Brandblack Pro Am Performance Review

 For those of you who have read or watched WearTesters for years, you know we’ve previously worked with Brandblack. They let us collaborate on two shoes, the Brandblack Ether and the Brandblack Rare Metal. Both of which got SoleSnk colorways that were bad@$$. But it isn’t the collaborations or access to the designers and owners that make Brandblack unique, it’s the fact they create some of the most unique-looking and still killer performers on the market. The latest is the Brandblack Pro Am, and it compares to some all-time greats. Here. We. GOOOOOOO!!!!!…

Traction

It’s been a while, but I believe we ALWAYS start with traction, and the traction from the little Xs on the Brandblack Pro Am is flat-out amazing. Drawing off of the original Brandblack basketball shoe, the J Crossover 1, this pattern covers all directions and does NOT let dust build-up. Oh, it may hang on for a second, like the picture shows, but it doesn’t stop the grip. I wiped once at the beginning of each run and that was it – clean and easy.

The one thing that may sound strange is it’s not a BITE stop – it’s a smooth stop, and let’s go as soon as you are ready for the next step. Durability? Yeah, it’s good so far. I haven’t played hard outdoors, only some shooting around and one-on-none moves, but there is not a single sign of breaking up.

Cushion

The foam used in the new Rare Metal Evo and the Brandblack Pro Am is called Zerolon and it’s really, really good. I wasn’t a fan of the supercritical Jetlon foam in the Rare Metal 2 – it didn’t have much bounce for me – but give the Zerolon a couple of wears and be ready. It rides low and has great impact protection while still giving some spring in your step (think Nike Kobe 5 or 6 – not the last time that comparison will be made).

Brandblack started with Jetlon (and it was AWESOME) and then got into the supercritical Jetlon, and Zerolon is a true evolution of the two. It is still described as “supercritical” and does have that soft/bounce feel, but the best part is it feels super-stable too, with just enough structure and support to keep it from collapsing on the edges but still open enough to compress and bounce.

Materials

The upper of the Brandblack Pro Am is fused sailcloth. Legit, that’s what the product page says. What does it feel like? The Kobe 6, with some slight changes. It has a rip-stop look to the middle layer (the upper has a 3/4 internal mesh bootie and attached tongue) and then is almost completely covered in a thin fuse.

All the layers would seem to be stiff and to be honest, the first wear the toebox was a little “rice crispies”, but again, after that first couple of games the flex and fit improved immensely. The laces are super-reinforced and they have to be – otherwise, the Salomon-esque cord lacing system would probably rip through on the second pull. An extra large pull loop on the heel makes getting in easier and topping it off is a thick ring of padding around the ankle.

Fit

I really wanted to get into the lacing in the materials section but it has more to do with fit, so here we go. The Brandblack Pro Am uses a cord and pull system normally seen on Salomon trail runners. It’s also seen on street-style runners and kid’s shoes quite often in 2023. One pull will tighten the shoe from top to bottom. I still pulled each one individually because I am an old creature of habit but the system is designed for one pull and lock-in.

Brandblack kindly made the tongue label a lace garage (pouch) to tuck the lock and cord into because otherwise, it looks like your lace cord is excited and no one wants that. Once the cords are tight there is no movement at all. The heel locks in with that padding around the collar, the midfoot is locked because the material hugs and doesn’t stretch, and the forefoot is slim and fitted to the last to give almost no wiggle room. Again with Kobe 5/6 nostalgia leaking into the Brandblack Pro Am.

Support

Wide forefoot. Slight outrigger. Lockdown in the heel with a solid heel counter. What else do you need? Oh, yeah, a midfoot shank. It’s there, too, in the form of a TPU structure under the arch. This isn’t a shoe that will feel like a boot with straps and loops and a thick build, but if you’re a fan of the Kobe 4/5/6 you know what you’re getting.

At no time during my Brandblack Pro Am testing did I worry about my ankles rolling. When coming off screens or planting to drive, the wide forefoot gave me a base to lift off of. The most important things for me in a shoe now are traction and stability. The transition while playing was Nice n Smooth (sometimes I play slow…). The fantastic traction alongside the low and springy foam, the midfoot plate, and the solid lockdown made changing direction and defensive movements quick and strong. Not having to think about my next step made me feel quicker and more confident.

