My Thoughts on the Kobe I Protro and WhyNot Zero.1 Midway Review

 **damn, took the L today. Sorry but review on the Protro is not coming until a restock*

4/13* damn, took another L today. I’ll try again tomorrow*

4/14*you guessed it, another L and I was on SNKERS at 8:58 and clicked buy right away. Smh

If you didn’t know, I love the Kobe 11 and it still resides in my rotation even after 13 years.

 

If you didn’t read the Nike marketing press release here you go:

The key takeaway:

“We really wanted to make sure that the shoe looked exactly like the [Zoom Kobe] 1, but was built through the lens of performance athletes, specifically professional athletes on the NBA court,” says Grosso.

Another push was to improve the shoe’s cushioning. Nike Zoom Air has come a long way in the last 13 years and the team was able to use those advances to add a better system for performance athletes, specifically in the form of a Zoom bag setup with a rocker and ride that is smoother than the original. They were also able to improve the ride by eliminating foam and decreasing the size of the carbon fiber shank to create a more engineered feel.

So basically Nike Freak 3 is retroing the Kobe I and keeping the looks the same, while “improving” the cushioning for a smoother ride by making lower to the ground and taking away some of the carbon fiber shank which is 3/4 length (I got a peek at the shank when a pair of mine needed some extra glue).

What’s this mean performance wise

Not a whole lot of the USA colorway out there.

Probably very little. The rocker for the Zoom bag sounds interesting and I’m curious to see what it all means. Bleacher Report states it was full length Zoom but I’ll have to see for myself if that’s really the case (sorry BR I don’t trust your sneaker credentials). Cushioning is predominately preference but if it’s full length Zoom I may have a new old number one shoe again if it’s implemented right. Weight wise, I don’t see them cutting out more than an ounce if at all. Just because they say it doesn’t mean it’s true . Curry 3Zero anyone ?

I find it interesting that Nike did not “upgrade” the upper since air jordan 36 is about improving performance. Oh that’s right it doesn’t matter . Thanks for validating my point Nike. Flyknit is cheaper to make, thus the push of its “performance” benefits.

Regardless of what’s done or not, I’ll be trying to cop these even if I have way too many.

This was only what was close by didn’t go into storage to dig out the rest.

Jordan Why Not Zero.1

I got a hold of these thanks to an early release at a certain store that starts with an F which coincidentally gets the same grade for customer service. I’ve been playing in them for the past week and here is a quick rundown. I’ll have the full review done before this colorway releases.

Traction has been very good but I wouldn’t put in the top tier. It’s pretty grippy overall and doesn’t require much wiping thanks to the tiny blade pattern. Still very very good and consistent, let’s hope it gets a little better.

Cushioning has been disappointing so far. The Zoom is bottom loaded and I can feel it a little after a week but it isn’t anything close to the Jordans 2021 , Zoom BB or even the AJ XII feel. It does play very quick and is responsive though. I’m hoping it breaks in soon but so far it’s very Phylony with a touch of Zoom. It rides very low the ground though in the forefoot which I like a lot.

Fit is true to size no issues here. Almost overly tight.

Support and Stability are its greatest strengths. Very flat wide outsole and low feeling make this shoe feel very stable. Add in the huge heel counter and you’re good to go.

Containment is also very good thanks to the raised midsole that goes from heel to toe.

So far it’s a very good shoe thus far and does everything well. Check back next week and my full review should be done.

Li-Ning Yu Shuai 15 Performance Review

 Li-Ning shoes, due to their Chinese provenance, often fly under the radar. That’s changing a little because now most of their models are available worldwide on Amazon and all the Fit Sporting Goods  video that showcase the brand’s products. Li-Ning’s recent signing of NBA star Jimmy Butler is also catching people’s attention (as it should). And with Jimmy getting spotted playing in the Li-Ning Yu Shuai 15, people are asking, what are those? So let’s check out the 15th iteration of the Yu Shuai series, and find out if this model lives up to our standards.

Traction

The Li-Ning Yu Shuai 15 utilizes a multi-directional rubber outsole pattern. The pattern is spread out efficiently across the bottom of the shoe. While testing of this shoe was strictly outdoors, it’s without a doubt this traction would bite on any surface. The best thing is that it doesn’t attract dust. Not much wiping was needed to clear the traction. No matter how hard a cut I made, especially laterally, as well as on step-and-go pull-ups, the traction held when I needed it to. Simple and effective.

