Air Jordan XX9 vs XX8 Performance Review

I’ve read all the great reviews about the XX9 so I picked these up during the Nike clearance sale for $124 to see  what all the hype was about.  I will also compare the XX9 to the XX8 SE
Before I get into the comparison let me give you a sale pitch on a new 2015 Mercedes.
Introducing the newest, lightest and most technology advances Mercedes, the MB 2015. Here are some features we added:

• A new material for the frame 

Here is what we took away

• Replaced the rear air suspension with standard coil overs made for an Accord. You don’t need that anymore
• Made the air suspension feel more like coil overs but rest assured it is air.
• Replaced all carbon fiber parts with plastic. Who needs carbon fiber anyways.

Oh and we made the price 50% more than last years model.
and the material is not as durable and susceptible to abrasions and will degrade faster than last years materials. 
Now would anyone in their right mind go for the newer model and not feel like they have been duped ?  You can argue that the new frame is where the increase in cost is coming from but if you believe that I have some ocean front property in Arizona for you.
PROS: Traction, comfortable sock like upper, breathable, forefoot cushioning , fit
CONS: No Zoom in heel? These are called Air Jordans, not forefoot Air Jordans, containment, tipsy at the heel, upper not durable
BEST FOR:  lightweight guards, straight runners/non cutters, swag champs
TRACTION
Traction is great on both the XX8 and XX9 but I think the fatter pattern took away some of the bite. The XX8 has much sharper peaks and deeper grooves made from a slightly more pliable rubber than the XX9.
Verdict: XX8
CUSHIONING
When I read that Jordan Brand decided to take away the heel Zoom Air because it wasn’t really necessary, I thought “is a $225 shoe without Zoom Air necessary? What about cavier and sushi rather than Mac and cheese ? ” This isn’t about necessity, it’s about the luxury of owning the premier basketball shoe.
Anyways, the new unlocked Zoom set up is more recessed into the sole and turned a quarter turn. This 1) lowers the ride compared to the XX9 2) allows the Zoom to flex more naturally since the  segmentation runs sideways vs lengthwise 3) makes the unlocked Zoom less prone to popping and costing Jb less money for returns. I had a friend of mine bust his XX9 and air jordan 34 air in the span of two weeks and he isn’t even a high flyer (sorry Ben, the truth hurts lol). Luckily, they were both under warranty so he got replacement vouchers.

Above: The transition is better thanks to the additional rubber between the forefoot and heel.
I have yet to pop mine but I know it’s just a matter of time.  The thing that irks me is why did JB bother to set up the XX8 the way they did ? Didn’t they weartest the shoes beforehand? What if my shoe pops outside the 2 year window? It isn’t a defect but rather a design flaw imo
Above: almost perfectly flush with the outsole
Below: at least 1 or 2mm more protrusion on the XXThe new setup feels less unlocked than the XX8 since it is recessed and you’re contacting the floor with the Zoom and outsole all at the same time versus just touching the floor with Zoom only . You can still feel it though but you have to know what to look for. It isn’t worlds away better feeling than regular Zoom like the XX9 but it does feel great nonetheless.
The foam in the heel feels like Phylon and does its job but to skimp out doesn’t seem like Jordan’s style. I am a heavy heel striker especially when I’m running down the court so I really like to feel that extra bounce on the XX8.
VERDICT: XX8 easily especially in the heel
FIT
The XX9 fits great plain and simple. They eliminated all the deadspace on the shoe to make it as sock like as possible. Look how much smaller the XX9 looks vs the XX8
I went with my normal sz 11 and they fit perfectly, leaving me a finger width between my big toe and the end of the toe box. The heel fit is is fantastic too thanks to the dog bone inside the heel that prevents any slipping.

