design. I was really hoping for the implementation of Cushlon and Zoom Air again but this setup works. I also wouldn’t mind paying an extra $5-$10 for an additional heel Zoom Air unit.
For those anticipating major bounce-back from the ride, this isn’t it. The shoe is designed for maximum court-feel; it wasn’t a definite deal-breaker for me. However, I’d like to see Zoom Air Turbo eventually utilized in either full-length fashion or maybe in a slightly larger volume.
Engineered mesh was utilized just as it was on the Kyrie 4: the material is nice, lightweight and breaks-in rather quickly. An added nylon interior combined with the exterior mesh compliment each other so that the materials can hold well together without restriction. It would have been nice to seen some additional premium materials with the small price increase but this setup works with or without it.
SNUGGGGGGGGG! While the Kyrie 5’s predecessor, the Kyrie 4, was a little snug, the 5 really took it up a notch due to the Flytrap overlay design, which does exactly what it’s supposed to (keep you locked down). It’s definitely a shoe that everyone should try on in-store. If you can’t and have a slightly wide-foot like myself, I say go 1/2 size up to save yourself from a lack of blood flow.
This is probably one of the best locked down shoes to date. The combination of the Flytrap overlay and the structural design of the shoe, while a struggle to put on and pull off, made the foot feel extremely secure. I do love the security and lockdown provided, as long as you get the right fit.
Solid. Simple as that. It’s one of the more stable shoes released this year. While it does have a rounded outsole, the shoe was very fluid from heel-to-toe transitions but more refined. The shoe keeps you secure on the footbed, fully locked-in and has killer traction. What more can you ask for? Oh…right, more cushioning, especially what’s missing in the heel.
Hands down, one of the more fun shoes I’ve played in this year. It’s a solid overall shoe that caters to the needs of those that play a more grounded game and require unrestricted mobility. It’s the type of shoe that when someone asks you what you’re carrying around in your gym back, you tell them “THIS IS IT CHIEF!”
Again, I’ve said this repeatedly, but with the minor price increase, it’d be nice to see Nike implement a heel Zoom unit to compliment the Zoom Turbo in the forefoot. I mean, if they can do this for shoes overseas and charge the same amount, then I don’t see why not. This shoe is definitely a fun shoe that provides a smooth ride and is ready to go to war with on-court when you are ready.
Now, about that Cushlon layer into the Phylon midsole and extra Zoom in the Heel… I would love to see that on the next shoe down the line..here’s to wishful thinking.

Adidas Marquee Boost Performance Analysis and Review

Merry Christmas everyone. You now have something to read in between commercials and talking to relatives about when I was kid…
If you liked the Harden V3 but didn’t like the plain jane look or if you really enjoyed Beat Street and Breakin, Nique’s old Avias or Dream’s Etonics, the Marquee Boost might be for you. If you want a shoe that’s flat out fun and a great on court, well here’s your shoe too.. or you can pick from the Harden V3 and Tmac Millennium as well since they all perform similarly and very well on court. But it’s not often I see a shoe that speaks to me like the Marquee Boost. What can I say, I ❤️ the 80’s.
Pros: traction, cushioning, fit, support and stability, containment
Cons: retro styling isn’t for everyone ? Runs long
Best for: anyone or 80’s kids
Sizing: half size down to a full size these run long
Buying advice: wait as always, these are everywhere collecting dust. $100 or less is fair, low around 50-60. Make sure to buy the right size these run long
DID I MENTION THEY RUN LONG?
Weight
17 ounces which is similar to the Harden V2 and a lot of other Adidas hoops shoes. If they didn’t run so long maybe they would have shaved a half ounce.
Traction
I took these out on the worst combo floor again..a pergo middle school floor where assemblies happen daily. Pergo doesn’t absorb anything so all the dirt from the day just sits on top. The Marquee started off needing some wiping but got better as the three hour session wore on. Even with some dust stuck on the outsole I didn’t have to wipe much at all.
The pattern is very similar to the Harden and Tmac and doesn’t feature any dumb story telling elements. It just works. I really love how Adidas has been making the forefoot lateral area run perpendicular to the rest of the shoe. It really helps slow the slide on lateral movements. Not groundbreaking but shoe companies have forgotten the basics as of late as getting the basics right is the key to my heart. That and food..
Well done Adidas!
Cushioning
Love the Harden V3 set up? Well I think Adidas slapped almost the exact same set up on these. Not quite as thick feeling as the Millennium, these feel just like the a slightly thicker Harden V3 to me and are just smooth from heel to toe. Hard to get a good measurement but I’d say the Marquee is about 2mm thicker in the heel.
Like the Mac These use a foam strobel as well while the Harden uses a cloth strobel.
And like the Mac, Boost sits around the shoe as the foot sits below the top line a few millimeters.
Very comfortable out of the box and on court. No bottoming out like the Crazy Explosive 2016.
Well done Adidas!
Fit
I bought my regular size 11 and could have sworn it was a 11.5 or twelve. I had over a thumb of extra space at the toe. Width wide they fit fine but that extra length isn’t my preferred length so I went down to 10.5 and was much happier.
No movement inside the shoe no heel slip when I laced to the top, no deadspace in the toe box.
Some people will not like all the laces since this is the antithesis of the CLB minimal lacing set up. These really pull your ankle and foot back in the shoe so if you don’t like that feeling, get the low. I’m a mid guy and I really like how these give me a one to one fit.
Well done Adidas? Half size down people, just remember that.
Materials
I’ve said this before but adidas basketball shoes has gotten really good at premiumizing mesh (see dames, harden v2). I didn’t read the marketing descriptions until yesterday and I thought the toe box was prime knit (not that it matters). The shoe is primarily mesh and fuse (does that make it forged mesh Adidas?) but they put the fuse in high wear areas and made it look like it was there for stylistic reasons. Check out that white synthetic leather! That material really adds some performance!! Not
There is no popping (and locking) or hot spots all the thicker areas don’t require breakin (get it?) at all.
Premiumizing, covfefe, huuuuuge: all to be added to Webster’s dictionary soon. Worst case Wikipedia. Might be in there already
Support and stability
These might feel too restrictive if you just put them on in store but once you play in them, they soften up and conform around your ankle and movements.
Usually I can just fold the entire heel collar but there is a little extra stiffness (that’s what she said) around the Achilles that adds just a little more support kinda like the HD16
Midfoot support is good as it features the same shank as the Harden V3
Adidas extended the Boost pretty wide and it adds support so flat footers like myself don’t have extra flab hanging off the sides
Stability is excellent as well with a very wide outsole, wider than the Harden V3 in fact.
Overall no issues at all here.
Well done Adidas!
Containment
No issues here. Raised midsole really keeps your foot in place on hard cuts. Did I design this shoe?
Conclusion
If the Beard was the Beard balling in the 80s this would be his sig shoe. The Marquee Boost plays almost exactly the same as the Harden except it’s a high/mid with different styling. If you buy a BMW and swap out the exterior of the car, that car will still feel like a BMW since the actual guts of the car haven’t changed. The same thing applies here; the V3 was already a great shoe except for a little heel slip for me but with the Marquee, I get the almost the exact same cushioning, similar traction but with a whole new upper look that actually improved the fit for me. This is one of those shoes that I forget I’m wearing when I’m court but at the same time I get the look good feel good effect and at the same time I’m getting everything I could want out of a shoe. Is this SOY? No not soy sauce you racists, is this the Shoe Of the Year? It might just be, just let me make my mind up after the Curry 6 (let’s hope I can get them tomorrow so I can finish my 2018 Review).
Should you buy these today? These are sitting everywhere so wait another month or so and we should start seeing discounts because the last thing retailers want is inventory sitting on their shelves. I expect these to drop to the $110-99 range plus coupons very soon so I’ll probably stock up when they get to the $50-60 range. Any other person who uses retail as their basis for value is a fool. At $130 retail, this is ten bucks less than the Harden but I got these with the 30% off sale so they come out to $92. Adidas sales are nuts these days and very frequent so if you like bang for your buck, Adidas is where it’s at. 90% sure we see another Adidas sale after Christmas or the New Year. Nothing makes you perform better than extra cash in your wallet. #crazycheapasians
Retro styling isn’t for everyone so that’s great for me. Pretty sure I’ll the only one on the court wearing them and that’s part of the fun of sneakers isn’t it? Getting to express yourself without saying a word? I like doing it with my game personally but sometimes a shoe it just the right fit from all aspects and the Marquee is one of those shoes for me. Understated yet unique and sexy AF (just like me).
I really thought Nike was going to earn most of my business this year (yes earned bc I buy my own sht) but Adidas really came on strong this year even if their marketing campaign was nonexistent. Hey Adidas, can I please run the b-ball division ? UA? Nike? ? No takers ? Oh well.
First team rating, well done Adidas!

