Nike Kobe 11 EM Performance Review

 Man oh man… One aspect of the shoe can ruin the entire experience.

Traction

I had problems just about everywhere. I took the Kobe 11 to about 6 or 7 gyms and was slipping in almost all of them. There was only one instance where I didn’t have any issues and that was on a perfectly clean floor. They actually performed quite well when there was no dust present. Even if there was the slightest bit of dust, however, the traction pattern clogged up, causing me to wipe at every dead ball. The traction pattern is simply too tight. Whether translucent or solid rubber, dust will fill the grooves and cause issues.

 

Cushion

Nike, once again, utilized a drop-in Lunarlon midsole. This time they implemented a Zoom unit in the heel. Unlike the previous renditions of the Kobe series, the midsoles didn’t bottom out. In other words, they didn’t wear down like they did in the Kobe 8 and 9. I was actually very pleased with the cushion. Not only were they comfortable, but the Zoom unit also triggered a smooth heel to toe transition. In my opinion, the drop-in midsole offers a perfect balance between cushion and court feel. If you’re interested in more cushion, then you can NikeID a pair that has a full-length Lunar and Zoom midsole. You can also use full-length lunar (no Zoom) if you prefer more court feel.

 

Materials

Nike didn’t use glue to back the flyknit? These must be amazing! Wrong…sort of. Instead of using glue, they threaded TPU, or plastic, within the flyknit. From the moment that I tried on the shoe, I heard a voice in my head. It was DJ Khaled saying, “Congratulations, you played yourself.” In all seriousness though, there isn’t any upgrade from the Kobe 9 or 10 as far as materials are concerned. Nightwing’s review was spot on. He suggested that they use the TPU only in high-wear areas – I completely agree.

Fit

First off, the shoes fit true to size. There is minimal volume in the toe, but that was easily resolved by wearing two socks. I was contained in the mid-foot area thanks to Nike’s flywire technology, which proves its worth time and time again. An external heel counter kept me secure in the rear of the shoe. A wide and stable base helps to prevent ankle rolls along with a natural, low to the ground ride caused by the cushion set-up.

Support

The support on the Nike dunk low  is solid and like most shoes, comes from the fit. Wide base, natural ride, external heel counter, and flywire. Same thing that was said in the fit section. Not to mention, the materials add even more support thanks to the TPU that is woven into the flyknit. The materials will be supportive for all types of guards and slashers. (The traction might not though.)

Overall

There are two things that could have been improved, traction and materials. It boggles my mind that Nike can release a shoe with such a high retail price ($200) and integrate such an awful traction pattern. Similar to the Kobe 9 and 10, the materials aren’t bad at all. They could (and should) be better, but they aren’t terrible. What do you think of the Nike Kobe 11? Let us know in the comment section below.

Brandblack Rare Metal 2 Performance Review

 Brandblack hasn’t released a basketball shoe since 2017. The Brandblack Rare Metal 2 was a nice way to re-introduce itself back into the basketball category.

Traction

Traction is grippy as all hell.

The Vibram rubber brings a bit of prestige to the shoe while also providing wearers with something familiar. Meanwhile, the X pattern is consistent throughout the entire outsole which does two things.

1. It grips really well.

2. It provides consistent coverage all the way around.

I was only able to test this shoe outdoors due to the pandemic, but they held up really well. Not much wear is visible — if any at all — and the grip is just great. I’ve seen some other reviews that focused on indoor testing and they all seem to agree that the traction is great.

Cushion

The cushion is what Brandblack is calling Supercritical Jetlon. It was first featured in the Tarantula running shoe, which was a bit lackluster, but the way it’s done in the Kyrie Low 4 feels much better.

This version of the Supercritical Jetlon feels much more in line with models that also use a similar foam midsole like the 361 AG1. With that, the midsole offers court feel and impact protect — all housed within the thin Vibram wrap-tech rubber outsole. The wrapped rubber does ensure stability while still allowing the foam to move a bit, but it would be interesting to see how this type of foam would do without being caged up so much. Every implementation of this style of foam I’ve personally used (for basketball) has been caged in some way so I do wonder what would happen if you let it loose.

Court feel and impact protection are a rare blend nowadays so getting them both in one shoe is definitely applauded.

Materials

Materials are a 4-layers system that blends a bit of TPU with a bit of textile. This allows the upper to remain extremely lightweight but also strong as hell. There is a break-in period so keep that in mind. It’s not horrible or painful, but the forefoot section of the upper does start out stiff.

I still prefer leathers over setups like this, but this works really well for what it was intended for so I can’t really complain. The new generation really enjoys their plastics and textiles so it looks like its here to stay. However, for those of you that are like me and still prefer raw materials on your performance shoes, there is a leather version coming so you may want to wait for those if the Rare Metal 2 is on your radar.

Fit

The Rare Metal 2 fits true to size. Lockdown was a bit inconsistent in the heel between my left and right foot. I tested two pairs in two colorways and I had the same left heel issue to start until the materials broke-in. I believe my feet are slightly different sizes, which is part of the problem, but the rear is also quite low so that probably made it so I noticed my sizing discrepancy more than I would in other shoes.

The midfoot and forefoot, on the other hand, were great. No issues at all.