One thing to note with the flexible upper is that the laces come loose more quickly than normal. When you see a movie and a guy is tied up in rope, how does he get out ? He wiggles and shimmies to loosen the rope and that’s precisely what happened when the upper flexes and moves around the ankle. I’d start the game perfectly tied but it kept loosening up as the game went on.  Not a big deal but just something I noticed.
The XX9 fit very well albeit it had more of a normal shoe fit since the upper isn’t Performance Woven upper and Flightweb or whatever they call it. I had perfect lockdown in the XX9 as well and did not need to size down like some other reviewers stated as I stuck with my size 11. No deadspace or side to side movement to speak up either but the XX9 just fits better.
VERDICT: XX9
SUPPORT and STABILITY
Some shoes have great support and marginals stability while others have exceptional stability but mediocre support.  In my opinion I’d rather have the latter so I don’t have to worry about the support since the stability of the shoe will keep me firmly planted.
The XX9 support comes from its fit and have heel counter.  I am an over pronator and you can see it just by looking at how my laces lean toward the inside of my ankle.
There is a plastic shank but it does little in keeping my ankle from rolling in whereas the XX8 has a carbon fiber shank plate or flightplate as they call it.
Above: carbon fiber over plastic any day
As I said earlier I don’t mind a shoe that is stable while sacrificing some support but the XX9 failed my heel test. Sure, upon a perfect landing I won’t sprain my ankle but I’m more concerned with imperfect landings when I have to land on my heel or when I’m pushed mid air.
See how narrow the XX9 is vs the XX8
In addition the heel counter is a lot more flexible than the XX8Good ol carbon fiber. Why change a good thing ?
VERDICT: XX8
CONTAINMENT
Every carbon fiber piece on the XX8 was replaced with plastic on the XX9 including the footstay at the forefoot. Couple the woven upper with a more flexible plastic and the net result is below average containment. I could feel my foot coming out of the footbed and feeling the plastic flex on hard cuts. The woven upper is fine but there needs to be either 1) a stiffer footstay 2) higher footstay 3) more coverage along the lateral side , maybe even midfoot to forefoot.
I did not have this problem with the XX8 although I have had better containment on shoes such as the Rose 5 or Lebron Solder VI. I think if you are lightweight or don’t cut a lot or very hard you wouldn’t notice the containment issue but I definitely do.
VERDICT: XX8
DURABILITY:
This happened after fifteen minutes of shooting around. I thought it was dirtIt is hard to see in the pic but the woven upper already started fraying from a little toe drag…. After fifteen minutes of shooting around. I’ve seen and read about ripped uppers/Lace loops so it doesn’t surprise me but it is still disappointing.  Maybe some kind of reinforcement at the toe box like they make for most hoop shoes ? The golf shoe cousin of the XX9, the TW 15 has reinforcements at high wear/ high stress areas such as the laces and toe box( review coming)
I know JB wanted to showcase the upper but come on..
PRICE: 
AJ XX9 retail: $225
Sale price: $125
AJ XX8 SE retail: $150
Sale price : $79 although I got a steal on Eastbay for $60 after coupon
In free kyrie 6 reviewer world you can just a shoe without taking price into account but I’m buying these myself so I want the most value I can get.
VERDICT: AJ XX8
CONCLUSION
Although I enjoyed the slightly lower ride, ultra comfortable upper and lightweight,the XX9 just didn’t do it for me. It lost some of that bounce, traction, as well as stability  while adding a hefty $75 to the retail price. Is it worth $225? Hell no.Is it worth $125? Maybe depending on what your individual needs are but they aren’t going to make my rotation. Is it better than the XX8? No, but don’t get me wrong, it is a good shoe overall but I can get more value, more Zoom, and more support from the XX8 for a lot less money.

