Converse All Star Pro BB Performance Review

Converse Basketball is back, again, with the Converse All Star Pro BB and here is our performance review.
The traction on the Converse All Star Pro BB is the one area that I wish was better. I can’t say the traction was downright bad because at times, it was nothing short of awesome. Then, randomly and without warning, I’d lose all of that wonderful grip and wipe out. I can’t tell you why it happened, all I know is that it did and it would do it when I’d apply pressure heavily on the entire surface of the sole. If I was just staying on my toes, which is how I end up moving around screens and such anyway, then everything was perfectly fine.
Just like most of the current Nike Basketball shoes I’ve been testing as of late, the outsole has a film on it that needs to be worn away. If you take these for a spin, chances are that you may feel like the outsole is a little slick to start. Stick with it and it’ll get better over time.
The rubber is soft and will fray, especially outdoors, but it’s also squared so they should last longer than something like the Nike Kobe 1 Protro.
Full-length React cushioning is used in the form of a drop-in midsole, much like the Nike Kobe AD NXT 360 — a shoe I feel is most comparable to the Converse All Star Pro BB.
While I did enjoy the ride of the Kobe AD NXT 360 a little more, it wasn’t drastic enough to blatantly say I prefer one over the other, unless we’re talking about the lining used on the footbed. That’s where I really had a problem with these guys.
The lining used is a canvas-like material, a nod to the classic Converse Chuck Taylor. However, it’s something the pads of my toes hated. The bottoms of my feet were getting chewed up like crazy, to the point where they looked like they were being rubbed raw. I tried every style of sock I own and nothing really helped — it’s just a bit too coarse for my feet, I suppose.
The cushion itself was smooth and offered a slight bounce when brand new. The bounciness of the React went away rather quickly, but my legs felt just fine after three hour hoop sessions. Great court feel with moderate impact protection for a low-profile style of play. If you enjoy feeling fast on your feet, then these will make you feel as if you’re as nimble as a deer. Almost to the point of feeling as if you’re barefoot on the hardwood. It’s an interesting feeling, but if you’ve played in Kobe’s with drop-in midsoles, then you likely already know what to expect.
The materials are a mix of mesh and canvas — with a a bit of Fuse keeping things together. While the shoe doesn’t feel premium, they didn’t feel as if they were made of nothing — which is how I felt with the Nike Kobe AD NXT 360. When fully laced, the shoe’s build wraps up and around your foot like a sock. It’s similar to the Chuck Taylor and its canvas build but it barely provides enough support for gameplay.
The entire shoe is very minimal and reminds me a lot of a Nike Free. If that is what runners consider to be a minimalist running shoe, then this is a minimalist basketball shoe.
The Converse All Star Pro BB fits true to size. However, they’re very snug. Like, reallysnug, especially at the toe. Something most of you already know I love — and I sure as hell did love it. I had a great one-to-one fit and feel while wearing these guys on-court. It’s exactly how I wish the Nike Kobe AD NXT 360 fit me.
While tight, everything moves really nicely with your feet, which are the pros to using textiles, canvas and super thin TPU overlays. The cons? (no pun intended) is that they’re not very durable. My pair looks like I’ve been using them for much longer than I actually have been. I will say that I did wear the hell out of them though. I really liked how everything fit and felt overall — minus the insole lining and inconsistent traction.
Support doesn’t look like much; they’re missing almost everything the Nike Kobe AD NXT 360 had from the TPU shank to the external heel counter. However, they do feature a smaller internal heel counter along with a fit that really promotes a natural feel. Again, very minimalist overall. It’s as if you’re not even wearing shoes. Some may love it, while others may hate it. As long as you know what type of shoe you like to play in, then you may end up really enjoying something like this, especially if the Nike Kobe AD NXT 360 was your thing.
Eric Avar did what Eric Avar does: he made a really good basketball shoe. It’s not perfect and I didn’t expect it to be. I would’ve liked to have had slightly better traction and an insole lining that didn’t want to chew my feet up when running around. Everything else in the shoe I really enjoyed, from the lightweight feel to the one-to-one fit.
The Converse All Star Pro BB is a far cry from anything Avar created with the late 90s/early 00s Nike Alpha Project Series, but they were much better than I had anticipated. Enough to say I actually liked them. Had the traction been better I’d probably keep these in my gym bag as a backup pair. For now, that’s still what my Air Jordan Alpha 1‘s are for.

