The original Saucony Endorphin Speed was a 2020 shoe of the year candidate and championed by some reviewers as Saucony’s best shoe ever. While I wouldn’t go that far, I did think the original Endorphin Speed was a very good shoe. The second iteration was basically the same shoe so I didn’t even take the time to write a full review. However, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 tweaks the winning formula to create the best Endorphin Speed yet.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
Release Date: August 24, 2022
Price: $170
Weight: M 8.1oz, W 7.2oz
Drop: 8mm (28mm forefoot, 36mm heel)
Sizing: True to Size
Rundown: The versatility of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 means it works for any kind of running. It also offers a bouncy, stable, and comfortable ride.
Pros
Bounce
Versatility
Stability
Fit
Cons
Wet traction
Pros
Bounce
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3’s PWRRUN PB feels slightly softer than the previous Endorphin Speeds. It’s still not as cushy as jordan 37 but it’s got a great plush feel that bounces back quickly.
Part of the pop you experience can be credited to the new winged S-curve nylon plate. It’s just a bit more springy than previous iterations and an absolute rocket during track workouts or during uptempo runs. The Endorphin Speed line continues to boast the best nylon plate in the running industry.
With the PWRRUN PB midsole and the nylon plate working together you won’t waste any energy. All the force gets transferred through your footstrike and pushes your foot back up into the air quickly. That tech, along with Saucony’s Speedroll midsole geometry, makes keeping up your cadence (how quickly your feet hit the ground in succession) much easier. It feels like you get a nice push with each step. If you like to feel bouncy, the Endorphin Speed 3 is a great choice.
Versatility
Though the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is the daily training or workout version of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, the Speed 3 is the more versatile shoe. Long slow daily miles, track work, tempo runs, and even races are all doable in the Endorphin Speed 3.
Could you run a marathon in it? Yes. In fact, I’d recommend it as a marathon shoe for those that don’t like the stiffness of a carbon fiber plate in their shoe. You still get a plate with great bounce but your feet don’t have to do near the work to flex the plate.
The Endorphin Speed 3 can do anything you need it to…but be careful on easy days as it’s a quick shoe so you may speed up unintentionally.
Stability
The nylon plate in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 introduces an extra stability feature that feels great underfoot and continues the Endorphin Speed’s ability to provide great stability at high speeds. The nylon plate includes wings at the midfoot on both the medial and lateral sides. They extend all the way to the edge of the midsole so can see them peeking out.
This extra support at the midfoot really helps the Endorphin Speed 3 take fast corners with no wobble. It also provides stealthy arch support for those that need it. If heavy overpronators are looking for a faster shoe, they should try the Endorphin Speed 3. It’s incredibly supportive for being so fast which is a rare find.
Fit
The fit of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is great all around. The heel features excellent lockdown while the midfoot and forefoot open up to be more accommodating. Wide footers should get enough room by going up a half size while most people can buy their typical size (check here to see if Saucony introduces wider versions at some point).
The upper is super breathable and hugs the foot while expanding as your foot expands on long runs. The tongue is slightly too short but honestly that’s a nitpick, because it’s gusseted and protects the top of the foot from any lace pressure.
It’s a great fitting shoe that you can slip on, and leave on, for hours.
Cons
Wet traction
It’s tough to find anything negative to say about the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3. Other than the short tongue, the only thing that bothered me was the wet traction. I had some slippage on wet boardwalks and some muddy sections of a greenway after a huge rainstorm. There aren’t many shoes that can handle those particular tests without some slippage…and the slippage from the Endorphin Speed 3 is minimal.
The slippage is likely due to the ample exposed foam on the outsole. That’s a trade I’m willing to make because the exposed foam is helping the overall ride and bounce. The exposed foam on my pair has taken some damage but is proving to be more durable than most exposed Pebax-based foams that typically take damage easily.
Saucony Endorphin 3 Summary
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is a near-perfect everyday running shoe. Its versatility means you can use it for any type of running and it’ll be well-fitting, comfortable, stable, and bouncy along the way. Even with minor wet traction issues, the Endorphin Speed 3 will easily make our Best Running Shoes list.
The Jordan Luka 1 is one of the best performance basketball sneakers of 2022 (so far). There’s a lot to get excited about with this highly anticipated Luka Doncic signature sneaker.
Colorway: Black/Metallic Silver
Release Date: 2022
Price: TBA
8.5/10
Total Score
Luka Doncic used the Air Jordan 37 and its low-top version for most of the 2021-2022 NBA Season. Once in a while, he would swap those out for the Jordan Zoom Separate. Then, at the end of the season, he broke out his first signature sneaker, the Jordan Luka 1.
Traction
The traction ties all the performance features together. It is the foundation of all basketball performance sneakers. The outsole on the Jordan Luka 1 is made of translucent rubber and works well with its multi-directional pattern to cover all your movements and changes of direction. Indoors is where it performs its best, even with dust. The pattern is raised enough that it isn’t an issue after wiping. Outdoors, however, was a bit different. There was slight slipping in the forefoot area that needed wiping, and the translucent rubber can’t be depended upon to last for a long time.
Cushion
Jordan Brand sells us their newest foam with the Jordan Luka 1. That new foam is called Formula 23. What you see on the exterior is the carrier foam and the real moneymaker is housed inside. There’s some space between the Formula 23 and the carrier, so when pressure is applied, it expands and contracts accordingly. However, if you’re expecting a Zoom Air-type experience, you might be disappointed.
Something to note is that there was a noticeable difference after extensive hours of play. The forefoot felt lower than the heel. This might be that the foam is molding to the foot or bottoming out. The insoles are standard Ortholite.
Materials
The materials in the Jordan Luka 1 are not premium whatsoever. They’re lightweight, consisting of textiles with fuse overlays and some synthetic leather in the heel and eye stay areas. They’re lighter than the Nike KD 15, a lightweight shoe on foot. FlightWire wraps around the whole upper for additional support and lockdown. The ankle collar material is soft and makes it easy for you and me to get our feet in and out of the shoe. The tongue is well-padded, comfortable, and rests nicely above the foot.
Fit
The fit of the Jordan Luka 1 is adaptable. Going up half a size works fine if you wear ankle braces or other accessories. If you have regular to narrow feet, going true to size should work for you. The shoe is accommodating, especially in the midfoot and forefoot areas. We can thank the tongue that’s slightly disconnected for that. There are only five eyelets that all work together efficiently to ensure that you quickly get your preferred fit.
