Home

Meer

Hoe werkt het? Klik hier
Begin pagina
loggy.nl Home
Weblog maken
RSS Feed

Abonneren!

Under Armour Drive 4 Performance Reviews

Traction: Under Armour doesn’t mess around here; it has used what has been proven to work for years and that would be full-length herringbone. Not only did UA use a tried and true formula, it made the tread thick and deep so it’ll last longer (shout out to all our outdoor ballers). Also, dust has less of a chance of getting caught in between the grooves since the pattern is spaced out very nicely.

The rubber compound could’ve been a little tackier but that didn’t keep these from working on virtually every floor condition you can think of. However, since they’re not as tacky as something like the Kobe 9s I did have to wipe every now and then when the floor was in less than ideal conditions.

It’s also worth mentioning that the outsole started to separate from the midsole. If you take a look at the 4:07 mark in the video above, you’ll see the outsole separation. I didn’t notice this during use but honestly, I’m not surprised by the wear and tear since I easily put about 50 hours of playing time in these. If you’re looking for something that’ll last you an entire season, these might not be for you.

Cushion: Under Armour could’ve and should’ve used full-length MicroG, but instead it only used it in the heel — that’s the equivalent of having a really nice crossover but no jumper.

We’re assuming that the forefoot is just straight EVA foam which could be worse but when compared to the MicroG in the heel, it’s obsolete. It can feel dead at times but the silver lining is that you’re going to get a real responsive ride that is very low to the ground — those guards who don’t really get up in the air are really going to like how quick the forefoot feels. However, more explosive players are going to wish there was more impact protection and bounce, kind of like the Micro G section in the heel.

I don’t know why UA didn’t just put Micro G full-length. The good news is that I never felt sore at the end if my runs so the while the cushion could’ve been a lot better, what we do get isn’t bad at all

Materials: It looks like ClutchFit is going extinct on the hardwood because Under Armour decided to replace it in the Drive line with what it calls a lightweight and breathable textile upper. It’s basically a woven mesh material that doesn’t really stretch but at the same time isn’t very stiff or uncomfortable, it’s kind of just there. The materials aren’t terrible but they aren’t amazing either. However, the neoprene-like padding in the medial forefoot and collar area was very comfortable.

The downside of the materials is that they don’t really conform to your foot for a snug one-to-one fit. There’s quite a bit of dead space in the toebox area and no matter how tight I laced them up, the materials just did not snap to my foot the way they should. Under Armour curry 4 black gold also says that the upper is breathable but trust me, it isn’t. It isn’t really a big deal, they’re not a hot box by any means, but they will start to smell pretty bad after just a couple of uses

Fit: Wide-footers listen up, you should seriously consider putting these on your radar because a wide fit like this doesn’t come around very often.

Like I said in the materials section, there was a ton of dead space towards the front of the shoe and while the length and overall fit of the Drive 4 was true to size, I just couldn’t get the materials to snap to the front of my foot the way I wanted them to. The midfoot area was snug and responsive just as long as I tied the laces up nice and tight. Moreover, the back end of the shoe, towards the heel area, also provided a less than ideal fit. It isn’t as bad as the forefoot but there was definitely some wiggle room that couldn’t be eliminated.

There was also some stabbing in this area on hard cuts and drives where the heel cup would go under my ankle and pinch against my foot. When this happened, it was not comfortable whatsoever and one night in particular, there was nothing I could do to avoid it. Oddly enough, after that one night, the problem didn’t really come back to me so i’m not sure if I broke these in or I just got used to it, but when it did happen, it was pretty annoying. If you’re a side to side mover who does a lot of v-cuts and goes from baseline to baseline, you might also experience this issue, but the problem did eventually go away.

Support: Despite the loose fit, the Drive 4 does a solid job keeping you on your feet thanks to its wide fit that in turn provides a wide base. That wide platform in the forefoot, coupled with the low to the ground cushioning, made for a very responsive and stable ride that is going to favor quick guards or anyone who doesn’t really get off of the ground.

The heel cup also did a pretty good job with lateral stability but like I said, it did cut into my ankle a few times so perhaps it does too good of a job. The lacing system is another star feature in the Drive 4’s support system because it does a very good job at keeping your foot in place — it just doesn’t do a good job snapping the materials to your foot but this is more of a weird feel than a knock on its actual performance.

You’re not going to get top tier performance in this category for the Drive 4 but you will get everything you need to keep you on your feet during play. (You’re going to get a different experience depending on how it fits.) If you can fill in a lot of the dead space that these have, the support will be above average; if you can’t fill in those dead spaces, internal slipping may be an issue.

Overall: Look, as much as we want a sneaker shoes that costs $115 and provides top tier performance, it just isn’t that common. The Drive 4 is about what you would expect from a sneaker at this price. There are some good things it does (traction) and then there are some things that need work (fit and materials).

