Under Armour Embiid 1 Performance Review

 The Embiid 1, Joel Embiid’s first signature shoe, is a solid performer that’s outdoor ready. I think it’s overall performance will surprise people. Thanks for coming to WearTesters to read the full review before purchasing. We’ve got all the details you need to decide if the Embiid 1 is the right shoe for you.

Traction

I was expecting great things from the traction as it reminds me a lot of the Nike Kobe 5 traction pattern. Unfortunately, my experience wasn’t quite at that Kobe 9 level of grip. Granted, I set these up for failure by putting them up against what I consider to be one of the greatest tractions of all-time, but, alas, the Embiid 1 still held its own on-court.

The only area I found to be problematic was at the center of the forefoot where the pattern design is almost like a block. It was a bit too square and the grooves were a bit too thick, so there would be certain plants and push-offs where I could feel the outsole slide from under me. Luckily, the rest of the outsole was solid so while I would have an initial slip, or jerk, the rest of the outsole would catch and I’d be fine.

Outdoors was a different story. This was where I never had any problems. Just straight up great grip. Yes, the rubber has started to fray, but even the best of rubbers will do that outdoors. Especially when you take them on multiple abrasive surfaces.

Cushion

Full length Micro G and a HOVR heel puck are in place for cushion. The last time we saw Micro G and HOVR together was in the Curry Flow 8 — and I was excited as hell to try it out. Like most Curry models, the cushion left a lot to be desired, which I felt was a major letdown. The marketing of the combination of the two cushioning systems raised my anticipation and hopes to a point where if it wasn’t at least OG Clutchfit Drive level of cushion, I’d be severely disappointed. Well, we all know how that went and I was annoyed with the cushion in the Curry 7.

The Embiid 1, however, feels like a return to the good ‘ol days of Micro G where you had a super comfortable, yet stable, shoe underfoot. Perfect for a big man like Embiid, but still made for players like myself who enjoy a well-balanced ride.

So, while the Micro G still wasn’t super bouncy like the Clutchfit Drive, they were at least on par with the old Brandon Jennings models like the Black Ice and Bloodline — both really solid models in UA’s early years in the basketball category. With the cushion being as good as it is, and the traction being as good as it is, the Embiid 1 is a really solid shoe on court, especially if you hoop outdoors.

Materials

Materials are pretty basic, and somewhat standard nowadays. The primary material is mesh. There are a few thin TPU panels in high-wear areas and stress zones, but the majority is mesh. For a signature shoe, I would like to have some premium touches. Some leather or suede placed somewhere. At the top of the tongue, around the heel, at the toe…anywhere. Yes, this is a personal preference of mine, but it’s the era I grew up in. Where signatures and non-signatures alike were made with good to great materials.

Now, the mesh performed well. So, with that in mind, Under Armour did a good job. The mesh is very breathable, something lacking when using raw materials like leathers and suedes. And on top of ventilation, the mesh required no break-in time at all. They were ready to go right out the box.

So, performance wise the materials are solid. But, for a signature shoe, I need some signature touches. Storytelling isn’t a premium touch to me. Materials are the only area that can check that box for me.

Fit

I went true to size and I feel they fit perfectly. My toes are right at the edge, and for a textile-based shoe, I feel this is perfect. Some people do prefer to have a thumbs-width of space within their shoes, but I feel this leaves too much room. And when the shoe has a softer build that leaves too much room for error. Your foot can, and likely will, shift inside the shoe which would make them dangerous to wear. Usually when I see people complain about fit with a shoe made of textile it’s because they went up at least 1/2 size to achieve the thumbs-width of space instead of going with their true measured size.

Lockdown was great. From heel to forefoot I had no complaints at all. There are two lockdown wings for some midfoot containment, and they help keep your foot on the footbed where it belongs. The medial lockdown wing on my right shoe did run into some durability issues as the stitching ended up failing after some use. Funny enough, I actually preferred the stitching not be there. I felt it allowed for more flex up front without losing any of the containment they offered. It might be considered a fail to some or a hack to others. I suppose it depends on your perspective.

Support

I felt the support was solid. Under Armour has done well in the support category over the years and the UA Embiid 1 is no exception.

The base is fairly wide, but does offer a slightly rounded edge for players that may be a bit shifty. There is a midfoot shank along with a sturdy midsole build that cups the foot in the rear. Add in the lockdown wings and you have yourself a shoe supportive enough for 7 foot center, but nimble enough for a smaller under 6 foot rec player.

Overall

Overall, Under Armour did a very good job with the Embiid 1. Traction and cushion are standout features, while the lockdown wings offer that extra layer of protection to keep you snug and secure on the footbed. Materials could be a bit nicer for a signature shoe, but the performance was there. Functionally, I can’t complain too much.

If you were looking for a solid all-around shoe that can be worn by any player and position then the Embiid 1 might be what you’re looking for. If you play primarily outdoors then these would also make for a great pickup. They’re moderately priced, will likely see discounts soon, and offer the cushion and traction required to ensure you can enjoy these for longer than the typical modern day basketball shoe.

