On Running Shoes are almost ubiquitous in the United States. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen them on a medical practitioner’s feet at a doctor’s office or PT clinic. And have you been to a theme park lately? Scores of moms and Dads rock them as they read articles on smartphones while waiting in line with several talkative children. On is basically a yuppie movement at this point. And so, On is off to conquer new ground. Next stop, the great outdoors. The On Cloudvista takes On’s signature styling from the roads to the trails.
On Cloudvista
Release Date: March 2022
Price: $140
Weight: 9.88oz
Drop: 7mm
Sizing: Go up a 1/2 size
Rundown: The On Cloudvista is a great-looking, comfortable shoe with a super grippy outsole and firm cushioning.
Pros
Outsole
Upper
Devilishly Good Looks
Cons
Cushion
Rock Plate
Narrow Fit
Pros
Outsole
When the On Cloudvista arrived, I liked the size and spacing of the lugs. The rubber used, called Missiongrip, is impressive. It gripped various trails well and performed admirably on slippery mud that’s often the bane of other trail shoes.
The Cloudvista was also flexible enough to handle bigger rocks and roots that made footing uneven without messing up my stride. The only problem with the outsole is the occasional rock getting stuck in the channel down the middle. That happens in some form or fashion with almost all trail shoes so I don’t see it as a big issue. Overall, I was impressed with the performance of Missiongrip and will definitely take notice when it pops up on other On shoes.
Upper
The mostly polyester upper almost looks like ripstop nylon with a different pattern. However, it feels much better than ripstop on foot. There’s no weird flexing and it hugs the foot nicely. On knows how to make a comfortable upper and this one is no exception. It’s built so well that I hardly even noticed the TPU overlays protecting the toe and heel until they deflected rocks, roots, or mud.
I could complain about the synthetic suede tongue (in my mind it cheapens the premium look On achieves) but at this point I’ve just come to expect it on all my On Dunk Low. One thing about the tongue and laces I’ll compliment is the lace garage. I love a nice lace garage on my trail running shoes to keep those laces from getting caught on stray branches. It’s a small but welcome touch that doesn’t necessarily add to the comfort but nails the convenience.
Devilishly Good Looks
The On Cloudvista is one of the best-looking trail shoes on the market. It’s just so well balanced. It could easily be worn casually as part of your after-outdoor activity, on the way to dinner, hiker chic fit. It fits well in upscale outdoorsy towns like Telluride, Park City, or Vail. It’s the only shoe that can go road to trail to dinner without missing a beat.
Cons
Cushion
Different On shoe, same story. The Cloudtec midsole is just a little too firm for my liking. I felt too many of the rocks and roots poking my foot. And that’s disappointing because I know modern trail shoes can do better (see the Air Jordan 37).
Rock Plate
Part of the reason I could feel the rocks and roots so pointedly (pun intended), is that the On Cloudvista doesn’t have a real rock plate. It just relies on the typical TPU On Speedboard that sits above the cushioning. The Speedboard is meant to flex, load energy, and provide pop upon toe-off. It’s not meant to shield your poor feet from sharp rocks. With its Cloudtec midsole, I’m not sure how On would implement a real rock plate, but I hope they figure it out on the next iteration of the Cloudvista.
Narrow Fit
Not only does the On Cloudvista fit about a half size small (go up a half size from your normal shoe size when buying it), it runs narrow. I can’t recommend my wide-footed friends grab this good-looking shoe. This is odd because On shoes are usually pretty accommodating and not something I expected going into testing.
On Cloudvista Summary
The On Cloudvista is a fantastic-looking, comfortable, versatile shoe with a super grippy outsole and firm cushioning. While wide footers should avoid the narrow fit, the Cloudvista has some good use cases. You can run in it, hike in it, vacation in it, and more. It’s one of those do-everything sneakers easily packed for a European vacation that features a bunch of city streets and mountain peaks. And as a bonus, your feet will look really good the whole way.
The women-specific idea behind the Puma Run XX Nitro definitely shines as this shoe hugs the foot in all the right places. There’s not too much arch support, but the Run XX Nitro is designed to fit without extra heel locks or other lacing tricks. This trainer encourages a stable ride, features great traction on a variety of surfaces, and has decent responsiveness when you pick up the pace.
Puma Run XX Nitro
Release Date: June 17, 2022
Price: $130
Weight: 8.25oz
Drop: 8mm (23mm forefoot, 31mm heel)
Sizing: True to Size
Rundown: The Puma Run XX Nitro women-specific running shoe with a narrow fit, stable ride, great traction, and a slightly hard or dense road feel.
Pros
Women-specific fit
Stability
Traction
Cons
Hard Ride
Response
Pros
Women-Specific Fit
I’m always a sucker for a sneaker I can slide into without needing an extra heel-locking lace loop or thicker socks. The Jordan 37 fits well around the heel and forefoot without skimping in the toe box. I run very forward and had no issues with sliding within the shoe or my toes hitting the end of the toebox.
The mesh tongue is connected with elastic on the inside and stays nicely in place. The mesh upper provides decent breathability, especially in the humid (and hot!) southern temps I tested them in.
Stability
The Puma Run XX Nitro comes equipped with “Runguide” for foot strike guidance. It does this by placing a firm density rim around the heel. The Runguide is meant to promote alignment and centering of the foot throughout the stride. This stability feature really helped me on runs with tired legs. I found myself running more efficiently and landing with less pronation.
Traction
The Air Jordan rubber outsole provided great traction on pavement, wet pavement, old crumbly roads, and on the few gravel paths leading back to pavement. I felt confident I wasn’t going to slip and felt like I had a wide enough base and solid grip on the ground throughout the run.
