Puma Playmaker Pro Performance Review

 Great traction and materials for $80. Cushioning offers little in the form of impact protection, but a good basketball shoe for the price.

Release Date: 2022

Price: $80

7/10

Total Score

 

Weight and Sizing

 

The Puma Playmaker Pro is Puma Hoops’ current most-budget model and one more piece of evidence that Puma actually puts some TLC into the design of every single one of their hoop shoes.

Nowadays, you, unfortunately, can’t ask for much from an $80 basketball shoe, and there isn’t much in the Puma Playmaker Pro, to be perfectly honest. But the design team for this shoe really did get the most out of this model. The Puma Playmaker Pro is currently being worn on NBA courts by the Boston Celtics’ top defensive weapon, Marcus Smart, so keep that in mind. If it works in the NBA, it can work for you.

Spanish review

The pair I tested was provided by the good people over at Bouncewear, one of the top online basketball stores in Europe, with physical locations in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg, with more locations soon to come. So with all that being said, let’s jump into the performance review

Traction

The traction would be this shoe’s top feature if it hadn’t been for the materials, but more on that later. This shoe features a solid rubber outsole, with a diamond-shaped matrix traction pattern, which personally reminds me of a basketball net.

This matrix configuration grips the court very well and has excellent multidirectional coverage. The diamonds along the sole deform depending on the section of the shoe to give you a better grip for the specific moves you make with that portion of your foot. They stretch out vertically on the lateral side of the shoe (to aid in defensive slides and such) and horizontally in the forefoot (to help with moves like stepbacks, hard plants, etc.).

Now, I would not suggest using this shoe outdoors. The rubber is too soft, and the pattern on my pair already has signs of fraying after just a couple of outdoor sessions. The pattern is somewhat deep set, so it should take some time to wear down, but again, if you are asking me, this is an indoor shoe.

Cushion

The cushioning on the Puma Playmaker Pro was the most disappointing feature of the shoe for me, but that was mainly because of my preconceptions regarding Puma’s ProFoam.

The Playmaker Pro features a full-length slab of ProFoam for cushioning. I have tested ProFoam before in one of my favorite basketball shoes of the year, the Puma TRC Blaze Court. That shoe is super bouncy underfoot and just feels great. It features a ProFoam midsole and Trinomic cushioning in the heel and forefoot.

So when I saw that this shoe had ProFoam, I figured the cushioning would be similar. But it’s definitely nothing alike.

The Playmaker Pro’s impact protection is minimal, and the ProFoam feels very neutral, almost to the point of being “dead.” The setup isn’t terrible, it’s very stable and reactive and feels agile, but again this is not a shoe for outdoors, or even a slightly hard indoor court. Parquet and mushy PVC courts only for these guys.

Materials

This is easily my favorite part of the shoe. There is nothing premium about the materials, but similar to another great Puma model from this year, the Puma Court Rider 2, the choice of materials and the implementation make the shoe feel great in hand.

We have a primarily textile upper with some synthetic leather overlays and some hits of actual suede. The “leather” overlays are placed in sections of the shoe to add durability and containment to the shoe, and just make you feel like your money is well spent. I can’t explain it any other way.

It also gives the shoe serious, early-2000s vibes, which is all I want from a shoe materials-wise.

Support

The shoe really doesn’t feature any groundbreaking tech support-wise, but everything on the shoe works together to offer a really secure feeling ride. The traction is grippy and offers a very wide and stable base to the shoe. The cushioning, though lacking in impact protection, is super stable as the materials give structure and containment to the upper. Finally, we have a couple of lace cables and a run-of-the-mill heel counter for extra lockdown.

Again nothing remarkable, but no complaints either.

Fit

The Puma Playmaker Pro fits true to size, so go with whatever size you usually use with Puma. The shoe doesn’t have that perfect performance you will find in the LeBron 20 for example, but it isn’t a sloppy fit, nor does it negatively affect performance.

On a positive note, however, the extra space should accommodate wide footers well, and the decoupled tongue should allow ankle brace users to adjust the fit easily.

Overall

To keep it short and sweet, I don’t think there is a better shoe that retails for $80. Is it the best shoe I have ever tested? No. But I did like the shoe, and if you are looking for a reactive shoe with great traction for indoor use that won’t break the bank, this is a good option. 

Now, I will say that if you can get a good deal on a better performance model, that would be the best move.

Nike Zoom GT Cut 2 Performance Review

 The Nike Zoom GT Cut 2 is a much-anticipated basketball shoe because of the first edition’s awesomeness. We think it will do well as a successor.

Colorway: Summit White/Metallic Summit White/White

Release Date: 2022

Price: $150

8.5/10

Total Score

The Nike GT Cut was a hit for everyone as far as performance went and made our Best Basketball Shoes list. It was so much of a hit that people started to hoard the shoe, and resell prices skyrocketed. Some pairs now go upwards of $1000. Its successor, the Nike Zoom GT Cut 2, keeps many features people loved about the previous iteration and upgrades others. Stay tuned for the upcoming performance review.

Traction

Stan: The Nike Zoom GT Cut 2 is an upgrade over its predecessor. That ‘Smear’ traction wrapped around the forefoot area really grips the ground well along with the heel and toe nubs. However, don’t expect it to last long on outdoor courts because it’ll wear down quickly.

Cushion

Stan: Full-length React midsole cushion with a small embedded hex heel zoom air pod and full-length Zoom strobel – what a combo. Slightly different from the 1st gen model, but the amount of impact protection the shoe provided allows me to ball for a good period of time without the knee pain after. Solid implementation and upgrade even while the React felt a little firmer. I felt low to the ground, had control of my movements, and never had really to second guess my movements, minus one caveat I’ll get to later.

Materials

Stan: Um.. wish I could skip this, but I wouldn’t mind that if Nike added more neoprene padded material to the upper along the tongue and toe box again. Because of the change to a more breathable textile mesh, you want to subtract the weight. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I’d expect better materials for the Nike Zoom GT Cut 2’s high price point.

Fit

Stan: I went true to size with the Nike Zoom GT Cut 2, and lengthwise it fits great. I do prefer a thumbs length worth of room, and that’s what I got. I’d say the fit would be great, minus the lack of wrap-around material on the tongue. The lack of material allowed my foot around the ankle area to shift too much, not providing ample lockdown until I wore ankle braces to fill in the dead space. Not only was it dangerous on the initial play, but it also made me second-guess my lateral movements and foot pressure on pivots while being afraid of a potential ankle sprain. If the tongue material were wrapped around more like the original GT Cut, the problem would be solved.

Support

Stan: The support comes mainly from the fit, which, again, if you’ve read above, the lack of material /dead space really threw me off my game until I wore braces to fill in the space. The traction and the cushion of the Nike Zoom GT Cut 2 were all fantastic, so there are no questions or doubts about those parts.

Nike Zoom GT Cut 2 Overall

Stan: Is the Nike Zoom GT Cut 2 a possible successor? I’d say yes with a huge asterisk. Again, the issue I have may not affect everyone, however, when I start to second guess my moves, it’s a red flag for sure. And for those suggesting double socks, that would affect the length of the shoe with additional material as well as adding more heat retention.