Brandblack Pro Am Summary

There is a reason I kept referencing the Kobe 5/6 in this review. I was told by the owner of Brandblack (after I bought the Rare Metal Evo) that the Brandblack Pro Am is “our Air Jordan”. This is David’s shoe and when I asked him again about the similarities to the Kobe line he said “that’s exactly what it is! I love the Kobe 5/6 as best hoops shoes ever for me” and he set out to design the Brandblack Kobe hybrid. I have to say – success.

Saucony Freedom Crossport Performance Review

 There’s never been a better time to look for your perfect training shoe – from the Reebok Nano X3 to the Air Joradn to the RAD One, there’s a training shoe for everyone. Now the Saucony Freedom Crossport offers something different from an elite running brand that’s not well-known in the cross training space.

But chances are that if someone mentioned Saucony, even the most ardent gym rat might raise an eyebrow and ask if you’re not speaking about running (where the company is undoubtedly in an elite class).

So when Saucony reached out about their new Saucony Freedom Crossport shoe, we said “Huh, that’s interesting”, remembered how much we’ve been blown away by the last couple of years of runners and immediately couldn’t wait to try them on.

Please note that while Saucony did provide these shoes for review, they have no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and have not attempted to influence this review.

Saucony Freedom Crossport

Release Date: May 2023

Price: $150

Weight: Men’s 8.6oz, Women’s 7.4oz

Drop: 4mm

Sizing: True to size

• Rundown: The Saucony Freedom Crossport is going to appeal to Saucony running shoe fans as it’ll provide a similar feel for the gym.

How do the Authors Train?

Arune Singh (age 41, 5’11”, 205lbs): Trains daily with functional fitness programming provided by Deadboys Fitness, founded by Colby “Seth Rollins” Lopez and Josh Gallegos. He also runs five times a week, averaging 15 miles per week, and will be participating in multiple 5K races this year. He also has a medical history of Sleep Apnea and Myasthenia Gravis, meaning Arune’s focus is on lean muscle mass.

Drew Whitcomb (age 41, 6’6″ 195lbs): Trains daily with a focus on running, strength training, and mobility. He writes the majority of our running shoe reviews and runs a lot of miles both due to testing needs and his growing affinity for long-distance races. He recently completed the London Marathon. More marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races are in his future. His strength training and mobility regimen center around maintaining flexibility and lifting heavy to build power as a counterbalance to all the long-distance running he’s doing. His number one focus is staying injury free so he can keep up the sweet gig of reviewing shoes for a living.

What is the Saucony Freedom Crossport?

Saucony describes it as:

Start with the run. Stay for the workout.

The Saucony Freedom Crossport has just the right amount of performance capabilities. Designed to handle both on-road expeditions and HIIT sessions with ease, this shoe’s got stability written all over it. Here’s to a better workout.

The shoe has a 4 mm drop, weighs 8.6 oz in a men’s size 9 and it’s vegan, so no animal products here.

Pros

Cardio Beast

Arune: When someone tells you who they are, believe them, right?

Well, Saucony tells you from the beginning that you “Start with the run. Stay for the workout.” And that’s where the shoe excels.

This shoe is built for starting your workout with cardio – it’s an incredibly comfortable runner (I’ve done up to 3 miles in it), fits perfectly with a rower or exercise bike, and that PWRRUN PB (PEBA-based) midsole rewards you the harder you push.

While most training shoes treat the lifting as the true virtue and cardio as a necessary evil, the Saucony Freedom Crossport asks you to come at it from a different POV where cardio is your focus, but your fitness is incomplete without further training.

That’s still something I’m wrapping my head around because lifting has always come first, but I’m curious to hear what Drew says given that The Tallest Shoe Reviewer In The World puts in some ridiculous miles each week.

Drew: Now I’m wondering if I actually am the tallest shoe reviewer in the world…anyway, back to the matter at hand. The Saucony Freedom Crossport immediately dispenses with the idea of being a stable platform for lifting by using the pelletized PWRRUN PB, a staple in its high-end running shoes. PWRRUN PB is super bouncy, but, like most high-end foams used in running shoes, is a bit unstable. Bounce and squish are the priority.

And that’s great for cardio. This is immediately the best cross training shoe for running even though the amount of PWRRUN PB is much less than the best Saucony running shoes. It also excels at plyometrics, jump rope, lateral drills (though lace it tight because the upper is malleable if left loose), and any other quick movements with potentially hard landings. Depending on the philosophy of your HIIT or Metcon instructor, this could be the perfect shoe to handle the mileage and harsh impact forces.