Stanley Tse Weighs in on the Nike Kyrie 6 Performance Review

The Illuminati has its ways, just like the way Kyrie controls the ball like a yo-yo. With Zoom Turbo making a return, will the Kyrie 6 make its predecessors proud? Let’s find out.
Traction on the Kyrie 5 was good, however the traction on the Kyrie 6 is a major upgrade. Once you get past the coating material on the shoe, the shoe just clamps down. Multi-directional traction has this shoe ready for battle from the get-go. The rubber is soft (outdoor players be aware), however, the shoe grips well. The best thing about this shoe is that no matter how you plant your feet, you’re definitely covered.
Same setup as its predecessor. The Nike Zoom Turbo is used in the forefoot and it feels amazing. It’s even better because the shoe feels lower to the ground without sacrificing any stability. The added plus is the injected phylon used for the midsole itself and it feels responsive from the start. Smooth transitions, low ride, and responsive feedback are a great combination that create a nice ride.
The Kyrie 6 uses some textiles along with some genuine leather along the midfoot to give it a nice old school feel. The interior of the shoe is heavily padded, which is taken from skate shoes, to give you extra comfort. The shoe is finished off with the Zoom Turbo forefoot cushion along with injected Phylon and a soft rubber outsole for solid traction. The material usage overall is solid and the midfoot strap and extra leather along the midsole give it a 90s old school basketball vibe. A great combo.
Here’s where the minor struggle comes in. On the previous Kyrie 4 and Kyrie 5, I had to go up half a size, and unfortunately, for the Kyrie 6, it wasn’t available in the 1/2 size up of a 13.5. I had to use the 13. I will say if you wore cushioned socks, be prepared to scream in pain. I wore thin socks initially to break-in the shoe, which helped a tad bit, especially in the “less painful agony” part. After the shoe broke in, it hurt less. And while the shoe still felt tight, it was bearable to the point of being able to play aggressively and not feel worrisome.
Solid as long as you get your proper size. 360 degree traction, soft midsole, proper lockdown, an extra padded interior, and your foot sits directly on the footbed without any slippage.
If you liked balling in the Kyrie 4 or 5, then you’ll absolutely love the Kyrie 6. It’s not a big change between the models. However, it’s evolved into something much better. I wish I had a 13.5, but once broken in, the shoe was as fun as watching an aging Uncle Drew cross up the competition. I definitely suggest trying them on in-store before purchasing. Besides that, the evolution of the Kyrie line is here to stay and we’re quite impressed. Here’s to the next one.

Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 Performance Review

The Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 checks all of the technical boxes. It has a knit upper, a midsole combining two soft foams, an outsole built for durability, and a plush collar and tongue. It’s got the whole package to be a solid everyday running shoe. And if you’re not familiar with Mizuno as a running brand, this is a good place to start.
We tested the Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 from both a male and female perspective. This review is based on our experiences using the shoes for speed workouts, trail runs, treadmill training, long runs, casual wear, and more.
Let’s start the performance review by focusing on our favorite part of the shoe, the cushioning.

Cushion

Jodi: The cushioning system is pretty darn impressive. It’s a combination of XPOP PU foam and Mizuno Foam Wave. Every time I ran in the Sky Waveknit 3 I felt like I was flying down the road. They felt light and responsive. They’re one of those shoes where it’s hard to tell where your foot ends and they begin. It literally felt like they were one with my feet.
Drew: When I initially unboxed the Sky Waveknit 3, my eyes were immediately drawn to the cut out on the outsole that provides access to the XPOP foam. Just pushing it with my finger showed me it’s as bouncy as adidas Boost or Nike React. The Mizuno Foam Wave that carries and sits above the XPOP feels very plush, like Nike’s Cushlon or other soft EVA foams. Together, the package is extremely good at impact protection and giving your foot a nice bounce off the ground. This is a shoe that’s long run friendly. Your knees and back will take less of a pounding and recover quicker because of the cushioning package.

Traction

Jodi: The Sky Waveknit 3’s traction is solid. It’s everywhere on the outsole but broken up in all the right places to keep the shoe light and flexible. It’s carbon rubber reminds me of what Under Armour used on portions of the UA Curry 7. Which begs the question, how durable is this setup? I’ll let Drew answer that…
Drew: This outsole is built to last. My pair has approximately 50 miles in them and looking at the outsole rubber you’d think I’ve run 3-5 miles in them. This outsole and cushioning system will most likely last 300-500 miles which isn’t a given in most of today’s running shoes.
One small note. Initially, the outsole didn’t grip very well on wet roads. It was only slight slippage with each footfall but it was noticeable. It got better over time as the outsole gained some miles but it’s something to be mindful of when taking your initial runs in them.

