Adidas Harden Vol 5 V5 Performance Review

 No need to drag out a long review. If you follow my IG, my initial impressions out of the box pretty much matched the on court impressions and all in all it’s a pretty sorry shoes in all aspects. However, my curiosity got me experimenting to see the whys which is where a lot of reviewers fall short.

Pros: traction when clean, stability, containment

Cons: everything else

Sizing advice : these run long so it depends on preference: if you like a certain length but tight fit in the toe box go down half a size . If you need more space stay true to size.

Buying advice: don’t

Weight

Errr this is 19 ounces for a low top. Wasn’t light strike supposed to be light ? The shell alone weighs14.5 ounces which is heavier than the Curry 8 by an ounce .

Just the shell

I’m not a big weight guy but Adidas outdid itself this time. You realize that ONE V5 weighs almost the same as a pair of crazy lights. 

Traction

Traction is good on clean floors or freshly wiped but doesn’t do the best job brushing away dirt. A solid outsole should help but really zero point to buy this shoe. I’m about to stop writi…..

Cushioning

You da real LVP insole

 

*this is where the majority of the V5 issues comes from so I’ll cover it all right here*

I can’t recall a drop in insole for any company other than Nike so the swoosh can consider the V5 as the sincerest form of flattery even if it’s a really poor effort.

The drop in is really thick and is mostlly with a layer of Boost on the top. I’m not sure who implied that Boost needs space to expand but there is no space for Boost to expand in this insole. As I have often stated Boost needs volume to feel like Boost and it’s why I don’t really use these replacement insoles.
Because of how dense the insole is it takes a bit to break in but it still feels packed and dense with a little feedback and bounce particularly in the heel. It feels NOTHING like the Boost on the V3 or the Lightstrike on the V4 or Dame 6/7 or bounce for that matter. It’s just there.Sound boring enough ? Read on

Here you can see the V5 vs the Kobe IX insole.

If you take a look at the heel, you’ll see how sloped it is. I never wrote a review on the Kobe VII but the VII had a similar issue but not to this extent. (You could actually just the little piece in the heel to make it fit better). The slope in the heel basically doesn’t allow your heel to sit all the way down as intended since the heel is pushed forward and up thus you get some major heel slippage. A traditional cushioning set up would have fixed this issue but hey Adidss had to show off its imitation innovation.

Now the heel shape added some heel slip but this super long super stiff shank is the real LVP of this insole. Even after break in it just wants to stay super in it’s original form because of how stiff it is I accordion’d the sht out of it and it helped a lot with the three F’s: feel, fit, and flexiblility but not to the point that the shoe felt like I wasn’t wearing a shoe .

EXPERIMENTS
Well since I could interchange the insoles I decided to mess around and put my Kobe IX Insoles and instantly the shoe got more flexible felt better underfoot and fit better since it isn’t as thick aND IT doesn’t have that slope in the heel nor the shank. Addition by subtraction is amazing

 

The shell and upper materials aren’t the main culprits

Just for kicks (get it) I threw one of these zoom insoles off Amazon w an extra insole on top and it made the shoe feel like.. well a … Nike

Now can you put LeBron drop ins or Kobe’s seamlessly ? No, because the shell of the shoe is much bigger than the typical stated size to accommodate the thick insole . ..Segway please

Fit

Harden V5 in size 11, V3 11.5

The V5 is much large than a regular size 11. If you see my pic of the V3 v V5 it’s close to a centimeter larger. If you like to feel nimble big ass shoes like this might not be for you.

One positive about the Harden V5 fit is the lack of deadspace in the forefoot and no movement side to side. Having an extra thick insole will do that I guess.

Heel slip is an issue due everything stated in the cushioning section.

The heel pillows help but not enough due to the poor insole design.
Btw I went true to size. You can go down half a size but that would be too tight for my wide feet. Overall the fit is good in the forefoot and poor in the heel.

Materials

Fuse and little scraps of clothe taken from the floor of Joanns. #premium

Future natural upper is what Adidas calls it and it is a one piece upper (Kobe NXT anyone?). But it really feels like a throwback to 2010 maybe 2012. It does not feel premium to the touch at all. No issues with pinching or hot spots but I’m not a big stickler for materials. The stiffness and clunkiness comes from the insole as stated earlier. If you like to DJ you may enjoy scratching these .

Support and stability

No issues with support and stability.

Just as wide as the V3 in the forefoot and wider in the heel

Sorry nothing to really state here but hey it’s a positive at least!