These Are the 10 Best Sneakers of 2020, as Picked by You

 

The end of a very long and weird year is in sight. Anything from hiking, to puzzles, to knitting, to infinite amounts of walks with our pets may have been among the sources of entertainment throughout stretches of the past twelve months. With all due respect to our furry friends because we absolutely love them, nothing kept us more sane or more connected to what seems like a previous lifetime than sneakers.

Throughout 2020, we bought, debated, looked at, and obsessed over shoes like we did in 2019, 2018, and so on. And that was alright. Comforting. We sneaker collectors remained as dedicated as ever to the culture that never ceases to not amaze us with Dunks that look like ice cream cartons or Air Jordan 4s that sorta don’t look like Air Jordan 4s at all. Yes, it’s that deep, and nothing is gonna convince us otherwise.

Without getting any more emotional, the time has come for us to now celebrate some of the best sneaker releases of the year. More pointedly, the Top 10 Sneakers of 2020. Here, you’ll find ten kicks that fit in the criteria described in the last paragraph.

And in an effort to make things even more interesting, we turned the voting over to you with bracket-style, head-to-head Instagram Story polls last week to determine which shoe reigns supreme as the very best of 2020. The final ranking of the ten was determined by your voting results.

These are the Top 10 Sneakers of the Year, selected by us, and you!

10. Nike Air Max 90 “Reverse Duck Camo”

You had to know Nike was planning something special for this year’s Air Max Day festivities with the Air Max 90 celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2020. And that they did. Released alongside the debuting Air Max 2090, the Air Max 90 “Reverse Duck Camo” is a nod to a classic colorway in the Air Max pantheon: the atmos “Duck Camo” Air Max 90 from 2013. Doing exactly as its nickname implies, the “Reverse Duck Camo” flips the order of colors that originally appeared on the atmos shoe for a refreshing new design. Even though the “Reverse Duck Camo” doesn’t have any official ties to atmos, a great shoe is a great shoe no matter who designed it.

9. adidas Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN “Triple Black”

The adidas Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN “Triple Black” gets our vote for the best debut model for 2020 in Kanye West’s lineup. Originally released by adidas back in February, the fourth iteration of Kanye West’s “dad shoe” was the subject of much fanfare upon its entrance. The Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN features no sewn-on overlays in favor of reflective “700” branding across the upper (appearing backwards on the right shoe), and the same old-reliable Boost cushioning in the chunky midsole. We still don’t know what “MNVN” actually means, but we’re here for this sleek update to the 700.

8. Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 992 “No Emotions Are Emotions”

When was the last time a New Balance shoe commanded the kind of attention Joe Freshgoods’ “No Emotions Are Emotions” 992 did over the NBA All-Star Weekend’s annual sneaker mania? When was the last time New Balance even dropped something over All-Star Weekend? If you don’t have an answer, then that should clue you in to how monumental the “anatomy of a heart” colorway is and was. Not only did Joe freak the 992 like no one had before, the hype surrounding the shoe carried over onto New Balance’s other collaborations with the likes of JJJJound, WTAPS, and more. The “No Emotions Are Emotions” 992 was a coming out party for Joe and New Balance during one of the year’s biggest weekends for sneakers and sports. If that weren’t enough, we won’t soon forget the line of eager sneakerheads chomping at the bit in front of Fat Tiger Workshop waiting to get their hands on something cooked up by the native Chicagoan.

7. Air Jordan 11 “Jubilee”

Since 2009, Jordan Brand has released an annual Air Jordan 11 for the holiday season. The themes of these releases have revolved around returning retro colorways or new designs meant to salute the Air Jordan 11’s role as Michael Jordan’s signature shoe during the Chicago Bulls’ improbable ‘95-96 NBA season. Fate would have it that this year’s release, the “Jubilee,” does neither. Instead, the “Jubilee” references an original sketch drawn up by the architect of the Jordan 11, Tinker Hatfield. The “JORDAN” branding that appears on the outside of the eyelets of the “Jubilee” is supposedly how Hatfield intended the shoe to originally look, but the concept was scratched prior to production. It continues the now eleven-year-long (12 years if you count the Countdown Pack in 2008) tradition of holiday Air Jordan 11 releases we need in our collections.

6. The Grateful Dead x Nike SB Dunk Low

Only someone with insane psychic powers would have foreseen Nike SB teaming up with the Grateful Dead for three fuzzy Dunks for the ages. This Dunk is the sixth, and perhaps most eccentric, shoe on our top ten sneakers of the year list. The design is complete with fuzzy faux fur panels, charming “Dancing Bears” emblems on the tongue and insole, and a concealed stash pocket on the tongue for storage space for, well, you know. The pairing of the Grateful Dead, a classic rock group that came of age fifty years ago, and the irreverent Nike SB skate crew seems weird on paper, but it’s not. And since when does Nike SB ever do anything expected, anyway? Unequivocally, both entities boast unwavering fan bases. And we’re willing to bet more than a few people who’ve laced up a pair of SB Dunks to skate or chill in have listened to or at least vibe with the Grateful Dead and their peace-be-with-you ethos.

5. Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red”

Holding down the fifth spot on our Top 10 Sneakers of 2020 is the Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red.” Perhaps the most nostalgic shoe on this list, the “Fire Red” returned in true-to-original fashion in November. We’re talking about the original shape, materials, Nike-branded hang tag, color coordination, and shoe trees. And most importantly, it came with “Nike Air” on the heel, too. You’ll have to go all the way back to 1989 to find the last time this perfect storm of attributes underpinned an Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red.” So to say that people were hyped that they could finally get their hands on an original Jordan 4 colorway spec’d out per the way Tinker Hatfield drew it up, would be an understatement.

