My personal Top 5 Performance Shoes for the year 2011. There were plenty to choose from and it was not easy picking only 5, but here they are. I thank you all for the continued support and can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store.
adidas Dame 8 EXTPLY Review
The adidas Dame 8 extply is an updated version of the Dame 8, a solid performance basketball shoe. So, are the updates for the better?
Another great video Nightwing! On a side note, i was wondering how the KD4 have been performing for you? I want to pick up a pair but as of right now ( I know even though your review isn’t out yet) would you recommend it to a 3 or 4 position? and how is traction and everything so far? I want to wait for your review but I need these shoes now! haha
Traction isnt too great on dusty courts. The rubber is nice and sticky but if dust is present then it sticks to the soles and slipping becomes an issue.
i know u didnt like the lebron 9 due to the fact that it was built to a body type not like urs but im a point gourd and i love the lebron 9 and i was wondering where did they go wrong for u and how do u think the lebron line can improve over the next few years
I actually think the Lebron 9 is a great shoe, just not for me personally. Everything from the midfoot to the heel was amazing for any type of player. Where i personally didnt like the shoe was in the forefoot… The toe box had a bit of dead space for my foot shape and they werent very flexible in that area as well. Other than that it was a great shoe.
Good job, nightwing!
I would like to know, your current overall TOP 5?!
Thanks bro! Of all time? Id have to go with… Kobe 4, AJ13/14, Wade 2, Kobe 6, Rose 2/ Q Flight…
What was your disappointment of the year, both innovative and performance wise?
Biggest disappointment both innovative and performance was the Zoom Rookie. I had high hopes for that shoe and with Nikes marketing making it look as if the shoe was built for performance it clearly was not after playing in them. They look great but fell way short of an actual performance model for me personally.
thanks for this, your website and this review definitely influenced me to pick up some kobeVI’s to try on for the new year. Would love the kobe VII, but man so pricey.
I’m just another guy playing in an amatuer league pretending to be a baller but your website helps me at least let me dress like one!
keep up the good work
There are more of us “amateur” hoopers than professional. We all need good hoop shoes no matter our skill levels IMO.
Glad i could be of some help you!
awesome man, thanks to your reviews i pick up some great shoes.
I’m a 4 and sometimes a 5, and more of an adidas guy but I agree with you, the wades 2 are the shoe of the year.
Thanks! Glad i could help even though we are different positions.
hi great 5. have you seen the kobe 6 lower merion? i think it has a thicker outsole like the one in the nike id options for outdoor courts? am i right? do you think it would have a good grip on hardwood courts or would really last outdoors?
Thanks! The Kobe VI all have the same sole thickness. XDR is just a more durable rubber compound, the soles arent any thicker than usual.
so the Lower Merions have that kind of outsole? wouldnt a harder outsole sacrifice court feel or traction on wooden courts? do you think the wade 2 would last outdoors?
I dont know if they have an XDR outsole but they very well could. A more durable rubber wouldnt hurt court feel at all, a thicker outsole would but not the rubber compound. The Wade 2 should hold up outdoor, i use my shoes indoor only though so i cant say for certain.
many thanks! wish you the best this year. your reviews really helps a lot. i’ll be waiting for your kd4 review just for me to compare it with the wade 2.
Thanks man! Im doing the reviews as quickly as possible so stay tuned for updates.
Awesome video man. Picked up a pair of q flights this year per your recommendation! I was wondering if you knew of any good insoles for playing basketball in. The foot locker stores in my area are pushing these onto customers and I was wondering if you knew anything about them
http://www.amazon.com/Spenco-PolySorb-Support-Premium-Insoles/dp/B000OQHW4W/ref=cm_rdp_product
Thanks!
This is the first ive seen and heard of those insoles. They look and sound as if they will work… I was at foot locker yesterday and dont remember seeing them so ill try and pick up some to test out.
Great list, man. I’ve been a fan of your vids for a while.
I have a problem with sizing, my foot measures around 10 1/2 inches in length(26.5 cm) and around 4 inches in width (pretty wide). I always wear sz.10. Should I consider going down to 9.5?
Thanks!
What i do for sizing is try on the shoe and tie it up as you would on court, plant your foot firm and do your best to move your foot inside the shoe all the way up to the front and slide your finger into the heel. If your finger has just enough room to fit then you should be fine, if your finger fits and there is still extra room where maybe you could fit a second finger then they may be too big for you. If your foot is wide, usually the only thing to do is go up 1/2 sz.
Thanks a lot, mate.
The reason I think of going down to 9.5 is because length wise, I’d be a 9.5 or maybe even a 9. I guess I’ll have to stick with 10.
What is the best shoe in your opinion for dusty courts and have you ever reviewed the Nike air uptempo 2
I haven’t… Ill look into it. As for the dusty courts, you’ll want something with good herringbone traction that makes up the outsole and not placed within the outsole.
No 2011 Hyperdunks or 2011 Hyperfuse lows???
Theyre def not a top 5 type of performer IMO.
Are there any shoe names that you can throw out there for the dusty courts? Thanks
You want to loom for traction that is off of the shoe or traction that actually makes up the outsole. Herringbone preferred but any good pattern would do well.
Hi
The lebron 8 v2 low are they narrow in the forefoot like the hyperdunk 2011?
Somewhat, i went with my regular size and feels fine but if you have a wide foot you may want to go 1/2 sz up
Hi nightwing, been watching your performance videos recently and love them. Just a quick question, is there a big difference between the fly wade 2 and the fly wade 2 ev?
also, what rank did you give the hyperdunk 2011?