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.

Adidas TS Lightswitch Gil

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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Titanium coated midfoot shank

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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.

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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.

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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.