Cons
Hard Ride and Response
The Puma XX Nitro claims to be the “perfect balance of durable and lightweight,” thanks to the firm NITRO foam midsole (Editor’s Note: the Nitro is firmer on the Run XX Nitro than on the Velocity Nitro 2 or the Magnify Nitro, Puma’s top of the line neutral daily running shoes). I found the shoe to ride a bit hard, meaning I could feel the ground but with not as much bounce-back response as I was expecting when running easy pace. However, when doing pick-ups, or running closer to tempo pace, the shoe seemed to respond back with a little more snap.
Puma Run XX Nitro Summary
The Puma Run XX Nitro women’s specific running shoe is a step in the right direction for realizing the difference between men’s and women’s feet and running needs. The fit, stability, and traction make it a trainer that I find myself reaching for when I need a little more stability or extra traction. You can buy the Puma XX Nitro women’s running shoe at Puma.
The Nike Kyrie Infinity is Kyrie Irving‘s 2021-22 signature shoe, but we’re not entirely sure what the brand would call them as some retailers instead listed them as the Nike Kyrie 8. Regardless of what these are called, though, we are excited to get them tested on the court. A lot of elements from the last two models as well as more recent Nike basketball releases have been included to make this shoe a certified bad boy performer.
I’ve been able to play in these both indoors and outdoors (though my short review video is all outdoors) and during league play, so I really put them through their paces. I’ll let you check out my performance review video above to see my verdict on the shoe.
Now let’s dive in to the full breakdown of the shoe:
Traction
The Kyrie 8 / infinity features a very similar traction pattern to the Kyrie 6 and the Kyrie 7. The pattern is etched into the rubber and it is super aggressive. The traction was superb and it was augmented by the shoe’s lockdown and support.
I got to use the Kyrie 8 during several playoff league games, on a court that tends to be pretty dusty and dirty. The competition level was high as was the intensity. On top of that, I’m coming off an Achilles tendon tear, and I still have to build muscle mass back in my left calf. All this to say that I was hyper-aware of the traction and support as they are the two features I was most wary about. I DO NOT want to re-injure that tendon.
If you have ever had a bad injury, you know that when you return you are a little gun-shy at the beginning and you slowly gain confidence as you play. I was very surprised that after just a quarter of play or so in the Kyrie 8, I was no longer focusing on my Achilles. I felt so safe and locked down in the shoe that instinct took over and I could play with no (mental) restrictions.
The traction had me stopping on a dime, making hard cuts, and locking down on defense. Now, if the support had been lacking, the traction wouldn’t have mattered. If your foot is sliding around as you stop or cut, the traction might even be a hindrance.
On outdoor courts, it worked equally as well. I have heard some people say that it is not the most durable set-up for outdoor play, but I personally have had no issues with this and my traction pattern looks the same as the first day I laced them up. That might have to do with the fact that I bought my pair in Spain where I live, and we might get a different rubber compound here, but my experience outdoors has been great.
But the Kyrie 8 was awesome, great traction and great support. But more on that later.
Cushion
The Kyrie 8 is the Kyrie model that packs the most cushioning tech out of all the shoes in the line. The Kyrie 8 features a phylon midsole, a U-shaped zoom unit in the heel, and a large zoom strobel in the forefoot. The same zoom strobel, in fact, that you will find in the Nike GT Run. Thats a lot of cushioning for a Kyrie Irving shoe.
Kyrie Irving seems to prefer low-profile shoes with a lot of court feel and responsiveness, so it’s surprising to see this level of cushioning. But the fact of the matter is that the implementation of the zoom unit and strobel allow the shoe to provide a ton of impact protection and even feel bouncy while keeping you close to the ground like a traditional Kyrie shoe.
I really enjoyed the cushioning. I prefer shoes on the responsive side to feel quicker on my feet. The Kyrie 8 did a really great job of providing cushy impact protection and responsiveness. In this aspect, they kinda’ of reminded me of the Puma Clyde All-Pro for some reason.
Materials
The materials on the Kyrie 8 were easily my favorite feature, and that’s saying something. The Kyrie 8 has a perfect blend of modern lightweight synthetic materials and old-school premium materials.
The synthetics do their job well and keep the shoe light and well ventilated. But the shoe also has some nice suede and leather on the heel which give the shoe a “premium signature” look and feel. I personally really like leather uppers so this was right up my alley. I even liked the puffy tongue which a lot of people didn’t care for.
You get all of the performance of a modern hoop shoe with a slick “90’s” design. Love it.
Fit
If there is one aspect to nit-pick it is probably the fit. I went true to size with my pair and I had no problems, but the consensus seems to be that the Jordan 37 fits snug. This being the case I would say to go up half a size, or if you have the chance, go into a store and try them on and see how they feel for you.
For me, the fit enhanced the support and lockdown and I had no issues what so ever.
Support
Support was again, excellent. I was paying close attention to the support because of my wonky leg and it worked great.
The Kyrie 8 features what Nike calls the Dynamic Strap System. In this video,our teammate Rico takes an in-depth look at this setup.
The shoe features 2 interior straps that surround your heel and forefoot respectively. When you lace the shoe, you tighten both straps, pulling your foot down into the footbed and securing it.
I thought that it worked great. I am a heavy guard and when support on a shoe is terrible I really notice, and not only did I have no issues with the support, I would say that the Kyrie 8 is one of the most secure feeling shoes I ever hooped in.
Overall
I know some of my WearTesters colleagues have other shoes they would put above the Kyrie 8 performance-wise, but everyone agrees that it is one of the best basketball shoes of 2022.
I personally think that the Kyrie 8 is the best basketball shoe of the year. Admittedly, it has everything I WANT in a basketball shoe. You might prefer a different cushioning setup, different upper materials, or just different aesthetics, but you will enjoy playing in the Kyrie 8 on some level.