Support

Jodi: The Sky Waveknit 3 has the sturdiest heel counter I’ve ever encountered. You put them on and the shoe pretty much sucks your heel into place. And don’t worry, the heel counter is heavily padded so rubbing isn’t an issue.
Drew: I agree with Jodi on the heel counter. It’s super stiff and does it job well. The Waveknit itself is on the stiffer side so the upper holds up well to turns. On trail runs it still wasn’t quite enough containment in the forefoot. The heel was great so I tried them on trail. But because your foot doesn’t sit inside the midsole you can get over the edge in the forefoot. It’s better to avoid rocky or root-filled trails and stick to asphalt or gravel.

Materials

Jodi: Mizuno calls the upper’s material Waveknit. It’s very formed and tough. Where the Nike Epic React is pliable, stretchy, and thin, the Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 is the complete opposite. The only real stretch the shoes gave me were on the top of the toe box where the holes are larger to give you breathability. Because the rest of the shoe is so layered your feet don’t get much of a breeze outside the toe box. Side note: I don’t know if Drew noticed this, but the pattern on the toe box is shaped like a heart. Maybe I noticed this more because my shoes are bright red and I’m a girl…
Drew: It is a heart! If you look at the shoe top down from the front you can totally see it. On my grey pair I just thought it was a normal grouping of ventilation holes. Now it definitely appears a cheeky Mizuno designer snuck in a heart. I kinda like the personality. Most running shoes these days are all business.
Also, Jodi is right that the Waveknit is layered and thick. It’s different than knit from other brands but that means it’s also more supportive. It’s not what we’ve come to expect out of a knit but it’s an interesting change of pace. Want a thicker, more durable knit shoe? The Sky Waveknit 3 is perfect for you.

Fit

Jodi: Fit is where the shoe didn’t work for me. Lengthwise, the shoes are my true running size. Width was another story. I had to run with mine laced as loose as possible to give me some wiggle room. I could see my socks peeking through between the sides of the tongue and the upper due to how I had them laced (and the lockdown was still great!). I would feel amazing and light as I headed out for each run only to have my feet start swelling around mile 2 and be royally uncomfortable by mile 3. Anyone with even slightly wide feet should buy the wide version of the Sky Waveknit 3.
Drew: Even with my narrow feet, the Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 was tight. I generally like my shoes that way but I would recommend the wide version if you have anything other than narrow feet. As Jodi said, lengthwise they’re true to size. The Waveknit, despite being a thicker knit, flexes extremely well. The collar and tongue are also super padded with an almost memory foam material. As long as you get the right width, they’ll be comfortable.

Overall

Jodi: If you have a narrow foot, the regular width Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 would be fantastic. It’s built to be fast and light. All the potential is there. Unfortunately my feet needed the wide version. So if you’re a wide footer like me, just make sure you get the wide version.
Drew: The nike kyrie 6 cushioning and durability are the big attractions. This is a shoe that will last you a lot of miles and be kind to your feet, knees, and lower back. Just make sure you know they run narrow so you can go wide (if needed).