Nike had a good thing going for them, if they only stuck with that wider tongue wrap-around from the first version to fill in the gap around the ankle, I’d say we’d have an absolute top 2 or 3 performance shoe of the year. It takes a lot for me to give such high praise for a shoe (I mean, take a look at the 6 pairs of the Nike GT Cut 1 that I own, that says something). Here’s to hoping Swoosh pays attention to those little details that make a world of a difference. I’m anxious to see the next iteration of the GT Cut (with proper modifications) don’t make me wait too long… I’m ready.

Nike Air Max Impact 4 Performance Review

 The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is the best budget basketball shoe on the market today, a great outdoor option, and just a great performance basketball shoe.

Release Date: 2022

Price: $90

 

The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is like that dorky-looking kid on the local courts that you think you can clown but who ends up dunking on you and sends you home packing. This budget model is an unassuming banger, and it gets extra points precisely because of this. I’m a sucker for a hoop shoe that looks like a plain jane and then comes in and knocks it out of the park.

The Air Jordan 3 was already an awesome performance basketball shoe, and the Air Max Impact 4 brings back everything that was great from that shoe and incorporates a couple of improvements. And it does all of that at a cheaper price than its predecessor! I live in Spain, and the Air Max Impact 4 is 6 bucks cheaper than the Air Max Impact 3. In the US, they’re the same price, but still…

In any case, let’s dive into the performance review to see why I’m so hyped about this shoe.

Traction

The traction makes you wonder why Nike ever uses a different pattern and rubber compound. We have an aggressive and deeply set full-length herringbone traction pattern that gives you really great multi-directional coverage. It’s the same exact setup as on the Impact 3, so if you had that shoe you know exactly what I am talking about. The rubber compound is grippy and tough and worked great indoors and outdoors.

This combo also makes the Air Max Impact 4 a really wonderful outdoor option as well as far as traction goes (spoiler alert, everything else on the shoe also makes it a great outdoor option). The rubber gripped very well when I played outdoors, and that strong rubber and the thickness of the pattern all added durability while playing on the blacktop.

Cushion

The cushioning setup is, again, the same as on the Impact 3, which is great news. The cushioning on that model was amazing for a budget model, and the same is true on the Air Max Impact 4.

You get a full-length phylon foam midsole, and a large Air Max Unit in the heel. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill phylon. It feels much closer to Cushlon than in other setups. It feels bouncy and reactive underfoot, which is great for forefoot heavy moves like sprints or changes of direction.

The Air Max Unit in the heel feels great if you make it work, but I personally don’t use my heel much when I play, so I really didn’t feel it too much. But I’m happy that it’s there just in case I need that extra bit of cushion I might not be 100% aware of most of the time.

Materials

In my reviews, I’m normally negative when brands overuse cheaper synthetic materials. I always try to be fair and say that performance wise it worked well yada, yada, yada…but in this case, I’m not even going to do that.

The Air Max Impact 4 is a budget model, so it has budget-appropriate materials that worked very well. Nike even improved the materials from the Impact 3 to the Impact 4. They used a tighter weaved textile along the upper that improves lockdown and added some fuse overlays on the lateral side of the forefoot to boost lateral containment.

Support

Support on the Air Max Impact 4 is also on point. You have 4 rubber lateral containment pieces: 2 in the heel and 2 in the forefoot. Also, you have an internal web (that is visible through the outer mesh of the shoe on the more colorful colorways) that keeps your foot securely on the footbed. For a little added support and containment there are two lace cables, as well as two outriggers.

Everything about the support is enhanced by the use and placement of the materials as well as the fit.

Fit

This is one of the better-fitting shoes I have tested recently. The Nike Air Max Impact 4 offers a great 1-to-1 fit and requires little to no break-in time.

Overall

The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is just a great performance basketball shoe, and it improves on an already great shoe, the Nike Air Max 3. It’s definitely my favorite budget basketball shoe so far this season as well as my go-to outdoor option. I’m having a hard time at the moment keeping it out of my current top 5.

I personally enjoy the fact that the shoe is so plain and “under the radar” and packs such a performance punch, and it does have the “what are those?” factor.

If you are looking for a great performance basketball shoe that won’t break the bank, there’s no better option.

 

Asics Superblast Performance Review

The new max stack running shoe category is growing like crazy, and with the Asics Superblast, Asics enters the category like the Kool-Aid man busting through a wall. At WearTesters, we love both the Asics Metaspeed Sky+ and the Asics Novablast 3. So when Asics told us the Superblast is a hybrid forged from both those high-performance (and highly-rated) running shoes, we were all in.

Of course, that also upped our expectations to possibly unreachable levels. Can the Asics Superblast deliver performance that matches or exceeds its high-performing parents? That, my friends, is what we’re here to find out.

Asics Superblast

Release Date: December 1, 2022

Price: $220

Weight: Men’s 8.4 oz., Women’s 7.5 oz.

Drop: 8mm (37.5mm forefoot, 45.5mm heel)

Sizing: True to size

• Rundown: The Asics Superblast is a fun, versatile, and lightweight shoe with a price that will make you hesitate even though it’s a great shoe.

Pros

Drew: When I first saw this shoe in August at Asics America HQ, my jaw dropped. The Asics Superblast is a fast (and cool) looking shoe. And all that stack looked heavenly.

I’m glad to report that it just doesn’t look heavenly. It feels awesome underfoot. Asics took two great foams, FF Blast+ and FF Blast Turbo, and created a soft midsole that’s not too squishy nor unstable. It’s got a nice bounce and speeds up nicely. The rocker shape, looking very similar to the Metaspeed Sky+, feels smooth from the moment you touch down to when you toe off the ground.

I know some people are bemoaning the lack of a carbon fiber plate, but honestly, it’s nice to have a non-plated option in the market. The running shoe industry is plate crazy these days, but sometimes the stiffness of a plate is just too much. A shoe packing a mountain of soft foam and no plate fills a need for runners who just don’t need or love carbon fiber plates.

Above that glorious midsole is an upper that looks like a Metaspeed but is better. It’s still light and plenty breathable, but it’s more comfortable. The gusseted and well-padded, almost neoprene tongue has a lot to do with it. It’s luxurious compared to the tongues on the Novablast 3 and Metaspeed Sky+. It’s a small tweak that pays dividends on long runs. The upper also has plenty of room for feet to expand…making it pretty wide-foot-friendly. It’s always nice when a shoe accommodates lots of foot types without the upper flexing weirdly when the shoe is laced up tight. It’s just great upper construction all around.

Even with the great midsole and upper, the Nike Lebron 20 feels really light. It’s light enough, protective enough, and bouncy enough that I can see people using it as their marathon racing shoe. I even think friend of WearTesters and running shoe reviewer, Kofuzi, is planning to use the Asics Superblast when he runs the California International Marathon (CIM) in December. If someone who has all the super shoes chooses the Asics Superblast as his marathon shoe, that’s a huge endorsement of its abilities.