Support
The IsoPlate system is unconventional yet functional, just like Luka himself. It does a few key things. First, it acts as torsional support. Second, concentrating it on the lateral side makes the shoe much more flexible than other shoes where the torsional plate is placed right in the middle. Third and most importantly, it aids lateral stability during defensive and offensive movements. You can make hard cuts without worrying if the shoe will give too much. The heel counter is also as solid as a rock in order to keep your heel locked in.
Overall
The Jordan Luka 1 provides a big bang for your buck, considering that it will fall in the $110-120 price range. Those who value traction (especially indoors), court feel, and an adaptable fit will enjoy the Luka 1 the most.
The Puma Rise Nitro is lightweight, comfortable, and fits well. It’s one of the best basketball shoes available from Puma.
Colorway: Sun Stream/Blue Atoll
Release Date: 2022
Price: $125
9/10
Total Score
Puma basketball may have started slowly, especially in the cushion department, but times have changed, and Puma has improved. The Puma MB.01 is LaMelo Ball’s signature model and represents the brand well. Their primary team shoe, the Puma Rise Nitro, isn’t just an ordinary basketball shoe and shows a lot of potential for beastly on-court performance. The more great performance sneakers we get, the better for all of us consumers.
Traction
The outsole pattern is a wave-bone implemented to cater primarily to lateral movements. The bite is hard and will stop on a dime, but you won’t get squeaking sounds out of them if you’re into that. The traction comes up the midsole just a bit for those toe drags on tricky crossovers. However, because of the soft rubber compound used on the outsole, outdoors isn’t the Rise Nitro’s strong suit. Only after a few hours of play outside, there are already prominent bald spots.
Cushion
The cushion was the least impressive part of the Puma Rise Nitro experience. We get a full-length Nitro-infused foam midsole much like the Puma MB.01 Low. If you’ve played in that shoe, you know the drill for the most part. However, these feel denser than that shoe and others with the same technology. There’s not a notable amount of bounce, and when you feel that, it’s primarily due to the ProPlate. The cushion isn’t bad by any means; impact protection was still there, and the Ortholite insole provided good step-in comfort.
Materials
The upper of Puma Rise Nitro is purely a seamless textile. The most prominent feature is the knit shroud that adds another layer to the shoe while also giving you a place to tuck your laces. Inside the shroud is a typical shoe with lots of nylon to ensure you’re laced up nicely. There are also PwrTape overlays for added structure. If you’re expecting breathability, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Fit
The fit is my favorite aspect of the Puma Rise Nitro. True to size is recommended for almost everyone. Wide-footers shouldn’t have a problem going up half a size, but trying them on in-store is always safest. Containment is excellent in whichever direction you choose to go, thanks in large part to the additional overlays.
Support
Support starts with the fit, and that’s spot on, assuming you get your correct size. Lateral stability was never an issue due to the lateral plastic overlay, foam that comes up the upper, and the broad and stable base. The heel containment isn’t like the Freak 4 that grabs your Achilles and won’t let go, but with a sturdy heel counter and plenty of collar padding, it isn’t lacking either. The x-bar ProPlate torsional support system works to make the Puma Rise Nitro rigid enough to be supportive.
Overall
The Puma Rise Nitro is one of the best shoes Puma has to offer, and it’s been among my favorite shoes to play in all year. It’s fairly lightweight and has comfortable materials that rest well over your feet. The fit is excellent for most foot shapes, widths, and lengths. The support is great so long as you get the fit right. There’s not much to complain about, other than it not featuring a springy cushioning system like Nike’s Zoom Air. Puma continues to evolve and improve upon its previous releases. We’re excited for what’s to come next.
The king of flashiness and luxury is here again. As much as certain people don’t like LeBron’s main line of shoes very much, we have to acknowledge just how much fun they can be to play in, and how much detail is taken into account with each release. Let’s analyze it all in my detailed 6-month LeBron 19 review.
After hooping indoors in a couple of gyms and also outdoors over a lengthy period of time, I’ll break down the shoe’s fit & comfort aspects, on-court performance, build quality & reliability, versatility and decide if it’s worth choosing over The King’s previous models.
SPEC SHEET
2-MIN REVIEW 🕒
In a hurry? Here’s the need-to-know version
The Nike LeBron 19 is the definition of a true LeBron shoe. It’s a sneaker that resembles The King’s playstyle and might not be something everyone will find optimal.
I didn’t have issues with my wide foot in my size 10. Most guys should go TTS (fits snug), but certain people can opt for a 1/2 size up for a looser fit. Traction was decent, though nothing spectacular, and gripped outdoors the best.
Cushioning was insane once again: strong shock absorption in the back, explosive spring back in the front. Rides high off the ground, so not for everyone. They’re a ton of fun to play in though. Support improved from last year’s model and foot containment is now solid. The upper is actually excellent performance-wise and needed close-to-no break-in time.
Frontcourt players or heavier/more explosive guys should find these the most fitting.
I. FIT & COMFORT
Should you stick with your true size or not? How do they fit and how comfortable are they?
SIZING GUIDE
Starting with the must-know, the LeBron 19 brought no surprises for me in the sizing/fit side of things. True to size would be my #1 recommendation for most people.
Whether you’re a narrow footer, a slight wide footer or you think you’ve got fairly average feet, things should be fine for you, mainly thanks to the fantastic forming properties of this upper.
The widest & thickest of feet will likely want to try the shoe in stores if possible or go up half a size since there are a few pressure points that might cause some issues for you.
I’m wide-footed myself and even though I don’t have the bulkiest feet in the world, I surely wouldn’t call it slight. Upon checking a few reviews, I shot for my regular 10 US (44 EU/9.5 UK).
Things felt pretty tight and uncertain upon the first wear but 4-5 short sessions were all I needed to start playing seamlessly. Now mind you, it’s still not perfect.
The midfoot portion (where the TPU wings reside) is the most narrow region of the shoe and those wings did get in the way occasionally, mainly during quick lateral movements.
Nothing crazy, just a mere annoyance that got better with each wear, and while it never fully went away, the slight collisions only happen periodically, and they never really cause a headache while hooping.
The toebox could be considered fairly compact as well but, again, this upper is simply awesome. Everything conformed to my foot’s shape in a matter of days (and even hours for other areas).
Length-wise, my toes are right on the edge with about half a centimeter (~0.2 inches) of space left. Some people prefer exactly that way, while others (like myself) would’ve liked just a tad bit more wiggle room but once again, nothing deal-breaking.