4. Union x Air Jordan 4

Find us a sneaker that isn’t surrounded by some form of pre-release debate and we’ll show you a shoe that no one is really checking for. Obviously people were going to debate at length over the adjusted height of the Union x Air Jordan 4’s tongue and off-the-beaten-path color block, because that’s what sneaker collectors do. A finicky bunch, that we are. When the dust settled and people actually had this masterpiece dreamed up by Chris Gibbs and company in their hands, well, all that jawing and jabbering subsided. The Union x Jordan 4 (released in “Off Noir” and “Guava Ice”) checks in at number four on our Top 10 Sneakers of 2020.

3. Off-White x Air Jordan 5 “Black”

The Off-White x Air Jordan 5 “Black” occupies the number three spot on our year-end sneaker list. The Jordan 5 was poised to have a big year—Michael Jordan’s fifth signature shoe turned 30 years old in 2020. Jordan Brand began its celebrations by tapping Virgil Abloh for his input on what a modernized version of the silhouette would look like had it been produced today. Like many of Off-White’s now-classic Jordan collaborations, the Jordan 5 in “Black” retains the spirit of the original model and welcomes nuanced details other designers wouldn’t dare touch. There’s an unfinished look to the whole thing, which is of course Abloh’s intention. He even goes so far as to place random circular cut-outs on the body of the upper. The thin film covering the holes dares the wearer to complete the removal process with an X-Acto knife for a personalized, one-of-a-kind touch.

2. Ben & Jerry’s x Nike SB Dunk Low “Chunky Dunky”

If you ever find yourself in the position of needing a shoe to show to someone why you collect sneakers as a hobby, just pull up a picture of the Ben & Jerry’s x Nike SB Dunk Low “Chunky Dunky.” It’ll be obvious that 1: your taste in style is the same as your taste in dessert and, 2: you must really be comfortable with yourself to be excited to wear two ice cream cartons that double as skateboarding shoes. Not only is the “Chunky Dunky'' one of the gnarliest Dunks yet, it’s a perfect shoe for the unpredictable times we’re living in. Nike SB has leaned on leftover pizza, picnics, and cheap beer as sources of inspiration in the past, but its never tapped Ben & Jerry’s for a hallucinatory made-up ice cream flavor. 2020 really was ridiculous.

1. Dior x Air Jordan 1 High

The Dior x Air Jordan 1 High’s $2,000 retail price and needle-in-a-haystack availability wasn’t meant to be for everyone, but that’s cool. The Italian fashion house and Jordan Brand didn’t intend for its collaborative Air Jordan 1 to be as ubiquitous as a Nike Air Force 1 “White on White.” We won’t soon be able to throw it into our collection and wear it into the ground and make memories with it, but the Dior x Jordan 1 High is less a shoe and more a work of art. It’s an acknowledgement from high fashion that streetwear paces the world of fashion and sneakers. And we’re A-OK with that.

Nike Zoom BB NXT Performance Review

 I finally got enough court time to test the much anticipated Nike Zoom BB NXT despite the pandemic limiting my options. Enjoy the full performance review and keep your fingers crossed that things get back to normal soon so we can all get back to our regular basketball schedules.

Traction

Beastly! The traction on the Nike lebron 18 is nothing short of beastly.

The pattern and rubber compound were solid from an outdoor perspective. I’d expect nothing less indoors, but due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, indoor basketball isn’t a thing in California. Well, unless you’re invited to a private run somewhere. If you’re in the greater Sacramento area and have a high quality private run I can join, reach out on Instagram or Twitter.

I’ve been pretty surprised with the durability of the outsole. air jordan 35 tends to use soft rubbers on its models for indoor grip, but I’ve used these things on every outdoor surface you can think of. They’re barely showing any signs of wear.

Cushion

A triple-layered React midsole (the third layer is the React insole) and two large volume forefoot Zoom Air pods make up the cushion. And yes — it’s as good as it sounds.

You sit really high off the ground, so that’s something you’ll need to adjust to. If you play in max-cushioned shoes then it may not be that big of an adjustment. For those that tend to stick with shoes that are a bit lower to the ground, you’ll definitely feel weird until you get used to it. However, the tradeoff is you receive a ton of cushion from heel to toe. The tooling is built like a runner rather than a traditional hoop shoe. You’ll still feel fairly quick on your feet despite the higher ride.

Now, there’s one big drawback to the setup with the forefoot lateral Zoom unit. While it’s wrapped with a TPU wing for stability, it still compresses too much on certain movements. I’ve tweaked my ankle a few times in them. While I haven’t had any injuries, if another foot got under my foot then I’d have a big problem.

Can you try to avoid the stability issue by planting on the ball of your foot? Yes. That’s what I’d recommend — and something you’ll do naturally once you hit the spot on Zoom Air pod that makes it collapse. Is this a deal breaker? For many it will be. I still play in them because the cushion and traction are amazing. However, the lateral Zoom collapsing isn’t a small issue and should have been caught during Nike’s weartesting phase.