It is now 2020 and despite the fact that the Curry 7 is out for a while now, I have to bring the Under Armour Curry 6 review first. Yes, that’s correct – I must show this to the ballers out there who are looking to get themselves a quality pair of basketball shoes to play in for a good price and to enjoy every bit of it.
You’ll soon find out why!
I’ll be talking about the shoe’s comfort & performance aspects, its overall build quality, and check what kind of players will love these the most.
SPEC SHEET
Model: Under Armour Curry 6 (Team)
Build: Low-Top
Weight: 12.3 oz / 341 g. (Size 10)
Retail Price: $130
Cushion: Full-length HOVR
I. COMFORT & FIT
Pretty much just like most of Curry’s shoes, comfort is something that’s usually not lacking.
The Curry 6 is not an exception here – I found the kicks to be very comfortable pretty much at all times, no matter the movement.
Thanks to the full-on knit upper, some nice internal padding, and a quality fit, I’d say these are literally one of the most comfortable Curry or any UA athletic shoes ever. Period.
I should point out that I’m a wide footer but I went true to size and found the shoe to be as comfortable as it can get just over 40-60 minutes.
That’s what knit and a good implementation of it does – takes all the bulls**t break-in time away and makes sure you experience the full 100% of what the designers intended almost right away.
Absolutely a killer job in this department. Let’s move on!
II. TRACTION
The saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” definitely applies to basketball shoe technology and innovations, and it seems Under Armour did not look back once while making the 6th Curry iteration.
No classic herringbone traction pattern here – though that’s fortunately not a bad thing in this case.
I’ve found the traction to be solid most of the time, minus a few minimal slips here and there during the times I was zoned into the game and didn’t bother wiping the outsoles for a longer period of time.
Yeah, I’d say be prepared to do some wiping to preserve maximum traction, though by far not as much as it can get.
This also depends on the court condition, I was mostly playing either on a medium-condition wood court or outside on a synthetic rubber surface.
I’ve had zero problems inside. Outdoors though – it was still fine, just needed to wipe from time to time to make sure I’m not sliding out where I don’t need to.
So, I’ve definitely experienced better traction before but if I said the Dunk Low is problematic here – I’d be lying.
And you can take these outdoors too! This is for sure not an outdoor model specifically as the rubber might start deteriorating pretty soon, judging from the shallowness of it, but, again, not the most terrible variant I’ve seen.
III. CUSHION
The 6th model introduced the brand new HOVR cushion and it’s implemented in a full-length fashion here – the whole midsole you’re sitting on offers some really solid cushioning.
Comparing this setup to other well-known full-length cushion setups such as Nike’s Zoom Air or Adidas’s BOOST, this one won’t be as overly bouncy or “fun” to play in.
But, once again, that’s absolutely not a bad thing, especially comparing it to the previous Curry models. Most of them were too stiff to a lot of people’s preference as they were targeting lower profile guards like Curry himself, obviously.
This time though, things are changed, rebuilt, and optimized for just about any build or player.
I’m a very explosive player, and I love playing aggressively when I can, and these didn’t fail me at all.
The way HOVR is implemented here is definitely stable, impact absorption is not lacking and my step transitions were smooth as butter, thanks to the full-length midsole, plus the new speed plate.
I would’ve liked a bit more forefoot cushion but this is totally understandable, as fast, multi-directional players such as the splash brother Curry himself need maximum mobility along with strong court feel.
In a nutshell, don’t overthink about the Curry 6’s cushioning – it will work for pretty much everyone. Just don’t expect you’ll be walking on clouds.
IV. SUPPORT
Support and foot containment is something the Curry models never fail in.
The Curry 6 is once again at the top of its game in terms of this.
We’ve got a very nicely built flat and wide base of the shoe to promote a stable foundation, to begin with.
Next, we have a nicely shaped outsole with cut out grooves in areas where it accommodates certain movements, and the sides of the sneaker are widened out, so it’s basically an outrigger, responsible for lateral support.
Lastly, there’s also the external heel counter and a TPU speed plate implemented right under your foot, which also enhances torsional protection.
The knit upper won’t add to extra support here but don’t worry – don’t forget about the shoe’s great fit that’s contained properly.
These pretty much check every box in terms of support technology and feature, and in a way that’s not promoting poor comfort.
You can leave your ankle braces at home, the Curry 6 will handle the load for you.
V. BUILD & MATERIALS
The upper is pretty much 100% knit with some synthetic overlays added on top throughout certain key areas to ensure durability.
I love soft knit uppers and this one is not an exception. We all know pure knit/woven is generally less durable but I see these ones are built very nicely.
Pair that with the fuse overlays, and the fact that they’ll be used mostly outdoors, and it turns out it won’t be as weak as it’s so commonly perceived.
I’d say this is a fantastic offer for $130 – you generally won’t see premium knit setups like this one for that price tag.
VI. OVERALL
The Jordan 37 is no slouch for sure – every single category is well-done I can clearly tell Curry & company did not overlook any single detail or scenario when making these.
Despite the versatility of the shoe’s nature, I’d still say quicker, lighter guards who play mostly below the rim and love to stop and pop will love these the most.
However, if you don’t fall into that category of players, these will still work for sure!
The Puma MB.01 Low offers the same great performance as its higher-collared counterpart, in a low-top package.
Colorway: Grey/Grey/Teal
Release Date: June 16, 2022
Price: $120
9.5/10
Total Score
The Puma MB.01 was a hit for Puma. It was a tremendous first signature shoe in the modern basketball era, and we’ve been wondering if it will ever get a low version. Well, the wait is over. We finally have the Puma MB.01 Low. This shoe continues the futuristic theme of making LaMelo Ball seem out of this world. He might be if what we’ve seen from the past two seasons is any indication. Regardless, he’s got the most coveted signature shoe currently available.