Air Jordan 33 Performance Review

Duke4005’s performance review on the Air Jordan 33 is here. Grab some popcorn, it’s another great review.
If anything in this industry makes me feel old, it is the annual release of the Air Jordan signature shoe. Seriously – Jordan 33? My first Jordans were, well, the first Jordans. That’s a long time. But like the Air Jordan itself, age ain’t nothing but a number and 33 years is a long time to learn. Did Jordan Brand make the best AJ yet? Let’s get it…
Nub, nubs, nubs. No real pattern, no story-telling (that I have seen) – it’s just some rubber nubs covering from heel to toe. The pattern isn’t deep and the rubber isn’t exactly hard, so outdoors will probably not be a good idea, especially the translucent colorway. So, now that that question is out of the way, let’s get back inside.
On the regular floor I play at on Mondays and Wednesdays, traction was lacking – seriously. On curls and cuts, my feet would slide out on first steps and trying to plant. On defense though, I was getting good grip and was able to stay in front of my man on lateral moves, so no issues there. In defense of the shoe, I also had this issue in every shoe except the Kobe Protro and LeBron 16 – this floor has no finish and is only swept twice a week, so it ain’t the shoes. Again, only the absolute best shoes stick on this floor, so don’t blame the 33.
On the league floor I play on, which was recently refinished (October), the traction was almost too good. There was no issues anywhere, anytime and my feet were Spider-Verse stuck. On one last floor, another 24 Hour Fitness gym, (that is a little better kept but still has no finish) the traction was solid and screeching. I didn’t have any slips or slides but the motion of stopping just screamed “STOOOPPPPP!!!!” – once I got used to the forefoot. More on the reasons for that next in…
A great big slab of Zoom Air in that forefoot. It’s so big that the outsole had to bubble out (that’s not really the reason for the bubble, I don’t think). The heel is a hex unit and coupled with the forefoot gives a great rebound and response – once the Phylon softens up a little. Yeah, they used a hard, stiff Phylon carrier that would make Kyrie 5 proud but luckily, it does break in after a couple of weeks of consistent wear and begins to operate as ordered. There still isn’t a rebound and respond-feel like we felt in the Jordan XXXI and XXXII, but impact protection is covered almost perfectly and stability in the heel and laterally is near perfect.
Going back to the traction and how the cushioning affected it (told you I would come back), the forefoot Zoom unit protrudes from the outsole like the XXXI, but the curve of the forefoot from the Zoom to the toes is drastic, almost ski-slope steep. This means if you aren’t heavy enough to compress the Zoom, your toes will have a difficult time grabbing the floor – mostly because they won’t touch the floor. Luckily, I am that heavy (weight room baby!!!!) but I still did have some instances where I slipped out. Not all the time, but footwork is key to staying on top of the issue.
Well, no shoe is perfect. The main body of the shoe is a mesh/fuse construction with foam backing against the foot with some synthetic leather at the medial forefoot and around the heel cup. The ankle is heavily padded and solid with a thick padded double tongue. All of this thick padding is completely necessary – without it, the wires and straps would feel like a medieval torture device. As it is, there is a slight pressure from the ankle/heel strap but nothing that will make your feet scream. Actually, for all the complaints about not being “premium” materials and “feeling cheap”, the mesh and synthetics do what they are supposed to do – feel good on-foot and are flexible and form-fitting under the new lacing system.
Ok, let’s talk about the new lacing system. By now, surely you have seen or heard, but in case you haven’t, the laces are gone. They’ve been replaced by a pully-cable-gear system that runs from the midsole, around the ankle and across the forefoot. The concern of the cables was durability – if they break, you are theoretically done (I say theoretically because if you have even a slightly wide foot you don’t need to tighten much to get a great fit). The cord over the top of the foot is pulled up, clicking the system into place. The yellow pull cord loosens the system – but not by much. The thought when we all saw this device was “pull the cord and the panels open up”.. They don’t. You have to loosen the cord, pull the panels open manually and pull the strap under the tongue to get the shoe completely loose and even then, it is still a tight fit.
The ankle strap pulls the ankle completely into the heel and the lockdown in that area is complete and total – you will have NO heel slip or movement if you strap in tight. The midfoot fit is really tight in the arch area and if you have wide feet, you are in trouble – even going up half didn’t help much. It is just a seriously tight, snug fit. Because of that, I would say go true-to-size and try to break them in as quickly as possible.
The Jordan XXXIII is easily the most supportive, structured shoe on the market today from a major brand (there may be some shoe somewhere that is better, but I haven’t seen it, so it doesn’t count). The overlays and panels work with the cables and straps and make the whole body of the shoe wrap around the foot like a brace. The stability in the midsole with the harder Phylon makes landings solid and controlled, but even if you end up slightly off-center, the upper should hold you tight – unless you land on a foot, of course.
On lateral movements, the shoe is completely locked and controlled. The only real issue with stability is the sloping forefoot sole and as soon as you get used to the feeling, you will enjoy the added feel in transition. The midsole feels a little blocky until the Phylon softens up so any added help in transition is welcome. If you miss the days of big man shoe, ankle straps or Ektio, the Jordan XXXIII will quench that craving.
Overall, while I really enjoyed the idea and execution of the cable lacing, the Jordan XXXIII was a little more shoe than I usually like. The cushioning and build scream “POST PLAY” and the shoe does play big. The Jordan XXXII had similar cushioning and traction but played faster and quicker. The cables do work and the fit is great, but the same lockdown and fit could be achieved with regular laces. If you are a fan of the Jordan line, as I am, you should definitely look into a pair, as the cushioning and traction are extremely playable. If you are a big man or don’t like a minimal, quick-feeling shoe, the Jordan XXXIII is perfect. If you like freedom of movement in your ankle and a low-top, running feel, run away.
There are some saying this doesn’t feel like a Jordan shoe – and they are wrong: Jordan signatures were about pushing the envelope, trying new things and trying to make the public take notice. The Jordan XXXIII definitely makes you take notice and whether your opinion if like it or leave it, at least it’s drawing looks. Keep pushing Jordan designers (you know who you are) – we like to try to fly.

Air Jordan 11 Performance Analysis and Review

Hey guys I just wanted to say that sometimes I have weird dreams. Sometimes I dream. That he is me. You’ve got to see that’s how I dream to be. I dream I move, I dream I groove
Like Mike, if could be like Mike. Weird dream huh?
With the Concord XI coming out (again) I figured I might as well dust off my 2001 retros. They question is if you want to ball in $220 sneakers.
Pros: SEXY, traction when clean, cushioning, fit, stability, containment
Cons: traction gets iffy when rubber gets harder/older and can get slick on dusty floors, cushioning could be updated but not needed, carbon fiber makes shoe stiffer than newer shoes
Best for: any position
Buying advice: buy the colorways you like, don’t buy the XI just bc it’s a discounted colorway . Expect to pay retail for OG colorways
Weight
16.5 ounces which is half an ounce more than the X which I wrote about last week. I can almost guarantee people will say it doesn’t feel heavy while they say the X does. Numbers don’t lie, people do.
Traction
I’ve always found this traction to be good on clean floors, ok to awful on dusty floors depending on age of the shoe. Over time the rubber forms a shell and gets ultra slippery. You can remedy this by using sandpaper or wearing them outdoors to take off the old layer.
Most of the traction in the important areas is herringbone so it works but the little flat spots can pick up dust (dirt plus oxidation =yellowing) which can cause some slipping. However the herringbone is there to slow down the slide so it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
Overall, great when clean, ok on dusty floors, but can get worse with age.
Cushioning
Airsole unit.
Geez it sounds like such an old and antiquated term because in reality it is. But don’t worry it still shows up in shoes like the Lebron Witness 3 …you know 23 years after the Air Jordan 11 (yes I said this in my X review)
Cushioning feels good enough but it’s really the action on the foam you feel with a thin layer of air you feel. I actually like how the X feels a little better but that’s just preference.
Fit and Matierals
I decided to combine these two for the XI because the patent leather affects the fit.
Half a size down is the way to go for everyone except maybe the widest footers. Even today it’s hard to get a good fit with patent leather due to the nature of patent leather.
PL is NOT soft and flexible and is stiff in design. JB added the Pl for looks and strength around the shoe.
The rest of the shoe ballistic mesh similar to what you find on the LBJ II and would be considered premium nowadays. It’s flexible yet strong and not paper thin like a lot of mesh materials we see today.
Overall the fit is good with no heel slip and some a little space in the toe box (double sock to fill that space). That’s why I go down half a size.
Some might say the nylon webbing straps are predecessors to Flywire. I guess it kind of is but the straps cover more surface area to give a little more coverage (newer isn’t better). They also really help give the XI a sock like feel as it hugs the foot and ankle.
Overall, materials are nice although JB has skimped in the past but usually not too badly on the XI. Fit is also very good heel to toe although there can be some space in the toe box depending on your foot shape and preference.
Support and Stability
Support is extremely minimal on the AJ XI and is really one of the first shoes I remember being a sock with a sole. It’s no wonder we see so many low top iterations now since this upper adds nothing support wise
Hey look I made XI lows!
Midfoot support is great thanks to MJ wanting and needing a full length carbon fiber for plantar fasciitis although this says its for propulsion 😆
PF, at least I have that in common with MJ.
The CF does make the shoe stiffer than today’s modern shoes but once you’re playing you don’t notice it at all. And if you do, go work out.
Stability is fine with a kinda sorta outrigger and wide outsole.
Overall not issues as the shoe plays safely and naturally.
Containment
Very good no issues here . My foot actually sits below the raised midsole a few millimeters from heel to toe. Plus the patent leather doesn’t stretch (think of it is the antithesis of mesh). Aside from setting a new trend, patent actually had a job to do.
Conclusion
Twenty three years later and a pretty much the GOAT shoe of all time, the AJ XI prints money for Jordan Brand whenever they release classic colors and even some not so classic colors. (RETRO PLUS colors for old timer collectors that remember that term ).
After 23 years shouldn’t all sneakers these days put these to shame on court? The XI has been drinking legally for a a few years now. However, year after year after year after year you see NBA players rocking the XI which tells me either
1) wear what you feel confident wearing
2) technology hasn’t improved much in over two decades or make a difference at all for professional players playing for millions of dollars per game
3) look good play good is a real thing
I choose to believe all three. What if Zoom or Boost were put into the XI? Would it make it any better ? It might feel a little better and more fun but you would’t see any improved performance. Those who think that newer and improved cushioning adds any serious “performance” benefit might want to check their jumper in the mirror. Just getting the basics of a sneaker down is good enough on any court for any skill level.
Pic taken sometime in the early 2000’s with a Canon Elf then uploaded to Photobucket.
I’ve always loved looking at the air jordan 11 bred especially the concords and my closet has been filled with probably twenty plus at one point in my life. But it isn’t a shoe I absolutely love playing with on court but it’s more than serviceable after two decades and can hold more than its own against any modern shoe. Is it the shoes ? Nope but it feels good to look good so why the hell not. I can give you 220 reasons why not but rational thinking isn’t any sneaker head’s forte.
Buy it if you love them, rock it if you want to, your skills are your skills, just know you can’t buy them off a shelf.
Overall, I love how these look and they perform well on the court even against modern shoes with the latest and greatest but they’ve never been in my rotation due to some traction issues and some slight space in the forefoot. So ironically these get a second team rating. But don’t worry I’m still going to try to cop this weekend.