Materials

Textiles are used for the upper and, like most of the current generation of basketball shoes, there’s really nothing special about it. It’s comfortable, breaks in quickly, and additional overlays help keep the soft build from getting too thrashed. We all know what’s really going on. Nike is just doing what Nike does, cutting costs. They can save a lot of money by using cheaper textiles rather than raw materials.

This setup has proven to work well enough that I don’t feel it’s a big deal. If it works, it works. But I would love to have the $180 I spent on these be reflected in the build quality as well as the cushion. Not just one or the other.

Fit

I personally went down 1/2 size due to the shoe looking like a runner. Other WearTesters team members bought true to size and enjoy the fit.

Lockdown has been solid, although the last nylon lace cable chafes my pinky toes. It’s super annoying and again, something that should be caught during Nike’s weartesting. Other than the lace cable hot spot, the build and sculpt of the shoe haven’t disappointed me. They fit like a glove. Which, if you’ve read my reviews before, is exactly how I like it.

Support

The overall support is solid, but the lateral Zoom Air unit keeps them from getting the Starting Five badge. If the lateral Zoom wasn’t a problem, then the Zoom BB NXT would be one of the more beastly offerings in the entire basketball category. And that means all brands, not just Nike’s basketball lineup.

Aside from the Zoom pod issue, the moderator plate works extremely well as both a moderator for the cushion and as a torsion plate. The upper fits me like a glove, which is why, when I rolled over, I was able to bounce back quickly. The rear also fits well with the internal heel counter and sculpting.

Nike just has to make sure the lateral Zoom Air pod is stable enough on next year’s version.

Overall

The Nike Zoom BB NXT is a really fun shoe with some killer traction and cushion. The fit and sculpting from the tooling makes for a fun ride. I don’t think they’re perfect, but they’re a step in the right direction.

Nike Basketball products have been pretty bland over the last few years (with the exception of the Zoom strobel introduced in the Nike KD 13). So the Nike Zoom BB NXT is a refreshing change of pace. I just wish they had better weartesters that could catch simple issues like the lateral Zoom Air pod collapsing and the nylon lacing cable pinching the toes.

adidas Pro Boost Low Performance Review

 Bye Pro Bounce, hello adidas Pro Boost Low…plus Lightstrike. Does the change elevate Adidas to the top of the team basketball shoe category? Find out below as Bryan and Jalique share their experiences testing the adidas Pro Boost Low. After hearing what they have to say, you can decide for yourself who rules in the world of team basketball shoes.

Traction

Bryan: Herringbone, herringbone, herringbone. How many times have we said “herringbone” at WearTesters and rejoiced when it appears on a new shoe. The reason is that herringbone works, and the majority of the time it works well (ok, the nike lebron 18 did let me down). The Pro Boost Low uses a full herringbone pattern in the middle of the outsole (the Boost section) with a modified pattern covering the rest of the outsole. With some slight wiping about every third game this pattern worked as well as any shoe in my arsenal. It isn’t an aggressive stop, but a smooth roll into stillness. Even on stop-and-go, hesitations and step-backs, I didn’t slide at all.

Laterally, forward, backward, even on defense moving to get in front of my man, I was grabbing the floor then pushing off to change directions without a second thought. The best feeling in the world is in transition. I knew I could catch the ball on the move and either stop and pop, put it on the floor and drive, or do a one dribble pull up without any problems from the ankle down.

Playing outdoors? Actually, yeah, it might work. The pattern is definitely outdoor-friendly. The rubber, while not the thickest pattern, is slightly harder than most and should last for a few months on the blacktop.

Jalique: Patterns? On point. Compound? On point as well. The colorway I tested utilized gum rubber so it could differ slightly from other pairs. Regardless, the combination of herringbone surrounded by multidirectional blades didn’t disappoint no matter what movements I made.

Though I wouldn’t consider this a shallow traction set up, my only nitpick for the outsole would be to make it slightly deeper and/or to widen the grooves. This is something that would’ve helped me a bit after stepping in mud and caking things up a bit. But, maybe I’m the fool for trying to make Rodman saves outside after a couple of rainy days.

Though I primarily played outdoors in the Pro Boost with no issue, the time I spent indoors on a dusty court was still a good experience. I didn’t slip or wipe a lot despite utilizing all my typical our court movements. I’ll take it.

Cushion

Bryan: Wait. Waaaiiiiittt. WAIT!!!! WHAT????? Lightstrike, which we already know feels nice and soft and responsive from the Harden Vol 5, N3XT L3V3L, and air jordan 35, is used as a carrier for…BOOST? Yeah, it is, and the cushioning feels freaking fantastic under foot.

I’ve heard from some in the WearTesters Discord that they couldn’t feel much cushion (no shade, everyone feels things differently). But I’m 210-215 pounds, so the compression is a tad bit stronger for me. The initial feel is the Lightstrike. It’s soft and cushioned under foot, feels great upon step-in, and it absorbs impact very well. At a certain point, the Lightstrike reaches its limit, which is where the internal Boost helps. When the Lightstrike starts to bottom out, the caged Boost is stiffer and responds with a spring. This system felt quicker than both the regular Lightstrike of the Dame 6 and the Boost in the Rose series while still being ultra-cushioned. This may be my favorite cushioning setup from adidas in years.

