UNDS'ed

Nike Hyperdunk 2011

2011-11-17T09:26:00.001-08:00

Cleared for takeoff

When we first got our hands on the Nike hyperdunk in 2008,it was a giant step as it introduced us to lunar foam and flywire.Both technologies have naturally evolved however after the Nike hyperize,lunar foam was abandoned and zoom air was used in the forefoot.The hyperdunk 2010 featured a zoom air met unit that covered the ball of the foot under the big toe.While an improvement for responsiveness on pivots,it left a bit to be desired for overall forefoot cushioning.The hyperdunk 2011 uses a full forefoot zoom air unit as well as different sized air units for different levels of cushioning.The other change has been the uses of flywire.Originally woven into synthetic panels then changed to skinwire that was molded into the upper.Both had some breathability issues and skinwire was a little unforgiving for those with wider feet.The hyperdunk 2011 now uses a combination of skinwire as well as panels of flywire woven into a more breathable synthetic upper.With these improvements let's see if the Nike hyperdunk 2011 takes off or gets grounded.

A staple of the hyperdunk series is the light weight and that characteristic continues with the hyperdunk 2011.The materials used in the 2011 feel lighter compared to the full synthetic upper used in the 2010.The breathability of the 2011 is excellent taking lessons learned from the hyperfuse without sacrificing the overall structure of the shoe.One issue I had with the 2011 was that the upper is relatively flimsy.The flywire does a pretty good job of keeping my foot from exceeding the limits of the upper but it makes for a bit of a looser fit rather than locking my foot in place and experiencing some movement in the shoe.Inside the shoe are two padded lobes that fill the gaps from the natural space created by the ankle bone.With hardly any interior padding,these padded lobes help keep the heel in place when the shoe is tightened.

Cushioning in the 2011 is full forefoot and heel zoom air units.The heel unit is a 12mm bag that provides maximum cushioning.The forefoot features a 4mm bag that provides a low profile forefoot feel.The simple addition of the full forefoot zoom air would have been enough to make the cushioning great,but the addition of the larger zoom unit in the heel pushes the 2011 over the top for cushioning.

The hyperdunk 2011 features full herringbone traction for excellent grip.the rubber used in the outsole is a soft compound enhancing the shoe's traction.no problems with traction on any surfaces the shoe was reviewed on.A carbon fiber midfoot shank provides excellent midfoot support as well as a wedge of denser foam to keep the shoe from caving in at the midfoot on hard cuts.A forefoot outrigger also adds lateral stability.Ankle support is marginal with the upper being a thin synthetic material with fly wire
woven in.The heel counter and support is better than the 2010 but the way the molded heel is shaped left some room for the heel to move a little. I would have preferred my heel to be completely locked down.

Overall the hyperdunk 2011 steps up from the previous year and then goes even further.The combination of traction,cushioning and light weight with just enough support make for a great shoe.The different zoom air units make for a great responsive ride and the improved breathability were major pluses.The fit wasn't as snug as I would have liked even with a widish foot I still had some movement in the shoe.

Comfort and Fit-3.25/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-2.75/5
Traction-4.25/5
Overall-4.5/5

If you're looking for light weight,responsive,well cushioned,great traction and breathable shoe,the Hyperdunk 2011 is tough to beat.Ankle support is a bit marginal and the fit isn't as snug in certain spots but the pluses certainly outweigh the negatives and in an overwhelming fashion.Definitely a part of the rotation on non review days.

Adizero rose 2 impressions

2011-10-17T09:12:00.001-07:00

As I said before,what is the point of a high performance sports car if you're going to cheap out on the wheels.Traction on a shoe that's marketed to make you go fast and cut is a priority.How can you cut hard when you plant your foot on a cut and once force is applied the foot slides because it's not anchored.It's frustrating because I want to love the shoe for how it performs.But how can I love it if I can't wear it to every run???How can you be the best if I gotta change shoes on Sunday??The traction issue also amplifies other things that are overlooked when the shoe does what it's supposed to.The stiffness of the midsole and lack of soft cushioning make for a very firm ride.Those looking for or need a softer shoe,cut the other way.....I'm sure after I play in these Monday night on another clean court I'll be raving about them once again...

Adidas Adizero Rose 2 impression

2011-10-13T21:11:00.001-07:00

This has been a great fall in terms of basketball shoes...each brand is bringing it..Adidas definitely went "all in" with the adizero rose 2.my last post I couldn't even bring myself to show the shoe any love because of how disappointed with the lack of traction on a less than perfect surface..tonight I got a chance to bring them out on a clean surface...honestly all I can say is WOW...while there are some issues...I've never been in a shoe that encourages you to go fast and be drose...The sprint frame on the rose 2 perfectly cups the heel along with some additional support from rigid foam during hard cuts the heel is kept level and with the rigid midsole allows the wearer to push off on a solid platform with very little give. Allowing the wearer to come off cuts with explosiveness.Traction on the clean surface was great.Stop and go's were great with not only the midsole and upper doing their jobs but also the outsole not giving.Now those looking for alot of cushioning might not be happy in these.The overall feel is firm with little give...after such a great showing today my next scheduled run in the is Sunday on a less than stellar court...If the shoe performs even 70% of what it showed tonight I might be "all in" as well

About time...

2011-10-13T21:08:00.001-07:00

Thank u blogger..I am still laptopless..hopefully you guys have been following me on http://www.undsed.tumblr.com

I plan on posting on both sites until I can work something out..thank you for the continued support

Goose

Reviews

2011-07-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

Wassup everyone...sorry for the lack of updates...unfortunately I am still laptopless for the time being.But not to worry I am still writing reviews and am posting them on my tumblr site undsed.tumblr.com thanks for the support and hope you guys enjoy the reviews.

Nike Zoom Huarache Trainer

2011-03-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

Crossing Over

Nike has been revamping it's cross training line by taking the great cross trainers of the past and updating them with today's advancements.The results from the basketball side of updating classics have been mixed at best.The cross training side has been better with the Air Trainer 1 and Air Trainer 1.5.Now the Nike Air Huarache Trainer gets an update.Zoom air and a revamped outsole while keeping the full length Lycra bootie makes for an excellent light weight training shoe.The question is so would it work on the basketball court?With the Huarache trainer popping up in the college ranks over the years and more recently on the feet of Amare Stoudamire,let's see if the Zoom Huarache trainer really has cross over appeal or should stay off the court.

figure1
note the lycra bootie

The Zoom Huarache trainer is very light due to the minimal Huarache design which cuts out excess materials without sacrificing fit and functionality.A full length Lycra bootie adds compression and a seamless fit.With all the material cut out to reduce weight,a mid foot strap locks down the foot while adding stability.No problems with breathability as the airflow through the shoe is excellent.

figure2
note the forefoot strap and slight forefoot outrigger

A zoom air unit in the heel provides excellent heel protection however with the flexible midsole forefoot cushioning is severely lacking.The feeling through the forefoot is very low profile but again after all the force absorbed by the torque generated by cutting and running makes for sore feet after extended play.

figure3
note the turf inspired outsole

Traction on the Trainer Huarache was interesting.A super flexible free inspired outsole is ideal for responsiveness when making cuts.However with a lack of mid foot rigidity,the possibility for injury skyrockets.The traction pattern is a turf inspired outsole but the raised turf pattern also works like a modified herringbone pattern and really eats up dirt on the court for better than expected traction.Ankle support was marginal which is common with Huarache based shoes.The Lycra sock and a solid heel counter holds the heel in place.The midfoot strap adds some support but not enough to cover the excessive flexibility of the outsole.

figure4

I went into the review not really knowing what to expect.I tempered my expectations on seeing NBA players and college players wearing cross trainers in games.The thing about most huarache based shoes is the similar feel from one type of shoe to the next.

Comfort and Fit-2.5/5
Cushioning-2.5/5
Ankle Support-2.5/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-2.75/5

As I went through the review process I constantly had to remind myself that I was playing in a shoe not designed for basketball.All ratings given are based on the shoe performing as a basketball shoe.The biggest problem with using the zoom huarache trainer is the lack of any midfoot rigidity.Especially when playing basketball,the massive amounts of torque one puts on the foot especially during quick lateral movement.Iinitially it was tough to determine what was causing some of the foot pain I endured during the review process.The soreness I experienced changed as I progressed from a result of my feet bending and twisting in ways they were not normally accustomed to the cushioning naturally breaking down and the stress from all the twisting became compounded with the lack of cushioning.Again this review was solely based on it's performance as a basketball shoe.

Nike Zoom KD 3

2011-02-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Be Unstoppable

Signature basketball shoes are funny things. There are times when a company slaps the player's name on the shoe and calls it a day and there are times when a company,designers and player are all on the same page and seemingly give you a piece of that person.in both the KD I and the KD II we really get a piece of Kevin Durant and what got him to where he is today.in the zoom KD 3 the new focus is on what is going to get him to the championship..his teammates.Kevin Durant and designer Leo Chang incorporated feedback from other Oklahoma city thunder players and made the shoe suitable for multiple positions.Forefoot zoom air and a tpu midfoot shank make for a good start.Let's see if the shoe performs more like the dream team or more bad news bears.

figure1
note the flywire panel on the forefoot

Having been designed for multiple positions,the KD 3 makes a couple concessions in terms of weight coming in just a little bit heavier than the hyperfuse.The flywire insert was a cool addition and is functional but there was so little of it I highly doubt it was a factor in reducing weight.The interior of the shoe carries over from the KD 2 where just under your ankle bone sits two padded lobes that helps lock the heel in place.A new addition was an adjustable strap on the medial side for additional midfoot/arch support.Those with flat feet may want to be wary but the pain subsided after a couple of wears and the materials broke in.Despite the nylon panels on the medial and lateral sides,as well as the mesh tongue,I had some issues with heat and moisture management.

figure2
note the rubber midsole wrap

Much like the previous shoes,the KD 3 features a full length cushlon midsole and forefoot zoom air unit.The zoom air unit is actually visible in the forefoot.While I didn't have problems with the lack of cushioning in the heel those needing the extra protection might want to go elsewhere.the forefoot cushioning is excellent and responsive.If compared to the hyperfuse,a shoe with a similar set up,I give the edge to the KD 3.

figure3
herringbone traction goodness..also note the window for the zoom air

Traction is really where the KD 3 shines.Full on herringbone traction with a nice wide forefoot base.No problems on any of the surfaces played on.The midsole is wrapped in rubber and features a tpu midsole shank for additional midfoot support.a forefoot outrigger adds lateral stability.Like the KD 2,the KD 3 is a 5/8 cut,just a little bit higher than a true low top but with the excellent heel fit coupled with great midfoot support doesn't sacrifice the shoe's ability to really support the foot.

figure4
note the medial strap

I really liked the KD 3's forefoot cushioning and the change in traction to a more traditional pattern.while in previous versions the shoe had been more about Kevin Durant and who and how he got to where he is today,I loved the concept of the team being the inspiration for the next step.

Comfort and fit-3.25
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle support-3/5
Traction-4.25/5
Overall-4.5/5

Perhaps my biggest issue with the KD 3 was the arch pain I experienced after my initial run in the shoe,which was a non factor after my first run.the comfort and fit score was based on my experience with my flat feet.I still had to address the issue and reflect it on the score.Lack of breathability hurt but upgraded traction and forefoot cushioning without raising the price point make the KD 3 tough to beat.

Jordan XI

2011-02-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

Jumpman Jam

The Jordan 11 is quite possibly the most popular Jordans of all time.With it's cordura mesh and iconic patent leather upper,the Jordan XI was what opposing NBA teams saw during the bulls spectacular 72 win season.The Jordan XI also introduced us to a carbon fiber midfoot shank which is now a staple in basketball shoes.With a resume like that the XI should be a world beater. Let's see if it makes you believe you can fly or will send you crashing back to earth...

figure1
note the cordura mesh and patent leather upper

Relatively speaking,aside from the Jordan VII,the Jordan line up to this point has been a little bit on the heavy side.with the Jordan XI, a cordura mesh upper provides breathability and reduced weight.Unfortunately the Jordan XI suffers from the problem of minimalizing the upper tends to sacrifice support.With only minimal padding in the ankle area and speed lacing,the amount of lock down is negligible at best.The patent leather as a material does a pretty good job of keeping the foot from coming off of the footbed because of it's stiffness but still doesn't make up for the lack of lockdown especially around the ankle area.

figure2

note the raised phylon midsole for added heel support

The Jordan XI sits on a full length encapsulated air unit.Having played in the 2001 retro as well as the countdown pack black and red XI,this review will focus on the 2009 spacejam XI retro.Cushioning wildly fluctuated from soft full length air in the 2001 retro to what felt like cardboard in the countdown pack XI.Thankfully the 2009 XI sat right in the middle of the two.While not as soft as the 2001 retro,it provided enough cushioning to absorb some heavy pounding on concrete courts without experiencing any great discomfort.

figure3
note the excellent herringbone traction coupled with the soft translucent rubber

Where the XI truly shines is in the traction department.Herringbone traction on the heel and forefoot coupled with super soft translucent rubber.The Jordan XI also was the first time a carbon fiber midfoot shank was used to add some lightweight midfoot support.Now standard in most signature shoes,at the time the addition was a huge step forward.

figure4

When initially released in 1996,the Jordan XI was truly an innovator pushing for a reduction in weight as well as the introduction of new materials previously not used before.Nearly 15 years later and we are dizzy with shoes that have patent leather or have carbon fiber incorporated in them.The lack of any real lockdown really overshadows all of the advancements the Jordan XI was able to accomplish.

Comfort and fit-3/5
Cushioning-2.75/5
Ankle support-2.5/5
Traction-4.25/5
Overall-3/5

While it was definitely cool to bring this classic back on to the court,it definitely showed it's age..well not really it's age but maybe more the quality of Jordan retros.Regardless of how the shoe holds up today compared to what is currently available I'm sure the minute we get a chance to play in the Jordan XI's you'll see no shortage of people playing in them.

Nike Hyperfuse

2010-11-20T12:43:00.000-08:00

All Together Now

Another addition to the Nike hyper line we now look at the Nike zoom Hyperfuse. Where most shoes within the hyper line ie Hyperdunk,Hypermax and Hyperize emphasize being the lightest shoes in it's class the Hyperfuse takes a slightly different approach.Rather than flywire, the Hyperfuse uses a different method of construction.Similar to the foamposite idea of a one piece upper, that is then fused (get it) with additional layers to allow a pliable material like mesh to be the primary material used as the upper without losing the support.The result is a breathable and flexible upper that does not warp or lose support over time.Let's see if the Hyperfuse holds up or splits at the seams

figure1
note the heel and forefoot outriggers as well as the different levels of the upper

Normally when you see "hyper" in front of the name of a shoe you kind of expect it to be really light..The Hyperfuse bucks that trend and while not heavy,just not what I expected after seeing most of the shoe is covered with mesh.The shoe fits nice and snug.Those with wider feet may want to be wary and try the shoe on and go up half a size if needed.Since the shoe is "fused" together there is minimal stitching and hardly any seams to be felt inside the shoe.The collar is nice and padded and fairly stiff for added support.The tongue is interesting where not completely padded but very thin,it features padding on certain pressure points where the shoe flexes and laces really dig into the foot.When I first picked up the shoe and inspected the tongue I was wary about the lack of padding on the tongue,but the designers did a great job incorporating that and their attention to detail.With the mesh upper the shoe breathes extremely well.I had some concerns about the durability of the upper during play with people stepping on the shoes as I move through traffic.While I didn't experience any rips on the mesh,I did feel it a little more when steps on my foot through the mesh.

figure2
note the mesh covered windows for maximum breathability

The Hyperfuse features a full length cushlon midsole with a zoom air forefoot unit.While I had no problems with the setup heavier and players wanting more cushioning in the heel may not be satisfied with the cushioning.The forefoot zoom air was responsive on cuts but again those looking for additional cushioning in the heel may want to look elsewhere

figure3
note the full herringbone pattern on the forefoot

Traction is primarily a herringbone based pattern in the forefoot.The grooves are nice and deep to really eat up the dust on the ground.On most surfaces played on I had no problems.On one of my runs the court was unswept and it was like ice skating.I ended up switching to the zoom Phenom to finish the run.The next week I brought the Hyperfuse again and didn't have quite as much slippage on the swept floor.A welcome addition however is the heel outrigger.In addition to the forefoot outrigger to provide great lateral stability,the heel outrigger helps when planting on the heel to keep the foot stable especially when pushing outward.I loved the strategic stiffness of the shoe with the different materials used.The heel support is great and really keeps the foot locked into place resulting in very good ankle support.

figure4

After over 3 weeks worth of playing exclusively in the Hyperfuse I enjoyed my time in them.I really liked the overall fit of the shoe especially after I broke in the shoe.The cushioning was good enough but when is good enough ever that.Traction was pretty good on most surfaces but that one instance when I had to swap out to the Nike Zoom Phenom on the unswept floor was tough.

Comfort and Fit-3.5/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-3.5/5

Overall definitely a solid shoe.Its no surprise the shoe was on the feet of so many players in the NBA as well as during the world basketball championships this past summer.Despite heavy use,after every session I always inspected the mesh to see if there were any durability issues and happy to say the Hyperfuse held up extremely well.Time will tell how long the mesh will hold up after continuous use.A great first step and definitely excited to see what comes next.

Nike Zoom Kobe V

2010-07-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

Relentless..