Containment

No issues here. That fake lightstrike texture runs all the way around the shoe and is made of a stiffish TPU. Good for containment

Conclusion

As I stated earlier, the V5 is proof that it ain’t the shoes. Sure, the Beard got off to a slow start and overweight but hey Treasures and Ricks food isn’t exactly healthy. But now that the Beard got his trade he is crushing it in Brooklyn (maybe it’s the sorry strip clubs in NY 🤷🏻‍♂️ ) . I even saw Kyle Lowry wearing these but of course as a 3 stripes guy he kinda has to. But regardless of how badly this shoe rates among reviewers, it makes no difference to a players actual output or performance. Not really a big whoop but I’ll drop the “performance” out of the title starting today because it makes no actual difference on court as I’ve said this for years. Shoes don’t get buckets simple as that.
The V5 is truly an exercise in nomenclature and using “new tech” for the sake of using “new tech”. The funny thing is this is almost an identical idea to the Kobe 360 NXT but executed way way way worse. Better fit, cushioning, traction, far lighter..doesn’t feel like a shoe (of course I do need the support and stability but just saying).

At $130 it isn’t super expensive and you literally get a lot of shoe for the money. (For the ones who don’t get the joke I’m referring to the size of the shoe and how heavy it is). As with all things Harden and Adidas, don’t buy these at retail unless you’re a real diehard Harden fan..actually even if you are just wait because these aren’t going anywhere and have no appreciable value. Normally I’d say fair is about $100 but that’s too generous so I’m going to say $80-70 is fair bottoming out around $50-60. Who knows maybe the big Apple will help sell some shoes 😬

All in all the Harden V5 does nothing better than its predecessors and that’s being generous.

Under Armour Curry 8 Performance Review

 It must be the shoes right?

I’ll just get this out of the way: Best traction I’ve ever used. Although I could only get on a semi dusty court it might have well been clean as a whistle because it didn’t matter. If you’re a traction ho like me this might be the shoe for you. Traction is pretty much the whole reason I starting looking at shoes and I think I can stop looking in terms of traction now. However, as fantastic as the traction is the rest of the shoe needs a little work. But damn so so close.

Pros: traction, traction, traction, traction, nice blended cushioning, very comfortable overall

Cons: Upper is too stretchy and does not hold foot and ankle back (bruised toes). A little tippy, ok containment, pricey

Sizing advice: go up at least half a size. I think a full size would have been more comfortable for my toes. Nobody should size down unless you’re a masochist

Best for: smaller guards

Buying advice: $160 come on UA/Curry 8. Wait for sales don’t worry UA already did their fake sell out on first colorway $ 120 is fair, bottom around 75-80

Weight:

Same weight as the Soldier VI

Not really what I consider super light but on par with most lows.

Traction

I don’t have access to a dirty gym right now just a semi dusty gym. If you don’t know the story of Flow, the midsole and outsole are all one piece and made out of the same material. It definitely feels like a quality foam with some spring to it (about time UA) The outsole has different depths and micro teeth so you get some clean contact at all times which I really like it’s as if the Rose 7 and Kobe AD’s had a baby to make this pattern.

I tried really had to capture this defect of sorts. Outside (lateral side) of shoe on the right is is raised . I thought it was part of the design but the other shoe is totally flat . No issues playing in them just typical UA quality control or lack thereof.

This stuff just sticks like crazy. I went around no sliding (by myself of course socially distanced with a mask) for a good 1.5 hrs. I switched to some Harden V4s and had to wipe after ten minutes. Aside from not having to wipe the bite is just bulldog strength. I don’t get floored by traction often but damn. UA PLEASE PUT THIS PATTERN ON EVERY SHOE GOING FORWARD.

*one of my followers on IG said it is not good on dusty floors but I don’t have access right now so

Cushioning

Flow feels very good and is the best blend that UA has put together. Not too hard and not too soft (that’s what she said?). The best description I can think of is a thicker Dame 4 w a little more bounce yet denser feel. I know a lot of people think bounciness equates to energy return but it doesn’t so that’s why say I say bounce adds fun. There is no such thing as energy return just look it up it’s Physics 101.

Like all foam set ups, it needs volume to feel good and these sit a lot higher than something like the Harden V3 or 4 or any Curry for that matter. Most Currys sit around 20-23mm fwiw. Switching shoes out you’ll feel a difference right away but if you’re not switching shoes you’ll get used to the height.

While we all have our preferences, ride height doesn’t really affect anything but it is worth noting.

Overall, If you’re expecting Zoom or Boost you’ll be disappointed but imo it finds a very nice blend and is definitely an upgrade over HOVR and of course UA’s “proprietary foam” on the Curry 4 and 5 aka EVA. I don’t mind a firmer ride but I do like some bounce and feedback so these are right in my wheelhouse.

