Traction has always been a standout feature in the Wade 808 series, and the Li-Ning Wade 808 5 Ultra continues that legacy. The shoe boasts a full-length herringbone traction pattern that offers great multi-directional coverage that grips extremely well on clean courts while still holding its own on dustier surfaces. The rubber compound feels tacky out of the box, providing excellent stopping power.

If you’re going to be playing exclusively indoors, you’ll love the bite this shoe offers. However, for outdoor hoopers, durability might be a concern as the rubber is not as thick as in previous 808 models, and that rubber is glued to a TPU chassis, which isn’t an optimal implementation as far as durability is concerned. That being said, traction is elite on indoor courts.

We have a new version of Way of Wade’s best foam cushioning in this shoe. Boom is now Super Boom, and it is crazy comfortable and crazy bouncy. It’s unlike any other cushioning setup on the market. Wade’s 808 series always features a drop-in midsole build, and that’s the case in this shoe as well. The cushioning in this shoe is very plush, very bouncy, and very fluid.

The worst that can be said about it is that it’s so different, it takes getting used to. It is not exactly a max cushioning setup, but it’s definitely on that side of the cushioning spectrum. It’s a shame that the outsole is not outdoor-ready because the cushioning certainly is. The extra impact protection you get in the Li-Ning Wade 808 5 Ultra is perfect for those harder outdoor surfaces.

Recently, we have seen a tendency among Chinese brands to use premium materials on their basketball shoes. The 361 Joker 1, the Anta Kai 2, and the Way of Wade 11 are all good examples of this. Here at WearTesters, we love these types of builds, so we’re glad to see them used here as well. It will depend on the colorway of the shoe, but the red version we tested has an awesome material setup.

It features a combination of suede and engineered mesh material, very similar to what we saw on the Kobe 9 EM. This combination works great to offer top-notch performance and a more refined in-hand feel. This setup is lightweight, well-ventilated, and requires zero break-in time. It also provides all the structure and containment you will need on court.

One of the biggest strengths of this shoe is its support features and lockdown. When you put on the 808 5, your foot sits within a TPU chassis that acts as a 360 degree containment field and provides some torsional rigidity. The layered build of the upper is reinforced in strategic areas to increase lockdown and durability.

On top of all that, the Li-Ning Wade 808 5 Ultra also features a beefy heel counter and a carbon fiber torsional plate. If you’re looking for a secure and stable ride on court, few shoes on the market perform better in this regard than the 808 5 Ultra.

The Li-Ning Wade 808 5 Ultra fits true to size, so we recommend going with whatever size you usually use in other brands. One thing to keep in mind is that the shoe fits slightly long, which creates some dead space in the toe box. If you were looking for a super snug 1-to-1 fit, you could try going down half a size, but, again, we suggest going true to size.

The Li-Ning Wade 808 5 Ultra is another stellar addition to the Wade 808 series, offering elite traction, well-balanced cushioning, and solid containment, all at a reasonable price point. While outdoor durability might be a question mark, for indoor hoopers this is a top-tier performer that features one of the most unique feeling cushioning systems out there.

Super Boom is plush and bouncy, and although it may take some time to get used to, it makes the 808 5 Ultra one of the best cushioned Way of Wade models we’ve ever tested. If you’re looking for a top-tier performer that will remind you of a Kobe in all the right ways, the Li-Ning Wade 808 5 Ultra might be the shoe for you. Just remember to choose a colorway that features premium materials in order to get the most value out of your purchase.