Traction
This is the shoe’s best feature. Puma has been nailing their rubber compounds so far, and this is no exception. The traction pattern is the same as the high-top version, so the experience is similar. The traction is aggressive and grippy and if you like noisy squeaks while you play, you will enjoy these. they even squeak outdoors.
There are only two downsides to the traction. First, the traction pattern doesn’t extend to the sides of the outsole that wrap up the midsole, which is also rounded. So if you cut or change directions aggressively (think Kyrie Irving) those portions won’t have as much grip as the sole itself.
The second issue is durability. This is important to consider if you plan on playing with these guys outdoors. The traction pattern will wear down rather quickly if you primarily play outdoors. But, for as long as these last, you’ll get an excellent grip.
Cushion
The midsole is full-length Nitro-infused foam, and the shoe comes with a thick Ortholite insole that adds some step-in comfort. The setup is great. Puma was able to find a perfect blend of responsiveness and plushness with their foam.
The Puma MB.01 Low offers enough impact protection to keep you out on the court for 2-3 hours pain-free while remaining responsive. Plus, the midsole is just thick enough that you still get a fair amount of court feel as you play. The Puma MB.01 Low just has a little bit of everything: responsiveness, plushness, stability, court-feel…the best way to describe the experience is balanced.
Materials
It’s what you expect in modern basketball shoes: textiles. The front half is ripstop with thick fuse overlays, and the rear section is jersey material. The tongue is made up of an open-celled mesh with a touch of leather for aesthetics. There are no hot spots, although it’s not the most breathable setup because of how heavily-padded the insides are. If you are going to build a fully textile upper, this is the way to do it.
Fit
Fit is true to size. The shoe does run slightly narrow in the forefoot, so wide-footers should try to test them out in-store if possible. One peculiarity to note is that players with more narrow heels might have slippage issues in the rear of the shoe. The Puma MB.01 has no heel pillows so you might experience some heel slippage at first. Availability has been an issue for the MB.01, so finding them in-store might be hard, but if you have narrow heels or a wide foot, you might want to test them out before purchasing.
Support
The support on the Puma MB.01 will perform great for most players. The support features the shoe boasts could be described as basic, but the shoe’s fit takes everything to the next level. There’s a heel counter for ankle stability and a midfoot shank plate so you don’t overtwist your feet. The base of the shoe is not particularly wide, but the proper fit can compensate for that.
The only players that might want to reach for a different model would be those that know they need a ton of support. Bigger, heavier players who like to cut a lot and have a more explosive style of play might want to go with a model designed with support in mind like the New Balance Kawhi 2.
Overall
The Puma MB.01 Low is one of the most versatile shoes out there, and easily one of the best performance basketball shoes you can find. Puma has been churning out some of the best performance models on the market, and the Puma MB.01 Low is another awesome shoe from the brand.
Your average hooper should really enjoy these. The Puma MB.01 Low is packed with performance goodies that all could be described as “goldie locks features”: great cushion that isn’t too plush or too responsive, support that isn’t too lax or too restrictive… everything on the shoe is just right.
The only things to keep in mind when picking up the Puma MB.01 Low are the outsole durability if you choose to play in them mainly outdoors, the support if you tend to need heavy-duty support, and the shoe’s availability. The shoe has been in such high demand that actually getting your hands on a pair for retail is a challenge in itself. If you have the good fortune of being able to pick up a pair, we highly suggest you make the purchase and enjoy them on court.
The Curry 3Z6 is one of the better budget models out there. With that said, there are still multiple things to improve.
Colorway: Grey/Grey
Release Date: 2022
Price: $80
7/10
Total Score
The Curry 3Z6 looks oddly familiar, especially when put side-by-side with the Jordan 1 and its predecessor, the Curry 3Z5. It’s the most popular budget series for Stephen Curry, and people who don’t want to spend $160 on his flagship model look for these as an alternative. The Curry 3Z6 is not as good as the Curry 9, though it has one great characteristic, and there’s plenty of room for improvement.
Traction
The traction pattern is the same as the Curry 3Z5 and the Curry HOVR Splash. Thus, performance is identical. You get multidirectional coverage which bites well on any surface. One of the most incredible upsides to this shoe is the outsole durability. I’ve played multiple hours outdoors on the roughest concrete you can find, and there’s barely any fraying. Plus, the grooves are thick.
Cushion
The cushion is full-length MicroG, the same as last year’s iteration. Like Jalique said in his review of that shoe, the foam is soft and plush, but there’s not much of it. During play, I felt it compress every once in a while. Impact protection isn’t its strength, and stability is. There’s no delay in movement at all. For outdoor play, I would recommend a maximum of 1.5 hours. Anything beyond that, I found that my knees were taking a lot of hits. Heel-strikers will also not enjoy this setup.
A lot of the comfort comes from the insoles, which are made of a PORON-like material, similar to the one found in the Nike PG 6. It will last longer than Ortholite inserts, but nothing substantial.
Materials
The mesh upper used here is more open-celled. It’s almost jersey material, to be honest. There is a fuse overlay on the toe cap for added durability. The back fourth of the shoe is leather, and more is found on the medial side. It’s good quality for a budget model. The tongue consists of a closer knit mesh, while the eye stays are some sort of cheap synthetics. Not too special, but the leather additions are appreciated.
Fit
The Curry 3Z6 is true to size for most everyone. The mesh will break in, so narrow footers may be okay going down half a size. There’s not a lot of dead space above your feet, but there is about a thumb’s width of space length-wise. As always, nothing beats trying these on in-store.