Nike Kyrie 5 performance review

The Nike Kyrie 5 performance review is ready, just in time for the upcoming Best Basketball Shoes of 2018 list. Stay tuned.
We’ve seen herringbone in some way, shape or form used on nearly every Kyrie model to date with the exception of the Kyrie 2 and Kyrie Low — and now, the Kyrie 5.
Despite missing the near flawless pattern that most hoopers have come to know and love, the multi-directional pattern used on the Kyrie 5 has been exceptional. My very first run was a bit slick to start, much like it was on the Kyrie 4, but each and every time I’ve played in them since my initial outing, the traction has only gotten better. Even on the worst courts, the outsole has been able to perform with little issue. Maybe a quick wipe here or there when dust has taken over the gym but it’s not like other shoes where wiping may need to be a constant thing you do while you play in order to maintain some sort of grip.
Outdoor players will also enjoy the traction, even if it doesn’t last as long as they may want it to. I’d still recommend the shoe overall for indoor use only, but if you only play outside then you should, at the very least, be satisfied with the grip.
Nike’s new Zoom Air Turbo was the Kyrie 5’s big draw and it’s a pretty nice setup for those wanting the court feel that they’re used to within the Kyrie line while still wanting some sort of cushion under foot.
The Zoom Turbo does not feel like your typical Zoom Air; instead it rides more like a nice foam. It’s kind of subtle, but still noticeable when you pay attention to it. Due to the large Zoom unit having seams, or flex grooves, heat pressed into it, the Air doesn’t have much space to flow throughout under foot — which is why you typically have a bouncy feel from most Zoom Air units. You can feel the larger sections of Zoom, but it’s more like a small pillow rather than a spring. Again, it’s closer to the feel of a nice fluid foam vs. the standard Zoom Air ride that you may be expecting.
The midsole is Phylon: it’s nothing special and a bit on the firm side. I would have loved to have seen Cushlon return as the midsole foam, or a heel Zoom Air unit, but it wasn’t a deal breaker for me.
Overall, the shoe maintains a nice minimal under-foot feel while offering a fast, fluid and agile ride.
Engineered mesh is back and feels just like it had on the Kyrie 4. It’s a little stiff to start but breaks in rather quickly, to the point where it fits and moves like mesh but with the added strength of the Nylon that lines the inside of it.
It would have been nice to have seen some premium touches with the price increase, but from a performance standpoint, the build gets the job done perfectly
The Kyrie 5 fits very snug but I went true to size and I’m glad I did. Some may want to go up 1/2 size, some may have to due to the Flytrap enclosure, but true to size is what I’d go with if possible.
Lockdown is awesome. The Flytrap overlay does exactly what it was designed to do and its something that I love. Having the top of my foot feel snug and secure is something I love in a shoe as long as its not restrictive. These check all those boxes.
The support has been solid on the shoe and I have no complaints.
The tooling is still rounded, something I’m not a huge fan of, but it’s flat from the heel through the forefoot and just rounded at the edges. It makes me feel much more stable than I had in past Kyrie models. There is not a normal outrigger, but the outrigger section of the tooling is exaggerated a bit and reinforced with TPU to reduce compression in that section of the foam midsole. Fit was fantastic, which kept you safe and secure on the footbed.
Just a solid all-around shoe sans a ton of cushion.
The Nike Kyrie 4 was tied for best shoe of 2017. The Kyrie 5 is not far behind. I still prefer the Kobe 1 Protro over the Kyrie 5, but if I’m picking something other than the Protro to play in, the Kyrie 5 is next in line. They’re extremely fun and they cover you from all angles other than not having a lot of cushion — something a heel Zoom unit could have quickly, and inexpensively, fixed had Nike Basketball wanted to make the price increase feel deserved.
The Nike Kyrie 5 caters to those looking for a shoe that moves smoothly on-court. It offers plenty of court feel, a little bit of cushion, great lockdown and aggressive traction wrapped up in a lightweight package. If those things sound appealing to you, then the Kyrie 5 might be your next go-to on-court.

Adidas Harden Vol. 3 Performance Review

At a recent media event held in Houston, James Harden took questions from a group of reporters during an appearance at the Adidas store at The Galleria mall. Harden had been ruled out of the Rockets’ next two games at practice earlier that day, but was in good spirits when it came to discussing his latest signature shoe, the Adidas Harden Vol. 3. He took particular pride when asked about his level of involvement in the design.
“From materials, to the way it looks, to the colorways—everything,” Harden revealed regarding the process. “Business emails, conference calls, the Adidas team flying out to Houston or wherever I am, to when I’m in Portland going over it—it’s a lot. It’s a dope process to create and design your own shoe.”
Based on Harden’s unique style of play and innovative offensive game, it makes sense that he’d want to take a hands-on approach to the design. He might not have the experience in making shoes that the Adidas team has, but does have direct knowledge of what he needs in a shoe when it comes to things like creating space. “Your footwork, and how fast you can stop and go, how fast you change directions—it’s extremely important for my game,” Harden said. “That’s one of the main keys I have to have in my shoe.”
With that in mind, if the Harden Vol. 3 doesn’t perform, it falls squarely on him. For better or worse, it’s the shoe that he wanted. Can James Harden add sneaker designer to his MVP resume?
Hover over the dots for a full performance review.
Adidas Harden Vol. 3 - Fit
Adidas Harden Vol. 3 - Ankle Support
Adidas Harden Vol. 3 - Cushioning
Adidas Harden Vol. 3 - Traction
I can’t say that the Harden Vol. 3 excites me from an aesthetic, storytelling, or innovation standpoint in the way that a reigning MVP’s signature shoe maybe should, but in the only area that actually matters when it comes to a true hoops shoe—performance—it’s a standout. It checks all the boxes for comfort and fit, and does so at a relatively affordable $140 price point.
Don’t let its throwback design and construction fool you either—innovation for the sake of innovation has a tendency to have a bigger impact on a shoe’s price than its performance. The Vol. 3 may not do any new tricks, but it does refine some of the best existing practices, and brings them together for what’s probably my favorite air jordan 1 shoe since 2011’s original Crazy Light.
At that same media event, Harden explained that when he steps away from the game one day, he wants his line to be remembered for “how authentic it was.” He went on to say that that for others, it may just be putting their name on something that already exists, but for him, “It’s really me. I’m really putting the work in for this. That’s what makes it authentic and real. When you’re authentic and real, that lasts longer than anything else—not just in the shoe business, but in life.”
The Harden Vol. 3 is an easy recommendation based on value, but it’s also a great shoe, period. I thoroughly enjoyed playing in the reigning MVP’s latest signature, and if his involvement is all he says it is, then apparently we have him to thank for it.

