Nike KD 9 IX Performance Review
Written by schwollo
Just added a KD 9 vs Crazylight Boost 2016
*This is a long review so here is an executive summary: exceptional cushioning, great fit, good traction and stability, decent containment, minimal support for a fair price of $150. However, these are not making my top 5 rotation*
Cushioning is obviously the focal point of the shoe, but how does the rest of the shoe perform?
Nike is a marketing machine and smart as hell so I think it is safe to assume that they didn’t care that the leaked images and June release date of the KD 9 came out around the same time as the KD 8 Elite releases. KD has always played second and third fiddle in Nikes hierarchy but now that Kobe has retired, Nike finally gave him the the keys to the Porsche.
Designed by Leo Chang, the low-cut shoe features a Flyknit upper engineered down to the pixel for maximum containment. Specifically, it features a pattern with a distinct honeycomb structure precisely knit for the multidimensional movement of basketball and Durant’s lateral quickness. Flyknit technology engineering locks down the forefoot while still allowing the foot to move naturally. Flyknit’s efficient material use also ensures the upper is lightweight, without compromising strength.
A visible, tapered Zoom Air unit runs from heel to toe, marking the evolved Air bag’s debut in basketball. Developed over three years of advanced wear testing, the new Zoom Air unit — filled with fibers that compress upon each step, then spring back for unmatched response — is 16 millimeters thick at the heel and progressively narrows to 10 millimeters at the forefoot. This architecture is tuned to provide maximum impact protection while amplifying the bouncy feel of the Zoom Air unit.
Here is the full press release:
One other note, I do not think the KD 9 and Lillard 2 look alike at all other than the ankle collar.
Pros: traction when clean, ADDICTIVE CUSHIONING, fit, good containment for knit upper, very, very comfortable
Cons: traction needs wiping when dusty, Zoom could use a little more lateral stability, minimal support, above average containment overall
Best for: creaky knees, any player seeking cushioning with minimal support needs
Sizing: narrow foot, go down half a size, wide foot true to size. If you like a tighter fit, you can go down half a size due to Flyknit’s flexibility and a little extra length in toe box
Weight
At 13.5 oz, the IX is once ounce heavier than the Kd8 Elite and 2 oz heavier than the KD 8
Traction
The KD 9 features a honeycomb pattern and it works great on clean floors or when wiped.
The rubber is very soft and pliable and picks up a lot of dust so you do have to wipe to keep the dirt at bay.
Couple that with the flatness of the grooves and you have to wipe frequently on dusty floors. I do not recommend these for outdoors due to the softness of the rubber as well as the Flyknit upper.
Overall I put these in the second tier of traction and not in the AJ XX8, Curry Two, Kobe IX tier. In terms of KD traction I’d rank the these behind the 7 but better than the 8 when clean. The 8 did better on dusty floors than the 9 though.
Cushioning
Cushioning is fantastic and is truly the highlight of the shoe from a visual and performance standpoint.
I wrote an article Where’s Zoom and I said I didn’t understand why Nike would give up such a distinct competitive advantage. Well Nike came back with that advantage with the KD 9.
One of the new parts of this set up is the geometry in the heel and the articulation in the forefoot. I griped about the instability of the Lebron X 360 Zoom and I guess I wasn’t crazy because Nike fixed it. Thanks for having my back KD #hookem
They did a decent job on the cushioning with the KD 8 but really enhanced the feel this time by:
Giving us more Zoom than the KD 8
Duh, just look at the difference in Zoom
Taking away some of the midsole so it rides lower and we get more Zoom feel
See how thin the midsole it is? That’s about how much midsole sits between the foot and Zoom. Usually it’s at least double that amount.
Fully articulating the forefoot
The articulated forefoot is a seamless transition since the forefoot bag is nice and big unlike the KD 8.
What does the Zoom feel like?
