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PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review

Does it come in black?

PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review 1Traction –

Herringbone is used throughout but in two different styles. The traditional aggressive style was great and worked well on all surfaces while the other side was flat and worked fine on courts without dust. If dust was present then it would clog the pattern up a bit. It wasn’t anything too serious since most of my weight was placed along the aggressive side but it would have been best had they went with the traditional implementation the entire way through.

 

 

PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review 2Cushion – From what I was told by Kicks On Court reader, Wuke, the Cushion 3 system is a cushion setup based around a 3 layered system. The outsole, midsole and insole are what make up the system and while I found it to be perfectly comfortable and protective, it was not bouncy or responsive. Reminded me a bit of the foam used in the TP1 but a little softer. What I enjoy about cushion like this is that it doesn’t limit reaction speed. If you are quick and light on your feet then this type of setup would be ideal to keep things that way rather than placing yourself on a giant Air bag or mushy/ soft cushion.

PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review 3Material – Synthetics are used throughout and then they have these wonderful little panels of leather. I wish there was more leather than synthetic as the synthetic materials seem a little cheap but overall, it performed well and mimicked leather well enough to where I can’t really complain… so I’ll just nit pick instead. In comparison to a Fuse based product, this is more my thing but the masses would probably want something a bit more durable or at least premium.

 

 

PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review 4Fit – They run true to size and they feel very secure once laced up. I really enjoyed how they felt from heel to forefoot. No dead space at all but not super tight or restrictive. This is where having a synthetic that mimics leather comes in handy.

Lockdown felt great at the midfoot as well as the heel. They remind me quite a bit of a 90’s style shoe with a much better fit… much like the Wade line.

 

 

PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review 5Ventilation – Much like a 90’s shoe, ventilation is not their strong suit but there are perforations throughout to allow for some air flow and heat to escape. Nothing crazy but definitely not horrible.

 

 

 

PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review 6Support – Their support comes mostly from the fit and there is also a huge shank plate for arch and torsional support. Nothing fancy but it all works. No frills, just straight performance.

 

PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review 7

Overall – They’re a good shoe but at their price (U.S. price point) you can find something better when it comes to certain attributes. However, at a discounted rate these would be a great addition to someone’s on-court rotation.

There are only two retailers that I know of that sell PEAK products and that is PEAKSportsCanada (International shipping available) & PEAKSportsUSA.

PEAK Battier VIII (8) Performance Review 8

20 comments
  1. Peaks rule. I was skeptical at first, but there is a store here in Culver City, across the street from my office. I am a big fan of the Tony Parker TP1 shoe. The Kidd shoe is alright, but has too much cushioning. The TP1 is great for people with wide feet and fits like a glove. When compared side by side with a CP3 VII (which I have) the Nike looks like a Payless shoe. Peaks are a worthy alternative, while Nike is riding its name from its glory days from long ago.

  2. Forgot to add (for some reason the site went down for a sec) that I am not a fan of the Cushion 3 as its wayyy to thick. I am 6 ft 200 lbs an I like the Gradiant Dual on the TP1, as you can feel the floor. Traction is supreme. Question – have you tried TP 9? Any difference from TP 1?

    Anyway, appreciate the hard work and great contribution to the bball community Nightwing! Great site.

  3. gotta love peak, they are not endorsed by the brightest stars but their shoes are excellent. anta should learn from them… they even have rondo, kg, and parsons.

  4. Glad to see a review on these. I don’t think I was going to get them since I have plenty of Peak products to burn through right now, but I just dig someone reviewing brands from abroad. Not saying that NW has to review half of Peak or Li-Ning or whoever’s lineup, but one or two here and there every year is good enough for me and shows real diversity. Keep up the good work on all the reviews, both written and youtube vids.

  5. Hey off topic but i wear orthotics for my flat feet. You said the Lebron 11 drop in midsole fits perfectly in Kobe 9 elite by removing dead space. Do you think if I put my orthotics in with the normal drop in midsole, it will have the same effect? I have the Kobe 8 so is the 9 more wide and roomier. Thanks for the reviews

    1. They arent wider but there is a bit more volume from the top of your foot to the material so it could work. I wouldnt know for sure unless I tried it but I dont use orthotics.

      1. Thanks thats perfect. orthotics almost fit in my kobe 8 so i think thats enough. liking the inspiration cw the most. no knock towards the detail tho

  6. Hey nw, I am an avid fan of your videos and I would really appreciate some advice for an outdoor hooping shoe. I play more on blacktop than in courts, and my regular balling shoes have a very flimsy outsole. I think Reeboks are pretty durable, but can I get a recommendation from you? I cannot play in low-tops, and I prefer adequately cushioned shoes.

      1. Hi. You can read these articles;

        *http://weartesters.com/top-5-tips-to-picking-the-perfect-outdoor-basketball-shoe/

        and

        *http://sneakerreport.com/news/the-10-best-basketball-shoes-for-street-ball/

        Those articles are quite old so the shoes featured in it might not be easily available anymore.

  7. They did the Batman logo on purpose because one of BAttier’s nicknames is Batman. Love the design of the shoes but disappointed that you said the materials weren’t great

  8. Hey Nightwing, I was wondering which shoe should I get, the Battier 8s or the TP1s. I kind of need quite a bit of cushion and was wondering which of the 2 would be better for my weak ankles. BTW I’m 5’5″ and 120 pounds

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