Nike KD 10 still kd Performance Review

Traction – Looks can be deceiving. While the circular pattern looks amazing and should have taken care of multidirectional coverage like no other, the grip was inconsistent on a regular basis — making the Nike KD 10 still kd consistently inconsistent.
The outsole plays very well outdoors, which is a plus, but it wasn’t designed with durability in mind. After only a few outdoor hoop sessions my frayed outsole looks like corn before it’s shucked. Or is it after it’s been shucked? You know all those weird hairy fibers inside the corn husk? That’s what I’m trying to say.
At any rate, there are talks that the initial colorways of the Nike KD 10 have lackluster traction while future colorways will have a slightly improved rubber compound. I’m not sure how true that is and if it is true it isn’t something that should happen — it makes the reviews inaccurate and it confuses consumers as to what colorways offer decent traction. Air Jordan XXXI anyone?
All I can do is share my experiences with the product I wore. In this circumstance, the traction on both of my KD 10s — yes, I have two pairs in two different sizes — just didn’t work out for me.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review cushion
Cushion – Full-length Max Zoom Air is back and it’s a bit firmer than it was the last time around. Don’t be put off when trying on the Nike KD 10 because you don’t feel the bounce right away like you might have with the KD 9. The 10s take a bit of breaking in before you can feel the responsiveness.
From a functional standpoint, the cushion here offers the same thing that the KD 9 did: the best impact protection Nike currently has available. Oh, and it’s still articulated in the forefoot so you can move about the court without too much restriction. I love the cushion and I hope its durability issues have been resolved. Not that I popped any of my pairs, but I know a few people that have — and I have received countless emails and DMs about other people’s pairs popping.
I think Nike has a great thing going with this type of Zoom Air and I hope it’s appreciated by the masses.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review materials
Materials – Flyknit, Flyknit everywhere. I love the materials that were used on the Nike KD 10, I just don’t love how they performed. Although, I believe it was a combination of the materials used and the lacing system that wound up causing my disappointment.
You have Flyknit from heel to toe on the Nike KD 10 and it’s infused with TPU threads — much like the Nike Kobe 11 Elite. Heat was applied to stress zones and the toebox area to weld the TPU and knit together for strength and durability. This causes a bit of a disconnect between the material and the foot, but it felt really nice overall.
The area that features 100% Flyknit is the tongue and collar. You can get these babies on and off your feet without issue, whereas the KD 9 was a bit of a struggle. By a bit of a struggle I mean they were an added workout to your daily regimen.
While being a knit, the Nike KD 10 is durable as hell which is something most people will appreciate. Containment could have been a lot better than it was, which brings me to the next topic.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review fit
Fit – Go down 1/2 size. Seriously. Wide footers, you’ll be good going true to size without needing to size up, but everyone else, go down 1/2 size. The disconnect I discussed above creates a bit of volume around the foot and when you have a knitted upper that isn’t something you want.
However, lockdown is the main culprit. Heel lockdown was great; the lacing system worked really well with the internal heel counter and heavily padded heel.
The midfoot lockdown was atrocious. Having the lacing sit at the bottom of the foot sounds great but when it’s coupled with a super stretchy midfoot section, lateral containment goes out the window. When I’d try to compensate for the lack of containment by tightening the lacing, those loops would pull and dig into the bottom of my feet. Not only was this painful, but it didn’t work.
Using a setup like this really has me appreciating the current method of lacing — nylon loops that run down the foot and attach at the footbed. You’re able to properly tighten sections of the shoe where you need it — at the throat, whether it be at the midfoot, forefoot, or heel — all while the nylon strands act as suspension, bridging the gap between the top of the foot and the bottom of the foot. The KD 10’s lacing system only covered the suspension aspect but not the top of the foot/throat synching that a lot of players prefer.
If you’re a player that plays the game pretty straight then you may never feel or notice this. If you’re a spot up shooter, you may never notice this. Being small, I have to maneuver around the court and get open. Using screens is my best option in most cases and when tightly turning around my screen my foot felt like it was sliding over the footbed. This caused a delay in my shot as I’d then have to try and quickly readjust my footing when I typically don’t have an issue if lateral containment is solid.
Things were just a little too sloppy for me and I prefer the way the KD 9 contained my foot.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review support
Support – If each component of a shoe doesn’t flow together and act as one then you’ll never form Voltron. Er, you’ll never find balance.
The heel area worked beautifully, but the midfoot left much to be desired. That lack of midfoot containment caused a sloppy fit which reduced the support offered. Had those nylon lace loops rode up the sidewall of the shoe a bit more, well, then you’d have the KD 9 Elite, and you likely wouldn’t have had a sloppy fit. Despite the base of the shoe being a solid platform, it just wasn’t enough to say these are cutting it in the support department. The pieces are there, they just don’t work well together.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review overall
Overall – The Nike KD 9 was an amazing shoe. The Nike KD 10 was almost an amazing shoe. It looks amazing, but it suffered in a few areas due to the bold new design.
If you don’t require a ton of lateral containment then you may enjoy these — they just weren’t for me. That isn’t a bad thing because no shoe is made for every person. However, helping you find the shoe that was made for you is why we’re here.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review scorecard
Traction – Looks can be deceiving. While the circular pattern looks amazing and should have taken care of multidirectional coverage like no other, the grip was inconsistent on a regular basis — making the Nike KD 10 consistently inconsistent.