From the pictures, I thought Zoom would feel like the Lebron X but it doesn’t. It feels more like the Boost on the Ultra Boost; just a smooth lower profile ride that has the right amount of spring to it. I never complained about the flexibility of 360 Zoom or full length Zoom because frankly my my foot muscles are plenty strong to flex Zoom air but these do flex much easier.
The flexibility and softness comes from removing the “pillars” and adding more tensile fibers so it can compress and spring back more. It looks like Nike doubled or tripled the fibers.
I had a lot of friends try on the 9 and everyone fell in love with the cushioning. Can’t blame them, it feels awesome. Compared to the KD 8, based on feel alone the KD9 blows the KD8 out of the water but on cuts and quicker movements, I give the edge to the KD8 due to the plastic clips on the lateral side.
Those plastic clips take away from the feel of Zoom but functionally, they keep the Zoom from flexing so there isn’t any lag time.
Adidas made the Rose 6 more stable by adding Stable frame as well
I would have like to see a little more lateral support. Having no structure on this set up you can compress the Zoom on the lateral side. The Lebron II used full width Zoom but had it caged in Pebax for similar reasons. I feel the 8 plays “quicker” overall. Does it take away a lot of reaction time? Probably not anything measurable but the two shoes play very differently in this aspect so just want to set expectations. The general public will say “these are the most comfy shoes ever” which is true, but shoe nerds aren’t the general public and we are picky as hell when it comes to on court performance. However, I think the Zoom feels so good I’m willing to overlook this “problem”.
Well done Nike!
Hope this set up continues !
Fit
I went true to size with my normal 11 and these fit me well length wise and and perfectly width wise. The toe box is more square than the 8 so it can accommodate different foot shapes a better. They are a little longer than a true 11, maybe 1/8 to 1/4 a size but it is because there is plastic rand that sits at the toe cap. The KD line has always run narrow and I’ve had to size up a few times (namely the IV and the VIII).
Above: my 11 vs 11.5 in the KD 8
These are not nearly as narrow as previous KD’s so wide footers can rejoice. I think I could go down half a size and still be comfortable since the Flyknit has some give and extra length.
For all the mesh and woven upper craze that people have been giving shoe companies the past few years, I stated why Knits and woven uppers don’t work for me. And it looks like Nike was giving everyone a half ass effort until the KD9.
The difference between the KD 9 upper and previous wovens/knits is that the upper is constructed with a honeycomb structure . The design really reminds me of a rope net, providing real strength so it doesn’t stretch as much but also providing flexibility (we all remember how hard it was to climb these right?)
The upper really hugs the foot and gives a great one to one fit.
Above: Lace loops are sewn in
Below: nylon lining
The back of the Flyknit is lined with nylon which adds another layer of strength while being comfortable.
I think this upper feels better than previous glue backed Flyknits by a mile. No stiffness at all, just a sock like feel .. But does it contain the foot ? Read down a paragraph or two.
Regarding the heel fit, my initial wearings had just a tiny bit of heel slip so i had to wait a few games before the heel locked in. The design of the heel is very similar to the Hyperrev 2016.
Although it works fine for me, I still prefer the thicker ankle collar design of the Kobe and KD 7/8; it just forms around the Achilles better and feels more secure overall .
Support and stability
Support isn’t anything special, in fact it is a little lackluster. Fit is excellent as I stated earlier but the heel counter is pretty flimsy.
If you have the Hyperrev 16, it is similar in flex The KD 8 heel counter is much firmer and sturdier. I expect that over time the heel counter will become too flimsy as I’ve worn down several heel counters on my Kobe I’s and Soldier VI’s
As you can see from the pics below, the 9 is a touch higher than a low.
And is very similar in height to the Lillard 2 (still think they look the same ?)
A lot of the design is similar to the HR16 just implemented slightly differently and with Flyknit. One piece upper with very similar heel counter and ankle collar.
Thankfully, the KD 9 is stable underfoot due to the redesigned outsole.
