The Li-Ning Way of Wade 7 Performance Review is finally here.
The Wade models have always been a hit or miss in regards to traction, but the Way of Wade 7 was a major miss. I’m not sure why the Wade Brand is able to deliver quality traction on the takedown models but when it comes to the main signature, it’s always a guessing game as to whether or not you’ll get something good.
For the Wade 7, I slipped. Often. Actually, nearly every time I played in them. The only time I wasn’t slipping and sliding around the hardwood was when I wasn’t on the hardwood; I was on the blacktop. For whatever reason, the shoes end up gripping well outdoors but I had no luck with them indoors.
It could be the rubber compound, it could be the pattern or it could be a bit of both. All I know is that they were unwearable for me due to the traction alone. Even constant wiping couldn’t save them.
Supposedly, the cushion setup is nearly the same as the Wade 6, which I loved, but the Wade 7 doesn’t feel the same. They don’t feel bad or anything as the step-in comfort is amazing, but they feel pretty dead under-foot.
It’s unfortunate because I loved the way the Wade 6 felt so much that it really set the bar pretty high for the Wade 7. Much like the traction, I’m not sure what went wrong here.
If you like a lot of stability, then these aren’t bad but you can get stability from other shoes that don’t ride nearly as high off the floor as these do.
Casual wearers will be fine but if you wanted some plush or bouncy cushion, then you’ll want to stick with the Way of Wade 6.
Materials are nice overall. They’re actually different with each release as well with some feeling much more premium than others, but they all have one thing in common: they’re all built really well.
In terms of modern basketball shoes, these are one of the more well-built models on the market. They’re durable and show little signs of wear. For those that have those two items high on their priority list, then this might be a reason to consider the shoe.
I personally hold traction and fit much higher so while this area of the shoe is very good, it’s not quite enough to sway me to lace them up again.
Go down 1/2 size. Even for wide footers because the shoe just runs super long.
Once I received a pair in the length I prefer, I still had some volume around the toe area where the toe cap portion is. The laces only go so far down as well so I couldn’t really remedy that with tightening.
Lockdown is decent, but the laces (I assume) were causing some sort of foot fatigue. I don’t know if it’s because they’re thin or because the shoe overall is stiff/rigid, but they just weren’t ideal. I’d tighten to get the security I want and wound up with my feet feeling like they were going numb and when I’d loosen them a little, then they’d be too loose and flexed awkwardly.
Support is good, but the shoe is very stiff because of it. At least I think that’s why. The carbon fiber plate isn’t very large and looks to only reside at the arch. This makes torsional support very good but the forefoot just doesn’t flex well for me. However, the tooling is flat and wide with an extended base acting as an outrigger, so stability was on point. Materials and overlays helped with containment and making sure your foot doesn’t shift over the footbed. But, they just didn’t move well for me.
Overall, I like the Way of Wade 7… off-court. I definitely don’t want to play in them again. Traction was less than desirable while cushion wasn’t anywhere near as awesome as it was last year with the Wade 6. Materials and build quality are great, but the overall function… they’re just stiff. Maybe it’s just me. But this was my experience in the Way of Wade 7 so this is how they played for me.
I’m glad I kept a pair of Wade 6s in the stash because those I feel are the best they’ve done thus far.
If you’ve played in the Way of Wade 7, feel free to share your thoughts on them down below in the comment section. You can also check out AnotherPair’s performance review on the Wade 7 for a different perspective.
Have the same issue when i played in it.super dust magnet. Weird fit.
why does it say LMOM on the tongue tho?
it’s wow7 bro.
aaaaand that’s the first catch of the day
Hey, where do you go to chat with fellow sneakerheads? I need advice on choosing between Crazy Light Boost 2018 and Crazy Explosive Low 2017, both at about the same price. I need them to do it all – indoors, outdoors, casual. Please help me decide guys.
(From a happy owner of CE Primeknit)
CEs are usually considered a better performer.
I’ve heard CLBs should work outdoors: I certainly don’t believe in my CEs with translucent rubber outsole would last any time at all outdoors.
As for casual wear, it’s up to you: I’ve heard an opinion that CLB look like trash, but personally I think they look pretty casual with oldschoolish vibes, while CEs cry “look at me, I play ball!”. Also pavements and blacktop would eat up outsoles too.
So I’d go with CLBs to “do it all”. Or both, really =)
Wasn’t helpful at all!!!
lol, just kidding, thanks for the reply Niko. I’m leaning towards CE just because of better upper, too bad I will likely have to trash them outdoors though, but they’re on good sale now, so why not.
You’ll have to buy another pair of sneakers sooner rather than later, that’s why =)
I have to agree as far as the stigma of sneaker made in China. one reason is pure ignorance which is true as far as the western hemisphere goes and studies prove that especially in the U.S. as far as their general knowledge is concerned (no offense). anyways, the other reason as far as people complaining about China made products is the wrong notion of patriotism or even bias. another reason is that because of the sneaker culture in North America, people hype up shoes inorder to increase the demand and increase the value of shoes while limiting the supply or shoe options available in the North American market despite the availability of such shoe options in other countries or territories and even undermining other shoes to preserve the hype.
Thanks for review!
By the way, you’ve mentioned T-Macs and not in a complimentary way. But I believe the only review of Milleniums posted here at WearTesters are by Bryan aka Duke4005, and it was quite favourable. Did you have other experience, or do I miss something?
I was referring to the adidas TMac 1. The Millennium’s should be vastly greater than those.
Right, got you, missed that. Thanks for clarification!
Traction is indeed iffy, but the rest of the shoe is a mixed bag. I find the fit very form fitting towards the rear, and the base material takes shape really well. The cushion doesn’t build on the WoW6, but I thought it was decent, as sometimes I found the WoW6 too soft.
Build is undeniably nice. Maybe the part that leaves this shoe hanging is that it has no specialty this time around. I think that apart from the traction, it’s pretty good, but nothing to reach for ahead of others.