The outsole plays very well outdoors, which is a plus, but it wasn’t designed with durability in mind. After only a few outdoor hoop sessions my frayed outsole looks like corn before it’s shucked. Or is it after it’s been shucked? You know all those weird hairy fibers inside the corn husk? That’s what I’m trying to say.
At any rate, there are talks that the initial colorways of the Nike KD 10 have lackluster traction while future colorways will have a slightly improved rubber compound. I’m not sure how true that is and if it is true it isn’t something that should happen — it makes the reviews inaccurate and it confuses consumers as to what colorways offer decent traction. Air Jordan XXXI anyone?
All I can do is share my experiences with the product I wore. In this circumstance, the traction on both of my KD 10s — yes, I have two pairs in two different sizes — just didn’t work out for me.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review cushion
Cushion – Full-length Max Zoom Air is back and it’s a bit firmer than it was the last time around. Don’t be put off when trying on the Nike KD 10 because you don’t feel the bounce right away like you might have with the KD 9. The 10s take a bit of breaking in before you can feel the responsiveness.
From a functional standpoint, the cushion here offers the same thing that the KD 9 did: the best impact protection Nike currently has available. Oh, and it’s still articulated in the forefoot so you can move about the court without too much restriction. I love the cushion and I hope its durability issues have been resolved. Not that I popped any of my pairs, but I know a few people that have — and I have received countless emails and DMs about other people’s pairs popping.
I think Nike has a great thing going with this type of Zoom Air and I hope it’s appreciated by the masses.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review materials
Materials – Flyknit, Flyknit everywhere. I love the materials that were used on the Nike KD 10, I just don’t love how they performed. Although, I believe it was a combination of the materials used and the lacing system that wound up causing my disappointment.
You have Flyknit from heel to toe on the Nike KD 10 and it’s infused with TPU threads — much like the Nike Kobe 11 Elite. Heat was applied to stress zones and the toebox area to weld the TPU and knit together for strength and durability. This causes a bit of a disconnect between the material and the foot, but it felt really nice overall.
The area that features 100% Flyknit is the tongue and collar. You can get these babies on and off your feet without issue, whereas the KD 9 was a bit of a struggle. By a bit of a struggle I mean they were an added workout to your daily regimen.
While being a knit, the Nike KD 10 is durable as hell which is something most people will appreciate. Containment could have been a lot better than it was, which brings me to the next topic.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review fit
Fit – Go down 1/2 size. Seriously. Wide footers, you’ll be good going true to size without needing to size up, but everyone else, go down 1/2 size. The disconnect I discussed above creates a bit of volume around the foot and when you have a knitted upper that isn’t something you want.
However, lockdown is the main culprit. Heel lockdown was great; the lacing system worked really well with the internal heel counter and heavily padded heel.
The midfoot lockdown was atrocious. Having the lacing sit at the bottom of the foot sounds great but when it’s coupled with a super stretchy midfoot section, lateral containment goes out the window. When I’d try to compensate for the lack of containment by tightening the lacing, those loops would pull and dig into the bottom of my feet. Not only was this painful, but it didn’t work.
Using a setup like this really has me appreciating the current method of lacing — nylon loops that run down the foot and attach at the footbed. You’re able to properly tighten sections of the shoe where you need it — at the throat, whether it be at the midfoot, forefoot, or heel — all while the nylon strands act as suspension, bridging the gap between the top of the foot and the bottom of the foot. The KD 10’s lacing system only covered the suspension aspect but not the top of the foot/throat synching that a lot of players prefer.
If you’re a player that plays the game pretty straight then you may never feel or notice this. If you’re a spot up shooter, you may never notice this. Being small, I have to maneuver around the court and get open. Using screens is my best option in most cases and when tightly turning around my screen my foot felt like it was sliding over the footbed. This caused a delay in my shot as I’d then have to try and quickly readjust my footing when I typically don’t have an issue if lateral containment is solid.
Things were just a little too sloppy for me and I prefer the way the KD 9 contained my foot.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review support
Support – If each component of a shoe doesn’t flow together and act as one then you’ll never form Voltron. Er, you’ll never find balance.
The heel area worked beautifully, but the midfoot left much to be desired. That lack of midfoot containment caused a sloppy fit which reduced the support offered. Had those nylon lace loops rode up the sidewall of the shoe a bit more, well, then you’d have the KD 9 Elite, and you likely wouldn’t have had a sloppy fit. Despite the base of the shoe being a solid platform, it just wasn’t enough to say these are cutting it in the support department. The pieces are there, they just don’t work well together.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review overall
Overall – The Nike KD 9 was an amazing shoe. The Nike KD 10 was almost an amazing shoe. It looks amazing, but it suffered in a few areas due to the bold new design.
If you don’t require a ton of lateral containment then you may enjoy these — they just weren’t for me. That isn’t a bad thing because no shoe is made for every person. However, helping you find the shoe that was made for you is why we’re here.
Nike KD 10 Performance Review scorecard
Go to buy on kd 10 link:  http://www.hoopjordan.com/hoopsale/2017-nike-kd-10-still-kd-whitechrome-pure-platinum-for-sale/

Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Blue Zebra VS White Zebra

Kanye West and Adidas will reportedly be releasing a new "Blue Zebra" Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 this year, adding to the upcoming lineup that already includes a "Blue Tint" Yeezy Boost 350 V2 and a "Beluga 2.0," as well as a tonal "Dark Green" joint.

