PEAK TP 4 Performance Review | Quick Kicks

If I were to say just one thing about the PEAK TP 4 it would be this: it’s a lot like Tony Parker himself, not too flashy but definitely effective. Welcome to Quick Kick’s performance review of Tony Parkers latest signature shoe: the PEAK TP 4.

The traction on the TP 4 utilizes both translucent and solid rubber compounds on the outsole. The traction pattern is composed entirely of herringbone that, as herringbone usually does, gripped the floor extremely well. It squeaked a lot, which I am a big fan of, and I rarely felt any slippage at all. Making cuts in all directions felt really good, and it never gave me any reason to worry. Having the translucent compound on the forefoot didn’t seem to have any affect on the reliability of the traction, and in my opinion it looks really clean due to the pressure mapped foot pattern underneath it. Also, I never felt the need to wipe while I was playing, which is definitely a plus.

The only issue that I can see with this pattern is the fact that it is pretty soft, which brings up the question of durability. After playing in these shoes for about three weeks, there are already noticeable signs of wear and places where the rubber compound is beginning to fray. Sadly, because of this, I can’t recommend the PEAK TP 4 for outdoor play.

The cushion on Tony Parkers latest signature is extremely firm, so you’re either going to love it or hate it. For those of you who love court feel and being extremely close to the ground, you will probably enjoy PEAK’s Gradient-Dual setup. Those of you who prefer a more plush cushioning system (like me) will find that the cushion system leaves much to be desired. However, as far as firm cushion systems go, this is among the top tier. The heel to toe transition was great and the cushion was consistent from front to back.

The only issue I can see in this cushion system would be the minimal impact protection that it provides. Thus, those who sometimes feel knee soreness should keep away from the PEAK TP 4.  Bottom line, if you like firm cushioning you’ll like these.

I wasn’t extremely fond of the materials on this shoe at first but once I broke them in I actually came to like them quite a bit. The PEAK TP 4 features an engineered mesh upper with fuse in the high wear areas such as the toe and around the eyelets. The good thing about this material choice is that it is extremely durable and should last you a long time. The bad thing is that it takes a little bit of time to break in and get used to, so don’t be surprised if you’re not in love with it right away. The first time I put on this shoe, the upper was extremely stiff and felt as though it was cutting into my foot. Yet, the more I wore them, the more that the material began to move with my foot and eventually I didn’t even notice the upper anymore. The strength of this upper also helps give good structure and support to the shoe which is ideal when making hard lateral cuts.

The biggest drawback for me about the upper material was definitely the breathability. The only real place where there is airflow on this shoe is the thin tongue, so that is something to keep in mind. If you get these shoes thinking that the upper will be similar to a performance weave, you’ll be disappointed. The most similar material that I can think of to compare this to would be Nike Hyperfuse. All in all, if you’re looking for an ultra-durable upper, the PEAK TP 4 will have you covered.

I was pleasantly surprised with the support on the PEAK TP 4 and I think it did a great job keeping my foot secure and in place. The two biggest components that allowed this setup to be effective were the materials and the lacing system. As mentioned earlier, the upper on the TP 4 is very strong and sturdy — great for supporting lateral cuts and movements. Unlike some shoes that have performance woven uppers, the material never flexed too much when I would make a cut, which allowed me to always feel in balance and in control.

As far as lacing systems go, this one is definitely top notch. The dynamic system allows you to lace up the shoes extremely tight and get a nice snug fit which always kept my foot locked down. The dynamic tabs that connect to the laces are also reflective, which is a nice visual touch. Also, the heel counter did a good job with keeping the back of my foot in place — there was never any slippage. Overall this shoe is built pretty sturdily, so the support is sure to impress.

This latest Tony Parker signature tends to fit a bit small, so I would definitely recommend going up a half size. If you have a wide foot going up a full size. Once you get your correct size the shoe fits nice and snug and the lacing system will allow you to stay locked in. Not much else to say about the fit.

When it comes down to it, the PEAK TP 4 isn’t the most flashy or interesting shoe you’ll see on the court, but it performs pretty great and that’s what matters most. This shoe does all the important things well, and although there are a few things I wish could be changed — such as the breathability of the upper — it’s nothing that would stop me from continuing to wear the shoe.

If you’re someone who wants a shoe that provides a firm cushion system with a lot of court feel, as well as a durable and supportive upper, I think you’ll enjoy your time in this shoe. However, those of you who love your knitted uppers and ultra-plush cushion systems shouldn’t touch these.

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