adidas Posterize Performance Review

The adidas Posterize (briefly known as the adidas Trifecta) aims to bring a lifestyle aesthetic to the court as an amalgam of past adidas models — and of course with the tooling of last winter’s adidas Marquee Boost. Does this new construction add value as a performer?
If you know the Marquee Boost then you’re familiar with this outsole – full length herringbone with a wider spaced zone of the pattern pointing laterally in the forefoot. What was a slight issue in consistency in the Marquee Boost is less of an issue in the Posterize, though you will still want to keep up with wiping on dustier settings.
Everywhere else the traction was just fine, including outdoors where the rubber seemed to do well against the grain and even showed potential for durability.
Maybe being the outsole of my pair of Posterize is much less of a translucent (I’d say somewhere in the 90% range for opacity) than the pair of Marquees I tested, they just more consistent – even if minimally so.
Again, the midsole of the air jordan 34 is carried over to the Posterize. I really enjoy the setup, but somehow it is even better this time around. Where the torsional plate of the Marquee Boost made the midsole a little stiff in transition, the Posterize is much more flexible and smoother right out of the box.
I checked with a source to make sure, and yes the same style torsion system was used, however, my guess is that the spring plate is possibly thinner as you get so much more range of motion without required break in or loss of support where needed.
Back to the midsole – Boost is still a killer cushion when done right, and this setup is just right in my opinion. The forefoot sits lower to the ground, giving an awesome mix of response and impact protection. The heel does have a little more volume, but it really is nothing serious to critique, unless you are dealing with a pre-existing ailment that can’t handle so much cushion (see Nightwing2303’s adidas Marquee Boost Performance Review for more on that). Otherwise, you really can’t ask for more out of a cushion setup like this.
Both flashy and functional, the upper of the Posterize is great. Textiles, leather, suede, synthetics – you basically get a little bit of everything except a knit here, and it’s awesome. The base of the upper is covered in a breathable mesh, the suedes over the rear panels add support to an already strong internal heel cup, and the tumbled leather overlay moving towards the forefoot is a nice addition.
A variation of the shell toecap from the adidas Superstar is featured covered in 3M, the tongue is traditional and pays homage to the adidas Crazy 2 with its screen mesh ventilation, and a removable ankle strap and other design lines give the adidas Fast Break some representation. Even the thick rope lacing blends well with the aesthetic and serves good purpose.
Combine all this with a comfortable lining and internal sculpting and you have yourself another great shoe to transition on and off the court seamlessly. If you are looking to spice things up a bit, yet, still find comfort in something form fitting, look no further.
I went down a half size to cut a little bit of length in the Posterize. I do feel I could have been okay true to size, but to be safe I’m happy with what I decided on. Wide footers have a chance at going true to size with no issue being that the tongue is not attached to the footbed in any way, but if you do have a wide foot and something feels off TTS, don’t force it.
Lockdown is also great. The thick rope laces take a strong hold once you make your adjustments – just make sure you knot/double knot so it doesn’t come undone multiple times in a game. I’m also happy to say I have no concerning movements or heel slip within the Posterize, whatsoever – something I can’t say for either pair of Marquee Boost I’ve owned in my true size as low cut or in a high cut at a half-size down.
It all comes together beautifully – the right fit, good usage of materials, solid heel counter, and torsional support all over a wide and flat platform. No, the ankle strap doesn’t add anything performance wise, but it’s nice you have the option to remove it if you please.
If the adidas Posterize ends up working for you, then it should really work for you.
If you’ve tried the aj 11 white silver and liked it, you should really like adidas Posterize. Boost still has a place in basketball, and with other companies now making use of similar foam, I don’t mind the decision to recycle tooling to continue offering Boost in some capacity.
The adidas Posterize is top-to-bottom comfortable and makes for a solid performer that holds up well. This is one of those pairs that will see a lot of wear from me, even as testing is complete.

Hoka Carbon X Performance Review

The Hoka Carbon X, simply put, is Hoka’s answer to the Nike Vaporfly Next%. The Carbon X is a carbon-plated, highly cushioned long distance running shoe. And just like with Nike’s signature long distance racing shoe, all of the Hoka athletes are using it for their races. And just like with Nike, the goal is to help athletes hit PRs and even World Records. When the Hoka Carbon X was first introduced, Jim Walmsley, a Hoka athlete, used it to set the world record for the 50 mile distance. And as a bonus, the Carbon X is priced at $180 which is $70 better than the Nike Vaporfly Next%.
To find out how the Carbox X performed, we tested it over 50+ miles of speed workouts, races, long runs, hills, treadmill runs, and casual wear.
We’ve now done several Hoka reviews including the Rincon, Bondi 6, and Arahi 3. All of them got high marks. Now, let’s see if the Carbon X is really the “speed machine” Hoka says it is…

Cushion

I wrote down “springy” in my notes after my first run in the Hoka Carbon X and I continued to get the same bounce the entire time I was testing them. It’s a race shoe that feels plush.
Right below the foot there’s a layer of Hoka’s Profly X EVA foam, under that is a Y-shaped carbon fiber plate, and touching the ground is a layer of injected rubberized EVA. This combination works. I especially appreciate the Y-shaped carbon fiber plate as it makes the shoe just a touch less stiff than its carbon-plated competitors. It’s not as squishy as other Hoka running shoes but that’s done on purpose. The Carbon X is built for speed on race day and I found it’s combination of responsiveness and soft cushion to be perfect for road races and speed workouts.
Very much like the Nike Zoom Fly 3, it delivers the speed you need alongside cushion that will last for the longest of races.