Perfect for Plyo

Arune: Despite a tough initial adjustment period (see below), the Saucony Freedom Crossport really started to make sense to me when I put it through the paces with some intense plyometric training.

This shoe really wants to make me keep moving (sometimes for the worse, which we’ll discuss), so intense movements like mountain climbers, skater hops, and jumping air squats were a true joy compared to training shoes where it’s all about relative discomfort,

The toe box and curve really are especially perfect for burpees and I felt like I was confidently popping up in a way I haven’t felt in any other training shoe.

Drew: I agree with everything Arune mentioned. It’s helpful to think of the Saucony Freedom Crossport as a running shoe (the Saucony Freedom was a thing for five iterations) adapted to the workout world. Its DNA is mostly running with some HIIT-centric aspects thrown in. Its geometry, cushion, and weight still scream everyday running shoe.

Great Everyday Option

Arune: One of the great things about Saucony shoes is that they have incredibly sleek and timeless silhouettes – the Triumph, Ride, and Endorphin lines will look great ten years from now (even if midsole stacks are probably 80mm tall by that point).

This is a shoe I wore for my AM workouts and then kept wearing through business meetings all day long, runs to the grocery store, and then a short evening cardio session.

The Saucony Freedom Crossport looks like a million other shoes you’ve seen and that’s why it works – it blends in perfectly no matter what you’re doing. But it doesn’t look like so many of those training shoes that look like…training shoes and so if transitioning from workouts to everyday life is a priority, this is a pretty hard training shoe to beat in the aesthetics department.

Drew: Yes, the Saucony Freedom Crossport is a great athleisure shoe in addition to its helpfulness in a high-impact workout class. The versatile appeal will help Saucony sell more of these puppies because not everyone wants a shoe that’s hyperfocused on one use case.

Cons

Bad First Impressions

Arune: Look, I’ll be real – I didn’t like this shoe at all for the first few workouts.

The shoe felt incredibly tight for my Hobbit feet, with the toe box being cramped and some intense pressure on the walls of my midfoot. That’s since improved as the upper stretched out with further workouts but I don’t know that this is going to be a good option for most wide footers.

And the foundation as a running shoe made my lifts feel incredibly unstable at first like I couldn’t ever really get a solid feel for the ground. I’ve figured out how to push down into the ground more, but I still find single-leg lifts (like REFSS or RDL variations) kinda perilous in these shoes.

As you’ve seen above, I worked through these initial first impressions but I don’t know that I would’ve had the same patience if I’d paid for these and there was any question about a return policy.

Drew: My first day wearing the Saucony Freedom Crossport included some heavy squats and on-leg bosu ball mobility work. The Crossport made both harder. Be prepared for an adjustment period as this is not the typical workout shoe being released by major brands these days.

No Olympic Lifts

Arune: There’s a lot that’s great about this shoe, but I cannot recommend Oly lifts like snatches, cleans, or heavy squats in this shoe.

My feet couldn’t ever really feel the ground and I can’t remember the last time my legs were shaking that much on the first rep.

And any time I had to get up on my toes, I felt like I might fall forward – the running shoe DNA here means the shoe wants to propel you forward but with these lifts I want to be moving up and down, not worrying if I face plant.

Drew: You’ll quickly learn what this shoe isn’t good at…lifting heavy weights and balance work. But once you know that, you can avoid those types of exercises when wearing the Crossport.

Is this for you?

Arune: We talked about this early on, but it really depends on your focus in the gym – are you there for cardio first and doing some lifting as an accessory, maybe even some HIIT classes? Then this is a really interesting choice for you.

If you’re a hardcore lifter or in something like Crossfit, I don’t know that this makes a whole lot of sense in a world with so many other dedicated options.

Drew: Do your workouts involve jumping and/or lots of active movements? The Saucony Freedom Crossport needs to be on your radar. If you prefer lifting heavy above all else, stay away. If you do a lot of lateral movements, the Crossport can handle that but the question will go back to what the rest of your workout schedule looks like.

Saucony Freedom Crossport Summary

Arune: This is a shoe I plan to use every day for rowing, the air bike. and all my plyometrics sessions, so the Saucony Freedom Crossport has secured a place in my rotation. It fits really well with the kind of training I do at home.

However, for compound lifts and heavier sessions, I’ll be sticking with the Under Armour Project Rock 5 or even my old trusty KD 16.

