New Balance FuelCell Propel Performance Review

The New Balance FuelCell Propel is the first neutral cushioned every day runner using New Balance’s FuelCell cushioning technology. FuelCell was previously featured on the shoe Kawhi Leonard was wearing during the NBA playoffs, the New Balance OMN1s. Previous iterations of FuelCell, including the OMNI1s, had a reputation as a bouncy but very firm cushioning system. So has New Balance tweaked the formula?
FuelCell is a nitrogen-injected TPU foam. The nitrogen part is what makes it unique versus Adidas’ Boost or Saucony’s Everun. Normal air is 78% nitrogen which means it’s not a huge departure from using air. New Balance’s scientific explanation is that nitrogen doesn’t expand/contract as much as air. It’s similar to the air in your tires and why using nitrogen to fill car tires is now a thing. So how does FuelCell work when running multiple miles on varied terrain? Let’s find out.
Jodi: Snappy is the word we were throwing around in Chris and I’s detailed look video a few weeks ago. Once I laced up the New Balance FuelCell Propel, I always felt like I had an extra spring in my step. And it was a feeling I had from mile 1 all the way through mile 9. You can’t say that about all cushioning systems. I love a good bouncy cushioning setup, especially when it’s ample and equally tuned from heel to toe like the FuelCell used in the Propel.
Drew: As Jodi mentioned, FuelCell has great bounce and energy return. I noticed that propulsive feeling you get with the bounciest cushioning setups. FuelCell also provided a nice responsive ground feel. It doesn’t feel high off the ground even though there’s ample cushion. Initially, I questioned if it was enough cushioning for long runs. But when I did a few 10+ mile runs in them the cushion didn’t ever bottom out or feel flat. And the FuelCell in these packs a great bounce for 200s, 400s, or other speed work on the track. This nice implementation of FuelCell has me looking at buying other models utilizing the tech (like the Tekela and Rebel).
Jodi: I spend most of my runs in your typical suburban neighborhood. The rubber outsole was not only flexible but durable. The lugs are spaced out enough to allow rocks and other rogue tree debris to shake free when I’d run across them. And the rubber looks like it’s going to last quite some time. After 50+ miles, I’ve lost some texture but all of the lugs are still accounted for.
Drew: My traction is wearing away faster than Jodi’s over the same amount of miles. I’ve almost lost the 3 lugs closest to the forefoot flex point. That may partially have to do with where I land. Overall, it’s not a ton of wear and I’d expect to get the typical 300 miles out of this shoe. The traction itself worked great in all conditions. Trails, gravel, and driving rainstorms didn’t cause any issues.
Jodi: I felt like the New Balance FuelCell Propel has support covered. The heel is very structured but padded. It swoops away from your achilles so there’s no weird pressure points (for me). The midsole wraps up around your foot a bit so you’re tucked in nicely. There is a nice little swooping design stitched into the upper along both sides. At first I thought it was just for looks, but the design also served the purpose of giving the upper a bit more shape and structure.
Drew: I did have a couple pressure points on the collar of the shoe but I’ll touch on that during the fit section. I felt the support was awesome for a neutral runner. Jodi’s right about sitting inside the midsole. It really helps lock your heel in place even with the laces tied fairly loose. The other part of the support I thought really helped was the wide base. The base flares out on both sides of the forefoot and heel so you end up with four large outriggers. It’s something I’ve never considered including on a running shoe but it made a noticeable difference in a bunch of circumstances. If you’re the type of runner who needs support but doesn’t need an actual support shoe, try out the FuelCell Propel.
Jodi: The Propel has a very traditional build as far as running shoes go. It did get a more modern touch with the collar arching away from your achilles. Good old-fashioned open celled mesh is the primary body material. It’s not fancy but it gets the job done. It’s worth noting that the tongue is semi-attached. This particular feature didn’t bother me at all and you can’t tell that they were trying for a bootie upper at first glance. But it is something to look out for if you’re one of those runners who despises attached tongues.
One of my favorite parts about the shoe is the laces. They’re flat and have the perfect amount of stretch. I was able to tie them once, NOT double knot them, and never give them another thought. That almost never happens and it’s sincerely appreciated.