Fit

I bought both my regular 11 and 11.5 and the 11 had my toes at the end of the shoe. 11.5 fit like a 10.5 so I just swapped out my socks to make it work. If you have to wear thicker socks go up a full size.

Right out of the box there was no heel slip no major dead space no excess movement side to side.

Plenty of contour and padding in the heel

However, as nice as the shoe fit, the materials and design of the shoe allows too much stretch and not enough tensile strength and my foot constantly rammed into the front even doing drills by myself.

There is a reason nobody just took an Ultraboost Primeknit upper on a low.

You can see here that the Kobe V eyelets are still further back than the Curry 8 and higher up. This helps keep my foot and ankle back on stops. Also the material is firm and no stretchy knit. Might be a reason we don’t see knits near the ankle 🤔

The toe box has some fuse reinforcements below the knit so yea no fun for my toes. Overall the fit is good but so is the fit of a pair of socks. The Curry 8 is one of those socks with a sole type of shoes which isn’t my preference. I think If I worr some Zamst I’d be ok but hey it isn’t my shoe.

Material

I admit I’m old school as I come from the age of leather and patent leather and leather and saw the evolution to synthetics to fuse and to knit and mesh. PR might say it s for Mother Nature but we all know it’s about $$. Anyways the knit is nice I guess it’s like very prime knit feeling ? Does anyone ever care about knits anymore ? I’ve noticed almost all hoop shoes have moved to mesmmesh or reinforced mesh or an

Anyhoo, the rest is fake plastic leather ala AJ XI style to help with containment. Word to the wise patent works better than this stuff.

Support and stability

Heel counter isn’t the very big and it’s fairly squishy overall. Lots of plastic on this shoe.

Support is non existent since it’s a sock with a sole and if you’re Steph you got the Zamst on so no need for any extra support since it’s maxed out already. The outsole is very wide overall and had a curious design as well.

Instead of adding an outrigger in has an “inrigger” I guess to help with pushing off the inside of the foot.

The outsole is curved slightly to promote a natural gait but I feel like it gave up some stability in the heel to do so. But since it is extra wide it almost becomes a wash. Very Kyrie esque if you ask me. Compared to my Curry standard the Curry 2, the Curry 2 is easily more stable and supportive especially when it comes to tipping. I guess UA wanted a smoother feeling shoe which I cannot deny they achieved. I’d still like an outrigger though.

Containment

An outrigger probably would help w stability

Not the best not the worst. The rand does a decent job but I could still push out of the shoe since the upper overall is flexible and strength. Thankfully it isn’t JC2 or Melo 12 bad but it could be better. Not an issue overall though.

Conclusion

At $160 Steph and UA think a lot of Steph’s brand. Does he need his own brand ? I mean honestly he already is UA basketball. Lebron doesn’t have his own brand yet neither does KD but I guess UA needed to separate Curry from UA to allow other UA hoopers to shine. (Other as in Embiid might be the right word).

I can buy over two KD12’s almost two KD13’s and almost a pair of Jordans at retail for the Curry 8. $160 isn’t bad but UA isn’t Nike or Jordan so they shouldn’t be pricing it quite that high. The big appeal of Curry and UA in 2014 was getting a sig shoe of a game changer for $120-130 bucks but as his stardom and titles have grown so have the sneaker retail prices. I think $140 is the absolute max UA should charge for a Curry but hey what do I know, I’m just a consumer. Add in the cheap plastic rand and heel counter and I just don’t see a $160 premium shoe other than the Curry name.

*Speaking of which of you don’t follow my Stadium Fits, I had a hell of a time with UA. First there was a 25% off with Apple Pay so I tried it and didn’t get a discount even though there were no restrictions. Chatted with CS for a good thirty minutes so he gave me a code that said it would work since he “couldn’t adjust the price” . Of course I tried the code and it didn’t work on Currys. I also sent back the original pair and haven’t gotten a refund a month later. The overall UA experience has sucked but sadly I expected it. *

Overall the Curry 8 is so very close to being great. I understand it is supposed to feel like a running shoe and it definitely does feel like one but to a fault. I absolutely LOVE the traction and I enjoy the shoe but sadly I want a shoe that does everything well and that’s where the 8 falls short in a few too many categories especially at $160. Once they starting hitting sales at $120 -$80’ish I might grab another pair but I’m in no rush since gyms are basically closed for a few more months.

Overall I’d give these a second team rating, almost a first team but definitely a  status for traction.