Support

Support is deceptively good on the new jordans 2021. The wrap-tech outsole cups the foot well while the way its wrapped around the entire shoe provides more rigidity to the shoe in the way a shank plate would. Couple that with the 4-layered upper and the wide tooling base and you have something that is similar in feel to a Kyrie model but weighs in at only 11 ounces.

Overall

Overall, the Brandblack Rare Metal 2 is a beast on-court once you get past its break-in period. The traction is incredible. The shoe has no business being as supportive as it is at its weight. Cushion is way more comfortable than you’d expect. And they don’t look like anything else on the market in the basketball category — if that matters to you at all.

If you were looking for something different then this might be the change you’ve been looking for.

Nike LeBron 18 Low Performance Review

 The Nike LeBron 18 Low comes after a good run by the Nike LeBron 18, its higher cut brother that’s actually the same collar height. The LeBron 18 was a good shoe with some obvious weaknesses that made it a bit too unstable for some. This time around, LeBron’s Nike design team made just the right tweaks to upgrade the original.

What upgrades did they make you ask? Read the article below to find out for yourself.

Cushion

This is the exact same setup as the Nike LeBron 17 Low, full-length Nike React with a heel Air Max unit. The air unit is similar to the one in the Nike KD 14, that runs basically half the shoe. The cushion was easily my favorite feature of the shoe.

Upon try-on, it was extremely plush, especially in the forefoot. We can thank the many outsole openings on the shoe for that. There’s a bunch on the bottom that weren’t there on the regular LeBron 18 along with a few on the lateral side. This allowed the foam to do what it’s supposed to do, expand. Back in the heel, impact protection was crazy as hell. Be careful, though, as it can be a little wobbly. Court feel is definitely not a strong suit, but I wouldn’t say it’s insanely high off the ground. There was some bounce, but nothing compared to the Zoom on the originals really. If you’re looking for a just-right plush, impact-protecting cushion, you’ll get it here. It’s both comfortable and a performance beast.

Traction

The traction is the same general design with the regular LeBron 18, though the implementation is slightly different. There’s a sectioned splatter pattern on the forefoot area and it honestly doesn’t make much sense to me. The only logical reason I could find for it is to enable better compression from the React midsole.

Performance wise, these were good enough. Take note of the court I played on. It’s insanely dusty and I didn’t have too many problems. It wasn’t noisy traction though, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t get it here. However, the traction was good on most days with only some minor slips that mostly happened when they were relatively new. So, give the LeBron 18 Low time and it should be just a tad below A1 traction. Durability also isn’t too bad. Just a few scoffs here and there, but nothing major. And that’s after playing exclusively on concrete.

Fit

Snug. In a damn good way. I never felt like I was swimming in the shoe, but I also never felt like my feet were in a straight jacket. If I were to compare it with another shoe, I’d say it feels similar to the forefoot of the Air Jordan 34 Low, but just a bit more comfortable. And that’s in large part because of the soft materials. My feet seldom felt cramped and I have flat feet. The LeBron 18 Low is one of the better fitting shoes I’ve tried. Ever. True to size for sure.

Support

They added what we all wished the regular Nike Kyrie Low 4 had: outriggers. And they’re not even huge. They’re literally the tiniest outriggers I’ve ever seen and it still made a world of a difference. If you can’t see them in the picture, let me explain. Those lines that come up the lateral side of the shoes act as outriggers. Whether that was intentional or not, I’ll take it. Extra fuse was also added on both sides of the forefoot so the foot doesn’t rollover and it did the job. For flat footers like me, the arch wasn’t terrible, though you can feel it the first few runs. As with the traction, give it some time. I think the only critique I have with the support would be the slight instability of the Air Max unit. Heel strikes should be rare, especially while on court, but be ready. Any heel strike will require extra care to maintain your balance. Overall, though, very good support for a high-off-the-ground shoe.

Materials

I hate to do this to a shoe I love, but I got to be honest. We really should have gotten better quality materials for a shoe that’s priced at $160. The shoe isn’t cheap by any means. The materials say otherwise.

Three-fourths of the shoe is made out of a double-layered ripstop. There’s also a lot of fuse, so much so that the whole heel portion is a neoprene-backed fuse. The only “okay” materials we get are on the eye stays. The eye stays have synthetic suede (felt) on them and there’s a tiny (I mean the tiniest) leather overlay on the tongue. Speaking of which, the tongue was a not-so-loved aspect of the regular 18. The LeBron 18 Lows upgraded the tongue immensely. It’s made of ripstop, but it has foam inside for padding and comfort. However, I still wouldn’t wear thin and/or low socks with these as the thick stitching around the whole shoe might cause irritation. Overall, the materials didn’t impress. They didn’t match the price quality-wise.

Overall

The LeBron 18 Low isn’t a bang-for-your-buck shoe, but it isn’t an overpriced one either. Though the materials could be a TON better, in my opinion, everything else makes up for it. Whether you’re a LeBron fan, a person who likes impact protection, or a newbie looking for a shoe that’ll get you started, I can definitely recommend these. Nothing was overwhelming but everything was just right for the majority of players and foot shapes.

Nike KD 14 Performance Review

 The performance review for one of the best basketball shoes of 2021, the Nike KD 14, has arrived.