Drew: I have to give those stretchy laces some love too. They’re just always a welcome addition to any running shoe and New Balance as a brand is as devoted to them as I am. Jodi already covered the mesh body (nicely breathable) and semi-attached tongue (didn’t notice it all) so I’ll focus on the back third of the shoe. The ankle area is made of a sort of t-shirt material. It’s not cotton, more like a tech fit t-shirt. It does retain moisture and get stinky in humid climates. The stinkiness went away with one cycle in the washing machine but I know that sort of thing can be a pet peeve for some runners.
Jodi: This is a runner that I felt was made for my specific foot type. I didn’t have a single blister or inkling of a hotspot arise on any of my piggies. I never had a run where I felt like my feet were being suffocated. I didn’t have to think about what socks I was going to wear due to space issues. And trust me, that is not something I can say about most runners given my wide feet. For me in particular, the fit category can be a struggle for my foot type. So for all the wide footers out there, New Balance has taken care of us with the FuelCell Propel.
Drew:  So we’re just casually calling toes “piggies” in reviews now? SMH. I can’t support this. Sigh. Back to our regularly scheduled programming…
I have a narrow foot and had plenty of room for foot splay. The FuelCell Propel didn’t feel too wide or like there was too much space. It’s often hard for brands to please both wide and narrow footers but New Balance achieved that balance here.
The only Fit problem I had was with the collar area. There were two small hotspots on the left side of each collar. Which is weird because the lack of symmetry is unusual for shoes. There are two small knots of thread on the left side of each shoe. They’re located right at the top of the collar underneath the tech fit type material. On my right foot, this didn’t bug me at all. On my left foot, I got two blisters. One on the underside of my ankle and the other along the backside of my ankle. Whether these hotspots affect you is wholly dependent on your ankle shape. My ankle sits low and that’s why they hurt me. Luckily, they’re not huge hot spots and wearing socks that covered my ankle solved the problem.
Jodi: I’ve spent the last couple weeks basically gushing about the New Balance FuelCell Propel to anyone and everyone who has asked about what kind of runner they should pick up. At $110, it doesn’t break the bank and you’re getting your money’s worth. This air jordan 1 is definitely staying in my current running rotation.
Drew: This shoe is a great value at $110. It’s super versatile and will likely become a key part of your rotation if you buy it. Check and make sure you don’t have the same hotspot issue as me because if you don’t, you’re about to get a really awesome cushioning setup and a traditional upper that will tackle whatever training you have planned each day.
Thanks to New Balance for sending us pairs to test. New Balance was not given any editorial control of the review. This review is based on our weartesters’ experiences using the shoes for speed workouts, trail runs, treadmill training, long runs, casual wear, and more.

 

Hoka Arahi 3 Performance Review

The Hoka Arahi 3 is the latest iteration of Hoka’s support line. They are one of the most often recommended shoes for people who need support in their runners. At only $130, I had to try them out. Hoka is known for its maximum cushioning philosophy so if they could get a support shoe with the same feel as all their other shoes, then it would be a winner.
This is my first review on Sneaker Debut. I’ve been friends with Drew for a few years now and I run a shoelace brand called Rope Lace Supply (check us out here). I have always loved sneaker tech. I started running seriously about a year ago and I’m currently training for a half marathon. I ran about 50 miles in the Hoka Arahi 3 on trails, asphalt, concrete, and at the beach. I wanted to see how the cushioning and traction would hold up on all of these surfaces and whether the support held up with extended use.
I’m a big guy with bad knees so cushioning is by far the most important factor in a running shoe for me. That’s actually why I prefer to run in Hokas. Hoka is renowned for their cushioning setups and the Arahi 3 does not disappoint. The Arahi 3 features Hoka’s hallmark big, plush midsole (made of the company’s signature rubberized EVA foam cushioning). If you haven’t run in Hokas before, the cushioning is plusher than it is bouncy, which I like. It doesn’t provide as much energy return as something like Boost but provides enough bounce to power you forward. They also feature a meta-rocker that helps propel you in a way that feels really natural. Since it’s a support shoe, it isn’t as plush as their signature Clifton line but they still feel fantastic. They’re more responsive than most Hokas which makes them a good racing shoe for people that need support on race day. Sure, the large midsoles don’t make Hoka shoes look as attractive as other running shoes but there’s no denying that they work better. More companies are starting to hop on the “max cushioning” wave that Hoka created. For example, you can’t tell me that Nike wasn’t inspired by Hoka when they made the crazy plush Next% . I expect to see more and more brands adopt the large midsole set up in the future.
