Wade Shadow 5 V2: A Lot of Bang For Your Buck

The Way of Wade Shadow 5 V2 features a distinctive traction pattern with 2 main patterns placed in strategic areas of the shoe. The rubber with which the sole is constructed is tough and grippy, and it requires some break-in time to really bite indoor surfaces well. On outdoor courts, on the other hand, they perform very well right out of the box. On dusty courts, the shoe does pick up some dust but it’s manageable with regular wiping. The traction in conjunction with the shoe’s weight, ventilation, and the shoe’s all-around reactiveness make it feel speedy and agile on court.

The cushioning setup of the Shadow 5 V2 is not a standout feature, but it is reactive, fluid, and above average, especially when we compare it to basketball shoes in the same price range. The shoe features 2 layers of cushioning. First off, we have a thin full-length Boom insole. This provides some step-in comfort but is not a game changer. In fact, I personally would have preferred a more traditional insole. The insole has no textile liner on top, so it stuck to my socks every time I put the shoe on, which was annoying.

This is the most surprising and best feature on the Way of Wade Shadow 5 V2. The upper is built with Way of Wade’s Cool Shell technology, and it actually does what it claims it does. This build/material setup is super thin and lightweight. It’s slightly disconcerting when you start playing in these because it almost feels like someone is blowing a fan on your feet. Then, as far as lockdown goes, these materials also do a fantastic job. They require no break-in time and they do a great job of keeping your foot securely in place.

Support is another standout feature in the Shadow 5 V2. As I have mentioned, the build works very well in terms of overall containment. The shoe is also equipped with 4 lace cables that loop under your foot and, when the laces are tightened, help to draw your foot down into the footbed. The Shadow 5 also features a sturdy heel cup and a robust TPU midfoot shank plate. The way this plate is implemented is very reminiscent of the Eclipse Plate on the Jordan 36 and provides all the torsional rigidity you will need on court.

The Shadow 5 V2 fits true to size, so go with whatever size you usually use. It’s a snug 1 to 1 fit, so keep that in mind if you’ve had issues in the past, but this is the best style of fit as far as performance goes.

The Way of Wade Shadow 5 V2 is a solid all-around performance basketball shoe, especially considering that it retails for just $120. The traction is trustworthy and will hold up very well outdoors, the cushioning provides a well-balanced and fluid ride on court, the support features will keep you locked in and reactive on court, and the material setup is elite. This is the most well-ventilated shoe I’ve ever tested. On top of that, Way of Wade was able to keep these materials super lightweight without sacrificing lockdown in any way.