Nike Lebron XIII 13 Elite Performance Review

It’s funny how the XIII Elite model costs the same as the non elite isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be nice if shoe companies would just give us the good goods the first time around ? That will never happen so oh well, onto the review
Pros: much lighter without sacrificing support, traction, cushioning, support and stability, containment, Posite was removed including the stupid middle piece
Cons: Hex Zoom takes time to get used to, would have preferred regular large forefoot Zoom, one piece upper leads to some bunchiness around tongue, upper is same thickness around entire shoe and needs some break in, sum of the parts not as great as indivual scores
Sizing: true to size, half size down for narrow footers
Best for: any position
Here is my XIII comparison from last year
King of the court
Weight:
13 ounces for a Lebron shoes is nuts. The regular XIII was 16 oz.
Traction
Exactly the same as the non elite. Great on all surfaces including dusty floors although wiping is still needed. Don’t judge a shoe’s traction based on translucency.
Translucent outsoles can work great depending on how the pattern is set up and Nike did a great job on these.
Cushioning 
Five hex pods  in the forefoot versus three with the non elite. I can’t really feel them because they are so far forward in the toe and they are the small  Zoom pods but at least they are there. They might help with push off but it is really is minimal.
You can actually feel the Zoom in the forefoot since Nike increased the volume in the medial forefoot pod and the heel Zoom feels great just like the XIII.
Regarding how Hex Zoom feels, it takes a little time getting used to it. I still prefer a normal Zoom set up because the flexibility gained from the Hex set up isn’t all that much especially considering how much midsole there is.  Would you rather sleep on one plush bed or a bunch of pillows spaced evenly apart ? All the empty space between the Zoom pods and the protrusion from each pod could have been simplified with a standard forefoot Zoom set up.
Fit
I went true to size from Lebron X to XIII and these fit me perfectly just like the regular XIII. If you have narrow feet, I suggest half size down because I see it being difficult to get laces tightened properly with skinny feet.
The entire upper is now the same material and Nike dropped the Posite (thank goodness). I’ve never been a fan of Posite and the removal of it just makes the shoe feel more natural to me. No more stupid middle Posite piece either.
Kurim rubber is used on the entire upper.
What is Kurim?
It is just the name of the company that makes the rubber. (Makes it sound fancier doesn’t it? It’s like when you order fish at a restaurant and instead of catfish it says Blue Channel Mississippi Catfish). The Kurim cage sits on top of the upper so when it gets pushed or flexes it contains the foot. Very similar to UA’s Clutchfit upper in my opinion.
Above: Nike even put this weird material I’ve never seen before.. Must be from ancient times. Real leather is what I think they called in B.S. Times (Before Synthetic )
Below: nicely padded ankle collar
I think a combo of pure mesh and Kurim have been ideal.
The regular XIII had thinned out the mesh in high flex areas but the Elite is pretty much the same thickness throughout mid and forefoot. It doesn’t affect flexibility much but I know some people might not want to put in the time to break in a shoe. If you want a flexible, minimalist shoe, the LBJ line is not for you.  Material changes aside, I had no issues with fit, heel slippage, or movement side to side.
One other note. Being a one piece upper with no separate tongue, I still had weird folding along the tongue since my foot doesn’t fill the shoe to capacity. It isn’t a deal breaker at all but just an annoyance. I had similar issues with the regular XIII as well.
Support and stability
Always a strong point of the LBJ line, the Elite does a great job.
Nike upgraded the plastic midfoot support to Real Carbon Fiber. 
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen real carbon fiber used on a shoe so it is nice upgrade. As far as performance, it doesn’t change much so that’s why the past few years we’ve seen plastic but I think Nike really wanted to make the elite feel, well..elite.
No tippiness at all thanks to an outrigger and wide forefoot.
The XIII is cut really high.. As high as the Clutchfit Drive actually.And like the Clutchfit Drive the ankle collar is flexible (not as flexible as the Clutchfit) but still similar in stiffness to the regular XIII.
Containment
Another strength of the Lebron line has been its containment and these do a great job. Imagine Lebron trying to stop on a dime in a Kobe Flyknit upper. I’d imagine a 260 lb monster would rip right through it.
The upper and slightly raised midsole (and Flywire to a lesser extent) do a good job on hard cuts. You can clearly see the Flywire in the XIII elite upper. I don’t think these Flywire strands are Kevlar like the KD8 Elite so enjoy those lace holders known as Flywire. 