Most players work on their games during the off season.Most players peak at a certain point and that's about it.Kobe Bryant is certainly not one of those players,even at the age of 32, it seems like he comes back with something new every off season.Watching the progression of Kobe's signature line has also been another example of Kobe coming back with something new and improved every year.In the Zoom Kobe IV,we got a low top that did not sacrifice support despite it's height and light weight.In the Zoom Kobe V we now get even lighter and add zoom air to the forefoot replacing the Lunar foam.The addition of Zoom Air to the forefoot alone should be enough to push the shoe into greatness but the designers continued to evolve the use of Flywire and take yet another step closer to the ultimate goal-The perfect lightweight performance shoe..will the Kobe V continue to improve on the signature line's greatness or will the new additions just hide that the line has gone as far as it can.

figure1
note the skin like upper with molded overlays for support

I really don't want to come out and say that the Kobe V is the lightest Kobe signature shoe.Not that it isn't..it really is, but Ive been saying that since the Zoom Kobe III,and frankly I cant really express how light the shoe has gotten every year.The Zoom Kobe V continues to drop weight via losing much of the material overlays that were present in the Kobe IV.The Kobe V now sports an synthetic upper with thin,rigid molded overlays to add support to the shoe.The continued evolution of Flywire now extends from the ankle bone to the forefoot.The shoe cuts the weight and material to fit more sock like without sacrificing support.More material was taken from the tongue and replaced with a super thin layer of Sphere Dri Fit material for excellent breathability.In an effort to increase breathability,perforations on the medial side of the shoe and the toe box help the primarily synthetic upper breathe.Even the TPU heel counter was reduced to drop weight and the Kobe V compensates with the phylon midsole adding additional support and cradling the heel providing excellent support.The Dynamic fit tongue provides a snug fit over the top of the forefoot and wicking moisture off of the top of the foot.Those with wide feet may want to try on the shoe prior to purchase.Normally I can go up half a size on a shoe if it runs a bit narrow.The Kobe V gives no relief when going up in size for width.That being said I have wider feet and while extremely snug straight out of the box,I found the synthetic upper broke in after about 4-5 hours of wear.That being said,not really a shoe I would take right out of the box and play in right away.

figure2
note the reduced TPU heel counter and the sculpted phylon to cradle the wearer's foot

The Kobe V does away with the Lunar foam in the forefoot and adds forefoot Zoom air.Over time I have come to appreciate Lunar foam and I rotate my shoes enough to keep the foam from bottoming out from extended play.That being said,the addition of the responsive Zoom air in the forefoot adds another dimension to the shoe.Where the Lunar foam was excellent at absorbing impact,it's responsiveness left a little bit to be desired.Now on hard cuts the shoe gives a bit of bounce back pushing you into your next motion.Zoom air is also in the heel providing good impact protection.

figure3
note the ECG heart rate inspired outsole

The Kobe V changed the traction from the old reliable herringbone traction to an ECG heart rate inspired pattern.While I cant really say it is the pattern that effected the traction or the softness of the rubber used on the outsole that takes a step back from the Kobe IV.While by no means bad..it just isn't great..which is what we have come to expect out of Kobe's signature shoes.Traction also varied on the different types of outsoles played on.The clear outsoles seemed to not perform as good as the solid rubber compound outsoles.The pronounced outrigger once again returns to add lateral stability.The phylon midsole on the forefoot is elevated to add support and keep the foot from pushing off of the footbed on lateral cuts.A carbon fiber midsole shank adds lightweight stability and keeps the foot from twisting on harsh cuts.

figure4
note the pronounced outrigger

My appreciation for the Kobe V was not as instant as it was for the Kobe IV.Mostly due to the initial break in period that I experienced.A coworker of mine swore up and down by the Kobe V's and stated he wasn't a fan of the Kobe IV's..I was pretty much on the other side of the spectrum.I like the IV's fit out of the box and not so much of a fan of the V's fairly narrow fit.As I continued to break in the shoe I really started to enjoy playing in the Kobe V more and more.The addition of the Zoom air over the Lunar foam did not completely blow me out of the water.You can definitely tell the difference when coming from the IV to the V,but the addition did not completely push the shoe over into G.O.A.T. status like most people were hoping it would.The traction issue I think was more attributed to the different outsoles used.The clear rubber outsoles again did not perform as well as the standard rubber outsoles I think due to the stiffness of the rubber compound used to make the clear soles a little more durable.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-0/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-4/5

figure5

Another year,another solid Kobe Signature shoe.The designers once again put together a shoe that has great support despite being a low top.The Kobe V manages to get even lighter without sacrificing the overall support which is important for a low top basketball shoe.The shoe needing a break in period to properly fit without pain was a bit of a disappointment and not sure what extended use will do to the upper.But the sock like fit is great and is the most breathable Flywire based basketball shoe to date.Adding Zoom air was a welcome addition and something we have been asking for but now that it's here the reaction was more "ehh"....spoiled brats..Anyways,great shoe for active guards and forwards.Post players once again may want to steer clear.

Peak Kidd 2

2010-05-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

A Frame Ahead

Two years ago,Jason Kidd was traded from the New Jersey Nets to the Dallas Mavericks.Too old and declining skills they said.Fast forward to 2010 and Jason continues to be one of the top point guards in the NBA.Despite his age,he continues to play at a high level averaging 10.1 points,6.6 rebounds,9.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 42% from three point range and 80% from the free throw line.Top it off with his 10th all star appearance.Not only did Jason change teams but he also changed shoe brands last year from Nike to Peak.Last season's Peak Kidd 1 was a decent start.While it had it's flaws,it still performed well enough to say that any drop off in Jason's performance shouldn't be attributed to his change in shoe companies.This season we get the Peak Kidd 2 that boasts some major improvements resolving some of the major issues of the Peak Kidd 1.With the Peak Kidd 2, extra attention was made to increase the breathability of the shoe as well as improving the traction.Lets see if the shoe really proves age ain't nothing but a number or if it will make you a grumpy old man.

figure1
note the slight curve to the forefoot

The Peak Kidd 2 feels a bit lighter than the Kidd 1.The materials used in the construction of the shoe felt like better quality than the Kidd 1.The asymmetrical collar comes back for great support without sacrificing range of motion.The collar is well padded with a softer material compared to the Kidd 1 and the lining did not bleed onto my socks like it's predecessor.The placement of the padding also keeps the heel locked down,where the padding is thickest between the ankle bone to really fill in the space between the ankle bone and heel to keep the foot in place.The breathability issue was addressed with mesh vents throughout the medial side of the shoe.The improvement in breathability was noticeable and kept my foot comfortable.Peak should probably consider changing the way the shoes are laced out of the box.Using an over-under method does not allow the wearer to really tighten the shoe to provide a snug fit.Changing to a more standard under-over lacing will allow the wearer to tighten as needed.

figure2
note the dark blue TPU shank that wraps under the heel

Peak designers did a good job lowering the profile of the Kidd 2 versus the Kidd 1.The Kidd 2 actually uses the same insole that gave me problems on the Kidd 1 but due with the reduced midsole,I didn't experience the same issues of excessive softness.Peak continues to tweak and evolve PK Rocket.On the Kidd 2, along with the lowered profile,the designers added a TPU shank to the heel that adds stability and helps disperse the force of impact evenly.I enjoyed the added stability and impact protection was again excellent.My only complaint is the again with the softer midsole comes extra weight and less court feel.I would like to see designers continue to move forward and find a way to add a lower profile overall feel without sacrificing the excellent impact protection.

figure3
note the combination herringbone pattern on the heel and forefoot for excellent traction when changing direction and translucent rubber inserts for additional traction.

The Kidd 2 also improved in traction versus it's predecessor.The entire outsole now features either multi-directional herringbone pattern or concentric triangles for plenty of surface area to eat up dirt and really grip all court surfaces.Again a soft rubber compound is used to add to the already excellent traction.The overall feel of the shoe is very stable.An internal TPU midfoot shank adds midfoot stability and when coupled with the TPU shank in the heel makes for a really stable ride.A semi curved last also makes for great heel to toe transition.

figure4
again note the semi curved outsole

I was impressed by the Peak Kidd 2.I liked that the shoe had an overall lower profile feel and the TPU shank in the heel to disperse the impact was great.Traction was excellent and designers addressed the lack of breathablity.Although lighter thank the Kidd 1,the shoe could be lighter with some tweaks to the midsole and compounds used.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-4/5

Cushioning was great and while it provided excellent impact protection,the lack of rebound effect especially in the forefoot when cutting or pushing off in changes of direction made the difference.The comfort and fit of the shoe was improved but Peak would probably do better by changing the way the shoes are laced.The way the shoes are laced straight out of the box do not allow the wearer to really tighten the shoe and make for a snug fit.Overall the difference between the Kidd 1 and Kidd 2 is leaps and bounds.As Jason Kidd seems to be getting better with age,so too hopefully is mirrored by the Peak Kidd line.

Nike KD 2

2010-05-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

Thunderstruck

I really try not to let certain events or players prevent me from trying certain shoes.That being said,having come from Seattle,the move of the Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma City left a sour taste in my mouth and I completely shut out the team and players.Unfortunately,Kevin Durant and the rest of young superstars in the making wouldn't let me not notice them.Lets just reflect real quick on what Kevin Durant did this season.Youngest scoring champion,broke the record for most 25 point games and came second in MVP voting and was named to the all NBA 1st team.Needless to say, with the way signature shoes are going nowadays you would expect his signature shoe be priced in the mid $100's...nope..$84.99..not that I have forgiven the people who moved the Seattle Sonics to OKC..but the players just made a new fan.Now on to the shoe.Zoom air in the forefoot with a cushlon midsole for a soft ride.Midfoot strap and rubber heel counter for support.Lets see if the forecast calls for thunderstorms or just some light drizzle.

figure1
note the forefoot strap and additional fabric wrap on the lateral side

At first glance the KD 2 is nothing spectacular.Simple lines,overlays where extra support is needed,just simple and unassuming.Kind of like the player.At first glance,yah Kevin Durant is really tall but physically not really what one would call a physical specimen..until he drops 40 points on your head.A closer look at the shoe will reveal a number of personal touches that pertain to his life and what and the people that helped him get to where he is today...k back to the shoe..what is impressive about writing about this shoe more than probably any other is I find myself talking about Kevin Durant as I talk about the shoe which is a reflection of the great job the designers did really making this Kevin's shoe.The collar is well padded and right under where the ankle bone sits are two additional padded lobes to really create a nice fit and help prevent the heel from slipping.The shoe is cut fairly low,more like a 5/8 height to allow some ankle coverage but allow maximum flexibility.Unfortunately the single overlay of material in the upper doesn't allow for a lot of ventilation and the shoe does not breathe all that well.

figure2

note the rubber heel counter

The KD 2 features a full length cushlon midsole and forefoot zoom air.Cushlon is found mostly in running shoes where it is a lightweight,resilient foam that offers excellent impact protection.The zoom air unit in the forefoot allows for a low profile and responsive cushioning in the forefoot.I have always wondered why designers and Nike have insisted in putting the zoom air unit in the heel in certain shoes that have only one air bag.For the most part having only a zoom air unit in the heel and some type of foam in the forefoot has always left a little to be desired.During hard lateral cuts or change of direction most of the stress comes through the forefoot.Understandably the heel absorbs a lot of impact while simply running but the application of zoom air has always been best utilized in the forefoot,where it's low profile and responsiveness really come into play.All that being said heavier players who really pound their shoes might want to look elsewhere.Active players who do a lot of slashing and are looking for a responsive ride..look no further.

figure3
note the herringbone pattern on the medial side that provides traction crucial on quick changes of direction and cuts.

The outsole once again is a homage to Kevin's life and what is important to him.The outsole is a dangerous place to try to express your individuality.Fortunately for the KD 2,the designers did an excellent job incorporating that into the outsole without sacrificing performance.With a deep modified herringbone traction on the medial side for key pivot points,and plenty of surface area made of a soft rubber compound make for excellent traction on both hardwood and the dirty concrete tile.The midfoot strap holds the foot in place nicely.However those with wider feet may have some trouble with the strap not fitting properly.A phylon foot bucket keeps the heel in place and the additional overlays on the medial side help support the foot on hard cuts keeping the foot on the footbed.overall support is very good however with the shoe cut at a 5/8 height ankle support is marginal.

figure4

Overall I really enjoyed playing in the KD 2.Simple, straightforward and an excellent value.Again if you're looking for more cushioning in the heel then you might want to look elsewhere.But for what it is and for how much it is,the KD 2 is an excellent value and when put up against some of the higher priced signature shoes,The KD 2 more than hold's it's own.Based on what we saw in the 2010 NBA playoffs it looks like the best is yet to come for this budding superstar and should have no problems making new fans.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-3/5
Traction-4.25/5
Overall-4.25/5

The lack of breathability hurt a little bit and those looking for more cushioning in the heel may want to look for something else.

Li Ning BD DOOM

2010-05-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

Dooms Day

Baron Davis certainly has had an interesting career along to go with his personality.There will be times where he will make you jump out of your seat(see the Golden State Warriors season of 2006-2007),to make you scratch your head a little(see 2009-2010 Los Angeles Clippers).His choice in shoes have mirrored his career as well.Baron Davis was in the Nike Freestyle commercial and recently signed with the Chinese shoe company Li Ning.Li Ning is one of the top athletic shoe companies in China and boasts Jose Calderon and Shaquille Oneal as other primary endorsers.On the surface the move from Nike to Reebok and then to Li Ning was a head scratcher but looking deeper,what you find may surprise you.Backed with an extremely popular youtube video that created hype similar to the nike freestyle video that Baron was originally in.While the Li Ning BD Doom will be his first signature shoe to bear his name what truly makes this shoe his is the unique "Beardman" logo.Lets see if the shoe makes you want to jump out of your seat like one of baron's countless highlights or leaves us scratching our head.

figure1
note the variable lacing at the top of the collar for a customized fit

Right out of the box you notice the BD Doom is well made.No stitching problems or glue stains.One thing I did encounter after playing in them a number of times was the paint chipping off of the midsoles.Not really a big deal and does not effect the performance of the shoe.The interior is well padded and provides extra padding on the Achilles to prevent the shoe from rubbing on the skin.One of the major gripes I had with the shoe was the severe lack of breathability.A mesh lined tongue and collar that is padded provided very little airflow in the shoe and made for drenched socks and hot feet after extended play.Strangely of the two different pairs I played in,there seemed to be a difference in stiffness of the internal heel counter.While it did not really change the fit or the feel of the shoe but it was enough to notice.

figure2
note the tpu supported heel counter as well as the additional padding for the achilles

The BD Doom uses two different types of cushioning.First off there is Li Ning Bounse which is found in forefoot and claims to have 25% more rebound effect.It does, but like every other foam based cushioning system,with extended use it eventually bottoms out..which can be said for all cushioning systems but foam based ones seem to lose effectiveness a little bit quicker.The heel features Li Ning Cushion which claims to provide 68% more shock absorption than other shoes.Needless to say without the percentages,both systems do their respective jobs.The forefoot does feel a bit more firm and while running and landing on the heel absorbed the impact well.However over a number of times wearing the shoes,the cushioning did diminish over time.The ride also sits very low for extra court feel which is excellent for active slashing players.

figure3
Note the visible Li Ning Cushion

Now this truly where the BD Doom really excels.Traction.Nice big and deep modified herringbone traction on nice soft rubber with plenty of surface area for the shoe to really grip the court.Coupled with the low to the ground feel,makes for an excellent combination.The outsole is also segmented for good flexibility without losing rigidness.Ankle support is marginal.The shoe is cut fairly high and offers variable lacing to allow the wearer to tighten or loosen the shoe where they see fit but other than that overall ankle support is very minimal.

figure4

Overall the Li Ning BD Doom is a solid signature shoe.Excellent traction,pretty good cushioning and a simple design are great but what really makes the shoe pop is how Baron Davis' personality exudes from the shoe.The Beardman logo just simply makes the shoe cool.Good thing the rest of the shoe is solid.With a couple of minor tweaks and fixes,primarily the lack of breathability,I'm sure we will be hearing more from Li Ning..besides to quote the company motto.."Anything is Possible"

figure5
"Beardman" logo

Comfort and Fit-3/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-2.5/5
Traction-4.25/5
Overall-3/5

Again breathability was an issue and the cushioning's lack of sustained performance was taken into account in their respective categories.

Nike Air Max Rise

2010-01-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

Uprising

Following up the excellent Nike Zoom Phenom,Brandon Roy goes to work in the beginning of the 2009 nba season in the Nike air max Rise.Featuring an air max unit in the heel for added impact protection and dynamic fit sleeve for added comfort and support.While it is a little strange to see a rising superstar like Brandon Roy wearing such a simple shoe, we are reminded that just like his personality,simple can be better sometimes.

figure1
note the pull tabs for the dynamic fit sleeve on the heel for easy entry

It almost seems like nowadays the standard for "light" is the Nike Hyperdunk or the Hyperize.While the Air Max rise certainly is not as light as either one of the aforementioned shoes,it's no heavyweight either.I would sacrifice a couple ounces for support any day.The heel is supported by a TPU external support on top of a ridgid internal heel counter.The shoe also features an internal fit sleeve that provides an excellent overall feel and support for the foot.The collar and Achilles areas are well padded to prevent any chafing when wearing low cut socks.One major problem I encountered was the lack of breathability.The colorway I played in featured an upper made primarily of patent leather and synthetic leather with a mesh tongue.With little ventilation,the patent leather and synthetic leather combination made it a little hot in the shoe.

figure2
note the tpu heel counter and the large volume air max unit

The Nike Air Max Rise features a max air heel unit.While overall impact protection was decent,I would have paid for a zoom air unit in the forefoot.Much like the Nike Zoom Phenom which did not feature any additional forefoot cushioning,the addition would have really helped the shoe.While impact protection was good,responsiveness was lacking and as time went on any forefoot cushioning seemed to go by the wayside.

figure3
note the large surface area and herringbone traction

Traction was excellent with plenty of surface area and simple herringbone traction.The rubber outsole does extend up the lateral side of the forefoot to add additional support when making hard lateral cuts and preventing the forefoot from sliding off of the footbed on hard lateral cuts.An ankle strap adds additional ankle support to the excellent heel support.

figure4
note the outsole overlapping to add additional support for the forefoot

Overall at the pricepoint the Nike Air Max Rise delivers with very good value.However as I have previously stated in other reviews there are times where I would have paid more for a certain shoe for some added features,this shoe is certainly a case for that.Forefoot cushioning was definitely a major sore spot for me and would have liked more added cushioning and responsiveness in the forefoot.As time went on any foam cushioning in the foreoot bottomed out.If not for that,the shoe performed extremely well in all other aspects.

Comfort and Fit-3.5/5
Cushioning-2.5/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-3/5

Great value and solid but severely lacking in any forefoot cushioning or any kind of responsiveness in the forefoot.

Peak Kidd1

2009-12-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

Climbing to the Peak

Recently there have been a number of NBA players signing endorsement contracts with various shoe brands based in china.It all started with Damon Jones signing with Li Ning and a number of other players most notably Shane Battier.PEAK is one of the top domestic shoe companies in China along with Li Ning and Anta.After the 2008 Olympics,Peak went out and signed future hall of famer Jason Kidd.Being Jason Kidd's first signature shoe baring his name with PEAK,it forces people to take a step back and notice the companies in China and their step into the mainstream.Lets see if the shoe makes a step towards the top or stuck at the bottom.

figure1
note the asymmetrical collar for maximum coverage on the lateral side of the ankle

At first inspection,the shoe is well made.No random glue stains or undone stitching,and what felt like quality materials to construct the shoe.The shoe was a bit on the heavy side,with a lot of the weight more towards the heel.The Kidd1 features an internal heel counter as well as a tpu support for added stability on the heel.The collar is well padded making for an excellent locked down feel with very little heel slip.The collar is also asymmetrical allowing excellent range of motion without sacrificing ankle support.One major problem the shoe has is the lack of breathability.While the tongue does feature some mesh lining,there is no where for the heat or moisture to escape.The perforations on the lateral side of the shoe do not help the shoe breathe at all.The moisture management problem got to the point where the moisture had accumulated in the shoe and turned my sock blue from the blue material inside the shoe.

figure2
note the beautiful Chinese art inspired details on the upper

The Kidd1 features PK Rocket cushioning.PK Rocket works by using a phylon midsole in combination with a lighter responsive foam and a dense impact absorbing core .I found the cushioning to be very soft.However I had some problems with the sockliner being too soft.It felt like I was fighting through the sockliner at times because it was excessively soft.Another problem the shoe has is the lack of responsiveness and being a little bit too high off the court surface during active play.Impact protection is excellent and I think would do very well on outdoor courts where cushioning is paramount due to the unforgiving concrete.I would like to see designers continue to progress PK Rocket by finding ways to make it lighter and more responsive all while lowering the profile of the shoe putting the foot closer to the ground allowing for greater court responsiveness.

figure3
note the triangular window giving us a view of the dual density driven PK Rocket cushioning system

Traction on the shoe Kidd1 was very good on all of the surfaces that I played on.The rubber compound used for the outsole is very soft and features a herringbone and concentric triangle pattern.One slight problem I encountered was I felt my forefoot slip at times on hard cuts due to losing some of the surface area with the PEAK logo on the forefoot in a key pivot point.A TPU midfoot shank adds midfoot lightweight midfoot support.The shoe also has a bit of support on the lateral side with the rubber outsole overlapping to the upper adding support and preventing the wearer's foot from sliding off the footbed on lateral cuts.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Peak Kidd1.I ran into a few issues but overall a solid shoe that was nearly on par with some of the shoes the bigger mainstream companies put out.Obviously the shoe is not perfect,with it's fairly heavy weight,excessively soft cushioning and lack of breathability.One other slight problem I ran into was a little bit of inconsistency in the materials.The lacehole on the tongue on one of my shoes nearly tore completely off.