 

Cushion

Li-Ning uses its Boom (Pebax foam) Cushioning technology as well as their new Cloud foam to provide ample responsiveness. You may have heard of Boom and Cloud. They were used in the Li-Ning All-City Wade 9 as well as Nike Dunk A similar iteration of cushion technology but a different implementation. The cushion was solid and didn’t make my legs feel any fatigue after a few hours of play in a game setting. It’s not overly soft nor is it too firm, pretty much a solid happy medium for those that need something well-balanced.

Materials

Li-Ning introduces their Cool Shell upper which is supposed to assist in breathability along the upper, the tongue, and overall all around the shoe. Boom and Cloud were also utilized for proper cushioning as well as a torsion plate called Probar Loc. The rest of the shoe is made up of integrated TPU to protect high wear areas. There’s also a solid rubber outsole as well an internal heel counter for better stability. The Li-Ning Yu-Shuai 15 follows the mold of its previous models with some minor modifications to improve the overall shoe while removing some weight.

Fit

The fit of the Yu Shuai 15 is true to size, particularly for a wide footer like myself. Since a good amount of Asia-based sneaker brands are built on wider-last, those with slightly wider feet will enjoy the true to size fit. For those with a more narrow straight foot, you should be able to get away with a 1/2 size down or true to size with thicker socks.

Support

The support comes directly from the fit of the shoe itself. The shoe’s upper does take a little break-in time, but once broken in, the shoe will fit your feet extremely well. The impact absorption from the Boom and Cloud cushion gave me enough protection underfoot, while allowing me to move immediately without any type of drag or delay. The Yu Shuai 15 really cups your foot in place. You often find yourself forgetting the shoe is laced on tight. I do wish they added some ankle pillow cushion around the achilles area, however, it didn’t affect overall comfort. In addition, the traction was very solid on the outdoor blacktop as the rubber would scream to a halt (literally).

Overall

Overseas brands have really stepped up their game and taken it up a notch. The Li-Ning Yu Shuai 15 shows how far they’ve come. When you have a player like Jimmy Butler as the core athlete wearing the shoe, you have to deliver performance. When he’s not deep into his Big Face Coffee, you know Jimmy is serving buckets on-court.

I don’t get to try many overseas brands since large sizes sizing are often hard to find. However, I really enjoyed playing in the Freak 3 . As a big man who needs a decent amount of cushion I never felt super fatigued. That’s a definite breath of fresh air.

The biggest surprise was how well the shoe broke in and how easily it adapted to my foot. And I can’t say enough about the traction, because holy bejeez, on heavy lateral cuts the rubber screeched the floor as heavy as a Tokyo Drift.

Nice fit, good support, nice traction, solid shoe. No lie, the overall shoe kind of gives off an old school Hyperdunk vibe. I mean that in a good way. Li-Ning is really hitting its stride and I look forward to what they have coming in the future.

Mizuno Wave Sky 5 Performance Review

 Mizuno flies under the radar in terms of running shoe hype. The Mizuno Wave Sky 5 is their latest solid high-end everyday running shoe. We’ve previously called the Wave Sky line a good place to start if you’re trying Mizuno for the first time and that’s still true. Here’s why:

Pros

Let’s start with the cushion. Hello Enerzy. The bottom layer of foam surrounding the rubber pieces of the outsole is soft Enerzy foam. The embedded middle layer, a pink pop of color visible through the outsole, is a bouncier Enerzy core. The top layer is Wave Foam. Mizuno introduced Enerzy last year and is already proving to be their best cushioning asset. This was the liveliest Mizuno shoe I’ve worn. Mizuno is not known for bouncy shoes. But you get some nice energy return from the Wave Sky 5. I ran everything from easy runs to a 16 miler without any issues. The Wave Sky 5 can handle everything. It’s a shoe that doesn’t feel soft on foot but still really protects the legs when you go long. How Mizuno evolves Enerzy will be intriguing. It’s got promise as a versatile running cushion.