nike kd 8 viii elite performance review

I did not like last year’s KD 7 Elite because I didn’t feel it embodied KD and his playing style. That and it was super stiff and had some serious heel slip just like the non elite pair. This year’s elite model actually looks like KD 11 with the long extended compression sock. Can it make me ball like him too?
Here is my original review for the KD8
KD 8 Review
Pros: traction, full length Zoom, fit, stability, nice materials upgrade
Cons: hard to put on, compression sock gets hot (although it is the purpose), Signature Zoom feel isn’t quite there, forefoot shell takes time to break in, lace pressure, pricey
Sizing: true to size (I went up half size with non elite), super wide footers may want to go up half size
Best for: guards but stable enough for bigger players.
Weight:
1 ounce difference due to materials and extra long ankle sock . The half size difference has a minimal effect on weight. Still very light regardless.
By the way, the box is enormous
Traction
Same rubber as before and works the same as before. Wiping is required but not like Kobe XI or anything remotely close to that.
Cushioning
Same set up as the non elite. If you didn’t like the non elite set up, you won’t like this one.
The plastic clips on the lateral side are in place to keep the Zoom stable and firm for cuts. Although this takes away from the feel of Zoom, it has a functional purpose of keeping the player stable on cuts.
Above: you can see the articulated Zoom in the forefoot
Below: articulated heel
Nike claimed they articulated the Zoom for enhanced flexibility but I really couldn’t tell a difference. Just a standard Zoom would have worked just as well or better. Let’s see how the KD9 works up in a few months.
Fit
I went half a size up with the regular KD and went true to size with these. I’m guessing that the materials and “forefoot shell” allow the shoe to fit a bit longer and wider at the toe box. If you have really really wide feet I suggest trying half a size up.
Left is size 11 and right is 11.5. I know it’s hard to see any difference in size just by looking at outside of shoe but just shows how similar in size they are.
Is the shoe hard to put on?
Yes, have you tried to put a condom on your foot?
I was literally sweating after putting these on the first few times but I figured out a decent way to get them on but needed to be sitting down. You can also pull the ends like a sock and slip into the shoe. The sock itself seems to be very durable.
Thankfully, all that sweat and effort is worth it as these are really a sock with a sole. You can see the little ankle pads in the compression sock in the pic above. These pillows sit higher up the Achilles than the regular KD and do a good job locking the heel in. I noticed my socks were soaked in sweat at the ankle and above due to the compression sock. I didn’t notice it until after playing but just something to note.
You can even fold it down but I think they look worse
The upper of the KD 8 was redesigned and is now a one piece upper composed of mesh with a synthetic shell at the forefoot
If you look closely at the pics you can see the Flywire throughout the shell. The shell is very similar to the Flywire upper found on the Kobe IV so it is plasticky and needs break in (it is thinner overall though). Nike states they are Kevlar which is nice to see them use again. Personally I don’t mind a little break in time but it isn’t as natural feeling as the Flyweave on the regular 8. Not a deal breaker for me but I know some people prefer knit uppers.
I had some lace pressure problems at the top eyelet the first few times but it went away as I played. The regular KD didn’t have this issue because the tongue was nicely padded.
The way the plastic straps come around the top help with the lockdown.
Support and Stability
The sock doesn’t do anything in regard to support; it is only there for proprioception purposes and to keep the ankle warm.
The rest of the shoe is very stable as I said in my air jordan 1. Probably one of the most stable low tops I’ve ever worn. The whole design of the shoe seemed to be centered around taking pressure off the forefoot especially after KD’s Jones fracture surgery. I never felt unstable in these or the non elites due to the wide sole design and heel counter
Containment
Despite having a Flyweave upper, the non elite KD did a great job with lateral containment and the same holds true for the Elites. I never felt my foot slide out of the footbed even on hard cuts or change of direction. Well done Nike!
Conclusion
The past few years Nike didn’t really make any “upgrades” with the Elite models, but this year’s KD8 Elite feels like a step up in terms of materials and looks. As far as performance, I don’t feel they are much of a step up; marginally better lockdown in the heel but stiffer forefoot make it a wash. Nothing really stood out with the Elite versus the regular KD 8 aside from the compression sock. Even KD himself is wearing the regular KD8 during the the Thunder’s playoff run.
In all honesty, I feel the Elite series of shoes is just a way for Nike to create new sales since the NBA season is almost over and the regular pairs have been sitting on shelves for over six months. By creating a new sales cycle sooner, shoe sales have shallower and shorter valleys (very smart move). Since the price difference isn’t exorbitant like prior years, it really comes down to looks and I think these are much better looking than the non elites. Expect these to drop in price because I know a lot of people aren’t digging the high cut look. $90-120 is what I expect these to get down to in price.

Nike Pippen II 2 Retro Peformance Analysis and Review

*Sorry I struck out again with the Kobe I Protro. Lebron Solider XII next possibly . Sorry been really busy*
🎶You know it’s hard out here for a Pippen🎶 (Pippen ain’t easy is so passé… and if you don’t know that song, go watch Hustle and Flow, you won’t regret it)
As I continue my shoe purge, I pulled these retro Nike Air More Uptempo’s out of the closet and decided to start using them them again. I never really “analyzed”what made them special but after studying what’s under the hood, I understand why I loved them so much back in the day. Twenty years later, shoes can say they look different but not many can say they are better.
Pros: traction, true to the OG Zoom, fit, support, stability, containment
Cons: leather needs break in? Some wiping needed on dusty floors
Sizing: true to size
Best for: any position
Weight: 16 ounces which is about an ounce more than average for a modern mid. Twenty years and shoes have only shed an ounce of weight in most cases.
Traction
So simple and efficient. Full herringbone with a nice pliable rubber compound. Even a top 50 of all time player didn’t get story telling on his shoe. There are no stories about Scottie and his grandma or the zip code of his old house, just a normal herringbone pattern.
These work almost as well as the Curry 5 with minimal wiping and stick to the floor traction when clean. They do need an occasional wipe of dusty floors though due to the flat “outline” around the outsole.
Cushioning
Zoom in the heel and forefoot with no break in? Sounds good to me.
These actually have the almost same forefoot Zoom set up as the OG Air jordan 13 which explains why I love this cushioning set up so much. The XIV has four sections while these seem to “only” have three. Amazingly, this 2006 retro pair has the same set up as the OG while the Jordan XIV retros do not. Cheaping out JB, who’s the CEO of JB? 😬
These feel awesome from the get go and still haven’t popped or deflated so yea, I’m sticking with these for a bit. I’d be really shocked if Nike retros these again and keeps the same set up.
Fit
True to size or half a size down depending on preference. There is enough padding to adapt to your foot in case you’re off by half a size.
A one piece bootie with a outer shell? Wait, is this from 2018 or 1998?
Oddly the “bootie” doesn’t connect at the bottom of the shoe.
Check out how many eyelets there are. Ten!! Adidas, are you listening ? I’m not sure if you really need this many rows of eyelets but better safe than sorry and sure as hell better than five.
Zero issues with the fit. The bootie upper hugs the foot out of the box and the leather upper just conforms to your foot after break in. This design pretty much set the precedent for almost every shoe you see today except this was done twenty years ago.
Materials
Leather!!
I will say that today’s knits do not need the break in time that leather does and in this world of On Demand, people would not have the patience to wait on breaking in a shoe.
Even during break in with the stiffer leather, it didn’t affect my play. I’ve said it before but you have a lot of muscle and weight to push through a few millimeters of material.
You won’t see leather much nowadays since synthetics and knits are saving the planet (which is a great thing) while making shoe companies more profitable. There is always a caveat to saving the world I guess.
Support and stability
A mid with just enough mobility in the ankle. Sounds good to me
Midfoot support comes from a large plastic shank. In retrospect, Scottie deserved a carbon fiber shank.
No issues with stability due a wide flat base with no tippiness.
It’s slightly wider than the Curry 4 which is ultra stable.
Containment
Leather and that plastic rail runs almost across the entire shoe.
As you guess, no issues
Conclusion
Another old shoe that outperforms the majority of shoes today. But this time the shoe is twenty years old, not twelve. Sure it’s simplistic looking, almost on the verge of following the dad shoe trend but don’t let its looks deceive you, it plays like a beast after all these years. The Pippen II, the Uncle Drew of kicks. Don’t reach Youngblood!
These get a first team rating even after twenty years. And could it be more appropriate?

