These are just plain FUN-tastic.
It’s very rare that I try a pair of shoes and say wow. Usually I play in shoes for a few weeks to allow for some break in time but these were so fun and so good right out the box that it didn’t take long to come up with a verdict on these after one week with them. I preordered them and tommy surprise they came early.
Last year I bought the CL Boost and was disappointed by the inconsistent traction and the lack of any sort of cushioning in the forefoot; They felt like my foot was touching the sole of the shoe. I really wanted to love the shoe bc I loved the design and look of the Lillard PE but just couldn’t with those serious flaws.
Adidas redesigned the CL Boost with a new traction pattern, Primeknit upper, and a new silhouette that resembles the DLillard 1. Sounds like a plan to me…
Traction
This maybe the best traction I’ve ever had on an Adidas shoe.
Adidas used a semi herringbone/mini traction blades (ala J crossover 2) with micro blades on the outermost regions (ala Lillard 1) while using a super soft pliable rubber. The result is fantastic traction on any court
I didn’t slip at all on court at the Y or 24 which we all know are ultra dusty. Clean courts these stuck like glue. They didn’t squeak to start but after break in they did but not 24/7 like the Kobe IX. These are at least as good as the Kobe 8 and maybe as good as Kobe IX… I’ll keep you updated.
I didn’t play outdoors in these I’d recommend not doing so since they will wear down quickly and the grooves aren’t very deep.
Cushioning
Boost in the heel only was a let down but the cushioning in the forefoot is miles better than last year and is very good overall with just enough response to let you know it’s there. The transition from Boost in the heel to foam is surpringly good. It feels almost like the Rose 5’s forefoot set up but little less responsive and lower to the ground. These play about as low as the Kobe 8 FYI
The insole of the shoe is very thin like the Rose 5 So being the Einstein I am, I put the Rose 4 insoles into the CL Boost Pk voilà, a damn good cushioning set up without Boost in the forefoot. Sure it gives up a little court feel but I can deal with 1-2 mm more of height to get a better cushioning set up for my achy knees.
Boost in the heel actually feels better than in the Rose 5 and I have no idea why. It really feels like the Boost in my Energy 2m. Boost makes everything else just feel dead even Zoom and Micro G.
According to their marketing it has 15% more Boost .
Boost runs from heel to about the last lace loop.
I do hope they add Boost to the forefoot next year like the Response Boost. Keeps costs a little lower feels almost as good as full length Boost.
Fit
Copying the silloute of one of the sloppiest fitting shoes I’ve tried in some time worried me but after wearing the CLBPK my worries were laid to rest and it gives me hope for the Lillard 2. The problem with the Lillard 1 was the lack of any form fitting in the heel. It was just a thin neoprene layer inside a synthetic leather layer with a soft internal heel counter
Below: see how sparse the Lillard looks compared to the CLBPK 
The CLBPK remedied this with a plush ankle collar and a stiff external heel counter. The result is very good lockdown in the heel. Heel slip is usually a killer for me especially in lows but these did a great job. It does take a few wears to get it to lock in but the slippage is minimal to start.
Of course I can’t forget the rest of the shoe.
The Primeknit upper feels like more Nike’s Flyknit than Flyweave and it doesn’t disappoint. It requires zero break in time and conforms to your foot once laced up. There is some deadspace at the forefoot as you can see but it isn’t out of the ordinary nor does it affect performance. I think the j XX9 and jCrossover had a better fit overall but these do a great job as well. Woven uppers are ultra comfortable and I think manufacturers are figuring out ways to enhance support while keeping comfort and fit top notch.
I have more comments regarding the upper in the containment section FYI
Yes airflow is great on these.
The tongue is sewn into the ankle collar on the lateral side to give a more connected one piece feel and of course no tongue slippage
Support and Stability
I’m always worried about support with woven uppers but the CLBPK fit and stability are excellent so I don’t need to worry to much about the support.
Here is a shot of the large stiff external heel counter that replaced last year’s flimsy one.
Last year’s soft bendy counter:
There is also a tiny plastic shank. I didn’t really notice it was there quite frankly.