UA HOVR Apex 2 Performance Review

 Say what you want about Under Armour as a company, but one thing they have almost always done right is training. Under Armour’s sweat-wicking apparel and shoes for the weight room or the field peform well. Last year, HOVR made its Cross Training debut in the UA HOVR Apex and the UA HOVR Rise. A year later, it’s time to test the UA HOVR Apex 2. Let’s go…

Traction

The traction is VERY turf inspired using thick rubber with forefoot lugs and deep flex grooves. The Apex 2 is built like a tank from the ground up. I trained using a squat rack, leg press, box jumps, driveway lunges, ropes and with cone drills on grass; the Apex 2 never once let me down. I experienced no slipping and outsole wear and tear is almost non-existent (a couple of the smaller nubs show some wear).

Wet pavement was the only problem. Even then, it was only while going downhill where I tend to heel strike. The pattern is smoother and flatter in the back. And yes, I did put in a few miles of running in these. Speaking of running, the transition and flexibility is more suited to lifting and training. The rubber is thick and stiff under foot. For short runs during Metcons or HIIT training, the Apex 2 is a respectable choice.

The outsole is basically the same as the original Apex. If you enjoyed it last year, you’ll get a repeat experience this year.

Cushion

HOVR. HOVR is NICE when done right. So far the running and training lines are done right. We’re still waiting on basketball to be correctly tuned (that includes the HOVR Havoc 3). HOVR is a bouncy foam/rubber combo that can be tuned to different levels of impact protection or hardness depending on the netting and caging.

The Curry Flow 8  in the Apex 2 is almost completely caged except the two small windows at the heels. Even with the caging, the feel is there. Soft and cushioned on impact but responsive and bouncy after the initial step or jump. The EVA carrier is soft, softer than the Under Armour Project Rock 2. Soft enough that the shoe can be a crossover runner as needed. If you’ve only worn HOVR in basketball, the Apex 2 is a different beast.

Materials

On first look, the materials don’t appear to be anything special. And on their own, they probably aren’t. Its a simple mesh upper, soft and flexible with a tight weave, overlaid with kurim/rubber in strategic places for durability. The overlays are 3D and aren’t built for stability or support. They’re the little lines or ribs on the upper that you see in the pictures. They add extra durability on the high-wear areas of the upper.

The rest of the upper is thickly padded and bulky. It looks like a bulky shoe from the 1990s. It’s just like last year’s Apex, and like the original Apex, the Apex 2 wears a LOT smaller. The tongue is like a skate shoe. It’s thick, big, and densely padded using the same micromesh as the upper. The ankle area has a quilted padding that snuggly cups the joint and fits perfect. The only other deviation from the mesh/rubber construction is the strap around the heel and ankle. It looks like it would be stiff and possibly rub or constrict but it doesn’t. The strap is a soft TPU that sits below the top of the shoe. It doesn’t rub through the padding.

Fit

One thing Under Armour has always gotten right (well, mostly) is fit. They just know how to make clothes and shoes fit. I stayed true to size. While the shoe looks bulky and like they might have a lot of empty space, the inner padding fills the space. There’s still a little bit of space above the toes but it doesn’t cause any issues. The padding just makes it so the shoes fit cozily around your feet.

The heel is really where the fit shines. The thick, dense, quilted padding forms and wraps around your foot. The heel strap works to pull the foot down into the heel. The shoe stops any lateral movement or heel slip. Honestly, if you aren’t careful, you can get them too tight. There isn’t any reason to over tighten the laces. Even laced slightly loose, the heel slip is still very minimal.

Support

For me, support is the absolute most important detail of a training shoe. There is no way I want to be under a squat rack with a few plates on each side with a soft shoe under my foot. That said, I do plyometrics and weights in the same workouts and don’t want to worry about slamming my feet down repeatedly on the concrete floor and feeling pain radiate up my legs and back.

The Apex 2 bridges the gap and does it wonderfully. The EVA carrier around the edges is stiff and solid with some slight give but no collapsing. That’s something that’s really important when landing, pushing off, or lifting heavy. The heel is also housed inside a stiffer TPU cage where the visible HOVR windows are located. The heel works even better at keeping your foot in the up and down plane of motion and allowing side-to-side motion. Then, there’s the wing that we already discussed. In short, your ankle is protected.

Also, the base is wide. Although it sits higher than a shoe like the Nike Metcon 6 or Reebok Nano X, the Apex 2 never felt unstable or like it would roll or tip. The main reason for this is the TriBase plate under the midfoot. The support plate and the outsole’s flat, wide area contribute mightily to the solid stability and support. The forefoot can still flex naturally and doesn’t feel too much like a weightlifting shoe. The TriBase construction is an overlooked aspect of Under Armour training shoes, but it’s the keystone of another solid shoe.