The outsole on the Arahi 3 features hard rubber on the usual spots that tend to get worn out while the rest is made of the less durable foam from the midsole. I think they did that to shed weight and it was worth it. At only 9.6 ounces these are one of the lightest support shoes I have worn. They are only 2.5 ounces heavier than the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2. 9.6 ounces is great for a support shoe. I largely ran on basic trails with these but did put in at least 10 miles on asphalt. I didn’t experience any noticeable problems with the traction and they definitely didn’t feel too sticky. I also ran a few miles at the beach where I would alternate from the wet sand to asphalt roads and the traction still held up when wet.
The Arahi line is Hoka’s medium support shoe. They also offer the Gaviota for those who need A LOT of support. Support shoes can be tricky as sometimes the support takes away from the feel of the shoe and can make you feel like you are wearing a basketball shoe. But not with the Arahi 3. The Arahi 3 uses what Hoka is calling a J-Frame midsole. If you look at the outsole you can see that there are two separate pieces and one is in the shape of a J. The J-Frame sits mostly on the medial side of the shoe and is raised slightly higher than the lateral side to prevent your ankles from turning inwards too much. It works wonders and you really don’t even feel it. I run in neutral shoes as well and this is the closest a support shoe has gotten to feeling as free as a neutral shoe. I actually had someone record my ankle movement to make sure the support was making a difference. The difference was obvious on film. If you’re someone who overpronates a lot then it may not be enough support, but if you’re like me then this support setup is perfect. The heel cup is also firm. I didn’t experience any slipping and the midfoot lockdown coupled with the J-frame had my feet feeling very secure. I can recommend these for light trails even though they aren’t a trail running shoe.
The upper is made of engineered mesh with a few spots that are reinforced with a light TPU. People complained that past iterations of the shoes upper felt cheap and weren’t breathable. They completely fixed that on the lebron 17. These are absurdly breathable, and I never felt as if my foot was getting hot. The mesh is of course very flexible so that wasn’t a problem either. Hoka has been using engineered mesh in all of their new models and it’s been a great move. The EVA foam midsole isn’t the most durable material but after 50 miles the cushioning still feels fresh.
When I first tried on the Hoka Arahi 3 the fit was perfect, but after some miles they have stretched (as most shoes do) and the fit has some flaws. The toebox is now a bit too long on me but not enough to make me want to size down. The width of the shoe is normal. I have semi-wide feet, and these didn’t bother me. The laces are light, stretchy, and a bit too long. As I said before, I run a shoelace company, so this was an easy fix . I put in a pair of my company’s Speedlaces and now the fit is more glove like.
Honestly, the Hoka Arahi 3 is my current go to running shoe. My review certainly reflects that. The support is fantastic without feeling invasive and the cushioning is soft and responsive. It’s a really versatile shoe with cushioning plush enough for long distance races but responsive and light enough to work for short distances or fast workouts. I’d recommend these to anyone looking for a slightly more supportive running shoe option.

Jordan React Havoc Performance Review

The Jordan React Havoc is a ballsy attempt by Jordan Brand to create a legit runner that satisfies both the basketball or football player doing conditioning drills and long distance runners who want some of that Jordan style. And you know what? They just might have freakin’ done it.

Jordan Brand has done runners or “Trunners” off and on for a while. They did 3 models of the Flight Runner (here are v2 and v3), made runners that looked like Retro 12s, and have even retroed a Trunner(!) the Jordan Trunner LX. To this point, Jordan has never really asserted that one of their shoes could do long runs. The focus has always been on sprints and conditioning drills. And now a shoe that can do both? Yes, please.
I’d like to thank the team at Jordan Brand for providing a test pair. After receiving the Jordan React Havoc, I was able to run 50+ miles in them. I tested them on long runs, track workouts, football route drills, basketball specific defensive slides, and during casual wear. Here’s how it went:
Here’s a hypothetical. Let’s say I build a running shoe with the midsole of an Epic React, throw in a forefoot Zoom Air bag, and then add an Ortholite insole. How does that sound? The Jordan React Havoc did all of that. And it works as well as it sounds. The forefoot feels light and low to the ground but when your foot hits the ground you get maximum impact protection.
