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March 9, 2014January 12, 2016 jerredfinch Featured, Performance Reviews

Performance Review: Nike Zoom Crusader

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

It is now the mid point in the NBA season and we here at TGRR are in full swing, bringing you as many performance reviews as we can (as money provides of course). This season we have seen several additions to existing product series, such as the Hyperdunk 2013 and Super.Fly 2. These models have been solid performers, revamping and updating existing models for fans of these popular silhouettes – but they’ve also kept the basic overall concept the same.

More recently, there have also been some brand new silhouettes which we will review in-depth in a two-part series that I have deemed “New School Nike.” Jake has already covered the Nike Zoom HyperRev, and I’ll be digging into the Zoom Crusader now

Both of these shoes are being worn by some of the brightest young stars in the NBA, including Paul George, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Those three seem to be the new faces of Nike alongside Kobe, Lebron and Durant, whom all have signature shoes. The Crusader has been linked with James Harden as a psuedo-signature shoe and it is no surprise, due to Hardens rise to superstardom, that these shoes have been in high demand. The shoe initially was only available overseas as well, piquing interest stateside.

Fit

I recommend at least trying on a half-size smaller than your normal shoe size when picking out a new on-court shoe, especially if you have a narrow or normal width foot. In my experience it helps with the snugness of the fit and also seems to help the foot hit the cushioning system properly.

Shoe fit is essential to a performance line and can be a death sentence if done wrong, but I was pleasantly surprised with the Crusader. The full synthetic, Fuse upper looks and feels a little strange in person and flexes oddly upon the initial wearing before breaking in pretty well.

The interior fit is where the Crusader excels. The shoe sports a neoprene inner sleeve and it is very snug. The pull tabs on the heel and tongue are not there for style – you literally cannot get this shoe on without those things. The fit is very sock-like and the cut of the shoe is very much like a running shoe. For a low top that fits tight, there is ample room in the toebox as well.

Overall, it fits my narrow foot like a glove so it should adapt fairly well to most foot sizes. I felt the involvement of the neoprene was flat out impressive. There are no seams or spots that aggravated my feet and the bend point was in a nice place that didn’t irritate or squeeze the foot.

Heel-Toe Transition

Though this shoe looks similar to those of the Kobe line, the aspect that sets them apart is the midsole. While most Kobe’s since the IV have a very low profile midsole, the Crusader has a more one. Though I am usually a fan of shoes with more structure built in, I was afraid the thickness in the sole and midsole would obstruct flexibility.

I was partially right, but with the upper materials being so flexible (especially after a short break in period) the heel-toe rotation was pretty smooth. The upper simply doesn’t restrict movement, and that’s key for this model.

Of course they are not going to be as flexible and smooth as the Crazyquick or the HyperRev (as Jake will tell you in his review) but you have to sacrifice some flexibility for structure in this case.

Cushioning

As you have seen in the name, it’s a Zoom-based shoe. I personally am a big fan of this cushioning system, and it’s probably the industry’s best with its low-profile responsiveness. That being said, not all Zoom bags are created equal and the way that it was manifested in this design is not my favorite.

It’s not bad, but you just don’t feel the responsiveness of the Zoom bag very much. In a prior review on the Hyperdisruptor, I explained how the density of the midsole can be a detriment to the shoe’s cushioning technology. In the case of the Hyperdisruptor, the midsole was so soft it took away from the Zoom bag’s responsiveness; in the Crusaders, case the density didn’t allow my foot to feel the responsiveness I am used to.

I must admit that I may have been spoiled by the Super.Fly 2, which had an amazing unlocked Zoom bag/Flight Plate combination that engulfed my foot. The Crusader, not so much.

Though I’ve harped on the midsole density, I honestly like it for my game and the firmness of it reminds my of the Huarache 2k4. The court feel is solid and very stable – key in a low top.

Traction

It is well documented that I love herringbone, and the Zoom Crusader does not have that so I wasn’t expecting great things. The traction mirrors the geometrical design of the upper but in tighter arrangement. But even in the first wearing, it seemed to grip well in most directions – I don’t recall sliding much. That being said, they are brand new shoes and time will tell how they hold up.

Materials/Durability

As is the case for a lot of Nike performance shoes today, the upper is made of synthetic Hyperfuse mesh panels on the sides and full Hyperfuse on the toebox and heel counter. We have touched on the neoprene inner sleeve, which is padded around the Achilles’ area and is simply fantastic overall. The outsole creeps all the way up to the toe box and wraps up around the ball of the foot. All signs point to this shoe being durable for the long haul.

Priced at $110, it is not too hard on the pocket for what you are getting in return.

In closing, I really enjoyed playing in this shoe and it suited my needs well. If you are a guard or wing player looking for a lightweight shoe with great structure, the Zoom Crusader would be a great option.

February 13, 2014May 18, 2014 jerredfinch Performance Reviews

Performance Review: adidas D Howard 4

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

Back in July of 2013, our good friend Jake reviewed the adidas Crazyquick and I must admit that I was itching to try adidas’ new natural motion midsole for myself. While It wasn’t in the cards for me last year, I stumbled upon a shoe that not only satisfied my desire to try adidas’ newest tech but also is garnering interest with the 2014 NBA All Star game rapidly approaching: the adidas D Howard 4.

Recently, we have seen adidas go with a minimalistic approach in its performance line with models such as the Crazy Light and Derrick Rose silhouettes. This is far cry away from the Feet You Wear line of the late 90s, including the recently retroed Crazy 97, Crazy 8s and Real Deal (worn by Kobe Bryant and Antoine Walker, respectively). These classics featured a bulkier silhouette and a midsole that wrapped up around the foot – providing natural motion and support in a never-before-seen way. This line was one of the most popular and innovative developments in shoe history.

adidas dabbled in it again in the mid-2000s, with a new Formotion iteration showing up in Tracy McGrady and Gilbert Arenas’ signature shoes among others. They hit the nail on the head with the TS Supernatural Creator, a performance monster and the shoe that Derrick Rose wore in his first NBA season.

That’s why it’s still surprising to see adidas focus on minimalistic and lightweight designs. While adidas has a nice guard rotation repping the brand (Lillard/Rubio/Wall/Rose, etc.) I was really interested to see how bigger NBA players such as Tim Duncan (Crazyquick), David West (Crazy Light 3) and Dwight Howard played in these minimalist shoes. I couldn’t imagine those models being able to support their larger frames and in Duncan and West’s case, their older joints and muscles.