Tyler: Over the last few months, one of my favorite running shoes has been the Asics Novablast 3, and before that, it was the Asics Glideride 3, so I’ve been a big fan of what the brand has been churning out, and aside from a few small hiccups with the sizing of the Glideride 3, I’ve put a ton of miles in Asics shoes this year. So when the Asics Superblast came in, I was optimistic. My closet is full of plated shoes and this seemed to be just what I would gravitate toward to even out my rotation.

Out of the box, the shoe is extremely light, even in my size 13, and that weight shows (or doesn’t show?) on foot. At no point in any of my runs did I ever feel like the shoe was bulky, even though, in hand, it was quite chunky. But, I was more impressed with the ride than anything and assume it’s the combination of the foams and slight rocker, as Drew alluded to. Even more enjoyable was the toe-off – while the plush cushioning in the forefoot resulted in a nice ride, it is one of the smoothest and most stable experiences when transitioning off your toes.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the upper. Oh, this fantastic upper. It’s almost like something NASA designed. It’s soft, yet structured. It’s comfortably rigid, yet pliable and giving. It’s breathable. Most of all, it’s forgiving and simple. From a design standpoint, I can’t wait to see upcoming colorways, but from a functionality standpoint, this upper may be one of the best on any running shoes I’ve slipped into over the last 2-3 years.

It’s also worth mentioning the flair that accompanied the Asics Superblast. In the box, the paper mimics a newspaper, reading “SUPERBLAST HAS ARRIVED!” with a few “stories” about the shoe. Also included were three pins. It’s the small details like this that make an unboxing experience fun and shows the Asics team knows how to surprise and delight.

Cons

Drew: There are a few things to mention here though not everyone will view each of them as true negatives. I know I don’t.

First, the laces are a bit too long. Seeing as how this shoe can be a race-day option, I’d have liked a little less length. No one likes laces flopping around like crazy when they’re trying to go fast.

Second, I know people had issues with the traction of the Asics Novablast 3, so Asics worked to improve that experience by using AHAR+ rubber on the Asics Superblast. For me, it made a difference in terms of gripping the ground. I experienced only minor slippage with the Novablast 3, likely due to my size, and none, even in wet, rainy conditions in the Superblast. However, the traction pattern itself is still the same. If you had trouble with the Novablast 3 traction, this may not be the shoe for you.

Third, the price. The Asics Superblast is $220. AJ has the unfortunate luck of being one of the first to launch a high-end shoe with post-inflation-driven cost increases. I expect a lot of shoes in 2023 to feel expensive. Is the Superblast actually expensive, though? After a lot of thought, I don’t think so. The only thing that’s missing from what would otherwise be a $250 super shoe is the carbon fiber plate. Everything else is included. Paying $30 extra for a carbon fiber plate feels about right. But I’ve always thought of the super foams being the main source of extra cost, not the plate. It may be difficult for others to reframe their thinking with that in mind.

Tyler: The elephant in the room (and across Instagram comments) is my only con: the price. $220 is STEEP. When Nike released the ZoomX Invincible Run, that $180 price point was a lot to stomach, and while I do think the Superblast is a superior shoe to the Invincible, another $40 is borderline ridiculous. I don’t care that it’s not plated, but it’s just downright expensive. I’ve wracked my brain on the pricing strategy here and still come up short.

Asics Superblast Summary

Drew: The Asics Superblast is a fun, versatile shoe that I can use for anything from easy miles to workouts to races. It’s so light it feels like a race day shoe, it’s soft but stable, and even without the plate, it has a nice pop. While you may do a double take at the price, I think it’s worth it. You’re getting a really good shoe for the money. And what’s more, you’re getting a shoe with a ride that will make you want to run more often.

Tyler: I think Drew hits on every single point that you should take into consideration here. The Superblast is such a solid, versatile, and light shoe, and continues to create a lot of enjoyment during each run, but I can’t get on board with recommending it at its price point. If you’re in the Novablast 3 (or have thought about the Novablast 3), I think that’s the route to go (I also think they underpriced the Novablast 3, so maybe that’s their pricing strategy, now that I think about it). So, while you won’t capture all of the magic of the Asics Superblast, you’ll get damn close and have one of the best shoes of 2022.

Nike Infinity Pro 2 Performance Review

 Golf shoes are steadily becoming less traditional looking. The Nike Infinity Pro 2 is Nike’s response to consumer demand for a golf shoe that looks and performs like a running shoe. On the surface, the Nike Infinity Pro 2 does share some characteristics to Nike’s lineup of running shoes, but that’s only half the battle. A golf shoe is effectively worthless if it can’t pull its weight in the on-course performance test.

Can a golf shoe that looks and performs like a running shoe possibly be the shoe you’ve been looking for? Or is the idea of blending both running and golf into one shoe just a marketing gimmick? Let’s find out.

Nike Infinity Pro 2

Price: $110

Sizing: Runs small; go up 1/2 size.

• Rundown: This budget-friendly shoe is jam-packed with cushion, but it’s the traction that really shines. Be wary of the narrow and short fit.

Pros

• Cushion
• Traction
• Price

Cons

• Fit

Pros

Cushion

Nike designed the Infinity Pro 2 with the idea that it should look and perform like a modern running shoe. This really shows up in the traction department. Nike packed the Infinity Pro 2 with a beefy React Foam midsole that’s both bouncy and responsive.

Both on and off the course, React is one of my favorite foams, but I did find this particular setup to be more firm than I’m used to. If you’re a fan of firm and supportive cushioning, the Nike Infinity Pro 2 is absolutely a champion in this regard. You should have no problem walking 18 holes in this shoe!

Traction

I don’t really know how to describe the traction on the Nike Infinity Pro 2, but it flat-out works. It’s a very low-profile pattern made of flexible rubber and some funky-looking grooves. Even still, I found it to be perfectly grippy on both dry and wet surfaces.

Nike made it a point to keep the spikeless traction on the Infinity Pro 2 versatile so that you can wear these “casually” after your round. I found this to be true. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to change shoes after your round before you head to the restaurant or bar, the Lebron 20 makes the transition from the course to the concrete pretty seamless.

Price

Price is often overlooked, especially in the game of golf. It’s expensive to start the game, and I’m all for any shoe that lowers that barrier to entry. The retail price of the Nike Infinity Pro 2 is $110, which by golf shoe industry standards is pretty darn low.

Most “budget” shoes I’ve tested hover around the $130 price range. At the time of writing this, you can find a few colorways of the Infinity Pro 2 for less than $100. At that price point, these are extremely easy to recommend.

Cons

Fit

The issues with the fit of the Nike Infinity Pro 2 are partially my fault; Nike did mention that the shoe runs small on their website, and I just skipped over that part. The Infinity Pro 2 fits at least 1/2 size small, and is pretty narrow, too.

If you can try this on, I’d highly recommend it. If trying on isn’t an option, I’d suggest going up at least 1/2 size or buying the wide version (only one colorway available) for those of you with wide feet.

I will also mention that most modern golf shoes have gone to a one-piece construction, whereas the Infinity Pro 2 features a detached, more traditional tongue. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, but I did find the tongue caused some irritation to my ankles.