The upper also shifts dramatically from previous Wave Sky models. I think of this new upper as a hybrid of mesh and knit. Mizuno calls it Smooth Stretch Woven Mesh. It has a nice stretch even though it’s backed by a more traditional micro mesh. The stretch helps eliminate potential hotspots and makes the fit more accommodating. As usual, Mizuno offers a wide version for Men and Women, but if you’re not a true wide footer, the regular version will work. The Wave Sky 5 fits true to size so buy your typical running shoe size. I hope Mizuno keeps using Smooth Stretch Woven Mesh because my feet really enjoyed it.

Ample padding reinforces the heel to cushion the large heel counter and adds comfort alongside the nicely padded tongue. As usual, Mizuno’s support is strong. The Mizuno Wave Sky 5 is stable. Runners that detest the current trend towards super soft tippy shoes will appreciate the Mizuno DNA.

But going counter to the DNA also serves them well on occasion. Mizuno finally relented to customer feedback and brought the Wave Sky drop to 8mm, a much more typical drop than the 10mm used on previous Wave Sky models. Do those 2mm make a huge difference? No, not to most people. But for some it’ll feel just a little less slanty on foot.

All the pros are features that Mizuno tweaked and made better. It’s a good sign for the brand when the tinkering results in an all-around improvement.

Cons

The Mizuno Wave Sky 5 continues to be on the heavier end of the spectrum as shoes get lighter and lighter. I’m not one to particularly care about weight as long as the shoe does well with fit, comfort, and cushion. But some, especially smaller runners, intensely scrutinize shoe weights so I wanted to mention it.

The traction pattern durability isn’t great. The rubber itself is thick and will last 300-500 miles but you’ll lose the ribbed pattern on your high wear areas after 20-25 miles. The rubber compound itself grips well and I experienced very little slippage. So while the outsole works, I know plenty of runners who will be concerned with how quickly the outsole frays and loses its pattern. I don’t think it’s a long term issue due to the quality and thickness of the rubber, but it’s something to be aware of before you start racking up miles.

The only other concern was some lace slippage on longer sweat-soaked summer runs. If you’re running in the south, be sure to double knot.

Overall

The Mizuno Wave Sky 5 absolutely nails fit, comfort, and cushion but is a little heavy and has some outsole durability concerns. At $170, it slots in the $150-$180 for high end cushioned neutral everyday running shoes. Would I like the value better at $150 or $160? Yes I would. But, if you need something supportive and extremely comfortable, you should consider the Wave Sky 5.

adidas Exhibit A Performance Review

 The adidas Exhibit A, the brand’s latest team basketball shoe, has landed. Thanks to the power of the internet, I was able to grab a pair for testing and a timely performance review.

Is this “successor” to the kd 14 worth the time of players with an interest in the silhouette? Time to share some thoughts and experiences.

Traction

A full-length collection of diamonds make up the outsole pattern of the Exhibit A. Though all are placed in one direction, the hollowed-out shape provides coverage whether you are moving forward, backward, side-to-side, or diagonally.

The second layer of tread should provide a buffer as far as durability. Without playing outdoors, I haven’t had any issues burning through the first layer.

I primarily play on two well-finished floors — one usually swept often, one dustier. On the latter, a light wiping of the outsole is necessary once or twice during each game. When the traction is clean, a reliable bite is typically present on the Exhibit A.

Cushion

Full-length Lightstrike, a lightweight EVA compound, makes up the midsole of the Exhibit A. Lightstrike has been a mixed bag in my experience. In my opinion, the Exhibit cushion falls somewhere in the “adequate” category.

A slight, not abundant, amount of cushion is felt. Mostly what you’re getting in this midsole is lightweight stability in the forefoot with just a touch more impact protection in the heel.

It’s far from the best we have gotten from the Lightstrike compound, but as far as getting the job done underfoot for a couple of hours of play, the adidas Exhibit A fits the bill.

Materials

A modern, lightweight textile blended with recycled content makes up the upper. I’m happy adidas went with a more comfortable half-bootie construction instead of the elastic midfoot bands used a lot lately.

The yeezy 350 mesh layer of the upper with fuse overlays reminds me heavily of the rebooted UA Spawn line aesthetically. More importantly, the materials work well on-court.

With the Exhibit A, you can expect minimal break-in time, a better fitting midfoot (compared to past adidas team models), and well-placed protection from wear and tear.