This is a solid accessory to my training, but it doesn’t really replace any other shoe and it wouldn’t be my first choice for my one training shoe.

Drew: For me, the Saucony Freedom Crossport is going to appeal to Saucony running shoe fans as it’ll provide a similar feel for the gym. For myself, my gym routine really goes against the principle purpose of the Crossport so it won’t find a place in my rotation. And on days I do tackle plyometrics or heavy lateral movements, I’ll likely turn to a basketball shoe such as the Nike LeBron 20 or another shoe on our Best Shoes for Jumping list.

Nike KD 3 Performance Analysis Review and PG update

 The 88 dolla playa just works.

I was writing down my thoughts on the PG2 and forgot I had a few pair of these in my closet. I thought it would be interesting to review these since it’s basically the same idea with the same target customer (same team as a matter of fact); budget conscious consumers looking for a signature shoe.

If you haven’t noticed, budget friendly sig shoes are all the rage. Why pay $185 for KD 16 ny when you can get PG2 for $110? Dame 4 for $115? Kyrie 4 for $120? If you didn’t know the basic laws of supply and demand, more people are willing to purchase a product at a lower price if they see the higher priced item as equal. That’s how you move units without giving up a premium image.

Weight

14.5 ounces which is exactly the same weight as the PG2

Traction

Just a simple herringbone pattern that works. Standard rubber with a standard pattern and it works just fine, very similar to the Clutchfit Drive traction performance. Great on clean floors, needs some wiping on dusty floors to stay tacky. Nothing spectacular, no special storytelling but still very good overall.

Has sneaker traction technology changed much in seven years? A lot of my favorite traction patterns came before 2011 so it isn’t technology related, it’s just what they happened to use this time. At least KD 16 the storytelling to a minimum.

Cushioning

Forefoot Zoom and Phylon midsole. Sound familiar?

These feel almost like any other Nike set up with Zoom forefoot including the PG1. (I think the PG 2 feels a little softer overall). Works just fine. I remember when they released these, Nike would say KD “plays on his toes” so that’s why it’s forefoot Zoom only. What Nike forgot to mention is that it hurts their wallet to put Zoom in the heel for $88.

This set up just works fine. Nothing spectacular as you can feel the Zoom a little in the forefoot and the heel is cored out to give some extra give.

Fit

True to size

No heel slip from the get go, no movement side to side. These sit a little higher than most lows but not my much.

No fancy lace set up although this flap of leather is supposed to help but it’s attached to directly to the medial side of the shoe so you can’t get much more lockdown with this set up. You can choose a slightly lower lace set up at least.

These even have standard white flat laces. Can’t get much more mundane than that. No burrito, no asymmetrical, no one piece bootie…standard lace set ups just work.

Materials

The majority of the shoe is leather with just a little touch of Flywire and synthetic. This particular pair has patent leather on the lateral and medial panels.

Good luck finding this much leather for $88 let alone $150. It works just as well as any of the new materials out there but due to rising costs, much cheaper knits/mesh, and the call to go greener, we won’t be seeing this much anymore. But for Mother Earth, I’m willing to go with a more sustainable material.

Support and stability

I guess this a low but it’s a higher cut low like the PG2 and KD 16 Black. Support comes from the fit and standard heel counter. There is also a basic plastic midfoot shank that works fine as well.

Stability is great thanks to a flat outsole and forefoot outrigger

Once again, nothing new, nothing mind blowing, it just works.

Containment

No issues here. A little stiffer synthetic and Flywire at the forefoot and a raised outsole just keeps everything in place. Hmmm, who would have ever thunk to do that ? Oh yea, me.

Conclusion

Seven years later and it’s the same story as before, no issues at all with the KD3 . $88 would cost $96 today based on inflation so you are actually paying a little more for the PG2 than the KD3 in theory. You have to remember sneaker prices went into hyper drive for a few years then settled back down the past three.

Once again, it’s a matter of budget: how many bells, whistles, and signature allure do you need to buy this shoe? A good analogy for the KD III would be a 2011 Honda Civic; it’s priced affordably for all consumers, looks pretty good and can get me from A to B without fail. Do we need 350 HP cars with German engineering or a newer model to get us home on our daily commute? Absolutely not, but do we want it? Absolutely! Can we afford it… now thats the really question.

The same goes for shoes; do we need full length Boost or Zoom? Do we need the newest model to make us play better? Absolutely not, but boy do we want it. It’s consumerism at its finest.