Nike Infinity Pro 2 Summary

Can a shoe that looks and feels like a running shoe hold its own on the golf course? Absolutely. The Nike Infinity Pro 2 is proof that golf doesn’t have to look or feel traditional.

Don’t let the marketing lingo scare you; the Nike Infinity Pro 2 is a very solid golf shoe at an amazing price point. You’re going to want to grab a pair of these, especially if you can catch them on sale!

Nike MC Trainer 2 Performance Review

 Rundown: The Nike MC Trainer 2 is a good shoe with weaknesses that might deter some people from purchasing.

Release Date: 2022

Price: $75

Weight: 11.1 oz (size 10)

Fit Guide: True to size

 

7/10

Total Score

Pros

• Flexible Outsole
• Free Tongue

Cons

• Thin Materials
• Tapered Heel

The Nike MC Trainer 2 is another budget Nike cross training shoe that aims to give gym-goers and stay-at-home athletes alike an affordable option. While it is more affordable, some critical strengths and weaknesses will significantly determine your choice to purchase these. It’s not oddly specific, but there are deal breakers and makers for others. Don’t compare these to the Nike Lebron 20 or Under Armour HOVR Rise 4. You won’t be doing it any favors.

Pros

Flexible Outsole

The outsole is full rubber with triangles and lines as its traction pattern. From the forefoot to the midfoot are flex zones. They’re cored-out sections that ensure those areas are not stiff, and you can flex your feet as naturally as possible. I found this especially helpful during lunges. The Phylon midsole isn’t too fluffy, so the midsole doesn’t over-compress and cause instability. The grooves are thick, and the rubber compound is tough, so these should last you a good while, too.

Free Tongue

The tongue is made of a breathable mesh that is only connected at the end. This allows you to easily manipulate it and get the right fit. Entry and exit are easy and don’t take too much effort. If you feel like the tongue will move around while you work out, think again. There’s a big loop where the laces go through to make sure it stays put. If you do need to tug your tongue and adjust the fit for whatever reason, it’s simple, and nothing gets in the way.

Cons

Thin Materials

The upper is full mesh with fuse overlays and an elastic band at the forefoot. The band is useless in my opinion. The mesh that Nike used here is thin and doesn’t look like it will last too long especially if you’re putting these through continued intense and strenuous exercises. The only upsides to this are weight reduction and breathability. While the materials last, they’ll be okay performance-wise. But you may find yourself replacing this shoe a bit faster than you’d prefer.

Tapered Heel

This was one of the most off-putting things about the shoe. The forefoot is nice and wide, but it gets thinner as you approach the heel. Because of its tapered nature and design, I was wobbly if I accidentally caught myself on my heels. There are no outriggers, too, so it doesn’t help its case. My advice would be to do your best to stay on your forefoot as much as possible. The heel won’t do you any good.

While we’re on the topic of the heel, there’s some pretty consistent heel slip. It didn’t interfere with most of my workouts, but I don’t like feeling any part of my feet pulling out of the shoe. So anyone who’s a stickler for lockdown will want to avoid this shoe.

Nike MC Trainer 2 Summary

The Nike MC Trainer 2 is a good budget cross training shoe that will serve most people well, especially those who don’t use their heels during workouts. If you do, don’t pick these up. You will be unstable most of the time. If your workouts require using your forefoot most of the time, which is the case for many basketball-focused exercises, then these will satisfy your needs. There are a few other things to get over, like the thin materials and the useless strap, but they’re not deal breakers for everyone. The shoe does what it’s supposed to do, and that’s enough for a thumbs up from me, considering the price range.

Nike Air Max Impact 4 Performance Review

 The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is the best budget basketball shoe on the market today, a great outdoor option, and just a great performance basketball shoe.

Release Date: 2022

Price: $90

9.2/10

Total Score

 

The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is like that dorky-looking kid on the local courts that you think you can clown but who ends up dunking on you and sends you home packing. This budget model is an unassuming banger, and it gets extra points precisely because of this. I’m a sucker for a hoop shoe that looks like a plain jane and then comes in and knocks it out of the park.

The Air Max Impact 3 was already an awesome performance basketball shoe, and the Air Max Impact 4 brings back everything that was great from that shoe and incorporates a couple of improvements. And it does all of that at a cheaper price than its predecessor! I live in Spain, and the Air Max Impact 4 is 6 bucks cheaper than the Dunk Low. In the US, they’re the same price, but still…

In any case, let’s dive into the performance review to see why I’m so hyped about this shoe.

Traction

The traction makes you wonder why Nike ever uses a different pattern and rubber compound. We have an aggressive and deeply set full-length herringbone traction pattern that gives you really great multi-directional coverage. It’s the same exact setup as on the Impact 3, so if you had that shoe you know exactly what I am talking about. The rubber compound is grippy and tough and worked great indoors and outdoors.

This combo also makes the Air Max Impact 4 a really wonderful outdoor option as well as far as traction goes (spoiler alert, everything else on the shoe also makes it a great outdoor option). The rubber gripped very well when I played outdoors, and that strong rubber and the thickness of the pattern all added durability while playing on the blacktop.

Cushion

The cushioning setup is, again, the same as on the Impact 3, which is great news. The cushioning on that model was amazing for a budget model, and the same is true on the Air Max Impact 4.

You get a full-length phylon foam midsole, and a large Air Max Unit in the heel. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill phylon. It feels much closer to Cushlon than in other setups. It feels bouncy and reactive underfoot, which is great for forefoot heavy moves like sprints or changes of direction.

The Air Max Unit in the heel feels great if you make it work, but I personally don’t use my heel much when I play, so I really didn’t feel it too much. But I’m happy that it’s there just in case I need that extra bit of cushion I might not be 100% aware of most of the time.

Materials

In my reviews, I’m normally negative when brands overuse cheaper synthetic materials. I always try to be fair and say that performance wise it worked well yada, yada, yada…but in this case, I’m not even going to do that.

The Air Max Impact 4 is a budget model, so it has budget-appropriate materials that worked very well. Nike even improved the materials from the Impact 3 to the Lebron 20. They used a tighter weaved textile along the upper that improves lockdown and added some fuse overlays on the lateral side of the forefoot to boost lateral containment.

Support

Support on the Air Max Impact 4 is also on point. You have 4 rubber lateral containment pieces: 2 in the heel and 2 in the forefoot. Also, you have an internal web (that is visible through the outer mesh of the shoe on the more colorful colorways) that keeps your foot securely on the footbed. For a little added support and containment there are two lace cables, as well as two outriggers.

Everything about the support is enhanced by the use and placement of the materials as well as the fit.

Fit

This is one of the better-fitting shoes I have tested recently. The Nike Air Max Impact 4 offers a great 1-to-1 fit and requires little to no break-in time.

Overall

The Nike Air Max Impact 4 is just a great performance basketball shoe, and it improves on an already great shoe, the Nike Air Max 3. It’s definitely my favorite budget basketball shoe so far this season as well as my go-to outdoor option. I’m having a hard time at the moment keeping it out of my current top 5.

I personally enjoy the fact that the shoe is so plain and “under the radar” and packs such a performance punch, and it does have the “what are those?” factor.

