Brooks Glycerin 18 Performance Review

The Brooks Glycerin 18 is Brooks’ most cushioned everyday trainer. This year, the upper got extra stretch and the midsole got more cushion. A stretchier upper and more cushioning typically mean a shoe is going to improve and that’s what happened here. The Glycerin 18 has been a runner favorite for years and it just got better.

Cushion

Drew: The Brooks Glycerin 18 uses a midsole made of DNA Loft. DNA Loft is a blend of EVA foam, rubber, and air. The rubber is meant to increase the cushion’s bounce and durability while the air decreases weight. It’s the softest cushioning that Brooks makes and the Glycerin is the shoe with the most of it. And this year’s Glycerin 18 gets the most DNA Loft it’s ever had because Brooks reconfigured the midsole to pack in more DNA Loft goodness.
This is the plushest cushioning setup Brooks provides and it’s a fantastic ride. I really enjoyed the DNA Loft cushioning. It’s not too mushy but still protective. The transition from heel to toe is smooth. Brooks added a “transition zone” by exposing a small square of DNA Loft on the lateral side of the outsole. I’m not quite sure the “transition zone” is the main reason for the smooth transition but the midsole as a whole just kind of glides through your stride. That gliding feeling usually requires an exaggerated rocker geometry or a space age foam/carbon plate combo so I’m impressed that Brooks achieved this feel.
And Brooks didn’t stop there…they topped off the cushioning with an Ortholite insole, the Cadillac of insoles. Brooks deserves a round of applause for their work on this cushioning setup.
Jodi: Now I can’t speak for all of Basketball Shoes cushion technologies, but DNA Loft is by far my favorite. Plush is the perfect word to describe it. When putting them on for the first time you definitely have that instant step in comfort. And then it actually stays with you mile after mile. The company’s slogan is “Run Happy” for a reason people.

Support

Drew: A wide base with the midsole flaring on both sides of the forefoot creates a stable platform. The internal heel counter is beefy and, as is standard these days, you sit inside the midsole at the heel. The really comfortable stretchy upper doesn’t stretch too much and you stay on the footbed when faced with uneven terrain. Is it enough to take them off road? Depends. The Glycerin 18 will work on dirt or gravel trails but I’d upgrade to a trail shoe for any trails with a lot of rocks or roots.
Jodi: I actually did take my pair off roading on some single lane dirt paths and the support was there. Based on the way the shoe is constructed, I’d say the Glycerin 18 is the closest in my current running rotation to being able to handle those more rugged conditions. Drew already went over the wide base, but I feel like a lot can be said for the heavily padded but sculpted heel and collar area. It really locked me into the footbed. I never had any heel slippage or rubbing.

Materials

Drew: The double-jacquard engineered mesh upper is stretchier than I expected and feels luxurious compared to most engineered mesh. It’s the closest I’ve seen an engineered mesh come to approximating a knit. The ¾ internal mesh bootie adds to the upper’s lux feel. And despite the double layer, the front of the shoe is nicely breathable. On the upper’s exterior, there are vinyl pentagrams patterned on both the medial and lateral sides (for looks), a vinyl Brooks logo, and vinyl reinforcement on all the lace loops.
The lace material itself is strange. It feels like a hollow, scratchy wool. But they’re nice and stretchy and don’t come undone. I wouldn’t mind seeing these laces pop up on other Brooks models like the Hyperion Tempo.
Jodi: The laces are strange! I’d hate for them to come into contact with any sort of velcro because they’d be toast. But they’re nice because for one they’re long enough. That can’t be said for all running shoe laces (Nike Pg 4 I’m looking at you). And two, you don’t have to double knot them. I never had them come untied. But hey, if you feel like you NEED to double knot them, there’s plenty of lace to do so.
My only complaint about the rest of the upper is that all that beautiful padding for the great lockdown is a super sponge for sweat. So make sure you let these guys air out. Don’t go forgetting them in a gym bag or the trunk of your car.

