Nike Hyperdunk 2013 [Review]

 

Nike Hyperdunk 2013

The Nike Hyperdunk 2013 will release on July 20th & hopefully our performance review will help you decide whether or not you’ll make the purchase.

Traction

The traction on the Hyperdunk 2013 is definitely the highlight of the shoe. We’ve had good traction throughout the entire series overall but this is the first time that Nike has really gone all out with such an aggressive usage of herringbone.

Front to back they were adequate but it isn’t until you begin to move laterally that the pattern really shines. We’re all so used to herringbone spanning from heel to toe that when we make lateral cuts or crosses, you expect a slight delay before the grip adheres to the court… this isn’t the case with these at all so your response and reaction time will increase slightly as the pattern can really keep up with your movements.

Something that is just a cool bonus feature of the herringbone being placed horizontally is that it ends up creating flex grooves throughout the shoe and this is the most flexible Hyperdunk so far from my experience.

Cushion

Targeted Lunarlon is placed in the heel and forefoot once again so this aspect really feels like last year’s setup with the Hyperdunk 2012. The only real complaint I had about the setup is that it wasn’t implemented full length and that Zoom might have been a better option when using targeted sections of cushion… especially for those that thoroughly loved the previous Hyperdunk models that featured Zoom Air.

My opinion hasn’t changed at all and with shoes like the Kobe 8 featuring full length Lunarlon; why can’t the Hyperdunk?

Material

I went over materials within the Hyperdunk 2013 Performance Teaser Pt. 2 and it pretty much sums up my overall thoughts… Hyperfuse has come a long way and I like it more and more. Sure, I’d rather have leather but if you are going to have Fuse then this is the way to go.

It’s flexible, durable and there are no hotspots… Nike has literally perfected the material’s usage on performance sneakers so there are no complaints here.

Fit

The fit might just be my favorite part along with the traction.

I really enjoyed the close fit of last year’s model but this time around the Fuse is a bit more forgiving and much more flexible. The lacing structure utilizes what started in the Nike Zoom Hyperenforcer and enhances it tenfold. That finger lacing system fits tighter and moves better with the foot when in motion and the Dynamic Flywire does what Dynamic Flywire does… holds the foot onto the footbed.

The heel features their most notorious feature, the foam heel, and it is the shoes heel counter. It keeps your heel locked into place perfectly and I personally like the way it looks.

Lockdown in the Hyperdunk 2012 was pretty much perfect and the same goes here… these just have slightly better materials and I like the finger lacing system a bit better.
  

Ventilation

The overall ventilation is pretty much on par with what we received last year. This is something that you may never notice but if you go from a shoe with little ventilation – say the Air Jordan XV – to this shoe… it’ll feel like you’ve turned on the A/C.

Support

The overall support features are the TPU midfoot shank and the foam heel counter – both of which do their jobs perfectly fine. It’s the awesome fit and lockdown that really helps support you while it keeps your foot and the shoe feel as if they are one with each other… feel The Force, Luke. 

Overall
This is the Hyperdunk 2012 but with some improvements… improvements that a Guard will love. Larger players will enjoy these as well – if they enjoyed the Hyperdunk 2012 – but quick and speedy players will be the ones that are going to be able to really utilize the minor changes made between the two Lunar Hyperdunks.

I personally liked the increased traction and flexibility of this shoe more when directly comparing it to last year’s model and I really liked the Hyperdunk 2012. Those would be my two key factors is choosing this model over the 2012 because essentially… they are the same shoe.

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Nike KD VI [Review]

Nike KD VI

Traction

It isn’t horrible but it’s not as good as last years. While I was editing the video review I noticed that the pattern featured on both the KD V & KD VI are nearly identical but executed differently. The KD V‘s pattern was made so that the outline of the pattern was cut away and removed from the outsole, this provided an aggressive pattern which worked well. Meanwhile, the KD VI did the opposite and left the outline of the pattern in place and removed the inner portions which made for a slick surface when dust is involved. Next time… I hope they go the KD V route because it was much more efficient on-court.

Just a tip, wipe the outsole at every dead ball and you will be good to go with traction… allow the dust to pile up under your foot and you’ll be ice skating.

Cushion

The cushion is the same exact setup as the KD V but this time around they just feel much better right when you first walk out onto the court. These feel the way the KD V‘s feel after they’ve been broken-in… without needing to be broken-in. Awesome!