Let's checking it .

The Blue Zebra edition of the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 features a White and Light blue color combination. As you can see the Primeknit upper is done in White while Light Blue forms the Zebra like print. White also lands on the stripe as well as the heel tab. Finishing the look is Light Blue on the SPLY-350 and a milky translucent outsole. This white and light blue color-combination shares a similar knit pattern of the “Zebra” edition that dropped in late February, complete with a milky why Boost sole and a heel-tab. Release information is not known yet.

adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Blue Zebra For Sale

At the time of writing, a release date for the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Blue Zebra has  not release yet .

However , what is the difference between Blue Zebra and  White Zebra ?

White Zebra features red and backwards ‘SPLY-350’ branding on the side while the heel tab returns with a matching black stripe through the center. A milky translucence covers the Boost overlay on the midsole for a unique new twist.
Also a new brownshoe box has also been spotted for the V2 and it features a large ‘350’ on the top.

Here is a video of  White Zebra  that you will be interested .

So far , we can see clearly for the different colorway .But the others?

We will be checking when Blue Zebra Sneakers releasing .

Nike KD 9 Performance Review you will love

Traction – I keep doing this, but I really can’t help it. The brain can’t help but judge certain things by how they look prior to experiencing it first hand. Traction on the Nike KD 9 looks like it would be trash, but it performed the exact opposite. In fact, there were times when traction was too good. Will every pair perform at such a high level? Without testing each pair it’s impossible to say. What I do know is that the rubber compound used on the versions with solid rubber outsoles will offer you incredibly sticky traction.

Were there times when you had to wipe? Yes, as is the case with most shoes. However, if I didn’t have time to wipe during game play the traction still held strong until I was able to get a chance to clean the outsole real quick and 2017 most popular sneaker Shoes: air jordan 14 dmp for sale

Nike KD 9 Performance Review CushionCushion – Full length Max Zoom in articulated fashion. This sh*t is amazing. Smooth transition, ultimate impact protection, and ultimate responsiveness. This cushion setup is everything you’d expect it to be and then some. The best feature is not what was just mentioned, but the fact that Nike was able to provide such attributes to the setup while still retaining mobility. All positions will be able to wear and enjoy these bad boys. Unlike full length setups of the past, these aren’t stiff or rigid to move around in. You’re fairly close to the ground, and you don’t feel as if you’re wearing a full length Air unit due to the segregated forefoot.

Nike KD 9 Performance Review Cushion 2I was slightly disappointed with the full length Zoom setup we received in last year’s KD 8, but Nike made up for it with these guys. One thing to note is that the lateral forefoot section will collapse a bit if you land on it. With the KD 8, there were two TPU bumpers in that same location to prevent such a thing from occurring. I never rolled my ankle, or received any injury from the issue. However, it was something that was noticeable enough to throw into the review. When jumping, whether it be for a jump shot, to contest a shot, or for a rebound, try to not land on the lateral section of your forefoot. Sometimes you can’t help it due to being awkwardly vulnerable while in the air, but try to avoid it as best you can.

Nike KD 9 Performance Review MaterialsMaterials – Flyknit. Not the heavily glued Flyknit, this is just Flyknit and some nylon backing it. Someone asked why would Nike use Flyknit if they were going to back it with nylon. The answer: it allows the Flyknit to do what Flyknit does while still providing a level of support that’s playable. Nylon won’t stretch in the same way that a knit would so the material will hold tight while still remaining flexible.

This is the best iteration of Flyknit we’ve received on a Nike Basketball model to date. I’m not going to go as far as saying it’s the best thing in the world, but if you’re like me and enjoy woven/ knitted uppers then you’re most likely going to enjoy the hell out of this setup. The material also got stepped on quite a bit, and while it’s dirty, it’s still in one piece.

The rear section is textile mesh, foam, and Fuse, and it’s nothing fancy. The rear section should provide enough structure and support for the foot so this setup works perfectly even though it doesn’t look as pretty as the forefoot area.

Nike KD 9 Performance Review Fit 2Fit – Like every other KD model that’s ever existed, I highly recommend trying these on in-store prior to purchasing. I went down 1/2 size and length wise they fit perfectly. They’re hard as hell to get on my foot, but once they’re on I’m locked in perfectly, just the way I like it. However, the left shoe’s seam gave me a ton of pain for the first few wears. It eventually broke-in, but it sure as hell was painful until then.

The one piece upper boot construction and the Nylon lacing system work well for the size I’m wearing. However, the lacing cables don’t move much so if you end up with a size that doesn’t fit you perfectly then you may have some minor heel slipping. Even though the heel is heavily padded and sculpted, that won’t makeup for an incorrect size issue.

Brace wearers: it’s pretty important that you bring your brace with you to try on shoes. That’s the only way to really ensure a sneaker will accommodate your additional attachment.

