Nike Zoom Phenom

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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

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

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

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.