Right from the start, I’ll tell you the Speedland SL:PDX is a high end trail running tool that’s not for everyone. The SL:PDX is high end because of the materials, components and price. It’s more a tool than shoe because of its impressive versatility. I’m not going to talk much about the $375 price tag because it automatically self selects who’s interested. If you’re not willing to pay that price, you don’t need what the SL:PDX offers. I’m also not going to compare it with other trail shoes because it’s not a fair fight. The Speedland SL:PDX is on a different level, a shoe made for those who spend all their free time running and hiking difficult trails.
Speedland SL:PDX
Release Date: August 15, 2021
Price: $375
Weight: 10.3oz (9.9oz with lugs cut)
Drop: 5mm (23mm forefoot, 28mm heel)
Pros
For the Speedland SL:PDX, customization is king. The Michelin outsole comes with 3mm cuttable lugs. You can leave the lugs long if your trails are muddy or cut them if your trails are dry and rocky. I tried the lugs both ways and enjoy them cut down. But if I was running through swamps? I’d leave the lugs long. It feels awesome to be able to customize your traction based on the conditions you run in.
Alongside the cuttable lugs, the outsole also offers two cuttable drainage holes. They come uncut but again, if your trails are wet, you’ll want the two small holes open so water can drain out easier.
Moving up the midsole…well, the midsole isn’t visible. It’s removable Pebax midsole housed inside the shoe. It’s similar to the setup of the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut or the Nike Kobe 9. Attached to the bottom of the midsole is a removable carbon fiber plate made by Carbitex. The carbon fiber plate does two things. One, it acts as a rock plate to protect the foot. And two, it works with the foam to provide a bit more bounce. While I didn’t feel much spring from the carbon plate, due to it being on the bottom and not embedded in the foam, I did appreciate the carbon plate on rocky trails. The SL:PDX felt nimbler without the plate but my feet felt the rocks. Adding the plate was necessary protection to avoid sore feet after rough trails. The Pebax midsole isn’t as plush as some other Pebax foams on the market but still feels good under foot. My guess is the rubber outsole caging the bottom of the midsole prevents it from expanding as much as it could. That’s probably necessary with a trail shoe as you don’t want to be too unstable, but the firmer initial feel may surprise people. The foam does break in nicely and is cushioned enough to protect your joints on long, grueling trails.
Another positive for the SL:PDX is the upper’s comfort and customizability. The dual BOA allows for quick tightening and loosening and is easy to use with gloves on cold days. I really liked being able to start a trail run with super tight shoes to help with stability. Then I loosened the shoes as my feet expanded 30-45 minutes into the run. Wide footers will also enjoy this setup because while the Speedland SL:PDX is wide footer friendly with an ample toe box, wide footers can leave the the forefoot loose while cranking down the rear BOA to achieve a one to one fit.
The upper materials themselves also helped the shoe fit well. The knit upper uses Dyneema (a super strong space age material) to add stability and durability while still maintaining the comfort of a typical knit build. Dyneema is expensive, so I doubt we’ll see it on a basketball shoe any time soon, but it would be the perfect improvement to most knit basketball sneakers. Finally, there’s a fantastic, large Achilles pillow to prevent heel blisters and add some plushness. The SL:PDX fits true to size and packs impressive comfort for a rough and tumble trail shoe.
Cons
My main complaint was that on trails that gain/lose elevation quickly, I couldn’t quite get the heel lockdown exactly where I wanted it. Since the BOA lacing system doesn’t wrap around the back of the foot, you don’t get pressed into the heel counter the way you do with more traditional lacing. This will likely not be true for everyone (depends on your foot) but on downhills I sometimes slid into the front edge of the shoe. This didn’t happen as much after my foot sunk into and left an impression in the midsole. The lockdown gets redemption as it improves with increased use.
The only other complaint is the material used on the straps. It’s a synthetic suede or felt type fabric most likely chosen for its durability and softness across the top of the foot. To me, it just doesn’t feel as premium as the rest of the shoe. Not sure what should replace it, but I see that as a place for Speedland to improve future models.
Speedland SL:PDX Summary
The Speedland SL:PDX is the best trail running shoe on the market. The SL:PDX grips the trail like a radial mountain bike tire, offers great support, protects the foot from rocks and roots, prioritizes durability, can speed up on race days and is easily customizable. It’s a serious trail runner’s dream shoe.
And if you’re someone who wants to run more trails but needs motivation? Having a pair of the Speedland SL:PDX in the closet amplifies the siren call of the trails and makes you want to wear it as often as possible.
We’re up to number five! Here’s my Harden Vol. 5 review – I’ll break down James Harden’s 5th signature basketball sneaker from adidas. While the designs might look unique and the variety in colorways is no short of fantastic, the general perception from others seems to be overwhelmingly bad so far.
Why’s that? Well, after about 4 months of outdoor play, let me give you some valuable insight into how the shoe performs after an extended period of time, directly compare it to the previous two Harden shoes I’ve played in, and also explain why some of the design choices just didn’t work for most people.
You’re here for a good one!
I. SPEC SHEET
click for a full-sized image
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
For those in a hurry: it seems as the designers behind Harden’s 5th shoe tried to innovate and create a groundbreaking product.
However, for the general hooper on the blacktop or on a weary gym floor – the shoe was not a lot more than a failed experiment.
The Harden Vol. 5 fit me weird and even though they can fit a wide foot in there – you’ll likely end up with space length-wise. Regular/narrow footers should try these in-store or go down 1/2 a size.
Traction was acceptable on concrete but I was definitely slipping more than I expected on a softer rubber court outside. You WILL need to wipe the outsoles down. Frequently.
While the Boost + Lighstrike drop-in midsole sounds cool, the actual experience wasn’t. There’s some cushion to be felt underfoot, yes, but it’s quite dramatically limited by all the TPU caging all around it.