Sure, the outsole separation is pretty bad but the good news is that it didn’t affect my play on the court. Also, the wide fit could be viewed as a positive since wide-footers are always saying that shoe companies don’t provide enough wide-footer friendly models. For better or worse, Under Armour gave you guys what you wanted — even if it may have been by accident. Overall, if you’re someone who plays low to the ground, prefers a stable ride and has a wide foot, these are going to be great for you, just be aware of the lackluster impact protection — and watch out for that heel cup. http://www.kd10sale.com

11:43:55 25 Augustus 2017 Permanente link Reacties (0)

Risewear Halo 720 Performance Review

Executive Summary: I know 99.99999999999% of people will brush these off but if you’re looking for a bang for your buck shoe that does it all or just an outdoor shoe to beat up, these are it.

Risewear ? More like Surprisewear! I don’t know much about Risewear or it’s backstory but I’ve always been curious how a discount brand performs on court. I could have bought some Shaq’s but to tell you the truth, the design and look of the Halo 720 looks better than Shaq’s and a lot of the whack jobs out there today. It seems Risewear pulled a play from the Hyundai or Kia playbook and made an nice looking for less than the big boys. I find these very Air Jordan 1 and Hyperdunk looking for the crazy low price of $29.99 available at Kmart using coupon code SHOE10. I even got 4% back on befrugal. (Just looked today, they are $34.99-29.99 without coupon) The Halo 720 is named after The Air Up There’s 720. I can’t do that on a 7 foot goal without a ball . Lol Ah the word Kmart. I remember back in the day Kmart was a demeaning word. “Oooh your mommy buy those at Kmart? ” “Is that a Blue light Special?” I have no idea if Kmart is still looked at in that light anymore nor do I care because I’m a mature man now. Sadly there are no more Kmart stores around Texas as Walmart and the internet basically killed off everyone. But I digress and I applaud Risewear for making a good looking inexpensive shoe. I also applaud Shaq for bringing a huge superstar name at an affordable price to an “uncool” segment of the footwear industry. Pros: good indoor traction, great outdoor traction, outsole durability, fit, materials, decent cushioning, support and stability, containment, price Cons: traction needs some break in time indoors, needs a lot of wiping on dusty floors, no half sizes past size 11, deadspace on top of forefoot, could use more midfoot support Sizing: runs short about 1/4 size Best for: guards Buying advice: I don’t think they get much cheaper than $29.99. Retail: $44.99 and $39.99 mid and low respectively Weight Surprised it was only half an ounce difference between the low and mid. Usually it’s about an ounce. Traction:

I get asked all the time about a good outdoor shoe and this pattern and compound will be durable outside. Look how deep the herringbone runs. It says “non marking” which is usually something you see only on outdoor shoes. Would make sense the old And1 guys are called STREETballers eh?

Indoor performance was great on clean floors (what isn’t ?) Dirty floors do require a lot of wiping which is expected since the rubber isn’t ultra soft; that’s the trade off you pay for durability. I would have preferred plain full length herringbone but the idea to make lateral side like the did was to help with side to side movements and stops. In theory it’s a nice idea but but those flat spots caused some sliding on dusty floors indoors. Not the best traction ever but a great pattern for outdoors they will last. Indoor performance is similar to the Lebron Solider 10 to give perspective. Cushioning There isn’t much on the Risewear or Kmart website so I’m guessing it is just EVA or something similar but it feels pretty good overall all. It actually has a nice bounce to it although you won’t mistaken it for Boost, Bounce, Micro G or Zoom. Feels similar to Nike Phylon. I like it better than the Bounse on the Wade 4. By the way, I can six of these for the price of one Wade 4. It is low profile so you feel close to the floor and I didn’t have any bottoming out. If this is just EVA or Phylon, I don’t expect it to last long because once that foam compresses it pretty much stays that way. Risewear also took a play out of the Adidas playbook and gave us a thin insole.. or maybe it was the other way around ? Time to play insole swap.

Overall, I expected the cushioning to be below average since the shoe retails for so little and there probably isn’t a bunch of RnD or proprietary foam. So it was nice to be surprised that it actually felt better than average. No knee pain or other aches after 90 minutes pickup sessions so I’m more than pleased. Fit I went true to size with my size 11 and I feel it runs about a 1/4 size short. However there aren’t half sizes above 11 so I made due. No issues with width for my wide feet. Why are there no half sizes above 11? My guess is that half sizes above 11 don’t sell well and that’s a money saver to cut out unpopular sizes. Regardless of length, the Halo fit me perfectly width wise and I had no movement side to side and my ankle was locked in from the get go. There is some dead space in the toe box but it sits on top of the foot which is perfectly fine. No frills, no gimmicks. Heck they only have two colorways instead of thirty and that helps keep costs down for everyone. I took both the mid and the low out for a spin and surprisingly, I had no heel slip in either. The mid does an excellent job sucking the heel and ankle back with the use of the synthetic straps around the ankle.

The low does a great job holding the heel down due to the overall design that grab the Achilles like fingers.

No need to poke holes anywhere right YEEZY 350 ? Also the low has a midfoot strap that actually works and puts extra lockdown at the midfoot.

I really think they need to cut the strap 3/4 of an inch or add more Velcro though because that overhang starts flipping upward and gives it a worn out cheap look. Overall, the fit is great even with a little deadspace in the toe box. I feel the mid gives a better one to one fit due to the ankle collar though. Well done Risewear! Materials Before I picked up my pair at Sears ..yes Sears still exists..I thought that the materials and build quality would be total garbage but I was wrong. No crispy cracker Kyrie 1 fuse but instead it’s a softer fuse similar to what you’d find in an older Hyperdunk or midlevel Nike.

