What do you get when you mix the Nike Kobe 8 with the Nike KD V?
The Nike Zoom Hyperdisruptor… sort of…
If you are wondering why there isn’t a First Impression… it’s because I uploaded a video on these a while back and that sort of summed up my initial thoughts. If you thought that my thoughts would affect their performance review in any way shape or form… then you don’t know me very well.
The fit is just how I like it. Nice and snug around all areas which keeps the foot secure. The fit reminds me a lot of the KD V but without the painful break-in process. The material overall doesn’t “feel” like it will last longer but I think that is due to the use of mesh whereas the KD V was like wearing a plastic sock.
The back half of the upper reminds me of the Kobe 8. They feature the same lockdown and support (heel cup)… only difference (besides materials) is that one offers a higher cut so those of you who are weary of low tops should be fine with these.
Now, one thing that I am not too happy with is the cushion. I’m hoping that it just needs more break-in time but at the same time… how much break-in time do they need?!? At this point in my KD V testing, the shoes were nearly all the way broken in and the cushion kept getting better. These on the other hand still feel stiff and there is zero responsiveness within the Zoom units… zeeeerrrrrroooooo.
At this point in time, there are things I love about the Hyperdisruptor but there are also things that just haven’t overwhelmed me at all. In fact, certain aspects left me underwhelmed and that’s not quite what I had expected after reading their tech specs.
Are they horrible? Not at all, far from it actually. However, if you boast about using the largest Zoom units ever placed in a Nike Basketball shoe yet they are unresponsive to the point where you feel like you are playing in a shoe that features lightweight Phylon as its cushion source… we have a problem.
Curious how you like these in the end. I have a pair and am underwhelmed with them. The fit, traction, and ventilation are very good on my pair. Durability is okay after two months. The zoom gets better over time but it’s just average in the end. It’s not very bouncy and feels like I bottom out too often. So much for the “largest zoom bags ever” that Nike claims. My other issue with the shoe is there is no midfoot support shank so the shoe bends too much at the midfoot. It’s not an issue for me on shorter runs, but on longer runs my midfoot/arch aches. Makes me worry about getting plantar fasciitis. It’s a good shoe, but for about the same money I’d rather play in the KD Vs or M9s.
I am very weary about shoes that don’t have arch support. Plantar fasciitis is no joke
Glad I waited for your review, thought they were pretty much the 2012 version of the ‘hyperdunk 2011’ with the zoom units. gotta have responsive cushion!
These look pretty great. What do you mean by responsiveness? Isn’t the main purpose of cushion to help with the impact from running and jumping?
Also to spring back from that impact. If that was the case we would just put the squishiest foam we could find on the bottom of the shoe and call it a day. Responsiveness deals with the quickness of cuts and the more responsiveness you have the faster the cut should be. Most of the time air cushions and denser foams have the best responsiveness but the denser foams lack comfort that less dense foams do but they lack the responsiveness
Hey NW2303,
What would you think is an advicable shoes for a big man with knee problems. I’m not into MAX shoes (ex.Lebron line) because I find it high of the ground. Lately I have been using Hyperfuse but my knees are taking a beating. I almost bought a pair of hyperdisruptor but after watching your video on this I am having second thougs. And another thing have you seen the kobe take down shoes the “black mamba 24” what do you think about it?
hmm, sounds like Nike exaggerated the size of the Zoom bags. I don’t see what the point of it was to say that they are bigger than they are.
These shoes were on my list, but I think I will now take them off. I really thought that they might be a very good overall shoe, they still might be OK, but even so, I don’t think they are worth what Nike is asking for them $ wise. Not only have they overstated the size of the Zoom bags, but they seem to have overextended on the price too ;).
Since these are off my list now, what do you guys think I should get for an outdoor/indoor shoe with about 65% usage being outdoor. Zoom Soldier 6, Melo M8 Advanced, KD V I am looking at now. I want to get two different pairs of shoes. Anything else that I should be considering? Not sure how the outsole of the KD V will hold up outdoors?
Anyone got an opinion or advice?
if ventilation is not a big deal for you, then the kd5. Requires break-in time like nightwing said but after that their great. As for holding up outdoors, not sure about the traction but the upper will hold up great. Plus their nicer looking than the soldier 6 and lighter in weight compared to melo m8 which has a similar cushion setup if i can recall, could be wrong tho.
Thanks for the info. I just went ahead and ordered a pair of KD Vs along with a pair of Melo M8 Advanced using 20% discount at Eastbay. I’m in Australia, so I can’t really shop around and get great prices like some of you guys can.
Even if the outsole of the KD Vs don’t hold up outside, they’re still a decent price with the discount.
Are they still too much for what they are?
Well, I watched the other video yesterday of when Nightwing first bought the shoes and he said in that, that he doesn’t think they are worth the price. I think he said for $100 or less they’d be OK, but not for the regular price. He doesn’t think they are worth it, and I agree, especially considering Nike’s claims about the Zoom bags aren’t 100% accurate.
I was very concerned with the zoom air unit when I first saw these in person. I felt the exposed zoom bags felt like flat tires when I pressed my fingertips to it, unlike any other zoom units. Nike may have forgotten to put some air on those “large” bags.