If you prefer a roomier fit with some extra room at the front, going up half a size is an option.
Apart from that, the rest of the boxes are all ticked. No shifting inside the shoe, no heel slippage, no containment issues, none of that nasty stuff.
COMFORT
The comfort aspect is where things get a little weird. While the LeBron 19 is a comfortable shoe overall, there are certain design choices that I personally believe weren’t needed and just got in the way.
Remember the tongue of death on last year’s LeBron 18? Well, that’s fixed this year – the tongue is much more well-padded and sculpted in a way that doesn’t dig into your shins.
However, as they say, one step forward, one step back, huh?
I mean, just look at that insane ankle collar. If the look alone doesn’t concern you – I don’t know what will. The top pieces of the collar have sharp edges (literally), so if you thought the LeBron 18’s tongue can do some damage, this collar is just as bad.
Get a thick pair of quality socks that are taller than this ankle cut or you’ll be coming home with bleeding feet if you play for more than an hour.
During this summer, I mainly play outside and it can get up to 93°F (34°C) at times, so there’s no way I’m double-socking this season. No thanks.
If you are able to, by all means, do it – it’ll help you mitigate the digging with the LeBron 19.
Nikey also bumped up the air cushion pod count all over the ankle and tongue for “added comfort”. In reality, those thick pods got in the way more than anything as they were applying extra pressure to the foot.
But as with most things with the shoe, it all broke in eventually. Still though, I’d ideally prefer if those things weren’t hugging my ankle.
It’s not all bad though – the shoe is in fact comfortable once I got used to all the bulk and stuff all over the build.
The upper wraps around the foot very nicely, step transitions are buttery smooth, there’s plenty of internal padding all around the foot, and the shoe doesn’t feel as heavy as it sounds on paper.
A whopping 20 ounces sounds insane in theory and while the shoe surely doesn’t make it to the minimal-feeling club, the overall experience wasn’t THAT clunky. But I’d be lying if I said this package is 100% for me.
II. TRACTION
How’s the grip on a multitude of surfaces? What about dust sensitivity & durability for outdoors?
OVERVIEW & PERFORMANCE
The 19th LeBron sneaker chose style over function with the outsoles, unfortunately.
Those knubs all over the outsoles are little crown logos of The King, and while it looks cool – I can’t help but believe that this design choice resulted in subpar traction performance for most people, including myself.
Indoors, I tried two surfaces: a rubberized court that’s the least abrasive option I had and a medium-condition hardwood floor. I only played on hardwood twice, while most of the indoor action was done on a high school rubberized gym floor.
In a nutshell, I wouldn’t say the traction of the LeBron 19 is unplayable. Linearly, I was covered just fine, as stops and take-offs were biting the floor adequately.
Laterally is where the grip fell off and a slight delay was guaranteed just about every time I changed directions. Emphasis on slight.
The difference in grip between linear and lateral movements wasn’t as dramatic as I anticipated (as most reviews I saw made it seem so) but I could still feel a drop in performance most of the time laterally.
I eventually got used to these outsoles and could play or shoot around with minimal hassle but I’d be lying if I said this setup is ideal.
Outdoors is where things greatly improved, obviously. The more abrasive the surface, the more friction is produced, thus the rubber gets in contact with the ground more effectively.
The outsoles were already broken in and warmed up due to all the hours put inside, so it was a decent head start. I played on a tennis-type rubberized court which is where I experienced the best traction out of all surfaces hands-down.
On standard asphalt, things were similar and while not as good as on the other outdoor option, it was clearly more effective than any indoor floor I had the chance to try.
The difference between lateral and linear movements was mitigated but I’d still slide out occasionally, especially on areas where the court is slicker and wearier. Not ideal, but definitely playable.
One thing that was undoubtedly great about this traction pattern is how it handled dust and debris. I barely wiped the outsoles down and the times I did were mostly out of habit. Definitely a plus for someone who isn’t a big wiper.
Overall, a weird experience but not a completely horrible one.
These will take some getting used to and I’m not saying you should in the first place but if you’re an outdoor hooper or an occasional gym-goer, you’ll be decently covered.
DURABILITY
If you’re an outdoor player, GET THE EP VERSION. No question. A couple of months of action outside noticeably burned off a good portion of these knubs as they’re so pliable it’s strange.
I don’t think I’m sliding out more than I did with the shoe in perfect condition but my base level of bite fell off a bit. To be expected, of course, but surprisingly, I don’t think it got much worse than that all the way to month 6.
I clean my outsoles thoroughly pretty much after every outdoor session, so that helps.
However, it’s only a matter of time before the pattern gets destroyed to its entirety and that is when a dramatic drop in traction is bound to happen.
My wallet hurts but I love playing in a classic pickup fashion in the park, so I couldn’t help it.
If you’re someone who values their purchase more – DON’T get these for outdoor hoops or at least get yourself the EP version with XDR rubber.
There won’t be a huge upgrade in durability as XDR rubber tends to be slightly overrated but it’s an improvement nonetheless.
III. CUSHION
How’s the impact protection & energy return of the cushion? What about ride height, step comfort, and stability?
Following the same direction as the previous few releases, the LeBron 19 features a ridiculous cushioning system that won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but will surely get the FUN juices flowing for just about anyone.
A huge 360° Max Air unit resides in the heel to handle most of the impact protection, while the front boasts an even larger Zoom Air unit that goes all the way to the midfoot.
Both of these units are connected via special tubes internally, so pressurized air is passed over from the heel to the forefoot each time you plant your foot. The end result is greater movement propulsion.
But wait, that’s not all. A Cushlon midsole sits on top of this outrageous setup to accompany the ride. Yeah, it’s a lot.
Now, you might be thinking the whole tube idea is a complete gimmick. It’s actually not.
I could feel each step being propelled forward and thanks to the springy Zoom Air in the front, each stride or jump felt really damn explosive. It’s a TON of fun to move around in these.
The heel Max Air is less energetic and is there to absorb impact, so things are softer and mushier over there.
I’m not a big fan of such setups but I’m not a 200-pound beast waiting to back someone down under the rim or looking to catch an alley-oop over someone in transition.
This setup is undoubtedly best for someone who’s heavier and/or very explosive in order to take full advantage of these cushion properties. The lighter/less explosive you are the less this setup will make sense for you.
Heel-to-toe transitions will feel smooth as butter for anyone though, so overall ride comfort is at an all-time high with these.