If you are looking for a great performance basketball shoe that won’t break the bank, there’s no better option.

Mizuno Wave Rider 26 Performance Review

 The Mizuno Wave Rider 26 is the latest entry in Mizuno’s flagship running line. In recent years it’s been a little light on the cushioning but this year’s version is the softest Wave Rider ever. How does it perform out on the mean streets of marathon training? Keep reading…

Mizuno Wave Rider 26

Release Date: October 2022

Price: $140

Weight: M 10 oz, W 8.3oz

Drop: 12mm

Sizing: True to size

• Rundown: The Mizuno Wave Rider 26 is a solid daily running shoe with some nuances to be aware of before purchasing.

Pros

• Cushion Softness
• Upper Comfort
• Smooth Ride
• Traction

Cons

• Outsole Durability
• Cushion Thickness

Pros

Cushion Softness

Drew: We mentioned above that this is the softest Wave Rider ever and it’s true. The addition of Mizuno Enerzy takes the cushion from meh to solid. Now, it’s not near as soft as the majority of supercritical or Pebax foams available today, but it feels great underfoot, especially compared to previous Wave Rider midsoles. You can now tackle 8-10 miles in the Wave Rider whereas before I’d have advocated a maximum of 5-6 mile runs.

Tyler: I grew to enjoy the cushion of the Wave Rider 26 the more I wore it. Out of the box, I was a little concerned with the amount of cushion under the forefoot, but I credit the Wave plate for such a nice transition across the entire foot that any concerns I had were quickly forgotten.

Upper Comfort

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Rider 26 upper is a simple multi-layer engineered mesh with plenty of ankle collar and tongue padding. Nothing special but it does the job well. There are no potential hotspots, and it molded to my foot well.

Smooth Ride

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Rider 26 doesn’t feel as slappy as some other Mizuno shoes. It hits the ground and rolls nicely through the transition from heel to toe. The Wave Rider 26 doesn’t look like it has much of a rocker, so my guess is the Enerzy foam combined with the curvature of the TPU Mizuno Wave plate is doing the majority of the work here. Whatever the reason, the shoe felt very smooth no matter what speed I was running.

Tyler: As I hinted at above, the Wave plate really drives home a sweet ride when you’re running. To Drew’s point, there isn’t so much a rocker sensation as there is just the slightest bit of arch support, most likely just the curvature of the plate, that helps on toe-off. While it’s not enough to be put in the con section, this sensation doesn’t feel as good when you’re just walking around, so these will strictly be a running shoe for me.

Traction

Drew: The outsole of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26 is the source of one pro and one con. The Pro is that it grips well on any surface. I didn’t have trouble making quick turns and never felt slippage. So the rubber compound used is A+. The durability, however…

Tyler: Like every Mizuno we’ve tested this year, traction is fantastic on the Wave Rider. With leaves falling and more early-morning runs on my calendar, it’s much appreciated this time of year.

Cons

Outsole Durability

Drew: Despite the outsole of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26 gripping like crazy, the toe is wearing down quickly. The forefoot and heel seem to be doing ok, but the toe wear is happening too fast for my liking. Just be aware that the outsole may not last as long as typical Mizuno outsoles (which basically never show any wear during our test periods).

Tyler: Currently at 32 miles on my pair, I have some slight wear on the outsole, but not as much as Drew. Your mileage may vary, so keep it as a consideration when you think about how long you need your pair to last.

Cushion Thickness

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Rider 26’s stack height just isn’t very big, so there’s not a ton of foam underfoot. I felt much lower to the ground than in most shoes I’ve tested recently. So while the cushion is soft, I don’t think it will be particularly long-lasting nor is the Lebron 20 fit to be a long run shoe. The 12mm heel-to-toe drop also seems excessive. I’d much prefer a typical 8mm drop with 4mm more foam in the forefoot. That extra foam is appreciated when your legs and feet are tired from lots of running.

Tyler: Totally agree with Drew on this one. My current rotation was in need of a more straightforward, everyday runner (first-world problems, I know), but the 12mm drop in addition to the arch sensation of the plate I noted above didn’t bode well for runs longer than about 10K from my experience. But, if you just want a reliable shoe to hammer out those quick after-work miles, it performs great.

Mizuno Wave Rider 26 Summary

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Rider 26 is a solid daily running shoe. It can handle most runs, can go fast if needed, and most of all, it’s comfortable and smooth. It’s the type of shoe where, if you like the amount of cushion and the fit, you won’t ever have to think about it when it’s on foot. I like shoes like this because it allows me to focus more on pace and podcasts (lol).

Tyler: Another great shoe from Mizuno, with some nuances to be aware of before purchasing. I love how straightforward the shoe is: from fit to feel. But I could see the Wave plate causing raised eyebrows from some runners. At the end of the day, it’s a well-priced shoe for what it does and would be a great addition to most rotations looking for a straightforward, no-frills shoe.

Mizuno Wave Sky 6 Performance Review

 The Mizuno Wave Sky 5 nailed the fit, comfort, and cushion but also came with a few concerns. The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 doesn’t change much but looks to improve the line with small tweaks. Was the Mizuno team successful in improving the shoe? Let’s find out.

Mizuno Wave Sky 6

Release Date: October 2022

Price: $170

Weight: M 10.7oz, W 9.1 oz

Drop: 8mm (30mm forefoot, 38mm heel)

Sizing: True to Size

• Rundown: The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is well-cushioned and comfortable but also slightly heavy and pricey.

Pros

• Cushion
• Stretch Woven Upper
• Durability

Cons

• Weight
• Ride
• Laces
• Price

Pros

Cushion

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 midsole is the same one used on the Wave Sky 5 and performs exactly the same. The  Enerzy Core and Enerzy foam combo offers great impact protection. It’s not bouncy per se, but it can handle plenty of distance due to its softness. It’s also got a nice wide base, so there’s plenty of stability alongside the impact protection. That means you get a shoe that, while not great for track or speed work, is versatile enough to handle the rest of your runs.

Tyler: Unlike Drew, I didn’t test the Wave Sky 5, so this was my first go at this model, and it didn’t disappoint. The cushion, while plush, still holds true to the Mizuno line, giving a touch of ground feel to keep things in check while being supportive. I got very strong Vomero 13 vibes from the ride, for those who miss that shoe as much as I do.

Stretch Woven Upper

Drew: The stretch woven upper of the Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is very comfortable and very similar to the version used on the Jordans 2022. Luckily, Mizuno tweaked the fit, so it’s not as tight as last year’s version and is much more accommodating through the midfoot and heel. The extra space along with the stretchiness built into the fabric helps the shoe mold to your foot and vanquishes any potential hotspots. I’d still recommend wide footers go up half a size to get a little more room, but everyone else should be good with the true-to-size fit thanks to the great upper material.

Tyler: I absolutely love the Stretch Woven upper, which can be hit or miss. Given that this is a max comfort runner, I felt that it struck the right balance of being form-fitting yet comfortable, especially in the toe box (where stretch uppers typically fall flat for me), which complimented the overall ride. Unlike Drew, I would probably recommend a true-to-size fit for most people, so I guess he and I will have to duel for the most appropriate recommendation.