Security is the shoe’s strongest area since it’s built like a tank with TPU everywhere. Stability and foot containment are excellent but comes at a cost of discomfort, stiffness, bulkiness.
The shoe just felt HEAVY.
Pair all that with heel slippage and this became more of a chore than a shoe I enjoyed playing in. If you’re hunting for a good Harden hoop shoe – stick with the 3 or the 4.
III. FIT & COMFORT
Do they fit true to size or should you go up/down? How comfortable are they? Anything else to know fit-wise?
SIZING GUIDE
Let’s start with sizing. I’m sure some of you are familiar with adidas’s ultra-inconsistent sizing throughout not just basketball shoes but their athletic footwear in general. The 5th Harden model reminds us there’s no stopping the Three Stripes from playing with us.
The shoe runs long. Period. MOST of you should feel some extra room at the toebox if you go true to your usual size. Is that a bad thing? It depends. It also heavily depends on your foot shape as everyone’s is different. But based on the people’s feedback, expect some volume up at the front.
The tricky thing is, the shoe is near-perfect width-wise. So if you prefer a looser fit with some wiggle room – stick with your true size. If you want to ensure you’ll be getting a snug, near one-to-one experience, you definitely want to go down 1/2 a size like there’s no tomorrow.
Me being a prominent wide footer, I stuck with my true size.
I don’t fully appreciate the dead space at the front making the shoe feel like a boat loafer on-court. But I’m much better off actually being able to play in it for a longer period of time before needing to take ’em off since my feet are taking a beating from the suffocation width-wise.
So fellow wide footers, stick to your true size or skip the shoe entirely. I’m fairly okay with the way these fit me but it’s still far from perfect. There’s some annoying pressure at the lateral side for my pinky at times and don’t get me started on the stiff materials. More on that later.
Regular/narrow footers – I’d HIGHLY recommend trying these in store if you can. If you can’t yet, a half-size-down should be the safest option.
BE AWARE OF HEEL SLIPPAGE
And just like most people, I had annoying heel slippage that just refused to go away. While I’m pretty convinced it’s the curvature of the midsole and the fact that my heel simply can’t sit completely flat and at the very back of the shoe, the stiff material setup might’ve had a part in this as well.
Grabbing a pair of grippy socks and pulling down on your laces HARD will be required to keep the heel slippage to a tolerable level. I also encourage you to check out my heel slippage guide in case you’ll be grabbing a pair.
image source: adidas.com
COMFORT
Oh boy. There’s been a lot of talk about how uncomfortable these proved to be for a lot of people but knowing that I stayed patient and gave these plenty of time to hopefully break in and start feeling like a proper basketball shoe in 2022.
Well, it never did.
These were one of the longest 4 months of testing a shoe for me personally. As much as I wanted to like these, examine why some of the stuff feels like it does, and ultimately give these as big of a chance as I can, I just didn’t enjoy playing in these. Probably not for a single day.
Internally, these are fine on paper. The fabric around the ankle is the only portion that’s not backed with plastic and it’s stretchy, so putting the shoe on isn’t an issue. There are also plenty of properly sculpted achilles pillows that sat very comfortably against my achilles too.
And despite having extra room length-wise, they felt secure and sturdy due to the build. Mostly.
But the material choices and the way they’re implemented, the incredibly stiff midsole, the sheer weight of it all, and the oversaturation of, well, stuff on the shoe is just too much. It all feels like a distraction rather than an experience where you forget you’ve got a shoe on while banging it out on the blacktop.
Could I still continue playing in the shoe? Sure. I surely didn’t enjoy it but I could’ve still carried on and played the way I play in these. But if you’re constantly thinking about the shoes and how weird it all feels while trying to focus on the game or even while just shooting some hoops, something’s not right.
So, expect a secure shoe due to the overwhelming amount of structure throughout the build. But also expect the shoe to feel unusually heavy (bottom-heavy in particular), stiff and just, off.
You’d have to try these on for yourself to fully get what I mean but there’s a good chance you won’t. And for good reason. There are much better options comfort-wise out there.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip various surfaces well? Is dust/debris a factor? How long will the outsoles last outdoors?
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE
A similar traction pattern along with a very similar rubber compound to the previous Harden Vol. 4 is being utilized throughout the outsoles of the Vol. 5. I don’t know why the traction isn’t as good as on the 4th shoe but I felt the difference right away.
Even taking all the occasional slips on dirtier spots away, the base level of bite wasn’t as strong as it was on ALL of Harden’s other shoes in the line.
I did feel like this base level of grip was still enough for me to play confidently but sometimes, especially torsionally, I’d slide out or noticeably feel the delay on stops. I’ve heard the traction’s great on a pristine court but I don’t have such a luxury at the moment, so things were always chippy for me.
The overall experience was fairly decent but that’s mostly due to concrete or rubber being the primary options for me to play on, and those are much more abrasive surfaces. Multiple reviewers are reporting that these perform downright awful on dirty/dusty indoor courts, so be aware of that.
But all of this would’ve still been acceptable for the situation I’m in, don’t get me wrong there.
But when these outsoles are complete dust magnets that fail to push the dust out through the pattern, it’s almost game over. This wasn’t as noticeable on concrete for me but stepping into a synthetic rubber court, I’d get very mad if I skip a wipe or two.
So, prepare to frequently wipe the outsoles down to maintain acceptable traction and think twice about taking these on a weary court. Harden himself looks fine in these though, but that’s because he’s playing on a top-level, pristine NBA hardwood. For us regular guys, things can get tough with these.
If you’ll be getting these, I’d encourage regularly cleaning the outsoles before taking ’em to the court. Check out my guide on how to maintain good traction for additional tips.