No hotspots and very little break in time needed to eliminate the bit of stiffness there is in the upper. The rear lateral and almost the entire medial side even features a nice synthetic leather.

I thought it was leather until I smelled it. I think the synthetic leather on the lateral side would have made more sense but oh well. Even the tongue is decently padded and features a nice synthetic leather

Overall great materials which you’d expect to find on much higher priced shoes. Support and Stability The support comes mainly from the fit and the heel counter which is surprisingly stiff.

It is stiffer than what you’ll find on the Curry 2, KD 14, Hyperrev 2016 and does a nice job holding the heel and Achilles in place. It also has a small plastic midfoot shank . I really couldn’t tell it was there but I can see it. The Halo is already low to the ground but is also stable at the heel and passes my heel test easily. I had no qualms or worries playing in these. I should also note that the shoe is very flexible in the forefoot due to two deep flex grooves. No break in time required to get a natural feel.

Well done Risewear! Lateral Containment No raised midsole or physical barrier to contain the foot had me worried but the extra layer of fuse did a good job holding the foot in place on the footbed on hard cuts. Using stiffer synthetics definitely helps with lateral containment. Conclusion Dear Nike, Adidas, and UA, Please take a step back (not jumper) and look at what can be achieved with a minimal budget. No outstanding modern tech, no storytelling, no frills or gimmicks. Just a basketball shoe that you can pick up on the cheap, lace up, look good and play well in. There is no shame buying a pair of shoes at Kmart especially when you’re (blue) lighting up your opponents in a shoe that costs a fraction of the big names. The biggest hurdle for Risewear will be competing against big names at discount stores like Marshall’s and Ross because they are typically priced around $50 and below. Given the choice of similar products, the big names will win every time. However to go out and start at a retail price of $44.99 and bringing the And1 guys on board is fantastic and I wish them best in the future.

17:16:36 22 November 2021 Permanente link Reacties (0)

Chrome Industries Southside 3.0 Pro Review

The Chrome Industries Southside 3.0 Pro sneaker is supposed to be a cycling shoe that you can wear off the bike. I’m used to traditional road cycling sneakers that are impossible to walk around in. A shoe with bike cleats that was functional both on and off the bike was something I always wanted to try out. The Southside 3.0 is compatible with two-bolt clipless pedals and have a stiff nylon sole to help the shoes transfer power efficiently. I used them with Shimano SPD cleats and the pedal engagement was efficient and easy. The nylon plate does its job well. On my first ride I noticed the shoe was very supportive when I started to put power down. They are clearly not as stiff as a pure road biking shoe or even an indoor cycling shoe (like the patta x nike air max 1), but they were more than capable in all the riding I did with them. The combination of the firm upper and nylon sole made my feet feel locked in on the bike, which is exactly what you want from a clipless biking shoe. Off the bike, the shoes are very sleek and wearable. They have enough flex to walk around comfortably, and the design is kyrie 8. This makes them perfect for commuters, backpackers, and casual riders. The shoes looked great to me in casual settings, the design is basic in a good way and the shape looks awesome on foot. They also come in a few different versions such as a low top or slip-on option. The shoes do run about a half size big so size down and they should fit perfectly.

Chrome Industries Southside 3.0 Pro Overall

I’m a cycling tech nerd and I was impressed by the Chrome Industries Southside 3.0 Pro. The power transfer was good enough for them to work well on the bike, but the aesthetics and comfort made them very wearable off the bike as well. I will continue to use them for my increased commuting rides as well as any backpacking I do in the future.

Pros

Aesthetics
Wearable off bike
Good pedal power transfer for casual riding
Very durable vulcanized rubber outsole

Cons

A little heavy
15:14:08 20 November 2021 Permanente link Reacties (0)

World Balance Scottie 1 Review

We have an exclusive first look at the World Balance Scottie 1. This shoe is significant in many ways, not the least of which is that it is the first signature shoe for a Filipino athlete by a Filipino brand in a long time – around a decade actually. That’s quite a feat for a basketball crazy nation like the Philippines. The brand was kind enough to let us get an early look at this historic sneaker. Scottie Thompson is a Filipino professional basketball player for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the most popular team in the country’s basketball history. Scottie resonates with his countrymen because of the hustle and effort he puts out on the floor every night. He isn’t the tallest guy on the court, standing just 6’1”, but he outworks a lot of the big men in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), especially in crucial and clutch moments.
First Impressions
When I saw the silhouette of the sneaker, my immediate thought was that it resembled the Air Jordan 36 Low, one of the best performing sneakers that was released in 2020. The way the eyestays are placed as well as the overall shape give off those vibes. And I’m all here for it. What makes these different from the Jordan flagship is that these have an internal booty construction which should make for a more snug and secure fit. True to size is the sizing recommendation of the brand and we’ll test that when we get the shoes in hand. The outsole looks typical, but interesting. There’s herringbone all over and it’s hard to go wrong with such a set up. There are segmented portions in red, which leaves us to wonder whether or not that is for foam pods in the midsole, firmer rubber, or just for design. However, as far as I’ve seen, World Balance outsoles tend to last quite a while, which is great for Filipinos who mainly play outdoors.

