We had a small preview on the upcoming ANTA RR2 last week, and today we get a detailed look into the creation of the ANTA RR2.
Traction looks amazing. It should cover all movements and limit dust blockage. I’m happy they’ve opted for the heel Gel pad as the RR1, while really comfortable, was lacking in actual cushion. I would have liked to see the Gel used in the forefoot as well, but we don’t know what type of foam is used for the midsole so it could be standard or it could be a cushioned foam. This was mentioned last time, but I love how these look. People will hate on them because there is no Swoosh, but I’m telling you as bluntly as I can… put a Swoosh or a Jumpman on these things and they’d have brought the 90’s back in style… these look dope and anyone that says otherwise is a brand band wagoner.
No official word on when these will become available, but we’ll keep you updated on that as soon as possible. Thanks to Anthony for sharing Brian Moughty‘s post with us and be sure to share your thoughts below in the comment section.
I like them, but they don’t sell them in stores. I worry about getting the right fit.
One other point to consider is the sizing. I was told by HiBasketballshoes that the max size you can get for Anta shoes in China is size 10US.
So even if you can get them from somewhere like Hibasketballshoes, they might not have sizes above 10US.
Li-Ning is pretty much the only brand where you can get larger sizes as they’re catered more for the US market.
I was also told that the max size for Peak shoes is size 11US in China. If you see larger sizes of Peak Tony Parker, George Hills, Battiers, then they are most likely models that have been returned from the US that didn’t sell well.
There’s quite a few shoes I’ve wanted to try from HIbasketballshoes and/or Peaksneaks, but unfortunately they don’t seem to have the models I want in my regular size (11.5US).
Not to whine or complain, but as a fellow size 11.5, it certainly is one of the harder sizes to find. I know we got it easy compared to 12.5’s and 13.5’s, but alot of companies just go to whole sizes after 11 and some sites, like Jimmy Jazz don’t even stock 11.5 in some shoes.
i can agree with you guys as another 11.5
Same.
These look promising.. By any chance, are you gonna review these NW?
If I can find a pair.
The blurb on the shoe is funny. Slap a swoosh on these and they would be 90s Nike’s?…that’s because look so close to a previous pair of classic Nike’s. Huarache 2K4. From the toe cap to the outsole to the bottom pattern.
I know, I said that last time we showed them.
I think the toecap is actually pretty unique. It only extends up the lateral and is different on the medial. The toecap on the new UA curry is closer to the 2k4.
Hmmm. They look OK. Kind of a mix between the Kobe I and the Nike Huarache 2k4. Traction definitely looks to be their strong point. If I dont have to jump through hoops to buy them I might give them a try.
i tried the RR1 on, and besides the lack of cushion, which doesn’t really bother me so much, the fit just wasn’t very good at all, had to pass on them immediately for that reason
these will almost certainly be better…anta are really learning, those materials look on point, the heel cushion looks very nice too, hope that lacing system works, though….
looks promising…sizing on anta is odd. I bought the kg 4 low (just to try it out and it is cheap) and I’m a size 10 but what I got is a size 8.5 and it fits me perfectly
So,Stanlie King,u mean ur regular size is US10 and u buy a size 8.5 Anta shoes that fit your feet?u can wear it? although the size is smaller than your true size of feet??
That traction looks aggressive. Love it. Definitely not bad aesthetically either. Promising indeed.
Usually on the same page, but not here. Fit looks like it would b tough. Kind of like a clunky one size fits all converse shoe when they were trying to get back into performance footwear in the late 90s, and ill wear anything if I like it, currently switching back between boost crazy lights, and the clutch drives and waiting on the stef curry 1 and d rose chicago ice. Just looks like a cheap shoe, as was the comments with his last model, rondo has to be disappointed that he has to wear these right?
Why would he be disappointed? He has his own shoe, is getting paid a lot and was clearly involved in the design process.