The feel is very similar to the Nike Vomero 14 (React + full length Zoom). I also think the Jordan Brand designers made the right decision not to go with full length Zoom. The decision allowed them to shed some weight and assured the React Havoc is at its best when you’re on your toes. It’s a perfect set up for the sprint and conditioning drills Jordan runners must handle and it works great on long runs too. I did several long runs of 9+ miles in the React Havoc and while there were some slight fit issues, the cushioning handled the miles well. The React Havoc’s versatile cushioning set up is one of the best in currently available running shoes.
The lack of rubber on the bottom of the Epic React drove me crazy. I know Nike wanted the React to expand but a real running shoe needs a lot more rubber in order to last 300-500 miles. The Epic React 2 improved by expanding the forefoot rubber but it still wasn’t quite enough. The Jordan React Havoc covers the entire forefoot with rubber and then uses about the same amount of rubber as the Epic React 2 on the heel. The forefoot rubber resembles a fingerprint and does a good job across asphalt, gravel, grass, and tracks. When I did defensive slides or ran routes it really gripped as I pushed off. And while it didn’t bite the track like the Adidas Pulseboost HD, it performed well on the track. I’d use the React Havoc for speedwork any time. Interestingly, after putting 20-ish miles on the shoe, I could begin to see the outline of the Zoom bag pushing against the outsole. I can feel the Zoom bag slightly protruding but nothing like the Jordan XX8 or its successors. The protrusion had no effect on traction or performance.
Let’s start with the monster heel counter. My wife said she thought it looked like something designed to hurt people. It’s not a hard plastic, more a soft pliable plastic, except at the very edge of the ridges it’s fairly rigid. It’s annoying when trying to slip off one shoe with your other socked foot as you can really whack yourself if you’re not careful. It does, however, do a great job in terms of heel stability. If you have a larger than average heel, it may be constricting. For most people, it envelops the heel and keeps you on top of the footbed.
The mesh of the shoe is really tight so unless you’ve got really wide feet you won’t feel much slippage even when quickly changing direction. A well placed piece of Fuse on the lateral side of the midfoot helps prevent lateral rollovers and will help long term as the mesh loosens.
The Jordan React Havoc fits true to size length wise but they’re super tight. Like skater in skinny jeans tight. I have a narrow foot too. It might be the tightest running shoe I’ve ever worn. I would recommend all wide footers try them on to make sure they can stand the squeeze. It’s like wearing compression shorts on your feet. I tied them once and used them as a slip-ons after that. The laces can tighten the midfoot a bit but with the mesh being so tight I doubt anyone will need it.
During my first long run, the React Havoc wasn’t broken in and my forefoot didn’t have enough room to expand. Holy hell was it painful. It felt so good to take the shoes off after that run. Luckily, that run was the turning point in opening up a little more room in the forefoot and feeling more comfortable in the React Havoc on long runs. If I were to do it again, I’d only run 3-5 miles at a time until I hit 25-30 miles in the shoes. I think that would be a much more comfortable break in experience.
The upper is a super tight mesh with fuse overlays at the toe and the lateral side of midfoot. The heel is made of a neoprene-like material that conforms to your achilles and prevents chafing from the big plastic heel counter. There’s also several reflective hits including the heel tab which helps bolster the Jordan React Havoc’s case as a great slip-on runner (move over Phantom React). Overall, nothing premium material wise, but what Jordan Brand used is exactly what you’d expect on a shoe meant to assist athletes in their conditioning routines.
The Jordan React Havoc is a versatile runner that can do long distances and light trails but really shines doing speed work and conditioning. It’s more stylish than a typical runner and people do notice. It would also be a great gift for that high school or college athlete in your life. Since their football or basketball coach is going to run them so hard they puke, at least they’ll look good doing it.

Nike Zoom Rize Performance Review

After weeks of hinting, let’s just get right into how good the Nike Zoom Rize – a “takedown” of the Nike Alphadunk – actually is.
I guess you can call the pattern toward the toe of the Nike Zoom Rize a modified herringbone. It doesn’t really matter, because the rest of the outsole pretty much gives you 360 degrees of coverage from points at both the forefoot and heel, very good groove spacing, and just the right amount of tread depth.