Traction

Traction for the KD 14 has been fantastic. I’ve been fortunate enough to test the shoe indoors and outdoors and they performed exceptionally well in every setting. I found the grip to be so reliable that I consider them my current go-to shoe — at least until my new pair of the Puma Clyde All Pro arrives.

While they might not be quite at that Air Jordan 1, Nike Kobe 9, or Air Jordan XX8 level of bite — the KD 14 is as reliable as any of the models on that list.

Cushion

Cushion featured on the Nike KD 14 includes a full-length Zoom Air strobel and a Cushlon midsole.

The Cushlon is soft, bouncy and fairly responsive for being as soft as they are. It’s Zoom Air unit keeps the shoe feeling snappy under-foot rather than sluggish and the midsole isn’t too thick (you sit inside most of it despite how thick they look) so you end up with a plush ride that offers a spring-like effect with every stride.

This is one of those shoes that you can have a great time in indoors and outdoors. I never felt the concrete or blacktop when outdoors. Just a comfortable ride that felt like it cradled my feet in comfort.

Materials

Materials aren’t really my personal cup of tea, but from a performance standpoint they work and they work really well.

The build is much more supportive than last years KD 13 while still maintaining a lightweight feel. Break-in time is quick and the shoe just ended up feeling made for my foot after a short time. Again, these are a current go-to for me. I love everything about them.

Fit

The fit is a bit tricky. I was able to recently (after filming the video review) try on a pair of my usual size 9 and I wound up buying a brand new pair in a size 9.5, the same size as the pair I tested. When the KD 14 initially released, size 9 was nowhere to be found so size 9.5 was all that was available to me unless I wanted to go down 1/2 size. Most KDs fit snug so I didn’t want to risk it. I won’t definitively say that going true to size is best, even though the size 9 fit as snug as I typically prefer, but the size 9.5 just felt perfect all around so that’s what I ended up with. I would highly recommend trying them on in-store if possible to avoid any potential issues.

Lockdown was fantastic. The build doesn’t stretch at all so I was secure from the ankle to the forefoot. The strap doesn’t really stay strapped all the time so that aspect was a bit useless, but it also didn’t bother me enough to stop playing in the shoe.

Support

Support is pretty standard as far as modern Balenciaga Triple S are concerned.

A standard shank is in place along with an internal heel counter. As mentioned above, the strap is pretty useless, but the fit plays more of a role in the shoes support and in that sense they were great. The TPU sidewall helps keep you on the footbed which helps reinforce the soft Cushlon. Finally, the base of the shoe is wide and cradles the foot nicely.

Overall

The Nike KD 14 is one of my favorite basketball shoes of 2021 so far. Will they remain on top? Who knows. It’s only June so there’s still plenty of shoes yet to release. All I know is that the KD 14 provided me with great traction, great cushion, decent materials, solid fit and decent support. It’s a well-rounded all-around performer.

Brooks Aurora-BL Performance Review

 To understand the Brooks Aurora-BL, you’ve got to know the backstory. Brooks created the BlueLine lab to figure out the future of running shoes. The BlueLine Lab is responsible for recent cutting edge Brooks models like the Hyperion Tempo, Hyperion Elite 2, and the Catamount.

We loved the Hyperion Tempo and Catamount. Both Jodi and I know what the KD 14  is capable of so we were excited to get our hands on the Aurora-BL. How does this space shoe perform on the streets? Let’s find out…

Cushion

Jodi: You can’t look at the Brooks Aurora without noticing the cushion. It truly is the focal point. And I’m gonna let y’all in a little secret…it performs the way that it looks. I had other people I ran into tell me, “you’re not gonna have knee problems with all that cushion you’re running on!” They were right. This nitrogen-injected midsole easily gave me the smoothest and most comfortable runs to date.

Drew: Similar to the Hyperion Tempo, Hyperion Elite 2, and Catamount, the Aurora-BL uses a nitrogen-injected foam compound. Brooks tweaked it again and this time named it DNA Loft V3. It feels similarly bouncy to what Brooks used on those previous models but also feels softer. And while it doesn’t feel lighter (8.5oz in Men’s & 7.6oz in Women’s), Brooks added a lot more foam to the Aurora-BL. It definitely fits into the high stack height category (also the newly created marshmallow midsole category).

Whether its the amount of foam or the type of foam, the mix is correct. The shoe’s bounciness sticks around a long time. I’m over 100 miles on my pair and the midsole feels like it did when it was new. That’s impressive durability (the traction’s durability is another story which we’ll cover later).

And I have to note something we don’t see often in running shoes., the decoupled midsole. Many in our audience will have fond memories of decoupled midsoles from the Air Jordan  and subsequent Jordan models. Decoupled midsoles are fairly common in basketball shoes.

Why are decoupled midsoles common in basketball shoes? Good question. The quick changes of pace and direction in basketball often result in the forefoot and heel needing to move independently of each other. The best way to allow that movement is to decouple the midsole and use a torsional support shank at the midfoot (so your midfoot doesn’t get twisted).

Why include it in a running shoe? I think Brooks tried it so that runners could adopt a more natural stride. In theory, this would make running smoother for a lot of people. For me? It felt great. I felt the flexibility often and loved cornering in these shoes. Planting and pivoting was more natural than it is in most runners. Will everyone like the decoupled feeling? No, but a lot will. One run in the Aurora-BL and you’ll know your personal preference. The cushion/midsole setup really delivers the extra flexibility and bounce Brooks promised in the marketing materials.