Overall

It’s truly amazing that Under Armour training shoes can consistently be as good as they are. From the original Project Rock two years ago through the TriBase Reign series, and now the Apex and Rise family, Under Armour training shoes are serious business.

If you need a shoe that can go from the weights to box jumps to lateral drills to turf training, the UA HOVR Apex 2 is a solid do everything shoe. Heck, the Apex 2 can even handle an outdoor basketball game or two (not ideal but not terrible, lateral forefoot containment would be the only weak point on court).

If you do more cardio than lifting you may want to look at the UA HOVR Rise 2 (review coming soon). But overall, cross training shoes don’t come more well-rounded and versatile than the UA HOVR Apex 2.

Nike KD 13 Performance Review

 Is the Nike KD 13 better than last year’s Nike KD 12? Only one way to find out.

While I really enjoyed the traction on Kevin Durant’s last signature model, the Nike KD 12, the KD 13 feels like it takes things up a notch.

The pattern isn’t herringbone, but that isn’t always a bad thing. The nubs and circular cups are positioned in a way to maximize grip no matter which direction you’re moving or stopping.

The only indoor courts I’ve been able to play on have been really poorly maintained surfaces and the KD 13 has handled everything — in the solid rubber form. I was able to try out the translucent/glow soles on the same court and while they gripped well, they were noticeably lacking compared to their solid rubber counterpart.

Outdoors, the traction has been solid in terms of performance and about average in terms of durability. These newer shoes aren’t really made to last, so if you’re worried about longevity, you may want to look elsewhere. However, if you want something that’ll work well while they last, then the KD 13 is a solid choice.

Full-length Zoom Air is in place once again, and is placed directly under your foot as it replaces the traditional strobel board. This is just like the Nike KD 12. However, this time around there is an additional forefoot Zoom unit under the Zoom Strobel — making the shoe feel even more comfortable than the KD 12.
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The shoe feels springy under-foot, but smooth at the same time. Some might prefer the KD 12 in comparison as the midsole on that model is a bit firmer. You feel the Zoom pop a bit more. However, the feeling of the KD 13 is so smooth that every time I put them on, I’m always surprised with how damn comfortable they are.

The unsung hero here is the insole. If you’ve been around performance basketball sneakers for the past ten years then you’ll know this to be true. The insole here is the same as the Nike Zoom Kobe 6. A foam-based insole that molds to your foot so well that you feel as if you have a custom orthotic insert. This might be why the more I lace these up, the better they feel. It’s as if I get to experience a broken-in shoe with new cushion under-foot every time. Yeah, it’s that awesome.

While I felt there was nothing to write home about with the upper featured on the KD 12, the KD 13 makes the KD 12 feel premium in comparison. Textiles and ripstop style materials are used and it’s just not impressive at all.

The plus side of the materials are that it’s soft and offers a broken-in feeling right away. The down side is that it lacks strength for containment. That wouldn’t be such a bad thing if the forefoot midsole was caged or cupped your foot like the KD12. But the KD 13 focuses more on heel containment which leaves the forefoot a bit vulnerable.

Like most KD models, the shoe is a bit on the narrow side. However, going true to size is recommended to avoid having a sloppier forefoot that what’s already provided.

From the midfoot back they lock you in perfectly without any pain, pinching, or restriction.

While all of the support features you’ve come to expect are present, the lack of a forefoot outrigger or containment cage is something that I personally miss when comparing them directly to last year’s model.

There were times when the traction would grip so well that my foot would slide over the footbed, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. This is where an ankle roll is bound to happen. If you’re aware of it, then you can try to avoid it during game play. But sometimes feet just happen to be in your way and then all of a sudden your ankle and the court meet in a head on grudge match that will leave you feeling strained.

For me, this isn’t a deal breaker, but it’s definitely something I feel was overlooked. If anything, this feels like a mid top Kyrie with incredible cushion.

I really enjoy the Nike KD 13, but they’re not perfect. No shoe is, but the things I loved about the KD 12 have been removed. And that was a bummer.

Traction and cushion are both standout features and if those aspects are all that you care about then you should enjoy the hell out of the air jordan 35. But if you want or need forefoot containment and stability, then you might feel the way I do…they leave a bit to be desired.

adidas DON Issue 2 Performance Review

 The adidas DON Issue 2 is the second signature shoe for Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell. It arrives after Mitchell averaged 36 points per game in his 2020 first round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. In that series, Mitchell and fellow adidas athlete Jamal Murray ascended to new levels of NBA stardom.