These wiped the floor with the Zoom Soldier VII’s (I have been alternating between the two) in terms of comfort which is a surprise because I would have guess it to be the other way around prior to wearing them both. Bottom line… the KD VI won’t disappoint.

Material

The Fuse is thin, pliable and requires nearly zero break-in time. Unfortunately, I do feel as if it isn’t quite as nice as the KD V’s and feels almost cheap in comparison. Why so many direct comparisons to the KD V you ask? Simple… they are sitting on shelves as we speak… right next to the KD VI… only one is priced at $115 while the other is $130. You do the math.

Luckily, I don’t feel as if the materials feel warrants a bad score – it just ‘feels’ cheaper than the KD V’s more rugged upper that I love so much. It’ll still support you while remaining durable so there isn’t much to complain about… unless you have a weird infatuation with the KD V… like I do.

Fit

I went up 1/2 size and it worked perfectly fine for me. You will still want to try them on in-store if possible and if it isn’t possible then I hope you’ve owned the KD IV as that is the one shoe that you can kind of compare it to.

Lockdown though… incredible. Who knew such a low shoe would be so secure. I didn’t have one issue with them once laced up… not one. I haven’t worn a soccer cleat since I was 7 so I cant tell you if they have similar attributes in terms of fit and lockdown but since they look so much like one… its safe to assume that its pretty darn close. These are the best fitting low top basketball shoes since the Kobe V… that is all.

Ventilation

Its better than the KD V but still nothing to write home about. I’m just glad the fit/ lockdown was near perfect so I didn’t wind up walking away with more blisters on my feet.

Support

Most of the support comes from the fit and lockdown and those of you that wish to have plenty of torsional support along with arch support… you may be disappointed. The Air Jordan X was the last time a lack of arch support was apparent while in-game and these have a similar feel. I was able to feel my arch and the shoe separate slightly when in motion – typically after playing for 2+ hours – so if you have arch support insoles… take them with you.

Overall

These are really fun to play in. The only thing that truly bothered me personally was the traction but again, wipe the outsole at every dead ball and you’ll be good to go. Comfort and lockdown are definitely their highlights so if those two areas are high on your list of personal on-court needs then you should be very please.

Its rare that the previous model is still on shelves by the time the next version releases so with that… I’d go with the KD V still as an overall package is concerned – including price. Don’t get me wrong, the KD VI is awesome but the KD V just feels like you get a little more while paying a little bit less… and they haven’t even hit outlets yet.

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[Teaser] Nike Hyperdunk 2013

 

I’ve always appreciated the Hyperdunk but it wasn’t until the Hyperdunk 2012 that I truly liked a pair on-court & it wasn’t until 2013 that I truly loved a pair on-court.

Hyperfuse sure has come a long way.

The Nike Hyperenforcer’s claim to fame was the combination of two of Nike’s favorite technologies; Hyperfuse and Flywire. Not only does the Nike Hyperdunk 2013 combined both technologies but it also does it better than before.

 

The Hyperfuse is softer but just as durable. Those little fingers featured as the lacing system of the Hyperenforcer have been updated and work better than ever as more mesh and less plastic is used. In my opinion, these are pretty significant upgrades with very little effort that make a big impact.

This is the most Guard oriented Hyperdunk that we’ve had since the original in 2008. Flex grooves are abundant and the upper and outsole work in tandem with one another. These aren’t flexible to the point where you feel like you‘re wearing a minimalist shoe but they are flexible enough to where court feel and maneuverability are far greater than past renditions. In a nutshell… they offer the perfect blend of maneuverability and support.

Like I said above, I’ve always appreciate the Hyperdunk but this is the first time I’ve loved the Hyperdunk.

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Nike Zoom Hyperdisruptor [Review]

Nike Zoom Hyperdisruptor

Traction

After a small break-in period, the traction proved to be practically perfect on every court no matter the condition. For those of you that prefer to gear a squeak with your traction… this is your shoe.

Cushion

I wound up playing in the Hyperdisruptor much longer than I typically wear review sneakers as I was remaining adamant that they just needed “a little more break-in time” for the Zoom Air to become what I was used to. Unfortunately, that never happened. Zero responsiveness from the midsole and Zoom units made what could have been a perfect team model into one a little less desirable. Not sure if I’m the only one with this experience but feel free to share your experiences in them in the comment section.

Materials

We all know I love raw materials but if plastic is going to be used… this is how to do it. Pliable and form fitting yet still durable. Their mesh panels may not withstand the test of time but for what they are, I wouldn’t mind wearing plastic based synthetics like this more often.