Support
It wasn’t terrible, but I feel like it became worse over time. The Curry 3Z5 had the leather panel on the lateral side for containment. Now that that’s been moved to the medial side, support suffered. I didn’t feel as well contained in intense lateral movements. The midsole doesn’t come up enough to compensate for this weakness. Arch support is also not the best, and I recommend using Move Insoles for a better experience. You can’t easily twist the shoe, so torsional support is at least decent. A lot could have been improved in this department.
Curry 3Z6 Overall
The Curry 3Z6 is a decent sneakerwith many possible things to improve on. Support could have been better had they kept the leather panel on the lateral side. The cushion could have been improved with a thicker slab of MicroG. Traction, however, is something I am satisfied with, especially as one who regularly plays indoors and outdoors.
The FootJoy Pro SL Sport is one of the brand’s biggest successes this year. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there’s a reason FootJoy claims to be the #1 in golf shoes.
While the FootJoy Pro SL Sport looks rather unassuming, under the hood there’s a lot going on that contributes to an overall awesome golfing experience.
FootJoy Pro SL Sport
Release Date: June 2022
Price: $170
Weight: 12oz
Sizing: True to Size
Rundown: Nothing about the FootJoy Pro SL Sport should turn you away. The combination of killer stability and a plethora of options for women and wide-footers make this shoe a must-have.
Pros
Stability
Waterproof Upper
Inclusivity
Cons
Cushion
Pros
Stability
The FootJoy Pro SL Sport is the most stable air jordan I’ve ever tested. The wide, almost squared-off base and rigid spikeless traction combine to provide ultimate stability.
Take one look at the bottom of this shoe and tell me you’d find yourself off balance while wearing it…there’s just no way.
In everything I did, I was completely confident that I could exert as much power as necessary and transfer all of my energy into the ground without slipping, sliding, or falling off balance. If you need something stable, the FootJoy Pro SL is the shoe for you.
Waterproof Upper
Yes, most (if not all) of the golf shoes that I’ve tested are waterproofed in some way, but whatever FJ did for the FootJoy Pro SL Sport was just awesome.
I spent a lot of time in the mud and dirt while rocking these, and because they’re white, I was extremely worried about how they’d hold up. Despite this, the waterproof coating repelled all of the dirt and debris.
Any stain or dirt on the shoe was wiped clean with just a towel or my hand. The peace of mind that the FootJoy Pro SL Sport will keep you clean and dry is a win!
Inclusivity
FootJoy has long been the most inclusive in golf…because they have so many offerings. The FootJoy Pro SL Sport fit perfectly for me, but if you’re a wide footer? They offer it in a wide version. Narrow feet are your problem? They have it narrow, too.
And guess what? They offer the Pro SL Sport in Women’s sizing too. That can’t be said for a lot of the shoes I’ve reviewed recently.
You can’t be mad about anyone and everyone being able to get their hands on a shoe that performs this well.
Cons
Comfort
Okay, I’ll admit: it’s not that the cushion on the FootJoy Pro SL Sport is bad, it’s just not the same experience I had with the Fit Sporting Goods.
Both feature the same StratoLite Foam midsole, but to me, the FootJoy Pro SL Sport felt a little firmer than the Fuel. I’m going to chalk this up to the implementation because to me it seems that FootJoy cut back on the amount of StratoLite Foam on the Pro SL Sport, and opted for a beefier insole instead.
I found the StratoLite Foam to be plenty comfortable for walking, and it felt responsive throughout my swing, but it just didn’t have the same volume as the FootJoy Fuel.
If you’re one who likes good, but minimal cushion, you’re going to enjoy this one! The cushion is not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but it just left me wanting a little more.
FootJoy Pro SL Sport Summary
Killer stability, solid construction, and mainstream availability are what make the FootJoy Pro SL Sport one heck of a golf shoe.
Anyone (women included) that picks up a pair of the New Balance will be blown away by the stable, solid performance, and won’t have any issues with comfort, either.
Let’s take a look at one of LeBron’s ultimate flagship performance hoop shoe releases! Presenting you the most comprehensive LeBron 17 review, updated and revisited 2+ years after the sneaker’s release.
Comfort, performance, overall build quality, value for the money in 2022 (and beyond), versatility, and durability after 6 months of indoor & outdoor action: all will be broken down.
There’s just something about these that make me lace ’em up even today…
I. SPEC SHEET
click for a full-sized sheet image
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
In a hurry? Here’s the quick version: The Nike LeBron 19 will feel right at home for true fans that followed most models in LeBron’s main signature line.
The sneaker will surely fit most guys true to their usual size, including wide footers.
The traction is the shoe’s most questionable aspect as planting the foot and biting into the floor felt a weird initially.
Not the best bite either but enough to not think about it on-court.
The forefoot Zoom Air & heel Max Air cushion setup is brilliant for top-notch cushion and maximum impact protection but not everyone will like the elevated ride and less-than-stellar stability on lateral movements.
The Knitposite upper is awesome though – it’s super comfy for the foot and moves well with each move without taking away mobility or containment.
For alternatives, check out the LeBron 16 is you want something a bit more balanced, and the LeBron 17 Low & LeBron Witness 5 for your bugdet options.
> 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 fit-wise?
SIZING GUIDE
Let’s start the LeBron 17 review off with the need-to-know first.
Right away after putting the LeBron 17’s on my wide-a** feet, I’ve actually found them to be extremely comfortable.
You can go true to size with these, no matter your foot shape, in my opinion. Most should expect a regular fit – not too tight, not too roomy.
Some people felt like they ran a little short but I haven’t personally experienced such a thing.
Even if you do – this build does stretch out so you’re not stuck if you feel like your toes are ramming the shoe initially. Give ’em a bit of time – let the knit do its thing.