It is not nearly as stable or supportive as the KD 8 but it works perfectly fine and is not tippy at all. The KD 9 is a natural, free flowing shoe but provides just enough support and stabilty.
Also worth noting is that there is not much midfoot support since the Zoom is there and the midsole is thin and flexible.
Not a big deal to me but others might want more.
Containment
I’m probably the only person that actually addresses this need and am always concerned with lateral containment with knit uppers (see JC2, JC3, M12, CLB15) .
The KD 9 insole sits about 1-2 mm below the midsole but the midsole is so soft that the containment is only from the upper. The honeycomb knit did a very good job for Flyknit, much better than previous knit uppers but not as good as the KD 8. Still much much better than the aforementioned sh*t list I had above.
As I stated in my article “why wovens don’t work” there should be a physical barrier otherwise the foot will always slide off the footbed. Most of the time it comes down to aesthetics so shoe companies make a cleaner and simpler looking shoe. Adidas appears to have gotten it right with the CLB16 though. Looks be damned, these are made to perform (see, my theory isn’t crazy) and I can’t wait to try them.
Image via sneakernews
Overall, containment is above average and acceptable, especially for a knit, although I’d prefer a little more containment. I do think companies are moving in the right direction though.
Conclusion
The KD line started as a budget signature shoe but over the years, the price ballooned to Lebron levels. At $150, the KD 9 came down from those stupidly high levels and provides a lot of Nike’s best tech for a much lower cost than previous years. Lot of people sh*t on the KD 8 but they forget KD needed a protective shoe since he was coming off Jone’s fracture surgery. Sure it wasn’t for everybody but if you wanted a low without worrying about spraining your ankle, the KD 8 was a great option but a very need specific shoe.
The KD 9 on the other hand is a shoe everyone will enjoy, mainly because the fit, comfort and cushioning is amazing right out of the box. I’ve stated before that cushioning gives a shoe personality. It’s often the first thing people look for and say “damn that’s comfy” in the store and buy it then and there; The general public doesn’t give a damn about the little things we shoe nerds obsess over. Thankfully, Nike did a great job overall with the KD 9.
All that being said, the KD 9 will not make my top 5 but I really enjoy playing in them just because they feel so good underfoot. I would easily take these over the Kobe 8,9, and 11 (the X has more support so it would be close). On cushioning alone, I would pick the 9 but for my needs, the 8 works better (more stable and supportive) I put the 9 into play during Chinese Nationals a few weeks back so I pushed them hard as hell in several games but went back to the Curry Two. I need/want a little more support, containment and traction during tournament play but I wouldn’t hesitate playing in these during pickup because it’s a great, fun shoe that will save some me from some wear and tear.
schwollo.com 
Nice review – thank you Sir
Will await the cl2016 review and may pick then : how does the support compare to lilards 2? That lateral containment is bit of a concern for me
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It’s not bad by any means there are just shoes that do it better including the Lillard 2. I feel the Lillard 2 is more supportive and stable (cushioning is firmer too)
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LETS F*CKING GOOOO! One piece upper? THAT IS REAL FLYKNIT?  Fully articulated 360 zoom?  *Down half a size for that 100% containment?**Spiritual successor to Lebron 10?* Only retail for 150?  BASED LEO CHANG. who knows if kd will win a ring as ATM he’s wearing it in playoffs, and totally killing the dubs. This is an amazing shoe from Nike for a great price, now I really can’t wait to get a pair!
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Can you please give me more info on the Chinese National Tourney you’re talking about.
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One of the bigger Chinese tourneys in the us
http://www.nacbait.com
Started slow and lost first two games due to slow start and won four straight to win consolation in friendship division. Fun times!
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Did you guys take the chip in the tourney?