Nike KD 9 Performance Review SupportSupport – The Nike KD 9’s support is essentially riding on one key aspect: the overall fit. If these fit sloppy in any way then we’ll have another LeBron 13 Low situation on our hands — with that shoe I was unable to fit 1/2 size down in which meant that the ankle lacing structure and heel section were just poorly designed. If your pair fits you perfectly then you’ll end up with a shoe that offers a one-to-one fit and plenty of mobility without lacking support.

The rest of the shoe is fairly standard as the rear section has the typical internal TPU heel counter. And, no, the tiny little KD logo is not the heel counter. It’s just a piece of plastic glued to the exterior section of the shoe. Meanwhile, the cushion system is flat and shaped just like your foot, providing you with great stability.

Nike KD 9 Performance Review OverallOverall – Nike did a decent job with the KD 8 while the KD 8 Elite felt like a cheap, unnecessary, and unfinished version of the KD 8. Luckily, that isn’t the case with the Nike KD 9. You’ll receive solid traction, fantastic cushion, great materials, and if you get the size that fits you best, you’ll also receive a solid and secure fit for optimal support. Some may think that getting all this for $150 is a steal, and I whole-heartily disagree. Getting all this for $150 is exactly what we should be getting. $150 isn’t exactly chump change. Paying above $150 for a sneaker is really just paying for a novelty item. It might look cool, but it’s usually not worth it.

However, your money will be well spent when it comes to the Nike KD 9. If I like something enough to want to grab another colorway then that’s how I know that they’re pretty money on-court.

How to design of Yeezy Boost by Kanye West?

It's been a long journey

In January 2014, a video surfaced of Kanye West talking through his second capsule collection with French denim label A.P.C. (It’s since been scrubbed from the Internet.) Standing in a Paris showroom, West spent nearly fifteen minutes explaining to a room of fashion editors every stitch, detail, and decision that went into the military-inspired capsule and new yeezys . He talked at length about his specific design choices—like how he chose certain fabrics while picturing “dudes in Milan being shot by [street style photographer] Tommy Ton”—but also about how this capsule collection was symbolic of a new era for him personally, one where he might be seen not as a rapper or a celebrity, but as a fashion designer. “I think, like, this moment right here is maybe the first time where people can see, like, ‘Oh that’s his opinion,” he said. But Kanye’s history in the fashion industry is as long and involved as his career in music, and since he burst onto the scene in 2004 with The College Dropout, his impact on men’s fashion has been immense. Maybe even unmatched. And yet it’s only now, on the day that his new collaboration with Adidas will be unveiled at a highly anticipated fashion show in New York, that he’s finally getting the platform to express his vision in a way he feels he has long deserved.

2008: Kanye Wears Unreleased Colorway of the Nike Air Yeezy 1 At The Grammys

During his onstage performance at the ‘08 Grammys, fans got a first look at what would eventually become the Nike Air Yeezy, though the versions that would eventually hit stores would be much more colorful than the black/white colorway he wore on stage. Later in the year, on his Glow in the Dark Tour, Kanye wore an unreleased purple and orange colorway. This marked the first time Nike had given a signature shoe to a non-athlete, signaling Kanye as a pioneer in the sneaker world—and introducing a famous musician who wanted to reimagine the concept of “celebrity designer.”

April 2009: The Air Yeezy 1 Hits Stores

For all of three seconds. As expected (and thanks to a super limited quantity of shoes made), the Air Yeezy 1 sold out almost instantly. It retailed for $215, and was released in three colorways—grey (released in April), black (May), and tan (June).

September 2010: Kanye West Collaborates with Phillip Lim on the Wardrobe for West’s Short Film, “Runaway.”

Say what you will about the film’s plot and acting, but a couple of things are for sure—the music and wardrobe are great. Made specifically for West by designer Phillip Lim, the looks showed off a super-modern, elegant take on classic pieces like white button-down shirts, black trousers, and formalwear.

Late 2011: Kanye Wears Samples of the Air Yeezy 2 on the Watch The Throne Tour

The only thing to get more media attention than the leather kilt were the Nike Air Yeezy 2 samples West wore while on tour for WTT, which, like the Air Yeezy 1s he wore at the 2008 Grammys, were done up in a monochromatic color scheme that would never see store shelves.

April 2012: Kanye West Starts Dating Kim Kardashian

The world’s most talked about (and arguably most influential from a fashion perspective) couple is born.

June 2012: The Air Yeezy 2 Is Released in Two Colorways, “Platinum” and “Black Solar Red”

Like the first Air Yeezy, these kicks were priced higher than typical Nike offerings ($250 this time around), were extremely limited (certain reports say only 1,500 pairs were made), and kids lined up for weeks to get their hands on a pair. Today, pairs are for sale via Flight Club for over $5,000.

From a design perspective, the Air Yeezy 2 was a similar but much sleeker style than the original, and featured an embossed reptile print on the side that reinforced the dark, luxurious aesthetic West wore on the Watch The Throne tour. This would be the last silhouette Kanye designed for Nike.

October 2013: Kanye Collaborates With Maison Margiela on Yeezus Tour Wardrobe, Wes Lang on Tour Merch

After name-checking Margiela on Watch the Throne, West turned to the Maison for his Yeezus tour wardrobe, including silk robes, crystal masks, and custom versions of the brand’s “Future” sneaker. In fact, the entire wardrobe was custom-made for West and was never to be released by the house.