The stability side of things also greatly improved. Even though I still ride high off the ground (and I don’t personally like that), lateral and medial stability isn’t compromised as a result.
Unlike it was with the LeBron 18 or the LeBron 17 where I’d tip over the high profile at times.
The Max Air cushion pods protrude out of the midsole in the midfoot & forefoot areas acting as outriggers, and those came a long way to stabilize this insane setup.
You gotta appreciate how much tech and resources went into making this kind of shoe but I can’t help but recommend something like this only to a select few players if we’re talking about optimal performance on the court.
Unless you don’t care much and only play occasionally & casually AND you can afford to lash out 200 bucks – by all means, enjoy. There’s quite a bit to enjoy here after all.
IV. SUPPORT
How’s all-around security such as foot support, containment, and lateral stability?
Security was a non-issue with the LeBron 19. Gotta give credit where it’s due – plenty of changes were made to ensure it’s not another LeBron 18 situation.
The shoe sports strong TPU heel counters for ankle & heel lockdown, stiff midfoot shank plates for torsional rigidity, protruding cushion pods for lateral stability, as well as TPU wings that the laces feed through for better foot containment.
The shoe also has internal Flywire cables that run through the midfoot and also go through the shoe’s inner sleeve which further locks down the foot upon lace pressure.
The high ankle collar isn’t just an annoyance either – it actually does a pretty good job sinching the ankle once enough lace pressure is applied. Something we very rarely see these days.
The platform of the shoe isn’t particularly wide or flat but a proper fit & the above-mentioned support features do the heavy lifting here and I had no issues.
Does the shoe feel bulky and a lot at times? Sure. Those lateral wings can get a bit annoying, especially for a wide footer. It’s also probably the most stuffed LeBron to date but it’s also one of the most supportive.
For ankle brace wearers – probably not the best idea to get these if you’re always strapping up a brace before a session. The ankle collar is cut very high and there’s very minimal room once you tighten things up over there.
I don’t think there will be enough of it for a brace that’s rated as level 2 protection and above.
I might be wrong though, so for anyone that’s wearing a beefier brace in the LeBron 19 with success – let me know in the comments below!
V. THE BUILD
What are the upper materials and how do they feel & perform on the court? What about reliability?
OVERVIEW & PERFORMANCE
The 19th sneaker from The King utilizes a thin, conforming woven fabric upper that’s coated in a stronger synthetic material, likely rubber or TPU.
The entire build consists of this combination, plus the TPU wings and a bunch of other TPU panels, as well as the foam midsole barriers coming up to the upper.
The tongue is a nicely padded mesh material, while those translucent pods you see on the tongue & collar are actual air units but they don’t do much in terms of function.
Performance-wise, I actually think the upper is the best part about the LeBron 19. The shoe is heavy overall, but the upper itself doesn’t feel like it.
It’s thin, flexible, requires pretty much no break-in time (definitely the case for a narrow/regular footer), and moves very well with my feet without overly restricting things.
I wouldn’t call it a premium or luxurious upper judging by the looks or by touch but as long as it doesn’t get in my way when I hoop, that’s all I need.
I probably prefer last year’s Battleknit 2.0 as I love me some knit but this one comes really close.
You might think there needs to be something more for $200 but that will come down to what you value more. I think most of the budget here went to the cushion tech.
The only gripe about this build is ventilation. This textile is coated with a synthetic compound, so don’t expect any real airflow. If you’ll be hooping outside under the sun – you’ll feel it.
I also heard that the Low version of the shoe has a slight lace issue, as the laces don’t stay tight for long. Not the case with this model – all was okay from the moment I laced ’em up.
RELIABILITY
It’s no surprise this build has been handling everything I’ve been throwing at it for 6 months and counting.
LeBron’s main line of kicks has been featuring fabric-based builds such as knits for a while now, and they really know how to make such a setup reliable, not only performance-friendly.
This type of woven by itself probably would’ve already been banged up but not the case with this one.
The toebox is a little uneven in a few areas due to all the flexing and the air pods on the ankle & tongue are a bit fogged up now. But that’s pretty much it.
The only unfortunate part is the weak outsoles. Had those been better made, this could’ve been a very viable outdoor model.
In terms of the build, you can expect these to last multiple seasons, even outdoors (minus the outsoles).
VI. OVERALL
Closing out the LeBron 19 review with some final words & a quick recap
The most extensive basketball signature sneaker lineup actively worn by a player has reached 19 shoes! It’s not a secret that LeBron James’s style of footwear won’t appeal to everyone but the guy has surely had plenty of awesome releases that aren’t exactly like anything else.
After playing in the Jordans 2022 for a bit, it didn’t take long for me to realize this one is the modern definition of a true LeBron shoe. This one’s for him, and not necessarily for a lot of other people.
However, for those that believe this type of sneaker would fit them, or perhaps those who’d just like to try out such an interesting package, the 19th flagship iteration from LeBron surely has a ton of FUN to offer on-court.
If you can afford the steep price point.
I think they’re slightly better-tuned in certain areas compared to a LeBron 18 or a 17, mainly in the containment & stability aspects.
But making the shoe beefier, heavier, and more packed with stuff every year will inevitably mean there will be some downsides for some players.
QUICK RECAP
I didn’t have issues with my wide foot in my size 10. Most guys should go TTS (fits snug), but certain people can opt for a 1/2 size up for a looser fit.
Traction was decent, though nothing spectacular, and gripped outdoors the best.
Cushioning was insane once again: strong shock absorption in the back, explosive spring back in the front. Rides high off the ground, so not for everyone. They’re a ton of fun to play in though.
Support improved from last year’s model and foot containment is now solid. The upper is actually excellent performance-wise and needed close-to-no break-in time.
Frontcourt players or heavier/more explosive guys should find these the most fitting.
After a very successful KD 12, the 13th model seems like it barely had areas to improve upon. Same price, near-identical specs, and even the silhouette is super similar. In this KD 13 review, I’ll be breaking down the shoe’s performance, value, differencesfrom the last shoe, and recommending it for the most fitting players.
I. SPEC SHEET
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
For those in a hurry: the Nike KD 13 has made some tweaks from last year’s shoe but it arguably took a few steps back as well. Expect a snug fit – wide footers should go up 1/2 a size.
I liked the shoe overall: solid traction carried over from the 12, the same awesome Zoom Air strobel that felt even a tad bit bouncier, and a basic yet functional textile upper that didn’t bring any issues.