Comfort and Fit-3/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-3/5

Overall the shoe is solid for a first time experience.The heavy weight,lack of breathability and excessive cushioning need to be tweaked a bit but a solid start.The use of the asymmetrical collar for maximum ankle coverage was great and made for excellent support.It is always exciting to try something new and from a completely different angle from which we are used to seeing.If the designers can resolve some of the issues with the Peak Kidd1 I'm sure we will be hearing more from this company in the near future.

Nike Hyperize

2009-10-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

Don't Criticize

Last summer we were introduced to the Nike Hyperdunk.Lighter,faster,better the culmination of Nike's obsession with making the ultimate lightweight performance shoe.While not perfect,the Hyperdunk did push the brand closer to that ultimate goal.This year,armed with what was learned with the Hyperdunk and even the zoom Kobe 4,The Hyperize was supposed to be the next step...Ah yes the kicker..supposed to..

figure1
note the heel tpu heel cup and the height of the collar and slope to the Achilles

Nike once again pushed the envelope and gave us yet another shoe even lighter than the Hyperdunk(I wont count the Zoom Kobe IV because of it being a low top and obviously less material needed).The Hyperize takes a couple ques from the Hyperdunk.Y notch on the heel,keyhole notch above the ankle for added flexibility.What they Hyperize failed to carry over was the stiff heel counter that was on the Hyperdunk as well as two speed lace loops just behind the keyhole notch that really helped the Hyperdunk secure the wearer's foot.Unfortunately the exclusion of these among other things hurt the shoe in terms of having any kind of support.As we learned in playing in the Kobe IV,even without a higher cut shoe,support did not have to be sacrificed as long as the heel was well supported.Unfortunately except for a flimsy plastic heel cap,there is absolutely no heel support which marginalizes any kind of support the shoe can give anywhere else.The shoe seems to be higher cut than the Hyperdunk because the slope from the top of the collar down to the Achilles is at a higher angle which allows for more freedom without sacrificing height.The collar is padded but anything less than a crew sock might cause some rubbing from the shoe to the skin.Moisture management is good with the mesh tongue and mesh cutouts on the Flywire panels that take off that micro fraction of weight while still being functional.

figure2
note the large lateral outrigger and mesh vent cutouts on the flywire panel

There have been alot of knocks about lunar foam.I currently at the time of this writing own four different shoes that have lunar foam as the primary cushioning setup.From the Hyperdunk to the Lunar Racer to the Lunarglide and Hyperize I have felt a small difference from each application of the lunar foam.I ran through my normal test runs of the shoe and the lunar foam in the Hyperize seemed to be holding up a little bit better than the lunar foam of the Hyperdunks.Not saying that this should would probably survive a season of practice and games,but it seems like there have been some improvements to the durability of lunar foam.Once again the lunar foam does not give the "springy" feeling that zoom air gives but the impact absorption of the foam is excellent.I am a little curious to see what a setup of lunar foam in the heel and zoom air in the forefoot would feel like but I think with the constant pounding on the heel would flatten out the lunar foam rather quickly.

figure3
note the "t-notch" and herringbone pattern

Traction is greatly improved from the Hyperdunk.A more traditional herringbone pattern with what felt like a softer rubber compound improved on what was decent traction of the Hyperdunk.A large lateral outrigger allows the wearer to make hard cuts without the fear of tipping over,and the "y-notch"(in this case t-notch) on the heel gives the shoe good flexibility without sacrificing alot of support on lateral heel strikes.A carbon fiber midfoot shank makes for a rigid mid foot without adding too much weight.Unfortunately another thing missing from the Hyperize from the Hyperdunk was how the Hyperdunk cradled the wearer's foot with phylon support on both the lateral and medial sides of the mid foot.I constantly found my foot sliding back and forth on the footbed during hard cuts.Issues with the heel support amplify this problem.where the shoe lacks almost any support.

figure4

I really did not want to make this a Hyperdunk versus Hyperize type of review.Unfortunately it works both ways in terms of improving each shoe,you would simply have the other one.Improve support you might as well buy the Hyperdunk.Better cushioning and traction thats lighter get the Hyperize.Unfortunately the complete lack of support really killed the shoe for me.For some reason unlike the Hyperdunk when I wore the Hyperize,the shoe seemed to fight my foot when running and seemed like it did not flex naturally.

Comfort and Fit-2/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-2.5/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-2.5/5

The total lack of any support with my foot sliding on hard cuts completely turned me off to the shoe.In hindsight,when I give the Hypedunk a 4.5/5 and the Hyperize a 4/5 in terms of cushioning and claim the cushioning is better in the Hyperize,this was before we realized the lack of durability of the lunar foam.I saw it as a potential problem for the foam but at the time of the Hyperdunk review did not experience a significant loss of cushioning the Hyperdunk would eventually have with regular use.That being said,given some of the durability issues lunar foam has had in the past,in this shoe it performed very well.It seems just like in movies where sequels rarely are better than the original,the Hyperize fails to surpass the Hyperdunk.

Nike Zoom Phenom

2009-10-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Something Like a Phenomenon

Ive never been a fan of hybrids.Taking parts of other things and trying to combine them into something new and better than the originals.As another update to the Nike Sharkley that combines parts of the Shake N'Destruct and the Air Max Sensation,my initial reception to the shoe was lukewarm at best.The Nike Shake N'Destruct and the Air Max Sensation on their own were never really "guard oriented" shoes,much less combined and to be seen on the feet of Brandon Roy and Deron Williams,two active guards who have worn the excellent zoom bb 1 and 2.Needless to say I was curious in the choice of shoes.In essence you have the outsole of the nike Shake N'Destruct.Initially released in 1996 and was primarily marketed as a streetball shoe and worn by Dennis Rodman.For the upper we have the nike air max sensation which initially was Chris Webber's signature shoe which was one of the first to feature visible forefoot air.To combine these two shoes and having a great guard shoe be the result is like mixing peanut butter and jelly but coming out with something that tastes like steak.

figure1
note the visible large volume zoom air unit

For as bulky the shoe looks in pictures and the thicker outsole you would figure the shoe to be on the heavier side.Surprisingly that was not the case and the shoe is not that much heavier than the Nike Hyperdunk.The lacing system is descended directly from the 90's where elastic straps combined with speed lacing provide excellent fit around the foot.The Elastic straps provide just the right amount of tension to ensure a snug fit without sacrificing flexibility.Heel support is very good with a stiff heel counter reinforced with phylon and the heel of the outsole.The collar is lined with foam padding to provide a good snug fit.The tongue is lined with mesh to provide some moisture management but with all of the patent leather/leather/nubuck I found the breath-ability to be a little bit lacking.Overall Ankle support was average with great heel support and good fit around the shoe but nothing else to add for additional ankle support.

figure2
note the phylon wedge that adds lateral support on the forefoot

Cushioning comes from a large volume visible zoom air unit in the heel.Forefoot cushioning is a bit lacking using just phylon but still does the job.While not quite as responsive in the forefoot as I would have liked for whatever reasoning I had little to no problems when playing on hardwood or concrete tile.

figure3
note the deep groves and additional patterns on the outsole

Now we get to what I feel is the true strength of this shoe.Traction.While I dont remember how the Shake Ndestructs performed indoors and where the outsole of that shoe was designed to take the abuse on blacktop,the Zoom Phenom replaced the tough DRC(durable rubber compound) used in the Shake and replaced it with a softer compound that is well phenomenal.On the outsole in addition to the deep grooves that eat up dust on the court are smaller grooves within the traction pattern that enhance the shoe's grip resulting in me nearly spraining my ankle again during a quick stop and go.The traction pattern used and with plenty of surface area on the outsole make this one of the best shoes in terms of traction I have played in.To make sure you don't come out of the shoe during hard lateral cuts is a rubber/phylon wedge wich extends up the lateral side of the shoe to provide excellent lateral support.

figure4
note the elastic straps across the tongue for additional support

I really enjoyed this shoe,and have made it a regular part of my rotation when not reviewing shoes.I am still not really sure how two shoes that were designed for either beating up on asphalt and blacktop or for a young dominant power forward who could run like a guard and finish with authority mix to become an excellent guard based shoe.Like I said earlier,its like mixing peanut butter and jelly and finding out it tastes like steak.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-3/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4/5

The lack of forefoot cushioning hurt the shoe but thats just the spoiled voice inside talking.The lack of ankle support was not that big of a deal due to good fit through the heel.The forefoot provides a nice wide base to land on even without a lateral outrigger we see on many shoes today.Again we see an example of a shoe that has excellent execution with unlikely parts.Lightweight,excellent traction and good fit.Dr. Frankenstein has you good to go.

Nike Foamposite Lite

2009-10-12T18:38:00.000-07:00

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.

figure1
note 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.

figure2
note 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.

figure3
note 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.

figure4
note 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.

Nike Zoom Lebron VI

2009-06-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

Return of the King

Over the years we have seen Nike try to harness the unusual combination of power and speed that comes in a 6'8 260 plus pound package that is Lebron James.Unfortunately one of the sacrifices designers have made in the name of performance was off-court appeal.Normally a little bit heavier and bulkier than many other signature shoes,a long time complaint has been "it doesn't look good with jeans.".Obviously the last thing I'm concerned about when it comes to a shoe is how it looks with jeans.A big focus in the Zoom Lebron 6 was to make it more "casual friendly" without losing performance.Full Length zoom air with an extra zoom air unit on top offers excellent impact protection.Heel cupsole to provide excellent heel support.Otherwise fairly simple.No foamposite or phyposite or support straps bells or whistles.Just simple go to work and come home in them shoes.Lets see if the Lebron 6 performs like a king or did making it look great with jeans make it perform more like a pauper.

figure1
note the laces on the top two laceholes and the padding underneath that sometimes create fit issues.

The shoe by no means is on a hyperdunk level in terms of weight.However,compared to previous Lebron signature shoes,the 6 is fairly light.The tongue and interior of the shoe is well padded.The problem is when lacing up the shoe and tightening the laces,the upper and padding are separate and does not really provide a snug fit around the ankle when laced up.A partial remedy is skipping the lace holes in the upper and only lacing through the padding on the top lace holes.While it helps the padding fit better,this method sacrificed some of the support that the upper provided especially on the upper part of the shoe where many people want a lock down feel in the ankle area.Thus making ankle support decent but not great.Something not characteristic of a Lebron signature shoe.The tongue is lined with mesh and provided decent breath ability but I still found some condensation in the foam.A large heel counter coupled with cupsole construction really locks down the heel during sharp cuts preventing the heel from rolling over.An extra fabric wrap in the forefoot gives extra support for the forefoot and keeps the foot on the foot bed.Unfortunately the fabric wrap in the forefoot is not adjustable so those with narrowish feet may still experience some forefoot movement.Again a full length fitsleeve would have helped here.

figure2
note the tpu wrap for extra heel support

Cushioning is top notch in the Lebron 6.A full length zoom air unit with an extra unit stacked in the heel for additional impact protection.Heavier players who need extra cushioning will really appreciate these shoes.Court feel was moderate at best.While not terrible,those used to having a bit more court feel might have a gripe with the 6.

figure3
note the large surface area for the outsole

Traction was strange for me.I had to bring the shoes out numerous times because traction seemed to be inconsistent for me.On clean hardwood at times I found the traction spotty.It could have been that the floor may have been dirty those days.On the concrete tile,Traction seemed to be a bit better than on hardwood.Again it may have been due to the condition of the court that day.While in both instances I was never ice skating or finding myself sliding on cuts,I just did not have the confidence in the traction.Again it could have been the condition of the court the days I brought out the Lebron 6 but if I had to average out my feelings on the traction based on the number of times and experience wearing the shoes I would have to call the traction mediocre.

figure 4
note the reflective material that wraps along the midsole

I really wanted to love the shoe.Not that I hate it.Possibly my biggest gripe was locking down the ankle with the lacing.The foam is soft and forms nicely around the ankle but getting a tight secure fit was a chore.Cushioning as usual was excellent and traction seemed to be a little inconstant.

Comfort and fit-3.5/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-3/5
Overall-4/5

Overall the Lebron 6 was a good shoe.It had certain issues that prevented it from being great.The designers did a good job making it more "casual friendly" without sacrificing too much performance.Where the fit and sometimes inconsistant traction were probably the main issues with the shoe,the cushioning really shined.For the couple of minutes you do get when the shoe is tightened,the Lebron 6 feels great with all of the padding.It is just unfortunate that fit gradually loosens up during play.Active players that need a little bit more cushioning and still want a stable platform look nor further the King is here...

Nike Zoom Kobe IV

2009-04-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

Lowrider

Faster lighter quicker.Just when you think Kobe's signature shoe cant push boundaries any further,the designers throw in another wrinkle that challenges consumers to really get out of their comfort zone and try something new.From the Zoom Kobe 1 and it's wide forefoot base and outrigger to the Zoom Kobe 2 and it's unique Free/Considered construction to the minimal sock-like construction and unsurpassed court feel of the Zoom Kobe 3.While the Hyperdunk was not a true signature shoe for Kobe,his influence is still felt with the obsession with cutting weight off the shoe.The Zoom Kobe 4 takes everything learned with the previous shoes and combines it all into one package...with yet another wrinkle...Low tops.While low tops certainly are not anything new to me or signature shoes,it wasn't surprising to see Kobe go in that direction.It was surprising to see the line go in that direction. Once again with Kobe it is a love/hate relationship,most people either love or hate low tops.The Zoom Kobe 4 continues the use of lunar foam and Flywire to keep the shoe light.Lets see if the shoe is so simple a caveman would get it or make you to take out a policy for ankle insurance.

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note the padding on the collar and tpu heel counter

Having learned lessons from the Hyperdunk,once again we get a ridiculously light Kobe signature shoe.The shoe does away with the additional material and cuts the shoe into a low top.A one piece dynamic fit sleeve hugs your foot for a snug fit all around.Nike Flywire reduces weight without sacrificing the shoe's structural integrity.A large tpu heel counter adds support and when coupled with the plush padding around the collar really locks down the wearer's heel and provides excellent support which is crucial for a low top.The tongue is well padded as well to add to the support by providing a snug fit all around the wearer's foot.No problems with moisture management due to the mesh in the dynamic fit sleeve to provide airflow throughout the foot.

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another look at the heel counter and medial side of the shoe

With the Hyperdunk one of my gripes was with the bounciness of the lunar foam and the durability of the material.The Zoom Kobe 4 did seem to feel a bit more responsive compared to the lunar foam used in the Hyperdunk.However there still was an issue with the durability of the lunar foam.After 10 wears on court as well as 5 wears to the gym and a couple of shifts at work,I felt the lunar foam starting to bottom out after about 40 hours of wear.While I do like the shock absorption of the Lunarlite foam,I slightly prefer the responsiveness and lower profile of Zoom air.Zoom air in the heel coupled with a phylon midsole provides great impact protection.

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a look at the outsole and the excellent herringbone traction

One major improvement from the Hyperdunk to the Kobe 4 was traction.The traction on the Kobe 4 is top notch and I had no problems with any slippage.The grooves in the herringbone pattern are nice and deep with plenty of surface area for the shoe to really dig in.What is quickly becoming a requirement on a Kobe signature shoe,a forefoot outrigger provides lateral support when cutting and change of direction.A carbon fiber midfoot shank provides lightweight midfoot support.Being a low top ankle support is virtually nonexistent,however the overall support of the shoe is excellent.

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The Zoom Kobe 4 will challenge most people to get over their fears/preconceived notions of wearing a low top.It certainly improves on whatever shortcomings the Hyperdunk had and continues to evolve the line.I am curious to see if the line continues the use of the low top cut in future models.As long as the shoes continue to provide the excellent overall support the Kobe 4's have then there shouldn't be any problems.

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-0/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4/5

I loved the support of the shoe.From the dynamic fit sleeve through the fit of the collar and tongue that provides excellent fit which is necessary for a low top.Traction was excellent and one of the real highlights of the shoe.The cushioning was probably the only letdown.While not terrible,I guess I expected more after the Hyperdunk.The lunar foam did feel a bit more responsive but I think zoom air would have been a better choice for the forefoot.Overall the shoe is a great choice for active guards and forwards.The lack of ankle support may turn off some front court players who do most of their work in the paint.But for those who like to slash or are active and need a lightweight,supportive shoe that allows for maximum range of motion then look no further and get ready to hand out some of those ankle insurance cards.

Nike Garnett 3

2009-04-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Live Wire

I remember when I first saw the Nike Garnett 3 the first thing that grabs you is the vivid blue gradient mesh that just grabs you and radiates the energy that seemingly bleeds out of Kevin Garnett.Turning the shoe over to the outsole is an atomic atom again representing the energy that emanates from one of the all time passionate players of all time.Lets see if the shoe performs like it's nuclear powered or just a wet match.

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The height from the top of the ankle where support is needed and how it slopes down to allow flexibility

The combination of mesh and leather on the upper provides excellent breathability and support where needed.I wrecked my first couple of pairs using it as an outdoor summer hoops shoe.There is plenty of soft foam in the collar that allows a secure fit around the ankle.Surprisingly for a shoe designed for a frontcourt player,the shoe is cut relatively lower than most other shoes designed for frontcourt players.Ankle support suffers very little due to the cut of the shoe being cut higher where needed while not sacrificing flexibility.

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the beautiful gradient mesh adds to the depth of the shoe

Cushioning is provided by Tuned air in the heel and zoom air in the forefoot.The concept behind Tuned Air was to use polyurethane hemispheres within the air bag to add extra support where needed without sacrificing the weight or cushioning of the shoe.The hemispheres can have different densities allowing for more or less support depending on placement.The shoe provided excellent impact protection and had no problems when pounding on the court.Zoom Air in the forefoot allowed excellent court feel and bounce back when changing directions.

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note the placement of the leather on the lateral side to protect the wearer when moving laterally.

The Garnett 3 features a carbon fiber midfoot shank that provides excellent midfoot stability and support.As I previously stated the upper is a combination of mesh and leather.The exact placement of the leather on the shoe further adds to the support elements of the shoe by running down the lateral and medial sides of the shoe allowing one to add tremendous pressure when cutting laterally without the fear of coming out of the shoe despite the amount of mesh used in the upper.

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note the "OBF" in the center of the atom as well as the excellent herringbone traction.

Traction on hardwood is excellent.Plenty of surface area in the forefoot for the shoe to grab onto the court surface.Surprisingly the rubber compound used is durable as well having been used on outdoor blacktop surfaces.The atomic atom on the outsole features the "OBF" in the center of the atom."OBF" stands for Official Block Family,a group of people who have been with Garnett through thick and thin.

Overall the shoe is excellent.It is disappointing that this was the last of KG's shoes with Nike.Solid shoe all the way around in terms of fit,comfort,cushioning and traction.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-4/5

One of my all time favorite shoes to play in.Not because it excelled in one area but because all the way around it was solid.We have seen shoes that do certain things better but overall this one covers all of the bases.Much like the player who once wore the shoe,while KG certainly does everything well,when all of those skills are combined into one package it truly excels.

hey everyone

2009-03-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone.Sorry for the lack of updates its been a busy six months with having gotten married during the summer and I suffered an injury playing basketball in january..no I didnt do it in the kobe 4's.Anyways I'm trying to figure out how I am going to revamp the site and I have plenty of reviews waiting to upload its just a little busy right now but UNDS'ed will be back soon.