adidas crazylight 2018 performance analysis review

This is a short and sweet review because the CLB 2018 is the 2016 version with a different upper material and less heel slip.
So a lot of people asked me to review this shoe but I chose to wait because I knew the 2018 was going to sit and I picked these up for $ 67.50 off during the Adidas 30% off sale. It really annoys me it when people say “Oh it’s $120 that’s a good deal” because it isn’t if you have just a little patience and understand supply and demand or if you just read my blog. Chinese heart attack is real people #aliwong
Pros: traction, cushioning, improved heel fit from 2016, stability, containment, one ounce lighter than 2016
Cons: cheaper feeling materials if you’re into that, some lace pressure at top eyelets
Sizing advice: runs long, same as the 2016, half a size down except wide footers
Best for: any position
Buying advice: $67.50 on sale and I’m happy. Bottom around $45-50 range Adidas did a poor job marketing and differentiating shoe
Weight
15 ounces which is one ounce lighter than the 2016 version. I’m guessing using the thinner mesh upper and less plastic shaved off that one ounce of weight.
Traction
Very similar to the 2016 but it did require some breaking in before it gripped like the 2016. The pattern is different but the result is the same. Very nice pliable rubber with very deep grooves.
Where did the all “important” Continental rubber go? Adidas must be reading my blog 🙂
So simple to do and execute but it’s barely down nowadays. Well done Adidas!!
Cushioning
Same as 2016 which is a good thing. Adidas has quietly firmed up the Boost in various shoes from 2016 to 2018 . DRose 6 was very soft, CLB16 and Rose 7 a little firmer, Harden V3 a little lower yet still comfortable, Harden V2 much firmer. This is a just nice blend just like the 2016. I think most players will like this set up.
Fit
These run long just like the 2016 and play even even longer by a touch because of of the thinner materials vs the 2016. I advise getting the same size you got in the 2016 especially wide footers.
I couldn’t go down half size due to wide feet so I had to stick with my normal 11. There is over a full thumb width at the toe which only took a little time to get used to. I think the majority of players will want to go down half a size
Eyelets
There is some lace pressure at the top eyelets so you have to adjust your lacing to get it right or wear thick socks. More padding would have helped
The biggest change from the 2016 to 2018 is a actually a very subtle change. Adidas basically did what I did with the CLB16 project and the stock heel fit is definitely improved. However it takes an hour or two to break in the midsole and plastic parts so it’s more flexible and starts to conform to your foot and heel.
If you just try these on in the store and walk around or don’t let them break in, you will be disappointed with the heel slip.
You can always accelerate the break in like I always do by bending them with your hands. The extra eyelets puts the top laces higher up along the foot so it helps pull the foot down AND back.
It isn’t quite kryie 5 lockdown in the heel since Nike tends to use denser/spongier and more padding that Adidas and UA but it is more than acceptable and very playable.
I’d also guess going down half a size would help even more but as I said earlier I need the width. (That’s what she said too)
As for the rest of the shoe, it fits well with a touch of dead space over the toe box
It doesn’t affect play at all either but I know shoe geeks are super anal (that’s what she said too!)
Materials
A stretchy mesh upper sounds like a my worst nightmare but this upper didn’t really let me down since they used a raised midsole in the forefoot and a pretty long heel counter to keep my foot from sliding around on hard cuts. In my article Why Knits Mesh Wovens don’t work, I spoke at length about why these mesh and knit uppers didn’t work and companies are actually implementing ways to contain the foot. For the most part, shoes like the Brandblack JC 2 and 3 which had no such raised midsole seem to be a thing of the past although it looks like the KD XI didn’t go that route. Of course it makes sense given KD’s penchant for sock like comfort.
Support and Stability
Same as the CLB16 so if those didn’t work out for you, these won’t either. Although the external heel counter is smaller than the 2016, Adidas put in an internal counter as well similar to what you find on Nike’s.
Not overly firm but still helpful.
Same exact plastic midfoot shank
Stability is exactly the same as the 2016 almost down to the forefoot nodules. Same width and notched in almost the exact same area.
Overall I had no issues with support and stability.
Containment
Another non issue just like the 2016. Raised midsole that runs along one third of the shoe.. Way to go Adidas !
Conclusion
So what’s the verdict? I think Adidas read my blog and fixed the issues the 2016 had when they could’ve done it right the first time. Four eyelets have increased to six while they moved the top eyelet back to where I put mine in the 2016.
I think for $67.50 it’s a great shoe that almost any player will enjoy but it does require a little break in time to get the most out of it. If you’re a fan of fancy named uppers, you will not like the CLB 18 but if you do like fancy names like Jacquard, buy the 2016 off eBay and poke some extra holes in it. They go for around the same price as the 2018 anyways.
Just like the modded Air More Uptempo, the fit is good but not great while everything else I enjoyed. Improve the fit a touch and you’d have a first team shoe but second team isn’t too bad either especially at $67.50.

Adidas Ball 365 Performance Review and Analysis

Last season, Adidas created the Ball 365 to cater to outdoor ballers. I was really excited last year about this shoe coming out but it was only available overseas and thanks to Adidas’s wanky sizing, I really didn’t want to spend $150 plus on a shoe that could be way too big or way too small. I guess I wasn’t the only one since no “reviewers” reviewed them.
Thankfully the new season is here and everything is on sale so I felt I could justify the risk for almost half the price. In hindsight I wish I didn’t.
Pros: traction, cushioning, decent fit, stability, containment, durable outsole
Cons: thick layers and use of Climawarm will suck for outdoor use during summer months, super thin tongue and dumb design leads to discomfort, some heel slip, rides a little high off the ground, pricey for what you get
Sizing: take a wild guess.. typical Adidas or is it atypical Adidas?
Best for: outdoor players who have to have Adidas
Buying Advice: buy something else
Weight:
Adidas likes to keep them over one pound I guess. Similar weight to the Rose line or CLB16.
Traction
Now this application of Continental rubber makes sense. During my test of Continental versus Regular, I felt Continental would be more durable especially outdoors so it makes sense to put these on the Ball 365. Works great outdoors and indoors as well. Not really much wiping required even on dusty floors indoors. This is the best part about the Ball365
Cushioning
Bounce wins the award for consistency. It has that distinct feel across a lot of different lines of shoes. These feel a little firmer than the Lillard 4 but still feel like Bounce.
I think this set up is great for outdoors even though it sits a little higher up than I’d like.
Sizing
Good thing I’m a good guesser..Before you read this, which way do you think sizing went ? True to size go up half a size go down half a size other? Tough question to answer isn’t it? Fix this issue Adidas.
Well I went half a size up just based on pictures and I was right. There is a lot of padding in the Ball 365 and it runs shorter and narrower than Adidas hoop shoes in general. I had a finger width of space from my biggest toe to the end of the toe box which is my preference and what podiatrists actually recommend.
Fit
In all honesty I wanted the mids but I couldn’t find a pair in my size for a good price. However these lows do a decent job in regard to fit. I had serious heel slip to start but after some workouts and runs the heel fit got better but never got truly locked in. The laces don’t sit high enough or far enough back for me and I really didn’t feel like poking more holes in shoes. Plus the design as a whole didn’t help either (more below). Yes, my feet are very fickle when it comes to lows that’s why I like mids because I usually have zero issues like this with them.
The lace “eyelets” are similar looking to the Rose 8 but the string is actually one continuous piece. If you break it you’re SOL
I could have gone down half a size and it would probably would have improved the fit but then the shoe would have been too tight.
No issues with movement side to side since these run pretty narrow. Overall, I find the fit to be slightly below average due to the heel fit. Miss would probably do a a better job on this department.
Materials
The Ball 365 is mostly just mesh similar to the Fusemesh of the Lillard 3. Nothing great but it feels right as an outdoor material. There is some protection around the toebox for toe dragging which is a plus but if you don’t drag on this spot get ready for some fraying or holes. More coverage across the forefoot would be ideal.
There is also a thick underlay of cloth which I believe is Climawarm but it doesn’t impede flexibility. It’s there to keep your feet warm during winter months while keeping them ultra moist during summer. Yuck
Climawarm -when you really want a bacteria farm growing in your shoes.
I get it’s called the Ball 365 as in 365 days a year but during the hot swamp as* summer this is not what you want at all. And during the winter months, your feet don’t need Climawarm because your feet naturally get hot. Trust me I’ve played hours upon hours of tennis during the winter months and keeping my feel warm was the very last thing I was worried about. Maybe next time throwing in a headband or ski mask would be better than Climawarm as a material in a shoe with no ventilation. One of the dumbest ideas I’ve ever seen unless I’m going skiing or hiking in the freezing cold.
Design
So yea ..about those TPS reports
Maybe I just need a explanation from engineers but this space makes no sense and give me lace pressure irritation and pain. I mean really why? Ventilation ? You have a super thin tongue covering the space so it can’t be for that.
This little thin tongue let’s me feel all the lace pressure I could ever want. And why is the tongue on top of the shoe ? It just looks like n extra piece of fabric.
That space doesn’t help with the fit either so it really makes little sense. Basically my foot foot acts as wedge some every time I run my ankle can push further and further into the “V” cutout making the fit worse with each step. If you’re going to keep my feet warm, a traditional tongue or bootie set up would have worked much better while keeping my feet nice and toasty.
Support and Stability
Support comes from the heel counter and fit so I had no issues with support. Those nubs do nothing except give the appearance of durability and to prepare you for battle with the Whitewalkers. See the Ball365 would be great when #winterishere #gameofthronesdork
Actually the real reason the nubs exist is to add accessories to the shoe but I thought we were done with shrouds and lace covers back in 2001.
Stabilty is good as well with an outsole similar to the Lebron 16. No tippiness in the heel either. Nice job overall Adidas!
Containment
Good containment since my foot sits well below the raised midsole. Sorry this is so brief, just want to finish writing this review.
Conclusion
I really liked that Adidas made an outdoor shoe basketball shoe since not everyone plays indoors. The Ball 365 should really be called Ball 245 because I would not advise wearing these during summer months due to the thick underlays and Climawarm.
IF I ignore the heat retention and weird painful cut out that led to Crazylace pressure and heel slip, the Ball245 is an okay shoe and feels sturdy for the outdoors. But at a retail price of $120 (I think) not including shipping costs, you’d be better served buying older models with Continental rubber for half the price like adidas nmd or Lillard 2. I usually don’t feel sorry about buying a shoe at $80 but this isn’t even aesthetically pleasing to me so pretty much just a big L. I could have bought two Lillard 3’s at the outlet for less than I paid for these and had a better fit, ventilation, and looks. Oh well live and learn and move onto the next one. I hope this review saves someone some money!