Traction

Jodi: The traction is used sparingly but implemented perfectly. We haven’t had a lot of rain in Northern California throughout the testing period but I sought out any and all available sprinklers. I can attest that they gripped well while wet. There’s some pretty good wear and tear after 100+ miles, but I’m confident I can get at least another good 200 miles out of these before retiring them.

Drew: There’s minimal rubber on the bottom of the Aurora-BL arranged in loops and lines to cover all the typical high wear areas and protect the foam underneath. The rubber is about as thick as you’d find in race day shoes. It feels like the same rubber used on the Hyperion Elite 2. That does affect durability and I burned through the rubber’s lined pattern fairly quick (in my high wear areas). Even without the pattern, the rubber sticks around and functions well. The only slips I experienced were on mildew-ridden wooden bridges. So you’ll get the traction you need. Like Jodi, I expect to get 300 miles out of the outsole.

Materials

Jodi: The upper is interesting. It’s this weird plastic shell for the most part. I’ve never had a shoe rip fibers out of my socks the way the Brooks Aurora-BL does. But man is it breathable. And I am completely in love with the mid foot strap/tongue. The Aurora-BL managed to keep me feeling secure and enough room to expand and sweat.

Drew: The ripstop-esque monomesh upper is a little plasticky but it’s also really thin and has a barely there feel. It won’t bug you like fuse shoes do. The hollow laces are soft and never come untied. And I have to agree with Jodi, the half bootie tongue is super comfortable. It rachets your foot down onto the footbed in a really nice way that feels super secure without feeling too tight. The sculpted heel’s 3M is a nice touch but takes some getting used to, which I’ll cover more in depth in the fit section.

Support

Jodi: As airy as the upper is upon first look, there are still plenty of reinforced areas. Between the fully reflective heel counter, the wide base, the mid foot strap, and the reinforced toe rand, there’s no where really for you to go… except for a run. Ba dum dum…

Drew: The internal bootie, reinforced midfoot supports, and the sculpted heel lock the foot down enough that I felt comfortable doing some light high intensity interval movements in these bad boys. Would I try that in many high stack height running shoes? Hell no! But this upper just feels mega supportive and the 6mm drop isn’t too much of a slant. I really hope Brooks takes this upper concept and applies it to other models.

Fit

Jodi: As our residential wide foot runner, I can attest that these are wide foot friendly. Brooks was kind enough to send me my normal runner size, which is a half size up from my day to day shoe size and they fit great. Plenty of room for my feet to swell without getting claustrophobic.

Drew: True to size (your running shoes size) with room for any foot shape to breath and not feel constricted. Kudos to Brooks on a midfoot strap design that makes that possible. I did have some heel fit/slip issues on my first couple runs, but once I broke in the heel area it molded nicely to my achilles area and the slippage stopped.

Overall

Jodi: The Brooks Aurora-BL is on the top of my list as far as go-to running shoes in 2021. It checks the most important boxes for me which are fit and cushion. They may look a little odd at first glance (to be honest, even at 109th glance) but the comfort they give me while putting them to work easily compensates for all of that.

Drew: At $200, the Converse is pricey but worth it. Cushion, stability, and comfort are all on point. If you’re an early adopter of shoe tech or just wanting something to completely switch it up from typical everyday running shoes, the Aurora-BL is a no brainer. It’s soft, bouncy, and usable for easy runs, speed training, and everything in between.

Nike Air Zoom GT Cut Performance Review

 Nike Basketball’s GT series of footwear seems promising after the first model, the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut, impressed me on-court.

Traction

Traction required a bit of break-in time during indoor testing, but once the dust settled, things were pretty much a go. The grip held well and I had nothing but confidence in my movements, despite main sections of the outsole I tend to use featuring a flat traction surface. For whatever reason, the rubber just stuck to the floor.

Outdoors on the other hand — wasn’t quite as good. The rubber is showing good signs of durability as the outsole hasn’t frayed at all. However, the grip was lacking in comparison to my indoor coverage. It was quite a surprise as I tend to have great grip in nearly every shoe outdoors, but the sb dunk  just didn’t seem to have what it takes to transition well from outdoor to indoor.

The score that you’ll see will be for indoor only. If I were to rate the traction on outdoor performance alone I’d have to give it a 6th Man badge.

Cushion

Cushion is interesting as we have three layers of Nike’s various cushions directly under-foot.

React sits below your foot and does a solid job of absorbing most of the impact from gameplay. Under the React is a full-length Air Zoom strobel. There is an additional (traditional) heel Zoom Air unit as well. While there are three layers of cushion, this is still a minimal setup. You’re very low to the ground and you have just enough impact protection to make you feel comfortable, but also extremely light on your feet. While the GT Cut is, as its name states, for cutting and slashing, anyone that prefers a low profile setup with what feels like limitless forefoot mobility should enjoy the ride.

It will be interesting to see how the upcoming air jordan and GT Jump differ in terms of cushioning and feel.

Materials

The materials are all synthetic, and while that isn’t usually my cup of tea, I have zero complaints.