Can the shoe match up to the abilities of the man himself? Let’s find out.

Traction

Indoors, the traction on the adidas DON Issue 2 has been nothing short of awesome. A completely different experience from my time in the adidas DON Issue 1. The traction is very reliable and doesn’t need much wiping — if any at all. If you play indoors, then you may end up having the air jordan 35 in your bag just in case you run into some nasty floors.

Outdoors, however, I didn’t get the best grip. For some reason they lost their bite. This is new to me as I can usually expect shoes that do well indoors to do even better on outdoor courts. Durability usually takes a hit, but grip, which is what is most important when talking about traction, is usually elevated on rougher outdoor surfaces. They’re not horrible outside, but they’re a shoe I’d really lean towards only using indoors.

Cushion

Bounce is back and it’s not as noticeable as it was in the New Balance KAWHI . Once things start to break in, then you can tell you have decent cushion under-foot. However, the plush and rubbery feeling that Bounce usually offers isn’t there with this shoe.

The tooling features adidas’ old Feet You Wear (FYW) system and I believe that’s the reason why the Bounce is a bit muted. FYW focuses on mobility and court feel. Cushion usually contradicts those two attributes. Now, if you’re looking for mobility and court feel, and don’t feel like sacrificing cushioning in order to enjoy those aspects, then you can consider the DON Issue 2 as the Kyrie for adidas Hoops. It will offer you just enough cushion to complement the court feel and mobility setup.

Materials

Lots of lightweight textiles and a few synthetic overlays. Pretty standard for today’s basketball shoes. Nothing here stood out as being great. Nothing stood out as being bad either. Everything is there and it all works just fine. No complaints from me as far as performance is concerned.

Would I have preferred some premium touches? Perhaps. The design isn’t one that screams “wear me casually.” So while I would have appreciated some premium touches, it really doesn’t bother me that there’s nothing premium here.

Fit

The adidas DON Issue 2 fits true to size, although they are a bit on the snug side. Especially at the forefoot towards the base of the tongue. Wide footers may have to go up a 1/2 size or pass on the shoe altogether. Lockdown was solid due to the snug fit. Just make sure you lace them up all the way or the heel may feel a bit floppy when in motion.

Support

Everything you’ve come to expect is there — and then some. Torsional support is great. Heel support is great as well. You sit within the midsole, so lateral movements are well covered from a containment standpoint. Additionally, the base is fairly flat and wide which further enhances stability from heel to toe.

Overall

The stadium fits has been a surprise hit for me on court. While I won’t be keeping them in my outdoor rotation, I’ll keep them in my gym bag for indoor runs.

Traction and fit are very good. Cushion isn’t the Bounce I fell in love with, but it’s good enough when you factor in the added mobility and range of motion received from the FYW system. At its $100 price point, the DON Issue 2 is a very good bang for your buck option. You won’t break the bank and you won’t be sacrificing any performance attributes because of it.

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Performance Review

 Ever since the Nike Zoom Vaporfly 4% was introduced in 2017, runners have asked Nike for a daily trainer featuring ZoomX. The requests only increased when the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% came along in 2019 and Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% in 2020. In 2021, Nike is finally giving the the people what they want. A daily trainer with a thick ZoomX midsole named the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run.

And after at least two release date delays (stupid pandemic), those excited runners are getting anxious. To hold you over until the official release of the Invincible Run, here’s our full performance review.

At $180, the Nike lebron 18 Invincible Run is the same price as the beloved Nike ZoomX Pegasus Turbo 2. Many hoped it was a replacement. But it’s a much different shoe. Not worse, just different. Keep reading or press play about to get all the details.

Cushion

Let’s start with the star of this shoe, the full length ZoomX midsole. The exact amount of ZoomX varies in proportion to the size of the shoe, but a Men’s size 10 has a heel stack height of 36.6mm and a forefoot stack height of 27.6mm. So not Vaporfly or Alphafly levels of ZoomX, but close to what the Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next% measures in the heel.

And all that ZoomX does work. The Invincible Run is super bouncy. This should put to rest the dumb theory that the carbon plate is the sole source of the bounce in super shoes. It helps, but the main source is Pebax aka the super foam Nike calls ZoomX.

The ZoomX midsole is also curved with Nike’s rocker geometry. Rocker geometry creates a smoother heel to toe motion so I’m glad they’re using it on more shoes. One thing to note is you’ll get a lot more ground feel on toe off without a plate bisecting the ZoomX. Pushing off on your toes bottoms out of the lesser amount of ZoomX at the tip of the shoe. It’s not a problem, and even helps when picking up the pace, but it’s an odd feeling in such a well-cushioned shoe.