You’ve raised an interesting point about the Gel cushioning. Out of the three pairs or Asics Gel Performance Basketball shoes I have, none of them use Gel cushioning in the forefoot. They all have it in the heel only.
I wonder why they don’t use it in the forefoot. There must be a reason for it if Anta isn’t using it in the forefoot of this shoe either.
Not sure, I know Asics will use gel in their runners at the forefoot so not sure if there is a real reason other than keeping costs low. The Asics ball shoes were made back in the 80s/90s when it was thought that the heel needed cushion over the forefoot. Todays standards are much different and backed up with a ton of research that states otherwise so who knows.
I’m currently playing a volleyball season indoor with the asics gel volleycroos revolution mid. And they used both heel and forefoot gel. That work great so I don’t see gel in forefoot being an issue. Hope they maybe add that and perfect the heel while working on the next model
The gel is real heavy though…I’m sure that had something to do with it.
Some of the higher end Asics shoes have a ton of Gel in both the heel and forefoot and I don’t think that affect their weight that much. I could be wrong though as I don’t have a pair of the running shoes, plus I don’t know how much the Gel contributes to their weight overall.
Interesting point though. The Gel could weight more than I’m thinking it does.
I had a look at the Volleycross 3s on Asics’ Japanese website and you’re right, they have Gel in both the heel and forefoot.
They also had a couple of other models that are either the same price or more expensive that don’t have it.
One example is the GelForza 5s. They don’t have it in the forefoot and they’re more expensive than the Volleycross 3s. The Cyberzeros also don’t have it either. Very weird.
Do you think Volleyball shoes would be suitable to play Basketball in? I’ve been thinking of getting a pair to try out.
The Asics Gel Basketball shoes that I have are all new models released this year, Nightwing, so they’re not retros or old models. You’re definitely right about older models only having it in the heel as they thought the cushioning is needed there more than in the forefoot. I’ve seen you explain that before when you were talking about older Nike Basketball shoes.
Here’s the product page of one of the pairs or shoes I have of theirs – http://www.asics.co.jp/Shop/By-product/%E3%83%90%E3%82%B9%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB/Sh/%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA/GELBURST%C2%AERS-2/p/0010215841.9023 – Gelburst RS 2. It seems to be one of their models with the most tech, but it still doesn’t have Gel in the forefoot. The page is in Japanese. I can’t read Japanese myself, but you can have a look at the specs down the bottom of each shoe’s page and get an idea from that (the name of the tech is written in English). I also ran the writing under each tech through Google translate and it definitely doesn’t say anything about forefoot Gel.
You’re also right about their running shoes having Gel in the forefoot as well as the heel, so I’m not sure why their Basketball shoes don’t have it in the forefoot. Another poster also mentioned Volleyball shoes having it in both the heel and forefoot, which is true, but from the Volleyball shoes of theirs that I’ve had a look at, only some have it in the forefoot.
Anyway, in regards to Basketball, I figured it must be something to do with stability or functionality? And when I saw you post about these Rondos using Gel in the heel and not the forefoot, I thought I’d ask to question to see what other people’s opinions are about using Gel cushioning in the forefoot of Basketball shoes. I’d love to know why they don’t use it in the forefoot of their current models.
I really like Gel cushioning, so if these Rondos have it, I’m interested to try them out for sure. Just depends on if they make US versions with larger sizes than 10US.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have someone in China purchase Antas for me. I have a few KG models & the last Rondo low. They always run a size or even a size and a half too big. I wear a 9, but a 7.5 in the Rondo low fits perfectly. The first pair I bought, the KG2, I made the mistake of buying a 9.5. They are like boats and only wore once-which is fine because I love them either way. But if you wear bigger than a US11, you could be out of luck. However 11 or lower, just buy one less size. I.E. if you wear a 10, a 9 will work etc. I can’t wait to get my hands on these-as a Celtics fan obviously, but they also are a good, clean shoe IMO.
Hmm….pass