One thing to note. The Lightstrike does feel softer than the Boost, which can lead to some edge compression and collapsing if you land awkwardly. But in the two months I’ve played in the Pro Boost Low, this hasn’t caused any problems.

Jalique: The love-hate relationship with the Pro Boost midsole is real over here. It’s not anything like what I would expect from a shoe of its name, yet I find it to be a very solid setup. For those that asked for a more stable Boost setup, you get it here. But don’t expect the plushest Boost feeling since its caged inside the Lightstrike foam.

The midsole excels as a stable, low to the ground platform with surprisingly smooth transition. It’s got a subtle response underfoot that provides impact protection even if it doesn’t seem like its heavily absorbent. It’s not my favorite Boost option for basketball, but it is one I think a lot of players might enjoy, given the proper amount of time and break-in.

Materials

Bryan: The materials are pretty typical for what we get on most shoes these days. A fabric/textile/woven material (this one happens to be a nylon textile with tighter-woven ribs along the upper) and fuse areas for strength. Only, wait…no fuse here!!! This may be the first shoe since 2010 with absolutely no fused areas on the upper. The upper has no stretch at all along the sides of the shoe, meaning the fit is the fit from start to finish.

The toebox is covered in the lovely adidas felt material and a synthetic leather overlay. This many layers in the forefoot normally make a shoe feel stiff and inflexible. But the design and placement of the materials in the Pro Boost Low doesn’t hinder movement at all. The same pleather can be found on the heel as a layer for the counter, but it’s entirely unnecessary. The lace loops are a sewn-in cord system that doesn’t do any more than normal loops but does add to the looks.

The tongue is where things get interesting. There is a STRONG elastic band under the tongue that runs over the top of the foot. The tongue is then sewn on top of the band, meaning the tongue is external from the shoe. It is sewn in at the bottom and across the band but otherwise is unattached, making entry into the shoe easy. The heel and ankle areas feature some thick padding and I didn’t get any chafing at all in that area.

Jalique: I’m honestly over the materials adidas uses for nearly all of their hoops models. The Pro Boost does its job from a performance perspective minus one issue I have, but it’s discouraging to see some of the cheapest textiles and synthetics on hoop shoes. Especially when things like felt materials are used so minimally. Why use the felt at all? I wish they wouldn’t.

The synthetic toecap doesn’t hinder performance and is there for durability purposes. It does take away from the on-foot consistency from heel to toe, especially since the the midfoot gore band keeps the shoe so close to the foot in comparison to the toe’s extra volume.

Speaking of the gore band, there is no buffer between it and your foot, so if it bunches up, be prepared for some unwelcome pressure. Still, the shoe is tolerable enough for a few hours of play and adds containment, making this a secure option.

Fit

Bryan: I’m resigned to the fact that I am a size 10 in adidas (minus the D.O.N. Issue 2…smh). I’m normally a 10.5 in everything Under Armour, Nike, or Jordan. I went down a half size in the Pro Boost Low and the fit is perfect. For reference, I’m a 10 in the Dame 5/Dame 6 and a 10 or 10.5 in the Harden Vol 4. The midfoot has no movement at all from the lacing and the elastic band. The lacing and strap also pull the shoe up and around the ankle/achilles to stop movement of any kind. With the external tongue, the laces feel like they pull the shoe down on top of the foot for further lockdown.

Jalique: Regardless of what size works for you, the gore band seems effective around the midfoot. I prefer the fit of a half size down over true to size. Even going down a half size feels a bit longer than what I am accustomed to.

Because the midfoot band does not extend down to the footbed, I am more concerned with how those with higher insteps will adjust to the Pro Boost Low versus wide footers. For either, I would highly recommend knowing the return policy where you purchase in case the shoe doesn’t work out. Or, of course, try them on in store if circumstances allow.

Support

Bryan: The first support feature I noticed was the way the midsole cups the foot and also flares slightly under the heel and forefoot. There’s no real outrigger to speak of, but the Pro Boost Low has a wide base with a slight angled flare under the forefoot. The Lightstrike comes up almost 1/4″ around the entire foot, working to keep your foot secure over the midsole, and it works great without feeling bulky. Confidence is the most important part of shooting and it starts with a solid base and the Pro Boost Low’s base is solid.

I don’t feel a midfoot shank embedded in the Boost. Even without it, the Pro Boost Low provides great arch support and midfoot stiffness. The heel counter is really stiff. The lacing system and the heel counter lock in your foot, thus providing ample true ankle support.

Jalique: If there is one thing you can count on in recent adidas basketball shoes, it’s the inclusion of a stable, and at times creative, platform. While visually the Pro Boost Low’s midsole isn’t quite creative, it fits the bill for stability with a nice wide and flat base.

The gore band, if you couldn’t already deduce, is effective. But I haven’t mentioned heel stability. Although it doesn’t feel like the heel counter is substantial due to the low height of the sneaker, the heel lockdown worked fine. Stop and go, two-way lateral movements, pivots, defending back cuts…all of it worked well for me.