OUTDOOR DURABILITY
Just like most adidas shoes, some really tacky rubber is being used here so while it will attract a lot of dust & debris in there, you can expect these to last a long time outdoors. 4 months in, no degraded performance, no additional issues, and the pattern is still all there.
If you can deal with the subpar traction to begin with, you should be good to go for multiple seasons in the Harden Vol. 5. Even on the blacktop.
V. CUSHION
How’s the impact protection? What about step comfort and energy return of the foam? Is it stable?
adidas introduced a drop-in midsole for the cushioning system for the first time in a basketball shoe and the Harden Vol. 5 sports a beefy setup. On paper.
The removable midsole packs Lightstrike as the carrier and a very conservative, thin layer of Boost in the middle portion, basically acting as an insole.
The idea sounds great, sure. But I just don’t get the reasoning behind this. The stuff that’s heavily marketed by adidas (which is the implementation of this cushion) is what literally keeps the ride from feeling how it should.
One, the midsole is a drop-in but it’s surrounded by a thick shell of plastic all around it. I just don’t think this is a good idea when you’ve got your two flagship cushions that are supposed to do what they do best: expand to absorb impact, spring back to return energy, and keep you comfortable.
But when you encase it in a heavy, tank-like TPU shell in a 360-degree fashion, that becomes the main thing you can feel while playing. Boost does need some form of caging since it is fairly unstable by itself, yes, but I really do think this is overkill and what hinders the shoe.
Two, Boost needs room to expand. This is a fact and it’s even been explained by adidas. Foam in general needs volume and enough space to properly compress to do its job.
The high sidewalls of the midsole definitely help with stability but again, it’s just too much in my opinion. It adds weight and prevents Boost from fully expanding.
Take a look at any shoe that has Boost. There’s a reason you always see it exposed at least in one or two areas of the midsole. While here, there’s not enough of it, to begin with, and stuffing it to a drop-in with thick walls results in severely limited compression potential.
And then there’s the carrier. If any of you have tried the shoe and can actually feel any form of Lightstrike here, let me know because I didn’t. Now, I do understand that this carrier is supposed to provide stability and rigidity for the midsole but then why market the shoe in such a way?
Boost + Lightstrike? So many people will and likely had believed in the hype and the actual experience turned to be much bleaker than what the tech specs show you.
While there’s a good amount of impact protection here because Boost is still Boost, I barely felt any of it. You can expect a little bit of compression if you’re heavier and possess some athleticism while riding fairly low to the ground.
But then again, I don’t even think it’s that good of a “low-profile” setup. It’s fast and firm, sure, so you won’t be feeling any delays upon contact with the ground but the plastic frame around the midsole kind of defeats the purpose. I wasn’t THAT low to the ground, nor was I riding elevated.
It’s just a bizarre setup that could’ve been great. Pure performance-wise, you’ll be getting some impact protection and you’ll definitely be stable due to the rigid midsole, its sidewalls, and the shoe’s flat platform.
But everything else that you’d normally want from a quality cushioning system: spring back, comfort, smooth step transitions, and Boost-like shock absorption? This is just not it. Perhaps it’s a setup that Harden particularly demanded. I’d definitely believe that if it’s true.
But the general audience that’s looking for a good cushion setup will likely end up disappointed here.
VI. SUPPORT
How much all-around security does it offer? What about the build’s stability and foot containment? Any restrictions in result?
One thing adidas doesn’t usually screw up is security. It all starts with a proper fit, so make sure you get the size right for this one first. Too much unwanted room can compromise the whole experience, no matter how many support components are stuffed inside.
For me though, even sticking with my true size and having a bit of extra length, I didn’t feel compromised. This is an extremely beefy setup that should hold anyone’s foot in and provide protection even if you’ve got the body of a LeBron James.
There’s a hard internal heel counter to lock in your ankle & heel, the (overdone) TPU sidewalls all around the midsole portion are also there to turn the shoe into a bulletproof vest for your foot. The removable midsole is amazingly rigid too AND it’s got a built-in midfoot shank.
Torsional support is insane here and probably even too much for some. I’d normally recommend such a build for a flat footer but in this case, I’m really not sure. You might end up even more uncomfortable rather than properly supported due to the build’s lack of ability to move well with one’s foot.
And then there’s the platform. It’s almost completely flat and on the wider side, so stability is unquestionably excellent here. Unfortunately though, at the cost of comfort, mobility, and a smooth heel-to-toe stride in this case.
But even despite all this STUFF on the shoe, my heel kept wanting to pop out. I drive it to the back of the shoe, re-lace it, play for some time before needing to repeat the process. Again and again.
What’s the point of all this support bulk when the design choices fail to keep your heel in place?
Looking past that though, no matter what kind of movement I threw at these, the overwhelming amount of structure to the upper catches anything at any time. These are absolute tanks, for the better or worse.
If for some reason you’re not experiencing any heel slippage with these, you’ll be strapped in for a very supportive ride. That’s for sure.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the materials used? How well do they perform on-court? How’s the quality & reliability of the build?
BUILD OVERVIEW
Don’t let the looks fool you. adidas calls this the Futurenatural upper but it’s just marketing shenanigans. I’m sure the design team had valid reasons behind this kind of build and I’d be eager to hear ’em all. Seriously.
Looks like there’s some kind of ripstop style fabric underneath but the whole build is wrapped in super hard plastic that’s not even a normal synthetic you’d see on today’s shoes. It’s literal plastic that’s hard to the touch, it’s scratchy and it’s heavy.
The only parts that feature fully exposed fabric with no backings are the tongue and the ankle collar. There are also these felt overlays all throughout the upper that made for some really dope designs, I’ll give ’em that. They do nothing for performance though.
The whole build is actually a one-piece design, which means the midsole and the upper portions are molded together. This has been done before but here, I don’t really see a clear benefit honestly. Take a look at the lebron 19 – that’s where this type of design really shines.