Conclusion 
Ice cream or ice cream with sprinkles for the same price. Pretty sure 99% of us would take the sprinkles. That’s what we have going on with the Elite series this year. No price changes but upgraded parts? Heck yea! I really don’t see any reason why anyone would choose the regular lebron 16 over the Elites. Lighter without giving up support, more Zoom and better materials for the same price. Plus they look cleaner and simpler overall.  I think Nike is going away from price gouging and really trying to add value by upgrading materials yet keeping the prices the same. Kind of like getting real wood panels in a car versus plastic pieces. Even with the upgrades, I’ve already seen the Elite XIII for $160 already so be prepared for more price drops.
Regarding the shoe itself, the XIII overall is a great shoe especially when looking at each performance aspect but I can’t put my finger on why I don’t love the shoe more. I think  it does everything really well but nothing stands out to me to the point that I want to wear them all the time. Maybe it’s my long history with the Soldier VI but I’d still take it over the XIII. Maybe it has to do with what other shoes did really well this year? Rose 6, HR16 have exceptional cushioning, the Lillard 2 has fluid transition, fit and value, while the Curry Two has amazing traction, fit and stability.  The XIII probably would have stood out more in any other year. Regardless of my opinion,I’m sure many players love the XIII and I’m sure they’ll enjoy the Elite version just as much if not more.

adidas Crazylight Boost 2016 VS Nike KD 9 Comparsion

Decided to supplement my KD 12 and Crazylight 2016 reviews with a direct comparison with each performance aspect. It all comes down to how much weight you place on each category versus looking at how many categories each shoe won.
Here are the full reviews
Weight: 
KD: 13.5 oz
Crazylight: 16
Traction 
Almost all shoes work great on clean floors so the real differentiator comes down to dusty floor performance and the CLB16 outperforms the KD 9 on dusty floors. The KD flat honeycomb pattern just picks up dust while the CLB traction brushes it away.
Verdict: Crazylight Boost 2016
Cushioning
Both shoes provide exceptional cushioning so it comes down to what you look for in a cushioning set up.
The CLB set up is firmer than the KD 9. I think the KD 9 Zoom feels better though because it doesn’t get my neuromas buzzing in my feet and sits lower to the ground while retaining some serious bounce.
Verdict: KD 9
Fit
One of the easier categories for me is the fit. I had no heel slip in the KD9 and it fit like a glove with no break in time.
The CLB16 had me having to choose between comfort and performance with true to size or half size down. I also had minor heel slip in both sizes.
Verdict: KD 9
Support and stability
Neither is built for saving ankles but the firmer, denser Boost midsole plus the firmer heel counter, torsional shank plate and forefoot roll cage gives the CLB16 the edge.
The KD 9 support only from the fit and a flimsy heel counter.
Verdict: Crazylight Boost 2016
Verdict: Crazylight Boost 2106
Personally I can’t stand heel slip so I’d take the KD 9 over the air jordan 12 fiba but neither is making my rotation. If the CLB had zero heel slip and were made in a 10.75, I’d pick the CLB but unfortunately for me, it isn’t. The KD 9 traction is great just needs some wiping on dusty floors and lateral containment is very good for a knit upper. I hope this little comparison helps!
Love,

