When I say the break-in period is grueling… I mean it. The good thing is that you are rewarded for sticking with the KD V as they just keep getting better the more you play in them.
If there were to be one shoe I’d compare these to – in terms of on-court performance – it would be the Hyperdunk 2011… these just happen to have a much better fit and much better traction. I’d still give the cushion to the HD 2011 but these aren’t bad at all… again, after a break-in period.
If you can see the impression at the forefoot then you have just spotted the 10mm Zoom Air unit. I was disappointed in the overall shape because I was expecting something a little closer in feeling to the Melo M8 but if you can break down the foam midsole a bit then your foot will begin to feel and appreciate the Zoom unit. A regular sized 10mm Zoom unit still would have been best but I’ll take what I can get.
From what I’ve been told, KD’s teammates enjoy playing in his shoes and wanted a bit more cushion… this is where the heel Air unit comes into play. For me personally, the heel area feels decent but only after a few nights worth of playing in them. Again, it’s better than having nothing there at all.
I will stress that if you don’t give the KD’s enough on-court time, they will not impress you. So if you plan on picking these up, just make sure that you break them in thoroughly because the only thing these lack is ventilation… and it doesn’t affect their performance in a negative way whatsoever.
If there were to be one thing I’d change… it would be the foam. I think these would have been perfect if Cushlon was used in conjunction with the two Air units. This may have an increased price but I think it would be well worth the few extra bucks.
By the way… these are so awesome that they are suitable for every position on the floor.
How light are they compared to its competitors
Weight will be listed on the score card. As for the way they feel, they feel really light in hand… everyone that picks them up has the same first reaction… “Damn, these are really light”.
How would you compare these to the Hyperdunk 2012?
You say comparable to the Hyperdunk 2011. Please tell me these have better court feel. The 2011’s put my foot so far off the floor I rolled my ankle twice the first two times wearing them and they haven’t left my closet since.
Court feel is better. They are similar with their transition due to the way they slope at the toe.
Word the hd2011 ain’t bad by any means but they feel clunky and stupid compared to my hd2012s and Kobe’s. Let’s just hope these are lower to the ground.
thanks. I really like the word light-ness. I might be able to live with the break-in period. the only concern I have is the cushion. are you saying that the Lebron X and Hyperposites cushion are 2 notches higher over the KD V?
again, the lightness is something that got me curious since I like light shoes as well. can you say simply these are CP3 VI with support?
I wouldnt say they are quite at the level of the LeBron or Hyperposite in terms of cushion but they are close. Probably closer to the way the Rose 2.5 & 3 feel with the foam but a bit of give with the Zoom and better impact protection with the Air Max.
thanks. I now have an idea on what to expect as far as cushion feel goes. although I have to give the lightness some consideration. cant wait to try these personally.
How are these compared to the Melo M8’s? You said cushioning on that was superb, and I think they both have phylon midsoles, with the same lack of ventilation haha.
Thanks!
The KD V’s look very promising.
I cant help but think the heel cushion would feel as stiff as the hyperaggressors just because the aor max unit looks so similar… i hope its nowhere near as firm.
What happened to the AJ project? We onto the XII now?
Even tho your still breaking them in, how would u say these stack up against the rose 3. I’m still debating on which one to get
Im done breaking them in. I was just explaining that they require a good amount of time to break in.
Oh ok well I trust your opinion a lot, so if you were to choose between the KdV and the Rose 3 which would you choose personally to play in? This would help a lot thanks!
I know your question is for nightwing but let me express that basing from the cushion feel difference that NW mentioned between the Rose 3 and KD V, I choose the latter. although it would be alright to ask one person’s preference, I think considering your own needs would be most instrumental.
Thanks for your help man I appreciate it! But I’m not basing it on the cushioning alone I was wondering which shoe was better overall! I mean if u have played in both shoes and could help me answer that question I would appreciate it! Cause they’re both great looking but idk which is better performing
Mr. Nightwing, if KD was to choose the cushion setup next year for the KD6 to upgrade…… would he go with Max Zoom like the LeBron’s or go with a responsive Lunarlon or stick with heel to toe Zoom Air?
Is it a normal thing if I hear a little air coming out of the max air unit at the heel at the right shoe? Cuz whenever I run I can hear it… Weird. I didn’t see any holes on the air unit though.. I’ve played in a lebron 8 before and didn’t hear any.. Only on this KD V.