COMFORT
Since the shoe’s materials consist of extremely soft knit along with some minor reinforcements, plus the padding inside and some really premium insoles (which is kind of rare these days, but hey, it’s a $200 shoe), I’ve truly found these to be as awesome of an experience as it can get, purely from a comfort perspective.
Optimal fit pretty much from day one (unless these run a bit short for you initially), foot mobility is not an issue thanks to the large form factor and lightweight materials, and the cushion. Oh, the cushion. We’ll talk about that later.
The LeBron’s are always these pretty large form factor shoes, relatively wide-based, and can be worn by just about any kind of foot shape/preference.
These ones are no exception.
Now, whether you like more compact models that feel, and are lighter, or larger, heavier models that emphasize comfort and a pleasant experience overall, that’s up to you.
But I’d say Nike definitely did a solid job in blurring this line as much as possible, while still making a tank of a shoe for a tank called LeBron James, so I encourage you to try these even if you’re used to lighter, more agile shoes like a Kyrie or a Curry model.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip various surfaces well? Is dust/debris a factor? How long will the outsoles last outdoors?
Pinimage source: nike.com
TRACTION PERFORMANCE
After reading some other reviews, I was a bit worried about what was going to happen in terms of the shoe’s traction.
Now despite the fact that I can’t say it was totally perfect for me, it was still better than I expected, based on what I researched before getting these, just to get a feel for some opinions from the side.
I’ve played with the LeBron 17’s inside on a wood court and outside on a synthetic rubber surface.
Inside, the shoe performed nicely, I didn’t slip and didn’t experience any major issues that would take me away from the actual game.
I do have to mention that the shoe’s grip with the court does feel a bit more sticky than straight-up grippy, which has to do with the pretty soft rubber compound of the outsole.
That’s not always a bad thing, but I’ve surely experienced better traction on some other shoes with a different traction pattern implementation. Perhaps weight distribution plays a bigger role here and a heavier player would find these to bite the court better than I did?
Also, the weird separation between two forefoot Zoom air units that you’re sitting on makes it kind of unnatural for the foot to stick to the floor at times, so you lose traction.
Once again, that might be true, or it might not. Let me know in the comments below what do you think might be the case here!
OUTDOOR DURABILITY
Outdoors though, while it still performed pretty much the same as inside, the rubber is pretty damn shallow and the grooves are keen to bring in lots of dust inside the pattern, so durability outside won’t be really good.
And after about 6 months of indoor & outdoor action with the shoe, not much has changed in terms of performance but the rubber has been slowly chipping away ever since the first day.
It’s good that the rubber compound is still holding the traction together and now that the grooves of the pattern aren’t as tall anymore, wiping off dust becomes less relevant as the buildup gets pushed outside easier.
Having said all that, I wouldn’t give these more than a couple of full seasons of mixed indoor/outdoor hoops at optimal performance.
If you’re an outdoor hooper yourself, see if you can find the EP version of the shoe (which features more durable XDR rubber outsoles) OR click here to check out my picks for the best outdoor shoes.
V. CUSHION
How’s the impact protection? What about step comfort and energy return of the foam? Is it stable?
A 200 dollar shoe better have some amazing cushioning for us, right? I strongly agree, and luckily, it’s exactly what we are getting here with the 17th LeBron.
We got two Zoom Air units in the forefoot area, Max Air in the heel area and there’s also a soft Phylon midsole throughout.
I LOVED this setup. It might not always be for the reason I usually love a cushion setup, but man were these fun to play in.
Yeah, these are going to be for those who want to go all out for pure cushion, bounciness, and impact protection. If you’re looking for some court feel, you’re looking to maximize movement mobility and speed, you’re going to want to skip these.
Your foot sits pretty high inside the shoe, so forget about actual court feel.
Since I’m personally an explosive player and do tend to use my legs quite a bit when driving to the basket, I always love to have some fun with something like this.
You feel you’re on clouds every time you jump and even land, and I could barely name three shoes that offer more impact protection than the LeBron 17 off the top of my head at the moment.
With that though, comes the elevated ride height and it’s something you’ll definitely notice if you’re stepping off a Curry, Kyrie, or even a Dame sneaker that’s a bit more balanced.
If you’re looking for something on the lighter side or perhaps something a bit more versatile, the cushion setups the Dame 5 and KD 12 offer are pretty damn great for that.
VI. SUPPORT
How much all-around security does it offer? What about the build’s stability and foot containment? Any restrictions in result?
Compared to the more classic LeBron’s shoe releases, these ones feel more modern and a bit less tank-like, as we were used to seeing.
It’s technologically extremely difficult to make a shoe with such a present cushion setup but make it equally as supportive.
While the shoe isn’t the most supportive shoe in the world, me and my playstyle didn’t feel compromised at all, which is awesome, ’cause I can feel secure and also have fun with that crazy setup.
Forefoot and heel outriggers are implemented for lateral protection, the shoe’s base is pretty wide, there’s an internal heel counter and the shoe’s fit is pretty contained, so the total support package is definitely good.
Regular footers or narrow footers might find these to be a bit roomier than a KD shoe or a Curry shoe, so lacing them up to your liking to get the most support benefits might be needed.
Overall though, I don’t think most people will find any issues in terms of the shoe’s security and support. Pair that with the shoe’s comfort and the fun factor, and you got yourself a cool little package.
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
Knitposite is the shoe’s upper which is basically a soft knit reinforced with synthetic Fuse yarns in key areas for additional support and longevity. The knit just by itself would likely break down pretty quickly and stretch out too much, compromising an optimal fit.
The shoe features a standard lace & tongue construction, so no one-bootie designs here. The tongue bends separately and allows for easy entry into the shoe.
There are also external heel counters in place that cup your heel section and they’re made from TPU.