Nike LeBron 16 Low Performance Review

Short and sweet. If you liked the Nike LeBron 16 you’re going to LOVE the *ahem* Nike LeBron 16 “Low”…
Same as the “mid” – and we say mid tongue-in-cheek because really, it’s the same shoe. Deep grooves that are spaced wide enough that very little dust gets grabbed and built with a rubber compound that would feel right at home in the 90’s, the traction is some of the best tried this season. Front to back, side to side (never let ________ ride) and on any floor, the LeBron 16 Low held tight on the curves and solid on defense. Just a little wiping in extremely bad floors and it was back to squeaky-squeak and glue grip.
Again, same as the mid, and it is some of the bounciest, responsive cushioning ever. Stiffer than the Max Zoom in the Nike LeBron 15
The midsole isn’t stiff at all, either, like some over-cushioned shoes tend to feel. The Zoom and Max is separated for flex and the transition is serious – the feel of a fast, “guard” shoe with the impact protection of a “big-man” shoe – sounds kind of like a certain “King” huh?
Awww, no Battleknit 2.0? No problem. The mesh/textile upper of the Nike LeBron 16 Low may not be as “premium” as the mid, but it plays every bit as well. There isn’t an official name for it on the Nike website, so we will call it textile. It doesn’t stretch around your foot as much as it molds, giving the upper a broken-in feel almost from the start. While playing, the thinner, lighter feel of the upper contributes to a fast feel most Max shoes don’t have. It’s not running shoe mesh or Kobe AD NXT 360 lightweight but it won’t feel heavy or bulky once broken in.
Around the heel counter we have an unfinished tan leather with the embossed lion’s head logo (I love the way it looks – some don’t *cough* Nightwing *cough*) and the same quality leather patch on the tongue. These touches don’t add anything in the way of performance but in terms of looks they contrast perfectly and give some detail (the camouflage colorway has a thick, canvas material on the heel counter). There is also a small sliver of nubuck on the medial toe for toe drags and side-side-side steps.
The biggest, and really only, improvement from the mid to the low is the fit – I just wrote all these other words to make you interested. I played with the lacing on the mids, moving to all different holes and combinations, and still had some issues with slight heel slip and containment. The LBJ16 Low takes a whole new direction, with the laces running not over the tongue but into the tongue and right back to the sides – no crossing over. This pulls the upper straight down into the foot and the foot straight down into the midsole, locking your foot like a strait-jacket. The last lace hole is a normal criss-crossing over the foot and pulling your foot into the heel counter. With the added torque, the heel slip is gone and lockdown is dang near perfect. The midsole is still a little heavy so it does have a slight “pull down” feeling, but not like the mid.
As far as sizing, I stayed true to size and went with my normal 10.5. The length allows for about a half inch of dead space, which I enjoy. This gives me enough room that if I do happen to have a little front-to-back slip my toes won’t turn black.
Starting at the midsole – there is no real midfoot shank, but with that huge Zoom system you don’t need one. The largest component of the support system is the fit and lacing. The worry with a large midsole is stability and the foot staying upright. However, with the solid lacing your foot is locked in and never slides over the footbed, even on hard cuts. Also helping in upright stability is the outrigger construction. All of the midsole bubbles have outriggers molded into the outsole, helping with any tipping while playing. Where the LeBron 15 had the same cushioning system, it was also one of the most unstable setups I can remember playing in. The 16 fixes the issues and feels the same great Zoom bounce while doing it.
Just like Nike used to do with the Elite series for the playoffs, they have taken the signature shoe of the “best player in the game” and improved it for the late season (can’t say playoffs this year). If you enjoyed the Nike LeBron 16 (and face it, most of the people who played in it really did like it), you will love the low. Improved fit, still great cushioning and traction, and, materials that are still nice and functional (but not knit – boo hoo). If you are an all-around player who needs some extra bounce for those joints, look no further – this is arguably the best cushioning/impact protection combo on the market. Really, the only reason not to try the shoe is the price (still an expensive $160) or if you just hate LeBron (yes, there are some of them out there). Don’t be scared of the tall midsole – the Nike LeBron 16 Low is fast, flexible, and feels great on court. Just don’t call it a mid.

