Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% Performance Review

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% has graced the feet of the majority of marathon runners since its release. Athletes have broken countless records in what’s been called the fastest shoe on Earth. Some have even suggested the shoe be banned due to its success.
This review is a guest contribution from Dan Forry. Dan is currently a collegiate runner at York College of Pennsylvania and a mechanical engineering student. He’s a long time watcher and reader of WearTesters.
Nike says on the shoe, “Measured in the lab. Verified with medals and records.” I decided to give the shoe a go and see if it lives up to the hype.

Cushion

I was introduced to ZoomX foam in the sole hello and it’s been one of my go-tos for regular runs. The ZoomX foam is a thermoplastic polymer, known as Pebax. It is a lower density than TPU. The foam feels like it gives a greater rebound than TPU foams.
I used the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% for speed workouts and racing. When running on the cinder trail in my hometown, I found myself running faster than expected. In a recent workout, I was intending to run at 6:00 minute per mile pace, but ran 5:50 pace without trying. For workouts, I have had to focus on keeping my warmups at the correct pace. The shoe makes running pace feel easy. The Pebax foam is both lightweight and responsive.
The cushioning gives a bouncy feeling underfoot. I noticed a difference on the roads compared to a cinder rail trail. On the roads and track, the shoe provides the best rebound. Sandwiched in the foam is a full-length carbon fiber plate. Nike provided a breakdown of the foam and carbon fiber layers in their press release. The plate helps to stabilize the foam and keep the shoe rigid. There is enough foam underfoot for a comfortable ride for longer runs. The longest run I did in them was a half marathon workout and it felt like one of my best workouts ever.
On gravel, the exposed foam started to wear. I ran through an empty corn field and lost a very small piece of foam on the lateral side. An old corn stalk scraped the foam and chipped it. It was about the size of small pebble.

Traction

The traction is similar to the air jordan 1. It is a similar pattern and rubber compound. I used the NEXT% on grass, gravel, roads, brick, concrete, and a track. The traction performed great on all surfaces. One of my runs on grass, it was pouring. I was practicing my cross country course, and surprisingly only fell once in the mud. That’s great for a road marathon shoe in slick conditions. I was able to run each surface at least once in the rain and only slipped on the grass. The traction does start to wear after heavy road use. The track and grass wore the traction down the least. The NEXT% provides a well-rounded traction on all racing surfaces.
I tried to test them in the snow, but I couldn’t get any traction. On wet snow, the rubber slides and provides no grip.

Support

I have used other Nike marathon flats, and the NEXT% provides more support than previous flats. While it is a more narrow last, the foam extends outside the last, acting like an outrigger on the medial and lateral sides of the forefoot. There is a heel cup on the NEXT%, but besides that there’s not much in the heel. Nike wants you landing on your midfoot to forefoot, so there is minimal support in the back half. In one of my cross country races, I did have some instability coming down a short hill. But if you are mainly running on roads that shouldn’t be a problem.

Materials

Nike uses their new VaporWeave material on the NEXT%. The same material is used on the Nike Zoom Fly 3. Nike implements the VaporWeave alone, and it works amazing. While it looks like a ripstop material (which I detest on performance running shoes), it acts like a lightweight mesh. My feet sometimes sweat a lot, and the VaporWeave provide great ventilation. The VaporWeave does not hold water, so the upper does not become heavier when wet.
I have not had issues with the laces when wet or dry. I double knotted them and they held well on every run.

Fit

I have a very narrow foot and usually go down half-a-size for Nike racing flats. For the NEXT%, I went true-to-size and they felt great. The forefoot has enough space for my toes to extend when running.
The upper provides good lockdown. I used the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly 4% Flyknit briefly and the heel lockdown was lacking. Nike improved on the lockdown tremendously in the NEXT%. There are achilles pillows in the heel that help to keep your foot in place, in addition to the well fitting upper.
I have worn both thick and thin socks with the NEXT% and have not had any issues.

Overall

The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% is a great marathon racing flat. The shoe has been on the feet of countless elite marathoners and is one of the best on the market. But the price of $250 is very high for most casual runners. It’s definitely a racing flat and I would not recommend it for regular training runs or casual use. The shoe is great for road racers who want that extra edge to help reach their next goal.

Under Armour Human Performance Summit Recap

This week, WearTesters was able to visit Under Armour’s Baltimore, Maryland headquarters for the first Under Armour Human Performance Summit.