Nike Hyperdunk

2008-07-13T22:29:00.000-07:00

The Next Revolution

In the previous review of the Nike Zoom Kobe III I talked about how nike likes to push boundaries...well Nike claims to have pushed the boundaries just a little bit farther...well actually a little bit more than just a little.With the new Nike Hyperdunk we have one of the lightest nike shoes to date and sporting brand new Flywire and Lunarlite foam technologies incorporated into one lightweight performance shoe.As with the Zoom Kobe 2 and Zoom Kobe 3, where designers took other technologies not traditionally associated with basketball footwear and successfully integrated the technologies into excellent performance shoes,The Nike Hyperdunk will be on full display for the world to see during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.So lets see if the shoe lives up to all the hype and wins the gold or is it another over hyped under performing non qualifier.

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The first thing you notice when you pick up the shoe is how ridiculously light it is.The Flywire technology allows a shoe to significantly reduce a shoe's weight by replacing much of the leather upper and replacing it with a reinforced nylon upper.Originally used in running shoes where the primary motion is a straight line,it was adopted to basketball shoes with designers strategically placing the nylon filaments to completely support the wearers foot without sacrificing weight.a mesh bootie ensures a seamless fit as well as excellent heat and moisture management.While the shoe is cut fairly high,the collar slopes down towards the Achilles to provide maximum support without being constrictive.When lacing the shoe to the top the shoe really wraps the shoe around the foot and heel support is excellent.The Hyperdunk features an internal heel counter as well as an extra TPU support that adds extra heel/Achilles support.

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note the TPU support for the Achilles and heel as well as how the collar slopes for maximum flexibility and support

Cushioning is provided by zoom air in the heel and Lunarlite foam in the forefoot.Lunarlite Foam was initially found on NASA space shuttles as seat cushions.As a super lightweight foam has great impact protection properties but is still super light.The foam was mixed in with a rubber compound which provided some density and more "springiness".Once the Hyperdunk hits the floor you immediately feel the benefits of the Lunarlite foam.While not as responsive and "springy" as zoom air,the impact protection is well..out of this world.It felt like all of the force generated from basketball activity was absorbed by the foam and I was landing on pillows.Being the initial offering for Lunarlite foam,Im sure Nike will tweak the foam in future releases to offer a bit more "bounce" to the foam similar to that found in zoom air.With the phylon midsole,heel zoom air unit and lunarlite foam all work great together and fortunately the reduction of weight didn't sacrifice cushioning.

figure3
note the herringbone pivot point as well as wide forefoot with the addition of the outrigger for stability and carbon fiber shank for midfoot stability

Traction was decent.I think if I had one complaint it was the traction.While not bad,I did experience some slipping.The rubber compound used is soft but I experienced some slippage in the forefoot.A carbon fiber midfoot shank provides lightweight support.A small notch just before the forefoot on the medial side gives added flexibility without sacrificing support.The shoe is cut fairly high and offers decent ankle support.The shoe really locks down the foot and a lateral phylon wing keeps the foot from sliding off of the foot bed.An outrigger on the lateral side gives maximum stability on hard cuts and change of direction.

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note the Flywire nylon filaments in the upper and the notch on the forefoot to add extra flexibility

figure5

Having worn so many shoes over the years it is always exciting to try something new.Sometimes it works out great and other times not so much.While certainly not perfect The Hyperdunk is a great start.While I enjoyed playing in the shoe,I am probably more excited about what Nike does next with the different applications used on the shoe.I will admit when I first picked up the shoe and worked out in it I was a bit disappointed.After playing in it once,I bought a second pair.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle support-3.5/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-4/5

figure6

A great first offering for what I hope is the start of a great line in Nike basketball.It isn't for everyone though.I am hesitant to really recommend this shoe to post players.While I have no doubt the cushioning will stand up to heavier players,from a support aspect and as great as the application of Flywire was,I'm not entirely convinced it can handle some of the larger players out there.As with many lightweight performance shoes,reducing weight usually has a trade off with how much support the shoe offers and those seeking alot of ankle support might be turned off in that aspect of the shoe.While The shoe still provides a decent amount of ankle support,those looking for more might want to look elsewhere.I really liked the Lunarlite foam but I wondered about the foam's durability and unlike NBA players,we don't get a fresh pair every couple of games.Improving the "bounciness" of the Lunarlite foam would probably be my biggest request for the next time Nike decides to add Lunarlite foam onto a shoe.

Welcome to the next revolution everyone.

Nike Zoom Kobe III

2008-07-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

Snake Eyes

The reoccurring theme with Kobe and his signature shoes with Nike seems to be that the shoes strikes on opposite sides of of the emotional spectrum,People either love them or hate them with very little middle ground.In the Nike Zoom Kobe 3,there is no compromising looks for performance.Top to bottom the Zoom Kobe 3 is a flat out performance shoe.Featuring heel and forefoot zoom air and a TPU mesh upper to make for an extremely lightweight shoe that doesn't sacrifice support.It also features Nike's Natural Motion midsole for improved court feel and heel/toe transition.The shoe has alot going for it lets see if the shoe is a contender or pretender.

figure1
note the TPU support to keep the heel from moving off of the footbed.

Honestly when I first saw the Zoom Kobe 3,I wasn't a fan of it's looks.I really liked how the Zoom Kobe 2 looked and was a little perplexed on why it seemed like Nike went in a completely different direction.The TPU upper is an interesting concept because we haven't seen anything like it before.One thing I like about Kobe's line is that they are constantly pushing boundaries.Not that the risks always work out but we can always appreciate the effort and keeps people thirsty to see what is next.Like the zoom Kobe 2,the Zoom Kobe 3 once again forces people to take a risk and move out of the "box" they are used to.If the shoe already didn't look different enough with the tpu upper,the outsole is curves where we are used to flat outsoles.When I first picked up the box I thought there was only one pair inside the box because it was so light.Putting on the shoe can be difficult when you first put on the shoe due to it's sock like construction.The padding inside the shoe is soft and lined with Nike sphere for moisture management.The shoe is cut fairly high extending past the ankle bone.While not overly constricting like the ankle strap on the Zoom Kobe 2,once again low cut socks are NOT recommended.When laced up the upper really hugs the foot like a sock.The interior is completely lined to it has a seamless fit.The Upper works well with the lacing system by really locking down the foot.An additional TPU support on the lateral side keeps the heel from sliding off of the footbed.

figure2
note the outrigger on the lateral side

Ankle support is lacking in terms of the upper being built to withstand an ankle rollover.However the The Kobe 3 has a large..actually HUGE outrigger on the lateral side to provide the wearer a stable platform when going to the basket.You can really feel the outrigger working when driving to the basket and hard cuts.Where the foot would probably have a slight roll with all of the body weight pushing off the forefoot,the outrigger keeps the foot and shoe stable.Again the lacing system works well with the upper by locking down the foot when laced all the way to the top.Where the shoe falls short in terms protective measures,it makes up for it in preventative measures.The shoe features Natural Motion Phylon midsole which allows for a smooth heel to toe transition when running.This shoe more than any other I've worn,has it been so easy and comfortable to run in.Midfoot support is provided by a carbon fiber shank which provides light weight support.

figure3
Note the Natural Motion midsole and the slight curve of the outsole

The zoom air stood up well to long periods of testing and on different playing surfaces.It responded well on cuts and changes of direction with the zoom air actually giving a propelling sensation after initial impact of my foot on a cut or sudden change of direction.The zoom air works well with the natural motion midsole by giving the wearer an extremely low to the ground feeling.Heavier players or those looking for a bit more impact protection might want to look elsewhere.While Ive worn other variations of Kobe's shoes that have had "better" cushioning,for what the shoe was made for,the responsive cushioning in the zoom kobe 3 has been the best yet in the line.

figure4
note the carbon fiber midfoot shank and the diamond shaped outsole pattern

The outsole has plenty of surface area for the shoe to come into contact with the playing surface.A soft rubber compound really bites into the playing surface but the modified herringbone pattern kind of throws off what made the Kobe line so great.While the traction is by no means bad...its just not great either.I had trouble trying to figure out why the shoe didn't perform great in terms of traction.The only thing I could come up with was that the diamond patterned parts of the outsole were too big and didn't provide the outsole with more ridges to grip into the playing surface rather than larger cut patterns if that makes any sense.That being said it wasn't terrible.Just not what I'm used to when I put on a Kobe signature shoe.

figure5
note the TPU /mesh upper

Overall the shoe is great.If you can get over how it looks.While not perfect,Ankle support is an issue for those wanting the peace of mind of a shoe being able to support them.Traction is only an issue because we've had better in other shoes in the line.Like I said above,if you're looking for support and cushioning,you might want to look elsewhere.For the picky people out there,The tpu/mesh upper scuffs fairly easily,while merely cosmetic,the shoe is already "different" looking a bunch of scuffs from people stepping on your foot doesn't help much.

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-3/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-4/5

Yet another excellent shoe in a line that already features a number of great shoes.Hopefully Kobe and the designers will continue to keep pushing the envelope and continue to improve the line with great performance based shoes.

Adidas TS Lightswitch Gil

2008-05-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

Fire Starter

"Basketball is a brotherhood" is Adidas' ad campaign for the new ts line.Stressing the power of 5 rather than the individual.The Adidas TS Lightswitch Gil falls into line like the other shoes in the ts line but are low cut given agent zero's affinity for low tops.The shoe features Adidas select insoles to give the wearer a couple of options for the cushioning set up.One insole features heel Adiprene and Adiprene+ in the forefoot.The other option features full length Climacool material for maximum moisture management.The shoe also features a TPU injected heel counter with vents for maximum support and breathability as well as a forefoot strap for additional support.Lets find out if the shoe is more hibachi or just a bunch of smoke.

figure1
note the forefoot outrigger and strap for added stability

As a low top,ankle support is minimal...actually almost non existent.The forefoot is actually wider with the inclusion of an outrigger to allow better stability and to help prevent roll overs.A TPU shank provides midfoot and heel support. Even though the shoe is a low top it is very stable and the forefoot strap does add support and locks the wearers foot in the forefoot area.I do have one complaint with the heel area,I experienced some heel movement when wearing them and it did bother me a but where my forefoot was locked in but my heel was slipping at times.The shoe features lining inside the shoe for a seamless fit and the padding in the heel and collar area is dense but comfortable.

figure2
note the vented TPU shank that adds support and breathablity

The TS Lightspeed comes with two different insoles both have different properties.I'm sure it will be different for others but I preferred the select cushion insole over the select Clima insole.On the select cushion insole I found the Adiprene cushioning in the heel to be a bit stiff but I really liked the Adiprene+ in the forefoot.The cushioning was firm but felt responsive during change of direction.The select Clima insole didn't offer the responsiveness that the Adiprene insole had.The overall feel of the shoe was fairly stiff.Given that it is a low top and whatever support is crucial,I wish they would have gone with a softer EVA foam for the midsole for a little bit more cushioned ride.

figure3
note the flex groves for added flexibility and herringbone traction for excellent traction

Traction was very good on the different surfaces I played on.The outsole has a number of flex grooves on the outsole for flexibility.Herringbone pattern throughout the outsole and a soft rubber compound work in tandem for great on court traction.I only found myself wiping the bottoms of my shoes a couple times when playing on the concrete tile but otherwise traction was very good.The TPU heel counter extends all the way to the midfoot providing support as well as ventilation.

figure4

Overall the shoe is decent.Unfortunately it left me wanting more.I understand the whole all for one concept but at least address some of the needs of the different positions/players.It is a very stiff shoe that is better suited for post players and forwards who need support.To make it a lowtop and call it a guard's shoe was a stretch.The inclusion of a couple cushioning options was a nice touch but the Clima select insole didn't really offer anything except provide some moisture management on a primarily leather shoe that doesn't breath all that well except for a series of vents on the TPU shank.

Comfort and Fit-3/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-0/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-3/5

The shoe doesn't stand out in any aspect and while not a true signature shoe,the TS Lightswitch Gil is simply a lowcut version of a shoe better suited for forwards and post players.A definite step back from the excellent Adidas Gil Zero.

Adidas Professor

2008-02-01T21:45:00.000-08:00

School's Out

The Adidas professor is a cousin of the Adidas Pilrahna.They share similar outsoles but differ in the uppers used.The Professor(NBA) is colorblocked in NBA team colorways.Lightweight and supportive the shoe was built for speed.Lets see if it moves to the head of the class or ends up with the dunce cap.

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note the slightly off-center stance of the shoe

When I picked up the shoe,I immediately noticed how light the shoe was.The padding on the tongue was comfortable and the padding on the collar is lined with mesh to provide moisture management.The shoe emphasizes support with torsion as well as EVA supports throughout the heel and forefoot.Torsion works by allowing the forefoot and heel to move naturally yet provide support.While the technology has evolved over the years,it's latest implementation doesn't sacrifice surface area on the outsole.Adidas was able to cut weight and material in the arch area similar to what Nike did in the Nike Zoom Uptempo 3.0 in the arch area.However Adidas did it right by adding extra material under the arch to make it rigid and cut weight without sacrificing support.While overall support on the shoe is excellent,ankle support is average.The shoe's whole premise of ankle support is based on the shoe's overall stable platform.

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note the cutout of the midsole and outsole along the arch to save weight

Cushioning is decent.Nothing spectacular.Standard CMEVA foam doesn't really provide too much impact protection but allows the shoe to give the wearer excellent court feel.A couple of Adiprene inserts wouldn't have hurt the shoe.Heavier players might want to avoid the shoe if impact protection is high on the list.

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EVA supports throughout the lateral and medial sides of the shoe keep the foot in place during lateral movement

Traction Performed fairly well on hardwood.I found myself wiping the outsoles from time to time.But had alot of problems on the concrete tile.I was constantly having to wipe my feet and even then,I still felt a bit of slippage.The rubber compound is fairly soft however the multi-directional pattern grooves may not be deep enough to keep the dirt from building up on the outsole.The outsole also has flexgrooves that allow the shoe to have excellent heel to toe transition for those who like to play an uptempo game.

figure4
note the flex grooves that offer excellent transition as well as the multi-directional outsole pattern

Overall the shoe was decent.Issues with traction kind of put a damper on the shoe for me.It was built light weight,excellent support and while not the best cushioned shoe,it had alot of the properties that could have made it into a great guard shoe.Unfortunately when you couple a fast shoe with spotty traction,its like souping up a race car and putting plastic tires on it.Cushioning was so-so and it wouldnt kill Adidas to throw in some adiprene inserts in the heel or forefoot.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-2.5/5
Ankle Support-3/5
Traction-2/5
Overall-3/5

I loved how the shoe was extremely stable and running up and down the court was great due to the excellent flexibility of the outsole but its hard to go fast when youre constantly slipping.If youre particular about cushioning or a bit on the heavier side you might want to look elsewhere because the cushioning isnt all that great or responsive but does give the wearer decent court feel.All in all the shoe falls short in some areas but a couple tweaks here and there will bring this shoe up to the head of the class.

Jordan Melo M4

2008-02-01T14:28:00.000-08:00

Big Cat

Carmelo Anthony.In his freshman year at Syracuse,led the team to it's first ever NCAA championship,3rd pick in the 2003 NBA draft class which ushered in the NBA's current generation of superstars,hand picked by Jordan to lead the brand into the future,NBA all star,leading scorer on team USA.Just a few of Carmelo's achievements.Having signed an endorsement deal with Jordan brand upon entering the NBA.While for the most part when talking to people about Melo's signature shoes,feedback was generally good.Up until now Ive never owned any of his signature shoes and decided to give it a try.Actually the black and purple Baltimore Ravens inspired colorway pushed me over the edge since I'm a black and purple fan.Anyways all personal preferences aside,the shoe has all the bells and whistles one can want from a signature shoe.But as with shoes reviewed in the past,it's the application of all the features that really make the shoe,not the inclusion.With a Foamposite collar for extra ankle support,3/4 length air unit,jaguar paw inspired outsole as well as details from the brand new Jaguar XK.The shoe also includes a pair of ankle braces for additional ankle support.Carmelo is often looked at with some skepticism because he hasn't been able to take the next step in his career even with all of his achievements.In many ways his shoes have evolved from year to year lets see if this year's shoe will be a reflection of the player and another step in the right direction.

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note the Foamposite collar

At 6'8 and 230 pounds Carmelo Anthony has a rare combination of strength,speed,agility topped off with a high basketball iq.Like many signature shoes,the shoe reflects the player's strengths and needs for protection.The Melo M4 features a seamless and plush interior.The collar is padded and very comfortable.When Laced up the shoe hugs the foot well but I did have some issues with the lacing around the ankle area.The top lace loops when taken out of the box only go through one loop.During play,it felt a bit too loose around the ankle area and the collar didn't hug my ankles the way I expected it to with the shoe being at the height it was at and integrating the Foamposite collar,I was expecting a bit more support.The collar is asymmetrical to provide maximum coverage on the medial side while allowing for maximum range of motion.After my first run with the shoe I took a look at the top lace loops and found an extra loop.While the lace doesn't go in without having to force the lace through the top loop,it significantly improves the fit around the collar area.The ankle sleeves included are top quality.However they do require some breaking in.One of the pairs was actually stitched differently on my pair making it quite a bit more narrow than the other and caused me some discomfort on my foot.So those with wider feet beware of some potential discomfort when wearing the ankle sleeve.The shoe doesn't suffer if you choose not to use the sleeves but it was nice of Melo and Jordan brand to include the sleeves.Midfoot support is also good with TPU supports the run along the midfoot on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe.A raised phylon support 3/4 of the way on the lateral side keeps the foot on the footbed and adding extra support during quick lateral movements.Another problem encountered was The upper is mainly nubuck and even though there are perforations,the shoe doesn't breathe very well.Moisture was noticeable after extended use and for some reason it felt like my foot was sweating a bit more when the ankle sleeve was in use.

figure2
note the raised phylon support along the forefoot

Similar to the Jordan 13,the Melo M4 takes inspiration from another jungle cat.This time the Melo m4 takes inspiration from the jaguar.The outsole is segmented to provide for maximum agility when making cuts and change of direction.While I didn't encounter any problems with slippage,another person I know who wears the shoe had one incident with slippage mainly because he trying to stop on his heels and the shoe lacks surface area there.The modified herringbone/Melo pattern performed well on the dirty concrete tile and hardcourt however it would have been nice for the shoe to feature a softer rubber for additional traction but that being said the traction was still solid.

figure3
note the visible air unit

Cushioning is provided by a 3/4 length air unit which is visible under the shoe.So walking through a room full of thumbtacks really isn't advisable.While not as responsive as zoom air I actually enjoyed the cushioning provided by the air unit.When landing or running The shoe had no problems absorbing the impact.There was a trade off in using a standard air unit versus a zoom air unit with the air unit not giving people used to wearing zoom air based shoes the level of responsiveness they would probably be used to.But I enjoyed the cushioning and it was a nice change of pace for me.

figure4
note the top laceholes

Overall I really enjoyed the shoe.Visually the lines are nice and smooth and the application of the features on the shoe were well thought out and integrated into an excellent shoe.My main gripes were the top lace hole that effects the overall fit and ankle support on the shoe and moisture management.Maybe softer rubber compound used in the outsole would push the shoe that has good traction over the top.