PG2 Update

I’ve been playing in the PG2 sparingly the week and a half as I recover from my tournament and here are some of my thoughts.

Traction

A softer rubber and thinner pattern make the traction great. I already liked the PG1 traction but these having been working slightly better with a nice bite and minimal wiping. I love to see basics done right. Give me a good traction better with a decent fit and I’m usually a happy camper.

Cushioning

Nike put a bigger Zoom bag in the forefoot and I could tell a slight difference. It isn’t mind blowing Zoom but the feel is a little Zoomier than the PG1 which I thought felt very muted. The overall cushioning also feels an little softer and lower which I think everyone will like. Nike really disguised that Phylon feel with an ultra thick insole like they used last year.

Fit

True to size for everyone. I thought they were snug at first but they loosened up quickly. No heel slip, no side to side movement. I really should just copy and paste my KD3 review.

Materials

Mesh with some synthetic suede panels. Budget materials but it looks nicer than most budget shoes by breaking up the monotony with the placement of different colors and textures. Aside from a name and story telling, that’s the biggest difference you get with budget signature shoes in my opinion; sexier budget materials. As I said in my Harden review, premiumizing budget materials makes us feel like we got more value or bang for the buck.

Support and Stability

No issues here. Good fit and a normal flexing heel counter plus a flat outsole and outrigger set up.

Containment

The synthetic rand around the forefoot helps with the containment. Very similar idea to the KD3 but just done externally rather than integrated. It’s probably a lot cheaper to do it this way than to fuse it’s sew two different materials together. That’s why mesh and no sew uppers are so popular and prevalent now.

Summary

This is going to be another solid shoe from PG and Nike. Nike got the sneaker world buzzing with the PlayStation PG2 and that buzz carries over to the rest of the line. Brilliant idea Nike even if it has no real merit performance wise.

I won’t have this review done for another week or two due to Spring Break with the family but I think the consensus for the PG2 is pretty much same across the board, it just works just like the KD III.

adidas Dame Certified Review

 The adidas Dame Certified is Damian Lillard’s budget model for the year, a very solid performance basketball shoe overall.

Colorway: Black/ Green / White

Release Date: 2023

Price: $95

The adidas Dame Certified is Damian Lillard´s latest budget signature model, and the only Dame shoe Lillard will be getting during the 2022-23 season. It seems like adidas may be eliminating the main Dame signature line, but they will be keeping the Certified line, which isn’t great news for Dame fans. The good news is that the Dame Certified is no joke and it packs a considerable performance punch. On top of that the Dame Certified retails for just $95, which makes it one of the budget models of the year. It’s also one of the best adidas basketball shoes overall and one of the best outdoor basketball shoes out there.

adidas Dame Certified Traction

Traction might be the shoe’s best feature. The shoe is equipped with a beefy solid rubber outsole, with a grippy wavebone traction pattern. This setup offers really great multidirectional coverage both indoors and outdoors, but what makes it exceptional is the durability of the rubber.

Not every shoe nowadays is well-equipped for outdoor use, but this one definitely is, and that versatility is to be appreciated. But aside from the versatility of the outsole and the traction pattern, the fact is the shoe offers elite grip no matter the surface you play on.

adidas Dame Certified Cushion

The adidas Dame Certified features full-length Bounce cushioning. Bounce usually offers a very well-balanced ride on court with a nice combination of impact protection and reactiveness. In this case, this iteration of Bounce is much more on the reactive side of things. This is great to keep you feeling speedy and agile on court.

This setup is especially great on a bouncy playing surface, like a parquet floor, or a nice plush PVC surface. Outdoors that Bounce cushioning will offer just enough impact protection to keep you on the blacktop for extended periods.

adidas Dame Certified Materials

Materials are another highlight of the shoe. Although there is nothing premium on the shoe the layering and implementation of the materials adidas used on the shoe is great. We have a mix of textiles, synthetic nubuck, and synthetic leather. The combination and construction of the upper make the shoe feel much more premium than it really is.

Where the materials are placed also enhances the performance of the shoe, adding containment and support in all the areas you’ll need it. As far as budget models go, the adidas Dame Certified features the best material setup of the year, rivaled only by the materials on the adidas harden vol 7.

adidas Dame Certified Support

Support and containment are also very good. There is nothing groundbreaking or innovative about the Dame Certified but everything on the shoe works together to offer a very stable and safe experience on court. The shoe features a very wide base with a lot of contact surface with the court, the Bounce cushioning is very stable, and the upper offers excellent containment.