Fit

Drew: On the product page for the Glycerin 18, Brooks calls the fit plush. I can’t really argue with that. It’s nicer than most engineered meshes but doesn’t quite reach the socklike comfort of a knit upper. There’s plenty of room for wide footers but my narrow foot didn’t feel like it was sliding around. I was able to get the laces set where I wanted after 2-3 runs and from then on I’ve been able to slip the shoe on and off. The Glycerin 18 fits true to size for both narrow and wide footers.
Jodi: The fit is a dream come true for this wide footer! If you’re a wide footer like me then you know how hard finding the right shoe can be. The forefoot had enough width and just enough length for plenty of natural toe splay AND I never had any heel slippage. NEVER. Not even on my very first run. The fit actually has to be my favorite part of this shoe. I’d say it was like slipping on a pair of your favorite yoga pants. I felt like I could move around naturally but was fully supported.
Traction
Drew: The outsole features a lot of rubber (green rubber apparently ), and even though it’s soft to the touch, it’s holding up well. It’s not going to last as long as some harder rubbers but it won’t be a durability disaster like blown rubber. I expect the Glycerin 18’s traction to last 250+ miles. I also didn’t experience any slippage running in wet conditions on pavement and grass.
Jodi: To be honest, I was worried about the traction. My last experience with Brooks was in the Hyperion Tempo and things got dicey when water entered the equation. So getting some kind of testing done where the elements were involved was on my list. Luckily, it’s springtime in California and mother nature is a wild woman. So between sprinklers on really hot days and some rogue rain showers I was able to get that done. The Glycerin 18’s  traction was loads better than the Hyperion Tempo. It’s not the grippiest traction I’ve come across, but it did the job well.
Overall
Drew: The Brooks Glycerin 18 is one of the best everyday trainers on the market. I can’t say enough good things about this shoe. It’s a well-rounded package that will be a great running companion for all types of workouts.
Jodi: I don’t want to sound like a cliche but the Brooks Glycerin 18 might almost be the Goldilocks of my running sneakers. Everything is just about right. The way it checks off all the boxes leaves me to wonder what, if anything, I’d ask to be improved upon.

Nike SuperRep Performance Review

This review is a guest contribution from Pete Whitcomb. Pete is a corporate accountant by day and a workout warrior by night. He’s the younger (and stronger) brother of sneaker debut cofounder Drew Whitcomb.
Through the course of all my training I’ve worn many different types of shoes. None has ever seemed a great on foot option for High Intensity Interval Training. A lot of this has to do with the wide array of multi directional movements that are incorporated into these types of workouts. Interval training requires a shoe that is cushioned enough for runs up to a 10k but also supportive enough with strong traction for shorter sprints. Additionally, interval training can consist of box jumps, burpees, lunges, and squat jumps. All of those require cushion to preserve your leg joints.
Enter the Nike SuperRep. A shoe Nike kd 13 has designed specifically for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). I was skeptical and waited until additional colorways dropped before I purchased. Prior to obtaining the SuperReps I had been performing the majority of my training, including my HIIT workouts, in the Hylete Circuit cross-training shoe, including for my HIIT workouts. I thought the Hyletes were a solid shoe, performing similarly to a Nike Metcon. They wore out quickly when being used for HIIT training multiple times per week.
My first thought when I put the SuperRep on foot was how soft the cushion felt. Not only was the cushion soft, but I could feel the energy return, almost as if there was an extra bounce in my step. The neoprene collar of the shoe hugged my foot, I felt very secure, and encountered no foot slip with my initial jogging and movements. I was concerned by multiple reviews on Nike that stated the fit was too narrow. I have a wider, flat foot but had no issue with the SuperRep and feel they fit true to size.
I tested the Nike SuperRep over 24 different HIIT workout sessions. My goal was to incorporate as many different HIIT and Crossfit movements to determine how well the shoes performed and see if it could help my performance.