Nike Lebron Soldier III 3 Performance Analysis and Review

As I continue my shoe closet purge, I came across these and thought these would be a great way to kill some time waiting for this weekend’s releases (Kobe 360, Protro, Curry 5). After wearing them the past few weeks, I also decided to keep them.
It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years since the Soldier III released (almost as hard to fathom as Nike retroing the Soldier I!?) I remember walking around the Costa Mesa mall during a vacation and checking these out at the Footlocker there, then walking out with a pair for $69.99. The more time that passes and the more I write reviews on older shoes, the more I realize nothing has really changed in regard to sneaker “technology and innovation”.
Pros: traction, cushioning, fit, support, stability, containment, durable
Cons: needs normal wiping to stay tacky on dusty floors. A little squeaky when walking around haha
Best for: any position
Weight
15 ounces in a US 11 which is the average weight for mids today although these were way lighter than previous LeBrons.
Then vs Now: tie
Traction
One of the better traction set ups of the Lebron Solider line. I guess the pattern is a sectionalized modified herringbone?
If you look at the direction of the herringbone, it runs more horizontally than vertically than most herringbone set ups which helps with cuts and defensive slides and stops. Of course there is some standard vertical herringbone right up the middle.
It isn’t perfect because that that flat outer rim can pick up some dust and cause some sliding but nothing out of the ordinary. A more modern pattern would probably have the herringbone extend all the way across the outsole and possibly up.
If you’re constantly searching for the GOAT traction like me, these are not it. They don’t have the bite of something along the Rose 7 or Curry 2 nor do they deflect dust like them but they do a good enough job, very similar to the Clutchfit Drive type of performance. I have them a little below the Soldier VI traction as well.
Then vs Now: tie although there are better patterns than the Soldier III then as well as now.
Cushioning
Zoom Zoom
A very standard (at the time) heel and forefoot Zoom. Sad to say we get excited about good Zoom set ups like this nowadays but back then, this just the norm. If you take a look at the pics, you can see the Zoom pushing the strobel board which of course translates to a lot of Zoom feel.
I don’t even need to highlight the Zoom in these pics Basically it’s the opposite of Jordan and Nike’s protruding Zoom outsole. If you can’t see it, it can’t be working right JB/Nike?
The Zoom still works great for me after all these years which is a testament to how great and durable Zoom can be when done right. I still prefer the Soldier VI set up but these are pretty damn good as well.
Then vs Now: better than most today
Fit
True to size
Here is how to get the optimal fit for everyone
1. Put shoe on left foot
2. Put shoe on right foot
3. Tie laces on left and right shoe
4. Pull straps down to desired tightness
5. Go play
It can be so simple yet shoe companies love using asymmetrical lacing, removing laces, using minimal eyelets, rails and zippers for no good reason other than marketing. Sure some might fit a little better for some people but 99% of the time, a standard set up will work better.
Then vs Now: better than most but today’s great fitting shoes are just as good
Materials
Ballistic mesh, synthetic leather and a patent leather toe cap on most colorways.
Nothing fancy at all but they work just fine. I’m sure Nike could “update” the Soldier III with Flyknit but it wouldn’t feel as sturdy and Nike would probably have to modify other parts of the shoe to fix containment issues.
Then vs Now: I prefer then but no difference in performance
Articulated Toe Cap
The toe cap design is interesting and it cuts down on break in time versus a traditional non articulated patent leather setup like the Air Jordan 33. During break in, the AJ XI patent leather would crease and crack to allow for a more natural flex. This articulated toe cap just eliminates the break in time . I wouldn’t say it plays any better than a traditional set up since you still have to contend with flexing the much thicker midsole of the shoe. Believe it not, your feet have very strong muscles to power through 1/8 of an inch of materials. You could of course just take the toe cap off and have the same experience as an articulated toe cap.
Support and Stability
A midcut with some actual stiffness provides just enough additional support without restricting mobility.
Although there isn’t a forefoot outrigger, the outsole is widened at the forefoot and is flat with no tippiness.
Then vs Now: tie
Containment
No issues here thanks to patent leather in the toe box. As well as the synthetic rand that runs the length of the shoe.
Then vs Now: tie although a lot of companies didn’t even bother addressing this performance aspect for years
Conclusion
There really is nothing not to like and a lot to love about the Soldier III. It fits great, feels good underfoot, provides adequate protection and sticks to the ground as long as you wipe. Best of all, these hit clearance hard back in the day and were ultra cheap. I honestly thought the Soldier line and PS line was going to be short lived but I was very very wrong.
Like Lebron 16 , the Soldier III still plays like a beast even after all these years. Nine years old is pretty close to the age limit on wearability although I can go back as far as twelve to thirteen years and be okay for most shoes.
What’s funny about the Soldier III is that if I threw these into the mix for everything I’ve reviewed this first quarter of the year except maybe the Harden, I’d pick these. What’s old is new I guess? It just comes to show you that newer almost never means better.

adidas Harden Vol 3 Performance Test

The adidas Harden Vol 3 performance review is here and its one of the best basketball shoes of 2018.
Herringbone. Herringbone everywhere! My only complaint here is that the grooves of the herringbone are a bit too tightly spaced. When you’re on a floor that has a good amount of dust you will need to maintain wiping the soles. This happens to be something that a lot of players do whether they need to or not so it wasn’t a huge issue for me. One benefit to having tightly spaced grooves is that they were able to pack on a lot of the pattern from heel to toe. So, when there was dust and you would be in a situation where you are unable to wipe, there was enough coverage to eventually get that bite you’d expect from this type of setup.
As one would suspect, on clean courts the traction was nothing short of awesome.
Outdoors they performed really nicely as well. The rubber is soft and they’ve begun to fray a bit, I only played outdoors for about 2 hours, so if you wanted something that works then this will do. If you wanted something that will last then I’d probably opt for the Harden Vol 2 instead.
Full length Boost makes up the midsole and its the most well-balance ride adidas has been able to come up with since implementing the cushion into its basketball line.
Heel to toe transition is smooth. Court feel is perfect. Impact protection still exists despite the latter. This has been my favorite version of Boost in basketball.
It’s not too bouncy. It’s not too firm. It’s just right.
While knits can be a hit or miss, when the material is able to mimic leather without the break-in process then that’s when it truly shines.
The setup here is very similar to what was used on the Nike LeBron 16. Despite the build being comprised of fabric, its thick and strong. Perfect just just about anyone. There is no dead-space within the shoe and they just feel awesome on-foot.
What’s with the elastic band? Does it do anything? No. Nothing at all. I think it’s just there as a design piece. While I thought it was strange at first, it does give you something to look at when you look down.
I went true to size and have no issues with the decision. In fact, these have been the best fitting adidas shoes I’ve worn in quite some time.
Lockdown was great as well. Once laced up they remind me a lot of the Nike Kobe 5. Only with a knitted upper. Pretty awesome, right?
Everything on the Harden Vol 3 works perfectly with one another. From the internal heel counter to the way the upper wraps around your foot. The flat stable base and the torsion spring plate running from the heel to the forefoot.
The adidas Harden Vol 3 might not look like much, but its performance on the court is nearly perfect. I’ve said this recently in a video — I wish I could remember which one — but sometimes simplicity garners the best results. There is nothing special about the Harden Vol 3, but the Harden Vol 3 is a special shoe. Its so simple that it does everything right. Some would say they played it safe, but if all you want is a shoe that hits every aspect you could want on a shoe then playing it safe might’ve been the best way to go.
If you end up with a pair, or have already been playing in a pair, I’d love to hear what you think about them. Do you feel the same way I do or was there something on the shoe that didn’t work out for you?

 

 

The adidas Harden Vol 3 Deconstructed

Does simplistic aesthetic of the adidas Harden Vol 3 carry over into its internal design? Thanks to the always-informative team over at FastPass we can find out in this latest breakdown.

Sometimes less is more, and that may possibly be the case for the adidas Harden Vol 3. Starting with the side profile, the bootie construction has been shaped into a tongue construction that hopefully adds a little more customization to the fit in the midfoot. In addition, there is ample padding around the heel that should provide some comfort around the Achilles.
The Boost midsole rides at a more balanced offset that the two Harden predecessors at around 10mm with the forefoot profile running closer to the Jordan Legacy 312 and the heel thickness leaning towards the Vol 2. beneath the midsole, a thinner evolution of the TPU shank can be found for support in the arch and throughout.

In case you were planning on copping the Harden Vol 3 bear in mind you should have a little more control over forefoot lockdown than forefoot band appears to give. Underneath the lacing system are nylon straps to make up the first two points of lacing on each side, so if you are able to rig them you should pretty much be able to get your preference of fit in the forefoot.
Other details in the deconstruction include a look at the rubber outsole structure, an up close look at the forefoot caging and further comparisons to the Harden Vol 1 and 2. For more, check out adidas Harden Vol 3 Performance Review.

What do you think about this Harden Vol 3 deconstruction? Anything you didn’t expect to see or expected to see but didn’t? Let us know what you think with a comment down below.