Cari Champion and Patrik Frisk

You’ve no doubt seen plenty of social posts about the event. The hashtag #theonlywayisthrough started trending on Tuesday after new Under Armour CEO Patrik Frisk unveiled Under Armour’s new slogan in an event filled with star athletes like Michael Phelps, Bryce Harper, Lindsey Vonn, and Natasha Hastings. The idea is the new slogan becomes as synonymous with Under Armour’s brand as “Protect This House” once was.
The Performance Summit also included a ton of product unveilings including the Under Armour Embiid 1, the Under Armour HOVR Machina, UA Clone Adaptive Tech for cleats, UA RUSH Seamless (hella comfy btw), the UA Infinity Bra, and more.
But even with all the above, the most interesting part for the WearTesters team was not the new marketing slogan or the product itself, it was Kyrie 6 overall focus. Chris explained it best in an Instagram post on the last day of the summit.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Wi6LVH6ws
As Chris said, Under Armour views performance as a lifestyle. Why do you eat right, sleep right, work on flexibility, exercise, and read our reviews to find the best performance products? Because you want to be ready. You never know what life will throw at you so you need to be prepared.
That message really hits close to home for us because it’s what we preach everyday. We review shoes, apparel, and sporting goods so our audience knows which of the products will perform best for them. It’s all about finding a product that can handle any conditions you’ll face and help you achieve your goals.
While at the event, Chris, Jodi, and I learned a ton about performance from experts like former Director of Sports Medicine for the Phoenix Suns Dr. Michael Clark (the guy the fixed Grant Hill!) and sports psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais. For example, did you know that foam rolling before stretching better prepares your muscles to stretch? Or that calm, focus, grit, and control are trainable attributes? There’s so much that goes into performance. At WearTesters we just scratch the surface. It’s nice to see Under Armour focusing on the entire range of what contributes to performance.
Which brings me to the other thing that really stood out about our trip to Under Armour. Every single athlete and trainer that was part of the Under Armour team said the same thing: being part of Under Armour was like being part of a family. They genuinely cared about each other. Training alongside them and talking with them, I could see it wasn’t an act. High level executives mingled with (and worked out with!) journalists, influencers, and PR people. Kevin Plank even said hi to me as I walked down a hallway (I had just turned and didn’t realize who it was till a few seconds later). The atmosphere at Under Armour was unique.

Cari Champion and Bryce Harper

Because of the focus on performance and the family atmosphere, I came away impressed. The markets may be down on Under Armour. You may not have found a shoe from them that you love. Maybe you don’t dig the logo. But keep an eye on them. The people at Under Armour are a family focused on the right things.
I left expecting big things out of Under Armour. Their baselayers and apparel are already world class. They’ve got the right culture to attract high performers. And their new “The Only Way is Through” mindset is a perfect fit for an underdog. If this reemphasis on performance helps Under Armour produce more great products, it’ll be a big win for consumers everywhere.

Cari Champion and Natasha Hastings

Cari Champion and Lindsey Vonn

Reebok JJ I Performance Review

Anyone who wanted to be a little different in the ’90s wore Reebok basketball shoes. Kemp, Iverson, Nick the Quick, Big Dog, Shaq — the Vector had a lineup of All-Stars on court, as well as Frank Thomas and Emmitt Smith on their respective fields of play.

Then, it didn’t. Only the public can explain the fickleness of the public, and the people turned on Reebok with a quickness (some say Professor K killed the basketball line, but it was really the money thrown into the NBA uniform deal and lack of progressive cushioning and usable technology).

Now, Reebok is back on top — of Crossfit. The Nano series is a huge seller whenever colorways release. Clothing emblazoned with the Crossfit/Reebok triangle logo is everywhere (just watch five minutes of UFC). And the Vector still has a huge presence in football with JJ Watt.

Which brings us to the performance review of the JJ I crosstrainer. The JJ I Trainer is very much a shoe in the old “Bo Knows” Nike Air Trainer SC style, but, well, new.  It’s a shoe designed for every activity — weights, plyometrics, short running, turf and grass work, and maybe basketball — just put it on and go. Let’s break it down…

TRACTION – The use of the Triangle logo was a nice touch, but most story-telling patterns suck. Luckily, Reebok went a little extra step: the logos are angled and off-set, leading to multi-level traction that grabs. This worked great in the grass for ropes and running, felt good pushing on leg press platforms and squats, and yeah, even grabbed the floor decent enough to run a couple of games to 12, full court. Told you, a shoe for everything. The rubber is hard so it won’t wear down quickly, and beware before getting on-court — if you have done any off-road training there will be mud, grass, and trash in your lugs. Transition from training to basketball, or even walking across wifey’s newly swept floor, will lead to serious repercussions (and maybe some concussions).

CUSHIONING – Every brand needs a signature cushioning, whether it’s Gel, Boost, Zoom Air, or Cushion-3. It is what sets your technology apart and what the wearer most identifies with a brand. This is where Reebok had been struggling since the early 2000’s, when DMX went away (and not that $#!+ show that was DMX Foam). I-Pak DMX was great, and so was the DMX-10. In the JJ I, Reebok brings us Liquid Foam.

Bad news first: there ain’t much liquid in this foam. Good news: the stability and response is very, very nice. The midsole is extremely solid and stiff, but not so much so that it is uncomfortable. The cushioning is absorbent; no energy came back up my knees and legs while working out, but it has no give in the compression. Reebok still needs to work on this aspect.

MATERIALS – Mesh and fuse — stop me if you’ve heard that before. Normally, I am not a fan of the rubber uppers, but for some reason, the JJ I feels great on foot. The fuse is kept to a minimum and used only around the toebox, laces, and the forefoot saddle, all areas of high-stress and quick wear. The mesh areas are soft, flexible, and help provide great fit. After three weeks of weights, short running, and basketball, the JJ I shows very little signs of wear.

FIT – After going a half-size down, fit is freaking awesome. One thing about traditional lacing systems: they allow for a variety of fits and loosening and tightening makes the shoe work. The JJ I has seven lace holes if you lace all the way to the top, and wide footers and skinny people will all be happy, unless you are extremely wide. The fit-straps in the forefoot might have posed a problem, but the last of the shoe allows for loosening. One thing a lot of companies have started doing (UA Clutchfit Drive 3, lebron 17) is adding lace loops that run over the tongue instead of down to the midsole. This pulls the tongue down into the foot for even better lockdown in that area.