Air Jordan Alpha 1 Performance Review

Ten years in the making. Here is our performance review on the Air Jordan Alpha 1.
The traction featured on the original Air Jordan 1 I feel is the G.O.A.T. Second best is the Nike Kobe 9, but the AJ1’s outsole really grips nearly surface in nearly any condition.
Unfortunately, the Air Jordan Alpha 1 isn’t quite on-par with the OG AJ1, but its pretty damn close. I might still hold the Kobe 9 above these, but just barely. I feel the updates made to the outsole, while a great concept, wound up causing more problems than it solved. Its addition of herringbone sounds like it’d be amazing, but when there was a lot of dust or debris then I’d need to clear it out. Luckily, the spirals that were carried over from the original model saved the grip when floors would be that bad which is one of the reasons why I love spiral traction so much. It just works and works really well. Since 1985. Well, it was used prior to ’85, but you get what I mean.
Outdoors, the traction will work just as well. It may not last a super long time, but it will likely last longer that the Phylon midsole if you happen to toe drag.
The best thing they’ve ever done to an Air Jordan 1 of any kind was add full-length Zoom Air. Even if it is bottom loaded.
Being bottom loaded you won’t feel the Zoom Air as you would in something newer like the Kobe 1 Protro or Nike KD 12, but it will help absorb the majority of impact. The midsole has been changed from being a solid rubber cupsole to a Phylon midsole that mimics the look of the original. While the midsole clearly doesn’t look identical to the OG Air Jordan 1 — although they were able to make a Phylon lookalike for the Women’s Air Jordan 1 Slip — it’s close enough and it plays much smoother than the rubber cupsole did. Being Phylon it aids in transition if you happen to heel strike and the additional carved out line helps with that. The Phylon itself isn’t overly firm either. It’s a really nice blend between supportive Phylon and comfortable Phylon.
The materials are the one aspect I’ve never full liked on the Air Jordan Alpha 1, and I still feel the same way.
Jordan Brand opted to use what was popular during the 2009-2011 timeframe, which was Fuse and synthetic materials that mimic leather. The underlay material does a good enough job at mimicking leather that I don’t have anything to really complain about other than it doesn’t retain it’s shape quite as nicely as I’d like. Same goes for the Fuse sections. They’re strong, durable, and look the part — for the most part. I’d have loved a nice leather instead, but this is what was offered back then. If Jordan Brand ever decided to revisit this Alpha series then it would be wonderful if real leather was used. It’d do the same thing as this synthetic setup, but it would eventually give off a more vintaged feel and look once you’ve spent enough time in the shoe.
When the Air Jordan Alpha 1 originally released I bought my true size and felt that they offered a bit too much dead space, or volume, around my forefoot. I prefer materials to sit closely to my foot, while some prefer the space. If you happen to prefer a bit of space then going true to size should work just fine. However, I went down 1/2 size this time around and I got the fit I wanted the first time around once they broke in.

Lockdown is still just as good today as it was back in ’85. The materials wrap around your foot nicely and do exactly what they were designed to do. If it ain’t broke. Don’t fix it.
Support isn’t anything special. It might be the one area that still feels like the 80’s. There is an internal heel counter, but that’s about it. The rest of the support relies on the materials, fit and flat base that makes up the tooling. Surprisingly, despite being a 1985 design overall, they still get the job done really well.
Fun. That’s the best way to describe the experience. There is nothing more fun than lacing up a shoe that essentially looks like the Air Jordan 1 but plays a little smoother. While I’ll never be able to fly like Mike, I can at least keep the memories from his old highlight reels alive and well while making my own memories. Even if they’re a little bit more earth-bound.
If you happen to run across a wearable pair of the Air Jordan Alpha 1 it is a shoe that I recommend trying out. They might not knock your socks off in terms of next gen features, but they’ll still make you believe a man can fly.