Furthermore, I was interested to see if these shoes could work well with my style of play. So with all the background out of the way, let’s get into the review.

Fit
I’m normally a 13 but I’ll go a size smaller in my basketball shoes to get the best possible lockdown, but I grabbed a 13 instead of the 12 for the D Howard 4. Personally, I didn’t really like the fit overall, but there were some really nice things about it.

The heel fit was very nice and had lots of added padding and structure on the interior around the ankle. The lockdown and partical mesh sleeve aid in a very nice overall fit. Even with that being said the overall shape of the shape didn’t fit my feet well at all – but this is where our new review charts should help take our own needs out of it and let you decide if a shoe might work for you.

It seemed to fit long, so going a size down may have helped some but after I went back to try a 12 on it still felt long – like I may have needed an 11.5. This lead me to believe that my foot wasn’t really meant to fit this shoe. There was a lot of space in the shoe on the sides of my foot (I have a narrow foot) and near the toe box. The shoe shape simply wasn’t for me, but if you have a wider foot this might be good for you. Wider builds are tough to find right now so the D Howard 4 is worth a look.

Heel-Toe Transition
Due to the natural motion midsole/outsole of the D Howard 4 the transition was very smooth. No “slappiness” and lag or hang-up in my gait – I was pleasantly surprised in this regard as the sole and midsole flexes really nicely under foot.

It’s easy to see why this type of natural motion design has transitioned from a running technology to being integrated into training and basketball models (even dating back to the Nike Free Huarache Basketball 2012, which was recieved with mixed reviews), although the kinks in the technology as a whole are still being worked out.

Cushion
This shoe has very firm, low profile cushioning from the foam in the midsole. This is inherent due to the minimalist natural motion design. What you gain in terms of flexibility, mobility and traction you sacrifice cushion and support.

In my experience with playing in the D. Howard 4, I recall feeling pain in my feet numerous times upon landing from rebounds and contesting shots. After a while, I continually felt the impact of landing on my joints. I had to give it low scores in this regard – any shoe that causes pain is never a good thing.

The shoe’s almost complete absence of a midsole leaves a lot to be desired for in terms of responsiveness. There’s quite clearly a difference in the cushioning setup or at least the foam distribution between the D Howard 4 and the Crazyquick. I found myself growing more fatigued in these shoes then I have in my other basketball shoes (Jordan Superfly 2), which feature unlocked Zoom cushioning. The cushioning setup in the D Howard 4 is very bare bones overall and your foot simply isn’t supported.

Traction
The traction that is used on the D. Howard is a mix of the classic herringbone with a twist. The outsole is identical to the Crazyquick, and I’ll explain the functionality briefly.

The natural motion (think Nike Free) midsole/outsole with the multidirectional herringbone grip pattern allows grip and traction in every way you foot can go. This helps defensively when guarding someone off the dribble, gaining position boxing out in the post, or planting to driving to the basket. Like the Crazyquick, this pattern worked very well.

Materials/Durability
The D. Howard 4 seems to be a very durable shoe. The upper is made of a synthetic leather with Sprintweb overlays. This material feels a bit thicker in certain areas and light stippling on the surface which seems to prevent scuffs somewhat. It is also quite flexible, and works well in conjunction with the midsole. For what it’s worth, I have worn this shoe a few times now and it shows very few signs of wear. Valued at $125 ($140 dollars retail, you would hope that you get a shoe that would last and I feel it will.

All in all this shoe has a lot of good things about it, but due to its bare bones design and lack of an adequate cushioning system I find this shoe hard to play in and not really conducive to my style of play. For wide footers, it’s definitely worth a try-on. And if you are a power forward/center or a wing player looking for a lightweight shoe to provide great traction and durability, it may be an option.

Overall, just be advised that there is little to no support and cushion so if you’re looking for a plush ride, go elsewhere. Also, with the firm cushionings and lack of support, this shoe should probably be priced closer to $100.

There are a lot of new and interesting colorways coming out – like the All Star version – so at the end of the day it may just be a nice shoe to rock off the court.

January 11, 2014May 18, 2014 jerredfinch Performance Reviews

Performance Review: Jordan Super.Fly 2

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

There have been a lot of changes in the lives of the TGRR duo (college graduation, engagements, and moving back home, so on and so forth) over the past few months. Due to these developments it has been pretty tough to crank out consistent reviews, but I am proud to announce that we are back on track.

Before I get into the review itself I wanted to touch on a few topics that have been on my mind. Here at TGRR, we are a grassroots operation. We are basketball players first and foremost and all of our reviews are based on our experiences with the product in the field. We appreciate the views and enjoy answering your questions and reading your feedback so I implore you to comment and review as much as possible.

On to the review, Jake provided you with one of our two-part sessions with the best that Jordan Brand has to offer in the XX8 SE. For my portion of our review package I have had the pleasure of reviewing the Jordan Super.Fly 2, a shoe that I have become rather fond of over the last few weeks.

The first Jordan Super.Fly model made its debut in June of 2012. In its original form, the shoe came equipped with durable Hyperfuse upper, Lunarlon cushioning and a carbon fiber plate in the midfoot, giving the shoe overall all structure and shape. While the original model was very good performance-wise (and worn by Russell Westbrook, Joe Johnson and Maya Moore in the NBA and WNBA, respectively) it lacked a signature athlete to truly give it a face.

Enter Blake Griffin. His involvement in Jordan Brand and the Super.Fly 2 (which was inspired by his play and debuted on the 2013 All-Star weekend) is a major reason for the success of the shoe. While Griffin gives the shoe some marketability, the Super.Fly 2 proved to be a great performer on-court – where it really matters.

(ed. note: Thanks to ones of our readers, Daren, who took pictures of the black Super.Fly 2 you saw throughout the article and also gave us some really detailed feedback on his experiences in the shoe. We always appreciate reader feedback.)

Fit: 9
Much the XX8 SE, the Super.Fly 2 utilizes a Dynamic Fit upper. Jake touched on this in his review, and I will go a bit more in depth. Jordan Brand explains Dynamic fit as “textile straps that wrap up from the midsole and integrate with the laces for a lightweight support that moves with the foot.” In layman’s terms, they extended the lace holes or eyelets and connect them to the midsole in the form of a strap. The widening of the straps near the midsole allows the more of the midfoot to be covered, thus giving you better lockdown.