Comfort and fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-4/5

Moisture management and top laceholes were my biggest gripes with the shoe.Overall the shoe is solid all the way down the line.Perfect shoe for swingmen and active forwards with it's light weight and ankle support. As my first pair of Melo signature shoes I will definitely be looking forward to future releases and if Jordan Brand and Melo can improve an already excellent shoe,they'll be top of the class in no time

Jordan XX2

2008-01-12T23:58:00.000-08:00

Air Superiority

After 22 different versions of the Air Jordan series,you would figure that the designers over at Jordan Brand would run out of ways to express MJ's dominance in the game of basketball.Inspired by the brand spanking new F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter jet,the Jordan XX2 captures the essence of what the designers of the F-22 Raptor were trying to create..utter dominance in each product's application in real world situations.The Jordan XX2 sports a brand new application of titanium coated midfoot shank as well the continued evolution of IPS cushioning.Lets see if the shoe will be Top Gun or crash and burn.

figure1
note the similar lines in the F-22 Raptor and Jordan XX2 that was inspired by the jet.

Compared to the previous Jordan XXI,the designers went for more sleeker and stealthier look mostly due to the inspiration from the fighter jet.Another key difference is the designers made an effort to address some of the moisture and heat management issues the XXI had.Also rather than carbon fiber,we are treated to a Titanium coated tpu shank.While the amount and thickness of titanium coating used in the shank is minimal,it was a nice touch to add and something I have grown accustomed to from a Jordan signature shoe.Exotic materials or process' that set it apart from all others.While I cant say whether or not the Titanium actually affects performance,again it was a nice touch.IPS has evolved once again.Originally introduced in the XX,the XXI took the concept further and allowed the wearer to customize the heel cushioning.The XX2 takes yet another step by adding encapsulated air above the IPS pods in the forefoot for additional cushioning.The interchangeable Zoom air IPS pod is a double stacked zoom air unit while the max air unit is a standard encapsulated max air unit.

figure2
Note the TPU wrap as well as over sized heel counter.Also note the gap under the heel counter as that will create problems further explained throughout the review.

When you first put on the XX2 you will notice how comfortable the shoe feels on your foot.No seams,nice quilted padding for the ankle,additional padding for the Achilles.Basically all of the top of the line materials and design to make the shoe one of the most comfortable on the market at that particular time.The shoe did start off a bit stiff but nothing overly uncomfortable.With the TPU wrap coupled with the heel counter the shoe had plenty of ankle support.While the shoe did sacrifice a bit of the ankle support that the XXI had with that shoe's height,I didn't mind the lower profile XX2.The XX2 also features a lace lock which was troublesome at times.I also found that during extended use,the lace lock tended to loosen up a bit.While I liked the concept of the lace lock and the initial lock down fit given by the lock,when it loosened up after the extended use,it kind of defeated the whole purpose of the lace lock.

figure3
Titanium coated midfoot shank

figure4
note the sergeant shaped pattern on the IPS pods

Much of the hype surrounding the shoe was around the use of titanium in the shoe.While most of the use of the material was within the midfoot shank,as I said above the actual application of the metal was microscopic.While the metal has excellent strength to weight ratio and all that other great stuff,titanium's rebounding properties aren't all that great.Meaning once it flexes,it doesn't really flex back to it's original shape.Overall support on the shoe was good except for the very minor issue with the lace locks I stated above.Overall heat and moisture management was a major upgrade from the previous XXI with vents that run down the ankle and most importantly a breathable tongue.The outsole is made up of a combination of herringbone rubber on the clear rubber compound as well as modified sergeant stripes type of pattern on the pods keeping with the military theme.Traction was excellent.The rubber compound used on the pods is very soft and worked well on both normal hardwood floor as well as the dirty concrete tile.Traction on the hardwood floor was excellent and had me stumbling a couple of times from the traction being so good.The midsole is made up of lightweight phylon and for those who care become noticeably creased upon use.One of my major gripes with this shoe is it's overall lack of durability.The translucent rubber compound wears away quickly and tears easily.The heel area is another problem area.While it is cool to see what kind of air unit the wearer is using,having an open space in an area which receives alot of impact will cause some durability issues as well as some other problems which will be illustrated as the review progresses.

figure5
pictured with the removable double stacked zoom air IPS pods

Cushioning on the XX2 was surprisingly good as well as surprisingly disappointing.The good is that they added encapsulated air on top of the forefoot IPS pods.In previous applications of IPS,it felt firm but unresponsive.With the additional forefoot encapsulated air units above the IPS,it makes the cushioning feel a bit more responsive as well as a more cushioned landing.That was the good...unfortunately there is a bad to what potentially would have been excellent...The removable IPS unit in the heel..In the XXI,the zoom air unit had a tendency to stick up a bit creating a bit of a bump under the heel.With the XX2,the double stacked zoom air unit now sticks up even more.Also thanks to the design calling for the ability to see what air unit is being used in the shoe through the window in the heel,the actual unit was moved back a bit so the cushioning now isn't directly under the heel,the center of the pod now sits slightly towards the back part of my heel.While this didn't hinder the performance,it created a bothersome sensation on the back part of my heel when using the double stacked zoom air unit.I ended up using the encapsulated air pod because it didn't create the bump that the zoom air pod created.

figure6

Overall the XX2 is worthy of taking into the battles on the hardwood.Just like with most weapons used on the battlefield,no one weapon is perfect however the XX2 overall is a pretty good shoe and would have been great except for a couple of missteps.For a shoe carrying the $175.00 price tag it isnt very durable with a major design flaw in the heel area that effects both the durability of the shoe as well as the overall feel of the shoe with a protruding bump under the back part of my heel because the designers wanted the IPS pod to be visible through the heel.

Comfort and Fit-3.5/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-4/5

I really wanted to love this shoe.I liked the design and the inspiration.I absolutely loved the traction.Forefoot cushioning was excellent.What held the shoe back the most was the placement of the IPS pod in the heel.It seemed like the designers were trying to correct the flaws of the XXI in the XX2.However one issue that carried over and even got compounded significantly effecting the overall feel of the shoe.

Nike Zoom Uptempo 3.0

2007-12-16T20:48:00.000-08:00

Perfect Strangers

At first glance of the Nike Zoom Uptempo 3.0, it looks like a mash up of the previous Zoom Kobe 1 and Zoom Kobe 2.While both were excellent in their own rights,2 rights together can sometimes throw things off and make a wrong.That being said the exciting combination of double stacked zoom air in the heel coupled with a nike free inspired outsole similar to the Zoom Kobe 2 has the pedigree of a winner.Lets find out if there is such a thing as too perfect.

figure1
note the fabric wrap stitched on for additional support

The upper of the Nike Zoom Uptempo 3.0 is similar to the Zoom Kobe 1 which depending on how you look at it,could be a good thing or a bad thing.Thankfully Nike seemed to learn from the issues previously had on the zk1 and managed to improve on them.One of the issues on the Zoom Kobe 1 was the overall lock down feel when lacing up the shoe.On the Zoom Kobe 1 it seemed that no matter how tight one pulled on the laces,it never really felt like it was laced very tight.The Zoom Uptempo 3.0 remedies that by removing all of the padding that was in the tongue and lace hole area in the Zoom Kobe 1 and keeps all material to a minimum.While this does dramatically improve the wearers ability to really lock down their foot,it takes away some of the comfort that made the Zoom Kobe 1 comfortable to wear.The wearer’s foot is supported with a dynamic fit sleeve which adds comfort and support.Mesh vents and perforations on the medial side provide heat and moisture management but I found the shoe absorbing alot of moisture after playing in them.I didn’t really feel like my foot was excessively hot but with the shoe being primarily suede in the color way tested,it didn’t manage the moisture very well.

figure2
perforations on the medial side help for heat and moisture management.Also visible is the cut out of midsole/outsole under the arches.

When Laced up tight,there is a bit of foam padding inside the shoe which was fairly comfortable..nothing spectacular..it gets the job done.The material that lines the collar that may cause irritation to those who like to wear no show socks.It is similar to the material used in the collar of the Zoom Kobe 1 however it isn’t as padded or flexible so be forewarned.

figure3
visible in the window is the carbon fiber wrap.As well as the material in the collar and reinforced heel counter.

Overall ankle support is decent.The shoe features an additional fabric wrap made of heavy duty ballistic mesh nylon that wraps around the entire shoe to add additional support rather than the carbon fiber spring plate used in the zoom Kobe 1.The ballistic mesh adds support to the foot by preventing the foot from moving off of the foot bed.The shoe minimizes on weight by cutting out a piece of the outsole/midsole at the midfoot area.While the shoe does feature a carbon fiber midfoot shank,unlike most carbon fiber midfoot supports we have seen,it does not extend all the way across the bottom of the outsole but only extends to less than half way across the foot.The support works the way it is supposed to however,that open space under my arches caused some soreness from the lack of support.The ballistic Nylon mesh runs under the arch providing support,but it would have been nice to have a bit more support.The Phylon used in the midsole is very dense but didn’t hurt the weight of the shoe.The forefoot Zoom air coupled with the denser Phylon provided firm cushioning.It was fairly responsive but I guess I am spoiled by the feel of the zoom air in the Zoom BB’s.The Double stacked Zoom air in the heel provided great impact protection in the heel on hard landings.

figure4
Nike "free" inspired outsole and another look at the cut out of material under the medial side of the foot.

Traction was great on normal hardwood.When I first brought it out to my dirty concrete tile floor,I did experience some slippage however by the second time I brought the shoe out it was fine.The Free inspired outsole worked with my foot well when cutting to the basket and allowing my foot to make the quick changes in direction when picking through the traffic on the way to the basket.The Rubber compound is also fairly dense so it may be able to stand up to use on outdoor courts with the denser phylon compound as well as a denser rubber compound that will stand up to black top better than the zoom Kobe 2 or zoom Kobe 1.

figure5

Overall the shoe performed well.If you consider it’s price point of $80.00 US the value is excellent.It is a lightweight performance shoe that has excellent value for it’s features.I wasn’t a fan of the lack of support under the midfoot and while The zoom air in the forefoot wasn’t bad..I think it could have been better.

Comfort and Fit-3/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-3/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-3/5

The shoe improved on the fit problems of the zoom kobe 1 but unfortunately cost it some of the comfort of it as well however I will admit I would take this upper over the zoom Kobe 1’s.Cushioning was decent but I expected better.Overall a decent shoe with excellent value for it’s price but not without it’s faults.

Jordan VII

2007-11-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

Lucky Number Slevin

Originally released in late 1991,the Jordan VII is a testament to spectacle that was Micheal Jordan.2ND NBA title,MVP,All NBA 1st team,All NBA defensive team,Olympic gold medal with the "Dream Team".Talk about busy,if this shoe review was to be based on historic moments alone,it would most certainly be right up there.It incorporated certain features of Huarache technology which made for optimized fit and weight.Heel and forefoot air units,and depending on the colorway,a number of full grain leather or synthetic uppers.Lets see if it was really the shoes...Oh yah,one more thing..Bugs Bunny wore them too...

figure1
Note the Huarache inspired minimal upper

The Jordan VII features some aspects of Nike's Huarache technology which provides light weight comfort.As with most Huarache based shoes,the Jordan VII features a dynamic fit sleeve for optimal foot support and comfort.The upper is also designed to be as minimal as possible and doing away with excess material and making for a light shoe.The Huarache based elements make the shoe one of the more comfortable shoes just to wear.Much of the padding we are used to around the ankle area is gone.Instead the padding is provided by the dynamic fit sleeve that extends to the Achilles and two inserts in the ankle area.Unfortunately this also does away with alot of the shoe's ankle support.The lack of material in the ankle area doesn't do much for ankle support making it almost similar to a low top.

figure2
The Jordan VII features a heel tab with Jordan's #23 and the Olympic version featured his Dream Team #9 jersey number

Cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot encapsulated air.While not responsive like Zoom air it still manages to provide excellent impact protection.The cushioning performed well on the concrete tile surface.The midsole provides additional support to keep the foot from moving side to side with phylon ridges that extend up the lateral and medial sides of the heel and forefoot.The fit sleeve and lacing system prevented any heel movement locking down my foot.The shoe runs true to size and was able to accommodate my wide foot without any discomfort.

figure3
note the serrations in the solid rubber for maximum flexibility

Traction was surprisingly good.When I first got the shoe,I thought there was no way I was going to bring this to my notorious dirty concrete tile court.I got brave one day and was pleasantly surprised,although I had to constantly wipe the soles for optimal traction,when clean the traction is fairly good.While the shoe doesn't feature traditional herringbone pattern,it does feature plenty of surface area and a softer rubber compound to really dig into the playing surface area.The sole also has serrations in the forefoot to aid the shoe's flexibility without sacrificing surface area.

figure4
note the cutouts in the ankle area as well as the dynamic fit sleeve.

Overall very very comfortable to wear.The shoe was fairly light and offers good impact protection.Unfortunately the shoe sacrificed ankle support for the lighter weight which wasn't anything mind blowing.Traction is good as long as you wipe the soles and for a shoe that was designed over 16 years ago it still performed reasonably well.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-2/5
Traction-3/5
Overall-3/5

Ankle support is the shoe's biggest weakness,but even 16 years after it's release The Jordan VII still stands as one of the more comfortable Jordan's I have worn.Unfortunately the ankle support issues,older cushioning setup,constantly having to wipe the soles for traction make it hard to recommend for regular use on court but still good for the occasional run.And that's all folks!!!....sorry had to do it...

Nike Uptempo Motion Nash

2007-10-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

Solar Flare

The Nike Uptempo Motion like the Nike Zoom Brave was another of Nike's limited releases.With the home white/orange/grey colorway being a Canada only release and the away black/white/purple release being Asia only.The Asia only colorway also received zoom air cushioning while the home colorway got heel and forefoot encapsulated air.It features Nike's chassis system for stability and support.Ill get into that more as the review progresses.I was disappointed that the shoe lacked zoom air especially since Nash's previous game shoe was the excellent Nike Zoom Drive.Lets see if the shoe continues to rain on my parade or if it shines bright enough to burn away those clouds of doubt.

figure1
A look at the Nike Chassis System.Also note how the collar slopes down from the top of the laces

When I first picked up the shoe I was surprised that it isn't the lightest shoe.Not that it is the Lebron IV, I was just surprised that it wasn't lighter especially since it looks light with it's high speed low drag design.The Uptempo Motion doesn't feature a dynamic fit sleeve but I didn't have any problems with seams or fit.The material used inside the shoe was very comfortable with plenty of padding around the collar.The collar slopes down from the top laces down to the Achilles tendon for maximum freedom nearly bringing the range of motion to that of a low top without sacrificing ankle support.The Nike Chassis System cradles your foot with TPU supports that cup the wearer's foot.Coupled with additional material stitched over the upper providing additional support that works in conjunction with the the rest of the upper and heel counter offering excellent support and stability.Overall ankle support is decent,due to the fairly low cut of the shoe.The Uptempo Motion's lacing system pulls the upper securely around the foot with a second lace hole at the top to really cinch in the ankle.The midsole is also internalized furthering the attempt to lower the profile of the shoe even without zoom air.

figure2
a look at the medial side and Chassis System

figure3
the shoe features Nash's #13 on the heel

As I stated at the beginning of the review,the home colorway didn't get the zoom air package the away colorway got.This was the shoe's biggest drawback where you have a shoe built to be low profile and perfect for the naturally low profile and responsive cushioning but instead was implemented with the standard Nike Air units.Asia seems to be getting many of the great exclusives in colorways and shoes lately with multiple colorways of the Nike Zoom Kobe 2 and Nike Zoom Brave.Fortunately the lack of Zoom Air didn't completely kill the shoe.I think it was one of those expectation type of deals where you know the shoe doesn't have Zoom Air but know it should.The cushioning performed well in terms of shock absorption but when making cuts and attacking the basket I was expecting the responsive cushioning I get from the Zoom Air.If it was a cost issue I would have paid another $10-15.00 to get zoom air in the shoe.

figure4
a look at the outsole

The outsole features multi-directional herringbone and a big ol' Swoosh right down the middle of the forefoot.Maybe if the Swoosh was in the midfoot where the outsole doesn't actually touch the playing surface rather than up in the forefoot area where traction and surface area is most needed for acceleration or quick change of direction.On clean hardwood I didn't have any problems,but naturally on the concrete tile I felt a bit of slippage in the forefoot area.I think another problem the shoe has in terms of traction is that the rubber compound used was fairly stiff.Perhaps a softer compound would have allowed the outsole to better grip and "bite" the playing surface batter.That being said the stiffer rubber compound should make the shoe an excellent performer on outdoor courts.

figure5
visible is the 2 additional layers of fabric stitched into the upper for additional support.

While the shoe was an above average performer I truly feel as if the lack of Zoom Air truly hurt the overall feel of the shoe.Maybe I'm just spoiled from playing in excellent Zoom Air based shoes and to have to transition back to a standard Air cushioning system kind of "buzz-killed" it for me.I love how the shoe gives plenty of freedom in the Achilles area simulating a low top shoe.And for whatever reason I really liked the material used inside the shoe making it perfect for no-show socks and a summer outdoor hoops shoe.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-3/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-3.5/5

Overall nothing spectacular but it does get the job done.There are a number of other shoes I would probably bring out before these again.Maybe if I can track down a pair of the Zoom Air based Asia exclusives I will update the review and compare.But being that the shoe was a Canada/Asia exclusive,and fairly hard to get,look elsewhere unless you're a die hard Steve Nash fan.

Adidas GCS Decade

2007-10-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

Combat Evolved

The Adidas Decade has been a mainstay in Adidas' line of shoes.Even as the company has evolved and advances in technology are made classic shoes like the Adidas Superstar,Decade and Forum are all updated year after year with new tech while keeping with the design of the classic.The Adidas GCS Decade has been updated with Adidas' latest tech-GCS standing for Ground Control System.GCS was first introduced in running shoes,it works much like a car's suspension does promoting stability and conforms to changes in terrain reducing stress on the body keeping the wearer's foot stable.Ill go more into detail about the tech as I progress through the review.

figure1
some examples of how the Decade has evolved

The Decade was a shoe I was excited to try out because of the new tech.GCS works by creating a ground leveling effect with the midfoot and heel being supported by a tpu shank working independently from the midsole and outsole.In this case three columns that run along the medial side of the shoe providing excellent support when moving laterally and on hard cuts by moving independent from the rest of the outsole/midsole preventing overpronation.Ankle support is definitely a plus on this shoe.Dense foam padding inside the shoe provides comfort and support.A CMEVA foam wing runs through the lateral side of the shoe providing support keeping the foot in place making sure the foot doesn't slide off of the footbed on hard cuts.

figure2
a look at the GCS tech with the 3 column setup as well as a look at the multi-directional traction pattern

figure3
a look at the medial side of the shoe with the TPU shank and GCS

I initially found the shoe to be a little bit on the stiff side during the initial break in period.Definitely not a shoe you want to pull out of the box and go with right away.After about 2-3 days of working out and light running in the shoe broke them in nicely.Heat and moisture management is good with a vent on the medial side as well as the tpu shank being perforated.There is additional padding for Achilles support and comfort.Unfortunately wearing no show socks might cause skin to be chafed from the seams on the support.Cushioning was a bit on the stiff side.With heel and forefoot Adiprene,cushioning was decent but not spectacular.Compared to the cushioning provided in the Adidas Crazy 1 the Decade feels like it took a step backwards in the cushioning department.Traction was decent.I actually expected the shoe to perform better in the traction department when looking at the outsole pattern.There is plenty of surface area for the shoe to come into contact with the playing surface but I continually experienced sliding during play on both hardwood and naturally dirty tile.After examining the shoe I'm guessing the rubber compound used for the outsole is a bit on the hard side and doesn't really grip the floor very well.

figure4
a look at the CMEVA foam wing

Overall the shoe excels stability and ankle support but was only mediocre in all other performance aspects.I was initially excited to try out the new GCS tech but was kind of turned off by how the rest of the shoe performed.Good thing the series continues to evolve.