Fit

If you’re not a wide footer, you’ll want to consider going at least a half-size down from your true US size. I actually played in a full-size down from my US size and had a decent experience, but that may be pushing it for some — the back of the shoe sculpting may irritate the Achilles area due to the decrease in length.

I now have a second pair at a half size down, which is my preference. However, the fact I was even comfortable giving a full-size down a blind chance (not to mention it working out for me) says a lot about how sizing has been inconsistent across adidas basketball models. But hey, if it works, it works.

Support

When you can find a good fit in adidas hoop models from the last few years, support is one of the more consistent aspects of the brand. That’s no different on the Exhibit A.

adidas does the base of a hoop shoe about as good or better than anyone. What I like most about the Exhibit A is the heel support. Not only does the external heel clip remind me of something minimal but effective like the Nike Kobe 6, but it’s strengthened up even more with the addition of an internal heel counter.

I appreciated the skin TPU overlays, which add support in addition to durability. But again, having a good fit really brought everything else together as far as support goes.

Overall

The adidas Exhibit A is a surprisingly refreshing model. It manages to offer much of the same from some of my favorite recent pairs from the brand (adidas Dame 7, adidas D.O.N. Issue #3) in a lighter, faster package.

Had the Lightstrike midsole offered a little more balance between bounce and stability, this might have been a contender. Even without great cushion, I think many can expect a reliable shoe that doesn’t get in the way of focusing on your game.

York Athletics Henry Runner Review

 York Athletics is a young brand out of New York City with deep family sportswear roots and an “Everyday Fighter” slogan. It’s a catchy line. And you know we love testing new shoe brands here at WearTesters. The industry needs more small, independent brands. Today we try the York Athletics Henry Runner, the brand’s flagship, do everything, shoe. Let’s see how it performs on the streets and in the gym.

Pros

The York Athletics Henry Runner is a gym/running/casual shoe in the same category as the On Jordan 11. Kind of a do everything well while looking good type of shoe. York recommends the shoe for shorter runs and all-purpose training. And yeah, that’s about right. The cushion is a thin layer of EVA with an Ortholite insole. That level of cushion can’t handle much more than a couple miles at a time.

Personally, I didn’t love running in the Henry. But the flat, wide base was great for the gym. And they look great. It’s a shoe you can wear to the gym and then out on the town right afterwards (shower first please).

A bonus for gym goers is the traction. It’s a really nice rubber, and though it’s a little hard, it grips well. It’s probably not a great rainy day shoe due to the hardness of the rubber but it’ll last a while. You can tell the company is based in NYC because the outsole is built for lots of city walking.

The Henry is also fairly lightweight and the upper, again like On, is made with typical running shoe materials but made to feel super premium. The large dual-layered open cell mesh upper is very breathable and looks better than a shoe packing so much mesh should. The padded oval laces, higher end synthetic suede tongue and eyelets, and leather pull tab all add a little something to the mix. And they seem so premium even though the toe cap and stitch line mid-foot are covered in fuse. Great job by York to make these feel so premium for $120.

Cons

There’s not a lot to complain about here. York is honest about what the shoe can and can’t do. Yes, the cushion isn’t built for runs longer than a mile or two but that’s typical of new shoe brands. Cushion technology is super expensive and it usually takes a while for a young brand to level up its cushioning game. If you think of the Henry Runner as gym/casual shoe, you’ll have the proper expectations.

Although, I need to point out that you shouldn’t use the fit finder on the Dunk Low. It’s almost impossible to get it to work right. It kept recommending random shoe sizes that weren’t even in the range of possibility. I went true to size with what I normally wear in Nike, New Balance, and Puma. My typical size felt perfect.

Other York Athletics Shoes

The Henry Runner does comes in a sweatshirt version. That’s a recipe for a foul smelling shoe so I didn’t have them send it to me for testing. But if you like that kind of material, it’s very rare to find it on a shoe.

The York Athletics Frank Trainer features an engineered mesh upper and a leather stability cage. It’s got the same midsole/outsole as the Henry Runner but a more slipper like fit. Think of it as a beefed up version of the Kyrie 7. It’s $145 and justifies the increased price over the Henry Runner by upleveling the materials and including more premium leather. This is a shoe that’s great for office wear if you can go casual or business casual at work. Then, on the way home, it handles the afternoon workout so there’s no need to pack an extra pair.