In my personal experience, I will agree that because of its simplicity, this gives you a better fit than something like Flywire. The Super.Fly 2 also has a sandwich mesh inner sleeve with an integrated tongue for a sock like fit (which is something that I am personally a fan of). The neoprene Achilles pad works cohesively with the padding around the ankle and helps with the lockdown while preventing heel slippage. The Pebax Flight Plate – which is not carbon fiber like on the XX8 SE – is kind of disappointing but Pebax has proven to be a durable and rugged material. It gives the shoe great structure and works well with the Zoom bag (which will be covered in its designated section.)

For full disclosure, I went a full size down with most of my shoes that I play ball in to make sure that I get a more snug fit but I feel that even in my normal 13 I would have been ok.

Heel-Toe Transition: 8.5
To be honest this shoe feels a bit blocky due to the thickness of the midsole but with that said, thanks to the structure of the Flight Plate and midsole, it still makes for a very smooth forward rotation with some added flexibility. This allows for very little “slappiness” that you could get with shoes designed for forwards/big wings (i.e. Nike Foamposite Max.)

Daren also agreed with me, and thought the thick Zoom bag made the transition feel a little chunky initially.

Cushion: 9.5
To be honest, I really wanted to give this category a ten but I always want to leave space for improvement and for better product down the line. I know my logic can be a bit confusing but just know that it’s really good – and probably some of the best out there.

The Super.Fly 2 went away from the Lunarlon cushioning of its predecessor to a more responsive Zoom Air midsole. This was undoubtedly an upgrade. Lunarlon is very nice in running shoes and in shoes for quicker players (like the Kobe line) that are more about speed and lateral movement. Lunarlon wouldn’t quite work with this model, which requires impact protection from the heavier, explosive forces put on by bigger players.

The Super.Fly 2 has a front loaded unit similar to the one used in the XX8 silhouette. The unit works in tandem with the Flight Plate and gives you the best possible responsiveness in the forefoot. The plate allows for the Zoom unit to compress and expand at exactly the right time. This also gives you a solid pivot point for post ups and spin moves.

Overall the midsole is spongy but also firm enough to support body weight and allowing for the tech to work effectively. This tech and the dense foam also adds weight to the shoe though, making them a bit heavy for my taste.

Daren, a guard, also chimed in and thought that the court feel was a little lacking because of the way the new Zoom bag has so much volume and hits your foot. As more of a wing/post hybrid, I loved the cushioning but if you’re a guard that likes a lot of court feel, this is definitely something you’ll want to pay attention to.

Traction: 9
It is a well-known fact, if you are an avid reader of this site, that we have favorites when it comes to certain aspects of performance shoes. Herringbone traction patterns are near the top, but Jordan Brand has found away to somewhat improve an already great innovation. I have dubbed it “burst” herringbone because of the look of course, but the design also has a function allowing for traction and grip at almost every angle that the foot can maneuver. It’s great for post ups and boxing out – once you plant your feet you’ll be hard pressed to get pushed off the spot because of your shoes slipping.

Materials/Durability: 7.5
This is probably the lowest score I gave the shoe and in my eyes one of the few glaring weaknesses in the silhouette. First and foremost, the upper is some type of woven synthetic fuse material. This is fine, but the material was coated with rubber near the midsole and began to peel away. The upper started to fray a bit near the lace holes and near the bend points, which can’t be a good sign with less than two months of play in them. Unfortunately, something that seems to be more and more common for me, is midsole separation near the forefoot and I saw the early stages of this on the Super.Fly 2 as well.

Like I said in the beginning, this shoe has become very special to me. Not only does it fit my style of play, but the Super.Fly 2 has great cushioning and structure. The whole is sort of greater than the sum of its parts here. I also possibly had one of my best games of my life in these very sneakers in our last championship game, scoring 18 points (ed. note: and defending the opposing team’s best player.) Jake also did his thing as well in his UA Anatonix Spawn and we got the win – what more can you ask for?

Moreover this shoe fits my style of play and I think that if you are a wing or a post, or fan of the Jordan performance line (XX8 line, Melo M9 and M10, CP3.VII) this may be a great shoe for you.

Champs of the Noblesville B&G Club winter league

September 11, 2013January 12, 2016 jerredfinch Featured, Performance Reviews

Performance Review: Nike Zoom Hyperquickness

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

What up my people it has been quite some time since I acquired some new basketball kicks and after two league tournaments and countless pick up games, I thought it was time to retire my Nike Hyperdisruptors. Although they weren’t my favorite hoop shoe, I had grown fond of them during our time together and there were some attributes that I really liked about them; I was actually sad to see them go.

On that same token, I was excited about the opportunity to shop for some new kicks. After a couple days of research I had a plan of action to get the Hyperdunk 2013 (which was later reviewed by the main man Jake) so I went done to Finish Line to get the job done. As I was requesting said shoe from the sales associate, another shoe that I had not noticed previously caught my eye – the Nike Zoom Hyperquickness.

I was intrigued by the shoe’s silhouette and even though it shares some similarities to the Hyperdisruptor, I felt it warranted further investigation. After regaining the sale associates attention I requested that the Hyperquickness also be brought to the bench.

I decided to try on the Hyperdunk first and I had heard mixed reviews from my colleagues and peers about the shoe. Of course being the opinionated man that I am, I wanted to form my own opinion. When I tried the shoe on I had mixed feelings. I mean, it was ok but the midsole was a bit too thin and I didn’t feel like it gave me the support I needed (I liked it but didn’t love it.)

I tried on the Hyperquickness next and I can say that I was overall happy with my initial wear. And after looking at the price of both – the Hyperquickness clocks in at $105 while the Hyperdunk 2013 will run you $140 – I went with the the pair that was the best bang for the buck, the Hyperquickness. Value definitely plays a role when it comes to this shoe.

Fit: 8
As previously stated, I had been playing in the Nike Hyperdisruptor before and although I gave it a mixed review on some aspects, in terms of overall fit I gave high marks. This is also true with the Hyperquickness. The shoe runs a tad narrow, which I have become accustomed to, and the toe box is pretty small. While this was a problem with the Hyperdisruptor, I find it to be to be much better in the Hyperquickness because of a difference in materials (which I will cover later in the review). The shoe has an inner bootie, which makes the fit more comfortable and also keeps the tongue in place.

The also shoe comes with a with an interesting lacing system. Near the ankle you have two pieces extending up from the midsole, made of a tough yet flexible material that forms around the base of the ankle (think the LeBron 9.) It’s an often overlooked feature but enhances the lockdown and the fusion between foot and midsole because of the feature and the overall shape of the shoe.

