Way of Wade All City 13 Encore Performance Review

The Wade brand continues to produce great basketball products, and the Way of Wade All City 13 Encore is no exception. This latest iteration of the All City line is a slight tweak on the previous model, the All City 13. While both are great shoes and feature almost the same technology, the Encore isn’t a significant enough upgrade to justify its retail price over a potentially discounted All City 13.

Traction

The Way of Wade All City 13 Encore’s traction is provided by a herringbone pattern, which is segmented into small pods. This design is reminiscent of the Nike Kobe 2 outsole. The rubber feels very durable, making the shoes a viable option for outdoor use, but they also provide excellent traction indoors. While a quick wipe may be needed on dusty courts, there are absolutely no complaints about their overall grip and performance.

Cushion

The cushion is a full-length 100% Boom midsole. It’s paired with a supercritical foam insole that is very comfortable, though not overly supportive. The Boom midsole is a dense, firm ride, which is surprising since it isn’t caged on the medial side. The firmness provides a lot of court feel, which is excellent for players who want to feel grounded.

However, if you’re looking for a lot of bounce or responsiveness, the Way of Wade All City 13 Encore won’t provide it, feeling more like a Nike Kyrie model than a Boost-like shoe. For a bouncier feel, you might want to look at a signature Wade model like the Way of Wade 11.

Materials

The materials on the Way of Wade All City 13 Encore are fantastic, much like the last model. They are mostly synthetic and fused plastics, but the textile knit is high-quality and feels premium. It’s breathable and breaks in almost immediately, making the shoe ready to go right out of the box. All high-wear areas are covered with fused overlays. The shoe also features additional ventilation points on the arch and tongue. A new addition is a forefoot strap, though its usefulness is debatable unless you have a very narrow foot. 

Support

Support is arguably the All City 13 Encore’s best feature. The outsole shape, with its bumpers, is very similar to the Air Jordan 13’s “Panther Paw” outsole, providing great lateral stability. However, the medial side is rounded, much like a Kyrie shoe, to allow for greater mobility. This makes the shoe a great option for shifty guards who want extra protection without feeling cumbersome. The lateral side of the midsole also features a rubber wrap that encases the Boom midsole, further enhancing stability. All of these features combine to make the support top-notch.

Fit

The fit is true to size, though slightly on the narrow side. The lacing structure combines traditional eyelets with nylon cables that go down into the footbed, providing excellent lockdown.

Way of Wade All City 13 Encore Summary

The Way of Wade All City 13 Encore is a solid performance basketball shoe that offers many of the same features as its predecessor. Its durable herringbone traction and excellent support make it a reliable option for shifty players. The firm Boom cushioning provides a great court feel but lacks the bounce and responsiveness of other foams. The materials are high-quality and break in quickly, and the fit is true to size but slightly narrow.

Overall, the All City 13 Encore is a great shoe, but given its similarities to the All City 13, you might be better off getting the earlier model at a discounted price.

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Disclosure

While Way of Wade did provide a pair of the Way of Wade All City 13 Encore to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.