But let’s not get all cynical here. Like most things in life, even such a build will have its strong suits.
PERFORMANCE & RELIABILITY
This is definitely a durable setup that should last you a LONG time, so it could be considered a good bang for your buck. Especially if you’re an outdoor hooper.
The crazy amount of structure also means support & containment are no short of stellar. Linearly, laterally, torsionally, diagonally, whatever. Your foot’s not going anywhere when there’s so much plastic all around it.
But the negatives are what make this shoe unattractive for most people. I usually don’t judge a shoe by its weight as it’s just a number. But 18+ ounces? There are heavier shoes that don’t feel heavy because they fit really well, the build moves well with your foot and each component works in-hand with each other well.
While on the Harden Vol. 5, it just doesn’t. I could clearly feel the midsole portion weighing the whole shoe down which is not something I feel often in a basketball sneaker. And then there’s the lack of flexibility, stiffness, feeling clunky and all the synonyms you could find.
You can forget about ventilation too.
All in all, the overall experience on the court was subpar. The shoe felt heavy, a little bulky, and often stiff upon a movement where other shoes would normally move along with my foot. It’s playable, sure. But what’s the point when there are much better options out there?
VIII. OVERALL
Rounding the Harden Vol. 5 review up: are they versatile? Who’s best suited for the shoe? Is it a good deal?
The adidas Harden Vol. 5 is the first sneaker in Harden’s main lineup that failed to impress me. I was more confused rather than let down as some of the design choices really seemed to have reasoning behind ’em. But actually playing on the court is much different from an idea on paper.
Perhaps The Beard himself prefers it this way. And we can’t blame him – he’s an elite athlete, while we’re just hoopers. But after the Harden Vol. 3 and the kyrie 8 which were both phenomenal, I’m just confused.
The shoe has its strong suits. Despite fitting long, most people will be fine stepping down half a size, while wide footers should get away with their true size. Traction’s acceptable AS LONG as you’re on a clean court or you’re wiping the outsoles down frequently.
This crazy build is also durable and undeniably supportive. Even the heaviest and highest-jumping dudes should find enough structure for protection.
Despite lots of pricing inconsistencies, overhyped releases that turned out as something left-to-be-desired, and generally deceiving marketing – I simply cannot deny Nikey makes a TON of shoes each year and some of those are actually super solid options for almost dirt cheap. Hence I present my Nike Precision 5 review.
Fitting right into the mentioned affordable range that still produces a solid product, I’ll break down the 5th shoe in the Swoosh’s Precision line. I’ll analyze its fit & comfort, performance, general value for the money, versatility, and whether it’s a worthy upgrade over last year’s already pretty good Precision 4.
I. SPEC SHEET
click for a full-sized image
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
For those in a hurry: the Nike Precision 5 is a near-identical model to last year’s shoe, albeit with a few small changes.
Most players should go true to size with these, including wide footers. Traction was just as good as the Precision 4’s but this time, the shoe took a step down in terms of durability – the rubber used was noticeably weaker.
The basic foam midsole cushion is nothing to boast about but fans an ultra-fast, reponsive, low-to-the-ground ride will absolutely love the setup.
I had no issues with support despite the super minimal build.
The super minimalistic textile build is on the cheaper side of things but still worked on-court. No containment issues even for a more explosive player like myself.
The few gripes I’ve had with the shoe is the laces loosening up very quickly after I lace ’em up, the tongues often get bunched up and causing some minimal discomfort and the foam sidewalls aren’t peachy for a wide foot.
It’s acceptable though.
For alternatives, check out the Precision 4 if you want the same shoe but better durability for outdoors and the Zoom Freak 2 for an upgraded, beefed up (but still fast & mobile) low-top.
The full review is below
III. FIT & COMFORT
Do they fit true to size or should you go up/down? How comfortable are they? Anything else to know for the wearer?
image source: nike.com
SIZING GUIDE
Starting off with the need-to-know, the Precision 5 fit me true to size, despite me being a huge wide footer. Yes, I’m one of the boat-foot/clown-foot type individuals. However, the Precision 5 wasn’t among the shoes that brought a slew of issues for me.
Regular footers or those with more narrow-shaped feet should also opt for their usual size. Most guys should expect a snug, near one-to-one fit with these. Give ’em time and everything should normalize for just about anyone unless you’ve got even wider/thicker feet than I do. In that case, I wish you the best of luck my friend.
My initial experience started off really snug but it kinda always does. For a more forgiving build such as this one, I was able to achieve passable comfort in around a month.
I was able to play and shoot around from day 1 of course but I definitely didn’t feel optimal since the upper felt tight, and the two little foam pieces that come up on both sides of the midfoot applied some pressure.
Not the worst-case scenario though, and by far. Every few days of action felt better and better, and around a month’s time was enough to minimize the annoying foam pieces colliding with my foot’s bones and stretch out the material to its limit.
Can I still feel the presence of tightness? Yes, occasionally. Those little foam sidewalls still tend to hit the bone of my foot during certain quicker moves and that’s still uncomfortable but by far not as bad as it initially started off.
I’d bet my money that you wouldn’t even have this issue, to begin with, if you’ve got a foot that’s even slightly more narrow than mine.
vs. the Precision 4: the 5th shoe is definitely a bit roomier width-wise since it’s finally not the same recycled build. I needed to go up half a size with the previous model and even then things weren’t optimal and took time to break in.
While the Precision 5 isn’t an ideal shoe for a wide footer either, I’d still choose it over the 4th just because of the extra room at the toebox.
While we can’t expect a god-sent shoe that feels like a dose of luxury with a $70 price tag, I still have to give credit where it’s due.