Traction

The injected rubberized EVA outsole really grips the pavement even in wet conditions. There was no slipping or sliding. It also adds a lot to the cushioning package. However, it doesn’t offer the durability needed for 300-500 miles. It’s not a surprise because you’re just running on foam.
I’d prefer Hoka do something like they did with the Rincon and add outsole rubber to high wear areas. They didn’t use rubber on the Carbon X, most likely due to weight concerns, but I hope they figure out how to do so in the future. It’s a glaring omission from such a high performance shoe.

Support

The Hoka Carbon X features a wide base that flares as it approaches the ground to create a wide and stable platform. This is a different approach from Nike’s skinny Vaporfly and one that will accommodate a larger group of runners.
You sit inside the midsole at the heel and feel low to the ground while still sitting quite high overall. There’s no heel counter, just some embroidery that does nothing. In a race day shoe like this you don’t expect a heel counter so I’m not sure what all the embroidery is for. Looks maybe? All it seems to do is add weight.
True to Hoka’s typical style, the Air Jordan 34 is one of the more stable shoes in its category and can even take on some light trail work as needed.

Materials

The entire upper is engineered mesh with some fuse at the lace loops and a cored mesh tongue. The airflow is fantastic. This is a great shoe for someone running in a hot or humid climate.
The tongue is backed by lycra and features wings that extend down and connect to the midsole. While the tongue is a little floppy looking, once you get a foot in the shoe it’s not going anywhere.

Fit

The Hoka Carbon X fits true to size. And while it’s great for those who want a carbon plate without the narrow last of the Vaporfly Next%, it does have a few oddities in the fit.
First is the puffy toebox. You’ll have plenty of room for your feet but the material puffs above your foot and it may bother you if you don’t like excess material above your toes. It didn’t bother me. The engineered mesh is super light so it didn’t rest heavy on my toes. It does look a little strange and lessens the Carbon X’s casual appeal.
The tongue is less like a tongue and more like a sheath. This can take some time to get used to as it’s a strange cross between a typical tongue and an internal bootie setup. It works though so most people will be able to get past it.
Finally, the shoe can feel stiff and bottom heavy due to the carbon plate. Contrary to the current narrative, carbon plates are not for everyone. Make sure you’re ok with the added stiffness.
While the three items above make the fit a little odd in places, I think the majority of wearers won’t mind them. The Carbon X doesn’t have hotspots and the upper is very minimal and light. The positives in the fit outweigh the negatives but it’s worth trying them on in person to make sure the above aspects don’t annoy you.

Overall

The Hoka Carbon X is a bouncy, race ready shoe that includes all the normal stylistic choices that make Hoka’s shoes unique. With long term durability being the only real drawback, I think this is a great shoe for training or racing fast.