I gave the shoe an 8 in terms of fit. I would have given it a 8.5 or even a 9 if not for the lack of padding the upper beside some portions around the ankle where it is needed most. The Hyperfuse material with which the upper is made also doesn’t fully conform to the foot for a glove-like fit.

Heel – Toe Transition: 8.5

The transition was pretty smooth and this was largely due to the shape of the midsole and sole, which kind of reminds me of the Kobe 8. It works in tandem with the heel and forefoot Zoom Air cushioning and allows a for smooth gait very similar to the Huarache 2k4. It’s nothing flashy, simply very middle of the road, but I liked the transition a lot.

Cushioning: 9

Here at TGRR we all have different preferences in terms of cushioning. I, for instance, am a big forefoot Zoom, heel Air guy. It’s a system which is available in the KD V and VI, both of which are amazing in terms of cushioning if you ask me. Though the Hyperquickness has a Zoom/Zoom system, I still feel that it is more than sufficient (especially in a $105 shoe).

It should be noted that the Hyperdisruptor shares the same system but failed to give me the support and cushion that I desired. How could this be you ask? This is due to one fatal design flaw in the midsole. The Hyperdisruptor’s midsole was very soft and flexible – which was very comfortable – but it had very little stability and felt as if you were walking on the ground at some points and kind of diminished the responsiveness of the Zoom bags.

I brought this to my comrades here at TGRR and they agreed that this could have been rather easily and simply remedied with the inclusion of a carbon fiber plate (or any type of rigid TPU shank). It would have given the shoe structure and stability while not adding much weight to the design. (We’re guessing it wasn’t included because a carbon fiber plate would have added cost to an already 135 dollar shoe.) In the Hyperquickness, however, they seemed to have fixed or at least improved upon this lackof structural integrity.The good people at Nike used stiffer and more dense foam in the midsole which not only gave the shoe more structure but enhanced the feel of the Zoom bags. Although it wasn’t a plate like we wanted, the new foam compound was a major improvement.

Traction: 9

The traction for the Hyperquickness in identical to the Hyperdisuptor. Deep herringbone patterns in the forefoot and heel where you need it most – it just works people. No need to get all in-depth.

Materials: 8

I used to think that Hyperfuse was Hyperfuse but Nike kind of hit us with a curve ball, probably in an effort to cut costs. They have chosen to ditch the normal, layered synthetic Hyperfuse materials and go for a cloth or soft mesh interior with a reinforced Hyperfuse casing for most of the upper.

They did, however, use the full Hyperfuse coating on the heel counter and around the toe box for added durability – a slick way to only give you what you need where you need it. I have been playing in these kicks for about a month and I have been impressed with the overall durability. When I had the Hyperdisruptors I had several incidents with separation in the sole and midsole which forced me to return them to the store a few times to exchange them. I have had no such problem with this model and even though I have put some miles on these I feel they have plenty of life in them. You’re not getting premium materials, but it’s still solid.

Like I have stated there are a lot of things to like in this model. Nothing really stands out to make it amazing, but nothing that I can really say bad about it. It’s just a really solid shoe. It’s useful for players of multiple positions because of its structure and build, and with a price point at only $105, I feel that it is steal for a shoe of this caliber.

July 8, 2013September 21, 2013 jerredfinch TGRR Blog

TGRR Blog: First Impressions of the KD VI

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

There are plenty shoes that get released that just naturally fit into my style – but sometimes there is that rare shoe that just gets you, captivates you in a certain way and you just can’t wait to try it on. That shoe for me was the Nike KD VI. Although it’s not a shoe that I would usually get all that excited about (usually I’m into lowkey retro releases), there is something about the minimalistic silhouette that piqued my interest.

Maybe it was the aggressive aesthetics, the bold and somewhat gaudy colorways or the fact that I’m a sucker from the Air Max/Zoom combination – a feature the KD VI provides. Maybe it’s that it has a soccer boot flavor that makes me nostalgic (I was soccer player for the vast majority of my youth until I found basketball). Either way, when I first saw the specs for this shoe, I was in love. I could not wait to get this shoe in to my hands and to experience all it has to offer.

I got the opportunity to see these warlocks a few day before the release at my neighborhood friendly Foot Locker. The first thing that got me was the box which goes beyond the garden variety orange Nike box. Upon further inspection it is a new, custom box complete with KD logo and hexagon pattern throughout. It’s good to see that they are going with a full on brand with the Durant line (Ed. note: Good point, especially with the increase in price).

Opening the box, I noticed right away that these kicks are low and almost Kobe-like, which I hoped for based on the initial pictures. Another aspect of the shoe that you’ll notice is the overall brightness and vibrancy of the colors. (I of course was trying on the “Seat Pleasant” colorway which is my favorite of the colorways I’ve seen.) The Sonic Yellow/Tropical Teal/Midnight Navy flat-out pop together and my mind was racing thinking of gear that would match.

Kim (of whom you know from her in-depth review the Nike Flyknit Lunar 1+) was with me during this endeavor and was also able to try on the kids size. She was not a fan because there was no Zoom bag in the kids model and she found the upper to be stiff and uncomfortable – just a heads up for the youngbloods or the parents of them.

Kim trying on the GS version of the KD VI.

As I slipped the shoes on, I realized right away that the shoe runs long – long enough that I would not feel comfortable playing in them in my usual size 13.

Perhaps because of the combination of the design and overall length in the fit, I didn’t feel great responsiveness from the Zoom bag in the forefoot. I promptly tried on a size 12 and the difference is night and day. Getting the proper size is critical for this shoe – you’ll definitely want to try it on before you buy if you plan to hoop in it.

Although the upper itself has a minimalistic design, the midsole and sole seems to be sophisticated and strategically set up for peak performance. Again, in the size 12 (a full size down from my normal size) the Zoom bag hit me right under the ball of my foot and the unit was as responsive as ever.

I was unable to purchase that day but this shoe is definitely on my must-cop list for this year. Overall, I was very happy with the way the shoe fit initially after I went a size down. Also, I was very happy with the heel to toe transition at least in my initial test – I was aware that there was some concern with slappiness in the KD Elite and it seems that Leo Chang and co. have remedied the problem.

The one concern I do have is the upper – most importantly the tongue – because there really isn’t much to it. It pretty much made of the Hyperfuse material except it has a mesh kind of feel for breathability and is built into the upper of the shoe. In terms of padding though the upper, outside of around ankle collar there isn’t much else. Ultimately, I am a tad bit concerned with the long-term comfort and durability of the shoe, as I am with most shoes of this genre and generations. But I came away happy with my first impression of the “Seat Pleasant” KD VI. When I am able to cop and hoop in these bad boys and put them through the ringer, I’ll make sure I hit you fine folks with an in depth review (possibility a collaborative affair with my homeboy Jake) and maybe an accompanying video? Keep it locked to thegymratreview.com.