However, it’s the lateral containment of the build that might cause concern for some, especially for shifty guards, heavy dudes or explosive athletes who jump out of the gym. All in all, the KD 12 is the safer option if you can’t decide.
The full review is below
III. COMFORT & FIT
Do they fit true to size or should you go up/down? How comfortable are they? Anything else to know fit-wise?
SIZING GUIDE
KD’s shoe releases are known to be quite narrow and compact, especially in the forefoot area – the KD 13 follows a similar construction to the 12th and it’s also just as narrow as Durant’s other signatures.
So just as for the KD 12, I went up half a size for these since I’m a wide footer and the fit feels extremely close to the last model. After I broke them in which really didn’t take too long (thanks to an upper with a lot of give), I achieved a very snug and condensed fit.
Though not in a bad way – some people prefer a more roomy fit with more space for your foot to operate it, some prefer a tighter, more snug fit like KD’s shoes bring. Regular/narrow footers will want to go true to size for a snug and condensed fit, and half a size up if you want the shoe to feel a bit less condensed and tight.
COMFORT & CONTAINMENT
Comfort overall is nothing special but nothing bad either – I felt comfortable inside the shoe and never felt like it was lackluster in that area. Looks like there’s even more internal padding than on the KD 12 which is always awesome.
Due to the change in the upper, the shoe does feel secure and stable mostly but foot containment took a bit of a hit in the result.
During idle or lesser movements, my wide foot felt perfectly fine, I was extremely secure and stable, seems like the upper was holding my foot in place at all times.
During more aggressive movements such as quick cuts, I did feel like my foot almost wanted to jump out of the footbed, which is not a cool feeling to have when you’re worried about the game at hand.
It’s nothing very major though – I never felt my foot slid out of the footbed completely or the shoe’s upper collapsed – it just felt like the upper is too flimsy and all over the place to properly hold me in place 100% at the time.
My feet never escaped what it shouldn’t have but it’s still a bit bothering to have a feeling of insecurity during movements.
I think this is due to two things mainly: first, it’s the flimsy upper with more give than it should have during movements.
Second, it’s the way my foot sits inside the shoe – usually, for a narrow shoe like this one, you would sit pretty deep into the carrier, making your foot more secure and cupped around the frame since the shoe’s base is narrow to start, so you won’t be getting much stability from that.
On the KD 13, it almost feels like an unfinished job – I did feel my foot was somewhat inside the carrier but not to an extent where it could’ve felt much more stable and secure.
Overall though, I probably made it sound like it’s really bad – it’s not, as the near-sliding-out feeling happens occasionally and on the quickest, hardest movements. Though that’s still something to keep in mind as it might bother some players more than others.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip various surfaces well? Is dust/debris a factor? How long will the outsoles last outdoors?
The shoe comes in several different outsole variants – there’s the translucent one, there’s a semi-translucent one and there’s the full-on solid rubber option.
I went with the solid rubber version, of course, just to be safe and I wasn’t disappointed – the shoe offers fantastic traction that’s effective on pretty much all courts.
I would say the performance of the traction feels the same as on the KD 12’s translucent outsole option since I only tested that one. The KD 13’s outsole didn’t require to wipe them almost at all, I’ve played on a synthetic rubber court outside and on a wood court inside. Both scenarios brought great results, no complaints there.
OUTDOOR-READY? NOT SO FAST
As for outdoor durability, I do feel the same as for the 12th – I wouldn’t take these as my primary outdoor shoe since the rubber doesn’t seem very reliable. Even after a few games on a rubber court, I can see some chipping here and there on the sides but performance definitely hasn’t suffered yet.
This is once again more of the same from the Nikey formula – you can take these outdoors and they will play well for a while, just don’t expect to be it that way for too long.
V. CUSHION
How’s the impact protection? What about step comfort and energy return of the foam? Is it stable?
The cushion setup on the KD 13 is full-length Zoom Air directly under your foot and an additional Zoom unit placed just under the full-length Zoom in the forefoot area.
It sounds awesome and it plays awesome. These are no joke, seriously – if you loved the setup on the KD 12, then this is pretty much that ALONG with even more bounce, softness, and more fun to jump around in these.
I’d call this a near-perfect setup, hell it might even be perfect for certain players. One of the rare occasions where the setup is balanced and versatile and doesn’t sacrifice any major elements pretty much every player is appreciative of.
The ride overall is silky smooth, it’s bouncy and it’s seriously comfy to play in, no matter the movement. Thanks to an extra Zoom unit in the forefoot, the forefoot area rarely feels as alive and springy as on the KD 13.
Forget the usual dead feeling you get in the forefoot area on most hoop shoes today – the KD 13 delivers more than enough forefoot cushion without making it feel clumsy or slow.
Whether you’re a shooter, a quick guard, an explosive forward, whatever – this setup will get the job done and then some.
VI. SUPPORT
How much all-around security does it offer? What about the build’s stability and foot containment? Any restrictions in result?
THE GOOD STUFF
The support area is where some issues might occur for certain players. Let’s start with the good stuff first.
The shoe does have critical support features in place – you got your internal heel counter, the mid-cut ankle collar is pretty stiff and thanks to the extra plastic midfoot strap connected to the laces, tightening these up results in superb ankle & heel lockdown.
There’s also a torsional plate implemented under the foot for torsional protection which is also nice and works well.
THE BAD STUFF
The slight issue is the overall foot containment I was talking about earlier. I don’t know what’s up with Nikey and the air jordan 37, but it seems that we rarely get to see quality outriggers implemented to his shoes for proper lateral coverage. The KD 13 doesn’t have those either.
Pair that with the upper not holding your foot in sometimes along with the way your feet sit inside the shoe (which is kind of half-assed) and you might have some containment/stability issues at hand if you like to play aggressively.
I for sure like to play with force and driving to the hoop is my #1 weapon, and I felt like that was taken away from me or at least altered my intentions at times. Not saying all the time but it was enough to where I was thinking about it pretty often.
I mean you got a shoe that’s got a narrow base and your foot doesn’t sit deep inside the carrier. What could be done about that?
Place proper outriggers on the lateral areas of the shoe. Implement some kind of internal webbing system to hold the foot. Reinforce the upper with TPU or something to make it more sturdy. Put a cage inside the shoe to handle the load for containment.
You can see that many things could’ve been done to correct the issue but I feel like they were overlooked due to either making the shoe still retail at $150 or keeping the shoe’s weight in check along with mobility.