Jordan Jumpman Hustle PF Performance Review

Every day I’m Hustlin’! air jordan 33 has brought some nostalgia back bringing back a team shoe, for this case, the Jordan Jumpman Hustle PF. This particular Asia release model adds the sticker of PF (Performance Fit) and XDR rubber traction outsole. Is it a massive change compared to the US release? Well, we’re about to find out…
The only difference between this model and the US release is mainly the XDR rubber solid rubber outsole. Traditional herringbone traction is used and sometimes it’s the simple things are what work best. I’m very glad it’s used here. On clean courts, the traction was awesome, but once you get those pesky dust particles roaming about then the shoe needed more wipes than a baby’s behind (but that generally goes for most shoes).
Again, as long as you’re on nice, clean courts, you’ll be game ready no matter if you’re indoor or outdoor. I find that the XDR version seemed to grab the ground a lot more on outdoor courts, so that definitely says a lot about the compound used on the shoe. Although the rubber still felt a bit soft. No matter what I threw at it, this shoe traction really held it’s own.
The Jumpman Hustle PF features forefoot Zoom Air along with a very lightweight Phylon midsole. For a big buy like myself, that needs that extra impact protection, these felt really good. Really, really good. For a shoe that has such a soft and lightweight Phylon midsole, I really felt the feedback under foot. This is most likely because I’m heavy footed. However, as much as I dislike comparisons, the shoe plays similar to the PG 2, just with a bit more responsiveness upon impact. So for those that land heavy on rebounds, or those that require a little more impact protection, the Jumpma Hustle has you covered no matter what position you play. For the price, the shoe is one of the most comfortable currently on the market.
The Jumpman hustle utilizes Synthetic and fabric textile upper — this is the other aspect that differs from the U.S. version that utilized a vinyl enclosure. Nylon lace loops can be found under the shroud as well as patent leather-like material surrounding the midfoot and around the toe. While the material combination is nice, I do wish there was a little bit more strength behind the materials/build. I found the shoe to have some minor stretching depending upon my movements — especially with hard cuts. I didn’t find this to be a major issue, however, you can feel when it stretches which would cause me to second guess some of movements.
True to size, even for a wide-footer like myself. This is likely due to the this being the overseas release version. The PF models tend to be built on a slightly wider last to accommodate the Asian market. I don’t see it as an issue overall with anyone else because the lockdown of the shoe is nice, however, lateral containment might cause minor instability due to the lack of structure backing the materials on certain parts of the shoe. If you’re a wide footer and prefer to not size up then it’s best grab an overseas edition of Nike/Jordan models.
Support was good, not great, but good. Lateral support from the materials are slightly lacking which is what I felt was the biggest downside. It wasn’t a deal breaker as I love playing in the shoe, but if you wanted more strength within the upper then this might not be for you.
Overall, the Jordan Jumpman Hustle was a delight to play in. And the price point is perfect as well. They have almost everything you can want in a basketball shoe without breaking the bank. They’re super comfortable (even for a big man like myself), very lightweight, yet plays really well on the court (even outdoors). For those looking for a soft ride, that looks nice on court, and caters to your fast pace up and down game, then this shoe will fit your needs.
It’s definitely nice that Jordan Brand brought back a team shoe not only for the nostalgic purpose but it gives consumers options. Not saying that we don’t want to play in signature models, but it’s nice to have a choice to pick any shoe given, and not have to worry if it will perform on the court or not, because these shoes, they perform well. This is it chief.
I look forward to seeing if there are future generations of the Jumpman Hustle because if the designers can continue to create shoes like this, at these prices, then it’s definitely something I’ll be looking forward to in the future.

Nike Kobe IX 9 EM Performance Analysis and Review

Yawn…anything good out there? As I finish up catching up with the entire Kobe line, I figured I might as well finally get around to these. I did not buy the Elite IX simply because I don’t like looking like I’m wearing snow boots. I’ll try to get to the VII soon which is not nearly as bad as some people make them out to be.
Pros: traction, firmer and more refined Lunarlon cushioning, fit, containment
Cons: little midfoot support , does not pass my tippiness test (3rd degree sprain back in the day with these but that’s me and my gait)
Best for: guards who value traction and a nice balanced cushioning set up
Weight
13 ounce which is about average for today’s standards.
Traction
Errr yea these are awesome 24/7
That’s all, that’s why I always use it a lot as a measuring stick for my other shoes. Soft pliable rubber than doesn’t pick up a ton of dust? Sign me up!!
Cushioning
I’m not a fan of drop ins as you well know but at least Nike has improved and removed most of the more bothersome aspects of the drop ins over the years. My main complaint has been low walls that allow my foot to pinch between the upper and insole and Nike started to raise the walls with the IX. Can it keep a caravan out ? I doubt it #politics
The IX feels slightly firmer then the Kobe VIII and don’t have that squeakiness that I always encountered in the Kobe 8. Like all Lunarlon, it doesn’t keep that springy feeling that long but since it is a drop in you don’t quite notice the drop off as much since there isn’t a strobel board between the cushioning and your foot.
Overall it is what it is which is not my favorite set up but it works fine.
Fit
Like the Harden V1 to Harden Vol 3 the Kobe 9 just fits a little better than the 8. Everything is slightly tighter from heel to toe and I love how the heel is ultra locked in with the 9. The Achilles and ankle collar just clamps the heel in like it’s supposed to. Simple no frills lacing just works. Simple works, it’s that easy folks.
Materials
These are engineered mesh and it works. Reinforcement on high pressure areas yet flexible where needed. Nothing fancy at all at the $140 price point. Amazing thst Nike hasn’t moved the Kobe price point even more although they have move it $20 bucks here and there. But as history shows us, no sig player on court equals slower sales. Never mind I just answered my own question.
Support and Stabilty
Support is fine since these are lows with and excellent heel fit and very firm heel counter.
Midfoot support is okay but comes solely from the insole like a lot of other drop in insoles shoes
Stabilty in the heel however killed this shoe for me and I should have never even bothered since I have a thing with tippy shoes in the heel.
The outsole isn’t that rounded but it’s rounded just enough at exactly the wrong place. I went up for a rebound got pushed in the air landed on my heel and that’s all she wrote for 6 weeks. Perfect landing don’t hurt, it’s the not so perfect ones you gotta look out for.
As I’ve said before that’s just me and my wanky ankles and gait. Plenty of people have used these with no issues but I can’t do rounded heels. At least the forefoot is nice and flat with an outrigger.
So close to being acceptable stability wise yet so far. I don’t want to ever sit again for 6-8 weeks. I almost threw up because of the pain. Thanks air jordan 33 and Kobe IX for teaching me a painful yet helpful lesson with my shoe selection.
Containment
Zero issues here. The entire foot sits below the grey raised midsole
Conclusion
I can see why players love the Kobe IX and I definitely would have as well if not for the outsole and the bad mojo I had with the shoe. Fantastic traction, great fit, and nice balanced cushioning are all things I love but that damn heel just kept me from wearing them.
As far as where this ranks in the Kobe line, I’d say it is a top 5 Kobe if not for my own ankle issues. Personally I’d still take the IV, VI, I and probably the NXT and AD Mid ahead of these because they all gave me excellent traction and cushioning without fear of turning my ankle. The 8 is up there and the Exodus would be there as well but it’s a little more rounded (not as bad as these) than I’d prefer. (But sleep some more on the Exodus and wake up to grab them on the cheap the next few months). Actually I can’t really say any Kobe is bad, they just have outliers that play a little stiffer than the rest of the Kobe line and get sht on for being different. Want a low top with almost zero chance of heel slip and great traction with nice court feel and cushioning without worrying about sizing?