The cushion is the marketing star of this shoe and lives up to the hype. The only complaint on the cushioning is the mediocre insole. But with all that ZoomX, Nike didn’t really need an insole to add more cushion, so I see why they did what they did.

Traction

The Air Jordan 35 a full length waffle-like rubber outsole. I say waffle-like because the lugs aren’t as close as a traditional waffle outsole and they’re more of rounded rectangles and ovals than waffle squares. It’s great coverage. I only experienced slippage during a torrential downpour over certain sections of slick road. It’s not perfect traction, but good enough to handle most conditions.

And while the outsole is fully covered by rubber, it has two thinner more pliable pieces of rubber at the lateral toe and medial heel. I asked Nike why they put those there but didn’t get an answer. My guess would be weight savings in non high wear areas but I’m not 100% on that. I’ll update this review if I get an answer.

As for durability, I’ve hardly worn the outsole down while wearing them on a ton of runs and casually. We already know ZoomX is resilient. Combining it with this outsole is likely to result in a shoe that lasts 300-500 miles.

Fit

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run fits true to size. There’s good room for toe splay in the toe box, a narrower midfoot (though not as narrow as the Tempo Next%), and a very traditional running shoe heel. This is the first ZoomX shoe with a traditional heel and it feels luxurious by comparison. I think most wide footers will be good with their normal Nike running size. It’s a lot more accommodating than something like the Nike Pegasus 37 and reminds me of the Nike Vomero 14’s fit.

Support

Nike knows ZoomX is super plush so they beefed up support to counteract the natural instability of the foam. Your ankles will still have work to do to keep you completely stable in the Invincible Run, but what Nike’s done is helpful.

Specifically, Nike exaggerated the midsole. The forefoot extends beyond the footbed quite a bit by running shoe standards and thus feels like it’s got integrated outriggers. The heel is also exaggerated all the way around including in the rear where you’ll get a thumbnail of extra backend that makes me think of some of the recent Hoka models.

Finally, Nike tops off the support with an integrated heel clip similar to the React Infinity Run and Infinity Run 2…but maybe even beefier. The heel clip connects with two extra side heel counters that help keep the heel on the footbed. With a regular internal heel counter still included, Nike was clearly cognizant of rollover potential. They really focused on making this shoe a lot more stable than their racing models.

Materials

Comfort was clearly the driving force in the materials used. A Flyknit upper with an extremely plush half neoprene, half mesh gusseted tongue just feels great on foot. Nike likes to make their running shoes super cool looking. Sometimes they do it at the expense of upper comfort. They avoided that urge here and went the more traditional running shoe route. And it worked. It’s my favorite Nike upper since the Vaporfly 4% Flynit.

For some serious runners, the Invincible Run’s 11.1 ounces in a Men’s size 10 and 8.9 ounces in a Women’s size 8 will be too much shoe. They’ll likely relegate the shoe to easy days. However, the majority of the running population will easily trade the extra weight for the upgraded support, cushioning, and durablity.

Overall

If you wanted a ZoomX daily trainer since the Vaporfly Next% released, the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run is here, and it’s everything you hoped for.

It’s not a particularly fast shoe, but it does everything well including handle tempo runs and fartleks. At stadium fits, it’s worth the price. All that ZoomX and outsole rubber make it a supremely comfortable, bouncy, and durable shoe. You’ll get plenty of use out of this one and be comfortable all along the way.

Watch the Throne: The Return of the “Carmine” Air Jordan 6

 WATCH THE THRONE. The phrase in itself inherently implies that one is to guard, protect, or remain vigilant over a possession. So, for the sake of argument—and for the purposes of this article—let’s imagine that possession to be an NBA title.

Now I already know that most of you are ready to point out that Michael Jordan won his first ring while wearing the Air Jordan 6. So based on the definition given, how could he guard his possession—the NBA championship—if he hadn’t won it yet? Well, therein lies the beauty of the headline.

See, Michael didn’t actually break out the Air Jordan 6 Carmine on an NBA court until the beginning of the 1991-92 season. By then, he and the Chicago Bulls had already won their first title, having defeated the L.A. Lakers in five games. And knowing how history played out from there, this would mean that MJ was in “Watch the Throne” mode to re-up and defend their championship heading into 1992. Hence the headline of this article.

