Brandblack Ether Overview and Comparison
Written by schwollo
I was really planning on reviewing these but I just couldn’t get over the looks. I know how shallow that sounds but the monotonal color just turned me off and I don’t like the overall shape. Having previous experience with the JC3, I know what to expect from the Ether court feel wise. The Weartesters colorway looks good but I don’t think I can pull off that look either but I might grab a pair anyways.
However here are my thoughts versus the JC 3 for those of you who are thinking of picking up a pair.
Here is my original JC 3 review
JC3 Review
This is my third attempt with Brandblack. I enjoyed the JC 2 and 3 but the total lack of lateral containment on both pairs had me looking elsewhere.
The Ether is essentially the JC3 ( the box is even the same ) but with some minor tweaks to the upper. But those minor tweaks should make a huge difference in the shoe’s lateral containment, which was really poor on the Jc2 and 3.
Pros: traction, cushioning, fit, materials, support stability, much better containment than JC3, $40 less than JC3
Cons: rides a little high, looks are an acquired taste
Weight
Same weight as the JC 3 with shroud.
Traction
Same pattern as the JC3 but no longer translucent. Should be as good or better than the JC3
Cushioning
Same as the JC3 which I thought was the highlight of the shoe. It just feels great yet stable thanks to the Vector plates.
Fit
I went with my normal size 11 and these fit me perfectly. Since the upper is composed of mesh and suede, the fit is just tighter with little to no stretching.
The suede used isn’t some cheap sh*t either. I know this may shoe my age but right when I touched these I thought of the old Ellese suede shoes from the early 90’s. I can’t even find pics of these online.
The inner ankle collar is the same as the JC3 as well do you’re locked in at the heel.
Support and stability
Think JC3 with the shroud in terms of support. The use of suede around the ankle really firms and thickens it up.
Containment
As I stated earlier the JC2 and 3 had terrible containment for me. I could feel my foot sliding off the footbed due to the woven and mesh upper of each sho
However,thanks to the changes in material, and layering, the toe box isn’t flimsy and stretchy like the JC3. These should contain the foot well on hard cuts and will definitely do better than the JC2 and 3.
Extra lateral piece helps with containment.
Conclusion
Brandblack’s Ether is an acquired taste in terms of looks. It has a very SoCal/skater/industrial look that I can’t pull off. If you liked the JC3 but wanted more lateral containment, you’ll enjoy the Ether.
schwollo.com 
Thanks for the review. I really like the looks and some of the features of the JC3s (cushioning, traction). I don’t play in them much because they could use some additional support at the ankles and better side to side containment. I really just use them for shooting around and lifting. It’s cool the Ethers have basically the same tech but the improvements I wanted from the JC3s. The downside is that I think they are butt ugly. I just can’t bring myself to buy a pair. Call me vain, but I have a hard time playing in ugly shoes. Hopefully BB releases a shoe the Ether features in a better design.
Looking forward to your full reviews on the Elite KD8s and Lebron 13s.
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Lol that’s why I didn’t do a full review. Too ugly and I knew it wouldn’t break into my top five.
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You should do a performance update on the Rose 6 primeknit all star colorway. I heard its a lot better than the regular versions
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I’m not big on upper material changes but I’m sure it is a great shoe and provides a slightly better fit. Plus I don’t want to poke holes into a knit upper this time around lol
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I feel you lol.
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JC2 looks dope but JC3 and Esther looks more like wrestling boots. I understand that performance shoes are geared towards performance for a specific sport/activity but is it that hard for these designers to create performance and good-looking shoes and CWs. I mean its their job, their career, they get paid big bucks to do this. People (many) are calling the CrazyExplosive ugly but i call it “different, outside-the-box” and it will cause heads to turn while playing in them just like the Foamposites and Crazy 8 and most of Lebron’s Signature. But performance sneakers from Under Armour, BB Esther and Vector, Anta, 361 (most Chinese brand except WayofWades and some Li-Ning) are either ugly, plain, dull, basically no personality.
BTW WayofWade sneakers are very under-rated in terms of CWs and aesthetics just wish they weren’t so damn expensive.
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I think the crazy explosive got a bad rap bc of that one colorway and the angle. I’m sure it will perform though. I agree, looks and performance aren’t and shouldn’t be two different things . Jordans and kobes look good why can’t the others? Way of wades look good but are way way way over priced..
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Hi, if you are looking for a BB release that has the total package, get the J Crossover 2.5.
Like you the 2 was a little bit of a bust for me. Very comfortable for casual wear but for basketball I found it lacking somewhat in cushioning (the foam felt like a thicker AdiPrene insert) and wanting completely in terms of containment (woven upper felt great at work, sloppy as hell on the court). I got the JC3 and while I don’t agree that the containment issues were as severe, it had a weird setup to be sure and for me it was too heavy, specifically bottom-heavy. To me it was just an all-around stiffer version of the Rose 6, which I liked a lot more.
The JC 2.5 I overlooked entirely because it seemed like an uglier version of the JC 2 but I got a pair for about $30 and WOW, it offers a HUGE improvement. They put a TPU overlay over the entire toe box/forefoot that solves the lockdown/containment issues. The traction on the outsole is WAY better, incredible bite and solid stopping power, even on outdoor courts. The foam seems to be the same but the rubber around it is a lot thicker, great cushioning and impact protection that last and last. I play three hours a night in them, sometimes more, and never experience discomfort.
I haven’t tried the ether yet but it seems like a similar effort to address issues with the JC3. It seems like the outsole will be better and the upper maybe slightly though they still seem to focus their containment efforts in the ankle and heel (rear portion of the shoe) and don’t do much up front. Like you, I found almost every colorway to be ugly AF though, not enough performance appeal to get me into these unless they pop up super cheap.
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Yep I believe it would perform better than the regular jc2. Thanks for the input !
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