For the merchandise, West tapped popular Los Angeles-based artist Wes Lang, whose hand-drawn themes of death and religion complemented the album’s raw feel. One design, which featured a confederate flag, sparked controversy, to which West replied, “React how you want. The confederate flag represents slavery—that’s my abstract take on it—and I made the song ‘New Slaves’. So I took the Confederate flag, and I made it my flag now. So what you gonna do about it?”

December 2013: Kanye West Signs With Adidas

The transformation from the Swoosh to the three stripes became complete. Kanye got the joint venture deal he wanted, with royalties, and one worth more, according to his claims on the Breakfast Club radio show, than the $4 Million dollars a year he said Nike offered him for previously undisclosed deal.

February 2014: Nike Releases the Red Octobers Out of Nowhere

And just as soon as they arrived, they’re gone. Current asking price? $5500 on Flight Club. Kanye’s relationship with Nike? Officially dead.

August 2014: Kanye Tells GQ His New Album is On Hold So He Can Work on Adidas

“I was thinking it could somehow come out in June, like Yeezus, and just kill it for the summer. But then I'm like, I have to work on Adidas and be with my child.”

September 2014: Kanye Promises to Make His Adidas Collection Mass-Market

During one of his signature onstage rants while on the Yeezus Tour in Perth, Australia, West promised to make the new Adidas collection widely available: “I heard those screams [from people who weren’t able to purchase the limited edition Yeezy 2 Nike collaboration], and I wanted to do something about that. So when I ask next year if you were able to get the new Yeezys, you’ll be able to say you at least were able to try on a pair, to cop a pair.”

November 2014: Images of Kanye’s New Adidas Sneaker Leak

Thanks to a pair of wandering eyes (and a camera phone) from someone seated behind West on a commercial flight, we were given our first image of what would eventually become the Yeezy 750 Boost. The Internet exploded and the hype reached a fever pitch.

February 6, 2015: Ibn Jasper Instagrams the First Picture of the Yeezy 750 Boost

Kanye’s friend and longtime barber was the first person to unveil the official Yeezy 750 Boost while West rehearsed for the Grammys.

February 7, 2015: Kanye Steps Out in the 750 Boost for the First Time

Kanye and Kim attended the Roc Nation pre-Grammy brunch, which also marked the first time West was seen out in public wearing the gray suede high-tops.

This time though, he rocked ’em with a very cozy Haider Ackermann sweatsuit.

February 11, 2015: Kanye Reveals There Are More Yeezys Coming

On Ryan Seacrest’s show, West said that while only 9,000 pairs of the Yeezy 750 Boost will hit store shelves this Saturday, there is a lot more to come. “There's only 9,000, and also because they're $350, if they're out of anyone's price range.... I just want everyone to be safe and patient. I know you can run up on this 14-year-old kid and take his Yeezys, but just be patient because we'll make more Yeezys.... When I was growing up, kids wanted Jordans; kids got killed for Jordans. Now that I'm in a position, I'm going to make sure everyone gets Yeezys.” So far, a year later, that hasn't exactly come true.

February 12, 2015: Showtim

Yeezy season is finally here. And if we have any apprehensions, it’s that even with all the good will in the world, mass-market products are uncharted territory for West. In all of his prior collaborations, exclusivity was itself a crucial part of the appeal. This was especially true with the Air Yeezy 2s—a sneaker so rare, just seeing a pair in the street was special.

As a musician, what makes Kanye West one of the greats is his ability to innovate—to push the sonic boundaries of hip-hop. The raw aggression of Yeezus is what is made it a critical success, but it also sold less than any Kanye West solo album ever has. And generally speaking, it’s easier to get people to change the song on their phone than it is to get them to change their shoes. Weird music is usually a personal, private experience. Weird clothes are a public display of taste and personality. And if West really wants to become the next Ralph Lauren, that’s going to take some time.

But with all eyes on him and (in all likelihood) an instant sell-out on his hands, West’s on the right track to becoming the force in fashion he believes he can be.

June 2015: The First Low-Top Yeezy Boost, the $200 350 "Turtle Dove" Arrives

It drops on Adidas's Confirmed app, online, at various retailers, though few are actually able to secure a pair.

First released in Turtledove in June 2015, the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 was very different again – far more traditional and understated. A low-rise lightweight every day sneaker, the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 was similar to Nike Roshe Run, it’s soft look created using a one-piece primeknit construction. The shoe featured one visible line of stitching on the front, canvas detailing on the heel, black YZY detailing on the inner side and adidas boost technology in the rubber sole. Retailing for $200, the sneaker was available in a range of stores  The Pirate Black colourway followed Turtle Dove in August 2015, with Moonrock released three months later，and the oxford tan release after then .

2016: Kanye unveils yeezy season 2

The Yeezy Boost 350 V2 was revealed at the Yeezy Season 3 show and was released on September 24, 2016. It is considered a remake of the previous Yeezy Boost 350 and features several outer changes, such as a different pattern, removed heel tab, and a large stripe running around the outer side of the shoe with the words "SPLY-350". The sole also has been updated to be transparent and features full-length visibility of the boost material midsole through a grid-pattern opening on the outsole. In September they released the "Beluga" featuring an all Grey outsole and primeknit, with a large colored orange stripe with the words "SPLY-350". On November 23, 2016, three new colorways released, "Copper", "Green", and "Red", featuring an all black outsole and primeknit, with a large colored stripe with the words "SPLY-350".