Durability

Drew: Despite its softness, the stretch woven upper can take a beating and not show much wear. And while the outsole rubber’s thin ribbing wears away quickly, the pieces of rubber are thick and large and will last a long time before you can wear through them. The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is a shoe that will look fairly new even as it ages. If that’s important to you, this is one of the few running shoes that meet that criteria.

Tyler: As has been the case with the majority of Mizunos that have come through our doors, durability is (yet again) a non-issue with the Wave Sky 6. The X10 outsole not only holds up well and has a good amount of traction, but as Drew said above, continues to look nearly new after a handful of wet, damp runs. And yes, I am one of those people who like my shoes to stay looking new!

Cons

Weight

Drew: With basically the same build as last year’s version, the Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is still pretty heavy. It’s tough to go from something feathery and well-cushioned like the Asics Novablast 3 to the Wave Sky 6. It’s just a lot of added weight for a similar daily trainer. It’s even somewhat annoying to go from the much lighter Mizuno Wave Rider 26 to the Wave Sky 6. I think future iterations of the Wave Sky 6 need a diet.

Tyler: I agree with Drew that this shoe is teetering on the “too heavy” side of things. While somewhat expected for a max-cushioned trainer, buyer beware. On the plus side, I think this shoe would be a great addition if you’re on your feet all day and want something comfortable to keep your lower body ache-free. Oh, and did I mention the gray colorway rocks?

Ride

Drew: This may not be the case for you, but the Mizuno Wave Sky 6 doesn’t hit the ground smoothly for me. Over the past year, I’ve been working on my form and now land in a better position underneath my body. I landed more on my heel when I was testing the Wave Sky 5, and back then the setup felt better. Now, it’s kind of a clompy, horseshoe-like ride. I think the weight distribution of the midsole and outsole might feel best if you’re landing heavily on your heel, but I’m not sure about that. My midfoot/front-of-heel strike feels a bit choppy in this shoe. My stride doesn’t feel smooth and effortless like in the Wave Rider 26, the Lebron 20, or most of the shoes on our Best Running Shoes list.

Tyler: While the ride was good to me during the test runs, one thing I did notice after the 4-5 mile mark was hotspots underneath the balls of my feet. Initially, I shrugged it off and tried different socks each run, but they would occasionally appear. It wasn’t at the level of ruining a run, but a word of warning to those of you prone to hot spots…

Laces

Drew: Not a big issue here but something to watch out for. You need to double-knot the laces in the summer months. If these particular laces get soaked with sweat or rain they will come undone. I didn’t have any issues once I started double-knotting them.

Tyler: Drew, you forgot to say they’re about 2 inches too long, too.

Price

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is priced too high at $170. As a cushioned daily trainer, it needs to be priced around $140-$150. At $170 it’s touching carbon plate territory and with all the marketing dollars behind those shoes…it’s going to be hard to sell a lot of the Wave Sky 6.

Tyler: Completely agree. At $150, this would be a no-brainer.

Mizuno Wave Sky 6 Summary

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is a well-cushioned, comfortable shoe. If cushion and upper comfort are your main concerns, get a pair and try them on. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. But, even if they feel great, I’d say buy the Wave Sky 5 on sale as it’s almost the exact same shoe. Then you can buy the Wave Sky 6 this time next year when it’s on sale and priced more in line with normal category price points.

Tyler: While it has a few quirks that may bother a handful of nitpicky runners, I think the Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is a great shoe in Mizuno’s line as well as a strong contender for a max cushion running shoe that still provides a bit of ground feel to keep you connected on a run. But after hearing Drew’s thoughts compared to the Kyrie 8, I would recommend picking up last year’s model on discount, unless you’ve got some rewards or credits and have been eyeing the newer version. All in all, the Wave Sky 6 is a solid shoe that should last a long time.

Nike Renew Retaliation 4 Performance Review

 Rundown: The Nike Renew Retaliation 4 is a solid and supportive cross training option for those on a budget.

Release Date: 2022

Price: $80

Weight: 10.9 oz (size 10)

Fit Guide: True to size

8.5/10

Total Score

Pros

• Midfoot Strap
• Renew Foam Midsole
• Thick Rubber Treads

Cons

• Heel Slip

The Nike Renew Retaliation 4 is a budget cross training shoe from Nike. The previous version, the Nike Renew Retaliation TR 3, was a good performance sneaker with all the basics but lacked a standout feature. Not anymore with this one. This pair has a feature that I think will help sell it and is one I haven’t seen on a cross-training shoe in a while.

Pros

Midfoot Strap

This was the biggest game-changer. The previous model included two lockdown wings on the lateral and medial sides. They’ve replaced that with a midfoot strap. I thought it would be useless, much like most straps found in modern performance sneakers. However, I was surprised by the amount of extra lockdown it provided. It kept my feet secured, and I never felt myself shifting, even on workouts that tested my balance.

A warning: you can definitely over-tighten the strap and cut blood flow. I’ve made that mistake, and it wasn’t pleasant. So make sure you configure it just right for your needs.

Renew Foam Midsole

The full-length Renew foam midsole was comfortable but not unstable. This may also be a matter of preference. Some people want to be as close to the ground as possible when lifting weights or doing exercises. The Nike Renew Retaliation 4 will not provide that. You feel a bit off the ground when wearing these, but the foam doesn’t compress too much as long as you have the correct form. If you want some impact protection for your jump training, these will get the job done.

Just like the third iteration, this Renew isn’t the typical version of the foam like you’d find in the Nike Renew Elevate. There’s no dual-density setup. What we get is free foam. I’ve tried walking around in these casually, and it was comfortable. There’s also an insole that provides step-in comfort while it lasts.

Thick Rubber Treads

The rubber threads that protrude out are thick and will last a while. It’s one of the features I enjoyed from the last model, and I’m glad they didn’t change it. It will work on all surfaces. I never experienced any slipping, even on a dusty wooden floor. So if you’re working out in a local gym or doing bodyweight exercises at home, there’s no need to worry.

Cons

Heel Slip

It may just be my foot shape, but there was some heel slip at the beginning. It goes away after some time and becomes unnoticeable, but I prefer it absent at all times. It’s not a deal-breaker for me, but don’t be surprised if your heel doesn’t stay put during your first wear. After that, though, you’re going to be okay.

On this note, I recommend wearing thickly padded socks with these shoes. It will help fill up any dead space that might be there. It also reduces your chances of getting continual heel slips. I tried them with thinner socks, and the fit wasn’t as secure as in thick socks.

Nike Renew Retaliation 4 Summary

The Nike Renew Retaliation 4 is one of the best budget cross training shoes available. The midfoot strap upgrade makes these a keeper. The lockdown is impressive, and you always feel snug and secure while doing your workouts, intense or light. Most everything was kept from the Nike Renew Retaliation TR 3. If you have the Lebron 20 and are considering buying the Retaliation 4, I recommend picking upgrading to the Nike Renew Retaliation 4 as it’s well worth it.