See back then, Mike wouldn’t break out the newest Air Jordan model until that season’s All-Star break. Up until that point, he would wear the previous silhouette, usually in an alternate or PE colorway. When MJ finally did debut the Air Jordan VI for the latter half of their 1990-91 schedule, he wore the “White/Infrared” colorway during the regular season and the infamous “Black/Infrared” colorway during the playoffs and finals. So essentially, the “Carmine” Air Jordan VI acted as a bridge between two championship seasons.

 

But despite the history surrounding it, the best part about ANY Air Jordan is its namesake. As a kid growing up, the greatest commercial, pitch, or plug for any Jordan sneaker was simply to watch Michael Jordan play the game of basketball. You can put all the Nike branding you want on the shoe. (Ironically, the Air Jordan VI would be the last Air Jordan signature model to feature “Nike Air” visibly anywhere on the sneaker—other than the insole—until the Air Jordan XXX3). You can have Spike Lee produce all the commercials. You can have all the celebrities you want posting their pair on social media. At the end of the day, Michael Jordan sold Air Jordan sneakers better than anyone sold anything else. EVER! Hell, his ability to push product even extended beyond sneakers. You wanted to drink Gatorade because HE drank it. You wanted to eat Wheaties because HE ate it. You wanted to wear Hanes…err, Jordans… because HE wore them. He embodied swag. He was the epitome of cool. He made you want to be “Like Mike”. And the “Carmine” Air Jordan VI was one out of many sneakers in his signature line that did just that. Or at least made you feel like it…

Now it’s been 30 years since we’ve seen this OG iteration of the “Carmine” VIs. During that time span we’ve only received Jordan Brand-ed versions of this colorway. The first retro was a part of 2008’s Countdown Pack, alongside the Air Jordan XVII, and then we saw it retro again in 2014. The colorway and color blocking remains the same as previous versions, with slight variations in the shade of red or carmine. However, this 2021 pair goes back to its OG roots, equipped with “Nike Air” branding on the heel. It also includes the standard design cues of the Air Jordan VI like the abstract“2-3” hidden in the design of the upper. The clean, reinforced toe box—a first for basketball sneakers at the time. The unique, 2-holed tongue design, that served to be both fashionable and functional. The rear spoiler on the collar of the heel that was molded in a way that it didn’t tear up your Achilles, while maintaining its usefulness. And, of course, the iconic lace patch featuring the “Jumpman” logo. This was keeping in theme with the Air Jordan III, IV, and V—basically any Jordan designed by Tinker Hatfield up until that point—where the Nike branding was strategically placed on the back of the shoe and the Air Jordan branding was placed on the front. This was meant to symbolize Michael Jordan leading Nike into the future.

As far as I can tell, Jordan Brand did a good job of paying attention to the details, which includes the overall shape of the shoe. But I already know some die-hard collectors are going to find things to point out. Minute things like the height of the tongue, or the missing indentation inside the stitching around the ankle pods. I’ll admit that it would’ve been nice to see both of those design elements brought back in their OG form on this retro, but it’s still not a deal breaker for me. Another point of contention, that I know I’ll hear about, is the blue tinted outsole. Some people prefer the original clear outsole. I tend to side with the brand’s decision to produce it in this new way. The blue tint is to counteract the oxidation process which turns clear outsoles yellow. It doesn’t stop it 100%, but it does fight it off enough to give your sneakers some longevity as far as aesthetics is concerned. So for me, it’s a necessary trade off. So even IF you decide to deduct points away for any of those reasons, this “Carmine” Air Jordan VI retro still gets a strong 9, 9.5 out of 10.

And finally I’ll end with this. Often times the brand is criticized by people, like myself, for trying to fix something that wasn’t broken. But as of late, it seems like Jordan Brand is making more of a concerted effort to address those concerns and appease those of us who grew up with these shoes. To that I say both sides need to have an understanding. On our side, we need to understand that things evolve and change. Part of the beauty and downside of nostalgia is realizing that nothing ever stays the same. So appreciate the memories. We can still hold brands like Jordan accountable, and to the standard that they set for themselves, while also understanding the realities of the industry. On Jordan Brand’s side, while it may seem like we’re always complaining, and we’re never happy, it’s a good thing to have fans who are still this invested in your products to want to see you succeed. Even if it comes in the form of vocal, constructive criticism. No disrespect to anyone else, but there’s a reason no one is yearning for the “good ol’ days” of Under Armour.

The “Carmine” Air Jordan Retro VI will officially release on Saturday, February 13th, on the Nike SNKRS app and at all Jordan Brand retailers for $200. Not sure if there will be a shock drop before then, but it’s probably best to be on the lookout. Good luck. #sneakerhead