If you lace all the way to the last hole there will be some ankle pressure on the front, under the knot. You can skip that hole and still be fine.

SUPPORT – Weight room shoes are built for stability. Wide bottoms, solid midsoles, great lacing systems, and cushioning that won’t bottom out or wobble under stress. The JJ I is no exception. We covered the cushioning and lack of give, but for stability and support, that is perfect (same as the Under Armour Architech). The heel counter isn’t high but it’s rock solid, and coupled with the lacing system, locks the foot into the shoe. There is no outrigger like a basketball shoe would have, but the white saddle overlay works with the lace straps mentioned in the Fit section to secure your forefoot over the shoe. Overall, once you are strapped in to the JJ I, you are solid.

OVERALL – It’s fitting to say “Overall” because this is one of the best “overall” shoes out there. These did see court time, and they performed. Traction grabbed the floor, fit and stability were on point, and the cushioning wasn’t special, but for a couple of games after lifting (you know, “just getting my cardio in”) they worked.

If you are an all-around athlete who wants to stay in a one-shoe budget, the JJ I is great. If you need a true Crossfit shoe, or a true basketball shoe, definitely look elsewhere, because it is too structured for only Crossfit but not cushioned enough for basketball, at least for me. That said, this is a shoe that stays in rotation, both because of function and looks (c’mon, it’s a great design). Reebok may be out of basketball, for now, but they still know how to make a good shoe — the JJ I is proof.

Nike Kobe 5 Protro Performance Review

The Nike Kobe 5 is back in Protro form and we have the performance review.
The heartbeat pattern is back and there is more tread than before. This is the first time that the outsole tooling has truly been updated with more tread added in between the original pattern.
I didn’t notice wether or not this was a greater version of the traction that what originally released, but one thing I noticed is that the additional tread gives dust a place to get stuck so some wiping will be needed when you’re at your local gym that isn’t well kept. Otherwise the traction played and performed just as I remember — not quite as good as the Kobe 4, but still a very good and reliable setup.
Cushion is another area that has changed quite a bit from the original model.
The original featured a heel Zoom Air unit and a forefoot Met Zoom Air unit — this Zoom unit was a bit larger than a quarter and sat right beneath the ball of the foot. All of this was housed within a very minimal Phylon midsole.
The new Protro version of the Kobe 5 replaces the small forefoot Zoom unit with Nike’s new Zoom Turbo. This changed adds Zoom Air to the entire forefoot of the shoe — a change that I welcomed.
Initially, the forefoot cushion was firmer than I had expected. Especially when compared to the Nike Kyrie 6 that I still love playing in today. However, the more I’ve played in the Kobe 5 Protro the more they break-in and the more I’ve been able to feel the Zoom Turbo do its thing. Keeping you low to the ground while still offering a bit of impact protection and springy under-foot responsiveness.
Now, the Cushlon midsole replaces the original Phylon midsole and the heel Zoom Air unit. It amazes me how far foam cushion has come since I was a kid. This iteration of Cushlon damn near feels like Zoom Air is riding under your feet. It’s bouncy and responsive, however, at times I do feel it’s a bit too soft.
I would love to see the team at Nike continue tweaking things with these Protro models. Perhaps seeing something like the React/Lunar combo we saw in the lebron 17 — that ride was smooth as butter while being soft in all the right places and firm right where you needed it. Maybe that could be something they use in the eventual Nike Kobe 7, 8 or 9 Protro releases.
Materials are practically identical to what we saw used on the original model. The texture and embossed patterns might differ a bit, but the overall structure and build is the same.
This might be the only plastic-based setup I really enjoyed other than the Nike Kobe 6. The super thin skin-fuse material is thin enough to flex and maneuver while being string enough to keep you contained.
I remember the original model having some durability issues where the fuse was heat welded together, so I am curious to know if that issue was addressed for the Protro. I never personally burst through my original pair of Kobe 5’s, but maybe someone that had can fill us in over at our WearTesters Discord Community.
I went true to size, and that is what I’d recommend.
Most of the shoe fits just as I remember — snug. I’ve always used the Kobe 5 as a reference for when I really loved a shoes fit as I consider the last used on the original to be the greatest of all time.
When I say that most of the shoe fits just as I remember them I’m referring to the toe area. This Protro feels like it bubbles up during certain movements which is something I don’t remember the original doing. I’m not sure if this model was built on the same exact last as the OG or if they no longer had the original last available and went with something similar, but for whatever reason I just felt like something in the toe is off a bit. However, the midfoot to the heel is still just as amazing as it originally was. Snug and secure. Wrapping my foot up like a glove.
Support primarily relies on the overall fit, and while these felt a bit different in the toe, the shoe still hugs the foot and locks it into place. The heel features one of the best heel counters of all-time while the midsfoot utilizes a glass composite shank plate. This plat provided the support you’d normally receive from a standard Carbon Fiber shank, but it was much lighter in weight. You still fit within the midsole a bit and the outrigger is a thing of beauty. This is one of those shoes that you lace up and forget about — in a good way.
Ten years later and the Nike Kobe 5 is still just as bad ass as it was before. After being able to finally play in the Kobe 1 (Protro) the Kobe 5 feels like an extension of what they started with the Kobe 1. A lot of the same features are still there, just much lighter in weight.
The carbon fiber shank. Wide forefoot outrigger. Super snug and form-fitting fit. Aggressive traction. Everything is there when comparing the two models. One just happens to be made with “old” materials (leather) while the other was made with something a bit more modern at the time (Fuse).
It’s only January, so I’m not willing to bet that the Nike Kobe 5 Protro is the best basketball shoe of 2020. But… if it is then we may have a problem. That won’t be a great look if something that released in 2009/2010 outplays something releasing today. It wasn’t a good look for knitted builds when the Kobe 1 Protro proved leather still has a place in basketball , and it won’t be a great look if TPU based skin-fuse does the same.
All I know is that if you liked the original then you should enjoy the Protro. If you never played in the original then you should enjoy the Protro. So long as the shoe offers what you’re looking for in your basketball shoes.