Synthetic leather overlays are placed on either side of the forefoot to keep you on the footbed during linear movements. Synthetic nubuck wings on either side of the midfoot add lateral containment and there’s a heel counter and a TPU reinforcement in the heel for added stability. Nothing special, but everything works together to keep you feeling safe and supported.

adidas Dame Certified Fit

The adidas Dame Certified fits true to size, so go with whatever size you usually use with adidas. The upper conforms well to your foot and requires no break in time.

adidas Dame Certified Overall

The adidas Dame Certified is a very nice performance basketball shoe, which becomes all the more attractive when we consider the price and its versatility. For $95 you get full-length Bounce cushioning, really great traction that grips both indoors and outdoors tremendously well, and excellent materials that have been implemented very well to boost performance.

The biggest drawback of the Dame Certified might be the cushioning system, which might not offer enough impact protection for every type of player. But aside from that, the Dame Certified is a very reasonably priced, well-rounded performance basketball model with amazing traction.

Nike Pegasus 40 Review

 The Nike Pegasus line turns the big four-oh so you’d expect Nike to really go all out for the Nike Pegasus 40 right? Nope! The tooling and outsole from the Nike Pegasus 39 stay exactly the same but with a (slightly) updated upper. I guess 40 isn’t all that special after all. Cue all our readers in their 40s nodding vigorously.

Maybe they’re saving the big splash for 50. At least the price stayed the same. We’ll take the wins where we can get them. Especially with Nike, where, thanks to the SNKRS app, Ls are plentiful.

Release Date: April 2023

Price: $130

Weight: Men’s 9.4 oz., Women’s 7.7 oz.

Drop: 10mm

Sizing: True to size

• Rundown: The Nike Pegasus 40 is largely the same as the Pegasus 39 but features an improved upper.

Cushion

The Nike Pegasus 40 cushion is a React foam midsole, a typical oval Zoom Air bag in the forefoot, and a standard rectangular Zoom Air bag in the heel. It’s a minimal cushion setup by today’s running shoe standards.

Upper

The Pegasus 39 upper improved a ton over the horrible Nike Pegasus 37 upper and solid Nike Pegasus 38 upper. The Nike Pegasus 40 upper takes it to a new level with improved lacing, fit, and lockdown. It’s the best Pegasus upper in over four years.

Outsole

The Nike Pegasus 40 outsole being the same as the Lebron 20 is a good thing. It’s a pattern that grips well in all weather conditions and the rubber is thick and durable. The outsole is so durable it will last longer than the Pegasus 40 cushioning.

Is the Nike Pegasus 40 wide foot friendly?

The Nike Pegasus 40 is on the narrow side, like most Nikes, but is available in a wide version on Nike’s website. The wide version is not typically available at other retailers.

Is the Nike Pegasus 40 worth $130?

While the Pegasus 40 is a solid value at $130 there are several options I’d recommend for more value when considering buying this shoe.

You can buy the similar, but better overall,  Shadow AF-1  for $120. It’s bouncier with a better upper and outsole. Or you could spend $10 more and grab the high-performing Asics Novablast 3 or Hoka Clifton 9. Both of those shoes deliver way more cushioning and bounce than the Pegasus 40 alongside more accommodating uppers and similar or better durability.

I’d also recommend considering the Nike Vomero 16. It’s on our Best Running Shoes list for a reason. Its combo of large volume forefoot Zoom Air bag, ZoomX foam, more accommodating fit, and plusher, more comfortable upper make it the Best Nike daily running shoe available right now.

Cons

Nothing much to put here except that the total Pegasus 40 package is underwhelming. Nike’s daily trainers, led by the iconic Pegasus line, have fallen behind the competition in terms of technology, fit, and fun factor. It’s hard for us to recommend the Pegasus 40 over any of the neutral running shoes on our Best Neutral Running Shoes list or our overall Best Running Shoes list.

Nike Pegasus 40 Summary

The Nike Pegasus 40 is a solid shoe. But also kinda meh and hard to get excited about. It’s now an old standby and long-time Pegasus lovers will enjoy some good improvements over previous Pegasuses (Pegasi?). But if you’re looking for fun, innovative, high stack foam, or superior bounce…you’ll need to look elsewhere.