The Precision 5 feels like a fast and light formula. They can’t offer you a luxury knit or flagship tech but the materials actually wrapped around my foot fairly well compared to the usual budget builds consisting of cheap synthetics.
Oh, and they’re SUPER light. I mean feather-like.
There’s a tad bit of padding around the ankle and on the tongue – pretty much in line with the rest of Nikey’s affordable lineup of hoop shoes. The tongue isn’t your insanely sharp LeBron 19 like absurdity – so no worries there. Your shins are safe!
The shoe is also a treat to put on, even for a massive foot like mine.
The only little gripe I have in the fit/comfort department is that the tongue tends to get all bunched up sometimes. Skip cranking down of the top laces and you’ll be running around with a pair of flappers on top. Doesn’t affect performance in a meaningful way but still thought I’d mention it.
vs. the Precision 4: very similar comfort-wise. Both shoes feel light & fast and I tend to forget I’ve got them on while playing which is a great feeling to have on the court.
Numbers-wise, the Precision 5 is even lighter (by a small margin) and the altered build introduces a little bit of extra structure so it’s a win-win for the latest release.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip a variety of surfaces well? Is floor dust/debris a factor? How long will they last outdoors?
image source: nike.com
TRACTION PERFORMANCE
Just like the main build, the outsoles were changed up from the last shoe as well. A herringbone-like pattern on the lateral portion and a denser, more compact pattern medially. Solid rubber is used for all colorways – no translucent options are available.
While these don’t squeak as much as some other Nike kicks, I have NO COMPLAINTS about the traction. They truly did deliver in covering me no matter the movement, the angle, how fast I stopped, or where I stepped.
I’ve played outdoors on a classic blacktop and also on a rubber surface. The traction was deadly on both. These actually remind me of the Curry 8 in terms of the sheer bite which is insane. Check out my review of the Curry 8 and you’ll see why.
Now, most shoes do just fine on an abrasive concrete surface since there’s plenty of friction from the ground. Well, my rubber court I usually go to is all kinds of dirty and some of the rubber is torn off, leaving more slippery spots. I’d often feel I stepped on one of these areas with a lot of shoes.
Not with the Precision 5.
While I still recommend wiping down the outsoles every few plays/minutes just to be sure – you shouldn’t have issues even if you don’t have such a habit.
I haven’t personally played indoors yet (hopefully VERY soon) but have seen multiple reviewers reporting that they don’t have issues on hardwood either, but occasional wiping is encouraged.
image source: nike.com
OUTDOOR DURABILITY
The bite’s great. But how’s the outsole holding up, you say? I’m afraid things aren’t as peachy this time but don’t get overly worried either.
As you might’ve guessed, the lateral portions of the outsole that utilize a herringbone-style pattern are clearly holding up better than the thin, dense stuff that’s slapped on the medial portions.
I don’t really get the reasoning behind this since they could’ve just used the herringbone variation throughout the whole thing and called it a day. This is Nikey though, a 35 billion-dollar company we’re talking about. We’re never gonna know everything.
So, while I can’t feel a degrade in the shoe’s bite yet, I expect it nonetheless since the medial portions are quickly burning off. And I mean quickly.
I’m convinced that I’ll get through a full season of outdoor play with these. I’m NOT convinced I’ll get through multiple though, and that these will grip just as well indoors after all that rubber getting destroyed in the park.
There’s my longevity hypothesis for ya.
vs. the Precision 4: I found the base level of traction deadlier and sharper in the 5th shoe but if I had to choose between the two for someone who’s looking to play outdoors for a long time and not break the bank – the Precision 4 definitely has more durable rubber for the same price.
Also check out my shoe list for outdoors if you’re looking for a reliable option.
V. CUSHION
How’s the impact protection? What about step comfort and energy return of the foam? Is it stable?
While a lot of components have been changed up from the last model, the cushion’s not one of them. The Precision line never really had bad cushion – it’s just not for everyone.
The Precision 5 utilizes what Nike calls a “resilient foam midsole” but if you follow Nikey, you know there can’t be anything else but Phylon in there. And yes, Phylon’s definitely resilient – the midsole will feel as it should for a loooong time.
However, Phylon by itself is also pretty stubborn, so you won’t get a lot of compression with these. I could feel the heel portion of the foam just a tiny bit if I do a harder plant or a heel strike. The forefoot portion is all about responsiveness and speed. Don’t expect bounce over there.
So, the setup is right around the “budget” range – minimal impact protection, very responsive, and low to the ground. Fantastic for low-profile players or for those that are lighter or just don’t prefer having tons of cushion underfoot.
For a more athletic player, a classic big man, or for someone who’s heavier – this might not be your cup of tea. I’m nowhere near to being heavy for my height and I still could barely feel the cushion.
However, there’s just enough to keep things comfortable and avoid the feeling of literal bricks under your feet – something from the repertoire of a Kyrie 2 or a Mamba Instinct. This is still not a perfect option for those long, multiple-hour pickup sessions on concrete.
Heavy or not, your feet will feel fatigued in such situations. I personally started feeling some foot fatigue and slight pain in the balls of my feet after about 2 weeks of testing these. Doesn’t start that way but play for 3+ hours for a few weeks straight and you’ll see what I mean.
So basically, the Swoosh saved the most cash by shoving a basic Phylon midsole for the Precision 5. If you don’t need a lot of cushion – you’ll be just fine. If you need more cushion – you might want to save a bit more $$$ and check out these options.
vs. the Precision 4: right around the same. Just a tad bit of actual feedback from the foam while staying fast & low to the ground. I did find the step transitions of the Precision 5 to be a bit smoother but not by a large margin. Both offer minimal cushion setups.
VI. SUPPORT
How much all-around security does it offer? What about the build’s stability and foot containment? Any restrictions in result?
