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.

Nike Zoom Uptempo 3.0

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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a look at the medial side and Chassis System

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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.

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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.

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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.