PERFORMANCE
Nike calls this setup Knitposite – take it as you like, but one thing I can say is that it’s a pleasant material for the foot, and truly does feel like a flagship shoe (which is absolutely not always the case these days).
Breathability was also pretty good thanks to the open-knit construction, and you will have virtually zero break-in time. They feel awesome right out of the box.
The important thing is this knit is smartly enforced with some synthetics on certain areas which makes the shoe well-contained where it needs to be, all without compromising comfort and sense of mobility that we so often lacked on older LeBron models.
Don’t get me wrong, this is still among the heavier shoes numbers-wise but once I got used to them, I really can’t say these are among the heaviest-feeling hoop shoes.
Does a Air Jordan feel faster and lighter in comparison? Of course. But the LeBron 17 never had intentions to out-feather its competitors.
If you look at it from a versatility perspective, it should feel pretty good for most people regardless of their build or playstyle.
DURABILITY
And by the looks of it, these won’t break down on you quickly either.
I’ve always said it and I’ll say it once again – LeBron’s main shoe line features some of the most durable and well-made builds in the knit-based category. That includes the 17th sneaker even in 2022.
A full-on leather sneaker should and would outlast something like this but we’ve definitely come far with strengthening new-age synthetic materials while keeping them comfortable and mobile.
6 months of on-and-off action with the LeBron XVII didn’t get the shoe wrecked but it does look a little banged up visually. Most knit-based sneakers will look like that if you put enough hours into ’em and that’s normal.
If not for the questionable outsoles, the shoe would definitely last a while even if it’s your only pair and you’re an outdoor hooper.
But again, I don’t recommend taking these outdoors too often. Unless lashing out another $150-$200 for a new pair 1-2 seasons in isn’t something you care about.
VIII. OVERALL
Rounding the LeBron 17 review up: are they versatile? Who’s best suited for the shoe? Is it a good deal amongst the competition?
The Nike LeBron 17 is a mix of extreme comfort, fun, and premium. It’s a shoe that not all players or player builds will like, since it’s obviously catered towards someone who’s heavier, needs loads of impact absorption, and prefer an elevated ride.
The Kyrie line always brings up mixed feelings – some love them due to their usual low-profile design, perfectly locked-down fit, and literally unbeatable traction. While some – don’t appreciate their lack of impact absorption and lack of versatility.
Today, I’m bringing you my comprehensive Kyrie 5 review where we’ll find out if it’s more of the same formula or if we finally get to experience something different.
I’ll be discussing my personal experience of the shoe from performance, comfort, value for the money, versatility, and upgrades over the last model perspectives.
SPEC SHEET
Model: Nike Kyrie 5
Build: Mid-Top
Weight: 14.8 oz / 420 g. (Size 10)
Retail Price: $130
Cushion: Phylon midsole & Zoom Air Turbo
I. COMFORT & FIT
Kyrie’s line is typical for its ultra-secure fit, very prominent support, and an overall secure feel – something an explosive, flashy guard such as Kyrie obviously needs to supplement his game.
If you’re somewhat similar and like the feeling of extreme security – this one’s a check. For me personally – I have a wide foot and went true to size. The shoe felt a bit too tight and snug for me, even after a few weeks after breaking it in.
Wouldn’t nag the shoe for that though – my feet are ridiculously wide and I probably should’ve listened to other shoe testers for their advice on going up half a size.
Regardless of my tightness issues – I can see why the shoe is praised so much for its overall fit. Lockdown and support aren’t going to be issues, no matter how hard you play.
The upper isn’t extremely well ventilated but I am sure I wouldn’t have had any comfort complaints if I would’ve gone up half my regular size.
Expect the sneaker to feel on the snug side, it’ll be a very secure, supportive, and quality experience playing.
II. TRACTION
Again – what ain’t broke – don’t fix it. Though this time, it seems like Nike wanted to go with something the Kyrie line isn’t known for. And that is taking away the classic herringbone traction pattern on the outsole.
Herringbone, especially herringbone implemented so well breaks other shoe competitors’ hearts. While the Kyrie 5’s more modern, the modified multi-directional pattern didn’t look like herringbone, it damn well performed as one.
It was great. Both indoors and outdoors. I’ve been playing a lot outdoors these past couple of summers & springs and I don’t see the Kyrie 8’s breaking down anytime soon.
I am not a big “wipe my outsole every 24 seconds” kind of guy and these didn’t require that at all.
In a nutshell, this shapes to be one of the best outdoor and indoor shoes from a traction standpoint. Bravo.
III. CUSHION
It looks to me as Nikey attempted to do something different once again, separating themselves from the standard Kyrie formula.
2018 released Zoom Air Turbo unit was used at the Kyrie 8’s heel area, along with a standard Phylon midsole to complement the foot’s overall impact absorption.
And you know how it felt this time? The same thing pretty much.
I did try to give them a lot of chances and bring out that Air Jordan 1 ZOOM unit to life.
If it would’ve been brought out of someone – it would’ve been me. I’m a very explosive player and I do abuse quick, aggressive movements, and play over the rim when I can. These didn’t help me do that too much.
Once again, not knocking on the shoe – this one will work best for lighter, below-the-rim players. Quick movements will be very well supplemented. However, beastly jumps, dunks, and large-step drives to the basket would probably need a more springy shoe for the job.
Worst case scenario, getting yourself a quality performance insole would correct the impact absorption a bit if you’re really experiencing a prominent lack of cushion under your foot.
My feet or knees didn’t hurt or anything after a bunch of games, but I would’ve liked more impact protection. Take it with a grain of salt – everyone’s different, so you gotta know how you play and what you’re looking for first.
IV. SUPPORT
No surprises here – brilliant support, fantastic lockdown, no matter what size you go with.
We have all the essentials implemented: a TPU heel counter, a flat heel construction for a more stable ride, plus the Flytrap strap to secure the forefoot additionally.