Nike Kyrie 6 Performance Review

The Nike Kyrie 6 Performance Review is now complete. We hope it helps anyone out interested in purchasing a pair.
The traction on the Kyrie 6 looks like an evolution of what we saw on the Kyrie 5 and its performance has evolved as well.
While I had solid traction with the Kyrie 5, the Kyrie 6 has offered me even more traction. It’s got a tackiness that I never had to wipe — not matter which court I took them on. It also has traction going in all directions. From heel to toe and even wrapping up and around the sides. It shouldn’t matter what type of footwork you have, the traction on the Kyrie 6 is everywhere, and should remain in contact with the ground no matter what.
The rubber is a little soft for outdoor use, but if outdoor basketball is all you’re able to play then you’ll at least have great traction while it lasts.
The same basic setup as the Kyrie 5 with a twist injected into the mix.
Nike’s Zoom Turbo is used once again — and it’s a cushion that I really love. It has just enough bounce to it while remaining low to the ground. Never sacrificing court feel or stability for a little bit of cushion is a great thing.
The midsole itself is where we have the slight twist compared to last years setup. Injected Phylon was used and it feels great right out the box — as does the Zoom Turbo. This combination of a slightly softer midsole with the thinner Zoom Turbo really allows the forefoot cushioning to shine. It offers a nice and smooth transition from heel to toe while having just enough cushion to last a regulated game or a three hour pickup hoop session.
Materials are back to what I loved in the Kyrie 4 — for the most part.
The forefoot feels closer to the Kyrie 5 as the textile is a bit on the stiff side, but not quite as stiff as what was used on the Kyrie 2. This textile still moves well with the foot but without stretching too much. It’s been durable as well which is a plus for those that put a lot of strain on their textile shoes — hopefully you won’t bust any holes in these for a while.
Now, the heel section is what I really love. It’s a great soft genuine leather that just feels awesome. It wraps around our heel and ankle in a way that feels like a second skin.
My thoughts here are similar to what I felt about the Puma Clyde Hardwood. This type of material setup should be used more often. It’s a shame that we have more shoes releasing each year than we can count on both hands, yet, we can count on a single hand which of these releases are made with this type of material quality.
I found the Nike Kyrie 6 to run small. I personally went 1/2 up, which is something I rarely do. They’re still fairly tight, but its the type of tight fit that I like out of my basketball shoes. However, I’d strongly recommend you to try these on in-store just to ensure you get the right fit for you.
Lockdown was great. It may have been due to the snug fit, but the lacing structure was awesome and implemented in two ways. The forefoot offers the semi-standard nylon cables, while the midfoot offers the internal hidden lacing. At the collar we have the traditional punched holes which work well.
I did not feel the midfoot strap did much of anything. It could be there, it could not be there, and I feel the lockdown and fit wouldn’t be altered much.
Support in the Kyrie 6 is pretty standard. Flat sole, rounded edges that extend just enough to act as an outrigger. Your foot sits within the shoe which works well with the rear heel counter to ensure your foot remains on the footbed without rolling off of it.
If you liked the Nike Kyrie 5 then you’ll likely really like the Nike Kyrie 6. It’s not a shoe that is leaps and bounds better than the previous model, but the minor tweaks are noticeable enough once on-foot. Just make sure you try them on before buying as I feel they run smaller than usual.
I hope our performance review on the Nike Kyrie 6 helps you if you were interested in purchasing the shoe and we’ll catch you on the next one.