Security is where the latest shoe in the lineup introduced some slight tweaks while keeping the overall experience feeling the same for the wearer. I definitely like that.
The 5th shoe in the Precision line features a solid internal heel counter to lock your ankle & heel in the back of the shoe, foam sidewalls that come up on several areas of the upper, acting as additional protection.
The platform of the shoe is on the wider side and we’ve also got a pair of aggressive outriggers to catch those ankle rolls. The lacing system is traditional and flat laces are used now, which I found to perform and hold the tightness better than your standard cheap, slippery laces you see on budget models.
Torsional rigidity has been beefed up as well – although there’s still no midfoot shank in place, the midsole itself and the rubber caging around it made the shoe rigid enough to feel safe. Never once I thought something’s off there.
I still wouldn’t recommend these to a flat footer just because of the lack of proper cushion. Check out this shoe list if you happen to be one.
I definitely like the end product in terms of support though. No containment issues, no confidence issues while making a move, none of that. While it’s still a fairly minimal shoe and there are beefier options out there, I’m certain most guys will find these enough since most of us don’t have the attributes of a LeBron.
vs. the Precision 4: still light, still comfortable but a bit more supportive this time! While a small one, it’s still an upgrade without sacrificing any other qualities.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the materials used? How well do they perform on-court? How’s the quality & reliability of the setup?
THE BUILD
The shoe features a textile material at the toebox, while a more tightly wrapped fabric & a synthetic overlay at the back. There are also some cheap Fuse overlays on high-wear areas such as the toe and around the eyelets.
The tongue is mesh-backed with some foam and the shoe sports a traditional lace & tongue construction. No one-bootie stuff here.
One thing that’s pretty cool is that all overlays on top of the textile are put together with no sews, and Nikey claims that improves durability. We’ll see how’s that glue holding up in a few more months Nike. We’ll see.
PERFORMANCE
The setup is basic but as long as the shoe fits my foot properly and the material isn’t some plastic that bangs up my foot – I’ll be just fine. This textile wrapped around my forefoot nicely, and never once did I think I’m playing in a “cheap” shoe on the court.
The back portion also felt great but that one’s tough to screw up. The minimal padding around the ankle & tongue could’ve been beefier but that didn’t take away from the shoe. Ventilation also isn’t the best despite the materials being fairly thin.
But if we’re talking pure performance – I really do not have any serious complaints. The textile moved well with my foot and held it in place.
The only downsides to the build are a few already-mentioned nitpicks: the tongue getting bunched up, laces loosening up occasionally, the foam pieces colliding with my wide feet initially, and iffy ventilation.
None of those make the shoe a bad one, to be clear. But still something to remember before buying.
Here’s the midfoot portion for the black colorway.
DURABILITY
The second-to-last pair of eyelets are getting pretty banged up 2 months in, there are also a few frays in the toebox, and the ankle collar’s getting a bit trashed from me constantly putting the shoe on, and off. That’s about it for the damage so far.
None of the wear & tear screams ALERT to me yet but who knows how these will look half a year in. We’ll see. So far though, things are looking somewhere in the line with a 90-100 dollar shoe which is great but this type of comparison is getting less and less relevant these days due to the market getting inconsistent.
We don’t know why some things are priced how they are anymore, so don’t get shocked if an $80 sneaker outlasts a $150 “signature”.
vs. the Precision 4: I could say the 5th shoe technically offers a “better” material setup since this textile feels a bit beefier than last year’s paper thin knit. And I don’t remember the 4th shoe hugging my foot as well.
Still though, the differences are marginal when you take things to the court. Both are basic setups, so expect moderate durability and likely some foul-ups in quality control since this is the price range where most of it happens. Or should happen. Like I said, you never know anymore.
VIII. OVERALL
Rounding things up: are they versatile? Who’s best suited for the shoe? Is it a good deal amongst the competition?
The Nike Precision 5 is another trusty bang-for-your-buck option from the gods of the Swoosh. Once again, not a crazy shoe – it won’t impress your fellow sneakerheads, nor will it blow you away on the court.
While we get a ton of weird stuff from Nike these days, I have to appreciate something as the Precision lineup, offering a good shoe for a fraction of the price of their flagships.
If you’re looking for a solid option RIGHT NOW, and can’t afford to spend $100+ on a single pair – this is truly a potential pick for ya. As long as you can live without good cushioning underfoot.
QUICK RECAP
The Precision 5 should fit most guys true to their size, including wide footers like myself. Traction is deadlier than ever, though be aware that the pattern is rapidly getting wrecked 2 months in and it’s not going to get better from there.
Cushion is something that could be considered as lacking but if you can live with a low-profile setup – this will do the trick. Support is actually great and an upgrade over the last shoe, and while the material choices might look cheap – the shoe plays just fine.
If I’d be playing outdoors sometimes, I’d definitely pick the Precision 5 over last year’s sneaker. However, since I’m still playing in the park every time I hoop, I’d have to lean towards the 4th shoe as much I don’t like saying that. It simply has a better pair of outsoles slapped on that use thicker, tackier rubber.
This one’s up to you to decide – I don’t know your particular situation and/or needs on the basketball court. But I hope that by now you can weigh each shoe’s pros & cons and make the decision!
For this comprehensive 3-month OUTDOOR Air Jordan 35 review, I’ll break down the shoe’s fit & comfort aspects, performance, value for the price and we’ll also discuss the changes from the AJ 34 for those who have it and looking to upgrade.
But I’m not even going to tease you. The 35th AJ model is my favorite basketball shoe of 2020.
UPDATE: it has been almost a year since the AJ 36 launched and I’ve been able to finally start taking shoes inside on the beloved hardwood. I’ve updated the review where I’ll talk about how well the shoe held up in these 10-11 months and how’s the performance indoors.