Cushion

The Cushlon foam in the heel is very bouncy and provides great rebound which I felt most during movements like squat jumps, box jumps, and lunges. It’s a great material and provides fantastic cushion on explosive movements in which your heel is the first point of contact. When performing HIIT workouts in the Hylete Circuit I had knee and shin pain but with the SuperRep I never experienced the slightest discomfort.
The forefoot of the Nike SuperRep contains 2 large Zoom Air units. I have always been a big fan of Zoom Air in my basketball shoes and this setup doesn’t disappoint. The forefoot cushion is protective but still enables the responsiveness I needed for movements like burpees, double unders, and sprints. I tested this shoe on asphalt, cement, wood floors, and grass. No matter the surface, it was soft and responsive. This cushioning setup is the best I have used in HIIT workouts and does a fantastic job of balancing responsiveness with comfort. During the shelter in place I have done a large amount of my workouts with a weight vest containing between 24-56 pounds. Even adding that to my current weight of 235 pounds I never had an issue with the cushion.

Traction

The traction performed great on all surfaces whether it was wood, cement, grass, or asphalt. I never once slipped and that includes working out on wet cement and wet grass. One element of the shoe that surprised me was the ability to stop quickly. This was evident when performing 100M down and back sprints. The forefoot actually appears to get wider than the heel of the shoe as the double Zoom Air unit setup is laid out side by side. Initially I was skeptical and thought it looked odd. But once I performed quick change of direction movements it was evident that the SuperRep was built this way because it works extremely well. Regardless of surface or exercise movement, I could always move and cut with confidence that I would not lose my footing.
I have tested these shoes for over a month and the traction is still holding up well. I do feel that if these are used exclusively outside you may only get 6-9 months (assuming 4-5 workouts a week) of use before the traction wears out. If you’re using them indoors in a gym, then it’s more likely another feature of the shoe will wear out before the traction does.

Support

The Nike SuperRep utilizes a TPU Flyplate that runs the length of the shoe and helps distribute your weight evenly to take advantage of the superior cushion setup. During all my workouts my foot felt locked in. When performing lateral slides, or one leg exercises, my foot would always feel sunken into the midsole of the shoe.
Even with my janky ankles I never had the feeling that I would roll over. In fact, the only time my ankle did roll over in the SuperRep was after a workout when I was taking seven step drops and throwing a route tree to my son. It only happened once, and I just walked it off. I blame myself for poor QB footwork (cut me some slack…I played LB and DL). Again, regardless of the movement, every part of my foot felt protected and that gave me confidence to perform any type of WOD.

Materials

Nike uses mainly neoprene and mesh in the upper. The materials allow you to slip the shoe on easily. Full disclosure, when I work out I sweat more than the average person and this applies to my feet too. I’d prefer the shoe be more breathable. In my longer, more endurance focused workouts, my foot got a little too warm and damp. With that being said, my feet never felt that way in any workout under 60 minutes. The neoprene and mesh have lasted very well over the first 6 weeks of use. There is no fraying or the upper isn’t showing any wear. I did have to break in the SuperRep’s collar as the first few times I wore them with low cut socks they irritated the skin on my heel and ankles. I wore higher cut socks for a couple weeks and since that time I’ve had no issues when wearing low cut or no-show socks.

Fit

I have a very wide foot, and as stated earlier, there were complaints online about this shoe having a narrow fit. I never experienced any discomfort due to the width of the shoe. I went true to size with and they feel like they were specifically built for my foot. Regardless of the sock type I wear, the shoe wraps my foot like a glove. My foot feels securely locked down and the shoe allows full multi-directional movement without restriction.

Overall

One aspect of a great shoe is that you almost forget you’re wearing it. There’s no discomfort and it feels like an extension of your foot. I rarely feel that way about a pair of shoes and I don’t think I have ever worn a training type shoe that has felt this good on foot. For how the Nike SuperRep performs, the retail price of $120 is a bargain. I was very skeptical at first as it’s an odd-looking shoe, but after testing the shoe vigorously for 6 weeks I can attest that it will not disappoint and you’ll be able to focus on setting personal records and getting into the best shape of your life.

Nike Pegasus 37 Performance Review

I’ve run my miles and the Nike Pegasus 37 performance review is ready. Will my final judgement match my first impression? Short answer: yes and no. I used the Pegasus 37 across varied conditions and workouts. I also spoke with several other runners who purchased and in the Pegasus 37. Read on for all the details.