A Core Black/Core White colorway, dubbed "Oreo", was released December 17, 2016, which also featured a black outsole and prime knit, as well as a white stripe across the shoe. The black and red "bred" colorway released February 11, 2017. A "zebra" colorway was released on February 25, 2017. In April 2017, there will be a release of the colorway of this model labeled as "Triple White".All shoe colorways have been released for a retail price of $120.

nike lebron 14 performance review bryanhinkle

One of the hardest things to grasp in the NBA is the fact that Lebron James is 32 years old.

From the kid rocking Zoom Generations in his first game, through the different teams, Finals failures, championships in Miami and CLE, to now being an elder statesman in the League, one thing has been consistent: he has worn a swoosh on-foot.

How does the Nike LeBron 14 compare to the past greats, like the 2, 8, and X? Well, you have to read…

Depending on the floor, great. Or not great. Good, maybe? Really, on a semi-clean, fairly finished floor, the traction was really good. A step below the Rose 7 and Curry 2, but still really good.

The little nubs on the pods wear down quickly, leaving a flat surface across the pods, which actually made the traction better. The large flex grooves also help with grip, allowing you to really dig into the floor and push off easier — more flex equals more of the sole touching the floor, meaning more rubber to grab. But really, Nike, it’s time to drop the translucent — we all know by now what Zoom looks like and most of us can feel it when it’s good, so get us back to solid rubber and consistent traction.

Nike has been on a serious come-up this season, giving us Max Zoom in the KD9, full-length Zoom in the Hyperdunk 2016 Elite (and the regular segmented version wasn’t bad either), and full-length unlocked Zoom in the Jordan XXXI. Now, the massive Zoom pods in the Nike LeBron 14 join the club, and they make the shoe extremely fun.

Even with the Zoom broken into the smaller units, it is still bouncy, responsive, and cushions every landing and step perfectly. It is bottom loaded, under the Phylon, so the extreme response like the KD9 and Jordan XX8 isn’t there. However, it feels more stable than both of those shoes and actually plays smoother in transition because of it.

The heel is Zoom across the whole section and is contained enough that off-center landings never feel like the shoe will roll. Having the pods split like they are also allows for extreme flexibility, something most LeBron shoes lack; it improves traction and court feel while cutting down on foot fatigue.

Mesh, mesh, and more mesh make up the upper of the Nike LeBron 14 flip the switch . This isn’t bad, but for the price it isn’t T-bone either. The upper is super-soft and feels great on-foot, with the foam between the mesh providing comfort and padding over all stitches and possible hot spots. The toe bumper/rand and the tongue logo feature a supple leather (wish there was more of that here than just the detailing). Flywire appears again in the forefoot to help with lacing and lockdown. Pro Combat padding makes an appearance on the ankle/heel strap. Overall, the materials get the job done in a nice package, but they just don’t feel like $175 materials. If you enjoyed the Soldier X, well, ditto.

Very questionable. The one piece bootie/upper system has been around long enough to make a better showing. The forefoot and midfoot are locked — no movement at all in my testing. The shoe was cinched tight, making the Flywire rub into the foot a little, but movement was nuh-uh.

Length-wise, true to size was the way to go — about a finger’s width between the big toe and the end of the shoe. The problem was the heel. If the top laces were pulled super tight, heel slip went away. Otherwise, the wide mouth opening and the lack of a strong lacing system led to heel slip every time. The strap was supposed to help, but being a layover (instead of a hook and loop) means there was no force to pull against when tightening it — it just “laid over” the instep. The strap did pull the foot into the heel cup, but the ankle collar was still loose and slipped. If you don’t mind pulling your shoes reallllly tight (I don’t), then fit should be good.

Not much above the midsole, really. The strap does try to pull the foot into that external heel piece, but again, it is working against itself. The biggest help for support is the flexible outsole and wide base. The base keeps you from rolling over on any landings and the outsole is flexible enough that some part of it is able to keep floor contact at (almost) all times.

The midfoot Zoom unit helps with arch support by not letting the bridge fall and injure your foot. The heel cup is low, making the LeBron 14 really feel and play like a low, but it is made of hard plastic and is stable enough to hold you in. The lacing system doesn’t really do anything at all, except heel keep your foot in, so support from that area won’t happen. Overall, this is probably the least supportive LeBron signature ever.

Fun, fun, fun. I never thought a LeBron shoe and fun could be said together. The overall court feel, transition, cushioning, and clean-floor traction make the LeBron 14 feel fast and smooth to play in. The flexibility and lack of Posite wings or support allows the player to feel free and quick, while the Zoom is just responsive enough to keep your legs from dying without bouncing like Tigger.