Comfort and Fit-3/5
Cushioning-2.5/5
Ankle Support-4.5/5
Traction-3/5
Overall-3/5

Fit was excellent but comfort was not so much.Overall the concept shows promise but execution was lacking on this one.

Nike Zoom BB

2007-10-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

The Quick and the Dead

"Quick is Deadly" is the slogan used to describe Nike's latest guard oriented shoe.The Nike Zoom BB is a no frills straight up performance shoe.The kind of shoe I love but unfortunately I've been burned by that type of description in the past.Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to the shoe.At first glance it looks like a glorified Nike Blazer but it is much more than that.Coming with a 6 mm full length Zoom Air unit to put you closer to the ground than ever before all inside of a light weight supportive package.Lets find out if the shoe is throwing 7 different kinds of smoke or just a flash in the pan.

figure1
Note the high cut of the shoe but also how the collar slopes allowing flexibility for the Achilles

My initial impression of the shoe was eh...After reading the description of the shoe it managed to make a blip on my radar of shoes that I HAVE to pick up.A guard oriented basketball shoe that puts emphasis on speed and performance is all the way down my neck of the woods.When you first pick up the shoe you ll notice how light it is.However putting the shoe on is when you will truly appreciate the shoe.A full length dynamic fit sleeve cradles your foot and offers a seamless fit while providing heat and moisture management.The shoe is also cut fairly high but slopes down for maximum lateral support and flexibility for active players with minimal restriction similar to the Jordan XXI.The interior is lined with soft dense padding for comfort and support.However near the top of the shoe is a set of 3 lace holes that are coated and causes discomfort when wearing no show socks and laced all the way to the top.I really don't wear no show socks when playing anymore but I picked up on the problem right away when trying on the shoe.I didn't have problems with fit.I thought I might be too wide for the shoe but did not experience any discomfort.The lacing system really pulls the shoe around your foot and provides a great fit.

figure2
note the TPU heel support and difference in height from the top of the collar to the bottom.

I thought ankle support might be an issue due to the minimal use of material used throughout the shoe.The designers thought it out well when deciding where to add materials for increased support to keep the overall design minimal.The injected TPU heel support adds stability and support.The cut of the shoe and the way it seems to provide a locked down feeling of a boot without being restrictive also adds to the excellent ankle support.Alot of times ankle support is sacrificed to reduce weight or add to flexibility but the Nike Zoom BB manages to keep a high level of ankle support without adding to the weight or taking away from the flexibility.

figure3
note the forefoot outrigger for stability and the simple profile of the shoe.

Cushioning comes from a 6mm full length zoom air unit.One of my biggest concerns with the shoe was that I would be too heavy for the shoe for it to properly support and cushion me during active play.The shoe performed very well and I would have said excellent except I came down awkwardly landing on my heel and I really felt that impact.I could attribute the discomfort to the awkward landing but I feel it isn't a stretch to say this shoe wasn't designed for the big guys in the paint.The zoom air is responsive and propels me into my next step during play.Court feel is right up there with the Zoom Kobe 2.I felt the shoe working with my foot rather than resisting it when making hard cuts or change of direction.While not Nike Free technology the minimal design allows the shoe to work like an extension of the wearer's foot.

figure4
note the modified herringbone pattern and forefoot pivot point

Traction was excellent on hardwood.With plenty of surface area and soft rubber compound to grip the floor.It also features a forefoot pivot point for maximum traction on those Tony Parker like spin moves in the lane.Performance on the dirty tile was also great.I had minimal slippage and didn't have any problems making any moves on the dirty floor.

figure5
note the perforated medial side for moisture and heat management

Overall the shoe is right up there for best performance shoe this year.It's biggest drawback is that it isn't made for everyone.While support is excellent,and cushioning is great it isn't enough for the big guys who pound the paint.Guards and slashers however should rejoice that their shoe has arrived.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4/5

While I loved the shoe,those who like to play in no show socks may experience discomfort from the coating used to protect the top 3 lace holes.Comfort and Fitness and Cushioning lost points from the awkward landing and that those liking their shoes cut a bit lower might find the shoe a tad restrictive.Otherwise if you're an active guard who like to attack the basket looking for a lightweight and supportive performance shoe,get out there quick and pick these up.

Nike Zoom Brave

2007-10-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Fearless

Looks can be deceiving.At first glance there is really nothing spectacular about the Nike Zoom Brave.Initially released as Yuta Tabuse's signature shoe,Tabuse was the first Japanese player to make the NBA.The Zoom Brave was also worn by Jason Kidd and Kevin Martin.The shoe features a dynamic fit sleeve,full length zoom air and combination herringbone pattern/concentric circle outsole.It took me nearly 5 months to track down the shoe and get it imported from Asia.

figure1
note the mesh vents on the forefoot between the black and silver lace loops

When you first pick up the zoom brave you'll notice how light it is.It is actually lighter than the Nike Zoom BB which is slated to be the newest top of the line guard oriented shoe that Nike produces.While researching information about the shoe it was heavily advertised of having "advanced fitting" made specifically for "Japanese feet".I didn't have any problems with the fitting of the shoe with my moderately wide and flat feet.The shoe actually rivals the Nike Zoom Kobe 1 in terms of comfort.Its full length dynamic fit sleeve allows for a totally seamless fit.It features a mesh tongue and vents on the forefoot for heat and moisture management.It is well padded inside the shoe and I didn't experience any foot movement during play.One downside however is the shoe is cut fairly low and offers hardly any ankle support.The lacing system really locks down the players foot and midfoot support is excellent but all that does little to offset the shoe's biggest weakness in the ankle support department.

figure2
note the combination herringbone/concentric circle outsole

The outsole really helps make the shoe special.It features a combination herringbone/concentric circle pattern.Coupled with plenty of surface area for the outsole to contact the playing surface,I can't name many shoes off the top of my head that beat this one in the traction department.It performed exceptionally well on hardwood and didn't slip once on the dirt tile surface after a day's worth of mud and dirt was tracked through the gym.

figure3
note the midfoot lace loops which add mid-foot support

Cushioning is excellent,it features a full length zoom air unit that is responsive and low to the ground.I didn't experience any soreness or excessive leg fatigue on concrete tile.With a wide foot base and phylon support in the forefoot to keep the foot from moving.The midsole is actually internal in the heel of the shoe,with a perforated and raised patterned leather covering it.While the pattern isn't lasered on,it adds an extra dimension to the shoe.

figure4
note the low profile design that emphasizes speed

Overall the effort that went into tracking down the shoe was well worth it.If you are an active guard looking for a lightweight shoe,this could be the one for you...If you can find it.

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-2/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-4.5/5

I absolutely loved the shoe.It is stable,excellent cushioning,comfortable and provides top of the line traction.It's biggest downfall is it's lack of ankle support and difficulty to obtain.It also isn't the prettiest shoe but we're concerned with performance not looks on this site.If you can find it and like shoes like the Nike Zoom Turbine and Nike Zoom Flight 2k3 you will definitely love this one.

Nike Zoom Flight 5

2007-09-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

ZOOM ZOOM

Originally released in 1996,Jason Kidd 2 years off his co-rookie of the year was given his first shoe to bear his name.That same year,he was traded to the Phoenix suns to join Kevin Johnson and a rookie from Santa Clara, Steve Nash.The Suns battled back from an 0-13 start to make the playoffs behind a "small ball" starting back court of Kidd and Johnson with Nash backing up both guard spots.The Nike Zoom Flight 5 was inspired by a track spike and Jason Kidd's ability to turn games into track meets.With a track spike inspired outsole and TPU "alien eye",the shoe was built for speed.The shoe also features the continued evolution of zoom air from the previous Zoom Flight 95 and Zoom Flight 96.

figure1
note the track spike inspired outsole as well as the concentric circle pattern.

With the focus of the shoe on speed,the shoe needs to really grip the court just as a pair of track spikes really get into the dirt for maximum traction on the track.With speed nubs coupled with concentric circles on soft composite rubber,the shoe does just that.As seen in figure1 the traction pattern only covers the forefoot rather than both forefoot and heel.The concentric circle pattern optimizes a shoe's ability to come into contact with the playing surface at 360 degrees,maximizing the outsole's ability to really grip the playing surface.The traction ate up the dirty tile floor with minimal slippage and performed wonderfully on clean hardwood.

figure2
note the lower profile cut on the ankles as well as the TPU "alien eye"

The shoe also features a phylon support wing on the lateral side with a TPU "alien eye" continuing the bug eye concept started with the zoom flight 95.The TPU pod actually helps the phylon wing support the mid-foot.The phylon wing is actually segmented and allows for maximum flexibility.The heel features a large heel counter that locks down the rear part of the shoe while a TPU midfoot shank keeps everything stable.A dynamic fit sleeve also adds to the fit and support.Its a good thing the shoe is stable because it offers hardly any ankle support.The collar of the shoe ends just under the ankle bone.

figure3
a rear view of the shoe as well as Jason Kidd's logo

At the time of the shoe's release,Zoom air was still in it's relative infancy.What started out as tensile air in the Nike Air Go evolved into zoom air in the Zoom Flight 95 and continued on with the Zoom Flight 96.However the difference of 2 years made all the difference for the shoe.When I wore original zoom air based shoes it felt like there wasn't any cushioning at all.Hardly any of the responsive and low to the ground properties we are used to today.The Zoom Flight 5 was the first zoom air based shoe that I really LOVED playing in.Cushioning was responsive and low to the ground.I felt like I had total control of how I moved without sacrificing cushioning.With previous models I felt like I was lower to the ground.Unfortunately at times it felt like I was landing directly on the ground barefoot with the Zoom Flight 95 and 96.

figure4
the front view of the shoe.Note how the phylon wing is segmented to allow flexibility.

I'm going to admit that this shoe was the shoe that made me LOVE shoes.I loved the amazing design and how it was different from anything out at the time.It isn't however without it's faults,ankle support is below average.While the shoe as a whole is very stable,the whole track spike inspiration didn't really allow for a higher cut for ankle support.While a cosmetic issue,The TPU pod scratches fairly easily.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-2.5/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4/5

Although originally released in 1996,the shoe stands up well versus many shoes designed today.It does have a strange fit to it.While it is cut a bit on the wider side,it's length is a bit on the shorter side.Ankle support is about on par with a low top.But if you re looking for a shoe to run the opposition ragged with,this is your shoe.

Nike Zoom Flight 2K3

2007-09-25T15:50:00.001-07:00

Hero in a Half Shell

PURE PERFORMANCE.When you look at the Zoom Flight 2K3 those two words are the first words that come to mind.It looks fast,light weight,new materials,aggressive traction,full length zoom air.The shoe features a revolutionary thermo-formed outer shell which provides light weight support.The material is more rigid than foamposite material but still pliable.

figure1
note the outrigger on the forefoot for added stability as well as the beautiful profile of the shoe.

With the use of the thermo-formed outer shell,weight is greatly diminished.The shoe from top to bottom is extremely stable.Outriggers on the lateral side of the forefoot gives the wearer a wide and stable base on while slashing to the basket.The shell provides great ankle support.It is less pliable than foamposite material.But still rigid enough to offer excellent support.The cut of the shoe is also fairly high extending above the ankle bone.This however manages to create another problem where the edges of the top of the shoe has only thin strips of thinly cushioned material covering the edges of the shell.When wearing no show socks,chafing will occur and will cause discomfort.Quarter socks will give you enough coverage to prevent the material from rubbing on the skin.Another problem I encountered was that my heel was slipping a bit.Even after wearing two pairs of socks to try to remedy the problem to fill in the open spaces,the heel area just wasn't fitting right.The shoe features a dynamic fit sleeve with extra coverage in the Achilles area to prevent chafing that takes place around the rest of the ankle area.Unfortunately when putting on the shoe,your heel will push the sleeve down even after loosening the laces and you end up fishing for the pull tab and due to the rigidness of the shell,it becomes an index finger dexterity and strength exercise.

figure2
a look at the wide heel as well as the troublesome heel pull tab

Cushioning is provided via full length zoom air.However,it felt to be a little bit higher than I am used to in terms the application of zoom air.It was still responsive and managed to absorb the shock I put on my feet during active play but just felt like I was sitting higher than similar shoes in it's class.The shoe breathes very well with the shell being perforated for breathablity.The dynamic fit sleeve is lined with mesh as well adding to the already excellent moisture management.

figure3
note the 5 dots on the lateral side of the forefoot meaning the shoe is in the "Alpha Project" family of shoes.

Traction is excellent.With plenty of surface area and herringbone traction for the forefoot area,the heel features what feels to be a rubber compound that feels a bit softer than the herringbone traction and small speed nubs for maximum traction.I had absolutely no problems with traction on both well and poorly maintained courts.

figure4

If I was to grade a shoe simply by how or whether it performed,the Nike Zoom 2K3 would receive top scores.However,the shoe isn't without it's flaws.The outer shell felt like it restricted my movement and did not really allow my foot to get the angles I normally get on other shoes in it's class.

Comfort and Fit-2.5/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-3/5

Comfort and fit was the biggest sore spot on the shoe.Cushioning lost points for the the shoe feeling like it sit higher than what was expected.

Jordan XV

2007-09-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

SUPERSONIC

With the lasting final image of greatness of Jordan being him at the top of the key in the Delta Center having just hit the game winning shot against the Utah Jazz in the excellent Jordan XIV's.Our next look at the legacy that is Jordan was the Jordan XV.Not quite as pretty.The XV was inspired by the X-15 supersonic jet.The X-15 was revolutionary in it's design and performance.It made several speed and altitude records by a manned aircraft.The shoe also features a tongue that is said to be inspired by Jordan and his habit of sticking out his tongue while making the impossible look pedestrian.Heel and forefoot zoom air,herringbone traction,full length dynamic fit sleeve..what isn't there to love?Lets find out...

figure1
Note the tongue sticking out as well as the woven panels.

The XV is perhaps the least favorite of all Jordans due to it's aggressive design and other issues we will be going over during the course of the review.I am also in the belief that out of %100 of people who don't like it,MAYBE %40 wouldn't dislike this shoe as much if they had an opportunity to see Jordan win another championship wearing the XV's.But then again that's strictly my opinion.The shoe features a dynamic fit internal bootie system that offers a seamless and supportive fit.When you first put on the shoe...actually when you first manage to struggle getting your foot into the shoe,it is fairly comfortable.Part of the problem of getting into the shoe is the large Pebax heel wrap.The wrap isn't very flexible..which is a good thing when it's main purpose is to support the wearer's heel,but again makes it difficult when trying to put your foot into the shoe.With a full length internal bootie,you would assume that fit and support would be excellent.Unfortunately while all the ingredients were there,the execution wasn't.The design of the shoe has a "V" shaped channel with speed lacing loops as well as Lycra loops that go up the channel which the laces run through to guide the laces when tightening the shoe.While the lacing system does a decent job of securing one's foot around the forefoot/midfoot area,there is hardly any support for the heel area.The lacing system and design of the shoe doesn't support or lockdown the heel area at all.I'm under the impression that the Pebax heel wrap was supposed to support the wearer's heel independent of the shoe's lacing system.Perhaps another lace loop or two would have done the trick to really pull the wearer's foot back into the heel wrap.

figure2
note the "V" shaped lacing channel and the dress shoe inspired woven material and outrigger on the lateral side of the midfoot.

So with the lack of fit and support in the heel area,performance on the rest of the shoe suffers.Ankle support is average at best.A large phylon wrap at the midfoot that extends up the sides on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe to help support the foot and prevent the foot from rolling over.Coupled with the Pebax heel wrap,again the ingredients were there,the chef just didn't look at the recipe.The poor fit in the heel rendered any support given virtually null.While the shoe had a decent fit on my wide feet,those with narrow to moderately narrow feet should stay away.The lacing system just does not pull the shoe together enough to compensate for a more locked down fit.Due to an outrigger on the lateral side of the forefoot and heel,coupled with a fairly wide base,the shoe is a fairly stable ride.Cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot zoom air units.The zoom air is aided by heel and forefoot phylon inserts under the insole for additional impact protection.While I have not had any issues with cushioning I have heard other reports of shin splints and the cushioning system not working as well as it should be.

figure3
2.17 is Jordan's birthday

Traction is provided by solid rubber and herringbone pattern.I will say that the XV's are some of the most resilient Jordans made.The traction seems to last even during heavy use while playing outdoor basketball and were even used to skateboard.Traction was great on clean hardwood and I didn't notice much slipping when testing on dirty concrete tile.There is plenty of surface area for the shoe to come into contact with the ground.

figure4
a look at the Pebax heel wrap and the numbers down the heel meaning 15-Air Jordan #15,6-championships and 23-Jordan's jersey number

figure5
A profile shot of the XV with it's X-15 jet,dress shoe and tongue hanging out inspirations

The Jordan XV in many ways had the potential to be great.Unfortunately it's execution left a bit to be desired.Actually the failure to really lockdown the heel hurt performance in nearly every aspect in the shoe.While I didn't hate the shoe and wasn't a fan of it's lack of ankle support, and poor fit in the heel.

Comfort and Fit-3/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-2.5/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-3/5

Overall it's poor fit hurt the shoe.If comfort and fit were separate scores the comfort would have been 3 and fit would have been zero.The poor fit is simply inexcusable with the great history of fit with previous models.

Nike Foamposite Pro

2007-09-12T22:40:00.000-07:00

Once Again Back is the Incredible

The Nike Foamposite One was released in 1997.It's revolutionary design and materials revolutionized the way basketball shoes are made.The upper is made of a single piece of molded polyurethane that does not stretch or lose shape like traditional leather or other materials used as upper's for shoes.While sacrificing weight the material offers a custom "molded" fit after the material conforms to the wearer's foot.But all the fancy tech speak aside,and besides looking pretty and the $180 price tag,lets find out if it really is revolutionary or just another Y2k dud.

figure1
The Foamposite Pro is similar to the Foamposite One minus the swoosh and Penny logo on the heel as well as a translucent rubber outsole.

With the shoe being constructed of a single piece of foamposite material it eliminates any seams that may rub on the wearer's foot.It was constructed and designed to be an extension of the wearers foot acting like a sock.The shoe is lined with a full length dynamic fit sleeve for comfort and support.While the material does not stretch,it does mold to the wearer's foot.This is definitely a pair that you pull out of the box and immediately play in.There is a break in period which at times it feels like your foot is literally breaking to fit into the shoe.But the the results are perhaps the best fitting shoes you will ever wear.the lacing system aids the foamposite upper in locking down your foot and offering excellent support.Heat and moisture management is also good with the lycra/mesh dynamic fit sleeve.

figure2
a look at the lacing system as well as the beautiful profile of the shoe.

Cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot zoom air.You get a low profile feeling when you wear the shoe but nothing like the Flightposite series. Impact protection was good when landing on concrete tile.I didn't feel too much foot or leg fatigue when playing in the Foamposite Pro.Traction was above average.The outsole is segmented to provide flexibility.with the herringbone pattern split into 6 different pods optimized for motion.Unfortunately the large swoosh on the outsole also hurts the shoe's traction by taking away surface area for the shoe to come into contact with the floor in the heel area.

figure3
here you can see the segmented outsole as well as the carbon fiber midfoot support.