Fit

They fit true to size but do run slightly narrow. A proper try on is strongly suggested, if you cannot try them on then buy at your own risk with the info provided.

Lockdown is pretty much perfect. No issues whatsoever and again, this type of Fuse is really the way to go if synthetics must be used.

Ventilation

They breathe well. Air flow isn’t restricted much and while it may not be very noticeable if this is your only pair of hoop shoes, you will notice it if you switch from one shoe to another from time to time.

Support

If you need arch support then these might not take care of your needs. There is a small TPU based internal shank but it still allows the shoe to flex in places that you might not want it to. The upper provides most of the support in terms of fit and lockdown. Think of a snugger fitting Zoom Soldier VI without the strap… that pretty much sums it up.

Overall

My only real complaint is the Zoom. Is it something that makes them awful to play it? Not at all… they’re really fun to hoop in actually, due to the impressive fit and wicked traction. Just like with most Fuse and team models, these are a great any man type of shoe… fitting each position from 1-4 easily. If these would have had the same cushion setup as the Hyperdunk 2011 or Zoom Soldier VI then Nike would have had the best overall team shoe on the market.

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Nike Kobe 8 SYSTEM Elite [Review]

 Nike Kobe 8 SYSTEM Elite

They are slightly more durable but performance wise, they’re nearly a wash.

Traction

The traction on the Kobe 8 SYSTEM and Kobe 8 SYSTEM Elite are exactly the same. No changes whatsoever and that isn’t a bad thing. Traction overall is great so not changing it isn’t something to complain about.

Cushion

This is where the system part finally comes into play. We’ve had the Lunarlon and the Nike+ enabled midsoles (heel Zoom Air & Cushlon) but this is the first time that Zoom is used in both the heel and forefoot. Since its bottom loaded, you wont receive the responsiveness directly under foot that you are used to with typical Zoom placement. That does not mean that the cushion system isn’t working, it just means you cant feel it working. This setup wouldn’t be so bad if they would have still used Cushlon as they do with the Nike+ midsole option but they went with Phylon instead and that is much more firm. Comfort wise, I prefer the Lunarlon over all.

Material

Engineered Mesh is used once again but its woven differently as a double layer instead of a single layer mesh that was used on the original. This gives it a plush feel and it’ll hold up a little better than the single layer mesh. Carbon Fiber replaces the TPU heel counter and that just gives additional durability as well. Performance wise, it all plays the same. The Flywire is nice and works but these worked well without it too.

Fit

They fit true to size and lockdown is perfect, just as it was before. One nice touch is the padded tongue. You can really lace these up tightly if you wanted to without any pinching or pain.

Ventilation

The overall ventilation is increased slightly but nothing too major. There is a little less TPU used under the mesh so you get a bit more air flow. Again, nothing major but something to note.

Support

Their overall support is the same but with the heel featuring Carbon Fiber you’ve decreased your chances of the heel clip breaking – I only mention it because I’ve seen it on my friends pair. Because of this, and the fact that the Carbon Fiber is sturdier, they have increased just a tad bit.

Overall

They still play like the Kobe 8 and if you decide to swap midsoles to a Lunarlon then you will literally have the same playing experience as you had before. Really not worth an entire $60 upgrade but if they go down in price at all then that would be a sweet deal.

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Air Jordan Project – Air Jordan XIV Retro [Review]

 

Air Jordan XIV Retro

They went from black cats to fast cars… both are beasts in their own right.

Traction

Herringbone is in place and this time around it doesn’t ensure great traction. The grooves aren’t as peaked/ sharp as other herringbone patterns so it isn’t able to bite the floor as well. Consistent wiping of the outsoles will be required – unless you play on pristine floor conditions – in order to achieve optimal traction. Surprisingly, the Air Jordan XIV’s traction worked very well outdoors so that’s a plus.

Cushion

Originally, the Air Jordan XIV featured heel Zoom Air and forefoot Articulated Zoom Air. The heel unit hasn’t changed at all but the forefoot is now a basic Zoom unit and they’ve been slimmed down a bit since their last Retro release. These aren’t quite as cushioned as they once were but they still get the job done. One thing to note is that the midsole is pretty low profile so court feel is enhanced a bit as there is less material between your foot and the floor. I personally still prefer the way they used to feel but this is the way Nike makes their ‘basic’ Zoom Air units now so we just have to deal with it.