The cushion of the Scottie 1 has to be the feature I’m most excited and interested in. Scottie himself said this about it, “Actually, 2 conference ko nang nagamit itong shoes and wala talaga ako masabi sa comfort and performance talaga.” (Translation: I’ve actually used these shoes for two conferences and I am left speechless with the comfort and performance.) The brand is calling this foam compound air max 2021, which they say “provides superior and responsive cushioning that will help you outlast your opponents all season long and add explosiveness in every step.” We’ll have to give these a whirl once we get them on court.

There are also the lateral sway bars, which are plastic pieces that come up both lateral sides for containment, and a torsional shank plate that’ll help reduce overtwisting the foot. A standard external heel counter is also present with the words “hard work,” faith”, and “discipline” etched all over it. Scottie credits his success to those three attributes.

World Balance Scottie 1 Conclusion
Do I think these will perform well? I honestly think they will based on the tech specs provided. World Balance is on the come up as far as basketball sneakers are concerned and I’m hoping that these will propel them into the mainstream. Filipinos should be proud that we once again have a homegrown signature athlete with a local brand.

17:47:14 17 November 2021 Permanente link Reacties (0)

World Balance Scottie 1 Review

We have an exclusive first look at the World Balance Scottie 1. This shoe is significant in many ways, not the least of which is that it is the first signature shoe for a Filipino athlete by a Filipino brand in a long time – around a decade actually. That’s quite a feat for a basketball crazy nation like the Philippines. The brand was kind enough to let us get an early look at this historic sneaker. Scottie Thompson is a Filipino professional basketball player for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the most popular team in the country’s basketball history. Scottie resonates with his countrymen because of the hustle and effort he puts out on the floor every night. He isn’t the tallest guy on the court, standing just 6’1”, but he outworks a lot of the big men in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), especially in crucial and clutch moments.
First Impressions
When I saw the silhouette of the sneaker, my immediate thought was that it resembled the Air Jordan 36 Low, one of the best performing sneakers that was released in 2020. The way the eyestays are placed as well as the overall shape give off those vibes. And I’m all here for it. What makes these different from the Jordan flagship is that these have an internal booty construction which should make for a more snug and secure fit. True to size is the sizing recommendation of the brand and we’ll test that when we get the shoes in hand. The outsole looks typical, but interesting. There’s herringbone all over and it’s hard to go wrong with such a set up. There are segmented portions in red, which leaves us to wonder whether or not that is for foam pods in the midsole, firmer rubber, or just for design. However, as far as I’ve seen, World Balance outsoles tend to last quite a while, which is great for Filipinos who mainly play outdoors.

The cushion of the Scottie 1 has to be the feature I’m most excited and interested in. Scottie himself said this about it, “Actually, 2 conference ko nang nagamit itong shoes and wala talaga ako masabi sa comfort and performance talaga.” (Translation: I’ve actually used these shoes for two conferences and I am left speechless with the comfort and performance.) The brand is calling this foam compound air max 2021, which they say “provides superior and responsive cushioning that will help you outlast your opponents all season long and add explosiveness in every step.” We’ll have to give these a whirl once we get them on court.

There are also the lateral sway bars, which are plastic pieces that come up both lateral sides for containment, and a torsional shank plate that’ll help reduce overtwisting the foot. A standard external heel counter is also present with the words “hard work,” faith”, and “discipline” etched all over it. Scottie credits his success to those three attributes.

World Balance Scottie 1 Conclusion
Do I think these will perform well? I honestly think they will based on the tech specs provided. World Balance is on the come up as far as basketball sneakers are concerned and I’m hoping that these will propel them into the mainstream. Filipinos should be proud that we once again have a homegrown signature athlete with a local brand.

17:47:10 17 November 2021 Permanente link Reacties (0)

Nike SuperRep Cycle Performance Review

Nike is finally back in the cycling game…kind of. The Nike SuperRep Cycle is Nike’s first cycling shoe since the whole Lance Armstrong debacle of the early 2000s. Back then, Nike made some of the best cycling gear. There’s still a large community of cyclists, like myself, that have been begging Nike to come back. You can see the history of Nike’s cycling line here. The SuperRep Cycle (not to be confused with the Nike Air Zoom SuperRep) is advertised as an indoor cycling shoe. That’s smart because of the insane (and growing) popularity of Peloton and Nordic Track indoor cycling machines. I also think there’s also a ton of people who will wear these on outdoor bikes. I tested them on both SPD (Indoor system) and SPD-SL (Road Bike Cleat system) pedal systems to see how they performed. I’ve previously reviewed running shoes for jordan debut but cycling is what I enjoy most. I’ve cycled for 2+ years now and was training for a Half Ironman until Covid-19 got my event cancelled. I typically cycle 70-100 miles a week and have used a ton of different cycling shoes in the process. I know exactly what to look for in cycling shoes.