May 21, 2013 jerredfinch TGRR Blog

TGRR Blog: Return of the Revolution

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

While searching for kicks online – an everyday occurrence – I came across some very interesting and exciting information. A pair of shoes that have been on my to-cop list forever, it seems, is finally making its illustrious return from the depths of the Nike vault: the Nike Air Revolution. The Revolution is special to me in a number of ways. At first glance the shoe is everything that I look for aesthetically: high-top, padded ankle support, visible Air Max bubble, speed laces and of course a strap.

The Revolution was originally released in 1987-1988 and then received retro in 2002, and I am happy to report that the designers at Nike stayed almost completely true to the original design. They did, however, change some minor details including the ankle height, and if history repeats itself Nike will undoubtedly have reduced the amount of padding around the ankle. I expected this and I feel that its doesn’t make a huge difference – it could be worse. I have seen Nike bastardize some of my favorite silhouettes in the past, i.e. this monstrosity, and I am happy they did the right thing (in my humble opinion) and kept it as true as possible.

It has been well-documented that I have a love for shoes with history and boy does this shoe have some history. It’s a history that will appeal to a wide variety of people as well. As previously stated, the Revolution was originally released in 1988, but what a lot of people don’t know is that the the original silhouette was designed to be the Jordan III. During this time Jordan was going through a contract dispute and almost left Nike (which would have been an utterly catastrophic and changed the very landscape of the sneaker world as we currently know it) because he wanted a creative influence on his shoes’ design. In came Tinker Hatfield, the godfather of innovative sneaker design (including the Air Max 1, Air Jordan III through Air Jordan XV, Nike Huarache and most recently the XX8) This was the first shoe design that was a collaborative project by athlete and designer, and it changed how signature shoes were designed forever.

Because of the design changes by Tinker and influence of His Airness, the Nike Air Revolution and AJ III look vastly different but they do share an identical sole/midsole equipped with a visible Air bubble . The Revolution could have drifted into the abyss, never to be seen by or released, but Nike released both shoes in the same year and both did quite well. The Air Jordan III went on be one of Jordan’s most well known signatures, and the OG design that came equipped with the Nike Air logo on the back retroed this year in limited quantities and sold out in minutes even with a $200 price tag.

The Revolution, however, has more of a cult following; it’s a grail to some collectors. During its release in the late 1980s the Revolution was worn by Dennis Rodman during the Detroit Pistons title runs of 1989 and 1990 where, ironically enough, they met Jordan’s Bulls in the Conference Finals. The series saw infamous “Jordan Rules” enacted and cemented Isaiah Thomas as an all-time great competitor.

As you can see you can see I am more than excited about this release. Jake has pronounced it to be my shoe so with that vote of confidence I will embark on the journey to add this historic shoe to my collection. There is no release date yet but there have been rumors of a release later on this summer. Pictures of two colorways have been released: the OG royal blue/white/black and red/white/black. Hopefully, we will also see a release of the OG white/black/silver colorway. Once I can get my hands on these Bad Boys, I’ll hit you guys with another article.

April 25, 2013June 11, 2013 jerredfinch Performance Reviews

Performance Review: Nike Air Way Up

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

Weight: 18 oz (in size 11)
Size Tested: 13
Colorway: White/Black/Red
After several weeks of waiting with little to no information about the release, I was able to get my hands on a pair of the Nike Air Way Up retro. Now this shoe either has a very celebrated or very murky past depending on your kicks history knowledge and many of today’s generation are unaware of how great a retro of this kind is when it comes to performance kicks. The Way Up, much like the Air Force 2 Strong (which I have have written about in previous posts), was one of the most popular shoes of the late 90s among many prominent NBA players. Although Penny Hardaway had a PE of the Way Up and the Way Up shares some striking similarities with the Penny I (thanks to the large lateral wing) the colorway that released on 4/13 was a predecessor of both models.

The Way Up was worn most notably by Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman in the 1995-1996 season when the Bulls went 72-10 and became known as the greatest team in NBA history. This is also the same season that MJ debuted the Concord XIs, perhaps in a way lending to the lack of attention given to the Way Up. This shoe was also the flagship for Nike’s youth movement of the early 90’s which included Jason Kidd, Eddie Jones (who got some damn good team Jordan PEs down the road) and Kevin Garnett.

The Way Up retroed in three colorways: black/white, grey/white and white/black/red. I was able to cop from my place of employment and I had to get the “Chicago” white/black/red colorway. I love the color blocking and felt it only natural to give a nod to the 96 Bulls. Although I am not a Bulls fan, I’m not one to spit in the face of history.

Fit: 8
In my lifetime of trying on shoes, I have come to the realization that shoes from the late 80’s and early 90’s have lots of cushion in the ankle, tongue and inner bootie that aids in overall fit. Because of this, I have become a fan of the shoes from this era from a comfort standpoint and was intrigued on how the Way Up would perform in this regard. In short, it did not disappoint. I was impressed with the overall fit, and although it differs greatly from my ultimate in fit, the Adidas Commander TS, that doesn’t make the design flawed. The Commander TS fits best in the heel and in the toe box; the Way Up fits more comfortably at the ankle and forefoot. In a perfect world, I’d like the Way Up to fit a little more snug in the toes. This is due to the shape of the last (basically, the shape of the footbed) in the Way Up probably not being engineered narrower like most modern shoes. The padding of the tongue and the heel makes for a very secure and locked-in feel though, and with the adequate space in the toe box there is little chance of stubbed toes or broken toe nails.

One aspect of the shoe that I thought was a cause for concern was the placement of the laces and eyelets. I have had instances when while walking or running the heel of my foot would slip slightly off the midsole. The lace holes are spaced rather far apart and you have to pull the laces pretty hard in order for you foot to stay firmly planted. The shoe has to be laced to the top eyelet in order to get close to the desired ankle fit and support, but there are only five eyelets total. While these weaknesses are more of an inconvenience than an actual problem and I am able to over look them when I play, in the same voice I feel I would be doing you a disservice if I did not at least mention them as a deficiency. Once the shoelaces are tightened and tied firmly, I had little to no issue with the lockdown and/or fit.