Most, or all colorways available to this point feature a mix of solid rubber and translucent (to show off the huge forefoot Zoom bag), and while both rubbers pick up a fair share of dust and dirt, it seems they are hardly affected by it, whether indoors or outside. I actually got a few hours in one colorway before finding another pair I couldn’t resist, and both seem fairly durable with all the stopping power you can expect – especially when applying torque naturally through different basketball movements.
I doubt this really had anything to do with the actual traction performance, but you may notice a frequent suction-cup like pop in the heel. This comes from a carved-out portion of the outsole that leaves the midsole exposed with more room to compress into. It might annoy some, but then again it might have a placebo effect and give some an extra feeling of security they are sticking to the floor. With or without it, either way traction is no joke in the Zoom Rize.
As the name states, Zoom is featured, and boy is it featured in a big way. Though the huge unit in the forefoot is the main attraction of the sneaker, it isn’t even the most interesting part of the midsole in my opinion. There’s still no confirmation on what foam runs full-length, but I can tell you it feels far from basic, especially in the heel. Expect a ton of plush comfort and bounciness from the foam.
Back to Zoom, those with concerns about it the stability of the unit should rest assured. At a 10mm height in the forefoot, you do sit higher off the ground however at 20 PSI (as spelled out for you across the unit) the Nike Zoom Rize retains a good amount of response. This, with the rubber encasement adds to stability in the shoe as it does tame the bounce a little bit, but also adds to its stability. After break-in the Zoom still feels like a mini trampoline under your foot, just more like one with a higher tension. It’s just awesome.
Engineered mesh and synthetics may not sound amazing but honestly its not the worst we’ve gotten at this price. On top of that, the upper functions very well. The mesh making up the majority of the upper is built strong, providing a lot of containment throughout. I had my concerns that the upper would be a little too crispy before testing, but once you get a few good runs in the shoe begins to break in nicely – something I noticed once I had a second pair out the box to compare to.
Speaking of the second pair, the higher cut collar didn’t bother me at all like the first pair did. My thoughts are since I was able to play more consistently through the second pair it had enough time to flex and move with me and eventually break in also. This just added to a great overall comfort, especially with the memory foam-like internal padding in the collar.
I also think the materials overall have been durable. There is a thin fuse placed for both strategic and branding purposes around the toe box and medial side that take some damage, but I haven’t noticed any out of control fraying anywhere else. Sure, if you play in a white or lighter colored pair, the mesh will dust up quick from getting stepped all over in traffic, but unless people have razor blades for traction, I think the Zoom Rize will hold up well.
True to size fit amazingly well, no complaints at all. It does fit snug from initial try on, but as mentioned with materials, just a little bit of break in is all it took to maintain a cozy fit from Day 2 until now.
Lockdown is aided by the asymmetrical lacing system and nylon cables stitched underneath the upper. It’s also one of the easier sneakers I’ve had to maintain custom fit by tightening up laces in isolated areas without affecting other areas. Wide footers will want to try the Zoom Rize in store because of the initial fit. From there, it should be easier to gauge if true to size may break in well or if it is better to consider sizing up.
Because of the great fit, Nike didn’t need to do anything extraordinary as far as support features in the Rize. The only real standout thing I noticed is that combined with the forefoot Nike Joyride Run Flyknit
encasing, the Zoom Rize basically has a double outrigger.
Otherwise, everything is simple, yet effective. A wide-enough base, supportive upper, and a pair of external lacing cables to lock you back into the heel all do wonders for support. The heel counter isn’t even all that strong, yet everything works together to keep the entire foot in place and moving one to one with the shoe. Despite the thicker tooling, the Zoom Rize overall has enough to support shifty, lateral movements along with a more linear, vertical type of play.
The Nike air max 270 is simply an outstanding shoe and does enough to fight for a top spot among 2019 performers. It epitomizes what a team shoe should be, providing benefits to all types of players. Yes, it looks bulky and I understand that court feel is a strong preference for a lot of players, but I’d still encourage anyone considering the Zoom Rize to give it a go – there’s just too much to love in this sneaker.