Fit
The Nike SuperRep Cycle is insanely comfortable for a cycling shoe. That’s due to the fact that the width is very accommodating and not narrow like a large portion of Nike performance shoes. The SuperRep Cycle fits a half size small lengthwise. My true size 12.5 was too short and I had to swap them for a 13. Once I got the size 13, I instantly realized these were the most comfortable cycling shoes I owned. There is a lot of padding on the heel of the shoe and a very comfortable soft mesh material surrounds the toe box. Feet swell a lot during long cycling sessions so the wide toe box will give your toes ample space to wiggle around even towards the end of an epic ride. I didn’t feel any hotspots during my rides.
Lockdown
The shoes are fastened by two Velcro straps, one on the toe box and the other at the top of the shoe. This is a very similar setup to most triathlon-specific cycling shoes because it is very easy to put on and take off. The straps aren’t as strong as BOA dials, but they get the job done. I didn’t have any issues with the lockdown and my heels always felt secure when pedaling at high speeds and putting down power. The strap at the top of the shoe is padded nicely and you won’t feel it pressing down on your foot. The toe box strap makes the shoe really secure on side-to-side movements, which will be perfect for those using them on a Peloton or in gym-based cycling classes where they make you do lateral movements.
Power Transfer
The outsole is one piece of nylon plastic with a stiffness comparable to entry level cycling shoes. The stiffer the sole, the better. High level cycling shoes use the stiffest possible carbon fiber on their soles, but I didn’t expect Nike to include that in an indoor cycling shoe. The power transfer is not elite, but it is good enough for this use case. I did my standard fast Tuesday ride with my cycling group, where we average around 22-25mph for twenty miles, and my pedal stroke felt efficient. The SuperRep Cycle didn’t hold me back and the sole didn’t bend when I sped up. I did feel the cleat more than I would in my other lebron 17 shoes. They also held up great on the two bolt indoor SPD system that most cycling classes use.

Materials
The materials used on the SuperRep Cycle are fantastic. The toebox and midfoot are lined with an exposed mesh that is cozy and very airy. The ventilation on these is great, your feet won’t get toasted during your sweaty cycling classes or outdoor summer rides. I wore them in typical Florida heat for hours and my feet didn’t get hot. And as stated above, the sole is made of a stiff nylon that has good power transfer. As for the cleat system, Nike opted to include a 2-hole and 3-hole cleat insert that you put in the shoe depending on which system you want to use. Traditionally, these are built into the shoe and I wish Nike did the same. I can’t see any benefit behind having the pieces separate. All it does is encourage people to lose them (eventually). The shoes do not come with the actual cleats though so find out which set you need and buy them first. If you are new to the cleat system in cycling, here’s an article explaining the different types.

Overall
Overall, the Nike SuperRep Cycle is great for indoor cyclists who use Peloton or Zwift and for new outdoor cyclists who want to make the jump to a cleated pedal. They’re correctly priced at $120, light, breathable, and very comfortable. The wide toe box is a nice bonus, but the power transfer won’t satisfy elite cyclists. If you want to add a comfortable shoe for recovery rides to your rotation, or if you have just been dying to wear Nikes on a bike like I have, the SuperRep Cycle is perfect for you.
15:57:45 08 Juni 2020 Permanente link Reacties (0)