Heel-Toe Transition: 6.5
I was very excited to test out the heel-toe transition when looking at the profile of the shoe. There’s a noticeable drop from the heel to the toe and it looked similar to my best example of heel to transition the, Nike Force Max. Thus, I thought that I would have a similar experience with this shoe…and I was wrong. The Way Up was not great in terms of heel-toe transition because the Phylon midsole is relatively flat on the interior, almost Air Force 1-like. (The Force Max, on the other hand, had a rounded toe for a nice toe-off and roll through the footstrike.) It did have a slight flex or transition point in the toe, but no more than something like an Air Max 1. I generally like my transition point to start in the forward third of the shoe near the ball of the foot and almost where the big toe flexes.

The shoe also has a rather firm midsole. It does give some under the forefoot but it has a hard rubber outsole (and firm Air Max bag) on the heel which hinders the natural bending a bit, but I wonder with further break-in time if the transition will improve. The jury is still out, but for now I’m giving it an average score.

Cushioning: 9
Though the Way Up is a retro design, it features technology that makes it timeless as far as cushioning goes. The main example is obviously the visible Air bag in the heel and also an encapsulated Air bag in the forefoot. This Air to Air combination makes the shoe very comfortable and absorbs impact very nicely; although I was not a fan of the midsole firmness in terms of heel to toe transition, I believe that it actually helps the shoe in terms of cushioning.

In my review of the Nike Zoom Hyperdisruptor, I explained how the softness of its midsole took away from the effectiveness of the the Zoom bags. In the case of the Way Up, I feel that its firmness makes the Air bags more effective thus making the shoes more comfortable. Though I am married, it seems to the Zoom/Max Air Combination, I feel that Air/Air is an effective and long-lasting cushioning system on-court and in everyday wear.

Traction: 7
If you’re a hooper, you know what good traction feels like and the security it brings. To me it can make or break a shoe, and personally its herringbone or bust. The Way Up features a wavy pattern that is more segmented in the toe section. It has some stippling but it’s not very grippy. For the most part, it doesn’t seem functional compared to most of today’s top performance models (but it does look nice, and most of you will probably be rocking these off-court anyway). When it is on hardwood it grips the floor respectably since it is a new shoe, but I am concerned that it will wear down quickly. This may simply be a case of outdated technology, but I will not know for sure until I wear them in a few more games.

Materials and Durability: 7.5
When it come to durability, to me, you can’t go wrong with a leather upper. Call me old fashioned, but it’s what I like. The Way Up does have an all-leather upper which would usually make for a solid score from me, but I’ve learned over the years that not all leather is created equal. I generally prefer tumbled leather, since the quality of most of today’s synthetic “leather” is poor. That being said, the quality of the leather on the Way Up reminds me of the Air Force 1 – which means it’s average but at least not as bad as a Reebok Classic. Whereas tumbled leather moves with you, this leather is stiff and I’m concerned with deep creasing from an aesthetic standpoint, though that shouldn’t be a worry for a shoe you are gonna hoop in and beat up anyway.

With that being said, the cushioning in the tongue and inner bootie are quite nice – no paper-thin tongue here. The seams appear solidly glued together and the the paint seems to be good quality and hopefully will not crack and flake off like other retros.

Overall, I’m glad that Nike was able to put out a retro team shoe that is not only a classic, but will also stand up performance-wise with today’s athletes. Performance-wise, this shoe does have its downsides (like most retro models) in terms of transitioning and traction, but I believe that what it provides make up for its faults. If you’re looking for a good hooping shoe for your rotation or for some retro flair in your wardrobe, I’d pick them up. At $120, they don’t necessarily break the bank either for such a versatile shoe. They’re available at footlocker.com in all three colorways and at finishline.com in the gray/white and black/white colorway.

Overall Score: 38/50 x 2 = 76/100
Fit: 8
Heel-Toe Transition: 6.5
Cushioning: 9
Traction: 7
Materials/Durability: 7.5

March 22, 2013March 28, 2013 jerredfinch TGRR Blog

TGRR Blog: First Impressions of the Nike Barkley Posite Max

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

When I go into work at my Footlocker, I like to look around and see if there is anything new beside the normal Air Max 90’s and Air Force 1’s before I clock in. On one special day last week, in shipment, we had the Nike Barkley Posite Max in the Eggplant colorway. Although I was unable to give this highly-touted shoe a full detailed review because Footlocker is doing a raffle, I felt I would be doing you the reader and myself a disservice if I at least didn’t give you a run down or my first impression as it were; so let’s get to it.

The Barkley Foamposite is a hybrid shoe in the same lineage as a 1/2 cent which was a Penny/ Foamposite combination. I myself am not a huge fan of most hybrid shoes because I find them more of a novelty item than a functional shoe. But in that same breath, I am fan of Barkley shoes and and Foams so I figured I may give these a shot.

When I got the shoe out of the box I was immediately drawn in by that details that the shoes have to offer. The eggplant color is very vibrant and the “Not a Role Model” spelled out on the bottom was a very nice touch. That combined with the speckled Air Max bubble, paracord laces and nice color blocking make it an aggressive and classic Barley silhouette. I couldn’t help thinking to myself that this should could be a problem, in a good way. I thought I would have to cop this shoe and I was caught up in all the hype. I quickly asked my manager if I could try it on and I was ready to see what this shoe was really all about.

When I had the shoe on foot I realized a number of things. First, this is one heavy shoe. In terms of the heaviest shoes I’ve ever had on foot, the Nike Air Total Foamposite Max is numero uno for obvious reasons, followed closely by the Nike Hyperposite. This is not a negative or a positive, but more of an observation that I thought was relevant. Usually I connect weight with reliability and overall quality of materials, but I have been wrong before.

Another thing that I found more concerning was how flimsy the upper was was although it is supposedly a Foam and synthetic combination. I was expecting more in terms of rigidity and the Foam on the upper seemed to be too pliable at the flex points of the shoe. I personally am not a fan of a lack of cushion and padding throughout the upper, and the Barkley Posite Max was disappointing in this department. This was surprising because I have owned a pair of Foams and several pairs of Barkleys over my life and I am usually very happy with the padding and comfort through the upper.

The outsole is a mixed bag to say the least. On one hand the words and designs were very nice from an aesthetic standpoint, but traction as it is relates to performance this shoe is horrible. The lettering is the only part of the shoe with any type of pattern for grip and that is in the form of very light herringbone. The space that is not taken up by lettering has a very light stippling and a few wavy indentations that I believe are there more for style that actual functionality.