Nike React Infinity Run Performance Review

The Nike React Infinity Run shows that Nike Running isn’t complacent with rolling out the same shoe year after year. For the Infinity Run, Nike took what made the Epic React Flyknit and Epic React Flyknit 2 extremely popular and then heavily upgraded every area where they fell short. The result? To infinity and beyond…

Cushion

Jodi: Just like adidas did with the Ultraboost 2019 when they added more Boost, Nike upped the React in the Infinity Run midsole by 24% (vs the Epic React midsole). The increase caused a very similar effect, a sturdier, trustier ride. Trustier? Yes. Trustier. Regular React is great for instant step in comfort. Heck, it was awesome for running in last year’s Epic React 2. But the extra React made me feel more supported underfoot. I feel like once you’ve tried it, you won’t want to go back.
Drew: Adding 24% more React to a midsole is a good thing. Period. As Jodi mentioned, the extra React is a noticeable improvement. Some people had trouble taking the Epic React models on long runs (8 miles or more) because the cushion would essentially bottom out. That does not happen with the Infinity Run. The Infinity Run will handle any and all training distances.
The new Rocker Geometry or shape of the midsole also helps the Infinity Run feel more plush. The shoe has a pronounced curve at both the forefoot and heel. The Nike team took learnings from the Nike Vaporfly NEXT% midsole shape and applied them to the Infinity Run. This makes the transition from heel to toe super smooth and makes the React feel like it has more bounce. The feeling is very similar to the Nike Zoom Fly 3 even though the Infinity Run doesn’t have the kyrie 6’s carbon fiber plate.

Traction

Jodi: I’m pretty sure we all rejoiced when we saw the initial pics of the Infinity Run. The first thing I said when seeing the bottom of the shoes was, “Look at all that rubber!” It’s everywhere and there’s plenty of flex grooves. This was something that was majorly lacking in the Epic Reacts.The Epic React was a beast of a shoe but all that uncovered foam took a beating. After many, many miles in the Infinity Run, mine practically look like new and only show minor wear and tear on my high strike zones. I’m like the mailman, running rain or shine, and these stuck like glue to all my usual running paths.
Drew: As I mentioned in my Nike React Infinity Run First Impression, Nike uses a lot of rubber on the bottom of these. You get full heel to toe coverage and I fully expect the Infinity Run’s traction to last 300+ miles. Similar to Jodi, I’ve run 50+ miles in mine and they hardly show any wear.
I also had no issues in wet conditions. I had the pleasure (?!) of wearing these in several rainstorms and there was no slippage on asphalt or cement.

Support

Jodi: For support, the Infinity Run has a wider base. You can literally see how it flares out beneath your foot, in the forefoot AND under your heel. So no matter where you normally land you have a ton of coverage.
Drew: The wider midsole does a lot of the work here. The forefoot midsole flares out really wide to create outriggers on both the lateral and medial sides of the foot. The midfoot and heel are then held in place by a large TPU clip (it’s 3M on some colorways!) that cradles your foot.
While I wish my foot sat slightly inside the foam at the forefoot too, your midfoot and heel aren’t going anywhere. It’s unlikely you’ll slide off the footbed unless you take on some rougher trails. It’s a really stable shoe for something featuring so much React cushioning and Flyknit.

Materials

Jodi: The flyknit is very different from the lebron 17. I welcomed this change. The Infinity Run’s engineered flyknit is a bit more structured and has a plasticy feeling to it, but I prefer it because it doesn’t hug my feet like a straight jacket. While I’d always have to remind myself that feeling would go away once I got moving in the Epic Reacts, it’s nice not to have to think about it anymore. Similar to the Epic Reacts, the Infinity Run is put together like a booty with a very stretchy tongue area for ease of entrance.
Drew: The new engineered flyknit is super breathable and even a bit see through.  The swoosh wrap that surrounds the midfoot and heel is a sort of foil fused to the flyknit upper. The materials used match well with the $160 price point.

Fit

Jodi: If you hadn’t already guessed from reading the other sections, the fit ended up being a slam dunk for me. When I’m out with my running group I always hear a lot of them say they don’t run in Nike products because they’re too narrow. I feel like the Infinity Run is Nike’s answer to that common complaint.
Obviously there’s no one shoe built for every runner. But as a wide footer I have to say, this shoe fit me perfectly. My forefoot had plenty of wiggle room, my heel was locked into place, and I was able to run mile after mile after mile without a worry. No rubbing, no pinching, no slipping. I advise you to grab these in your normal running size, and start the new year off right.
Drew: The sock like fit of the Epic React returns in the Nike React Infinity Run but the sock is now built on a wider last, fits true to size, and accommodates a lot more foot types. I knew people that really wanted to rock the Epic React Flyknit but couldn’t due to the narrow dimensions. It’s one of the reasons I think these will fly off shelves. They’ll provide all day comfort for a majority of foot shapes.
One area for improvement is the collar. The flyknit is exposed all around the collar and is scratchy. The top of the tongue gave me a small blister on a long run when I wore low cut socks. I could also feel the tongue rubbing on my ankle and achilles whenever I wore the Infinity Run casually. It wasn’t sandpapering my ankle like some shoes but it was enough to be annoying.