Material

The leather is nice but the nubuck used isn’t. Luckily there is more leather than nubuck so you can sort of ignore it a bit. Air Jordan XIV’s aren’t known for being the most durable – the upper will last just fine – as the foam teeth located at the forefoot tend to take a lot of damage and even separate from the toe box. This isn’t something I’ve experienced on this pair – didn’t play in them long enough – but it will happen overtime. If you wanted a Retro to last then the Air Jordan XII is the one you’ll want to look at, these will last a season just fine but anything afterward is a crap shoot.

Fit

They fit true to size and the leather will stretch a bit so if you have wide feet that aren’t extremely wide then you may want to try to break them in versus going up 1/2 size. Lockdown at the midfoot was perfectly fine for me, it was the heel that had some sloppiness to it. The collar has an asymmetrical design to it that was supposed to be better fitting around the ankle while providing support – this works for the most part – but the heel piece is too high and ends up pushing against the ankle instead of cupping it. Its a minor setback but one that was bothersome. It definitely brings greater appreciation to small modifications found in ‘modern’ footwear – LeBron X Elite collar is a pretty good example of a great fitting ankle collar.

Ventilation

As with nearly every single pair of Air Jordan’s, the ventilation isn’t great. However, Tinker did implement an air vent into the shoe which was always a really cool – albeit stupid – feature in my mind when I was younger. This means two things… 1. ventilation isn’t good in the XIV & 2. ventilation is an attribute that was and currently still is a focal point for performance footwear.

Support

Torsional support is abundant with the enlarged TPU shank plate in place but the lack of proper heel lockdown prevents complete support. Luckily the shoe is fairly low to the ground and has a stable/ flat base so support doesn’t suffer too greatly.

Overall

I personally love playing in these. Always have and always will. The main thing I dislike about this Retro version is the lack of quality from the nubuck and the lack of cushion when directly comparing them to their previous releases. Other than that, these are still very playable on-court and I wouldn’t mind using them as an outdoor shoe at all. If these suit your needs as a player then there is no reason to shy away from them for those that wish to have some style while on-court.

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Nike LeBron X P.S. Elite [Review]

Nike LeBron X P.S. Elite

Out of all three Nike Elite Series 2.0 models, these actually performed the best when directly comparing them to their original counterparts.

Traction

Traction was solid on the LeBron X and its the same here. Nothing has changed at all as these perform nicely under most court conditions. The pattern itself is multidirectional so no matter what you are doing, you’ll be covered.

Cushion

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… this Max Zoom (360 Degree Visible Zoom) is incredible. Impact absorbent and responsive. Its really the best of both worlds when it comes to both of Nike’s most widely used Air cushion systems. This particular unit felt a bit more firm and to be honest, it worked in its favor. I did not run onto same issue I had with the regular LeBron X’s where the outrigger section of the Air unit collapsed under pressure. This made my ride much more balanced and stable so from a Guards perspective… this was a much better experience. I personally really enjoyed playing in these compared to the other two Elite models and when directly comparing it to the original LeBron X.

Material 

Layers have been removed for weight but what it really offers is a better flexing upper. This version was less restrictive than the original… the regular LeBron X wasn’t crazy restrictive as it is but in comparison this was nicer. Fuse is still in place so durability isn’t an issue and there are Carbon Fiber panels in strategic areas as well for support. Overall, this was a better setup than the original but the original works perfectly fine so I still think charging an additional $80 over the regular retail price is crazy.

Fit

They fit true to size but they are on the snug side. Wide footers might want to go up 1/2 size. Lockdown is perfect. Literally flawless. The originals offered great lockdown from heel to forefoot and these lock your foot in even better with the Carbon Fiber plates in place.

Ventilation

The overall ventilation took a small hit when directly comparing them to the original model but the fit and security of lockdown really makes this a non issue in my eyes. If for some reason you feel that you need ventilation then this might not be the best option for you but if you never notice this attribute then skip it altogether.

Support

The support is increased. As stated before, the Air unit feels as if there is more air inside so the cushion is more stable this time around. In addition to that, the Carbon Fiber plates really do their job well while still allowing range of motion so your movements aren’t restricted too much.

Overall

I will admit, this is slightly better than the original model. Are the improvements worth an additional $80… not in my eyes but maybe it is for someone else. My advice, wait until these go on sale. $200 or less and these would be a great performance pickup.

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