I. SPEC SHEET
click to inspect the full-sized image
I. 1-MIN REVIEW 🕒
In a hurry? Here’s the gist of it: the AJ 35 is a direct upgrade from last year’s Air Jordan 34 sharing the same frame but improving on some aspects, while potentially taking a slight step back in one area for some people.
The shoe fits most foot shapes just fine, including wide footers – yes, TTS is the safest option. Traction is great on a variety of surfaces but this isn’t a hardcore outdoor model.
The heel & forefoot Zoom Air cushion is more of the same well-rounded goodness but the ride felt a bit faster & firmer this time. I still felt super comfy though.
The support department could be considered an upgrade due to the inclusion of more structure using raw materials throught the upper and also the upgraded Eclipse Plate 2.0.
However, some people suffer from the shoe’s lace loops digging into their foot arches when pulling down on the laces.
Unfortunately – this happens to some people, while for some (like myself), it goes away after a break-in period. One way to find out.
III. FIT & COMFORT
How’s the fit? Should you deviate from your size? How comfy are they? Anything else to know?
image source: nike.com
SIZING GUIDE: ALL FOOT SHAPES COMPATIBLE!
The Jordan 35 definitely fits true to size for most foot shapes, including slightly wide footers. Very prominent wide footers (click for a wide footer shoe list) like myself, it might be best to order a few different pairs just to be sure.
However, I still went true to size and I’m not regretting the decision.
After a break-in period which took about 2 weeks, the shoe fits me near perfectly. Once I got used to the shoe and the upper molded to my foot, it’s almost the Air Jordan 34 all over again. That’s a good thing.
Superb lockdown and containment with no annoying restrictions or stiffness, they’re just right lengthwise (about a quarter-inch of space), there’s no heel slippage or any sort of other nastiness.
So, if you’re going straight for the kill, just go true to size. If you want to be extra safe, I’d then suggest ordering a few different size pairs and return the ones that didn’t fit. Or try them on in a store if possible, though that’s going to be tough since the shoe is now cleared from the shelves for the most part.
image source: nike.com
COMFORT: STIL GOOD BUT QUICKER
Despite being slightly heavier than the AJ 34 on paper, the Jordan 35 felt lighter to play in. That caught me off guard a bit but once again, in a good way.
This was exactly my first thought after I put the shoe on and started running around in it – something just felt lighter and quicker with these. We’ll talk more as to why in the later sections of the review.
Forget about bulkiness or feeling heavy-footed – that’s gone since the Air Jordan 34 and now looks to be even more improved on the 35.
There’s also lots of internal padding, the shoe is easy to put on, the material choices are now more forgiving and reduce the needed weight you’d usually see on an older AJ model.
The shoe achieves an excellent balance in terms of comfort, security, and feeling mobile. That’s where the Air Jordan 35 shines for me. These just cradled my foot in a secure but non-intrusive way and it’s just the way I like it.
media source: news.nike.com
PROTECT YOUR ARCHES!
That’s not all there is to the fit though.
I’d like to mention the one thing I’ve seen many other reviewers and people report on. Pulling on the laces too tightly results in the connected nylon lace loops digging into your arches, and that’s no good while you’re playing.
I did have concerns about this right before getting the shoe, especially since I’m a wide footer. However, my experience was much better than what a lot of users seem to be reporting.
First off, I never pull on my laces to such an extreme case where my foot is completely suffocated – I never liked that type of fit for my shoes. Secondly, 3-4 weeks in, the digging feeling pretty much went away for me.
Now, my wide foot likely had something to do with this – since they already fit snug for me due to my feet, I never really had to tighten the shoe up too much which could’ve caused more pain due to the nylon loops.
If you’re a regular/narrow footer – it might be different for you.
Loosening the laces up a bit will help if you’re experiencing a severe case of this issue. And it just might go completely away in time. It did for me.
Regardless, this is definitely something that should not have been happening in the first place and is a design flaw. The AJ 34 never had this issue, so I’m hoping they’ll sort this stuff out in the next one.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip a multitude of surfaces well? Is floor condition a factor? How long will the outsoles last?
The outsole of the Jordan 35 is pulled straight from last year’s model with marginal tweaks.
Same deadly traction, same consistency no matter the movement, same hassle-free herringbone pattern (for the most part) that doesn’t require you to wipe your soles every two seconds like a maniac.
Let me give you an 11-month update. I was finally able to take these inside on the classic hardwood just to see if the outdoor action messed with the pattern for a less abrasive surface.
The answer is – not really. I think I can notice a difference but it’s so marginal that it doesn’t really mean anything. Thanks to a trusty herringbone pattern and tacky rubber (even though some of it is burnt off now), the shoe bites the floor just fine.
So if you’ve chosen this as your indoor shoe – no worries at all. This IS an indoor shoe primarily.
And if you’re taking these insides after playing on concrete (much like I did) – you shouldn’t worry either. Unless your pattern is completely gone by now.
This is among the best tractions of 2020 for a reason and in the modern shoe era in general. I love it. I had zero issues on concrete outside, and the same story was for a synthetic rubber court too. That court has some dead spots as I call them – the rubber is torn off on a handful of areas and it’s pretty slippery there.
I can’t say the shoe completely neglected these dead areas when I stepped on them but most shoes don’t and that’s fine.
All I can say is that my grip wasn’t affected in a noticeable way on those areas, and that’s something I definitely CANNOT say about a lot of shoes.
media source: news.nike.com
OUTDOOR DURABILITY
Now, for the durability of the outsole – things aren’t as peachy. If you’re coming from the Jordan 34, this won’t be a surprise.
The rubber compound is fairly pliable and even though it is very tacky, the pattern will start burning off quicker than on an outdoor-ready shoe with something like XDR rubber or just stronger solid rubber.