The York Athletics Gail Recovery Trainer is the a slip on casual shoe. The fit is really nice and it looks good. Definitely worth consideration if you’re in the market for a casual slip on shoe that’s got a unique look.

Overall

I’m a fan of what York Athletics is doing. The York Athletics Henry Runner a niche shoe but doesn’t overpromise and underdeliver like so many other shoes. York is aware of what’s possible at this point in the young brand’s lifecycle and delivers an experience that’s well worth the money.

Nike Kyrie Low 4 Performance Review

 The Nike Kyrie Low 4 is the most recent silhouette released from Nike and Kyrie Irving in this part of 2021. The fourth iteration of the low-cut but middle-tier Kyrie model deviates slightly from it’s predecessors and visually aligns more towards the mainline Nike Kyrie 7. Aesthetics aside, however, we now are able to provide a performance review on the Kyrie Low 4.

Traction

Nike Kyrie Low 4 and previously released Nike Kyrie 7 feature the same outsole. If you’re not familiar with the Kyrie 7 outsole, it’s a computational pattern with thick, deep, tread, and oddly…durability issues.

The pair tested featured an XDR outsole with nearly 100% indoor play so it’s difficult to compare durability to the same outsole with standard rubber. As far as general performance, however, you can expect the same consistent reliability that has become a staple across multiple Kyrie signature lines.

Cushion

What you get in the midsole of the Kyrie Low 4 is a rather dense Cushlon foam compound and a small amount of Zoom coverage in the forefoot. Fortunately, there is an abundance of court feel which reduces clunk and enhances transition. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a whole lot protecting against impact, so you may want to look elsewhere if that is a priority.

Materials

A “grid-patterned mesh” is the main material used on the Kyrie Low 4 which is great for flexibility and breathability but also makes getting your preferred fit vital as it’s not designed to stretch like many other textiles or raw materials over time.

The use of ripstop-like materials and lightweight plastics epitomize modern performance basketball footwear, but that is not necessarily a the bad thing in the case of the Kyrie Low 4. The secure, yet mostly minimal nature of the upper truly feels like an extension of the foot and hardly leaves room to think about what you are wearing on-court.

Fit

Though the pair I tested at a half-size smaller than my true size worked for me, I firmly believe most will prefer a little more breathing room at the toe by going true to size, so that’s my recommendation.

At a half size down, the fit works for me once warmed up, but there will be a little more room for toe-splay in a slightly bigger size, considering the strength of the textile upper. Wide footers, try in-store if possible, or have a full understanding of return policies. I lean towards recommending a half size up for a wider foot – the TPU forefoot overlays could potentially warrant the need to size up.

Support

For a shoe that is so light in weight and not the widest, the Kyrie Low 4 does a fantastic job in terms of support.

The low-profile ride, strength in materials, and a proper fit will all combine to give an ultra-secure ride in all directions on-court.

I’m happy to report no issues with heel slip due to a strong internal heel counter. Even though I do not believe there is an internal shank for torsional support, one benefit is that the denser Cushlon midsole makes up for it – whether intentional or not. I’m very happy with how the Nike air force 1 supports the foot.

Overall

The Nike Kyrie Low 4 won’t make the top of my list of favorite performers this year, but it is by no means a disappointment overall. In some ways, it was fun at times.

While I was disappointed with the cushion specifically, I imagine many players will (and may already) enjoy the smooth, lightweight setup both from the midsole and the entire shoe.

In summary, it’s a decent performing silhouette at a reasonable price. You may want to avoid outdoor use just in case the outsole is not able to last, but otherwise, this pair of shoes fits in line very well with what we’ve come to expect from Kyrie’s collection of sneakers by Nike.

Nike Zoom Lebron V Performance Review

 Love him or hate him, it is more than safe to say that Lebron James is in the conversation for GOAT. I mean the guy averaged a triple double in the finals against the Warriors and we barely batted an eye. When phenomenal numbers becomes pedestrian, you need to appreciate it before it’s gone,  that’s all I’m saying.

One the other hand or foot,  his signature line has been more about showcasing jordan 11 cool grey technology than creating an aesthetically pleasing shoe. Some of the shoes performed well on court but for the most part Lebron sneaker reception has been luke warm aside from the consumers buying the Lebron name. Despite rarely being in the mix for favorite or most memorable Lebron sneaker, the Lebron V performs very well on the court even if it’s weight was Cleveland Shaq-like.