The CLB2 is very stable at the heel since there is no curvature and passed my heel test with zero tipping.
The forefoot does not have an outrigger but remains very stable and plays low to the ground.
What’s weird is that when my entire foot is flat on the ground, it feels tippy and I don’t know why. I have not hurt myself in them and I doubt I will bc when is your foot ever dead flat on the ground ? I guess the sole at midfoot is narrower than the forefoot and heel ? It’s the only thing I could think of.
Containment
Containment has been a deal breaker for me on woven shoes like the Aj XX9 and J Crossover 2 but Adidas did a great job reinforcing the upper in just the right places.
Below: foot comes out slightly when pushed hard from a static position
J crossover 2
Rose 5 doesn’t come out at all.
Containment isn’t Rose 5, Lebron Soldier level but it’s pretty good especially for a woven upper. There is a little give but I didn’t feel my foot come out of the footbed like the J Crossover 2.
Glue/paint and fuse on the inside provide extra support around the entire toe box.
The nylon lace loops double as “Flystraps” in a sense. Since they are thicker than Flywire they hold the foot in better. Think of it this way, Would you rather be strapped in with a seat belt or two pieces of string ? The wider the strap, the better the lockdown since there is more surface area to distribute the forces and hold the foot in while with two pieces of Flywire you just have your skin go through the gap. Probably why the safety commission doesn’t use recommend Flywire either…
The lace loops run on both the lateral and medial side and are sewn into the upper and therefore not dynamic which I believe is a good thing .The fewer things moving around the better IMO.
And each lace loop has another fuse like layer of reinforment built into the Primeknit (solid blue is the extra layer)
Another reason these contained my foot well is because of an extra layer of fuselike material along the base of the shoe. It is the same material that runs along the “Flystraps”
Above: the denser blue along the insole runs about 3 mm above the midsole right where my finger is in pic below and runs around the entire shoe.
Essentially you have a fuse skeleton running inside the entire shoe up along the lace straps and around the base and along the laces or if you’re looking at the outside of the shoe, anywhere that has the tighter denser weave. Great job Adidas !
Conclusion
I’ll just outright say it, this is the most fun low top I have played in.
Why so blue ? The CLBP are as close to feeling like running shoes as I’ve ever felt.
It excels at everything which pleasantly surprised me due to my history with lows and with woven uppers. I don’t really like playing in lows at all but these are just plain fun. Adidas improved the weaknesses on last year’s model and really nailed it this year. I’d personally like more containment but everything else about it is excellent. Usually I don’t gravitate towards minimal shoes like this but damn it is fun to play in. I’d recommend these for players that like minimal uppers (small quick guards typically). The price point of $130 is lower than Brandblacks J Crossover and the Xx9 and is one of the few shoes outside of collection purposes that I would pay full retail for. If you’re patient, prices will fall into the sub 100 then sub 75 range in a few months bc Adidas’ brand just isn’t very strong in bball and the U.S. . I do hope Adidas’ newfound attention to the basketball market and U.S. continues bc they have made huge strides in their shoes this past year especially with Boost. Keep it up Adidas!
schwollo.com 
Thanks for the review!
Can you explain what exactly you mean by you “heel test”?
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My heel test just gives me a sense of how stable it is at impact. I step on the heel and try to tip my ankle over as I’m stepping . Shoes that have failed include Lebron x and Kobe 9 both of which I severely sprained my ankle after I knew it was tipsy
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Great review!!im excited to try them(the rubio version especially),however i think with the way shoe are price here in indonesia(or southeast asia),
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Great review!!im excited to try them(the rubio version especially),however i think with the way shoe are price here in indonesia(or southeast asia),they will end up in price range of rp 2 or 2.3 milion(about 153-175$)
Which is sad….
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Just be patient and prices will fall. Adidas brand isn’t strong right now . But wow that’s expensive lol
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The way your making it sound this just may be one of the best if not the best adidas platforms(boost). Still havent tries boost but maybe this shoe will be the one. Any chance you will be doing the hyperdunk 2015? Or maybe compare the low top cl boost’s with the one’s with the strap. Feet you wear will always be my favorite adidas platform, when i eventually try boost it just might be my favorite. One of the best as i’ve said again and again.