Brooks Ricochet 2 Performance Review

The Brooks Ricochet 2 is a neutral runner that’s built like a sock. It’s the little brother of the more cushioned, similarly sock-like Brooks Levitate 3. And while it is the slightly less cushioned younger sibling, it’s the shoes with the most sock-like upper of the entire Brooks line. Let’s check it out:
Fit
The one piece Fit Knit upper is the star of the Brooks Ricochet 2. The Fit Knit upper really delivers a sock-like fit that’s just as good as the competition’s Flyknit or Primeknit. In this case, the knit is backed by a thin mesh layer which Brooks calls an internal bootie. To me it doesn’t quite count as a true bootie. It does improve comfort (as good internal booties do) but mostly helps maintain the structure of the shoe. The Fit Knit upper might be a disappointment to someone looking for a traditional Brooks upper but for those that have grown to love sock-like fits from other brands, it’ll be perfect. One thing to note is that the Fit Knit upper may not be ideal for wide footers. The shoe fits true to size but the fit is narrower than most Brooks models. The Ricochet 2 is a Brooks shoe that fits more like a Nike.
Materials
The Ricochet 2’s materials center around the comfortable one piece knit upper. The tongue area is the best part of the whole upper as it’s a really stretchy and cozy mesh. The lace loops surrounding the tongue are simple nylon sewn into the upper so they’re both minimalistic and effective. There’s also plastic backing at toe for durability, a heel tab for ease of entry, and a vinyl logo on both sides of the shoe. All of that is pretty standard for a knit shoe. Material-wise the upper is well built and feels as secure and supportive as knit can.
Support
While support isn’t a focus of the air jordan 34 , it checks the boxes it should as a neutral trainer. You sit inside the midsole at the heel and the midsole flares out at both the heel and forefoot. The bottom of the heel flares slightly for a light outrigger feel while the entire forefoot goes wide to provide a solid base. I do wish my foot sat inside the midsole slightly at the forefoot because then the shoe as a whole wouldn’t need to be so narrow. I think the narrowness of the last is in direct correlation with the need to somehow keep the wearer on the footbed at all times. Lastly, the Ricochet 2 features a big internal heel counter. Unfortunately, there’s not much padding over the heel counter on the inside of the shoe so it can rub your achilles or heel bone and cause blisters (depending on the shape of your foot). A quick in store try-on would help you figure out if that will bother you.
Traction
The Brooks Ricochet 2 has good traction in all weather conditions. There’s ample amounts of rubber arranged in a forward facing arrow pattern that gives full foot coverage. The arrow pattern also makes room for four forefoot flex grooves that give the entire forefoot a great feel on foot. Road runners will be excited because there’s ample amounts of hard rubber that will last a long time. I hardly see any wear on my pair after a full test cycle. In today’s age of soft rubber and foam on outsoles, outsoles this durable are rare.
Cushion
The cushion is nothing spectacular but solid. It’s better for shorter runs or as a beefier speed work shoe. Simply put, the DNA Amp/BioMoGo DNA midsole combination is just not as good as DNA Loft (used on models like the Brooks Glycerin 18) or DNA Flash (used on the Brooks Hyperion Tempo). But it’s also not meant to be as plush as those other cushions. According to Brooks, the Ricochet 2 is intended to provide a springy and light ride. DNA Amp is a polyurethane midsole encased in a TPU skin while BioMoGoDNA seems to be an EVA derivative. They cushion the blows of the road but you don’t sink into the cushion the way you do with other more expensive cushioning setups. And while the shoes do come with a thick, plush insole, it can’t completely hide the lack of sinking into the midsole foam. Of course, if your body prefers a firmer ride that still offers shock absorption, you’re in the right place.
Overall
The Brooks Ricochet 2 retails at $120 and is right priced. To me, it competes very nicely with the similarly priced KD 13. It doesn’t offer top-tier cushioning but if does provide a comfortable upper, shock absorption, and a great outsole. If you’re the type that likes to run in sock-like running shoes and prefers a firm ride, put the Brooks Ricochet 2 on your short list of options.
16:28:03 12 Mei 2020 Permanente link Reacties (0)

Nike KD 13 Detailed Look and Review

Today we take a first look at the upcoming Nike KD 13. The Nike KD 12 is still one of my favorite sneakers to play in and the upcoming KD 13 might take its place whenever we’re no longer on quarantine. Everything [almost] that I loved on the KD 12 made its way back onto the KD 13 — plus a couple of changes I enjoy. Some of the things that have remained the same are the $150 price point, the full length Zoom Air strobel and the rear midsole containment. I enjoyed all of these aspects in the KD 12 so I’m happy to see them back again. Now, some of the things that have changed — for the better — are the additional double stacked Zoom Air units. Instead of having a rear Hex Zoom unit we now have a larger forefoot Zoom Air unit sitting under the full length Zoom Air strobel. This means more cushion in the forefoot which is great for those that prefer it. The shoe is much lighter than the KD 12 — some may like this some may not care one way or the other. Traction has also changed — whether or not this is for the better remains to be determined, but we hope it’s better than the KD 12 — which was pretty solid in most situations. Something that has changed that I’m not too fond of are the materials. There are no premium materials used on the KD 13, which is fine, but I don’t love how cheap the new rip-stop esque material feels or flexes compared to the gimmicky Quad-Axial Flywire from the KD 12. While we’re unable to test the shoes indoors for the time being, we hope you at least enjoy our Nike KD 13 detailed look and review. Stay tuned for the eventual performance review and we’ll catch you on the next one. Release Date: April 17, 2020 Retail Price: $150 Available at: Phenom Global
18:56:13 11 April 2020 Permanente link Reacties (0)