Nike LeBron Witness 7 Performance Review

 The Nike LeBron Witness 7 is a very decent performance basketball shoe. It’s an especially good choice if you’re looking for an outdoor option.

Release Date: 2022

Price: $115

 

nike lebron witness 7 1

The Nike LeBron Witness 7 has a very high standard to live up to. The Nike LeBron Witness 6 was one of the best budget and outdoor models last season, and the LeBron 20 is shaping up to possibly be the best overall basketball shoe of this season. It’s tough being a LeBron model these days.

At first glance tech-wise, not a lot has changed from last year’s model. We have the same cushioning setup and traction pattern, the same midsole, and similar lateral lockdown pieces in the midfoot. But also at first glance, a lot has changed aesthetically.

It’s surprising to see how different looking the Nike LeBron Witness 7 is while keeping the same tech as the 6. The design is very off-white-esque, going for a more deconstructed, industrial vibe. The materials used on the shoe are another main difference. The weave of the textiles on the upper is now a grid, we have some new synthetic leather details, and the cut of the shoe is slightly higher.

I personally like the changes made to this shoe, but let’s jump into the performance details to see why.

Traction

The traction, as in the Witness 6 is beefy, grippy, and works great. You have a deeply set, full-length herringbone traction pattern which gives you great multidirectional coverage. The rubber of the sole is tough and tacky which makes the Nike LeBron Witness 7 a great outdoor option traction-wise.

Cushioning

Cushioning on the Nike LeBron Witness 7 is also great if you’re looking for an affordable max cushion setup. We have the same ¾ Air Max unit as in the Witness 6 that will give you a tone of impact protection. One thing to keep in mind is that you sit pretty high up in this shoe, and therefore, court feel is not a strong point. The cushion also takes some time to break in.

With my pair, I noticed at first that the Nike LeBron Witness 7 felt unstable and I even slightly rolled my ankle a couple of times. If you see the bottom of the shoe, you will see that right in the midfoot, the sole begins to thin, and you lose contact surface in that area, and you have a big slab of wobbling air right under your foot.

At the beginning of my testing, I even considered suggesting people avoid these shoes entirely. However, the more I played them, the more the shoe conformed to my foot, and the cushioning got more stable, to the point where this was no longer an issue.

Materials

Materials are the shoe’s biggest weakness. They are cheap and over-stretchy, especially in the toe box. I aesthetically really like the shoe and have even used them casually, but I would have liked some extra lockdown in the forefoot. If they had used the same materials as on the Nike Air Max Impact 4, the Nike LeBron Witness 7 might have snuck its way into our best overall basketball shoes for the year.

Support

As far as support goes, once the initial wobbling was resolved everything worked well. The lateral containment pieces help keep your foot in place on lateral movements, heel lockdown is on point, and the wide forefoot helps add stability in that area. Again, the materials on the toe box allowed for way too much movement in my opinion, but it didn’t make the shoe unplayable.

Fit

As far as fit goes, you can go true to size, and the one positive aspect of the stretchy forefoot is that I think the Nike LeBron Witness 7 will be a good option for wide-footers.

Nike LeBron Witness 7 Summary

Overall, I really did end up enjoying the Nike LeBron Witness 7. Especially as an outdoor option, I think it’s a really good performance basketball shoe. The durable and effective traction and top-notch impact protection are everything you could ask for from an outdoor hoop shoe. Plus they’re fairly priced, so when you inevitably bust them up it won’t hurt as much

They get extra points in my book thanks to their design. When I first saw pictures online, I didn’t love them, but once I had them in hand and on foot, I really dug them.

The Nike LeBron Witness 7 is a worthy follow-up to the Witness 6 and a solid sidekick to the LeBron 20.

Nike Kyrie Flytrap 6 Performance Review

 The Nike Kyrie Flytrap 6 is a much-needed upgrade from the previous model, the Nike Kyrie Flytrap 5.

Colorway: Black/White/Grey

Release Date: 2022

Price: $95

7.5/10

Total Score

The Nike Kyrie Flytrap 6 has a top-down view similar to the Nike Kobe AD Exodus, which delightfully surprised me. But pleasing aesthetics don’t always equal excellent performance. Looks can be deceiving. The previous model, the Nike Kyrie Flytrap 5, looked functional but was too specific of a shoe to recommend to everybody. This model is a massive upgrade from the Flytrap 5 and is one of the better budget options available.

Traction

The traction pattern of the Nike Kyrie Flytrap 6 has elements taken from the Nike Kyrie 9, which had excellent grip. These are no different. They’re not noisy on indoor courts, but they have a good bite. Dust also wasn’t an issue since the grooves were thick, and a quick wipe was all that was needed to get back to peak performance. Outdoors was even better. It stuck to the concrete well and barely had any tread loss after +10 hours of testing.

Cushion

We have a full-length basic Phylon midsole with a stick-of-gum forefoot Zoom Air unit, similar to the Kyrie 5 Low. I thought the shoe was comfortable underfoot upon a try-on. Then I realized that it was due to the insoles. They’re the same as the insoles found in the Nike PG 6, though not quite as thick. I could never feel the Zoom Air unit, even though it was top-loaded. So while it was doing its job just fine, there was no springy sensation.

Break-in time is needed for the foam. I’d say about a two-hour hoop session. Please don’t break these in outdoors, though. I did that, and my back hurt until the following morning. Once the Flytrap 6 was broken in I had no issues, even when I took them back to the concrete.

Materials

The materials on the Nike Kyrie Flytrap 6 are basic, and we shouldn’t expect any more than that at this point. The whole upper is a breathable mesh that requires no break-in time with additional thick stitching reinforcement in the heel area. The small felt toe rand protected the base material well, and I saw no give from it no matter how hard or how often I did toe drags both while playing and when testing durability.

Fit

The fit is true to size. As we always mention, we recommend bringing your ankle braces or orthotics into the store, if you have that option, to get the optimal fit. Narrow-footers can get away with going down half a size. I almost went that route but felt it was too tight. The lacing system works well to make sure you’re always locked in.

One note is that the Nike Kyrie Flytrap 6’s upper is a semi-booty construction. There’s no traditional tongue, so you must mess with the laces to get your optimal fit.

Support

This was by far the most significant improvement from the previous model. The tooling isn’t rounded, and the base is wide, so you’re always stable. The heel counter was stiff enough to ensure that it didn’t move in strange ways.

There are two nylon cables at the forefoot that lock in that area well. I also appreciated that it didn’t chafe any of my toes. Because the cushion is low to the ground and you sit well within the midsole, you’re cradled and stay on the footbed at all times. I enjoyed the support the Flytrap 6 provided, especially compared to the Flytrap 5.

Nike Kyrie Flytrap 6 Overall

The Nike Kyrie Flytrap 6 is a good-looking shoe that performs well in all settings. As it usually does, it comes down to preferences. Are you okay with cheap materials? Can you make do without a traditional tongue? Do you prefer cushioning that’s extremely low to the ground and offers minimal impact protection? If so, you’ve got yourself the shoe you’ve been looking for

Asics Netburner Ballistic FF 3: The Best Shoe for Liberos

 Asics has been a go-to brand for volleyball for a very long time, and they kept this trend going with the Netburner Ballistic FF 3, the third shoe in the popular Netburner Ballistic line. With a focus on movement based on data taken from actual players, Asics has packed in some interesting and unique design choices and tech that set this sneaker apart from the rest of their volleyball lineup. The result of these features is a great volleyball shoe, but there are some drawbacks.