The neoprene build is soft and formfitting. While the mesh outer layer is strong without needing any break-in time. There are a few layers of TPU here and there for structure but you never feel like you’re wearing a shoe made of plastic. The entire build is so light and airy that you often feel as if you aren’t wearing shoes at all.

This aspect has also proven to be fairly durable thus far. With the only wear and tear shown being dirt from playing indoors and outdoors. Otherwise there is no peeling or tearing anywhere.

Fit

The Nike Air Zoom GT Cut fits true to size. They fit perfectly 1-to-1 and I have loved every minute in them. Wide footers should be okay as the materials used are very forgiving. Just give them a little break-in time if you’re maxing out the space internally and once things start to conform around your feet you should be good to go.

Lockdown was excellent and I have no complaints at all. I was able to lace tightly in the areas I prefer without lace pressure causing pinching or numbness.

Support

Support was solid for a shoe that is this lightweight. The TPU torsion bar did a good job keeping the midfoot rigid while the internal heel counter is quite strong. There is also a forefoot rubber/TPU brace that hugs the foot upon lateral movements ensuring you don’t roll off of the footbed and it did a perfect job containing without discomfort.

Overall

Overall, I love the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut. If you’re a Nike or nothing player, then these should suit you well. The best comparison to a previous Nike Basketball model would be the Nike Kobe 8 — but the GT Cut has an upper that I wish we had on the Kobe 8 at the time.

If you’re looking for a low profile, lightweight setup then the GT Cut might be right for you. If you require a bit more impact protection then you’ll want to stick with something like the Nike KD 14.

Air Jordan 19 Performance Review

 The original Black Mamba…

Traction – Herringbone is used full length and this is one of those rare occasions where it isn’t always the best option. On clean floors the traction was super sticky and nearly flawless… sprinkle a tiny bit of dust onto the floor and the super sticky and nearly flawless traction turns into a slightly slippery experience. Even wiping regularly couldn’t keep the dust away so I found myself wiping my shoes every chance I could just to try and give it the best it could be. Reminded me a lot of my Air Jordan 5 experience… everything looked good but only played the way it looked in certain conditions.

Cushion – Probably the best overall cushion setup of any Air Jordan. We have a Phylon midsole with heel and forefoot Zoom Air – double stacked in the heel. The only way I can explain how they feel is that you’re playing on a cloud but a supportive cloud. Not too soft and not too firm, definitely not what I’ve been experiencing with other double stacked setups. For the cushion alone, these are a must try. You may not enjoy their aesthetics but it happens to be the most comfortable Air Jordan I’ve ever put on.

Materials – I love the materials and even with this pair being an original – not a Retro – they held up beautifully… even the glue. Patent leather is placed on the toe for reinforce strength and durability while plush leather makes up the rest of the shoe. Just the right amount of support and strength… for something so visually unappealing… they were designed beautifully.

Fit – They fit true to size and they are awesome. Other than the cushion, the fit and lockdown are their best attribute. The weird mamba inspired shroud provides the best lockdown I’ve ever experienced… in any shoe. They’re a little tricky to get on so make sure you give yourself an extra minute or so but once you’re locked in you’re ready to take flight.

Ventilation – My socks were heavy after playing in these every time. Absolutely zero ventilation on these guys but thankfully the lockdown made it so that you didn’t receive any blisters or sloppiness upon lateral movements. The Air Jordan 19 and Nike Zoom Glove are two of the worst ventilated shoes I’ve ever worn. Keep that in mind for those that play outdoors.

Support – The support is abundant but not restrictive like the recently reviewed Jordan Zion 1. You’re perfectly locked into place, dual outriggers for forefoot lateral & heel medial support while the Carbon Fiber shank provides slight spring back and torsional support. Abundant but not restrictive… again, beautifully designed when it comes to performance.

Overall – Aesthetics aside… these things might be my favorite on-court Balenciaga Triple S just after the XX8 (as of this review). If you can find a pair that are in wearable shape, or possibly the 2008 CDP version, then I would highly recommend them. The shroud is a little much so if you’d like to avoid that feature then try to hunt down a pair of the Air Jordan 19 SE’s. Their ventilation sucks pretty bad but everything else in this shoe is great… just make sure you dry mop the court before you play.

Only 4 more pairs to go… it’ll be weird when I’ve finally completed the project. It’s literally taken me years to finish.

Air Jordan XVII (17) Retro Performance Review

 Jazz it up…

Traction – This is how you pull off a storytelling traction surface. The entire design is based on MJ’s love for Dunk and instead of using some random pattern they went with herringbone – which worked really well. They used contrasting colors to add additional effects without sacrificing coverage. Now, I will say that the traction wasn’t perfect but it was pretty damn close. Only time I had an issue was during certain movements where the shoe flexed at a point where the traction wasn’t in contact with the floor so I had slight slippage but that didn’t happen often so it was nothing crazy… very minor and its the only thing I experienced that I could nit-pick on.

Cushion – This shoe was built for an aging MJ that required quite a bit of support in order for his knees to hold up on-court. There was a blow molded Air unit in place at the heel – I still don’t know the difference between blow molded Air units vs a regular one – which was housed within a giant TPU (plastic) cage. The entire heel area reminded me a lot of caged Jordan Zion 1 but firmer. Was it incredibly uncomfortable? No, but it wasn’t what I’ve been used to with previous Air setups. However, forefoot cushion was fantastic. Zoom Air is placed at the forefoot and the entire forefoot section of the shoe is built traditionally with a Phylon footbed which happens to be double lasted. Its a really interesting way to construct a shoe where you have incredible support with adequate cushion.