I don’t know why exactly some of this stuff wasn’t thought of but from a pure user’s perspective, I’d say there’s room for improvement here. Or maybe just go back to the KD 12 and go from there.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the materials used? How well do they perform on-court? How’s the quality & reliability of the build?
The upper is pretty much made of a soft synthetic textile along with some stitch work on certain areas for durability.
I’m not mad at this setup – I am totally a performance-first guy when it comes to basketball shoes and the upper didn’t bother me. It’s still comfortable enough to not be thinking about it, breathability won’t be that good though since it’s all one-layer synthetics.
The upper requires virtually zero time to break in as it’s really soft and flexible. So for any wide footer, this eases up the process and helps us out.
For $150 though, this is far from premium and doesn’t look too durable. Plus, that containment issue is likely partly due to the flimsy upper, so I would surely have to give the edge to the KD 12 in this area.
I don’t see any chippings or frayings on the upper thankfully but don’t expect these to hold up well if you’ll be wrecking them outside.
I don’t see this upper worth this price tag but since the rest of the shoe is awesome, it could be justified I guess.
VIII. OVERALL
Rounding things up: are they versatile? Who’s best suited for the shoe? Is it a good deal amongst the competition?
I liked the Nike KD 12 and I liked the KD 13 as well. However, I feel like some steps were taken forwards while some were taken backward, which seems to be common these days in the performance basketball market.
QUICK RECAP
The shoe is absolutely fantastic in most areas, it’s extremely versatile and meant to be a suitable fit for many different players. Its cushion setup is one of the best EVER, traction’s great, the shoe is super comfortable.
The containment scenario is something to think about before getting these. The $150 price tag is not too bad when you think about it – for that amazing Zoom setup and great traction, I think the price is justified even despite the little hiccup.
IX. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Not sure on the KD 13? Check out the potential alternatives that should satisfy your needs
If you’re someone who doesn’t rely on driving and throwing yourself around hard on the court – the KD 13 is definitely a viable option to check out. But even then, there’s no guarantee your specific build and the way you play won’t interfere with this particular issue some are having.
Looking a year back, the KD 12 would be the safer bet since I didn’t have any complaints regarding the shoe’s lateral containment & stability.
The newer KD 14 has launched in 2021 and I’ve recently put just over 4 months (and counting since I’m having a blast with it) for the review.
It’s now my favorite KD sneaker out of the last three and it’s even tougher to find any real flaws with that one.
After another typical Kyrie release that was the 5th model catered towards Kyrie-like low-profile guards, the latest Kyrie 6 might be looking to shake things up a bit? I know I’ve said that and a lot of us did, a few years in a row now. Regardless, I’m bringing you my Nike Kyrie 6 review after 2 months of play.
We’ll be taking a look if the same $130 price tag is still worth it, I’ll be breaking down how I felt about the shoe’s fit & comfort, all-around performance on the court and if you own a pair of Kyrie 5’s, I’ll hopefully help you make up your mind whether you should upgrade.
SPEC SHEET
Model: Nike Kyrie 6
Build: Mid-top
Weight: 15.95 oz / 452 g. (size 10.5 US)
Retail Price: $130
Cushion: Forefoot Air Zoom Turbo & Phylon midsole
I. COMFORT & FIT
Starting off with the fit and comfort, I think these are a step up from the last Kyrie shoe.
The upper has changed, and so did the way the shoe hugs my foot, especially after breaking them in for a few days.
I have wide feet, and I’ve seen some reviews indicating these run small. I went true to size with the Kyrie 5 (and regretted it), so decided to go up half a size with the 6, and this time, I wasn’t disappointed.
Sure, I did feel slightly uncomfortable during my first week of play, the upper was still stiff and the cushion didn’t feel like it should. But after I broke them in properly, even my wide foot felt pretty good in there.
I finally felt the experience that’s supposed to be the norm for a Kyrie hoop shoe – secure, mobile, and balanced just right for a guard. No gimmicks, no extra shiny stuff that sounds good on paper.
I think these will be a strong contender among the top shoes for wide footers if you go up half a size, as well as they’re just comfortable.
It seems like there’s a bit more internal padding than on the Kyrie 5, plus the ventilation of the shoe improved thanks to a more premium material combination.
For regular/narrow footers, I would advise you to try these in stores, or if you’re not able to, ordering both your true size and a half size up online, and then returning the unneeded one is an option.
Overall, these fit and feel just right. I probably wouldn’t put these into a top 3 most comfy sneakers, since you simply can’t beat the experience a shoe with a soft upper such as knit, and when done right can bring.
BUT, if you’re looking for a shoe to get the job done in a secure and mobile way that makes you forget that you’re in a shoe while playing, the Kyrie 6 definitely has you covered.
II. TRACTION
Looks like classic herringbone is still not back but I’m not complaining – these performed pretty much just as reliably as the Kyrie 5.
Multi-directional grip at its finest, inside or outside – I didn’t have any issues. I also didn’t even need to wipe the outsoles off.
I did so just out of a habit but just occasionally, and I feel like these will surely hold up even if you completely forget about all that wiping business and just play.
The rubber compound on the outsole is very similar to the 5th Kyrie – it’s thick and it doesn’t look too unreliable. I took these outdoors a lot and I don’t yet see any deterioration, and the performance is still a-okay.
Kyrie’s line never disappoints in this category – and the Kyrie 6 is a great shoe to take in both indoors and outdoors without breaking down for a while.
III. CUSHION
The cushion setup is once again very close to the last model – it’s Zoom Air Turbo in the forefoot with an injected Phylon midsole throughout the shoe.
Despite the similar setup on paper, I did feel a marginal improvement here. Our dreams finally came true?
Not really.
I still feel like this is a guard’s shoe at its core but I must admit I could actually feel the cushion’s presence more, especially in the forefoot area, which is pretty rare nowadays.
A subtle layer of thin Zoom Air Turbo paired with a quality Phylon midsole works wonders for making a perfect guard’s shoe, so court feel and responsiveness are still through the roof.
But this time you’ll get a bit more impact protection and feel like there’s actually some energy return under your feet, as opposed to the shoe feeling dead. Responsive, fast, but dead. Not the case anymore with the Kyrie 6.
My heel-to-toe transitions also felt a bit smoother thanks to improved Phylon foam this year. Despite not having a proper Zoom unit in the heel, I still felt there was just a bit more give to it than on the Kyrie 5’s, which is always welcome.