If you have stayed away from LeBrons in the past because of weight, stiffness, or looking like boots, don’t be scared, because the LeBron 14 is none of those. If you like court feel, speed, and cushioning, the 14 is for you. Whatever the delay from Nike to get these on shelves, do it again — performance should trump technology every time, and when you can include both, like in the LeBron 14, you have a shoe fit for a King.
More than Performance Reviews go to: http://www.sneakerhello.com

I thoroughly enjoyed playing in the Air Jordan 31, but my lasting impression of the shoe was that if Jordan Brand had only combined the upper of the 31 with the tooling of the 30, it would have been one of the best-performing models ever. So when Russell Westbrook started hitting the court in one-off hybrids with that exact setup, it was both reassuring and frustrating. It was nice to know that I wasn’t alone in that preference, but it sucked knowing that I couldn’t also have a pair. I wondered all season what it would be like to play in the shoe, and as soon the news hit that a pair would be dropping at retail to commemorate his historic run, there was no doubt in my mind—I had to have a pair. And even if it was more of a limited release and collectors item, I was going to play in it. To say I had high expectations for the “Why Not?” 31s would be an understatement. I can’t think of many shoes I’ve looked forward to playing in more. But can you simply take parts from two different shoes, slap them together, and have the best of both worlds?.

Air Jordan 31 "Why Not?" - Fit

[caption id="attachment_1158" align="alignnone" width="650"] The upper of the Air Jordan 31 “Why Not?” remains basically unchanged from the standard model. That means that when you lace it up you’ll experience the same satisfying cinching of materials, thanks to the “old school” decoupled tongue and upper construction. It makes the shoe easy to get on and off, in contrast to many of the sock-like sneakers we’ve seen as of late, and provides a much more dynamic fit. Where things differ slightly is simply a case of changed materials. The elephant print heel is thicker and more rigid than the synthetic leather on the “Banned” 31 that I previously played in. Where those had an already broken-in feel, the “Why Not” edition bordered on being too stiff for my first couple runs. That also means that it’s even more supportive, so there’s an upside as well. While the original didn’t lack support, I came to prefer the updated edition’s stability.[/caption]

Air Jordan 31 "Why Not?" - Ankle Support

[caption id="attachment_1157" align="alignnone" width="840"] In the footwear world, visual technology is often introduced through huge marketing campaigns and claimed as innovation while some of the most meaningful advancements fly under the radar. The collar of the Air Jordan 31 is a perfect example of this. Rather than completely enveloping the heel in padding, six individual pods target the malleolus and ankle contours to provide stability. The result is the same—the heel is locked in place, resulting in outstanding support. But the quiet innovation is that this is achieved using less material and bulk, creating a sleeker and faster feel. Think of it as a better solution to a problem that was already solved. Adding to this already-great lockdown is the aforementioned support from the thicker heel material. The return to the AJ29/30 midsole takes things one step further as well thanks to the built-in forefoot counter and higher-wrapping heel.[/caption]

Air Jordan 31 "Why Not?" - Cushioning

[caption id="attachment_1156" align="alignnone" width="840"] I applauded the Air Jordan 30 for using the same midsole as the 29—it pains me to see something so effective go away for the sake of selling the next model as something new, rather than actually being better. That said, when the 31 went away from the design, I didn’t necessarily fault it, because in some ways it could be perceived as an improvement. There was objectively “more” cushioning thanks to its giant forefoot and heel Zoom units. More didn’t equal better for me though. The 29/30 tooling, with its relatively small, articulated Zoom unit and foam heel, offered a superior ride and playing experience. It has a far better court feel, making the shoe play faster and more responsive. And the Flightplate/Zoom combo works so well that it doesn’t even seem like a meaningful compromise to cushioning because it still exists exactly where you need it the most. Until something dethrones it, this is the gold standard for cushioning in a basketball shoe.[/caption]

Air Jordan 31 "Why Not?" - Traction

[caption id="attachment_1154" align="alignnone" width="840"] Not only does the move back to the tooling of the previous model mean better cushioning, we also get better traction. The original Air Jordan 31 outsole required frequent maintenance. It wasn’t bad as long as the soles were kept clean, but a less-than-ideal amount of attention was needed. The 30 outsole (a 3D rendering of the Jordan quote: “Excellence is never second place”), however, could stop on a dime from day one and only needed the occasional swipe.[/caption]

• It’s rare enough for a player exclusive to hit retail, but virtually unheard of for a PE with performance alterations to see a release. It’s a shame that the 30/31 hybrid didn’t drop that way from the start because while some changes had more impact than others, it’s a superior version in almost every aspect, and was everything I'd hoped for. While I have my doubts that we’ll see the tooling yet again on the Air Jordan 32, the fact that Jordan Brand went back to a proven platform at the behest of their highest profile athlete gives me hope that the next version could be even better. In the meantime, I'll keep hoping that more pairs of the Russell Westbrook 31 drop in easier-to-acquire releases. More Link: http://www.sneakerhello.com/2017/05/air-jordan-31-not-performance-review/

Best Valve Nike Kobe 11 Elite Performance Review

Nike pulled a fast one on consumers by releasing the Nike Kobe 11 Elite, announced there would be no other versions of the Kobe 11, then subsequently released a more affordable option dubbed the Nike Kobe 11 — sans the Elite.

Traction – Inconsistent. That is simply the best way that I can describe the Kobe 11’s traction. They gripped on courts I usually have issues with, and they didn’t grip on courts I normally don’t have issues with. Why? Man, I wish I knew.