Material – I love the materials used on this 2008 CDP version and especially the originals which featured buttery leather uppers. This pair utilizes a nice nubuck at the heel and forefoot. This has its strong points and weak points. Its strength is its fit and feel along with the minimal break-in time required. As for the weakness… its just not as durable as leather overall but again… that’s me nitpicking since the materials are really nice in general. There is a section of woven material – identical to what was used on the LeBron 9’s support wings – at the midfoot that offers great fit and its the most durable section of the upper. My favorite material used is located at the collar… the Neoprene lining is so comfortable it makes all other collars seem inferior.

Fit – They fit true to size and lockdown for me was near perfect. Only gripe is that I had to lace them all the way to the top eyelet and I usually leave one or two free so I have better range of motion for my ankles. I couldn’t do that with these since every time I tried my heel would flop in and out of the shoe a bit but once laced them up the way they were intended then they were perfectly fine. The midfoot lockdown was fantastic and you even have additional lacing options if you wish with the Shroud’s ‘eyelet’ system for a more snug fit. We also have a squared toe again so that area of the shoe is very comfortable while stoping and changing direction without jamming any toes.

Ventilation – Definitely not their strong suit… but not as bad as the XVIII. *Spoiler alert

Support – As mentioned earlier, this shoe was designed for an aging MJ that needed more support than his past models provided. The TPU heel, lacing system and Carbon Fiber plate running throughout the entire outsole provided some of the best support I’ve had in any Air Jordan to date… almost topping the XX8. Only reason why I’d personally choose the XX8 over these is due to the fact that they offer support that wont restrict my movement at all while these are a bit more restrictive overall.

Overall – This was probably the one shoe – besides the Balenciaga Triple S– that I was looking forward to wearing the least. I don’t know why… I’ve just never been entirely enthusiastic about the model in general. After playing in them they’ve actually surpassed my initial impression and are among the top performance models featured within the Air Jordan Legacy. This is definitely one model that I’d love to see get the Retro treatment as they are 100% playable even by today’s standards. Truly an innovative sneaker that was ahead of its time.

Nike Kobe AD vs Adidas Harden Vol 1

 Hadn’t done one of these in a long time so here you go. I’m not enamoured with either but I compared each aspect so you can pick and choose what works for you.

Here are the original reviews:

Price: 

$160 Kobe AD

$160 Harden PK

$140 Harden non PK

Similar prices across the board although Adidas shoes will always go on sale faster and harder than Nike. These are both on the high end and are about average for superstar sig shoes but as I said earlier Hardens will be get cheaper more quickly. Nicekicks had a nice deal for $98 already.

Weight: 

Kobe: 13.5 oz

Harden: 17 oz

Traction 
Both shoes provide excellent traction on clean floors or when freshly wiped so it really come down to sub optimal conditions.

I’ve found that any dust just makes the Harden traction slippery so constant wiping is needed while the Kobe 6 protro just hums along and sticks with minimal wiping.

Winner: Kobe 

Cushioning

Boost has been getting a lot of press and love on sneaker sites and rightfully so. Addictive feel and just fun to wear.

Lunarlon isn’t my first choice but it does a good job overall, however I’ve found Lunarlon wears out out quickly compared to other cushioning set ups. I can’t say in the long term for certain but pretty sure the Kobe AD will suffer the same fate even with its “microtuned” set up. The Zoom in the heel isn’t what you actually see on the midsole it is a typical 8 mm Hyperdunk esque Zoom and can barely be felt.

In the shoe’s current state, the AD isn’t bad at all but the Harden’s Boost easily just feels better.

Winner: Harden 

Fit

Although there is a lot more to the fit than the exterior size of the shoe, look at the huge discrepancy in size between two size 11’s. The Harden looks like at least a size 12. I didn’t even line them up perfectly.

I wasn’t even going to bother writing this part because finding the right size and getting just the right fit in then Harden was the most time consuming thing I’ve done with shoes in the past few years ..that and the Crazylight Boost 2016.

With the Kobe AD, I bought my true size 11, put them on and was done. No heel slip, no side to side movement. I could have gone up half a size and still been fine.

Adidas really needs to look into standardizing their sizing or at least making it more similar to Nikes. There is nothing wrong with being the same size as your competitor.  Most first time Adidas customers will just say forget it because they bought the wrong Adidas size and bought their normal Nike size. Which is better keeping a customer or keeping your pride? Granted it would cost a lot to change their manufacturing process and machines etc, so time to call your finance department to do a cost benefit analysis.

Winner: Kobe

Materials 
I feel I need to remind people I only include materials because readers want to know how they feel. The Harden Vol 1 materials are excellent and  easily feel and look better than the mesh on the Kobe AD. They provide a nice value to the consumer. Primeknit or mesh Harden, the materials are easily nicer than the Kobe AD

Winner: Harden

Support and Stability

Both shoes use TPU cages on the lateral side to keep the shoe stable. I’ll give the edge to the Harden Vol 1 because they feel wider and the AD has the occasional forefoot outrigger rolling which is anything but a plus.

