Nike Hyperdunk

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.

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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

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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

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.