Cushion

Let’s start here because it’s the biggest change between the Pegasus 36 and Pegasus 37. Nike dropped the 4mm full length zoom air bag and Cushlon ST midsole used in the 35/36 and replaced them with a top-loaded, articulated 10mm zoom bag and a full-length React midsole. The end result is one of the bounciest forefoots I’ve ever felt in a running shoe. This size zoom bag is typically used in basketball shoes (like the Jordan Why Not Zero.3) where the extra bounce is helpful with all the jumping and cutting. Nike tuned the male and female versions of the zoom bag differently (20 PSI for the men and 15 PSI for the women), but both genders experience the bounce.
If you’re a forefoot runner and want bounce on your daily runs, your search is over. If you’re a heel striker that likes React, you’ll also enjoy this setup. As for midfoot strikers (like myself), you may find the ride uneven. I loved the forefoot bounce, but landing in the middle between a huge bouncy zoom bag and the mushier React just never felt quite right. The full length React in the Nike React Infinity Run was a much smoother ride.
I enjoyed the Pegasus 37 a lot more when I got moving a little faster and was firmly on my toes. I didn’t like how Nike cored out the heel React (like they do often with Phylon and Cushlon heels). Most React shoes to-date have featured a flat non-cored heel and thus a bigger chunk of React. I feel a fuller, flatter heel would have made a difference in evening out the front and back cushioning. This is only a midfoot striker issue but something to think about if you fall into that group.

Fit

The Nike Pegasus 37 fits true to size but the engineered mesh upper is narrow. My narrow foot got a nice fit so it didn’t initially cross my mind. However, Chris and Jodi spent several minutes discussing the fit issues in their first impression video. Wide footers will have buy the wide version to get comfortable.
The shoe’s last (nike pg 4) appears to be the same as previous models, but the upper has been narrowed and tightened. Perhaps this was done to provide more support to narrow footers. The Pegasus comes in wide versions for both men and women so Nike might be catering the upper even more to the various foot types. Hard to know the real reason for the change. The shoe is tightest just behind the ball of the foot and before the bottom of the laces. The upper is overly tight in this area and some foot shapes will see problems there.
As quarantine ends across the world, this is a shoe you’ll want to try on. And as always, you can take advantage of Nike’s return policy with several runs before deciding if the Pegasus 37 is for you.

Traction

While the outsole is slightly tweaked from the Pegasus 36, the Pegasus 37’s traction was fantastic in all conditions. The rubber compound is the same, but the main traction pattern now uses squares and rectangles vs the pentagons used on the Pegasus 36. There’s also a flex groove that snakes across the entire forefoot (instead of only the lateral side). I ran in a bunch of different conditions including on trails and in a huge driving rainstorm (my weather app said it wasn’t going to rain for another hour!). I never slipped or skated with the Pegasus 37.
And on top of that, the rubber is thick, hard, and durable. This is an outsole that won’t let you down and will last 300-500 miles.

Support

The midfoot straps (sometimes called a dynamic fit cage) are connected to the lace loops at the top and the midsole at the bottom. They do most of the work in the support department. The cage like structure keeps your foot surrounded to help prevent rollovers and lock you down into the footbed. In addition, you sit slightly inside the midsole at the heel, there’s a standard heel counter, and a little bit extra achilles padding. The heel is a bit short. Several people I know had lockdown issues and experienced heel slip. They had to either tighten up the laces or use a runner’s loop to get the lockdown they wanted. It’s a fixable issue so as long as you dial in the right lace tightness you should stay firmly planted in the heel.

Materials

The Pegasus 37 continues with the Pegasus’ material of choice, engineered mesh. While the mesh is a slightly different pattern, it feels very similar to the uppers from the 35 and 36. Long time Pegasus fans get an upper they’re used to. Nike smartly didn’t mess with a good thing.