Overall

Bryan: The adidas Pro Boost Low is now my go-to shoe of 2020. Seriously. If I’m going to a new court, or one I know is bad, I take both a review pair and the Pro Boost Low. If you’re looking for cushion, traction, and fit, I can’t think of another shoe that will perform as well. While I was excited about the prospect of a drop-in Boost midsole, the midsole construction is better than I dreamed. Seriously, besides the adidas “suede”, I can’t think of a single bad thing about this shoe. Even the crazy tongue setup isn’t bad per se.

Jalique: Though not exactly what I expected, the adidas Pro Boost Low is a solid performer. With a mid option also available, the Pro Boost should fit the preferences of all types of players with its biggest flaws (the instep issue) not really hindering performance much, if at all.

The adidas Pro Boost Low is worth a try if you’re considering it as your next hoops shoe.

Air Jordan 35 Performance Review

 Just in time for its initial October 17, 2020 release, our Air Jordan 35 performance review is ready for you to read or watch. From two separate perspectives, we deliver everything you need to know about the most recent flagship Jordan.

Traction

The traction, while altered a bit, doesn’t truly differ from last year’s Air Jordan 34 — which is a good thing as the Jordan 34 was a beast on every surface I played on. To be honest, I still keep the Air Jordan 34 in my bag just in case I’m not feeling whatever I may be testing. Whether it be the regular version, the Jordan 34 SE, or the Jordan 34 Low, the shoe is in my bag at all times due to the amazing traction. Ultra reliable and ready to go any day of the week. Just as it is here on the Air Jordan 35.

Like the Air Jordan 34, the traction isn’t durable enough for outdoor use. But if you’re not an outdoor player then you won’t have to worry. If you are, well, the traction works great. It’s just really thin and will wear down quickly.

If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. Tried and true herringbone is here to stay with the Air Jordan 35 and it was fantastic. Minor modifications were done to the toe area along with the heel getting reversed herringbone grooves, but it worked super well. The traction sticks. The rubber is soft yet pliable, but it won’t last too long for outdoor courts. The rubber bites well after you break in the outsole coating. yet I don’t think I’ve wiped my shoe once. (Wipe my shoes from playing outdoors during a pandemic? I think not!) Now Jordan Brand, please keep herringbone for future models. We dig it and it works!

Cushion

Unlocked Zoom Air is back and there’s more of it this time around. The forefoot hasn’t changed between the Jordan 34 and Jordan 35 in terms of the Zoom’s size, but the implementation is slightly different. There is only one cavity where the Zoom is exposed and I felt this housed the cushioning a bit more than it had in the Jordan 34. So, less of the amazing Zoom-y feeling that I loved from the previous model.

However, the heel is much improved as the Hex Zoom unit from the Jordan 34 has been replaced with a large heel Zoom Air unit. Much like the forefoot, the Zoom-y feeling is muted a bit, but the impact protection is there. Larger players along with those that play on their heels should enjoy these a bit more.

Did someone say Zoom? Your darn right I did. Zoom in the forefoot is the same size as used in the Jordan 34. A larger volume Zoom unit is used in the heel (compared to last year’s hex unit). It wasn’t as bouncy from the start but after about 20-30 minutes, that forefoot Zoom Air felt good and snappy. It offered responsiveness along with stability and court feel. Despite the Heel Zoom Air unit being changed, I didn’t feel it as much. However, that doesn’t mean it didn’t work. I crashed the boards hard and my knees felt good when landing. It also gave me a nice transition from heel to toe when starting a fast break. I appreciate Jordan Brand sticking with heel and forefoot Zoom.

Materials

This is where I feel you get a slight upgrade from the regular Jordan 34 as Jordan Brand has brought raw materials back to the flagship shoe. Yes, the Jordan 34 SE was full of beautiful leather, but that was an SE — not the true flagship.

The overlay materials will change with colorways. Some will feature leather while others feature suede. It gives the $180 price point a bit of a premium feel and helps relax your mind a bit when spending such a high price for a basketball shoe. Yes, performance is the most important aspect, but some fans still buy the annual Air Jordan just to wear and not to play in. Those fans should be pleased.

For the modern hooper, there is still plenty of lightweight textile around the main build of the shoe. It offers a ton of ventilation and requires no break in time.

Upgraded. Nuff said. The blend of premium raw materials along with modern textiles was implemented because of insight provided by Jordan Brand athletes. The suede and leather combined with Flightwire gave the shoe a more upgraded and durable feel. Kurim was utilized to help with the caging underneath the Flightwire The kurim provides extra support along with a newly updated Eclipse Plate 2.0. What’s funny is that the premium materials inserted didn’t add much weight to the shoe. The Jordan 35 felt much lighter than its predecessor. Some of the interior build of the shoe seemed to be recycled from the Jordan 34. For example, the nylon lace loops and their location. Not necessarily a bad thing, but we’ll discuss that later on.

Fit

The Air Jordan 35 fits true to size so that is what I would recommend for most foot shapes.

However, the fit is also where I had an issue with the shoe. The nylon lace cables that run down to the footbed did a number on my arches. I had noticed the issue on the very first night of testing and immediately took the shoes off. Unfortunately, it was too late and the damage was already done. There needs to be more of a buffer between the foot and the cables. Some padding, a thicker inner sleeve…something. Taping is something I would do just to avoid the issue. Although, you’ll likely still feel them trying to gnaw at your feet. Yes, I’ve been trying everything and I just find this portion of the design to be a flaw. I’m surprised it wasn’t caught during wear-testing.