Overall

The Nike React Infinity Run is a casual and performance star that will sell really well. The upgrades from the Epic React line hit all the right notes. The extra cushioning and rocker motion make the shoe fun to wear. And since Nike finally decided it was time to make wide footers happy, the potential market for the Infinity Run is huge. I expect we’ll see TONS of colorways over the next year so sit back and wait to grab whichever one you like best.

Nike PG 4 Launch Recap

Among the skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles, I found myself at the Trinity Auditorium. An inconspicuous building that was previously a church. This was the scene as Nike Basketball invited media to help LA Clippers all-star Paul George launch his new signature shoe, the Nike PG 4.
When PG13 first debuted the sneakers (playing in a game versus the Knicks on Jan. 5) there was plenty of chatter online over its design. Perhaps it was an over reaction? More on that later.
Inside the cathedral with stain-glassed windows was a full court. Four colorways of the sneaker were on display and we played in the purple Gatorade “Gx” version.
First impressions: The toe box was definitely tight. I saw a few people asking to go up ½ a size. For clarity, I wear size 12 so my options were limited. After running around for 20 minutes my feet adjusted and felt fine. The traction was solid as I didn’t experience any slipping.

The biggest question was the lacing and zippering system, which initially reminded me of Gary Payton’s Air Zoom Flight ’98 model. I laced them up traditionally and left the zipper down. The shroud was more a fashion statement, giving players the option. Later I zipped them up fully, which made the upper feel snug. Using breathable materials was smart, keeping it lightweight and transparent.
Whether you like to cruise with the top down or play faster zipped up, the shoe performed well and exceeded expectations.

After testing the PG 4, I spoke with the man himself, Paul George. Discussing the new Air Strobel cushioning, he shared his thoughts from playing in them.
“You know what? It was new to me with its innovation. I knew it was going away from what we were doing with the air bag. I’m all about innovation and what’s best going forward with my line. So far so good, when I felt it, I was all for it, if it made for a better performance of the shoe,” George said.
We talked about the different types of sneakers he wore before his signature line was unveiled, from his high school days all the way to the pros.
“In high school I wore LeBron’s, Kobe’s. In college I wore Kobe’s and Jordan’s. Earlier in the league I wore everything from Jordan’s to Kobe’s to LeBron’s to Foamposites, I wore it all,” he said.

Coming back home, playing for the LA Clippers, and being from Palmdale, I asked PG what it was like giving back to his community and refurbishing the courts he grew up on.
“That’s everything, that’s the reason I came back home and why I do what I do. To be able to inspire the next generation to ultimately help the community that raised me and got me to where I am. It’s a surreal thing to play and represent my home,” he said.
The city of Los Angeles is bubbling over its two NBA teams doing well. I wanted to know if he felt a rivalry starting to build between his cross hall neighbors.
“I think its more so for the fans. The Clippers haven’t won anything, and the Lakers have all the hardware and all the accolades. We’re trying to get there, to be great. When you look at it from a competitive sports aspect there’s no rivalry there. Ultimately, we want to beat them, they want to beat us. What team doesn’t? From the fan aspect there’s a rivalry, we hear it all the time. It’s fun, it plays into the story.”

Collaborations are always a hot topic with kicks, so I inquired if there were other projects lined up for the season.
“I’m going to keep that on the lowkey. But honestly, we have some amazing colorways, dope colorways coming up. This is the pop to start it off, but everyone knows my line, there’s going to be stuff sprinkled in there to keep it interesting. I’m excited for people to see what else we have in store,” said George.
His first PE color on court was red, white and blue to match the Clippers home uniform. It also had me thinking about the Summer Olympics. I asked PG if he’s put any thought into playing again for Team USA?
“Yeah, that’s always on my to-do list. Hopefully I can finish this year out healthy, hopefully we succeed going far, and win it all. I’ll address that when the time comes but definitely my goal is to play and represent my country this summer,” he concluded.
Also, on hand for the event was Nike Basketball designer Tony Hardman. We spoke about PG’s line and what makes this new version different in multiple ways.
How long does it take from ideation to roll out of PG’s signature shoe?
“Usually it takes about two years. The 5 is coming out in a year, so we’ve been working on that for a year already, and now starting on the 6,” Hardman said.
Social media went crazy when George debuted the new kicks, especially over the zippered shroud. Was that collaborative or did he want that included?
“That was more of something we pitched to him, we went through some variations and thought about what would stand out. We thought more additive, what are we going to add to it to make it stand out. We thought about the landscape of all the shoes we already have and the landscape in footwear. Let’s go the other way, make his shoe stand out, make it super clean, aerodynamic. He wanted to be faster, so it felt like the right thing to have no distractions. It didn’t start as a zipper, more of a velcro closure but it wasn’t quite working the way we wanted to, so we went with the zip up. It worked, functioned great, and easier to get on,” he said.
Let’s talk about the cushioning, the Air Strobel. Is this a first gen model being used?
“Yes, he’s going to lead this innovation. Something that the team has been working on for a while. When we first tried it in a factory in Asia, the minute I put it on I said ‘We have to get this for Paul’ and pushed for it. He’s going to launch it and then probably see it in feature products of Nike as well,” shared Hardman.
Can you tease any future colorways this season? Anything special in line for the All-Star Game or other collabs?
“He will have a special collab for the ASG, I can’t really say what it is. There’s going to be some unexpected things we do with the shoe. There’s no plans for a 4.5 or anything like that, but I think that we refresh it, and that will bring the kind of energy to it,” he said.
The Nike PG4 launches in the purple Gatorade “Gx” colorway via SNKRS on Jan. 17 for $120.
The black / white colorway releases in store and on Nike.com Jan. 24 for $110.
The turquoise Gatorade “Gx” model will be available to gamers who unlock it playing NBA2K later this season. A plaid color that was on display currently does not have a release date.
Photos by Michael Silver for solehello.com. Additional images provided by NIKE.