Nike Joyride Run Flyknit Performance Review

The Nike Joyride Run Flyknit is the first shoe to use Nike’s newest cushioning system, Joyride. The Joyride Run Flyknit puts four pouches of free flowing foam beads beneath each foot. When you put on the shoe, the beads conform to your foot sort of like if you were stepping on a bean bag. The idea being the shoes become a customized cushioning setup for anyone who wears them. This both sounds and looks awesome. But does Joyride work? Let’s find out.
After we received the shoes from Nike, both Jodi and I both ran a lot of miles in our pairs of the Nike Joyride Run Flyknit. We did long runs, speed workouts, treadmill work, and wore them casually. Our breakdown below includes our thoughts on the performance of the shoe across multiple categories.
Jodi: What’s everyone buzzing about? The crazy cushion air jordan 1 is now offering with the Joyride Run Flyknit. As I read some of the initial articles about the shoe, here’s the picture that formed in my head: Thousands of little foamy beads pressing into my feet, forming perfectly around it as they propel me forward throughout my run and snap back into place with each step. All the while bringing joy to my running life and yours, whether this is your first run ever or just a simple recovery run.
Well….hate to say it, but that’s not what happened to me. And I LOVE running. If you’ve seen any of the press then you already know the TPE beads are housed inside of four different pods arranged from heel to forefoot with the most beads being placed in the heel. I can tell you that the beads do snap back into their original shape after each run because every time I would put them on my feet had to remold the footbed. Which I guess is cool if you want to feel like you are running in a brand new pair of shoes every time you go for a run. My problem with how the pods are set up is that sometimes the beads will all get mashed in one direction. A member of our Discord Community said it best when he compared that feeling to a no show sock slipping off under your foot. Almost every morning before running I’d have to stomp around and wiggle my foot to get those beads to smooth themselves out. And that was just the problem I had before getting out the door. The foam cushion, SR02, that holds the pods is super soft. But it’s not the same density as the beads in the pods. And this is especially true of the sidewalls. So after about 2 miles of running, I could feel the foam pressing up into the sides of my feet where the pods tapered off. This was especially present in the forefoot. It also became even more obvious when making tight turns where I could feel the beads shift under foot.
Drew: A quick search around the internet reveals that Joyride is one of the most polarizing cushion technologies in recent memory. There’s people who absolutely hate it, people like Jodi who didn’t have a great experience, people like me who thought it was solid in certain circumstances, and then there’s even people who love it. There’s a reason for this. When you get the shoe on foot, it feels weird. It took me some time to get used to the beads conforming all the way up to my high arch. For some, it will feel like there’s not any wiggle room in the shoe and they’ll hate it. Others might enjoy the sensation. This is a shoe you need to try on just to feel this new technology in action. You may not like it, but it’s worth it to feel how different it is from other shoes.
While I’ve been wearing the nike kryie 6, any time I meet someone in the sneaker industry close to my size 11.5 foot, they want to try it on. So I’ve let them. It’s given me a lot of interesting feedback and further confirmed the polarizing nature of the shoe. One footwear designer had the best comparison. He said the way the beads move under foot feels a lot like 90s era Reebok DMX. For those that don’t remember, in the original DMX, as your weight shifted, air actually moved between pods in the outsole. The sensation isn’t exactly the same but it’s close. Another designer compared the Nike Joyride Run Flyknit to the VaporMax because of its polarizing feel. He knew some people would love it while others hated it. He pretty much nailed it.
As for myself, there were a couple things that annoyed me about Joyride but the cushion largely worked as intended. I’m a big guy at 6’6” and 210 pounds and I think that played a role in my experience. Like Moses parting the Red Sea, slipping my foot inside the Joyride Run and then standing up made the beads go where they were supposed to go. They did move slightly while I ran. This largely wasn’t a problem except for a couple times where it felt like a bead was above all the others on the side of my heel. In those cases it felt like a small rock annoying my foot. A quick shake of my foot usually got rid of it. I also occasionally felt the area where the foam sidewalls were bonded to the upper pressing into the edge of my forefoot. A quick foot reposition always solved the issue.
In one run, I ran 6.75 medium-paced miles in the Joyride Run and my legs felt great afterwards. However, I wouldn’t speed train in the Joyride as I didn’t get much energy return on push off. A lot of the energy dissipates into the moving beads. That’s fine for recovery runs and casual wear but not when you’re looking to hit specific times on 400 meter intervals.