Overall

The Nike Pegasus 37 is, like the Pegasus line normally is, an incredibly versatile running shoe. If you’re someone that doesn’t buy different shoes for speed days, long runs, and racing, the Pegasus 37 is built for you. Just buy the wide version if you’ve got a wider foot and be prepared for a little unevenness in the cushioning if you’re a midfoot striker. Other that those two watch outs, the Pegasus 37 continues an ultra successful line with a shoe whose bouncy forefoot will make you smile during all those miles.

Yeezy Slide Review

The Yeezy Slide is Kanye West’s interpretation of an important part of any athlete’s shoe rotation, the sandal-like slide. Part-Croc, part Yeezy, the Yeezy Slide is highly sought after and the subject of a ton of reader questions. Are they comfortable? How do they fit? The list goes on.
Lucky for you, our WearTesters Discord community member, Josiah Brewster, recently picked up a pair and volunteered to contribute his honest assessment. Josiah is an Engineer by trade, but a sneakerhead at heart. He’s a longtime supporter of WearTesters due to their technical analysis of sneakers. He’s always eager to learn more and provide that information to others along the way
Hi WearTesters fam, this is a slide after all, so I’ll try and keep my review short and to the point. The Yeezy Slide is SUPER comfy! And the looks, well, they’re up for discussion.

Fit

I wear a 10.5-11 in most shoes and these (Size 10) fit good lengthwise, but the width is pretty narrow. I would say go true to size for most normal size feet. Wide footers (like myself) should probably size up (the Yeezy Slide comes in full sizes only), or “enjoy” the break-in period the croc-like foam requires. If you’re in between sizes (like a true to size 10.5), I would probably go with 10 unless you’ve got a fatter foot. In that case, you’d go with an 11.

Cushion

The midsole is pretty thick and brings you off the ground more than most sneakers. The exaggerated tread on the bottom adds to the comfort (slightly) by allowing more compression as you walk.

Materials

The unnamed foam used is obviously comparable to Crocs brand foam. I would say it’s slightly denser than Crocs foam. The mold of the slide is thicker all around compared to an average Croc. The foam has a very tiny amount of an adidas Bounce feeling to it.

Traction

Don’t be fooled, it’s all looks. You’d probably be able to walk over small puddles or wet surfaces slightly better than with other foam slides, because there’s less surface in contact with water, but let’s be real… it’s foam, not rubber.

Overall

If you can get the Yeezy Slide for retail price, I would say they’re worth a shot. I don’t think they’re special enough to pay resell prices, unless, you’re interested in the looks. If you love the looks, then go for it.
I give the Yeezy Slide a 7.5 or 8 out of 10. They lose some points because of the narrowish fit and the polarizing looks.

Brooks Ricochet 2 Performance Review

The Brooks Ricochet 2 is a neutral runner that’s built like a sock. It’s the little brother of the more cushioned, similarly sock-like Brooks Levitate 3. And while it is the slightly less cushioned younger sibling, it’s the shoes with the most sock-like upper of the entire Brooks line. Let’s check it out:

Fit

The one piece Fit Knit upper is the star of the Brooks Ricochet 2. The Fit Knit upper really delivers a sock-like fit that’s just as good as the competition’s Flyknit or Primeknit. In this case, the knit is backed by a thin mesh layer which Brooks calls an internal bootie. To me it doesn’t quite count as a true bootie. It does improve comfort (as good internal booties do) but mostly helps maintain the structure of the shoe. The Fit Knit upper might be a disappointment to someone looking for a traditional Brooks upper but for those that have grown to love sock-like fits from other brands, it’ll be perfect.
One thing to note is that the Fit Knit upper may not be ideal for wide footers. The shoe fits true to size but the fit is narrower than most Brooks models. The Ricochet 2 is a Brooks shoe that fits more like a Nike.

Materials

The Ricochet 2’s materials center around the comfortable one piece knit upper. The tongue area is the best part of the whole upper as it’s a really stretchy and cozy mesh. The lace loops surrounding the tongue are simple nylon sewn into the upper so they’re both minimalistic and effective. There’s also plastic backing at toe for durability, a heel tab for ease of entry, and a vinyl logo on both sides of the shoe. All of that is pretty standard for a knit shoe. Material-wise the upper is well built and feels as secure and supportive as knit can.