I had zero complaints in terms of stability and support (minus the too-tight fit, due to not going up half a size). This is how a quick guard’s shoe should protect your feet.
V. BUILD & MATERIALS
The upper is relatively simple – regular mesh infused with Nylon for extra durability and strength. No complaints though – you can’t call this a stand-out upper but it surely gets the job done.
I love the Kyrie line for their continuous durable shoe releases, and the 5th iteration is more of the same. I feel like this is a very great outdoor pick as well, as engineered mesh won’t break down quickly on you.
I guess if I had to point out some drawbacks for this particular build – it will take a bit of time to break the materials in for an optimal fit, especially if you got a wide or a high-arch foot.
Breathability is also not ideal but, honestly, I really don’t care. I care that the shoe is comfortable and plays well. That’s it. Just wanted to let the people know that do take these details into account.
VI. OVERALL
I’ve expected something a bit different from the fifth Kyrie model. And here we are.
Despite the lack of actually noticeable change in the Kyrie formula – you can’t bash the shoe for continuing something that works. Is it very versatile? No. Are the build and materials used improved and feel premium? No.
Despite all of that, it’s still a very good performing shoe that feels comfortable, secure, and ensures all the qualities of a quick, agile guard are properly supplemented by the shoe.
If you’re a below-the-rim guard who’s quick and can’t afford any restrictions & any kind of loss in speed, this is a very good choice.
If you’re looking for a solid outdoor option that will work for you without worrying about durability – this is also an excellent pick.
The Asics GlideRide 3 is the best daily neutral running shoe released so far this year. It’s almost perfect with one small flaw that’s easy to ignore. It’s one of the rare shoes where buying multiple pairs to stock for future use is advisable. Let’s dig into why I like it so much.
Asics GlideRide 3
Release Date: June 2022
Price: $150
Weight: M 9.9oz, W 8.5oz
Drop: 6mm (26mm forefoot, 32mm heel)
Sizing: True to Size
Rundown: The Asics GlideRide 3 is soft, bouncy, comfortable, and incredibly smooth. It’s easily one of the best running shoes on the market.
Pros
Soft and Bouncy
Smooth Rocker
Extremely Comfortable
Stability
Cons
Breathability
Pros
Soft and Bouncy
The Asics GlideRide 3 features two layers of foam cushioning with a forefoot plate. The result is a shoe that’s super soft as your foot lands and then ultra bouncy as you toe-off into your next stride. This year we’ve seen FF Blast+ as the primary cushion on the flagship Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 and FlyteFoam as the midsole of the Asics Gel-Nimbus Lite 3. FF Blast+ is great alone but FlyteFoam is kinda meh when left alone. But together with that plate? Awesome.
The cushion setup handles any type of run up to high double-digit long runs. And it saves your legs while doing it. On top of that, the foam is resilient and after 100+ miles it hasn’t lost either the softness or bounciness. I’m bullish on the long-term durability of this dual-layer midsole.
Smooth Rocker
The Asics Guidesole technology adds a super smooth rocker motion to the soft and bouncy midsole setup. The Asics GlideRide 3 feels like it just rolls from the heel or midfoot landing zone to the toe and then off the ground again. When you get into a groove wearing the GlideRide 3 the effect is wheel-like. I was moving fast but the effort needed to maintain my pace was low. In that way it sort of mimics the Asics Metaspeed Sky+, which is Asics top of the line race day option. Any time your daily trainer makes you feel as efficient as the much lighter and bouncier shoe you wear for races, it’s a big win.
Extremely Comfortable
The jacquard mesh upper is plush on foot. The tongue and heel collar feature ample padding that, when paired with that midsole, surrounded my foot in softness. The semi-gusseted tongue didn’t move while I ran making sure the comfort stayed put throughout my runs. While the upper make look plain, it’s one of the more comfortable uppers available.
Stability
The base of the Air Jordan 1 isn’t super wide but it’s highly stable anyway. The shoe’s midsole is built so the bottom FlyteFoam layer juts out wider than the rest of the shoe creating a natural outrigger around the entire foot. It doesn’t push out enough to look odd or ungainly but still gets the job done. Sharp corners, fast turns, or the occasional misstep never caused any instability. On turns, my foot sank slightly into the softer FF Blast+ but the wider FlyteFoam layer engaged every time and made sure I didn’t get too off my axis.
The added stability pays dividends, especially on days where a hard workout the day before has your legs feeling a little rickety. The soft and stable midsole helped my tired legs feel less thrashed by taking care of the impact protection and doing some of the stabilizing so I didn’t have to exert extra effort.
Cons
Breathability
I struggled to find any cons with the Asics GlideRide 3 but the breathability could be better. Asics doubled down on the comfort of the upper but in doing so used extra layers of mesh. Those layers don’t allow a ton of air to pass through. On cooler mornings, I didn’t have any issues. As the morning temps started to creep into the high-70s here in Georgia, I could feel that my feet weren’t getting as much air as I’d like. Is it a dealbreaker? Heck no! In fact, it’s pretty easy to ignore given how comfortable my fee were otherwise. It’s just a little thing to note in case you’re the type that prefers shoes with massive airflow.
Asics GlideRide 3 Summary
As I said at the beginning of this review, the Asics GlideRide 3 is one of the, if not the shoe of the year for me. The combination of comfort, cushion, stability, and an ultra-smooth ride just makes me wear it as much as possible. When I don’t have a shoe to test, I’m constantly reaching for the GlideRide 3. While I got lucky that Asics sent this first pair for testing, I’m definitely going to grab one or two more of the other colorways currently available.
The Asics GlideRide 3 is a “buy multiple pairs” type of shoe. And in the running shoe world, there’s no greater compliment.