The Kyrie 6’s cushioning is more balanced and more players/playstyles will appreciate it. For a heavy forward or a center, I’d still choose something with more give, such as the Zoom Rize.
But for just about any guard, these will have all the basic elements covered, if you’re aiming for a responsive setup more than a plushy, bouncy one.
IV. SUPPORT
The support area is pretty much carried over from the last model – we have an internal heel counter, outriggers for lateral coverage, and the shoe’s base is nice and flat.
There’s also the midfoot strap and the lacing system gets pretty deep – there’s internal lacing in the midfoot area and adjustable cables in the forefoot.
All that combined works just as well as on any other Kyrie shoe – I felt extremely supported, lockdown is fantastic, foot containment never failed once.
It’s a mid-top, so you won’t get as much ankle mobility as you would on a compact low-top, but mobility overall didn’t feel sacrificed.
Any guards all the way to the most explosive ones will definitely find the supportive features of the Kyrie 6 up to par.
A couple of things to note – first, I didn’t feel the extra midfoot strap added anything in terms of lockdown or containment, no matter how hard I tried to strap it.
Second, the forefoot cables liked to get loose pretty quick after I laced them up tight. Nothing out of the ordinary from a basketball shoe but still would’ve liked not to be bothered by something like that.
Once I re-laced the shoe completely and made it a bit looser, the issue was pretty much gone, so perhaps I was pushing those cables to the limits, who knows?
V. BUILD & MATERIALS
The upper of the shoe is the biggest difference from the Kyrie 5. This time, it’s a textile material on the forefoot area and the heel area is all genuine leather.
That is a fantastic setup that’s pretty rarely seen in today’s kicks, due to the new era of synthetics used on pretty much everything now.
Due to genuine leather being genuine leather – you will have to break them in for a bit before you feel the complete experience.
I personally felt great in the shoe after 7-8 days of playing. Regular footers might break these in even faster.
I didn’t feel a drastic difference over the Kyrie 5 but it’s surely an improvement. The forefoot textile is nothing special but it’s not a dealbreaker either.
The heel area has improved ventilation over the Kyrie 5 and works very well with the supportive features due to its durable and flexible nature.
The shoe is also durable, even the forefoot area since the textile on it is sewed well, there are visible seams, and the shoe is nowhere near looking dated despite me constantly playing outdoors.
I think this is a more premium upper than the five and for that, I give props to this one since the price tag remains the same.
VI. OVERALL
The Kyrie 6 is a slight step-up from the Jordan 37 and I’m fully down with that – you can pretty much state that the Kyrie line is all about “what ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Thanks to the slight changes here and there and a nicer upper combo – the Nike Kyrie 6 is still a killer guard’s shoe, but it’s now a bit more than that, thanks to a more balanced, but still very responsive cushioning setup.
Low-profile or explosive, indoors or outdoors – the Kyrie 6 has got your back!
The Hoka Mafate Speed 4is quite possibly the softest trail running shoe ever created. The midsole is Charmin soft. Anyone on the lookout for a softer shoe for trail running or hiking needs to try on the Hoka Mafate Speed 4. It’s an experience unlike any other.
Hoka Mafate Speed 4
Release Date: August 2022
Price: $185
Weight: M – 10.4oz, W – 8.5oz
Drop: 4mm (29mm forefoot, 33mm heel)
Sizing: True to size
Rundown: The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is luxuriously soft but the lack of upper containment is an issue for bombing trail runs. It’s best used as a super comfortable hiking shoe.
Pros
Softest Trail Shoe…ever?
Incredible Traction
Comfortable Upper
Cons
Upper Containment
Pros
Softest Trail Shoe…ever?
Look at the picture at the top of the page. Do you see how the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 just wraps around the rock I’m standing on? It’s like wearing Gumby as jordan 37…I mean, if you think of Gumby as a large hunk of super soft, impressively bendable foam. The Profly+ foam is softer than any other Profly+ I’ve tried before. Your foot just sinks into it. It also just disperses any pressure from rocks or roots and provides great impact protection.
The softness of this midsole is such an interesting experience for a trail shoe. It’s so different from other trail shoes on the market that I’d recommend trying it on at your local running store even if you’re not in the market for a new trail shoe.
Incredible Traction
When I see that Vibram branding I know the traction will be legit. The Hoka Mafate Speed 4’s outsole is Vibram at its best. Hoka used Vibram Megagrip with 5mm lugs. I’d never heard of Megagrip but it’s aptly named. Conditions or trail consistency didn’t matter one bit. Every step bit deep into the ground and my foot stayed where I put it.
In fact, the traction was too good for the upper…but we’ll get to that a little later.
Comfortable Upper
A soft, plush gusseted tongue with a doughy ankle collar gets us started and the jacquard mesh finishes us off. It’s an all-around comfortable shoe with no places for hot spots. It’s also wide enough to accommodate various wide or tall foot shapes. The Mafate Speed 4 is perfect if you’re prepping for an all-day or multi-day hike and trying to find a shoe that won’t hurt your feet. It’s comfortable from top to bottom and over the long haul.
Cons
Upper Containment
There’s only one con in my Hoka Mafate Speed 4 review but it’s a big one. The single layer of jacquard mesh used on the sidewalls just doesn’t do a good job containing your feet when you pick up speed. It’s bad enough I can’t recommend this as a trail running shoe. Every speedy downhill is a twisted ankle waiting to happen. However, the Mafate Speed 4 can handle hiking just fine. Let’s get more in depth about why that is.
First, let’s start at the bottom of the shoe. As stated above, the traction grips everything insanely well. When the outsole grips the surface you’re running on that well, but your foot is still sliding sideways on a turn, the midsole or upper needs to be built to keep your foot on top of the footbed. The single layer of jacquard mesh is too flimsy to get the job done. Your foot just ends up sliding over the side of the midsole which may potentially cause the shoe to tip over.
To counteract this, Hoka needed to sit the foot down inside the midsole a little more so the foam sidewalls could act as retaining walls and keep the foot on the footbed. Hoka did this at the heel but not at the arch or forefoot. The combo of no foam sidewalls and the thin upper just doesn’t work well for fast trail running where you spend the majority of the time on your toes.
However, depending on your natural ankle stability, the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 works great for slow and steady hiking.
Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Summary
The Hoka Mafate Speed 4 is the softest trail shoe I’ve ever worn. It offers a fantastic feel underfoot. The traction’s some of the best on the market. Unfortunately, the upper fails at keeping the foot secure and preventing rollovers. The resulting instability limits the use cases for this shoe.