Jodi: I’m actually impressed with the traction. That was my one nitpick when originally seeing the shoe. How is that traction going to hold up to 300 miles? Let alone the 450+ miles one article claimed. But now, looking at the wear and tear on the rubber outsole, if I gave the shoe a good cleaning you’d barely be able to tell they’ve been used. That is, if you ignore the foam cushion. SR02 is Nike’s softest available cushion. It’s even softer than React. And on the lateral side of the shoe they have a beautiful jeweled Nike swoosh that has shredded the foam thanks to being constantly mashed into the ground by my footsteps. But all things considered, the traction has been very reliable and durable.
Drew: Like Jodi, I was skeptical of the traction pattern’s durability. But Nike used some really hard rubber and it’s holding up extremely well. It should last for the typical 300+ miles we expect from running shoes. With harder rubbers, traction in wet conditions can really suffer. That didn’t happen for me with the Joyride Run Flyknit. It still had a nice grip even when wet.
Jodi: The support comes from the outer heel cage that wraps up and around your ankle to then become your top lace loops. You also sit down inside of the foam cushion. The system works together to enable solid lockdown.
Drew: As Jodi said, the foam wrapping up around the heel and the heel cage itself give you great heel lockdown. I was initially worried about the support (with a bunch of free flowing beads underneath my feet), but Nike did a great job of building the support around the Joyride cushion. The foam side walls and the Joyride’s plastic heel carrier extend high enough where your heel will stay on the footbed even when running on uneven ground.
Jodi: The upper is a very form fitting flyknit bootie. My favorite part of the shoe would have to be the pull tab combined with the stretchy tongue. If it weren’t for those two I wouldn’t be able to get the shoes on.
Drew: The shoe is a cool looking mix of Flyknit and a neoprene bootie. The look and colors are similar to the Nike React Presto Breezy. The neoprene is (welcomely) perforated to allow some airflow on the medial side of the foot. There’s also some fuse reinforcing the lace loops at the big toe area of each shoe. The fuse at the big toe is more of a design feature but it adds variety to the forefoot’s all Flyknit look.
Jodi: The Nike Joyride Run Flyknit is a tight squeeze at first. But everything did stretch in the right places, even for a wide footer like me. Nike sent me a size 7 even though I typically run in a size 6.5. After putting them on I realized they did it on purpose knowing the shoes fit a bit small. If you can’t get into a store to try them on, err on the side of caution and go up half a size.
Drew: Though the Joyride Run Flyknit is a tight fit, there are no pressure points and it stretches nicely. For comparison purposes, it’s not as tight as the Jordan React Havoc and the Flyknit has a bit more stretch than the React Havoc’s more traditional stretchy mesh. Nike sent me my correct size of 11.5 and I ended up with under a thumbnail of space lengthwise. If you have a narrow foot like me you can get away going true to size, however, I think the majority of people will prefer going up half a size.
Overall
Jodi: If you asked me to Marie Kondo my shoe closet, the Joyride Run would go in the donation pile. It doesn’t bring me joy the way the name implies. I consider myself a veteran runner. I’ve been running about five days a week for over a decade. After runs in the Joyride Run I didn’t feel fresh. Instead, I found myself feeling super slow and heavy. The 10,000+ beads didn’t propel me forward in the same way the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 does. And with both shoes costing $180, I’d have to recommend the Pegasus Turbo 2 over the Joyride Run Flyknit.
Drew: The Nike Joyride Run Flyknit will not be for everyone, especially at its $180 price point. Most serious runners will prefer a shoe with more energy return and most beginners shouldn’t be spending $180 on running shoes. The Joyride Run Flyknit is a recovery run tool for experienced runners and a fun technology that will excel in the casual world while being used for occasional runs by weekend warriors. If you get the chance, try them on. Joyride doesn’t feel like any other cushioning technology and you need to decide for yourself whether you love or hate the way it molds to your foot. This is one of those shoes that will polarize the sneaker community, so go try it out for yourself and form your own opinion. Nike is going to make successful lifestyle sneakers using Joyride so it’s a cushion that will be around creating conversation for the foreseeable future.