Overall ankle support is excellent.My only gripe is that at times it felt like it was fairly easy to roll your foot over.While the support was excellent it just felt like my foot could roll over at any time.Unlike the Flightposites that are actually the same height when put side to side,the Flightposites just felt like they sit lower to the ground.There is also a large carbon fiber midfoot support that works in conjunction with the Foamposite upper ensuring the shoe was tops in it's class in support.Unfortunately this feature also manages to create the biggest chink in the super armor that is the Foamposite Pro/One...The Carbon Fiber cracks.On my third wearing of the shoe,it started developing small cracks in the carbon fiber shank towards the heel area similar to the problems I had with the Jordan XXI.I'm not sure if the problem has to do with the amount of torque I put on the shoe when changing directions but for a shoe to fail so quickly and to pay a premium price for a performance shoe is inexcusable.

figure4

Here is a picture of the carbon fiber cracking towards the heel area.

figure5

Overall the shoe performed reasonably well.While the design and material used were revolutionary,it was also the first.The Flightposite series expanded on the original idea and pushed design and performance limits into excellence.That being said I was deeply disappointed with the carbon fiber cracking on the midfoot shank.The way the carbon fiber cradles the foot without much more support was certainly a design flaw that was later corrected in other designs.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-4.5/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-4/5

Comfort and Fit would have been a 5 had it not been for the painful break in period and I seriously thought about docking points from the overall score due to the carbon fiber cracking in a $180 shoe.

Jordan XIII

2007-09-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

Black Cat

When looking for words to describe Michael Jordan's game,the words quick,agile and relentless come to mind.Hence his nickname "Black Cat".Like the large jungle cat it seemed as if Jordan would play games teasing his opponent before he would go in for the kill.The design of the Jordan XIII was inspired by the Black Panther,with the outsole mimicking the paws of a panther and the holograms on the heels being the piercing eyes in the jungle darkness.The Jordan 13's have always been a favorite of mine.I always just loved the design and simply just loved looking at them.Even before I knew what inspired the design there was an organic feel to them.The heel and forefoot zoom air coupled with a carbon fiber midsole gave me even more reason to love them.That being said lets see if this shoe performs like it's jungle counterpart or Garfield.

figure1
Note the beautiful profile of the shoe,you can really see the Panther inspired aspects of the shoe.As well as the rubber "pods" that add to the stability of the shoe.

Like the Black Panther,the shoe was designed for agility and speed.The midsole has strategically placed pods to aid the shoe when moving laterally and drives to the basket.Heel to toe transition is excellent with the outsole being segmented much like the big cat's paws.Traction was good on hardwood but only performed above average when put onto the dusty tile surface.I believe due to a lack of overall surface area of the outsole's herringbone pattern coming into contact with the floor.Stability is premium with this shoe with it's fairly wide base and rubber pods.The shoe is also cut fairly high.With the collar being asymmetrical.The medial side is higher than the lateral side to offer better support from the foot rolling over.Lacing the shoe to the top provides a secure fit.There is plenty of padding on the tongue so cinching in the laces wasn't a problem.The ankle area has plenty of padding and didn't experience any discomfort in the Achilles area.

figure2
note the segmented outsole which is meant to mimic the paw of a Black Panther.

figure3
a look at the asymmetrical collar for ankle support.

Cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot zoom air.It is responsive and low to the ground.It works well with the segmented outsole for excellent low profile and responsive cushioning giving great court feel.A carbon fiber midfoot shank provides support.

figure4
another view of the outsole and overall profile of the shoe

figure5
Another look at the 13's

Overall the shoe performed great.The high cut took me a little bit of getting used to.I would say my biggest gripe is that for a beautiful shoe it doesn't really age very well with the creasing.The midsole suede also bleeds onto the white pods and turns them a light shade of pink.A majority of the issues are strictly cosmetic.I would say a bit more traction without sacrificing the excellent flexibility of the outsole would make this shoe great.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-4.5/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-4/5

Minor issues with the traction but as I've said in the past the shoe still performs reasonably well when compared to shoes designed nearly 10 years later.

Jordan XII

2007-09-03T22:50:00.000-07:00

Rising Sun

Originally released in 1996 it was Jordan's initial foray into establishing Brand Jordan as a separate entity from Nike basketball.It is the first Air Jordan that does not bear any Nike logo or Swoosh anywhere on the shoe although it still came in a Nike box.It's design was said to be inspired by the flag of the Japanese army with the sun and the rays during a sunset.The shoe was pretty basic considering all of the tech that's put into shoes now.Full grain leather,Carbon Fiber midsole wrap,heel and forefoot zoom air.

figure1
you can see the inspiration of the shoe with the "rising sun" design with the ribbing.

As Jordan's first signature shoe for the fledgling Brand Jordan,it is fairly simple in it's design.No flashy patent leather or clear rubber outsoles.This shoe just looks like it means business.It is simple and rugged yet has a sleek performance look and feel to it.While simple,rugged and sleek are three words not normally associated together to describe one thing,this shoe delivers on all those fronts.At first glance the shoe looks like it might be on the heavy side but you will be surprised to see how relatively light the shoe is compared to it's looks.The carbon fiber wrap under the midsole takes away weight from the shoe by eliminating excess material from the outsole and midsole.When I first got the shoe,and tied the laces all the way to the top hole I felt some tightness around my ankle and feeling the laces through the tongue.After a while though I didn't notice the laces at all.The shoe is cut high enough to give you excellent ankle support but not restrict motion too much.The outsole also has ridges in the midfoot to help keep your foot stable on the footbed.There are also two plastic tabs above the ridges that promote support as well.While in no way would the tabs prevent one's ankle from rolling over it offers subtle support when going through one's natural motions during activity.The interior is great as well with padding for your ankles and Achilles tendon and mesh on the tongue for heat management.

figure2
another look at the "rising sun" ribbing as well as the early Jordan Brand "logo"

I was surprised to find that the shoe is very stable.When I first looked at it I had my doubts with a lot of the rounded edges.The midfoot carbon fiber wrap adds midfoot support without sacrificing weight.I was also surprised that heel-toe transition was smoother than I thought it would be.The lacing system works well with the shoe locking down your foot when laced all the way to the top those with narrow feet and narrow heels might experience some slipping due to the shoe being a tad on the wide side but nothing major.Cushioning on the retros are better than the originals.Where the zoom air was fairly stiff on the original 1996 release,the 2004 retros' cushioning seems to be a bit softer and responsive.Traction was excellent with herringbone pattern on both the heel and forefoot area.Traction on the tiled floor was good as well.

figure3

figure4
note the smooth lines of the shoe

Overall the shoe performed better than I expected.When talking to other people who have actually played in the shoe before me,the review was mixed.As with many of the shoes I have reviewed,the technology may be showing it's age a bit but it is still performs well.While the main complaint I heard about the shoe was that it was that it was on the bulky side,I really didn't find it to be too bulky.While I also wasn't a fan of the design when I first saw it,the Jordan XII has quickly become one of my favorites.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-4/5

Overall the shoe is solid all the way down the board.If comparing it to other shoes from that era there is no doubt the Jordan XII would have been top of the line.

Jordan XXI

2007-08-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Blackjack

Whenever I visit my guys at the local shoe store we always get into conversations of what's hot right now,what shoes feel good and how things are selling.Alot of times,when it comes to Jordan Brand shoes that aren't retros,the reactions are lukewarm at best.When you put a pair of Jordan retro IV's next to a pair of Jordan XXI's, you can see why the reactions are less than stellar.Not that the Jordan XXI is ugly.Far from it you just cant look at it the same way one looks at the Jordans from yesteryear.I'm usually quick to defend an unpopular looking shoe with "have you tried them on or played in them?"Most of the time the answer is no or I don't play basketball.Lord forbid we use a pair of Jordans to play basketball in.The design of the XXI is inspired by the Bentley Continental GT.The shoe takes a few visual ques from the car as well as some of the materials that make up the shoe are GT inspired.But looks can be deceiving,while it may have the looks of a Bentley,does it have the guts of a Tercel.

figure1a

figure1b
you can see the similar lines between the shoe and it's inspiration

Jordan Brand has gone all out performance in the XXI.Carbon fiber,IPS cushioning,customizable max air or zoom air cushioning and full grain leather with variable lacing.At first look,the shoe looks bulky and cut higher than most shoes on the market right now.While it is certainly higher cut on the medial and lateral sides,the heel/Achilles area is nearly 2 inches lower than the sides giving flexibility without impeding support.Couple that with the variable lacing system and a wide base,and you have a shoe that offers top of the line ankle support.The interior of the shoe is just as luxurious as it's Bentley counterpart.As a nod to the the seats of the car,the padding on the ankle area is quilted in the same pattern as the seats.The padding is very comfortable and isn't too restrictive even with the laces fully tightened.

figure2
a better look at the difference in height between the sides and heel area

The cushioning is provided by forefoot IPS pods and heel max air or zoom air units.IPS stands for Independent Podular Suspension.IPS pods are placed under the high impact zones under the forefoot.It is made up of phylon pods that are different densities.It is supposed to provide different levels of cushioning on high impact areas of the foot during high activity.The heel cushioning gives you two options of either max air or zoom air.Replacing the air units is simple,you simply lift up the insole in the heel and insert your desired cushioning pod and you re good to go.It's cool but a little unnecessary.The zoom air unit actually sticks out a bit and makes a small bump under your heel.It became a little annoying for me after a while and stuck with the max air unit that didn't bulge under my heel.Overall,the cushioning was good.Nothing really spectacular.IPS was ok but didn't provide the responsive cushioning I am used to with zoom air based shoes.I will say one thing for the cushioning though,while testing on the tiled floor I had very little leg fatigue after playing for extended periods on a concrete surface.

figure3
above are the different heel air units available for the XXI

figure4
above is a look at the IPS system as well as the excellent DNA inspired traction.

figure5
The large carbon fiber midfoot shank provides excellent support

Midfoot support is excellent with a large carbon fiber shank as seen in figure4 and figure5.While allowing for lightweight support, however on the two pairs that I own the carbon fiber developed cracks towards the heel area.While the cracks are fairly small,continued use will certainly widen the cracks.Traction was excellent on all surfaces.The pattern is actually inspired by DNA strands.Definitely one of the major strengths of the shoe.

figure6
the vents that run throughout the medial and lateral side of the shoe mirror the grill of the Bentley.

Overall the shoe performed well.It didn't knock me out but it didn't hurt after I was done wearing it so that is definitely a plus.The issue with the carbon fiber cracking was a major gripe because it is such an integral part of the shoe.I felt the interchangeable heel cushioning cool but a little bit useless.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-4.5/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-3.5/5

If the shoe was to be simply judged by it's performance aspects then as evidenced by the score above it is solid.Unfortunately with the expectations people have for the Jordan signature shoe,I believe it isn't unfair to expect more.The cracking carbon fiber is inexcusable for it's role in the shoe as well as the fact that retail price for the shoe is $174.99.The whole issue with the zoom air heel unit contributed to the subtraction in score for cushioning.

Nike Air Max Penny IV

2007-08-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

Penny for Your Thoughts

The Nike Air Penny IV was released in 1998.Unlike previous versions of the Penny series this version was relatively simple.No latest and greatest foamposite material or anything of the sort.This shoe was made for performance and protection.In 1997 Penny Hardaway suffered a nearly career ending knee injury and was sidelined for much of the year.Unlike some of the previous versions of the the Penny series,the Penny IV features the best support and cushioning of the series.Possibly needed due to the nature of Penny's knee injury and additional support and protection was needed.

figure1
visible is the heel air max unit as well a the fabric heel wrap which provides some additional support for a more lockdown feel in the heel.

The shoe features all the right ingredients to be excellent.Full grain leather,ankle strap,Forefoot zoom air and air max heel unit,carbon fiber midsole and speed lacing system.The shoe comes together well but it's not perfect.The full grain leather is very durable and is comfortable.The shoe features a dynamic fit sleeve for support and a semi-seamless fit.The ankle area is treated to padded and soft material and overall is very comfortable when on.Problem is putting the shoe on is a totally different story.

figure2
shows the elastic band that adds support for the ankle and the Velcro piece where the ankle strap is attached to.

One of the biggest upgrades the Penny IV has over the previous versions is an ankle strap for a true lockdown feel.The strap starts from the lateral side and wraps around the heel to the medial side where it is secured in place by a piece of Velcro as seen in figure2.From there the strap runs under a loop,through the buckle and back over to the medial side to be secured.Sound confusing?Wait till you try to put the shoe on.While the strap is excellent,it provides excellent ankle support and prevents the heel from sliding in the shoe,getting in and out of the shoe is a pain.To have to undo the strap,under the buckle and remove the strap from the velcro on the medial side of the shoe is irritating to say the least.Because you cant just undo the laces and move in and out of the shoe makes the whole process tedious.Overall the shoe offers great support.An elastic support connects both sides of the shoe in front of the tongue.This pulls the shoe together adding support.As previously stated the ankle strap really locks down your foot and with the strap wrapping around the heel area,it offers great stability and heel lockdown.Another major gripe I had was that the tongue would sometimes slip down and my ankle area would be rubbing onto the strap of the shoe.I normally wear quarter socks while playing anyways and that instantly negates that issue.Moisture management is great with the mesh tongue to help keep your foot fairly dry.I didn't feel any discomfort due to moisture or heat.

figure3
note the simple design but built to perform and incorporate all of Nike's top technology into one package.

As I stated above,putting the shoe on is perhaps the worst thing about the shoe.The best thing is probably wearing the shoe.Yes it sounds weird but honestly I loved wearing this shoe.The forefoot zoom air offers great low profile cushioning in the forefoot when cuts and change of direction are made.The heel air max unit offered great protection from hard landings.the dynamic fit sleeve with the material used for the interior of the shoes provided comfort.

figure4
note the solid rubber outsole that has been optimized from maximum traction and flexibility.

The solid rubber outsole offers good traction on most surfaces but didn't do so well on my dusty tile test.I feel the herringbone traction pods should have also been placed in the medial side of the forefoot as well to give the shoe greater surface area.The carbon fiber shank provides lightweight and excellent midfoot support.

figure5
Another look at the ankle strap and speed lacing system.

Overall the shoe is solid.The ankle support as well as overall support throughout the shoe was great.My main gripes would be getting in and out of the shoe effectively as well as some durability issues.the metal buttons on the straps tend to come off and I have had issues with the heel air max unit in previous pairs.Traction could have been better but was still decent.Overall the shoe is a great package and the designers did a great job making a wonderfully comfortable shoe.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle support-4.5/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-4/5

The shoe lost overall points due to the durability issues I had as well as getting in and out of the shoe.Otherwise an excellent signature shoe for one of the best players in the 90's.

Nike Zoom Flight Turbine

2007-08-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

Turbo Boost

I remember watching Jason Kidd in college.I remember what he did to Bobby Hurley and I remember his rookie season in the NBA.No look passes,triple doubles, one man fast breaks.Jason Kidd has always been one of my favorite players in the league and I'm always excited to see what he is wearing on court because I know they will usually be an excellent performance shoe.From the original Zoom Flight 95,to the Nike Zoom Flight 5, Ive always enjoyed the performance I got from his shoes.The time the Nike Zoom Flight Turbines came out I was away from basketball.While a lot of people I talk to refer to the 1990's as the golden years in terms of shoe technology and innovation.I look at the early 2000 as the "refinement" years where improvements were being made on many of the technologies developed in the 90's.I regret that I missed out on a lot of the shoes during that time period and have been playing a lot of "catch-up" in terms of going backwards from current shoes to shoes from years past.Hence some of the randomness in the chronological order of some of my reviews.Which brings me to the Nike Zoom Flight Turbine.My first experience with the shoe was in 2003 at Marshall's and seeing the shoe for $19.99.I really didn't pay them much attention but they made enough of an impression on me that I remember seeing them there for that price.Mainly because it wasn't for another year or so that I would read A review that raved about the performance of the shoe and would kick myself for skipping out on the shoe at that price.After a couple years I would finally pick up a pair and my only regret on picking up the shoe is "how come I waited so long?"

figure1
you can see the shoe's low profile and emphasis on high speed with a "low drag" design

Speed speed speed.That is the first thing that comes to mind when you first pick up the shoe.Next thing that will come to mind is how light the shoe is.So you get a sleek looking shoe that is light weight and that should almost always equal success in a performance shoe.Not always true but without a doubt this shoe is definitely a success.Start off with a different take on the overall design to the shoe.The shoe is basically a sock with an upper built around it.While not a seamless fit,the shoe doesn't have any comfort problems with seams when you put on the shoe.The material around your ankles is soft and also features a medial "monkey paw" to prevent the foot from rolling over.Even for a relatively low cut shoe it offers excellent midfoot support combined with the "monkey paw" to deliver decent ankle protection.

figure2
here's a look at the unique heel lockdown system that provides excellent fit on the heel.

As seen in figure2 the shoe features a unique heel lockdown system.Similar to the the heel system on the Adidas Crazy 8,the straps tighten around the Achilles tendon and provide excellent support.Due to the construction of the shoe,it doesn't have the normal parts to a shoe and the heel system compensates for that beautifully for a great lockdown fit and stability.Full length zoom air provides responsive and low profile cushioning.I was surprised to find the fit of the shoe was excellent and I thought I would feel some discomfort because I have a little bit of a wider foot.While my forefoot didn't have any problems I did feel minor discomfort in the top of my midfoot.One main gripe I have about the shoe however is the internal lacing system.The laces are located under the outer "shroud" and can be a pain to loosen at times.

figure3
Note the carbon fiber midfoot shank and excellent outsole for top of the line traction.

What good is a fast shoe with bad traction?Fortunately this shoe excels in this category.With a solid rubber outsole,the shoe grips the court like high performance racing tires.The rubber is actually a little bit on the soft side and there is plenty of surface area for the shoe to come into contact with the court.A carbon fiber midfoot shank provides great midfoot support.

figure4
another look at the zoom flight turbines and the outer "shroud"

Overall the the shoe performs like a dream.While not perfect I love it's performance aspects.I gives just the right amount of support but never loses it's intended purpose..To Go Really Fast.Some of my gripes with the shoe was some of the midfoot discomfort I felt due to the outer shroud being a tad bit restrictive but upon further wears the discomfort seemed to subside a bit.I wish they would have shipped the shoe with a seamless internal booty which might have made it a bit better but still I didn't have any problems with seams and that's just the nit picky person in me coming out.

Comfort and fit-4/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-3.5/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-4.5/5

While definitely excellent it did have minor comfort issues but in terms of an overall performance shoe,it's sum is greater than it's parts.

Jordan XIV

2007-08-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Fast and the Furious

In Jordan's last game as a Chicago Bull,with less than 6 seconds left,Jordan makes Bryon Russell into Craig Ehlo of the 90's.The shoe was inspired by Jordan's Ferrari 550 Maranello and was designed to perform just as well.With it's low profile and lightweight it was built for speed and performance.With many visual cues coming from the Ferrari 550 does it have the power under the hood or the guts of a pinto.

figure1
you can see the beautiful design of the shoe as well as the asymmetrical heel

When you first pick up the shoe you ll immediately notice how light the shoe is.The Phylon midsole provides lightweight support and cushioning.When you put the shoe on you ll notice the shoe doesn't have an internal bootie but still provides an excellent fit.It isn't a seamless fit but I didn't feel any irritation when playing in the shoe.The heel is asymmetrical where it is higher on the medial side rather than the lateral side.This provides more ankle coverage on the inside part of the ankle to provide support so the ankle doesn't roll over.The heel is also padded with dense foam which conforms to the contours of the ankle area.This provides excellent comfort and support.The heel counter is rigid and the overall feel of the shoe is stable.

figure2
note the tire tread like traction on the outsole

The traction on the Jordan XIV is top notch.With the herringbone pattern as well as wide forefoot and heel surface area,quick change of direction and cuts are nothing for the shoe.The outsole didn't even miss a beat on the dusty tile floor.Support for your foot while making those cuts is a midfoot shank.Also adding to the support are phylon "fingers" which keep your foot from moving off of the footbed.cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot zoom air units.It provides excellent low to the ground responsive cushioning.The phylon midsole is also very soft as well adding to the zoom air providing an excellent ride.

figure3
note the phylon "fingers" that add to support in the forefoot area

figure4
note the small vent which provides breathability for the shoe and is a visual take on the Ferrari 550

Overall the shoe is excellent.One of my favorites of all time and honestly my first jordan I ever owned back in 1998.Even with it's historic moment in history being the last shoe jordan won a championship in,its not a big hit with the collectors due to heavy creasing on the midsole when worn.That being said when looking at the top performance shoes of the Jordan line I think the XIV rates right up there with the best.Even by today's standards the shoe would hold it's own and could be considered top 10 in terms of performance.