Winner: Harden 

Containment 

The Harden looks like it would run away with this category but the Kobe did a decent job even without any physical barriers. However in the end, more is better

Winner: Harden

Conclusion 

What do you want out of a shoe? That’s what it boils down to. If you want a more comfortable ride and better materials and value, go with the Jordan Zion 1. If you want a better fit and traction go with the Kobe A.D. For me, I weigh traction most heavily and the Kobe A.D. worked far better than the Harden. The cushioning isn’t as good as the Harden but it works well enough for me.

If you want to save money, just wait for sales as they will both get to the $100 price point or below.

Air Jordan XVI (16) Retro Performance Review

 Marching on…

Traction – Herringbone is in place in targeted section for optimal impact or strike zones… and it worked really well. I was worried about the translucent rubber along with its slightly yellowed appearance (due to age) and whether or not it would grip the court but I was very pleased with it overall. Dusty courts were definitely a different story and required the outsole to be wiped clean with your hands at every dead ball. With all that being said, the little tiny black rubber nubs along the lateral section of the outsole were the most surprising feature. Not only was it a way to tell a story but it also had a really nice function or purpose on the floor. Those little nubs stick out of the translucent section just enough to grab the floor perfectly during lateral maneuvers which made cutting or running though screens to catch and shoot a breeze. A part of the design that likely has gone unnoticed to casual wearers was a really surprising touch that only a basketball player would appreciate.

Cushion – A heel blow-molded Air unit is in place – don’t ask me what that means… I have no clue – along with a forefoot Zoom unit and Phylon midsole. Overall, they feel nothing like the OG… shocking, I know. However, they weren’t uncomfortable at all. They just didn’t offer the same responsive ride that the original does. Again, nothing really shocking there as I’ve had this same hit or miss experience throughout the new jordans 2021 and even with some current models that feature the once great Nike tech.

Materials – The materials are great all the way around. Patent leather, nice raw leather, nubuck and mesh… you have a little of everything… its like a freaking buffet of materials. They will require some break-in time up front with the patent leather but everything else falls into place rather nicely. Its a durable build with nice contrasting panels… nothing to complain about at all.

 

Fit – They did something new with the Air Jordan XVI in the toe area, shaping it to be more squared which was partially a fashion decision as some high end dress shoes feature a squared toe but there was also a performance aspect attached to it as well. With a squared toe you allow the foot to fit inside the shoe more naturally and it also removed any toe crunching you may or may not experience in other models. This will be beneficial for wide-footers and with this setup I’d go true to size. For people like myself, with a slightly narrower foot, going down 1/2 gave me the snug and secure fit that I personally look for. Once that was done then everything else worked perfectly together in terms of their lockdown. If you are unable to try on a pair – likely at this point since they have only released once in 2008 since their initial debut – then the fit may be something that concerns you… getting the right size at least. If you get the right size for your foot then you wont have anything to worry about at all.

Ventilation – As we’ve seen before, ventilation is not their strong suit. The Air Jordan XVI+ on the other hand… those are much more breathable so if you need ventilation then at least there is an alternative… you just have to hope the original pair of XVI+’s are still wearable on-court.

Support – Their support is solid overall. Nice wide forefoot as the platform followed by a nice fit and a full length spring plate/ torsional system. This coupled with everything noted above makes them on of the more well-rounded Jordan Zion 1 models I’ve worn to date.

Overall – I like them overall, finding myself going back to them quite often despite their lack of cushion. Their overall low profile feel and fit were my favorite attributes while the traction followed suit… so long as the floor was clean. I know its a long shot but Jordan Brand should really consider making the kyrie 4 low one more time for a Retro run… casual wearers and hoopers alike will enjoy them.

Allbirds TrinoXO Tee Review

 Allbirds builds products out of natural, eco-friendly materials and emphasizes comfort. I recently reviewed Allbirds’ first running shoe, the Tree Dasher. And while it had some flaws, it was a super comfortable shoe. Alongside the shoes, I also received the new Allbirds TrinoXO Tee.

And while our apparel reviews don’t get the interest and views our shoe reviews do, I’m always happy to review a new t-shirt. The t-shirt world has so many options that I find it helpful to point out whenever I find one what’s comfortable and well-fitting.

Does Allbirds’ focus on comfort translate well to a t-shirt? Keep reading to find out.

Pros

Comfort. Somehow, Allbirds managed to use crab shells (!) to make a super smooth material blend. Granted, only 5% of the material is from Chitosan. That’s the shelly stuff that’s also sometimes used as a dietary supplement. The jordan zion 1 comes from the TENCEL Lyocell (65% of the blend) which is basically a softer, lighter version of cotton. Allbirds favorite material, merino wool, comes in at 30% of the material blend. And the shirt’s trim includes 3% Spandex to help with stretch. All of that combines for a softer than cotton feel that’s great against skin.

Reinforced seams. The neck, shoulders, and side seams all have extra backing. This prevents unwanted stretching and improves durability. It’s a little thing that really makes the t-shirt feel premium.

Fit. The TrinoXO Tee fits true to size. I’m typically a large and a large fit perfect. It’s a more classic fit that slims slightly towards the waist but accommodates most body types. The sleeves aren’t too short and it’s long enough for taller people. I’m 6’6″ and lifting my hands above my head doesn’t show off my belly. Tall folks know how rare that is in regular sized t-shirts.