The rest of the shoe fits and locks the foot down perfectly. It’s a shame that the arch area is affected the way it is. I hope others that play in the shoe don’t have to deal with the same issue. It’s one of the more painful injuries I end up encountering when testing shoes and it takes forever to heal up.

Initially, the Jordan 35 started off a little snug. However, after a few quick movements and a little bit of playing, the shoe really contours to your foot. As a slightly wide footer, I’m still able to stay true to size and they feel fan-freakin-tastic. Lockdown was solid once you get the lacing adjusted correctly. This shoe was made for anyone’s feet, whether narrow, normal, or wide

Nike Zoom Rize 2 Performance Review

 The Nike Zoom Rize 2 is a follow up to one of 2019’s top performing basketball sneakers, the Nike Zoom Rize. Our test of the Zoom Rize 2 spanned two pairs and months of testing including several pandemic-induced stops and starts.

Needless to say, we’re happy to finally get this review posted. Enjoy this (very complete) performance review and let us know on Twitter if you have any follow up questions.

Traction

Nike Kobe 9 inspired outsole pattern?! I didn’t play in the lebron 18. But I know that when Nike name drops what is regarded as one of the best performing outsoles ever in the product description, it better be great.

I’m not sure the Nike Zoom Rize 2 traction is all-time great. But it was great for me during testing in both regular solid rubber and XDR rubber versions. And it was good on a mix of surfaces both indoors and outdoors. The mostly radial, partial foot map pattern covers you on movements in every-which-way. It also provides the same tread depth and spacing that made the original Zoom Rize a great option.

If outdoor play is your only option, I would recommend opting for the XDR outsole for durability purposes. However, I found the standard rubber to be the better performing option on both inside and outside surfaces. It will fray much more than the XDR, but if I’m being honest, the standard solid rubber’s durability is solid.

Cushion

This is where the Zoom Rize 2 gets interesting. For one, the forefoot Zoom Air bag improved from an already hefty 10mm thickness. On the other hand, the unit doesn’t provide the same amount of coverage. It’s essentially a large volume heel unit (think Air Jordan 35 or Nike Kobe 10) transferred to the medial side.

Despite the smaller amount of space covered, the forefoot Zoom feels bouncy and highly effective, especially for more explosive movements. The position of the Zoom bag is key. It’s decoupled from the heel section of the midsole and placed directly behind a deep outsole flex groove. What this does is provide points of extra compression on both ends. The extra compression distributes the air smoothly and enhances the snappy, springy feeling so many of us love about Zoom.

We still don’t know the foam used in the Zoom Rize series. But in the second iteration, the heel and carrier portions of the midsole feel just as good as the first. Maybe even a bit springier. Court feel aside, you are getting just about everything you could ask for from a cushion standpoint.

Materials

The Zoom Rize 2 sheds some of the weight and bulk from the original Zoom Rize by using a thinner textile base. The textile base is topped with haptic print detailing. This textured detailing is somewhat similar to what was introduced on the Nike Kobe 6. However, the “islands” are much smaller. The pattern crosses the entire lateral side and toe of the shoe, but not the medial sections. The print may protect the rest of the upper a bit, but I see it as more fashion than function. Performance-aside, I’m happy it’s there.

It’s funny, because materials may be the biggest improvement over the first iteration simply by doing less. As mentioned, excess materials were shed for a more form-fitting, decently-supportive, minimal-to-no-break-in set up. Overall, I just enjoyed the upper and suspect many others will as well.

Fit

I bought two sizes. I bought my true size in one. In the other, I bought an EP (Enhanced Performance) version (with XDR outsole) from Asia in a half size down. Though the half size down is the EP version, I don’t believe it was built on a different last. It seems more narrow than other EP and PF (Performance Fit) shoes I have. That’s just something to note in case you’re in the US and don’t want to buy via Nike By You.

Initially, both pairs seemed to fit similarly, so true size and a half size down are both playable for me. However, I prefer the fit of a half size down as they’re just a touch closer to the foot. This felt more secure as the materials do stretch just a bit over time.

Wide footers, you may want to consider half size up on this one. Although the materials shouldn’t be much of a problem for comfort, it’s a narrow shoe overall.

Support

This is what everyone is wondering or already made assumptions about. That Zoom sits HIGH in the forefoot, but is it unstable? Not in my opinion, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. I’d prefer the base to be a little bit wider. But if Nike did that, it would add extra weight. And that would just give some people a different thing to complain about.

Fortunately, I didn’t have any issue or even a scare when it comes to rolling over the footbed. I attribute it to the strength of the lateral TPU support piece that cages the forefoot Zoom. It also extends to the arch to provide torsional support across the decoupled tooling. For comparison, this plastic is much stronger than the plastic that cages the smaller Zoom bag of the Nike Zoom BB NXT. Although there isn’t a true outrigger, it still does a good job of not buckling under pressure.

The heel support works by way of an internal counter as well. But going back to the midsole height, I just want to be clear on a few things. I am not trying to sell anyone on this being a stable shoe. I’m admittedly not exactly what you would call shifty on-court. But when it comes to putting effort into defensive movements, side-steps into shots, and hard plants for off-ball change of direction, I felt secure in the Nike Zoom Rize 2.