Comfort and Fit-5/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle support-4/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-5/5

The shoe scored well in all categories and is truly a testament to performance aspect of the Brand Jordan line.

Jordan XIX SE

2007-08-06T22:52:00.000-07:00

Solid Snake

The Jordan XIX was inspired by the "Black Mamba" snake found in Africa.The snake is said to be the most dangerous snake on earth.The Jordan XIX featured Tech-Flex technology which provided lightweight support and was extremely flexible.It was included on a shroud which went over most of the shoe and was locked down with a velcro strap on the heel.It performed reasonably well but had issues with the strap staying locked down.The XIX SE removed the shroud altogether and went with a normal lacing system rather than the Tech-Flex and speed lace system.Rather than being a ".5" model as previous models the shoe was given the SE(special edition) tag to separate itself from the XIX.In terms of tech the shoe is top of the line with full length zoom air and double stacked zoom air in the heel for maximum responsive cushioning,coated carbon fiber midfoot shank for maximum stability and support,interior bootie which provides a seamless fit.With all that tech is it the king snake or just a garter snake?

figure1
Note the patent leather toe which adds to the shoe as well as the stability wedge on the forefoot which adds stability on lateral movement

When you first pick up the XIX SE you ll immediately notice how light the shoe is.The shoe was well designed and made to perform.The interior lining is soft and plenty of padding for the ankles for a comfortable fit.The interior bootie provides a seamless fit and has some moisture management properties.I noticed some problems with the toes while playing.The patent leather toe cap seemed to create some discomfort.It rubbed on the top of my forefoot creating some irritation.

figure2
note the modified herringbone pattern which provides excellent traction

Traction is the shoe's greatest strength.The modified herringbone pattern coupled with a semi-translucent rand that runs from the medial side of the heel and to the lateral side of the forefoot.The compounds used for the outsole are soft and provide excellent traction.The stability wedges add to the traction creating wide bases and additional surface area for the heel and forefoot.The carbon fiber midfoot shank provides lightweight support.The carbon fiber is actually coated which helps prevent it from cracking over time.

figure3
note the Tech Flex heel pull

Cushioning is premium as well.With full length zoom air and double stacked zoom air in the heel the shoe has plenty of padding to stand up to the pounding it takes oncourt.I found the zoom air to be responsive but a bit on the "mushy" side.It didn't effect performance but just enough to be noticeable.Ankle support is good.The wide bases on the heel and forefoot provide excellent stability and protection from ankle rolls.The shoe is cut a little high and the lacing system adds to the overall support.

figure4
note the overall profile and the higher cut of the shoe.

Overall the shoe is excellent.If you re looking for a lightweight performance shoe,you wont be disappointed.The traction is top notch and cushioning is excellent.The XIX SE may not have the Tech Flex shroud but doesn't disappoint.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-4.5/5

The shoe lost some points due to the patent leather discomfort I felt in the forefoot area but the overall comfort and fit package was still excellent.All in all the shoe is excellent and should be in consideration for those who like lightweight performance shoes.

Adidas Crazy 8/KB8

2007-08-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

Streets Is Watchin

The Adidas KB8 was originally released in 1997.It was the first shoe to feature Kobe Bryant's name.It featured Feet You Wear technology which is designed to mimic the wearer's foot to promote responsiveness and feel like a natural extension of the foot.The shoe was retroed in 2005 and renamed the Adidas Crazy 8 since Kobe was no longer under contract with Adidas.

figure1
Visible is the outsole that features Feet You Wear technology

When you first put on the shoe,you'll notice how it provides a low profile feel despite the clunky looking outsole/midsole.Feet You Wear technology is designed to mimic the natural curvature of the foot.I enjoyed the overall feel of the shoe during active game play.It felt like the shoe was working with my foot rather than my foot working against it.Support is excellent with Feet You Wear tech promoting stability coupled with Torsion System which provides midfoot and arch support while allowing the forefoot and heel to move freely.

figure2
Visible are the straps that "X" on the heel which add support

While stability on the shoe is at a premium actual ankle support is average.While the shoe features extremely comfortable padding inside the collar but lacks very much support.To aid the heel counter there are 2 straps that are the top 2 lace holes.when the laces are tightened the straps which are in a "X" formation (as seen in figure2) which tighten adding support to the heel and Achilles.While the shoe was great for providing a great feeling shoe I did experience some movement in the shoe.Cushioning is provided by adiPrene in the heel and forefoot.While I didn't feel any discomfort playing on a hardwood floor I did feel some soreness when playing on tiled floor.Traction was another issue.I'm thinking due to the lack of surface area on the outsole due to the Feet You Wear tech that traction suffers.With excellent herringbone traction on the forefoot and heel,the shoe is missing surface area contact in the midfoot area.I found myself constantly wiping my shoes down even on the hardwood floor.I was basically ice skating on the dirty tile although I would say that would be one of the more extreme tests.

figure3
Note the natural curve of the bottom of the shoe to simulate the natural shape of the foot.

figure4

The shoe has beautiful lines and is a joy to look at

It was great in 1997 and decent by today's standards.While some aspects are excellent it falls short in other areas.Adidas did improve the KB series as it progressed but being the first one isn't always the best.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-3/5
Ankle Support-3/5
Traction-2.5/5
Overall-3.5/5

The shoe mirrors Kobe's development perfectly.While spectacular at times he had rough spots and you could see he had some ways to go before being something special.Traction was a major issue for me as well as cushioning.The cushioning seemed to bottom out after a while.Ankle support could have been better but the stability of the shoe was excellent.Overall a decent performer especially at the price point it's at now.Also a must have for Kobe fans with this being his first shoe to have his name on it.

Nike Air Force Max B

2007-07-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

The Revolution Will Be Televised

1992 changed my life.That was the year I moved from Los Angeles to Seattle.Before I moved there the most I knew of Seattle was that they were beating my Golden State Warriors in the playoffs with Shawn Kemp giving out the "Lister Blister" and "Rattling Gatling" not only did I have to leave my friends and place I grew up,I had to move to a city that just knocked out my favorite team back in the day(well second favorite behind the Lakers).1992 was also the rise of grunge music which also came from Seattle.Safe to say I wasn't too happy when I got to the great northwest.Let me rewind back to 1991 for a bit.I remember watching a college basketball game,it was a big deal because the starters were all freshmen.I remember wondering what the big deal was.Fast forward to fall of 1992. I remember were 5 kids wearing really big yellow shorts and wearing black socks with white shoes.I was instantly hooked.Even the guy who came off the bench had shorts down to his ankles.The fab 5.Oh yeah and there was this bald guy who seemed to make everyone mad proclaiming "I'm not a role model" on his way to the NBA finals.

figure1
Note the Max Air unit and plastic heel counter

Although released in 1992 the shoe still manages to perform as well as it's modern counterparts.While lacking zoom air or fancy uppers it just worked.Traction was good,cushioning and support were excellent.It manages to be current with the times back in the 90's but still perform 15 years after it's release.The shoe features a Dynamic fit sleeve for a seamless fit and has plenty of padding around the ankles for comfort and support.Also featured is a midfoot support strap that keeps the foot stable and locked down.The shoe feels very stable when you put it on and ankle support is good.

figure2

Cushioning is provided by a Max Air heel and forefoot air units.The midsole is made of polyurethane to withstand the poundings that post players like Barkley inflict on their feet.I normally prefer a lower profile shoe but had no problems with the Air Force Max B.The base of the shoe is completely flat.It provides good surface area for traction as well as a stable landing pad when coming down from those big rebounds.While that type of base would not be good for players who do alot of lateral and quick change of direction I didn't really notice the shoe working against me when slashing to the basket or quick change of direction.

figure3
Note the flat outsole for maximum surface area for optimum traction

The shoe has fairly good traction.I found that I had better heel traction rather than forefoot due to the white part of the outsole.I could actually feel that part of the outsole slipping when playing on my dirty tile floor.If kept clean and used only indoors the traction holds up but if you wear it casually on concrete for an extended period of time you will lose some traction.The pair used in this review was a 2001 retro and was used to play in as recently as a month ago.As you can see in figure3 the outsole holds up very well.

figure4
note the midfoot strap

figure5

Overall the shoe still performs well despite being 15 years old.It was a well designed shoe back in 1992 and has a place in the hearts of many basketball fans.Cushioning and support was excellent and I have hardly any gripes .

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-3.5/5
Overall-4/5

The shoe scored well in almost all categories but traction was above average and while it is still top 5 in my rotation it is beginning to show it's age.Again with many of the reviews of older shoes versus newer shoes had this review been done even in 2001 the shoe would have received higher scores.One more thing-

Adidas The Kobe/Crazy 1

2007-07-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

Never Follow

Adidas decided to retro the Adidas The Kobe that originally released in 2000.The shoe was a departure from Adidas' normal designs and was actually inspired by the Audi TT.With it's simplistic yet performance driven design does it drive like a dream?Or is it junkyard bound.

figure1
note the Audi TT inspired design as well as the low profile heel counter

When you first pick up the shoe the upper isn't made out of leather but rather a synthetic material.Under the synthetic upper is padding that conforms to your foot.On the first couple of wears the shoe can be a little uncomfortable in the forefoot area due to the padding and the shoe being cut a bit on the narrow side.After my 4th wearing much of the discomfort was gone and the shoe had a custom feel to it.There is plenty of padding on the ankle area for support and comfort.

figure2
Visible is the low profile heel counter that provides excellent comfort for the Achilles tendon

Cushioning is provided by Adiprene+ which is more than adequate.Although not responsive like zoom air it provides good low profile cushioning.The overall feel of the shoe is fairly low to the ground.It also features Torsion technology which provides midfoot support.Traction is where the shoe really shines.Like it's Audi TT inspiration taking corners is no problem for this shoe with it's herringbone pattern and soft rubber compound.I don't think I can say enough about how great the traction is.When I took the shoe to the dirty tile floor, I had absolutely no problems on quick change of direction or speeds.

figure3
Here's a look at the outsole which provides excellent traction

Overall The Kobe is an excellent performance shoe.The combination of traction and support make it top of the line.It's low profile heel counter gives you a feeling of freedom while giving you ankle support.One problem that is purely cosmetic is how the synthetic material creases easily but that doesn't take away form the performance of the shoe.

figure4

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-5/5
Overall-4/5

The shoe lost points for the discomfort felt during initial wearings.After that the fit was excellent and coupled with the traction and cushioning make it an excellent performer.Not bad for a shoe that was originally released 6 years ago.Although Kobe is no longer an Adidas endorser I'm glad Adidas saw it fit to give people a chance to try out this excellent shoe(even though it was at the same time as the release of the Nike Zoom Kobe 1).

Jordan Retro IX

2007-07-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

Lost Ones

The Jordan IX has never been one of those shoes that "brought it out" in people.I'm guessing because on it's initial release Jordan was busy striking out.So no real memories to attach to the shoe until the 2002 retro and even that was a bit foggy.So people tend to overlook the IX's. You had Pippen pointing at the sole of his shoe telling Mike to come back with the X's and we don't really need to get into the XI's and their place in the overall landscape of Air Jordans.So I decided to bring this shoe back out and give it a couple runs to see if it was a good thing that Mike took a year off.

Figure1
If you look closely on the button on the heel you will notice the jumpman logo and the globe signifying Jordan's international appeal.

At first glance the shoe looks extremely simple compared to previous years.The simple lines of the shoe were inspired by european dress shoes.Although it is cut a bit higher compared to most basketball shoes it doesn't have an overly restrictive feel to it.It is lined with padding to prevent discomfort on the ankle bones.Although the cut is a bit higher than normal it provides above average ankle support.You would expect it to be a bit more due to the cut but it does the job.Inside there is a dynamic fit sleeve made of lycra and mesh which helps with moisture management and support.

figure2
Note the simplistic design of the shoe and the speed lacing system.

To support the forefoot there are phylon supports on the medial and lateral side to prevent your foot from sliding off the footbed.Unfortunately while it prevents your foot from sliding off the footbed it does nothing to prevent your foot from sliding within the shoe.The speed lacing system allows you to really synch in your laces with one pull and adds to total support.Cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot Air.While not responsive like Zoom Air it provides average impact protection.

figure3
the outsole features words in different languages which represent Jordan

figure4
Another look at the outsole

The outsole is interesting it feature words in different languages that describe Jordan.See air-jordans.com for translations of the words on the soles.Traction is good on clean courts.I found myself constantly wiping my soles for optimum traction.

figure5
a look at the speed lacing system

Overall the shoe was solid.Compared to today's standards it holds it's own.I'm sure there are other "sexier" choices out there when it comes to picking a year for Jordans.While the IX doesn't really have too many memories behind it,the shoe performs well enough not to be forgotten.

Comfort and Fit-3.5/5
Cushioning-3.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-3/5
Overall-3.5/5

The shoe lost points in the comfort/fit department because my forefoot kept on sliding back and forth.If the review had been done in 1993 it would have received top marks but still the shoe didn't embarrass itself on the court.On a side note Jordan never wore the shoe in a Bulls uniform but the statue outside the United Center has Jordan wearing IX's

Nike Flightposite

2007-07-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

We Fly High

The Nike Flightposite is a shoe that was ahead of it's time.Released in 1999 it pushed the limits of design and performance.It was Nike's second application of Foamposite technology and made improvements on the previous Foamposite One/Pro.Many considered the design a work of art while others thought it was plain ugly.In the end what matters the most on this blog is will it perform like art or be thrown out with the rest of the trash.

figure1
the beautiful profile and lines of the flightposite

The design of the shoe was meant to be an extension of the wearer's foot.The upper is made out of a single piece of Foamposite material.If you are unfamiliar with Foamposite material please refer to the Nike Lebron IV review.Unlike the previous Foamposite One/Pro it doesn't suffer from any weight issues normally associated with Foamposite based shoes.

figure2
The outsole mimics the lines on the upper

In figure2 you can see the flex grooves on the outsole that allow greater flexibility and better court performance for high speed cuts.The outsole performs reasonably well on most courts.I found I was slipping at times on the dirty tile floor but for the most part the traction was solid.The shoe doesn't have the typical upper/midsole/outsole setup.The Foamposite upper is glued directly onto the outsole with a phylon/zoom air insole above the outsole.This creates low to the ground responsive cushioning.A TPU shank provides extra midfoot support.

figure3
note the organic design of the shoe

Another way the shoe performs as an extension of the wearers foot is through the fit.Foamposite material has properties that allow it to mold to the wearer's foot creating a custom fit.It is a single piece of material that doesn't stretch so from a total foot support standpoint it is excellent.Aside from the Foamposite upper it also features a dynamic fit sleeve which forms the the foot's contours.To lock the whole package down is a full length zipper/velcro enclosure that forms to the player's foot.Mind you it takes a number of wearings before the shoe conforms to the wearer's foot and those with feet a little bit on the wide side(myself included) will feel a bit of discomfort during the first few wearings.After the 3rd or 4th wearing though it is extremely comfortable.

figure4

Overall the shoe stands up well to time despite being released eight years ago.Even at a time where designers push the limits this eight year old design still manages to surpass.Performance wise the shoe is solid.Traction is good and support is excellent.

Comfort and Fit-4.5/5
Cushioning-4.5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-4.5/5

The shoe loses points for break in period.Everything else was solid down the line.The design is what really pushes the shoe.While other shoes have done certain aspects of the Flightposite better,there's no denying 8 years ago this shoe was on top of the game.Even today this shoe remains in my regular rotation of basketball shoes I play in on a weekly basis and haven't run into a shoe that will retire it yet.

Nike Air Force 25

2007-07-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Second Coming

Back in 1982 one shoe changed the landscape of basketball shoes forever.The Nike Air Force One.It made numerous leaps in the design and technology in shoes.It was the first basketball shoe to feature Nike Air,concentric circle outsole and Propioceptus strap(ankle strap).While this blog deals mainly with performance of a particular shoe,the impact of the Air Force One as a cultural icon cannot be bypassed.25 years later we received an update to a classic.While purists may complain that Nike is "bastardizing" their classic Air Force One lets see if the shoe truly does honor to a classic.

figure1
the profile of the original Nike Air Force One has for the most part stayed true except for some smoothing out of the hard angles and making the shoe sleeker for this generation.

Initially when I heard this shoe was going to come out what intrigued me the most was how Nike was going to combine a full length zoom air bag on top of an air max bag in the heel.It promised to be one of Nike's most well cushioned shoes.The combination performs well on court.The original Air Force 1 was initially designed for post players but true to the evolution of today's game the shoe caters to all positions even big men who now run the court like guards.Big landings are nothing to this shoe and performance is at a premium with the zoom air providing responsive cushioning and the max air in the heel providing impact protection for the space eaters.

figure2
the shoe stays true to it's roots even down to the outsole with the concentric circles and stars.

Another innovation of the Air force 1 was the unique concentric circle traction.It provided that no matter what angle the player was at it provides 360 degree contact with the court.The Air Force 25 improves on this by adding herringbone traction throughout the outsole.The outsole is also made of a soft translucent rubber compound that provides additional grip.The midfoot is reinforced with a carbon fiber midsole shank where the original had a steel spring moderator.

figure3
visible here is the Max Air unit as well as the reinforced heel counter and ankle strap

The shoe is extremely comfortable to wear with a full length inner fit sleeve and Nike DRI FIT Sphere lining for moisture management.The speed lacing offers a decent lockdown feel when coupled with the ankle strap.While the lockdown feel isn't that of the Zoom Kobe 2 it is sufficient enough to prevent the player's foot from any sliding around in the shoe.The overall design of the AF1 was very stable and the tradition is carried on with this version.

figure4
the patent leather provides a nice touch and adds to the lines of a beautifully designed shoe

Overall the shoe is an all around performer.The patent leather adds a nice touch but has a tendency to crack after some time.I wore mine 6-7 times before I started to notice small chips in the leather.With a multitude of colors and materials being used for the uppers I'm sure there's a color that will appeal to everyone especially since it is on Nike's ID service.I almost always keep this shoe in my bag just in case I have any problems with whatever I'm wearing that day.It makes an excellent alternative to those who cant decide between the Zoom Kobe 2 and Lebron IV.

Comfort and Fit-4/5
Cushioning-5/5
Ankle Support-4/5
Traction-4/5
Overall-4/5

The shoe performs well and with prices coming down make it an even better value.The Air Force 25 is an excellent testament to the legend that is the Air Force 1.Even after 25 years of innovation and keeping with the basic principles of the original it manages to rise above the rest just as the original did back in 1982.