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Ha no. We won consolation in friendship div after a bad start. Not bad for bunch of dads playing 20 year olds and zero practice together as a team. Still had lots of fun
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Really debating between these and the LeBron 13 elite. Like shoes with good cushioning but kind of worried about the support aspect of these now. Had to return the regular 13 because the rigidity of the materials at the toe crease gave me blisters no matter what I did. Tried the elites on in store a couple weeks ago and to me the fit felt big and sort of sloppy (even after going a 1/2 sz down).. Wonder if the LeBron line will go back to the max zoom set up now that it is revamped. The whole hex zoom system doesn’t really feel very springy to me after playing in the 12s and 13s and Bron really seemed to like the 10s.
Anyway, nice reviews!
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KD and Lebrons are two very different shoes (and players ). I think they will put it on the next Lebron or two why waste three years of development ? Lol
Lebron XIII is a lot of shoe compared to the KD but cushioning blows away the lbj XIII so really comes down to needs or wants .
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Hi schwollo. If this is not in your top 5, what shoes are in it right now? Great review, keep it up. It’s nice to see someone who play both basketball and tennis like I do lol.
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Haha what level do you play ?
My top 5 need to do everything well, esp traction
1) curry two 2) soldier vi 3) rose 6 and 5 4) Hyperrev 16 5) Clutchfit drive
Curry two hasn’t moved from top spot and I rotate the others based on how I feel lol
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Do you think maybe you could get more support, lockdown if you go half size down ? Great and detailed review btw !
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A little more containment maybe but it won’t help with support. Lockdown was perfectly fine for me it’s just that I prefer the old collar design.
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Whoops sorry wasn’t Done with that last article I wrote Bojan!
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Im hoping nike will release the version that using kurim,leather or heck a fuse,i believe low top shoes should be sturdier (kd8 ,did a great job imo when it come to sturdy upper for low)
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You seem to like a lot of the same shoes as I do which leads me to a suggestion. I know you played in the Brandblack JC 2 but I think you would absolutely love the JC 2 Low… Does a Way better job of keeping your foot on the footbed while providing great traction, low to the ground cushion, and no heal slip.
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I might try them out waiting for more discounts at finishline . Mid jc2 was pretty
Good overall so wasn’t excited about lows
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Got my kd9s in today in my normal sz 9. They fit tight but not as tight as the kd8s. I’m a wide footer BTW. Length wise they’re a little long but if I gotta sz 9.5 they would’ve been way too big. Bout a thumbnails amount of extra space in the toe box but I can deal with it. Will give a review once I play in them next week.
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Sweet !
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Any plans on picking up the new Crazylights?
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Yep!
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Which has better traction, D Lillard 2 or KD 9? What shoe has the best traction that is not in your top 5?
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I think KD 9 slightly better on dusty floors,
Even on clean floors.
Best traction outside top 5? Kobe 8,9, AJ xx8 come to mind
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Great Review. Shoe sounds like a Small Fowards dream.
On an unrelated note, which traction performs better D Lillard 2 or Hyperrev 2015?
Read both of your reviews but would just like to ask directly. Keep up the great work!
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Hr 15 and 16 both better on dusty floors than the Lillard 2. On clean floors about the same
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Is the kd 9 squeaky?
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When clean yes
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Should I get the j crossover 2 lows? Some websites say that low top shoes don’t have as good traction. Have you tried the j crossover 2 lows? And if you have, is it as good as the regular ones? I’m just asking because i think the lows look better.
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Everything is the same on the low vs the mid except the upper material and the height. so i really don’t think the traction is any different . I have not played in the lows though
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Things I didn’t like about the KD 7
1. Minor heel slippage.
2. Felt kinda like a high heel, the cushion at the front was on the thinner side whereas you have a thick 180 air max unit at the back.
3. Instability with the air max unit
Things I didn’t like about the KD 8
1. Lacing system was kinda bad, the laces were so thick and it’d be hard to get a good knot on them. They’d come undone when I was playing.
2. I really liked the traction on the KD 7, and I didn’t think the KD 8’s was up to par. You needed to wipe a lot.
3. The sole of the shoe was so damn big that it made wiping hard lol.
I’m really close to getting the 9’s but are there any of these things that you found with them?