Support

While support isn’t a focus of the air jordan 34 , it checks the boxes it should as a neutral trainer. You sit inside the midsole at the heel and the midsole flares out at both the heel and forefoot. The bottom of the heel flares slightly for a light outrigger feel while the entire forefoot goes wide to provide a solid base. I do wish my foot sat inside the midsole slightly at the forefoot because then the shoe as a whole wouldn’t need to be so narrow. I think the narrowness of the last is in direct correlation with the need to somehow keep the wearer on the footbed at all times.
Lastly, the Ricochet 2 features a big internal heel counter. Unfortunately, there’s not much padding over the heel counter on the inside of the shoe so it can rub your achilles or heel bone and cause blisters (depending on the shape of your foot). A quick in store try-on would help you figure out if that will bother you.

Traction

The Brooks Ricochet 2 has good traction in all weather conditions. There’s ample amounts of rubber arranged in a forward facing arrow pattern that gives full foot coverage. The arrow pattern also makes room for four forefoot flex grooves that give the entire forefoot a great feel on foot.
Road runners will be excited because there’s ample amounts of hard rubber that will last a long time. I hardly see any wear on my pair after a full test cycle. In today’s age of soft rubber and foam on outsoles, outsoles this durable are rare.

Cushion

The cushion is nothing spectacular but solid. It’s better for shorter runs or as a beefier speed work shoe. Simply put, the DNA Amp/BioMoGo DNA midsole combination is just not as good as DNA Loft (used on models like the Brooks Glycerin 18) or DNA Flash (used on the Brooks Hyperion Tempo). But it’s also not meant to be as plush as those other cushions. According to Brooks, the Ricochet 2 is intended to provide a springy and light ride.
DNA Amp is a polyurethane midsole encased in a TPU skin while BioMoGoDNA seems to be an EVA derivative. They cushion the blows of the road but you don’t sink into the cushion the way you do with other more expensive cushioning setups. And while the shoes do come with a thick, plush insole, it can’t completely hide the lack of sinking into the midsole foam. Of course, if your body prefers a firmer ride that still offers shock absorption, you’re in the right place.

Overall

The Brooks Ricochet 2 retails at $120 and is right priced. To me, it competes very nicely with the similarly priced KD 13. It doesn’t offer top-tier cushioning but if does provide a comfortable upper, shock absorption, and a great outsole. If you’re the type that likes to run in sock-like running shoes and prefers a firm ride, put the Brooks Ricochet 2 on your short list of options.

Nike KD 13 Detailed Look and Review

Today we take a first look at the upcoming Nike KD 13.
The Nike KD 12 is still one of my favorite sneakers to play in and the upcoming KD 13 might take its place whenever we’re no longer on quarantine.
Everything [almost] that I loved on the KD 12 made its way back onto the KD 13 — plus a couple of changes I enjoy.
Some of the things that have remained the same are the $150 price point, the full length Zoom Air strobel and the rear midsole containment. I enjoyed all of these aspects in the KD 12 so I’m happy to see them back again.
Now, some of the things that have changed — for the better — are the additional double stacked Zoom Air units. Instead of having a rear Hex Zoom unit we now have a larger forefoot Zoom Air unit sitting under the full length Zoom Air strobel. This means more cushion in the forefoot which is great for those that prefer it. The shoe is much lighter than the KD 12 — some may like this some may not care one way or the other. Traction has also changed — whether or not this is for the better remains to be determined, but we hope it’s better than the KD 12 — which was pretty solid in most situations.
Something that has changed that I’m not too fond of are the materials. There are no premium materials used on the KD 13, which is fine, but I don’t love how cheap the new rip-stop esque material feels or flexes compared to the gimmicky Quad-Axial Flywire from the KD 12.
While we’re unable to test the shoes indoors for the time being, we hope you at least enjoy our Nike KD 13 detailed look and review. Stay tuned for the eventual performance review and we’ll catch you on the next one.
Release Date: April 17, 2020
Retail Price: $150
Available at: Phenom Global