Your reviews definitely help someone like me who depends on reviews to decide on shoes, because we live maybe 30mins-1hr from the nearest sneaker shop or decent mall.
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It’s not perfect but it is fun as hell to play in. I am doing the Hyperdunk but Everythibg came out same time so going to take awhile lol
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Cool! I know right? I got 3-5 shoes in my head right now that released around the same time. Saw the new hyperdunks at the mall. Very padded collar and they actually have full on rubber on the outsole not soft too just right. Really anticipating the wave of reviews from everyone. I think i can say that the new season of basketball footwear has begun.
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Saw this shoe in one of the local adidas shops, impressed by the workmanship and love that knit upper. But after severely spraining my right ankle, i am staying away from low tops for now. Will be playing with my zoom soldier VI this Wednesday (start of our company sports fest) and i’m waiting for your zoom soldier 9 review as i am looking for the right shoes to give me the peace of mind playing through my injury. My d rose 5 boost will probably arrive by the last week of July. Nice review sir keep ’em coming…
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Ha I don’t blame you I’m the same way. I’m trying to figure out traction in soldier IX and I’ll be done with it. It’s really good but I still like the vi better
And thanks for reading !
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I just put it up for you Jef
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great review! i have been anxiously looking for the first reviews on this shoe. i ordered mine and they should be coming this week. do you recommend going true to size?
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Thanks !
Yes I went true to size and had a finger width Btwn big toe and end of toe box. Let me know what you think !
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Whats the durability like on these???
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Pretty good overall. It does pick up dirt when people step on them since its knit . The toe area is protected by the rand which will eventually wear down but it hasn’t yet for me.
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What in your opinion is the best hoop shoe right now? Kobe X, Boost 2015, Kobe IX, Curry One, Jordan XX9?
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Depends what you’re wanting out of your shoe . From you list I’d rank in this order based on my preferences
And needs Curry one Kobe x boost 2015, Kobe IX , Aj xx9
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Clutch fit drive low or these? and why
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Clutchfit low. Full length micro g vs boost in heel only, better containment so my foot doesn’t slide out on hard cuts . My favorite low followed behind by Kobe iv
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Thanks I appreciate the input. The hard part now is to find a good colorway other than the black and white or the grays.
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Yea just wait. Coupon codes will
Be allowed on those two colors soon on Eastbay/footlocker . Colors are bland but I think a lace swap would help (yellow laces with blacks ) .
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Would you prefer rose 5 or crazylight boost 2015?
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I need more containment and support so I still prefer the Rose 5.
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Hi Schwollo, how would you compare the Crazylights to the Curry lows (especially containment and cushioning) ? Saw you mentioned curry lows as your preferred shoe in the comments above. Thanks, love the site !
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I think I meant curry one mid not low. My heel still slips in the curry low (clutch fit low and Kobe iv are my goto lows). Crazy light boost is just fun to play in very unrestrictive awesome boost in the heel. The curry low is much firmer all around so if you want a more stable low go with curry low or kd 8.
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Thanks again, almost time for the NBA season !
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I can’t wait !
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I honestly hated this shoe when I first played in it (I have had ankle issues in the past so I am VERY scared in playing in lowtops) and it was very hard to get used to playing in lowtops. As I got to playing in them more and more, I grew to love them and they are now my go to shoe for playing bball. The cushion is pretty good and the containment of the materials is also way better than what Nike is offering. They also look pretty dope IMO off court.
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Finally seeing these around $75 and might pick these up while I wait for the PK version of the CLB2016 just wondering on the size/dead space. If I’m normally an 11.5 (but tried on the CLB2016 in an 11 and they fit prefectly) Can I go with an 11 on the 2015s to make up for the dead space or is 11.5 w/ insole swap pretty much the only option? Ordering online is always tricky
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You could go down half a size, there is enough room but I think adding an insole is better bc it adds a little more cushion to the forefoot.
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please can u post a review on kd 9 as compared to crazy light boost 2.5 andrew wiggins
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Never had the 2.5 so can’t help you there
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