Durability. I washed and dried the t-shirt a bunch and paid close attention to any potential neckline taco-ing, shrinking, or odd wrinkling. None of those issues appeared. The TrinoXO Tee is built for the long haul.

Breathability. The Merino Wool makes this warm enough to be used as your t-shirt layer during fall/spring…but it’s still breathable enough for a hot summer day. I was able to test the t-shirt in 90 degree Florida temps. On those days, the dunk low let in a nice breeze and I sweat less than in my favorite cotton/poly blend t-shirts. I honestly didn’t expect this little benefit given that merino wool usually keeps me warmer. All in all, this is a great summer t-shirt.

Cons

Price. At $48 each, the TrinoXO Tee isn’t cheap. Don’t get me wrong, you’re getting quality materials and workmanship for your money but…I know a lot of people aren’t comfortable spending that much for a t-shirt. However, there’s a good chance you get double the lifespan of a typical shirt from the TrinoXO. To me, that can justify the price. This is not your typical t-shirt purchase.

Overall

The kd 14 Tee is eco-friendly, comfortable, breathable, and fits well. Basically, everything you want in a t-shirt. The cost is a drawback, but my testing indicates the quality and durability over the long term will justify the price. You’ve just got to decide whether you’re willing to pay for quality t-shirts in the same way you pay more for quality materials on your shoes.

Nike Go FlyEase Performance Review

 The Nike Go FlyEase looks to be the most inclusive shoe of all time with its hands-free system. And because of that, we’re going to do something a little different with this review. Chris’ typical detailed look and review are included in the video above. But the text of this review comes from someone who needs what the Go FlyEase offers. Take it away Ryan:

I’m Ryan Jans. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and am physically differently abled. My reviews (both here and on my own site) focus on ease of entry and accessibility for people like me. Thanks to another member of the WearTesters Discord community, I was able to secure a pair of the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low University Gold

After some good wear time, my review is ready. And yes, the format will be slightly different than what you’re used to but that’s 100% because the use case for this shoe is also different. Keep reading for the inside scoop on this innovative shoe.

Introducing the Nike Go FlyEase

Nike always tries to push the envelope with new technologies in footwear. From the original waffle sole in the early 1970s which added traction for runners, to ZoomX foam in the mid 2021 that helped Eliud Kipchoge run the first ever sub 2 hour marathon, innovative design is in Nike’s DNA. Now, Nike’s designers have created the Nike Go FlyEase, the brand’s first ever hands-free shoe. But, is the Go FlyEase just a mere gimmick or is it a true innovation? Well, I aim to answer that question in this review.

Materials

The upper on the Nike Go FlyEase comes in two layers. The inner layer comes in a neoprene-like fabric that doubles as the liner. Outside of that is a very thin open mesh. Apart from that, there are some overlays for added durability and structure.

I really like the upper. It’s soft and breathable, great for the summer. This upper reminds me of the Primeknit upper found on the adidas Ultraboost 4.0 both in terms of out of the box softness and comfort. However, the Ultraboost 4.0’s upper is definitely thinner than the Go FlyEase’s upper.

Moving on to this shoe’s claim to fame: the hands-free FlyEase system. The midsole/outsole folds, making the midsole pop up. The outsole is a different color and has a cut out in the area that folds. A thick rubber band is found where the upper and sole meet. That rubber band provides the tension needed for the folding design.

Ease of Entry

How to put on the Nike Go FlyEase:

1. Fold shoe at heel area
   1. Heel should pop up
2. Slide toes in
3. Step down onto heel
   1. Heel should sink back down

How to take off the Nike Go FlyEase:

1. Place opposite toe into heel
2. Slowly slide toes out
   1. Heel should pop up

I’m impressed with the FlyEase system on the Go FlyEase. It works very well. I found it intuitive and had no trouble putting them on the first time. I’m worried about what might happen if the rubber band snaps. However, the rubber band seems to be well made and durable. Just be aware that snapping the rubber band is a possibility, but not a probability.

Cushion

The cushion setup on this shoe is simple. It’s just a full Cushlon foam midsole. Even though the midsole pops up, it’s not removable. Also, I don’t think an additional insole will work in these due to how the shoe opens.

I prefer softer foams, like adidas’ Boost or Jordan Zion 1. However, I think the underfoot cushion in the Go FlyEase is ok, but nothing too crazy. I can wear them all day long without too many complaints.

Traction

The traction pattern is all linear and the rubber used feels durable and grippy. The Go FlyEase’s traction is above average for everyday lifestyle wear. I didn’t slip in these at all.

Fit

Wide enough for most people. Length is perfect when you go true to size.

Support

There is no way to tighten the Go FlyEase’s fit. So, finding your right size is very important. Ordering true to size should prevent any heel slippage.

Overall

So, is the KD 14 a gimmick? In my opinion, no. Why? Because there’s a legitimate need for a shoe like the Go FlyEase. Most of that need comes from the differently abled community. So, if you’re like me and have a physical limitation, I highly recommend this pair. However if you are fully able, I would suggest you not buy the Go FlyEase and give someone who needs them (for the functionality) the chance to purchase a pair. I hope other brands will soon follow in Nike’s footsteps and make their own hands-free footwear.