In closing, I feel that this shoe aesthetically is a work of art – definitely one of the best hybrid models Nike has come out with. On foot the Chuckposite will definitely turn some heads. With that said, its shortcomings from a quality standpoint as well as a functionality standpoint don’t make this shoe worth it’s hefty $235 price tag. I wish I had the opportunity to actually hoop in these to let you guys know how they really perform for what nature intended. I hope this will be suffice for now, and I urge you to head to your local retailer and ask to see them for yourself – I can only give you my opinion of my short firsthand accounts. Don’t let my words make or break your decision to cop or drop; check em for out yourself thanks for the read.

March 12, 2013March 12, 2013 jerredfinch TGRR Blog

Underrated Kicks, Vol.4: Nike Air Carnivore

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

In the latest installment of Underrated Kicks we take a trip back to the 1990s, which in my opinion was the greatest era in sneaker history. With athletes like “Neon” Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson making a name for themselves not only on the gridiron but on the diamond as well, the 90s were a heyday for some of the most iconic and transcendent performance trainers of all time. To this day, these shoes are being retroed and used not only as a fashion statement but also for modern performance. For example the Diamond Turf (Deion Sanders) Reebok ES22 (Emmit Smith) and even Brett Favre and Dan Marino had pseudo-signatures with the Nike Zoom Turf and Speed Turf respectively.

One of the most iconic and original designs also made its debut 1990s: the Nike Air Huarache, which is Spanish for shoes or sandals. The Huarache line revolutionized sneakers with its use of lightweight materials, inner sockliner and structural minimalism – the use of exaggerated mesh or cutout holes to reduce weight and enhance breathability. This line has been retroed, re-imagined, updated and retroed over and over again. Whether it’s classics like the Nike Flight Huarache, which has been worn by numerous NBA players, or the lesser known Huarache Trainer 94, they’re some of the most visible shoes on the market. The Nike Huarache even recently took several of their most popular silhouettes such as the Flight Huarache and the Huarache Low and tried to modernize the design using Nike Free bottoms to attract today’s modern runners. Even though these designs were met with some scrutiny, it is a constant reminder that the Huarache line is alive and well.

Off of the success of the Huarache line and shoes like it came many other renowned (and albeit lesser known) silhouettes. These kicks share some striking similarities to its celebrated predecessor, but were either ahead of their time in terms of look or not properly indorsed enough to make a splash in this celebrated but crowded market of sneakers. An example of this misfortune happens to be one of my favorite kicks of all time.

The Nike Air Carnivore was released in 1993 in two colorways: the classic Green/Purple/Black and a lesser-known all black model with purple accents. In the 2010 the Carnivore was retroed in the same classic green, purple and black but with this release Nike added new white, red and gold – almost 49ers-esque – colorway.

The Carnivore was said to be the a trainer on steroids and featured a very aggressive and futuristic design. The Carnivore come with zero laces and the lockdown mechanism is provided via a series of straps very similar to the David Robinson-worn Nike Air Unlimited. The Carnivore has a strap over the forefoot, a strap on the ankle sleeve (which is where we see the most similarity to the Air Unlimited) and a small strap tightener on the outer which pulls that foot in to the midsole for a firm lockdown. The only other time that I have personally seen another strap of this kind was in Amare Stoudemire’s STAT signature shoe, except that strap was hidden. These straps by themselves wouldn’t provide the an adequate fit for a trainer, but when they all work cooperatively they provide a fit that in my opinion is comparable to some of the top basketball shoes today.

The aesthetics of the Carnivore set it apart from any shoe before or after, for that matter. With an extremely tall neoprene inner sleeve and a reptilian-patterned insole along with colors that are hard to match with a fitted or t-shirt, you can see how these sneakers could be an acquired taste to some sneaker enthusiasts. To this day this shoe is a gem for a few sneaker collectors; I personally am on my second pair of Air Carnivores and they were one of my first shoes in my collection. If I was to judge by the amount of looks and questions that I receive when I wear them out, it definitely is not a well-known shoe and is a head-turner for sure. You can usually find Carnivores at Nike Factory Stores, even thrift shops, and I was luck enough to get mine on the cheap on eBay (even though I’d over pay for these babies.)

It’s hard to tell why shoes don’t sell or are slept on. I think its a byproduct of people being afraid to step out of the box and pigeonholing themselves into one type of shoe or one brand of shoe. I myself have fell victim to this and have tried hard to step out of my comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to branch out and be an individual – you would be surprised at what you have been missing out on.

February 22, 2013January 12, 2016 jerredfinch Featured, Performance Reviews

Performance Review: Nike Zoom Hyperdisruptor

Prose: Finch (@Sir_Stymie)

Weight: 10.2 ounces
Test size: 13
Colorway: University Red/Street Grey-Black

So I picked up the Nike Hyperdisruptor kind of on a whim (I have been playing in the Air Jordan 2012’s and was really enjoying how they performed thus far) but it was time for the intramural basketball season, a last hurrah of sorts for my team Terminator X since a lot of us will be graduating at the conclusion of the year. I found it only fitting that I purchased some new shoes to prepare myself for what hopefully will be another deep playoff run that concludes with us defending our championship and cementing basketball supremacy at Ball State University.

During a routine mall run with my boy Jake (which is something that we do quite often) we stopped by the local Finish Line and Foot Locker to see some of the latest in footwear. While in Finish Line, I saw that they had released the Nike Hyperdisruptor, a shoe that I had seen online but was excited to see in person. When I tried it on foot I knew it was a shoe that I wanted to have in my life. Needless to say, I had the support of Jake. After several moments of self conflict, reconsideration and checking my funds (which has been a constant stumbling block in the past) I knew what had to be done. Once everything checked out, I was in the car with the large orange shoe box in my lap. After several weeks of playing in the shoes I am happy to report to you fine people with my in-depth review.

Fit
Without question fit is very important – it can make or break a performance shoe in my opinion. I must admit the overall fit in the Hyperdistruptor differs greatly from the AJ 2012 that I was playing in before. I’m not sure if it’s due to the difference in materials or not but I will discuss that further in the Durability section.

The Hyperdisruptor is a shoe that runs very narrow through the midfoot a la Huarache 2k4, but in this instance its almost to a fault. The toe box is also pretty small. I have a narrow foot so it fits me quite well, but due to the fact the shoe is so narrow it may not be a good fit for some hoopers. The tongue of the shoe is connected to the upper making it kind of like a sock liner (very much like the KD V) so the fit in the midfoot is kind of strange at first. Since the tongue isn’t free to move, I don’t always feel as locked in to the forefoot as much as I want. Fortunately, this problem can be remedied by tightening the laces further than normal but it does mean some extra lace pressure if you’re sensitive to that.