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Agree with everything about the 7. If you read the review, no instability like the 7 (or Lebron X) traction about same as 7 on clean floors but 7 better on dusty.
I didn’t have any issues you had with 8 and like the wide sole but the 9 is a more natural feeling shoe overall less restrictive and better traction on clean floors . Lacing won’t be an issue with the 9
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I see. Very tempting now, will have to see how the hyperdunk 2016 low and crazylight boost 2016 perform, and decide between these 3. I’m into dunking, so I’m probably as big of a traction whore as you too btw lol. Anytime I go to the gym to have dunk sessions, the kobe 9 is my go to, and it’s never failed me traction wise. They’re getting worn down though, and I like to try out different shoes for pick up games. I guess as long as the traction is near the kobe 9/aj xx8 level(probably kd 7 level), they’ll be fine for pick up.
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They aren’t Kobe 9 AJ xx8 level but I think they are good enough for pick up (my cut off level ). I can’t wait for the hyperdunk and Crazylight !
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played in them last night and theyre really good shoes. very good shoe but like schwollo and nightwing from wt says you could probably go 1/2 size down and have a better fit. wasnt as narrow as the kd8s were for me. just right. the heel collar was similar to the hyperrev 2016. felt too free/loose. if there was a way to tighten it up the shoes would be damn near perfect. I did feel the instability of the lateral side one time during play. I came down with a rebound with my foot landing on the lateral side and felt a little funny. maybe if there was an outrigger you wouldn’t have to worry about it. cushioning and the materials felt great. I think ill get the usa pair half size down and see how much better they play.
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Sweet! Half size down should help a little
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Hey schwollo, do you have any thoughts on the Super.Fly 5 that Jordan released pictures of today? What about the Hyperdunk 2016? Will you be picking up either one? thanks
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Superfly 5 looks super plain esp for 150. No major tech for the price. I’m probably passing but will grab Hd 16
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So if I where a size 10 in KD 8 would it be smart to go down .5 size due to the Flyknit? All the roshe’s i’ve had to size down .5 bcuz Flyknit but with these i’m wondering if the fit is different since its a B-Ball shoe… and I don’t plan on balling in these just casual where but hate when shoe doesn’t fit correctly otherwise i woulda already ordered the preHEAT colorway off ebay bcuz they’re so damn fresh!! Someone PLZ help thanks!
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Yes go down half a said from the KD 8 even for casual wear. Definitely runs longer and wider than the 8
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okay, so getting these now. i’m gonna have to order online and not sure which size to get. my true size is 10, and i have a size 10 in the kd 6, 7, and 8, all which fit well. i guess i’m not a wide footer too because i was able to go TTS in the kd 8.
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Did you have any length issues with the 8? They run short while the 9 runs long.
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nope, they fit completely fine length wise. i actually got them in hong kong, and was able to try them on. i followed the advice of all the reviewers are went half a size up at first, but it was just too big. 10 was a perfect fit. other shoes i wear that fit me well in a size 10 are the nike lunarglide 7, kobe 9, and hyperdunk 2013.
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I’d go half size down since the 9 is longer than the 8 and you aren’t wide footed
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sounds good. i like my shoes snug and a size 10 in the kd 9 would probably be oversized for me(like the d rose 6). also, i normally wear nike elite socks to get a snugger fit on my shoes, but if they’re too snug i can just wear the normal, thinner nike socks. btw, the reply system on the site is weird, it happened last time too. the reply button to your last comment is gone, so i have to reply to this one lol.
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I do the same if I need a little space. WordPress is weird sometimes lol
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I’ve been looking at 4 shoes, the kobe 10s, kobe 11s, kd 8s and kd 9s, for more of a small forward/power forward role, which one is the most supportive, or do you have a different recommendation, love the reviews btw keep up the great work
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No to the Kobe xi.. Traction isn’t great . I personally like the KD 8 but the KD 9 is a better shoe overall. Better cushioning especially. Kobe 10 might work as well. From a support standpoint in order I’d say KD 8, Kobe 10, KD 9, Kobe xi. Soldier ix would work but all based on your preferences.