New Balance Omn1s Performance Analysis and Review

Happy New Year, let’s kick it off with a review!
This was one of the greatest shots with natural theatrics from the ball + rim and actual raw emotions from stone faced Kawhi and I finally got the Omn1s in December…you know half a year later. I have been tying since June to get these shoes and like nearly everyone else in the world, I failed due to super limited quantities. Was the Omn1 worth the wait? Errr..
Pros : traction, average cushioning, decent fit
Cons: cushioning is just there, tippy heel, poor containment
Sizing advice: go down half a size, these run long like Kawhi’s hands. Best to try on in store..oh wait, you can’t.
Buying advice: after 6 months of making uber limited quantities, I expect the floodgates will open. From a playing perspective, I regret spending $140. $100 or less is fair, bottom should be around $75-80 but I’m not sure since NB just returned to hoops

Weight

I don’t care about the weight as much as others do so this is just a reference. At 16 ounces this is a average to a little heavier than average for a mid. Most weight in the 15-16.5 ounces range.

Traction:

Definitely the highlight of the Omn1. These just bite the hardwood like a good pair should. It has a similar look and pattern as the Rose 7 but it isn’t as thin and the rubber isn’t as soft but it still does a heck of a job. Trojan would be proud.

Definitely one of the best traction set ups I’ve tried this year. Well done NB!

Cushioning

 Fuelcell. I could regurgitate the marketing jargon I’ve seen from calling it a premium EVA to nitrogen injected foam but rather than do that I think it’s more important to describe how it feels. Fuelcell in the Omn1 does not feel anything like Boost or Zoom or Lightstrike or Micro G or a lightweight foam. I don’t even think it feels like Bounce or even Charged because my Curry 3 has a lot more feedback and bounce than this foam..on tenth thought, even the Curry 4 EVA set up feels better and springier. It feels far more dense than the premium foams with sone slight give after break in. I was hoping for a Lightstrike feel or something with some bounce but like a Kawhi interview it doesn’t give much.

I’ve read that Fuelcell is dual density and I believe it. The Forefoot (black) is softer to the touch than the midfoot and heel (white). But still not a lively set up.

It’s very on point with what I expected from New Balance though from the OG 802 trail shoes I used to buy to the Cruz (wtf you retroed them already NB?) New Balance has a muted feel to them. I’m a fun guy .. are you sure you didn’t mean fungi Kawhi bc these have nearly zero fun to them.

 

Pretty dense ortholite insole (top is curry 3, bottom is Omn1) gives a little more step in comfort but not much

I don’t complain much about cushioning and I’m not complaining about Fuelcell but from what I’ve read about the running shoes, it seems that NB just tuned it more for hoops while taking out a lot of the fun factor. But geez, Boredman gets paid alright.

Overall cushioning is just there. If you want more fun in your shoes, look anywhere elsewhere.

Fit

Go down half a size. I wasn’t sure how these were going to fit but given NB’s limited quantities I went with what was left and 10.5 was the right call . These do run long since I had a finger width at the toe which I perfect for me. If I went true to size these would leave me a thumb at the toe. I went standard width since that was what was left and it was plenty of space width wise even with my widefeet . I do really appreciate the option for wide even there aren’t as many options as NB offers in running shoes. I guess that says something about the important of fit in b-ball shoes versus running.

Simple lace set up which like. Just a little inner sleeve and normal laces.

There is no extra space width wise and I experienced no heel slip from the get go. I did have a little bubble at the forefoot but deadspace above the forefoot won’t hurt anyone. 

Overall I enjoyed the fit but make sure to go down half a size or try on in store ..oh wait you can’t.

Just buy online and return the pair that doesn’t fit..oh wait you can’t.

Overall the fit is good. No issues here.

Materials 

If you love or miss the “benefits” of Primeknit or Flyknit, you’ll love the Omn1s’ Fitweave. It is very nice looking and soft to the touch for his and her pleasure. Very nice feeling on foot reminiscent of the days of yor circa 2014-2017. But feeling soft to the touch doesn’t make a shoe any better.