What I can tell you is that the flat little nubs along the outsole are dust collectors, and still would be dust collectors if the rubber were solid versus translucent due to the pattern itself, not the rubber. I can also tell you that the weird spine that travels down the middle of the outsole saves the shoe when traction is less than desirable. That section grips when the other section doesn’t. So, the more force that is applied the better that section will bite the floor.

But why exactly does the traction work well on some courts versus other courts…I really wish I had an answer for you. The only thing that I can guess is that the rubber compound used is just more compatible with certain floors/ finishes than others. How will you know which floors the shoes will be compatible with? There is only one way to find out, and you’ll have to buy the shoes in order to do so. Hopefully your local retailer(s) have a good return policy in place — even if the shoe is worn — because this is an unfortunate circumstance. It’s not the worst traction I’ve ever had, it’s just very inconsistent.

Cushion – Much improved from the Kobe 10, the Nike Kobe 12 is very comfortable. This is probably the most comfortable drop-in midsole since the Kobe 7. Comfort as in cushion, let’s not talk about what the Kobe 7’s midsoles did to my feet. The Lunarlon protects against grounded impact while providing excellent court feel and mobility. Their large volume heel Zoom Air unit pretty much does the same thing, but utilizes Air instead of Foam. Now, I will nitpick a bit here. I’m not a fan of the setup that was provided with the shoe, and I haven’t been a fan of this bottom loaded heel Zoom setup since the 7.

Will other midsole setups be available with coming releases? Not sure. As of now, the only place where you can get an additional midsole cushion setup is on NIKEiD. Hopefully they allow the midsoles to be sold separately, or even with other upcoming colorways. But for now…you can only get them on NIKEiD.

My personal choice would be a more consistent cushion setup in terms in fluidity and transition. I always feel as if my heel sinks into the rear of the shoe. For me, that isn’t the best feeling; I’d rather have full Lunarlon or full Zoom Air. Again, both of these setups are available…but at a very high price. Some may really enjoy the combo setup, but for me personally, I don’t enjoy how it feels while playing. Casually, I think it’s great — on-court is another story.

Materials – FlyKnit is used, and it’s almost executed perfectly this time around. It’s not raw FlyKnit. It’s not infused with glue either. They threaded TPU strands — or what I like to call fishing line — throughout the knit. This provides the flexibility that one expects from FlyKnit, but provides a lot of structure and support. There are pros and cons to doing things this way, and the pros outweigh the cons at this point.

The pros: less stretch, more structure thus providing more support, and durability. The cons: you lose the one-to-one fit that FlyKnit usually provides. At least you do in the toe. Midfoot was perfectly fine.

What I would have liked to have seen Nike do with the upper is utilize the TPU strands a bit more strategically. Instead of placing the TPU everywhere, it should have been implemented with more thought — high-wear areas, zones where you’d prefer the material to have less stretch, etc. In doing so, I feel the FlyKnit could have felt more like FlyKnit in certain areas — the toe box for example — yet still offer lateral support upon cuts and changes in direction.

Fit – They fit true to size, but the toe has a bit of unwanted volume. Like I was saying previously in the materials section, the FlyKnit doesn’t fit like FlyKnit. Meaning, you still don’t quite achieve that one-to-one fit that you do in the runners that utilize the same material. I believe this is due to the TPU strands as they act almost like a flexible roll cage.

The strands create the frame of the upper, and if your foot doesn’t quite fill out that frame completely then you might not feel they have that perfect, Kobe 5 level, type of fit. You’d never really notice this issue in the midfoot, but it’s very noticeable in the toe.

Other than that one issue, I personally found the fit to be perfect. The midfoot fits perfectly, and the tongue feels amazing when laced up tightly. No pressure points or hot spots to speak of. And while the shoes are really low cut, they don’t feel like it on-foot. They feel more secure than some mids or highs that are currently on the market. Yeah, I’m looking at you Hyperdunk 2015.

Support – Due to the fit and structured Flyknit, they offer quite a bit of support along the upper. The internal heel counter works perfectly, and the shoes sit very low to the ground. So, you always have solid court feel, which aids in your natural ability to stabilize yourself. The outsole is flat and features two prominent outriggers to help keep you from tipping over if you were to lose your balance. If you didn’t know any better you’d never question if these were a low top shoe, or their support.

Overall – I like so much of the Kobe 11, except one very key component. Their traction. It’s just a little too inconsistent for me. Some days it was good, other days…not so much. Kind of like my game. Just a few minor tweaks here and there and they could have been amazing.

I know the Air Jordan XXX has taken a lot of heat for their re-use of tooling — and rightfully so — but if there was one thing on a performance basketball shoe that I’d like to see return is the traction. The Kobe 9 was probably the best traction I’ve ever had. Why not move that over to the next shoe? And the next shoe. And the next shoe. You know? It’s not like they’d be re-using the entire midsole, or upper, or anything that would keep the line from looking the same as the previous models. Just keep the traction. What could be so wrong in doing that? At least until you’ve wear-tested the hell out of another pattern to the point where you absolutely know it’s going to outperform and excel.

Other than that, the shoe was really fun to play in and did everything else nearly perfect. Maybe I trust the FlyKnit a bit more. I mean, if adidas can do it…you know what I’m saying?