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I have the soldier ix but they’re a size too big and they’re around 8 months old, im in the d rose 6 right now but they’re too bulky for me
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Ok what do you like or dislike about the Rose 6 and soldier 9 aside from the bulk.
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For the d rose i have the synthetic leather colour way so its too stiff and heavy for my personal taste, and when the laces loosen i get minor heel slip and my tongue pops out, as for the soldier ix i just find the cushion a little lackluster and im not a huge fan of the strap system, very miniscule things i know
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Go with KD 9. The Kobe X forefoot lunarlon dies pretty quickly. Not bulky feeling either. Btw before you give up on the Rose 6, do what I did and make an extra eyelet under the top plastic loops..makes a big difference. (Look on my review ).
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Hey Schwollo, how would you compare KD 9 vs Lillard 2? I agree with you on the Crazy Light Boost 2016, the heel slip was a deal breaker. Thanks again, your site’s the best.
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Thanks Buckfitty.
It needs to feel as secure as a mid for me to wear a low and it just isn’t for me and I’m sure others too.
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What’s ur top 5 for guards?
Help me find my perfect shoe for me i want excellent traction and cushion, durable upper and traction, crazy good traction.
Good review asf for me you topped nightwing
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Well my goto is the curry two. Traction is awesome, fits like a glove, durable upper. Cushioning could be softer like the Clutchfit but I’ve switched them during a tourney and the Clutchfit feels like mush after playing in the curry two.. That being said, what’s your favorite shoe to play in so I can get an idea of what you like ?
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kobe 9 fits me perfectly im size 10. should i go .5 down in kd9? tks schwollo
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Wide foot? If so you can stay TTS or go half size. Narrow foot go half size down for sure.
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Thanks for another great review. Decided to try these out based on your thorough review. I’ve been playing in my true size. Fit, support, and traction are all very good. Containment is very good for a woven – way better than the JC 2s and 3s, XX9s, and XXXs for me. Impact protection is excellent. Traction is good to very good to me. I’ve been playing a lot in the Curry 2s lately, so I’ve been spoiled with excellent traction. My main complaint about the shoe is that shoe feels tippy on hard lateral movements. It definitely impacts my defense and some of my drives to the hoop. Pretty annoying. Too bad Nike couldn’t figure out how to implement more lateral support. These will fall out of my rotation if the lateral stability continues to annoy me.
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Sweet your experience sounds a lot like
Mine. Great super comfy shoe but comfort doesn’t always translate into performance. Nike did the lateral clips on the 8 and that helps a ton but it would ruin the new Zoom look and feel imo..
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Something like the clips from the 8s would have helped, but at the expense of the aesthetics. I’m guessing only a small percentage of the buyers will wear these for basketball and play in a way where the absence of the stability is an issue. Too bad it’s an issue for us because these shoes really have a lot of potential.
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Or a lot of ppl will wear them for hoops bc of looks and cushioning feel lol
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quick question regarding the sizing. An 11.5 in the Kd8 fit me perfectly and while I initially tried on an 11 in the CLB16 I felt a little heel slip. In a 10.5 CLB16 heel fit perfect but forefoot area felt a little cramped width wise (length was fine however). So I’m a little confused as to which size to get for the KD9 lol 10.5 or 11? any recommendations? Kickass review btw. I also have a narrow foot and prefer a more snug fit if that helps. Thanks in advance!
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Id go all the way down to a 10.5 in the KD 9 if you have a narrow foot. That extra length makes the 10.5 like an 11 in length just like the clb( I tried a pair on at the store the other day)The clb sizing would be perfect at 10.75
thanks for the kind words !