The Air Jordan 34 with a Performance Review

Jordan Brand never fails to push performance boundaries with the signature shoe. Does the 34 live up to the name? Only one way to find out…
You don’t get the title of GOAT by being weak, meek, and small-minded. You have to be daring, strong, and willing to take chances. Over the course of 34 years we have seen no swoosh branding, visible Air, patent leather, carbon fiber plates, IPS, interchangeable insoles and cushioning systems, a zipper shroud, and FastFit. The Jordan 34 takes it back to basics like we have never seen before, and… It. Works. Here we go…
Utilizing an almost full-length herringbone pattern (the midfoot is smooth but it doesn’t really matter), the Jordan 34 proves it means business from the jump(man). Herringbone has been the go-to pattern when a company needs to get back to what works, and the Jordan 34 works. On four different courts, dirty and clean, the 34 was sticky stuck. The way the pattern is slightly rotated, which shouldn’t mean much in the bigger performance picture, makes the shoe feel even smoother when moving on offense and even better laterally on defense. The pattern is wide as well, meaning dust doesn’t really build up and clog the grooves, which is a fantastic fact for the floors we play on (I’ve seen some of y’alls gyms on Discord – they are bad).
As for outdoors, well, like most modern shoes, I wouldn’t. The pattern is thin and the rubber is soft. I couldn’t see these lasting longer than a couple months on rough concrete surfaces and for $180 I wouldn’t want to wear them through that condition anyway.
Ever since the Jordan XX8 debuted in 2013 (that seems so long ago) the Jordan signature shoe has made a point of trying to redefine the Zoom Air cushioning we have loved since the Jordan XII (I know, it was Tensile Air). Utilizing a Flight Plate system, the Zoom was Unlocked and freakishly bouncy and responsive. The Jordan XX9 and XXX took similar paths – Unlocked forefoot Zoom and Flight Plate (now called a Speed Plate). The Jordan 34 takes the next level.
The whole forefoot is a huge Zoom unit, under the plate that is now called Eclipse. The plate compresses the Zoom and springs back into shape, providing a crazy, impact-protected, responsive ride. This is seriously the best Unlocked Zoom since the XX8 and feels great in every direction. however, where the XX8 was a crazy, almost uncontrolled Zoom, the 34 is solid and stable. Where I really noticed this was on pull-ups or coming off of curls. It didn’t matter what angle or speed I was jumping from, the shoe always seemed to stabilize on lift-off and landings, giving me a platform to go from and making shooting easier (it all starts with the legs). The midsole foam is softer than the 33 in every way so the Zoom is felt quicker and easier. The heel also has Zoom, and even though it is only a heel hex unit, it can still be felt under foot and absorbs every impact well.
Taking a page from the adidas basketball book, Jordan Brand has decided to use different materials on the upper, depending on the colorway. The blue void went with a ripstop-like material and the Chicago white/black/red went with a more traditional mesh makeup. The Eclipse (black/white, released 11/9) colorway I reviewed is extremely similar to the Chicago color. The materials are nice but nothing special, utilizing a single-layer mesh across most of the upper with some nubuck/synthetic hints around the lace cables and forefoot. The heel hits with a leather panel and JumpJumpJumpJumpman logo embossed (no Nike Air on this colorway). The materials work, and that is the most important part, so no real complaints even though it sounds like I’m a grumpy old man (I am).
For the first time in a long time, I had to go up a half size in a Jordan model. The toebox is short and boxy and just a little too close for my comfort (for reference, I wear a 10.5 in every Lebron and most Kobe’s as well as the Jordan 32 and 33). By going up half the fit was near perfect from heel to toe. The lacing system pulls the shoe around every spot and works with the semi-separate heel to allow for upper flexibility so there are no funny bends and bubbles. There are no real flex grooves anywhere in the upper so the materials need to be thin and flexible (that’s the WHY of the materials) and once the shoe gets a couple of wears in the upper feels like an extension of your foot.
As for heel slip or movement internally – nope. Again, the thin upper flexes and folds with your foot, the lacing pulls it all together, and the higher cut and ankle padding keeps your heel locked.
One thing Jordan signature shoes have always been is supportive. If you know anything about Mike’s feet you know he had bad ones (the reason he went to a carbon fiber plate in the 11 and up) and the Jordan 34 would make him proud, or at least less pained. The support starts at the lockdown and again, the laces lock you into the upper with no movement, pulling you down and not squeezing you in. The materials are next – the mesh doesn’t have much, if any, stretch, meaning once you are in you are IN.
Moving to the midsole, where we have had Flightplate and Speedplate, in the 34 we get Eclipse Plate (almost sounds like a superhero evolution). The Eclipse Plate works similar to the other two systems as far as compressing the Zoom and providing response while still providing a stable base for takeoffs and landings. The base of the shoe is not extremely wide but still does ride wider than the foot inside it. Speaking of your foot, it sits inside the edges of the midsole, meaning there is no side-to-side sliding off of the footbed.
Full disclosure – I broke my Eclipse Plate while testing. I noticed a popping sound in my left shoe and thought it was the Jordan logo on the sole coming off or getting air behind it. Nope. There is a seam running heel to toe in the middle of the plate and mine has separated. Never fear – Nike/Jordan is taking care of the replacement just like they always do – one of the best return policies ever.
Once again, Jordan proves it is a shoe made for the Greatest Player to Ever Play. Combining fantastic cushioning, great traction, and a streamlined look that takes away the overlays and cables from the 33, the Jordan 34 is built for performance at any position and style. While the retail is on the high side ($180), you can buy the 34 knowing you are getting a shoe that will out-perform most anything else on the court. If you are a player at any position that needs lightweight cushioning and support, you have to check these out. If you stay away from any Jordan that Mike didn’t wear, don’t be a fool – Mike could probably still drop 20 in these right now.