Jordan Zoom Zero Gravity Performance Review

Can Jordan Brand once again produce a top performer following the praise of the CP3.12? Jalique Gabay is here to provide his perspective on the Jordan Zoom Zero Gravity.
BAM! That’s what looks like should’ve been slapped in the middle of this traction pattern. Actually, a “SNIKT!” might’ve been even more fitting, simply for the way the Zero Gravity cut through dust and anything else in the way.
It took a while to ever feel the need to wipe no matter the surface — only a handful of times I can remember across multiple surfaces in nearly a month of ownership. The rubber seems suitable for outdoor use, is sharply-patterned, and an overall joy to play over.
It should be noted that because of a heavily cored out midsole, there is a significant patch that doesn’t provide coverage. Regardless, traction didn’t suffer much because of the naturally forefoot-heavy activity basketball requires. Simply put, the traction works best where it is needed most.
A standard Zoom bag is top-loaded into the forefoot over a full-length Phylon midsole which isn’t great compared to contemporary iterations of the foam. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t a complete brick, it just seems to bottom out quickly for something that isn’t all that spectacular to begin with. On the plus side, there is room for inward compression due to a carved-out area running through the midfoot – a great side effect to the shoe shaving weight to live up to the Zero Gravity name.
Luckily, like the traction, cushion is placed where it is needed most. In a heavier frame, I felt the forefoot Zoom bag underfoot from try on and it only became more prominent with break in — a good sign for even those who don’t put as much weight in the unit as I do. It feels like a standard top loaded forefoot unit, though it doesn’t feel like the thickest or highest amount of air Jordan could’ve placed in it. The bounce back is there, just not as snappy as something with a similar set up like the kyrie 5.
You should expect a standard cushioning set up from Nike/Jordan Brand that provides decent court feel, response, and a bit of protection for hard forefoot landings. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — especially when you can do it for $100.
Nope, sorry. No Flyknit for this pocket-friendly performer from Jordan Brand. Instead we are back to the basics of textiles and synthetics. I actually like the toe box area, which feels like a Nylon that moves smoothly with the foot and has done well to contain, while the synthetic nubuck and leather overlays are functional, but honestly laughable when you look at them.
Minimal break in is needed in my opinion, and though there is nothing premium going on with the Zero Gravity, materials check the boxes performance-wise. Many out there still don’t realize this is a performance model, so making these look even a tad more premium would’ve helped the lifestyle aesthetics, but on-court they did what they needed to do anyway.
So, I’ll just go ahead and recommend everyone try this sneaker on if they have the opportunity, and I’ll tell you why. When I purchased the Zoom Zero Gravity, my true size 11.5 was not available. I tried a half-size down and fell in love with the fit so much I didn’t even care to wait for my true size to become available. In an 11, I got a snug 1 to 1 fit throughout, perfectly good lockdown, and great Zoom placement under foot.
The shoe does break in a bit, but never really needed to in order to meet my preferences. I’m sure true to size would’ve have been decent, but I have not one regret about my decision. A half-size down may not work for everyone, but I believe those that find the best fit will be delighted.
The Jordan Zoom Zero Gravity sits on a narrow base, which is something I couldn’t help but watch out for initially, but one way or another I had no issues with staying on the footbed. The internal heel counter also isn’t the greatest, but it is also supported by a TPU overlay, eliminating any potential heel movement.
The plastic torsional support is nothing special but does its job to support underfoot where the midsole is cored out and you are also covered laterally by a synthetic nubuck and leather midfoot saddle tying directly into the lacing system. Had the base been wider or included an outrigger, support could’ve been better, but I really have no gripes with how things did in this category.
If you are looking to save a few dollars for a fast, lightweight low top that is for the most part all about business, look no further than the Jordan Zoom Zero Gravity. No, it isn’t as “premium” as another current $100 offering from the same brand, and yes, some may feel the shoe is a little too tippy to go all out it, but I’ll tell you this: A guy like me, who would prefer more cushion, slightly better materials, and a wider base for his on-court go-to still doesn’t mind playing all day in the Jordan Zoom Zero Gravity. And frankly, I wouldn’t mind owning multiple pairs if my time and money weren’t going elsewhere.
Jordan Brand once again gets it done on the more affordable end of the performance spectrum.