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Great review as always! Just bought a pair in a 14 because the KD9 in a 15 was way too big. A full size down for me since I have a narrow foot. At 54 and 6’5″ and 255 lbs. with 4 meniscus tears (2 on each knee) I play small forward and have been looking for a good cushioned shoe. Went to lows about two years ago and have played in Kobe 8 with Kobe 9 insoles (more arch and firmer Lunarlon although they break down fast), XX8se and KD8s. Can’t wait to try them out. Hoping the lateral stability is OK. Jordan XX9 was a joke! Thanks again!
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Damn 4 years? I hope I can still move at 54. A 15 in the KD 9 must look like a 17 lol.
I think you’ll like them a lot. Let me know how it goes !
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Great review as always. I have a bit wide foot so I go TTS. Fit is great. But my feet do not align with the forefoot flex point of the shoes. Do you guys have the same problem?
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I’m only one person haha but no I don’t have that issue. Has to do with your toe length more than anything imo.
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schwollo, I tried my friend’s pair of kd 8s at a practice or two and had tons of slipping issues around the mid foot area. He wears them to & from games sometimes. Did you find this on your pair of 8s, or is it just wear & tear?
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Midfoot? You must have really skinny feet or he’s already stretched them out a lot bc that is one of the tighter areas of fit on the KD 8.
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Hi schwollo.
Just tried on the kd9 unlimited in-store size 8 (I’m size 8 in soldier ix) and they had just a thumb’s length extra space at the toe which I can deal with, but the low in step was really killing my foot, just from trying it in-store. Makes me scared that I won’t be feeling my feet anymore once I’ve played in games.
So I just wanted to ask, does the really tight fit at the in-step break-in or nah?
Thanks man.
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Hi Schwollo,
Can you address these questions for me as I am really interested in getting a pair of these.
1)How does the fit/lockdown feel like?comparable to Hyperrev 2015?
2)Is the footbed flat?would it be suitable for neutral or arched foot players?
3)The segmented/articulated zoom seems to be connected and I was wondering about the issue regarding wear and tear. does repetitive flexing cause the zoom bag to break?how fragile does this small piece of ‘plastic’ look?maybe you can provide some insights?
Thanks!
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Hyperrev 15 lockdown is better in the heel.footbed is flat and that little bit of arch support is pretty soft. I haven’t played enough in them to answer that but Nike has a 2 yr warranty I think .
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Hi Schwollo,
Thanks for taking time to reply. I really appreciate it! I love my Hyperrev15, it is one of the shoes in my rotation. Unfortunately it’s flat too. It is a bit annoying when you have to go buy orthotics when you hope you can play from out of the box, so I just don’t bother. I like the lockdown on the Hyperrev15 but like I said, the footbed being flat, I’ve had some issues. I really want to get the KD9s but don’t want it to collect dust like my Curry1 lows, I have issue with slipping in the footbed for the Currys. Th only shoes I can wear without issue is the Kobe 9 (or the Kobe line). Kobe has better arch support as Kobe is neutral arched foot, so I guess it more suitable for me. Though from what I’ve read, Kobe 12’s have moderate to bad traction. Do you think going down 1/2 size help with the heel lockdown issue for the KD9?I am only asking since they don’t have it in store in my location. I am having to buy shoes online. Sorry for the long reply. Just wanted to get my message through. Cheers
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Heel lockdown is good true to size it’s just that the hr15 is better. Kobe xi traction isn’t that good although I’ve heard the solid outsoles work pretty well. You might try under Armour Anatomix spawn line they have really good arch support (search for my review ).
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Hey bro i just picked up the kd9 and after my first game in ’em i noticed a few broken fibers in the zoom. What are your thoughts on this?
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That sucks . Email or chat with Nike customer service and set up an exchange or voucher .
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are they real obvious?maybe share the pictures..i am curious to see some of the defects from KD9. i am sure everyone out there would like to know before they buy.
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Hyperrev 2016 or kd 9?
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What are you looking for in a shoe?
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Responsive yet soft cushion, great traction, and good support. I’m currently using Jordan 30s, and I like their feel.