Not to say the shoe will completely fall apart the same week you take it outside – I’ve been wrecking these with no regard for over two months now and even though I’m seeing some chipping mainly in the forefoot area, it’s definitely not the worst case I’ve seen.
As long as you’re not expecting these to hold up for multiple years while solely playing on the blacktop – you should be fine for occasional outdoor play.
V. CUSHION
How’s the shock absorption and energy return? What about ride height, comfort, and step transitions? Is it stable?
image source: nike.com
The cushion setup is mainly what made the shoe feel lighter and quicker than the AJ 34.
It’s almost an identical setup as last year’s shoe – unlocked forefoot and heel Zoom Air + a Phylon midsole, though the Zoom unit in the heel is now larger than last year’s AJ 34.
This is the pinnacle of cushion setups right here. For performance freaks like myself, you’re going to love it.
Fantastic impact protection without overcompression or feeling too mushy, fast energy return upon impact along with a little bit of that comfy bounce, buttery smooth step transitions, and retained court feel despite the beefy looking midsole.
It’s a setup that gives you pretty much everything performance-wise. While it is just a bit firmer and quicker than the AJ 34 – you will still feel that Zoom awesomeness.
Just a more “streamlined” version of it which makes the shoe as versatile as it can get.
One thing though – don’t judge a book by its cover. The unlocked Zoom units are awesome right out of the box but the midsole needs a bit of time to break in and soften up. These won’t feel as good as they will in a couple of week’s time. Patience is key.
A true flagship cushion setup any player/position will find sufficient. That’s why you see so many different NBA players across multiple positions rocking these. This setup is super well-rounded and it shows.
VI. SUPPORT
How much all-around security does it provide? What about lockdown? Any trade-offs as a result?
Support is once again similar to the Air Jordan 34. A secure fit & deadly lockdown is the foundation of the shoe’s security.
There’s also an internal heel counter along with soft pillows cupping your achilles, the same wide base is used for stability, the upper is now more structured thanks to the inclusion of raw materials so containment could be considered as an upgrade from the 34.
Not that I had containment issues with the 34 but it’s still nice.
There’s also the updated Eclipse Plate 2.0 which is heavier and beefier than its first iteration used on the 34. Torsional support is phenomenal here – a returning tendency among modern Air Jordan hoop shoes, which makes them solid options for people with flat feet (click for a flat footer’s shoe list).
The lacing system is traditional along with the nylon cables running through the midfoot area for enhanced lockdown, a.k.a. Flight Wire.
If you manage to get around that issue with the loops digging into your arches, the support of the Jordan 35 is both super solid and unrestrictive, keeping you comfy at all times.
Lovely work from AJ.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the materials used and how do they perform on-court? How’s the reliability of the build?
image source: nike.com
BUILD OVERVIEW
The materials did see some changes from the AJ 34.
The shoe now comes in two variants: genuine leather & textile combo or a genuine suede & textile combo.
The side panels of the shoe will be suede/leather, while the middle area and lateral areas just over the midsole will be utilizing lightweight textiles. On both versions, the shoe utilizes a standard lace-and-tongue construction, so no one-piece/one-bootie stuff here.
I personally happened to play in the suede version and I have no complaints.
image source: nike.com
PERFORMANCE
Some could consider this an upgrade, while others would see it as just a change to keep things fresh.
It’ll depend on what you prefer in terms of materials but for the general hooper who appreciates performance, this should absolutely satisfy you.
We’re getting the best of both worlds here: old-school and new-school stuff is being combined to make the upper structured, achieve better containment than the AJ 1 did, offer better ventilation due to the open textile design, as well as keep the build fairly durable.
media source: news.nike.com
RELIABILITY
Speaking of which, I do believe these would hold up longer outside than the AJ 34 since those primarily used synthetics.
Suede or leather won’t break down on you quickly and even though I’m seeing some slight frays in the toe area, it’s nothing serious. Merely just cosmetic damage.
If not for those questionable outsoles (in terms of durability) – this would be among the best outdoor models. Oh, if only.
I’ve had the shoe for 11 months now and even though I haven’t played in these for all those months consistently, they’re holding up just fine.
I haven’t taken these outdoors for a long time now since my local gym is finally available but you shouldn’t have issues playing in the Jordan 35 even for multiple seasons.
VIII. OVERALL
Conclusions: are they well-rounded? Who’s best suited for ’em? Is it a good buy amongst the competitors?
image source: nike.com
The Air Jordan 35 didn’t fall off the path the 34 started and it truly shows. I absolutely love the shoe and every area delivered pretty much what I’ve expected. Some seriously high standards are set now, so I’m pretty excited to see what the next one brings to the table.
QUICK RECAP
The Jordan 35 has awesome traction that’s both consistent and not prone to collecting dust, though not among the best options for regular hardcore outdoor play.
It’s got a killer cushion setup and even though it might not feel as fun as on the 34, it’s equally as good, if not better than last year’s performance-wise.
The upper introduced premium raw materials as well as a combination of modern stuff for a balanced mixture of old-school and new-school.
All-around support is phenomenal but be aware of the digging issue or your arches might suffer.
Sadly there’s nothing I can really recommend specifically to avoid it since some people have it, some don’t. Something you’ll have to try yourself and give some time for the shoe to break in to find out if it’ll be an issue for you.
Right from the start, I’ll tell you the Speedland SL:PDX is a high end trail running tool that’s not for everyone. The SL:PDX is high end because of the materials, components and price. It’s more a tool than shoe because of its impressive versatility. I’m not going to talk much about the $375 price tag because it automatically self selects who’s interested. If you’re not willing to pay that price, you don’t need what the SL:PDX offers. I’m also not going to compare it with other trail shoes because it’s not a fair fight. The Speedland SL:PDX is on a different level, a shoe made for those who spend all their free time running and hiking difficult trails.