K8IROS Mark II Performance Review

Spencer Dinwiddie created his own brand and footwear line, and they are better than you might expect. Click through for our K8IROS Mark II performance review.
Traction
I never had the chance to grab the K8IROS 8.1, but we have some hoop jordan members that had and they collectively agree that the traction was lacking. I’m not sure if those that bought the original model were able to provide feedback or not, but the traction redesign was a main point of focus for the Mark II.
The midfoot and heel design look similar to the original, but the forefoot was completely overhauled. Radial traction was used for the majority of the forefoot and it’s worked great on every court I’ve taken them on. From the local 24 Hour Fitness, to LifeTime to random invites that have me playing in churches. Traction was not only not an issue, but good enough to where I have the shoe in my gym bag still [after testing] just in case I need something with traction that is more reliable than whatever I might be testing next.
I was fortunate enough to be able to play in both the solid rubber and translucent rubber versions of the shoe and while I choose to play in the Kronos colorway [over the Graffiti] the outsoles both played damn near identical. The rubber is tacky, but doesn’t attract dust like a Swiffer. It also hasn’t frayed at all which is weird since almost all shoe brand’s rubber start to fray after a few wears. However, I still wouldn’t expect them to last super long outdoors, but my time outdoors was pleasant due to the cushion.

Cushion

KronoFoam is used for the midsole. It’s a Pebax foam that’s been implemented full length and it offers a bouncy ride from heel to toe. There is a minor heel to toe drop which makes the heel a bit more squishy than the forefoot which is why there is a TPU panel at the rear to help stabilize the area.
Most will ask for some sort of comparison to a cushion that they may be more familiar with and all I can really compare it to is adidas’ Bounce — only this is a bit more bouncy.
The foam itself is on the softer side so using it within a carrier foam or using a TPU retaining wall — like the Way of Wade 8 — would allow the foam to be as springy as it is while ensuring maximum stability.

Materials

Textiles are used along the entire upper and it is very similar to what the Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 used. The Jacquard style knit is strong and tight while remaining flexible enough to allow you to lace them up straight out of the box without needed to break them in much.
There are some areas of thin TPU fuse-like material in high-wear areas such as the toe. It’s also used along the eyestay to try and prevent the textile from tearing after you’ve laced them up to your liking.
So far, everything has been durable, comfortable and form fitting. Although, that last bit might be due to the sizing.

Fit

They fit a bit short and only come in full sizes. This means that there are no 1/2 sizes available like 8.5, 9.5 and so on. I went true to size and my toes are right at the rubber — luckily the materials are soft enough to not cause black nails. So, my recommendation would be to go true to size if you wear a whole size — if you wear a size 9 then order a size 9. They will be snug but they’ll also be secure. If you wear a size 9 and go up to the next available size [10] then they’ll likely be too long for you and you’ll lose all security and support. If you happen to wear a 1/2 size [like a size 9.5] then going to a size 10 would be your best bet.
On-court, the lockdown was great. The lacing is asymmetrical and forces the upper to wrap around the foot tightly and securely. Again, this may be due to how snug the shoe is, so this may be different for those that wear 1/2 sizes.

Support

All of the features you’ve come to expect from basketball shoes are here. Heel counter — check. Midfoot shank — check. Outrigger — check. Yup, it’s all here. Everything works really well together as well.
However, one change I’d like to have seen was a slightly wider forefoot. The midsole is soft, as is the upper, so something a bit wider, that cups the foot a bit, would be great for added stability. The way the shoe fits allows everything to work perfectly, but if you had a bit more wiggle room inside the shoe it may cause a bit of instability on certain movements. This wouldn’t be needed if the foam was inside of a carrier foam or had a TPU retaining wall, but as it is right now, that is what I would have changed.

Overall

Overall, the air force 1 was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting much, but was hoping for the best. Turns out the shoe is solid in every area and pretty beastly. Cushion is solid. Traction is really solid. Fit might be a bit weird for some with the whole size only offerings. And support is solid as well.
It’ll be interesting to see where the line goes from here. Hopefully this model does well enough to warrant a third model in the near future.
If you were interested in checking out the K8IROS Mark II they’re available here.