The Pegasus is no longer a shoe that’s pushing boundaries in the running industry. Hopefully, Nike has plans to get the Pegasus back where it belongs as a hip, fun, and innovative daily trainer. But for now, it’s just a ho-hum shoe that won’t generate any excitement.

Air Jordan 12 Low Golf Performance Review

 

When the Jordan Brand started expanding into the golf world, I was their target demographic. I’m a basketball player at heart and always will be. I bought the Jordan ADG golf shoe and loved them so much, I bought a second pair. But when it came to the Retro releases like the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf, I was hesitant to take that leap.

The Retros scared me for 2 reasons – the price tag, and the performance. As someone with kids and a mortgage I didn’t want to spend $220 on shoes I only played golf in, especially if they didn’t do what I needed them to do. I love MJ but I also like winning my golf league, and if those shoes are going to hurt my chances, they won’t be on my feet.

This past weekend I was able to test a pair of the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf out and I was shocked by the results. I’ll be breaking down my thoughts into the top 4 things I look for in a golf shoe: style, traction, cushion, and support.

Style

There is a reason that the Air Jordan 12 is considered by almost everyone to be one of the, if not THE, best-looking Jordan shoes of all time. Inspired by a 19th-century fashion boot and the Japanese Nisshhoki flag, the first flagship shoe released under the Jordan Brand moniker is instantly recognizable, and a timeless classic. The beauty of this shoe is its simplicity and the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf version of this classic sticks to the heart of what makes it great.

There is one golf-specific change to the heel tab that I absolutely love though. Where the basketball version says “Jordan – Quality Inspired by the Greatest Player Ever”, the golf version replaces that with “Golf – For the Love of 18”. It’s a small change but a great detail.

Traction

There are two connections in golf that mean more than anything else – our connection to the club and our connection to the ground. Power is generated from the ground up and if a shoe can’t be counted on to keep me grounded, then it’s useless to me.

I tested the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf in very soggy conditions after a couple of days of rain and I am happy to report that sliding was not an issue at all. The bottom of the shoe features a herringbone tread pattern as well as 7 removable soft spikes that provide a great amount of traction. I’m a big guy that generates a lot of force and I didn’t slip once during an 18-hole round.

Cushion

The original Air Jordan 12 came equipped with a full-length Zoom Air unit and that’s what you’ll find in the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf as well. And while the airbag is under your whole foot, the place I felt most cushioned was in the heel, which is where a lot of golf shoes fall short. This is just another example of the Jordan Golf team executing something simple in a great way.

Support

The other feature that the basketball and golf versions have in common is the carbon fiber shank plate. I’d be lying if I said that while I was playing I was thinking “man I’m glad that shank plate is there” but the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf is a stable shoe that will keep you locked in.

As someone who has had more than his fair share of sprained ankles, finding a shoe that will keep my foot and ankle joints secure is something that’s very important to me. Because of the premium I place on stability, I’m willing to make sacrifices on footwear that other people may not, which brings me to the two factors that people might not love about the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf.

The first thing that might rub people the wrong way is the cut of this shoe. These are officially called the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf, and while they might be considered a “low” on a basketball court, I wouldn’t say it’s the case on a golf course. If you’re someone who is used to a traditional golf shoe cut and the way they fit, then this shoe might not be for you.

Another element that helps with the support but could also be a negative to some people is the leather that is being used in the upper. I think it’s important to remember what this shoe actually is – a recreation of a 90s basketball shoe, and back then we weren’t as concerned with things being lightweight or breathable.

Where I live we haven’t cracked 80 for more than 3 hours yet this year so I have tested the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf in pretty chilly temperatures. I could see that leather and the lack of ventilation being a problem when the heat and humidity start to rise. I’m no stranger to sweating buckets into basketball shoes but even I will admit that when the thermometer KD 15, I will probably be reaching for a different shoe option that day.

Air Jordan 12 Low Golf Summary

 

I will fully admit that the Air Jordan 12 Low Golf was made with someone like me in mind. That being said, there’s a reason why I never had a pair until a couple of weeks ago. I’m sure I’m like a lot of people out there who were worried that the price tag wouldn’t match the performance, and for some people, this shoe still might not.

The Air Jordan 12 Low Golf is a basketball shoe at its core and has a different feel than traditional golf shoes. But if you’re anything like me (and the rest of the WearTesters team) and grew up in basketball shoes, I can definitively say that you’ll love these.