On the other hand, the heel lockdown is quite nice. There is an external heel counter much like the Kobe 8. This aspect of the shoe is very, very solid. While playing and shooting in them, at no point did I feel unstable or uncomfortable with fit in terms of heel lockdown. Although I do have some small problems with the fit in the forefoot and the overall narrow last of the silhouette, the overall fit of the shoe is very solid.

Heel-Toe Transition
I was not sure what to expect when I first picked up the Hyperdisruptor in terms of heel to toe transition. But after playing several weeks in the shoe, I have found the midsole is very flexible. Foot movement and placement in the footstrike is smooth and natural, which is a plus. Another plus is the the curvature of the sole on the toe-off. This small addition to basketball shoes in particular allows for almost a rocking motion, which makes the transition from heel to toe to be amazingly smooth. My favorite example of this (you would know if you have read my primer) is the Nike Force Max made famous by the Round Mound of Rebound Sir Charles Barkley and the team that defined a generation, the Fab Five of Michigan (ed. note The KD III also used this design very well.) If you look at the silhouette of the Hyperdisruptor you will clearly see that the toe area is curved slightly allowing for the smooth transition.

I like the heel to toe transition of the Hyperdisruptor, but my only complaint would be that there is no carbon fiber plate in the sole. The plate which would give the shoe structure and rigidity. It is the base on which the shoe is build around similar to the frame or chassis of a car. I feel that is a plate would have been added to the shoe it would have been a major upgrade and would have put the shoe in elite company in turns of heel to toe transition.

Cushioning
It is well-known that I am a strong believer in the marriage of Zoom Air in the forefoot and Max Air in the heel. Sadly the Hyperdisruptor does not come with that particular setup, but that is not to say that the cushion that is provided for this shoe is inadequate. The Hyperdisruptor has what we call a Zoom-Zoom cushioning system which means there is a Zoom Air bag integrated into the forefoot and in the heel. This setup doesn’t provide as good of impact protection in the heel as a Max Air unit, but that is merely a matter of my preference.

If I would compare this shoe to my personal favorite, the Huarache 2k4, (which just has Zoom Air in the heel) I would have to say that it is a upgrade. Two air bags are always better than one. The one thing that I can’t ignore – and I don’t want to sound like I’m repeating myself – but the midsole is very soft in the Hyperdisruptor. It make for a comfortable fit and ride, but sometimes I feel that the softness of the midsole is compromising the Zoom bags (ed. note: in Nike terms, the soft midsole hurts the compression/deflection of the Zoom bags). It feels as if you are walking in very thin, almost flip flop-like, foam. The 2k4 has a much more dense midsole and it makes the shoe more stable and comfortable.

Traction
You have heard us say it once, and you’ll probably hear it a million more times: we here at The Gym Rat Review LOVE herringbone traction patterns. We are not saying that other patterns don’t work or that its a deal breaker if a shoe doesn’t have herringbone, it’s just one of those things that will stand the test of time. It started out in the 70s with shoes like the Nike Blazers and Adidas Pro Models, and is still used today in high-performance kicks like the Kobe 8 and adidas Rose 3.

The Nike Hyperdisruptor, I am sad to report, does not have this traction pattern. The pattern for this shoe is several elevated lines that run parallel and go diagonally across the shoe. These lines come from both sides of the shoe and criss cross in the center of the shoe. The lines get more dense in some parts of the shoe for added grip in high-impact areas. This system was new for me at least ( I admit I had my doubts) but all in all I was impressed with the overall traction. It seemed to grip the court very well right out of the box and has reacted well through constant beating that comes with my style of play. Other than the occasional use of Mission Court Grip and swiping, it’s been a pleasant traction experience.

Materials/Durability
As you can tell by the name, this shoe has a complete Hyperfuse and mesh upper. Of course the Hyperfuse is reinforced in certain target areas for durability, in my opinion it will never be as strong as quality leather. It has held up so far but the jury is still out. The midsole, once again, is where the problems really lie. This shoe is stupid light – I literally forget I have them in my bag sometimes – but the foam in the midsole is simply too thin and squishy for lack of a better term.

I am not fan of this midsole, to say the least, and the construction was proven bad on the flimsy midsole. I have had to take a pair back because the outsole was detaching from the midsole; this is after less than 10 wears and that is unacceptable. Whatever positives I felt about the upper have been tainted by this poor quality midsole. I admit the second pair that I got in exchange are doing fine, but this is due to the fact that I have switched back to my Jordan 2012 for open rec and have relegated my Hyperdisruptors for intramural game days only.

All in all, I have become a fan of the Hyperdisruptor and I feel it has a lot to offer as a performance shoe. The fit is narrow but is comfortable; if you are looking for a shoe that will hug your foot and give you good ankle support, this is it. The heel-toe transition is very smooth and promotes an effortless gate. The cushioning meets the standards set by today’s modern athlete (although I believe Zoom/Max would have worked better) and the traction was a very pleasant surprise.

The thing that is really hurting this shoe is the overall durability. Any time a consumer has to take a pair of shoes back because they have fallen apart within two weeks, something is wrong. By no means am I saying that it is a horrible shoe, I just believe the focus was too much on making the shoe light and in turn, Nike sacrificed durability in the process. Another glaring problem for me at least was the overall softness of the midsole – again, a direct result of Nike trying to make the shoe as light a possible.

You can’t have quality control problems on a shoe that costs $130 and is a flagship model for so many Nike schools; you just can’t. This problem could be fixed by adding a carbon fiber plate to the bottom of the shoe for structure. Making the midsole a bit more rigid you would make the shoe a bit heavier, but it would make for a more sturdy, stable and comfortable ride. The problem with the addition of carbon fiber is we’d probably be talking about a shoe that costs $160 to $175, and that’s a little too steep even for me.

In closing, the Nike Zoom Hyperdisruptor is a nice change of pace shoe for players at multiple positions. Just like everything else in this world, it’s not perfect. It’s easy for me to sit here and say how I feel about the shoe, but many college and NBA players are wearing the Hyperdisruptor and loving it – from Ohio State Point guard Aaron Craft to NBA veteran Grant Hill – so make sure you guys get to your local Foot Locker or Finishline and try them on for yourself.

Overall Score: 39.5/50 x 2 = 79