Support and Stability

Support comes from the fit and somewhat from the NB straps since they are made from a firmer synthetic material. However like most shoes these days they fold very easily. As noted above the heel counter is flimsy and thin and will wear down over time (trust me I’ve done it with all my Kobe I’s). Luckily anyone reading this probably a sneakerhead and will fine with other shoes in the rotation.
Midfoot support is good not much flex but not overly stiff and not overly bendy.
Stability is iffy. They are wider than the kryie 6 but still have the contoured shape which I personally do not like. Landing at a sub optimal angle or at an angle where you can’t get your foot placement correct in time is how I’ve hurt myself in the past so that’s why I stay away. Kawhi played fine in the AJ XX9 but I still prefer a flatter heel for those imperfect landings.

Containment

Load management anyone ? It’s on my IG stories if you want to see the slow mo vid

Looking at the exterior of the Omn1 continent doesn’t look like an issue but the foam used as sidewalls is thin and soft so it does nearly nothing plus the foot doesn’t sit thst far below the walls.

Add in the woven upper which isn’t reinforced with any major backing and you basically get a sock with sole.

Containment isn’t a deal breaker for me but it is a tie breaker and the Omn1 does a really poor job in this category. Probably the worst containment I’ve seen in a few years.

Conclusion

I’ve been playing the shoe game for a few decades now so I understand and get scarcity marketing. It isn’t like shoe companies are the only companies that pull this stuff. The fact is the majority of consumers are highly unaware that companies do this to build hype and false demand. Throw in some influencer marketing and you got a nice hype building machine. I’ve been trying since June to get these at 9 am on the dot but struck out every time.

Overall, the shoe has its strengths and weaknesses; I loved the traction and the fit is pretty good but cushioning is very Kawhi with very little fun guy in it. The shoe is also seriously lacking containment, like Brandblack bad. It also has a rounded heel which I personally do not like or trust. See Dame 6.

The show certainly isn’t unplayable and isn’t going to kill anyone but like Kawhi I want a shoe that does everything well with no holes in its game.

 

Overall for all the work to get the shoe and the $140 price tag (which I can’t even coupon code due to scarcity) I can’t recommend the shoe unless you’re a Clippers or Kawhi fan or you really like woven uppers. Hardens are on sale already for far less (I got some for $80 this month), KD’s and AJ 34’s are on clearance as well. Hell, I’d take the Curry 7 over these even though they aren’t a favorite of mine. Similar traction, better cushioning but far more stable and way better containment. Plus you can find them on sale. NB knows it isn’t a strong basketball brand (now or back in the 2000’s) so playing the limited game gives it some cred but let these out in the open market and it’s $100 or less easily.

I’m giving these a third team rating because aside from the traction I don’t find anything about them particularly great. I considered bumping them up to second team just for the traction but in the end I felt that was too generous. Way to start off my year New Balance.

The adidas Dame 6 is our first performance review for 2020

The adidas Dame 6 is our first performance review for 2020. Did it enter the new year on a positive note? Lets find out…
Herringbone from heel to toe — typically a tried and true setup. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for me when it came to the Dame 6. I had high expectations as the Dame 5 featured a very similar setup that I loved.
However, there were plenty online that claim the Dame 5 was slick and lackluster. It’s always hard for me to know if online comments are truthful or not as we’re in the age of the troll when it comes to leaving anonymous comments. Luckily I had a personal friend of mine complain about the issue with the Dame 5s which made me believe the majority of what I had read. Now, I’m the one complaining about slick traction as the Dame 6 was simply awful for me.
I only had good traction on the Lifetime court I play at. Every other court, from the local high school to 24 Hour Fitness — the traction was as slick laterally. Liner movements had some decent bite, but I still had to wipe every chance I got. When I would wipe it wasn’t the typical quick wipe and continue playing. I literally had to stop in my tracks, lift my foot up and rub my hand up and down — watching the dust clumps fall as if it were the North Pole.
Traction patterns can save poor rubber compound, but poor rubber compounds can kill great traction patterns. If you have to play in the Dame 6 then  I’d try to get a pair with solid rubber along the outsole. That may prove to be better overall than this split-died translucent.

Lightstrike is used for the first time on a Dame signature model, and I didn’t hate it.
I say this because I wasn’t a fan of the Lightstrike in the Harden Vol 4, but I loved it in the adidas N3XT L3V3L. This time around it was a bit more in between the two aforementioned models. Not too thin, but not too thick. For a shoe that was designed for guard style play, this was just right.
Bounce is still my preferred cushion setup from adidas so I hope they aren’t beginning to phase it out. With the Dame being adidas’ annual budget model featuring Bounce, we may not see it again on a main signature model — at least not for a while.
Transition was smooth as butter and impact protection was very nice overall. Court feel wasn’t lost and I never felt slow or laggy due to sinking into the footbed. It may not be Bounce, but it’s pretty close to it.

Materials featured on the kyrie 6 are primarily textiles. They feel and play cheap.
It was something that was a minor concern in my initial first impressions, but I was hopeful that they’d play just fine. I wouldn’t say the materials killed the performance or playability of the shoe at all, but the durability definitely took a hit.
My left shoe’s outsole is peeling away from the upper. Either the glue job was poor to begin with or the type of glue used isn’t strong enough to bond to textiles properly. I find the latter option to be a bit far fetched as adidas is no stranger to gluing outsole and midsole tooling to textile builds. But, for whatever reason, the shoe looks like it was run over and this is a primarily black shoe. If a black shoe is showing signs of wear this bad, on top of falling apart, then something went wrong.
I bought two sizes — one in my true size and one 1/2 size down. The pair that was 1/2 size down is what fit best so that is what I’d recommend for most.
Lockdown was okay, but nothing noteworthy. The heel area couldn’t keep the heel in place properly either — which is not a good thing when it comes to support.
Speaking of support…
It would have been better had the materials not buckled under certain movements and my heel been properly locked in. The wide base is nice and saved my ass when making lateral cuts and changes in direction without feeling cumbersome underfoot.
However, having a solid wide platform is only a piece of the puzzle when it comes to support. The shoe should have a little of everything — and each of those things should work in unison with one another. The Dame 6 has pieces, but not every piece works perfectly, thus the unity that most basketball shoes have… these do not.