Overall

The Nike Zoom Rize 2 is my personal favorite shoe to play in during this pandemic. Everyone that enjoyed the first Zoom Rize, will likely enjoy the Zoom Rize 2 just as much, if not more. The overall and surprisingly lighter weight of the shoe will make some feel faster and more explosive. On the other hand, the narrower base and higher midsole height will worry some people.

Chris’s experience in the Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 comes to mind. It almost seems like a combination of that shoe and the Nike Zoom Rize, but with less bulk.

If you are unfamiliar with either of those shoes, I’ll leave you with this. The Nike Zoom Rize 2 has all the necessary features to be enjoyed by bigger post players like Marc Gasol or Nikola Jokic while also appealing to faster, downhill type guards like Russell Westbrook. That may not cover everyone’s preferences, but it’s a wide spectrum, nonetheless.

 The Nike LeBron Ambassador series is a consistently solid basketball shoe that releases yearly in Asia. Generally made for outdoors play, but with a build that can work extremely well indoors, the shoe is in its 13th year. Does the Nike LeBron Ambassador 13 reign supreme or will this iteration be an afterthought?

Traction

Have you ever heard fingernails scratching on a chalkboard? Or watched the cars drift in a Fast and the Furious movie? That’s the best way to describe the traction of the Nike LeBron Ambassador 13. Wholly balls this thing bites. Stop on a dime good. Going 0-60 and stopping in less than a second good. No matter the lateral cuts you make, quick switches on defense, hard plants, or triple-threat jab steps, the shoe just clamps onto the floor as if its life depended on it. The traction might have overtaken the Lebron Ambassador 9 as my favorite traction of this line.

Cushion

Get your tissue boxes ready, because this news is like taking an L on nike kyrie 7. Nike took out the forefoot Zoom Air. Let me reiterate. My knees take an L every time I have to wear these on court. While there is a large heel Zoom Air bag, the lack of forefoot cushioning really killed me. Not literally, but my knees need some serious WD40 after this. I’m not saying the shoe didn’t work, It just doesn’t fit the mold of what’s necessary for a shoe built for outdoor courts.

Someone at Nike Basketball team decided it wasn’t necessary to have forefoot Zoom Air. Instead they relied on the low to the ground ride to make the shoe lighter and faster. While I don’t disagree with their idea…actually, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY disagree with the idea. The forefoot Zoom has been a staple of the shoes in the Ambassador line since the beginning (which featured forefoot Zoom Air and heel Air Max). Why would Nike take out something that’s been working so well? Something that’s been even better than the Soldier Line on occasion and even giving the signature line a run for its money in some instances?

It seems to be a cost-cutting move that doesn’t include the shoe’s primary use case in the equation. I’ve tested Asia exclusive models for years now. The feedback I get is that about 90%+ of the Asian market plays outdoors and needs good impact protection. And, now, that same 90%+ of the market is pissed, including your boy. Nike owes me a pair of good knees. Please, for all the LeBron Ambassador line fans, bring back both the large volume forefoot/heel Zoom setup and the soft Phylon midsole from the Ambassador 8 and 9. Then, we’ll forgive you.

Materials

Since this is an alternate to the signature model, the materials have never really stood out. The simple mesh upper, strategically placed fuse, XDR solid rubber outsole, phylon midsole, and a large volume heel Zoom Air unit make up the shoe. The material combo works. It just needs the forefoot Zoom bag back. Are you tired of me talking about it yet? That’s how much it affected me.

Fit

For the first time, the shoe itself fit a little snug, even after I relaced the shoe. However, after a game or two, the shoe fits like a glove. I mean that in the most modest way possible. While overseas basketball shoes are generally built on a wider last, this shoe seems to have been adjusted a bit. My slightly wide foot struggled for the first 10 minutes. But after some heat built up in the shoe, it molded around my foot quite nicely and got better with time.

Support

Oh boy, here he goes again. Yup, I said what I said and I stand by it. I want my ****** forefoot Zoom Air back! Okay, besides that, the support is adequate. It doesn’t overdeliver, but the Ambassador line was always built on a no frills platform. The Nike LeBron Ambassador 13 sticks to the same script.

Overall

The LeBron Ambassador line has always been quite solid and continues to be (with the exception of the forefoot Zoom Air removal). The Nike LeBron Ambassador 13 is light, strategic, and just darn good (with the one issue). The wider base of the shoe allowed me to plant my feet without hesitation and jolted my confidence in the solid XDR rubber outsole and the pattern. The upper molded to my foot and I almost felt like I didn’t have the shoe tied on.

But again, it only takes one thing to break my confidence and that is the lack of proper cushioning. LeBron James himself is 6’8” 240+ pounds of championship muscle. His signature line has a full length Zoom Air strobel along with a heel Air Max unit. Previous Ambassador models had enough cushion to work for those who play on the blacktop. For the money I and others paid for them, we deserve forefoot Zoom Air.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the air jordan 35 minus the forefoot cushioning. Will the Nike basketball team be able to rebound from this hiccup? Time will tell, but I speak for myself, the Asia basketball community, and the LeBron Ambassador fans: please don’t take away what has worked so well. We want to continue to love the Ambassador line as much as have to this point.