Pros: traction, cushioning, fit, support and stability, containment

Cons: starts a little clunky but breaks in, more support than some may want, heavy

Best For: bigger players

Weight

19 ounces in a size 11. Pretty much 5-6 ounces heavier than today’s average shoe.

Traction

As I’ve I’ve said in past reviews, traction has never seemed to be a strength of the Lebron line but the V is an exception to the rule even if it’s not perfect. I’ll call this a sun ray pattern and it works well on clean and lightly dusty floors but still needs wiping on dusty floors. The rubber compound is soft and pliable while the blades are abundant. Overall though the pattern works well and is definitely one of the best of the  Lebron signature line.

Cushioning
Legit Zoom! That’s all I want Nike. It isn’t super soft like the KD IX or PG 5 ut it’s the feeling I associate with Zoom. I’ve read it’s full length Zoom and double stacked in the heel but it doesn’t feel like the double stacked Zoom to me. (Thanks to reader Danimal  for the correction). Doesn’t look like it either based on this video

Lebrons have always used a lot of cushioning. Have you ever seen what the Zoom looked like on the Lebron II? Amazing. That’s like two and half pairs of today’s shoes worth of Zoom.

Thanks to my buddy Ben for the pic, I’ll fix them next time I see you.

Fit

True to size although the V looks big on foot due to the endoskeleton design. I have my normal finger width at the toe box and as a wide footer, these fit great because Nike didn’t stray from what works.

Lacing up the LBJ V reminds me a lot of how the HD 2016 just wraps up the foot and pulls the ankle back. In addition the strap adds some additional lockdown thanks to its placement right across the ankle.

There is also plenty of padding in the heel to help with comfort and lockdown.

Once laced and strapped, the V just doesn’t let go. Note to shoe companies, get the basics down first before venturing into new and “better”.

Materials

Check out the quadruple stitching. Ah, when Nike really gave a sh*t about quality or at least the appearance of quality

PETA would highly disapprove of the suede and leather on the V. My sweat glands also disapproved due to being overworked.
There is nowhere for heat to go except the tongue. I highly do not recommend wearing these outdoors in the hot sun unless you want your feet to melt off. If you want a luxurious feel, you use leather simple as that. If you disagree, let me know when mesh is an upgrade on a car. Ahhh the sweet smell of mesh.

Support and Stability

Just plain fantastic, maybe even over done by a hair. The V feels a little clunky to start but once you get used to the feel, you can ball out without fear. The key design feature of the Jordans 2021 is the Phyposite Skelton.

Rather than submerge the entire shoe in a Posite variant, Nike just made a skeleton to add strength and structure to the Lebron V.  You can literally see it from heel to toe.

All the white portions are Phyposite. 

Below: more Posite on the medial side that you can see connects to the lateral side. 

The foot just slides into the V and deep into the endoskeleton and really keeps the foot from moving around excessively. Some players will want more freedom and flexibility but for safety purposes the V is great. No issues at all with stability either due to a flat outsole.

In addition to the skeleton, Nike added a carbon fiber shank for midfoot support.

I can safely say the Lebron V is the antithesis to the Mamba Instinct in terms of support. Don’t buy a Prius to do the job of Ford F-150. As I work my way back, I plan on using these and the Curry 2 because I know I can trust them.

Containment 

The Lebron signature line rarely disappoints here and the V is no different. There isn’t a need for any external raises midsole since the skelton keeps the foot in place on hard cuts. Lovely just lovely.

Conclusion 

I watch a lot of hoops and Lebron has done a lot of great things over the past fourteen years but I can’t remember a signature moment when he was wearing the V. I’m sure he did something monumental but the shoe itself gets lost in the shuffle of his sneaker hierarchy. What I do remember is these sitting on the Finishline clearance rack and still passing on them for $69 bucks. Even today these don’t go for much more than $125 on eBay deadstock.

Overall, I don’t feel the V gets the respect it deserves. I put the V at number two behind the II in terms of overall performance. Certain Lebrons do some things better but none really do everything well like the II and V. If you feel nostalgic or want a good performer that I guarantee that nobody else will wearing, scour eBay and get the Lebron V.