Dark Knight
While this certainly not the first Foamposite shoe Ive reviewed,there are a number of factors that will make or break the shoe.Just like Batman movies,it's all been done before.Its the execution that makes the shoe or movie good or bad.With the Foamposite lite we have a Foamposite upper with zoom air in the heel and forefoot.What makes each shoe different is how each shoe wraps the Foamposite around the foot.Zippers,laces,elastic straps,magnetic buttons,you name it they've tried it.Foamposite based shoes rely heavily on how the shoe secures the foot so it provides a snug fit so the Foamposite material can move with the wearer's foot after the initial break in period.So with that said lets see if the shoe is more Christian Bale or Val Kilmer.
figure1note the tpu heel counter
The Foamposite lite is no lightweight regardless of wht the name implies.Not that the shoe is overly heavy,just dont expect it to weigh like the Hyperdunk.The shoe features an internal fitsleeve that is again fairly standard in most Foamposite based shoes.Having the internal fit sleeve is especially more important in a Foamposite based shoe because the upper does not breath at all.Any moisture that builds up on the wearer's foot is wicked away by the fit sleeve so the airflow that occurs when playing can manage the moisture.Another reason why the fit sleeve is important in a Foamposite shoe is similar to the idea of chain mail that is worn under plate armor back in the day of medieval knights.A form fitting fit sleeve allows for a better fit for the Foamposite material to support.Rather than have just the stiff Foamposite material against the wearer's foot with nothing in between would be fairly uncomfortable.Simple speed lacing tightens the shoe around the foot but can be at times uncomfortable when the laces are really sinched in and there isn't enough padding in the fit sleeve to keep the laces from putting excessive pressure on the foot.However another problem comes up when laces are not tied tight enough.For whatever reason when the shoe is not tied tight enough to the point where circulation in the foot is being cut off,the heel of the fit sleeve bunches up and ends up under the heel.While not painful or detrimental to the support of the shoe,it is very annoying.Batman and Robin annoying.Ankle support is good with plenty of padding throughout the collar of the shoe.The Foamposite upper works as one to provide good overall support of the foot.A large TPU heel counter extends to lateral side of the wearer's foot adding extra support on lateral cuts.
figure2note the large lateral outrigger
I spent half of my time in the shoe trying to figure out if the "lite" in Foamposite Lite was Lunarlite foam.While the difference in weight between a zoom air based shoe and a Lunarlite based shoe is still yet to be determined,I doubt even with the inclusion of Lunarlite foam,that this should would have appealed to those who prefer lighter shoes.That being said the zoom air in the heel and forefoot provides very good impact protection.Unfortunately,for whatever reason,the zoom air did not feel as responsive.I took this shoe through a 10 wear test run rather than my normal 5 and the cushioning did not change.Where you would expect the zoom air to be a bit more responsive,there was not that sensation of the zoom air unit pushing your foot back after a change of direction.
figure3note the wide forefoot base and surface area that provides excellent traction
Traction was very good.No problems at all on hardwood or concrete tile.Herringbone traction all the way through with plenty of surface area.One problem however is the midsole is extremely stiff.I found myself running a little stiff-legged in the shoe.Heel toe transition was nonexistent.A large lateral outrigger provides extra support during lateral cuts.
figure4note the heel pull loop for the internal fit sleeve
All of the parts to make the shoe really stand out were present but execution just wasn't right.Cushioning was good but not quite as responsive as other shoes with similar setups.Support was decent but problems with the internal fit sleeve hurt the overall feel of the shoe.Traction is excellent but the shoe is extremely stiff and heel toe transition really suffered.
Comfort and fit-2/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-2.75/5
Ultimately the poor fit and lacing problems doomed the shoe.From the fit sleeve not doing what it was designed to do to the lacing failing the shoe.One positive however is that the shoe would make for a decent "big man" shoe.The overall support that the Fomaposite material gives and while not as responsive as previous Foamposite shoes,the cushioning performed well enough to absorb heavy poundings.The wide forefoot base and lateral outrigger makes for a pretty good platform for those who roam the paint.While not terrible like Ahnold as Mr. Freeze,the shoe performs a little bit like Jim Carrey as the Riddler...they capture the essence but it's still a character in a bad movie.
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