K8IROS Mark II Performance Review

Spencer Dinwiddie created his own brand and footwear line, and they are better than you might expect. Click through for our K8IROS Mark II performance review. Traction I never had the chance to grab the K8IROS 8.1, but we have some hoop jordan members that had and they collectively agree that the traction was lacking. I’m not sure if those that bought the original model were able to provide feedback or not, but the traction redesign was a main point of focus for the Mark II. The midfoot and heel design look similar to the original, but the forefoot was completely overhauled. Radial traction was used for the majority of the forefoot and it’s worked great on every court I’ve taken them on. From the local 24 Hour Fitness, to LifeTime to random invites that have me playing in churches. Traction was not only not an issue, but good enough to where I have the shoe in my gym bag still [after testing] just in case I need something with traction that is more reliable than whatever I might be testing next. I was fortunate enough to be able to play in both the solid rubber and translucent rubber versions of the shoe and while I choose to play in the Kronos colorway [over the Graffiti] the outsoles both played damn near identical. The rubber is tacky, but doesn’t attract dust like a Swiffer. It also hasn’t frayed at all which is weird since almost all shoe brand’s rubber start to fray after a few wears. However, I still wouldn’t expect them to last super long outdoors, but my time outdoors was pleasant due to the cushion.
Cushion
KronoFoam is used for the midsole. It’s a Pebax foam that’s been implemented full length and it offers a bouncy ride from heel to toe. There is a minor heel to toe drop which makes the heel a bit more squishy than the forefoot which is why there is a TPU panel at the rear to help stabilize the area. Most will ask for some sort of comparison to a cushion that they may be more familiar with and all I can really compare it to is adidas’ Bounce — only this is a bit more bouncy. The foam itself is on the softer side so using it within a carrier foam or using a TPU retaining wall — like the Way of Wade 8 — would allow the foam to be as springy as it is while ensuring maximum stability.
Materials
Textiles are used along the entire upper and it is very similar to what the Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 used. The Jacquard style knit is strong and tight while remaining flexible enough to allow you to lace them up straight out of the box without needed to break them in much. There are some areas of thin TPU fuse-like material in high-wear areas such as the toe. It’s also used along the eyestay to try and prevent the textile from tearing after you’ve laced them up to your liking. So far, everything has been durable, comfortable and form fitting. Although, that last bit might be due to the sizing.
Fit
They fit a bit short and only come in full sizes. This means that there are no 1/2 sizes available like 8.5, 9.5 and so on. I went true to size and my toes are right at the rubber — luckily the materials are soft enough to not cause black nails. So, my recommendation would be to go true to size if you wear a whole size — if you wear a size 9 then order a size 9. They will be snug but they’ll also be secure. If you wear a size 9 and go up to the next available size [10] then they’ll likely be too long for you and you’ll lose all security and support. If you happen to wear a 1/2 size [like a size 9.5] then going to a size 10 would be your best bet. On-court, the lockdown was great. The lacing is asymmetrical and forces the upper to wrap around the foot tightly and securely. Again, this may be due to how snug the shoe is, so this may be different for those that wear 1/2 sizes.
Support
All of the features you’ve come to expect from basketball shoes are here. Heel counter — check. Midfoot shank — check. Outrigger — check. Yup, it’s all here. Everything works really well together as well. However, one change I’d like to have seen was a slightly wider forefoot. The midsole is soft, as is the upper, so something a bit wider, that cups the foot a bit, would be great for added stability. The way the shoe fits allows everything to work perfectly, but if you had a bit more wiggle room inside the shoe it may cause a bit of instability on certain movements. This wouldn’t be needed if the foam was inside of a carrier foam or had a TPU retaining wall, but as it is right now, that is what I would have changed.
Overall
Overall, the air force 1 was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting much, but was hoping for the best. Turns out the shoe is solid in every area and pretty beastly. Cushion is solid. Traction is really solid. Fit might be a bit weird for some with the whole size only offerings. And support is solid as well. It’ll be interesting to see where the line goes from here. Hopefully this model does well enough to warrant a third model in the near future. If you were interested in checking out the K8IROS Mark II they’re available here.
16:44:08 28 Maart 2020 Permanente link Reacties (0)