adidas Harden Vol 3 Performance Review

Love him or hate him, one thing’s for sure: James Harden has his own unique style, both on the court and off. Looking to capitalize on its investment, adidas has gotten a little, well, different with his first two shoes. The Harden Vol 3 has gone back to a more traditional look so does that mean performance took a vacation? Let’s go…
The Harden Vol 1 and 2 both featured anything but traditional traction patterns; the Vol 1 was based on pressure points and Harden’s start-and-stop style, while the Vol.2 looked like a sponge but worked (in certain colorways). The Harden 3 discovered herringbone and it is great.
Front to back, side to side (word to UGK), the Harden Vol 3 voyager offers complete coverage in a tight, tough pattern that gripped all three floors I played on. This model (the ‘Voyager’ colorway) features a translucent rubber that doesn’t grab dust as bad as past shoes with clear soles, but I did need to wipe frequently on the dirty court. On the newly refinished rec court I play league at on Mondays, I was completely glued to the floor with almost too much grip. I know, that’s a serious problem right?
I could really feel the difference between the Harden Vol 3 and the Vol 2 on defense. The Vol 2 pattern and rubber offered a smoother, softer stop that eased into the grip (if that makes sense). However, the Harden Vol 3 is a serious stop RIGHT NOW stop and as someone who still tries to play hard D (yeah, I know…) I appreciated the improvements.
Outdoors? C’mon, you already know that answer. Shallow pattern, translucent rubber? Not a chance I see these lasting outdoors, at least in this colorway.
Less Boost must mean worse cushioning — those are the laws of sneaker physics right? — except when it doesn’t, like on the Harden Vol 3. What helps is less caging of the forefoot.
By only caging about a three inch strip (in my size 10.5) of the forefoot the stability is still present but the Boost is allowed to compress more across the whole forefoot. That gives the shoe great impact protection but also incorporates some great court feel.
The Vol 1 went with court feel and it excelled. The Vol 2 went the max cushioning route and lost some court feel, although it wasn’t terrible. The Harden Vol 3 finds a great balance. There was no lag time at all in reactions and after coming down from jumpers I had no pain in my feet. Also, the Boost doesn’t stick out from the upper, making the forefoot less clunky and blocky than the Vol 2.
We’ve discussed the forefoot, but what about the heel? Again, we get less Boost than the Vol 2, which makes the ride lower while still giving great impact protection. This also makes the transition extremely smooth and flowing with a low heel-to-toe drop — no clunkiness at all. Overall, this is the best combination of court feel and protection that the Harden line has given us.
While the Vol 1 had two different upper options, Primeknit and a normal textile, the Vol 2 gave us just one option and it was a cross between the two Vol 1 builds. For the Harden Vol 3, we get what is being called a “textile upper with synthetic overlay.”
For us normal people, this means a woven upper with fabric backing. It feels more like the Vol 2 than Primeknit, but this isn’t a bad thing. Straight out of the box the upper feels pliable and comfortable and has no internal hotspots. The black/white release colorway has more of a plastic-glued feeling over the weave while the silver colorway is straight fabric.
Internally, as mentioned, the upper is lined with a fabric backing as well as an internal sleeve system. Going away from the trendy one-piece upper, the tongue and lace area are almost separate. The heel and tongue are topped off with some of the softest leather seen lately, and those areas wrinkle and crease almost as soon as you put the shoes on (which is great).
The inside of the heel and ankle is lined with thick padding and old-school terry cloth that feels great on-foot, even with no-show socks (I guess Nightwing and I are the only ones who still wear those from reading the comments). For the silver colorway, there is a glittery thread sewn into the upper, so if you like sparkles and shiny things, you are in luck.
Finally, after a few years of trial and error, adidas has gotten the sizing right. I am a 10.5 in almost everything, and a 10.5 in the Harden Vol 3 was perfect. I mean, absolutely perfect. The biggest reason? That almost-separate tongue and upper. This allows the upper to be laced as tight or loose as you wish. Wide-footers, rejoice! I like to pull mine tight so there is absolutely no movement inside, and the lacing system let me do that. However, if you have a wide foot, you can loosen the upper a bit and it will still fit fine. The elastic band does nothing but adds some design and texture to the upper, so no worries on it being too tight.
The heel slip/fit is a problem for regular-width feet if you don’t lace up the last hole tight. You can do it because the tongue is thickly padded and the flat laces don’t put any pressure across your foot. The high heel piece looks uncomfortable but breaks in quick and helps with that heel lockdown. The padding in that area is almost obnoxious but it feels great after about two games of wear (or wear them casually for about an hour).
If the yeezy boost was a little more support than you bargained for, the Harden Vol 3 takes it back a notch. The feel, initially, is running shoe-like and that feeling never really goes away.
The materials are flexible but don’t stretch so lateral stability isn’t an issue across the forefoot. Again, the band doesn’t really contribute anything, but the materials do a fantastic job with lockdown. The caging of the lateral forefoot Boost in the Harden Vol 3 acts as an outrigger as well so rolling in that area is gone. Boost, being a soft foam, tends to compress and become unstable on some landings, but the caging keeps the Boost from excessive compression, which keeps the shoe stable.
The full-length shank is present again in the Harden Vol 3 and it runs from the heel into the solid midfoot to two separate forks under the forefoot. Separating the forefoot shank provides flexibility — without being overly stiff — and still keeps the shoe stable. There is an internal heel cup that rises halfway up the extended heel area but it never gets in the way while playing. The rest of the support comes from the lacing system and the fantastic fit, which complete ties the foot into the upper.
Plain and simple: the Harden Vol 3 is the best Harden shoe we have seen yet. The design may, in some eyes, be taking a step back but performance has never been better.
If you are a player at any position who enjoys freedom of movement, court feel with above-average impact protection, and a great fit look no further — the Harden Vol 3 is a serious shoe. If you enjoy a little more supportive feel or just don’t like “The Beard” then I guess you can look elsewhere, but you’ll be missing out.
adidas has a hit on their hands with the Harden Vol 3. Now I am faced with a dilemma: my Top Picks of the year are coming soon, and with adidas switching the release dates of the Dame 5 and Harden Vol 3, I may have to make room for a shoe I didn’t anticipate.
With the Crazy BYW X and the Harden Vol 3 being the only Boost-equipped basketball shoes on the release calendar for the foreseeable future, pickings are slim if you need the little pebbles under your foot. It seems, to some in this business, that adidas is straying from Boost in basketball and turning to Bounce as a more stable cushioning system for the lateral and vertical movements. However, if Three Stripes can make a Boost with this impact protection and court feel, moving away from it is a mistake.
adidas, follow the leader — or at least the MVP — and give us the Boost we still live for.

nikecourt zoom zero performance analysis and review

I didn’t mean for this to happen but the U.S. Open kicked off yesterday so what a perfect time to drop a tennis shoe review. I don’t review tennis shoes often because 1) I don’t play tennis often anymore 2) I already reviewed the GOAT 3) I have some Zoom Vapormax 9’s as back up.
But something about the design and look of the Zoom Zero said try me. I tried the Nike Ultra React tennis shoe a few years back as well as the Adidas Energy Boost but those two just didn’t work for me; The React was an overpriced Jordan 33 wannabe built to satisfy shoe tech geeks but guess what, nobody fell for it…Same with the Adidas Energy Boost. Have all the tech jargon you want, both shoes weren’t any better than their dumbed down counterparts.
So I bought the Zoom Zero on release day and I think I found a fantastic tennis shoe that doubles as perfect outdoor shoe as well as a great indoor Bball shoe. I guess Bo knows tennis now three decades later
*If you didn’t know I was a top junior in Texas back in the day and played a semester In college before dropping it for a life of hooping and lifting five hours a day with very occasional studying..very very occasional*
Weight
14 ounces so pretty average weight for a tennis shoe or hoops shoe.
Traction
So one of the old school benefits of Nike tennis was a 6 month outsole guarantee but the Zero doesn’t have that guarantee. Guess money is tight at Nikecourt.
The shoe features a pattern very similar to the Kd V but with smaller triangles and guess what it works ..everywhere and does what it’s supposed to do.
Tennis is a game of starting and stopping but sometimes you have to slide into shots and whatever it’s doing on court, it listened. Chase down a drop shot, split step for a volley, slide into a running forehand… it was just great.
Tennis uses similar if not the same movements as basketball so these work great outdoors as well. I took these indoors to hoop in after playing tennis the other day and they worked great although some wiping was needed on dirty floors. The point is they do what they’re supposed to.
Cushioning
Full length zoom is very rare in a tennis shoe so yes I admit this drew me in. Nike top loaded the heel and midfoot but then bottom loaded the forefoot for court feel.
Pic courtesy of Nike
I’d prefer top all the way through but it’s an interesting idea to say the least and it’s what gives the Zero such a weird looking midsole.
Heel to mid Zoom is great, nice and springy while the forefoot is pretty average with barely only some Zoom feel. I think Nike really parred down the foam to give the wearer a lower to the ground feel since it rides a little high in the heel.
The secret to the heel Zoom feel is the strobelNike used a thin foam board and cut out portions in the heel so you really get that Zoom feel.
Although I’d like more Zoom feel in the forefoot, I was very pleased with the Zoom set up overall. Quick and responsive in the forefoot with a nice bounce in the heel. I was talking to a young teaching pro and he asked me about these and said he wanted more heel cushioning to replace his Cage 2’s and I told him these would work great.
Fit
Nike likes to use a really slim and long last with their tennis shoes and these are no different. I went true to side and these fit me slightly long although it’s really the design of the toe box. I have about a thumbs width at the toe but if I went down half a size my toes would get crammed. I think most can go true to size but narrow footers may want to go down half a size. Zero heel slip out of the box which is probably due to its higher than normal cut.
It is a very Nikecourt design with an inner bootie and partial outer one piece design.
I wouldn’t say the fit is quite as good as the Vapors but it’s still a very good fit overall with no movement side to side or front to back (maybe that’s why it’s narrow at the toe, so you don’t jam our toes on stops).
Materials
Mostly mesh so nothing to write home about. For $130 it’s about what I’d expect from Nike or Adidas and it works just fine. Just can’t get cool textures with mesh.
Support and Stability
This is a tennis shoe but there the higher cut just gives it a little more support without restricting movement.
As to be expected stability is excellent thanks to a low to the ground forefoot, wide outsole and tiny outrigger. No tippiness anywhere heel to toe.
Containment
I thought these would be iffy on court but I was wrong.. No stretching on hard changes of direction or when chasing down balls sideline to sideline.
Part of the reason is the huge raised tooth coming off the midsole.
And the other is the use of synthetic and rubber around the toe.
But there is a hidden reason containment works..
There is a layer of stiff synthetic on the lateral side only to keep the mesh from stretching on hard cuts. Zero issues with containment. Well done Nikecourt, can you talk to Nike Basketball?
Durability
I usually don’t talk aboutdurability since I hoop indoors but as a chronic toe dragger when I play tennis , I wear holes in my shoes in a hurry. Nike smartly added rubber to the inside toe and medial side for durability. If you look at our shoes you rub your feet together a lot so Nike also added rubber to the medial toe area. After several hours outdoors in 100 degree heat, these are holding up nicely.
Ventilation
I usually don’t discuss this ether since I play bball indoors but playing in 100 degree weather on hard courts, my feet typically get really hot but these kept the heat at bay for me even during the middle of the day. Mesh is better than leather in this regard for sure. I’m sure there are better ventilated shoes out there but I’m not really in the market for tennis shoes like I am for bball. Still pleased with how these worked out.
Conclusion
I was looking at Asics for my next tennis shoe thanks to a lot of positive reviews from my friends and I liked how they looked but being a shoe nerd, I’m glad I gave these a shot. These are one of those shoes that you put on and forget about almost immediately. Short break in, balanced cushioning, good fit and traction..the list goes on and on with the Zoom Zero. I like my Zoom Vapors but it feels like I’m wearing a shoe on court while these just feel like an extension of my foot. I could have waited to buy these since all tennis shoes hit clearance but sometimes I’m impulsive…
A lot of readers ask about a good outdoor hoop shoe and I can’t answer that often since I don’t play outdoors but if you’re looking for a good outdoor head shoes don’t hesitate to try the Zoom Zero. It does everything a hoops shoe does well and it’s designed for the outdoors..heck, it even played great indoors. I’d actually take these over quite a few most hoops shoes.
Overall rating: first team

Well done Nike!