Not the best way to start 2020 off, but it is what it is.
Traction should have been much better than what it was while support could have been better as well. Fit needs work and the materials are as cheap as they come. Even at $110, this is not a shoe that I can say offers any bang for your buck. At least, I didn’t feel like I spent $110 on a solid product and that’s what these reviews are about. Helping others figure out what they need/want out of a shoe and helping them understand if a shoe offers enough bang for the buck (retail price).
Everyone has a bad day at the office, and I still enjoy the Dame 2 through 5, so I hope this is just a hiccup in the line and not an indication of what’s to come moving forward.

 

adidas Harden Stepback Performance Review

Today, we take a dive into the sub $100 category with a performance review of a takedown model — the adidas Harden Stepback.
So, we start with a Harden Vol. 3 style herringbone in the forefoot and a Harden Vol. 4 style pattern at the heel section. I’d like to call this setup “business in the front, party in the back”, but the herringbone didn’t quite take care of business the way I would have liked.
The Harden Stepback does have some bite to it. However, it’s not always immediately present and packs dust up in those tight herringbone grooves a little too easily. I didn’t really notice any issues with the heel section, but for the forefoot, expect to wipe quite a bit if you want to maintain some level of consistency while playing.
It seems for the Stepback’s traction to perform optimally, either the outsole or the floor needs to be in pristine condition – which is rare for the average consumer. On the plus side, I’ll give the Harden Stepback traction some credit for durability as there are hardly any signs of fraying over a month of ownership and testing. This would make these a solid option for those that play primarily outdoors — which is what the Stepback feels they were intended for in the first place.
For well under $100 you get full-length Bounce in the Harden Stepback — but it doesn’t quite feel like the Bounce you may expect. Like the Harden Vol. 4’s thin implementation of Lightstrike, the Bounce feels just as thin and low to the ground, which some may like, others may not.
FroThis firmer minimal setup may be a good thing for some as you get a ton of court feel without feeling like you’re busting directly through the soles and into the playing surface. But, there just isn’t going to be enough impact protection or rebound for some to feel comfortable in the shoe.
Cushion is subjective, but I think it’s safe to say this will not be a great choice for everyone, and it certainly isn’t the best representation of Bounce for anyone that may be trying the foam for the first time.
For those familiar with the Stepback’s flagship counterpart, you’ll notice the same mesh base used on the Stepback is used on select colorways of the Vol. 4. The difference is a heavier use of synthetics in high wear areas such as the toebox and eyelet panels.
My main concern with materials doesn’t come from the synthetic overlays – its more of the interior construction. Materials aren’t all that well lined or stitched down so I experienced a lot of bunching up internally which caused discomfort around the midfoot while testing. Also, the lacing setup leaves parts of the laces exposed against the forefoot, which took some time to adjust to and prevented me from comfortably sizing down. Props to adidas for including even a minimal amount of sculpting inside around the ankle, though.
What feels like a thin-vinyl covers most of the toe area – I found it to be a good touch as it wasn’t stiff or crinkly at all – just maybe a little bubbly. Minus a thin tongue that lace pressure will cut right through if you aren’t careful – the rest of the uppers textiles, plastics, and synthetic leather do their job well enough.
As hinted to previously, I could’ve probably gone down half a size if I wasn’t in fear of a painful break in. Going true to size may not have been optimal, but it was good enough to never be a security concern. The fit reminds me of the Marquee Boost a bit – narrow through the midfoot but widened out more in the toebox. The difference between the two would be there is breathing room above the toe in the Stepback, where the Marquee wrapped closely over the toe.
I’d advise anyone who has the means to – try these on before purchase, no matter your foot type. At retailers like the Shoe Dept or Hoop Jordan, luck should be in your favor to walk-in, grab a box, and get a good feel for how they fit you.
Individually, most support features may seem underwhelming, but together they work decently overall.
The external heel cup isn’t the strongest, however with the help of lacing through the top eyelets there was no issue with slippage in that area. It is also sculpted, though not immaculately so around the ankle, so there’s that.
A thin, Z-shaped bar at the midfoot provides torsional support and lateral support is aided by a midsole and outsole that cup the foot heavily around certain areas. Support should always be a focus for a basketball sneaker, but I must admit I was surprised to see the amount of focus that went in to an $80 pair of sneakers.
A cut in cost takes away from getting some serious performance out of the Harden Stepback. Overall, it is what some might expect, and maybe even a little more.
If you prefer minimal cushion and would like to support Harden without spending $140 then this is a proper takedown of the adidas Harden Vol. 4. However, if we are basing things off of performance rather than price, then the traction could have [should have] been better, but will suffice for outdoor hoopers looking to stay within a budget while still satisfying the desire to wear the latest and greatest.