Air Jordan 34 SE Performance Review

The best Air Jordan game shoe since the… Air Jordan 34? Sure, why not? Not much has changed between the Air Jordan 34 and the new Air Jordan 34 SE. However, the aspects that were tweaked I feel were for the better. Although, it really depends on what your personal needs are as they pertain to basketball shoes, but the changes here are enough to warrant raving about. TRACTION The outsole hasn’t changes at all in terms of tooling molds or aesthetics, but the rubber compound has changed from solid rubber to translucent rubber. For me, I didn’t notice a difference between the two models as the herringbone was just as aggressive and grippy as the regular version of the AJ34. As it spreads across the outsole in fan-like fashion, the outsole performed just as good as it looks. Like the Air Jordan XX9, the traction has a sneaky bite that isn’t squeaky. It took me a little bit of break-in time for it to have that stop-on-a-dime type of grip, but it was worth the short wait. CUSHION As I had said in the Air Jordan 34 Performance Review, this is the best Zoom Air experience I’ve ever had — and I’ve had many Zoom Air experiences over the years. I jokingly consider myself a Zoom Air connoisseur as Zoom Air is my absolute favorite cushion (when done right) of all-time. The Air Jordan 34 SE not only implements Zoom Air correctly, in a way you can feel, but it’s also done in a way I’ve never felt before. Ever. Well, until the Air Jordan 34, of course. The forefoot is springy, yet supportive. It’s responsive, yet offers an incredible balance of stability and court feel. It has a snap to it that feels like it propels you forward with your stride. At the rear there is a large volume Hex Zoom Air unit, and I was actually able to feel it whenever I’d crash on my heel. For those that prefer or require heel and forefoot cushioning, this might be one of the best shoes on the market that will offer you just that. MATERIALS The materials are one area that was noticeably different between the AJ34 and the SE edition. Where the original model didn’t offer any premium materials at all, the SE edition offers a but of premium with a a bit of synthetics. Many expect a premium build when it comes to an Air Jordan, but those same people will then complain that the premium build is too heavy. While some may still complain with a setup like this, I found it to be a good balance between lightweight performance and a premium build that reminds me of the good ‘ol days. The upper broke-in quickly, has maintained its shape and still looks like a beast once zipped up. This version of the shoe should please both types of athletes — those that prefer premium builds and those that prefer lightweight performance. FIT I went true to size and that is what I would recommend for most people. I feel there is just enough space inside the shoe so that most foot shapes should fit snug, but not in a suffocating way. Lockdown was really solid on the original Air Jordan 34 once you got the laces adjusted to where you’d like them to be, but the lockdown on the Air Jordan 34 SE enhances the lockdown thanks to the zipper shroud. One of the main reasons why laces will never go out of style. Again, the build breaks in nicely, so while you may feel the shoe is a bit too tight to start, after some running around then you should feel like you just had an Air Jordan tailored to your foot shape. The zippers lock into place for anyone that may be wondering. If you’ve been around since the Nike Zoom Glove days then you already know that zippers on basketball shoes, while cool looking, tend to burst open and never work as well as intended. These locking zippers haven’t done that (so far) and don’t show any signs of doing that in the near future. You can zip them up or down with east when the toggle is upright, but once you fold them down then they’re locked into place. I wish Jordan Brand has opted for this type of zipper on the Jordan Jumpman Swift 6 Retro as those burst open at the zipper as soon as I take a step. The support on the Air Jordan 34 was exceptionally good, even with all of the lightweight materials in place, but the Air Jordan 34 SE has me searching for a flaw. Yes, I found them to be that good. The heel counter is built more traditionally when compared directly to the original 34. Instead of having the shoe built around the heel, the heel counter is hidden within the shoe just like it has been on shoes for decades. Because of this I never encountered the same digging into my foot feeling that I had with the original 34. The only thing I had to break-in was the upper/build with how snug the zipper enclosure was once zipped up. There are still performance woven underlay materials, but with the exterior build being more like a normal shoe you end up with a layered build that supports the foot in all facets of movement. Then the Eclipse Plate really takes everything from there. This Pebax chassis worked better than any of the previous FlightSpeed/FlightPlate iterations for me. It kept the entire tooling torsionally strong and rigid, but also maintained enough flex in the forefoot so I didn’t feel like I was wearing a boot instead of a sneaker. The Air Jordan 34 was my favorite basketball shoe of 2019. Meanwhile, it’ll be difficult to find a basketball shoe better than the Air Jordan 34 SE in 2020 — especially if releases continue to get pushed back due to the Coronavirus. If the Air Jordan 34 was like playing basketball in a stripped down no nonsense F1 Race Car the Air Jordan 34 SE feels like a Cadillac with the F1 engine and tires. A little more elegance added but still a performance beast when all is said and done. If you prefer to keep your shoes as light as possible then the Air Jordan 34 is where its at. However, if you wanted all the features of the 34 with some subtle upgrades then the Air Jordan 34 SE might be your next favorite hoop shoe.
17:12:35 23 Maart 2020 Permanente link Reacties (0)

Converse G4 Hi First Impressions

Since Draymond Green’s debut of the Converse G4 in low top form, along with Converse’s announcement of the shoe (and the initial leaks of the sneaker), we’ve seen quite a bit of interest in these performance basketball sneakers. While Converse did provide some details, there are still questions yet to be answered. We’re here to address them with an initial look at the Converse G4 Hi. Heavily influenced by the Converse ERX-260, you will see elements of that sneaker in the Converse G4 outsole, including the forefoot’s fanned out sections of traction, the pivot point, and an inverted blade pattern that sweeps from midfoot to heel. The pattern may seem flat at first, but the tread itself is thick with varying layers of depth and space between the grooves. For that, traction seems like it will be capable of handling both indoor and outdoor play. We’ll be putting the shoe through its paces before confirming.

When it was announced that two of Nike’s leading cushion technologies would be utilized in the forefoot and heel of the Converse G4, both excitement and further questions were raised. To answer specifics of the tech, the Converse G4 includes a standard oval-shaped forefoot Zoom air unit (think PG3 or Air Jordan 13) and a large volume puck of React foam in the heel. Both are housed within an unnamed foam that is both plush and allows for a good deal of compression. Overall, this makes for a comfortable setup on initial wear as both the Zoom Air and React are right underfoot. Both are visible through the Strobel upon removal of the insole and the Zoom unit protrudes through a bit in all its top-loaded goodness.

A basic textile covers most of the upper, while fuse overlays around the heel, toe, and eyelets provide support and protection in high wear areas. The overlay design takes further inspiration from the ERX-260 as does the mesh window at the Achilles area, which is surrounded by a synthetic nubuck ankle collar on the high cut version of the lebron 17. So far, everything checks out material-wise on the Converse G4. There’s nothing premium, but performance-wise this should do the job, barring any unforeseen issues.

I was only able to grab a pair of the Converse G4 a half-size down from my normal size and honestly, I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Everything feels perfect in both length and width (normal width foot) and lockdown feels on point as well. Currently, I have no incentive to try these on in my true size as they fit so well at a half-size down.

The Converse G4 is an overall average weight shoe with standard support features. Though the fuse and rubber encasing the midsole up front appears very boot-like (especially in this colorway), at worst it just feels stable in that area, in my opinion. I think the Converse G4 has the potential to be a pair of “bad boys” and I can’t wait to test them and confirm whether that is the case or not.

A mass release date for the Converse G4 still has not been set, but it has been confirmed as coming soon with the Converse G4 Hi retailing for $120 and the Converse G4 Low for $110 at both Converse online and select retailers.
09:14:27 19 Maart 2020 Permanente link Reacties (0)