Asics Netburner Ballistic FF 3

Price: $120

Drop: 15mm

Fit: True to Size

• Rundown: The Netburner Ballistic FF 3 is a great shoe that keeps you feeling ready to move and be quick on your feet.

Pros

• Traction
• Lockdown
• Court Feel and Stability

Cons

• Cushioning

Pros

Traction

The best feature of the Asics Netburner Ballistic FF 3 is its traction. Most volleyball shoes have good traction (and Asics’ rubber compounds are always sticky), but the Netburner is absolutely glued to the ground. Moving in these shoes feels extremely responsive, thanks to their X GUIDANCE outsole pattern. I tested these on wood and plastic flooring, both clean and dusty. On dusty floors, you’ll have to wipe the soles occasionally, but they were still holding traction even on floors that desperately need some attention.

Lockdown

Traction is meaningless without good lockdown because if the outsole stops moving but your foot doesn’t, bad things happen. Luckily, Asics put a lot of focus on lockdown, with their combination of insole shape and a durable upper. In testing, it worked great. The Netburner Ballistic FF 3 is tight on foot but still comfortable. Your foot sits within the midsole, and the laces work well with the upper to lock your foot down. Asics is calling this setup 3D SPACE CONSTRUCTION, and it works.

Court Feel and Stability

This feature is closely linked to the traction and lockdown. The Netburner Ballistic FF 3 is stable when moving laterally and when jumping and landing, which is what really protects your ankles (not high tops). This shoe is built for volleyball movement, and the Asics design team clearly knew what they were doing. Defensive movements feel great, and the shoe really encourages you to stay on your toes to pick up those tips with its relatively high 15mm heel drop. In the front row, it feels natural moving laterally to block, and the heel-toe transition when attacking is very smooth (as is always the case with sneakers featuring Asics’ TWISTRUSS tech). There are some cushioning concerns that we’ll get to in the Cons section, but for defense (liberos), the Dunk will have you feeling quick on your feet.

Cons

Cushioning

The biggest drawback to the Netburner Ballistic FF 3 is that there are just much better options for cushioning. The midsole is made of Flytefoam Propel, which is a responsive setup, and it does feel a little bouncy. It definitely isn’t taking away from your jump height. As far as landing goes, that’s where this sneaker leaves a lot to be desired. Every time I tested these, after a few games, I could feel the lack of impact protection in my knees and, eventually, my feet. In a long tournament, I even had to switch to other shoes to try to mitigate the pain that was building up. For players that need more protection for any reason (heavier players, players that jump high, or players that jump a lot), I would not recommend this shoe.

Asics Netburner Ballistic FF3 Summary

The pros and cons of the Asics Netburner Ballistic FF 3 paint a very clear picture that is simple to summarize. If you mostly play front row (middles and most right sides), probably look at different options. If you mostly play back row (liberos and some setters), this could be the sneaker for you. I will even double down on that and say that the Jordans  is the best volleyball shoe for liberos. They really do feel that great to play in, they just don’t have the cushioning to play in front of the 10’ line.

Puma GS-ONE Performance Review

 The Puma GS-ONE is a fashion-focused, spikeless golf shoe with a lot of promise. Is this budget performer solid enough to crack into your golf shoe rotation?

Keeping the price in mind, let’s take a deeper dive into the performance aspects of the Puma GS-ONE and decide together whether the performance matches the lower-than-average price point.

Puma GS-ONE

Release Date: August 2022

Price: $130

Sizing: True to size

• Rundown: For the price, the Puma GS-ONE features adequate cushion and comfort, but mediocre traction.

Pros

• Cushion
• Style
• Price

Cons

• Traction
• Fit

Pros

Cushion

In order to bring down the price point, the Puma GS-ONE features nothing remarkable in the cushion category. You’re not going to get any of Puma’s proprietary cushion setups like Adapt Foam or Ignite. Instead, Puma opted for a simple setup of EVA foam…and a lot of it. Just look at how chunky these things are!

This will not be the most comfortable shoe you’ve ever put on, and when compared to the Puma PROADAPT Alphacat the GS-ONE is very bare-bones. Despite this, I found the foam midsole to be surprisingly soft and comfortable enough. Those looking for a bouncy, responsive ride should look elsewhere, though.

Most often when I’m examining the comfort and cushion of a golf shoe, I try to keep it simple. Did my feet hurt after the round? Nope! And that’s a good thing.

Style

The Puma Golf System line of shoes is generally more fashion-forward than they are technology-packed. This is evident with the Puma GS-ONE. Similar to the Jordan 37, this shoe does not look like a golf shoe. Instead, this chunky runner-style shoe could easily be mistaken for something you’d wear casually, and that’s ok.

Remember, there are plenty of new golfers out there that would sacrifice some performance to look good, and this shoe certainly fits the bill in that regard.

Price

Any golf shoe that’s under the $150 price point is probably considered a budget shoe at this point (disregarding sales of course). Coming in at $130, the Puma GS-ONE does fulfill a need for budget golf shoes.

You’re getting what you pay for, sure, but the niche needs to be filled nonetheless. The barrier to entry for golf is pretty high when you think about it from a cost perspective, so I’m all for budget golf shoes that make the barrier a little less daunting.

Cons

Traction

The trend I’ve noticed with a lot of these cheaper, more style-focused golf shoes is lackluster traction. The nubs on the bottom of the Puma GS-ONE just don’t provide much in the way of traction or grip.

I’d equate the traction here to that of the Adidas Samba Golf I just reviewed…it exists but doesn’t do a whole lot. Keep that in mind, especially if you play in a wet climate. You’re not going to be slipping and sliding all over the place, sure, but the traction could be beefier.

In a world where spikeless setups on the Puma PROADAPT Alphacat perform so well, I wonder why they couldn’t replicate that here? Odds are the traction had to be sacrificed to keep the budget down. In that case, most will find the traction to be so-so, but I was left wanting more.

Fit

Because of the massive foam midsole, I felt the heel drop on the Puma GS-ONE caused the shoe to fit a little funky. I’m not sure of the exact measurements of the heel drop, but I found it hard to keep my toes from jamming into the end of the shoe. I would have liked to have seen a more neutral setup here to avoid this discomfort and problems with the fit.

Puma GS-ONE Summary

For $130, the price is right for Puma GS-ONE. This wallet-friendly, stylish golf shoe is easy on your wallet and performs well enough to justify the beginner or budget golfer picking up a pair.

You’re not going to get insane cushion, premium materials, or the best traction in the world, but you are getting a serviceable golf shoe that looks pretty darn good. As mentioned, golf is expensive, and budget shoes like the Dunk Low must exist to fill a niche for all the golfers that want to spend less on their footwear.

Looking for a good budget golf shoe to kick start your golf addiction? Then the PUMA GS-ONE is worth a try.