The Mafate Speed 4 will perform great on normal, non-technical hiking trails. But if you’re primarily hiking very technical, steep trails or are a trail runner, you should check out our other trail running shoe reviews to find something better suited to your needs.
The adidas Son of Chi 2 is the best adidas basketball shoe of 2022 so far. Most players will enjoy playing in them.
Release Date: 2022
Price: TBA
9/10
Total Score
The adidas Son of Chi 2 is Derrick Rose’s newest signature sneaker, and visually, it looks like an evolution of last year’s adidas Son of Chi. The tech specs are generally the same, but that isn’t bad. Why go away from something that already works? While technically the Son of Chi line is not a number D Rose signature model, I think it brings a lot to the table and many players of all positions will enjoy this shoe.
Traction
Translucent rubber is a hit-or-miss deal with most brands. This one’s an absolute hit! On wooden floors, whether dusty or immaculate, it bites well enough for you to stop on a dime. I was worried about its durability because it is translucent, but I was happy to discover that it’s durable. The grooves are thick, and the rubber is tough, making it a great outdoor option. There are flex grooves all throughout the outsole, so your foot remains flexible on all moves.
Cushion
The midsole is full-length Bounce, the same as the Dunk. However, they don’t feel the same. This shoe does better with impact protection without feeling cumbersome. I never felt it compress, but I also didn’t feel my legs, back, or feet hurt even after 2.5 hours of play on concrete. It’s amazing! I would compare it to World Balance’s S-Ride foam that’s found in the Scottie 1. And compression lines aren’t abundant, which tells us that this foam will last longer than others.
Materials
The adidas Son of Chi 2’s whole upper is one piece without any seams. It’s a complete synthetic mesh build with fuse and thick stitched overlays for durability. The toe box is specially reinforced. The tongue is more open-celled and has a smooth feel. It’s not dynamic, but it is consistent and comfortable.
Fit
The fit is not quite adidas Pro N3XT 2021 true-to-size, but close. Both lengthwise and widthwise, the shoe felt perfect. I would recommend true-to-size for almost everyone, but those with extremely wide feet should probably go up half a size to be safe.
Support
The base is wide, so hard lateral movements and cuts are well accommodated even though there’s no outrigger. Because of the additional stitching and fuse overlays, the upper doesn’t over-stretch where you’re going over the footbed. There are two heel counters: one internal and another external. Both are hard as a rock, so they’ll both last a long while and make sure your ankle doesn’t go anywhere it’s not supposed to. The Achilles notches also help secure your heel. Lastly, the shoe has no noticeable drop, so you remain stable and level every time you play.
adidas Son of Chi 2 Overall
The adidas Son of Chi 2 is the best adidas basketball shoe of 2022. It has everything you need and nothing that you don’t. I know that Bounce can seem like an outdated cushion, especially with the introduction of BouncePro in the air jordan 37, but it still works when done right. The traction works on all court conditions and surfaces while remaining durable. I enjoyed my time in them and will keep them in my rotation.
How does Asics running DNA benefit their newest golf shoe, the Asics GEL-ACE PRO M?
When you think of Asics, golf is probably the last sport that comes to your mind, and for good reason: golf hasn’t ever been a priority for the Japanese sportswear company.
As of late, Asics is trying to change that with the introduction of the Asics GEL-ACE PRO M. While this isn’t Asics’ first golf shoe ever, it’s really the first to have a presence on TOUR.
The Asics GEL-ACE PRO M is the shoe of choice of the 2022 Masters Champion, Hideki Matsuyama. If it’s good enough for him, it’s surely good enough for me (and by extension, you), right?
Let’s find out.
Asics GEL-ACE PRO M
Release Date: May 2022
Price: $200
Sizing: True to size
Rundown: Fantastic traction and stability are offset by a price that doesn’t justify the materials and lack of cushion.
Pros
Traction
Support
Cons
Cushion
Materials
Pros
Traction
The traction on the Asics GEL-ACE PRO M is exceptional, thanks in large part to the standard spiked setup. For a company that’s trying to make its name known in the golf industry, you must nail the traction on the first go-around.
The spikes are placed strategically around the outsole to provide coverage in all directions, and for all conditions.
I could not find any fault with this setup. Sometimes it’s the simple traction patterns that work the best, and such is the case with the Air Jordan 37
Support
The Asics GEL-ACE PRO M offers phenomenal support and stability thanks to Asics’ Trusstic technology. The Trusstic technology is essentially a reinforced shank plate that runs through the bottom of the shoe to provide added support and reduce twisting.
I found the Trusstic to do an excellent job. The added rigidity made the Asics GEL-ACE PRO M extremely stable and supportive. No unwanted flexing, no unexpected movement.
Cons
Cushion
Okay, we’ve reached the awkward part of the review, the cushion. As a company known for its cushion and Gel technology, the Asics GEL-ACE PRO M left me wanting more. The Dunk midsole and Gel pad in the heel provided some cushion, sure, but honestly, I didn’t find this pair as comfortable as I’d expected.
The cushion is extremely lightweight, which is a huge bonus when you’re doing a lot of walking, but I found my feet aching a little more than normal after each round. The cushion isn’t bad, but not up to par for such a prestigious company known for its cushion technologies.
I’ll chalk it up to break in time and give Asics the benefit of the doubt here. Most others I’ve talked to have found the Asics GEL-ACE PRO M to be very comfortable, but it’s my job to relay my experience.
Materials
The Asics GEL-ACE PRO M is super sleek and pretty traditional looking, but the $200 price tag it carries is enough to give me some pause as to the materials used. The synthetic leather upper just doesn’t feel as nice as some other real leather shoes (I’m looking at you, FootJoy).
On top of that, the Asics GEL-ACE PRO M seemed to crease in all of the wrong places. After just a few hours of wear, the upper looks like it’s taken a beating. Not something I’d expect on a $200 shoe.
Asics GEL-ACE PRO M Summary
As Asics’ first entry in the TOUR golf shoe market, the Asics GEL-ACE PRO M does a suitable job, but not an amazing one. The $200 price tag is not an easy one to swallow, so I have a hard time recommending these to you unless you’re all in on Asics, or have the chance to try them on and see how they feel for you. Great traction and support are offset by mediocre materials and a lack of promised cushion.
As with most shoes, your mileage may vary…but my miles weren’t as great as I’d hoped.