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Hyperrev has better traction and a little more support but the cushioning is firmer and more like the xxx. Kd9 cushioning feels great but can be a little laggy in my experience especially off cuts and changes of direction. Don’t know why everyone knocked the xxx. I liked the stiffer upper and the fit was tighter than the xx9. Just didn’t like the tippy heel .
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Just played in these over the weekend. Really liked them. The cushion in these are amazing. Really soft and comfortable yet provide a pretty low profile and good court feel. Vs the CLB16 he boost in that feels pretty stiff and doesn’t give as good of court feel. Love how the sole of the shoe is articulated and flexes with your fit, giving a very smooth ride. Not as overall comfy as the CE, but has an elite cushion with good court feel, probably makes it the best cushion set up I’ve tried.
Love the materials on these, probably my favorite materials ever for a basketball shoe. These did feel a little bit big compared to other nikes. So the lockdown in these aren’t great, it’s ok. It’s helped a lot my the lacing system that when tied tight really secures the middle of your foot, which is a great addition to the shoe. Some shoes, I feel like the laces don’t help with the lockdown, they just cut off circulation. However, lateral containment isn’t the best. Probably the shoe’s weakest point for me.
Theses are probably my favorite current shoe I have of now (Kobe 11 elite & em, CLB16, hyperrev 15, Kobe 8-10). My all time favorite is the Kobe 6 (I had those for nearly 4 years, wish I snagged more pairs). These might come close to those, but still need to put more time in.
What should I get next? D Lillard 2 (Primenit) Curry 2 Low (I believe those are all speed form which seem like a nice material) or the Rose 6 (Primenit)
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Nice review! Id pass on the curry 2 low, way too sloppy in the heel. Lillard 2 is nice plays a lot like clb but traction isn’t as good. Rose 6 or 7 would be good. Rose 6 is softer than clb Rose 7 is about the same.
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Found some preheats at my local FL and went with those over the USA/premiere. Only worry is that preheats have a translucent outsole, any idea if that affects the traction on an indoor court?
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It will pick up more dust but The compound they use already is pretty sticky . You’ll probably have to wipe a little more .
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Hey schwollo, another great review. this is kind of late but, is it true that the eyelets “stretch” over time when you keep pulling the laces for a snug fit?
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I’m
Not sure I haven’t played in mine for awhile. I don’t think they stretch much bc it is the same material they’ve used for years .
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I’m looking to buy a pair size 13, however i have to wear orthotics and i tried on a pair with no sole and my orthotics in and i found when walking around in them my heel was slipping a bit. will this go away if i am to purchase a pair and wear them in a bit more, or should i loom to find a thinner par of orthotics?
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Orthotics will usually sit higher than a normal insole so maybe try a bigger size so the ankle
Collar covers more or as you said find a thinner orthotic. Superfeet at fairly thin
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Hey schwollo how is the kd9 for casual wear like if im wearing them for work 8 hrs a day?
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Should be pretty good. Comfy cushioning and upper so should be nice
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Im just worried about it choking my foot since its really tight at the opening and ill be wearing them 8 hrs plus a day. U think itll still be good or it might make my feet numb?
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Not sure. Really depends on your foot and ankle shape. I have not issues with the opening but I know others have
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I bought the KD8’s and sold them after 3 games. The traction sucked, the toe box narrowed painfully, the full length “zoom” was nonexistent, and the flywire was either too loose or cut off circulation giving me the pins and needles feeling. None of this was apparent in the shoe store when I tried them on unfortunately. Sounds like Nike fixed many if not all of those issues with the KD9. Might try them. I’m with you on containment for cutting. (Jordan XXX is best I’ve experienced so far … too bad the heel-toe transition feels like cowboy boots, lol). I just don’t like when shoes cheat your foot toward eversion. They try to save your ankles and give you plantar fasciitis, lol. Just hold my foot upright and let my body take care of the athletic moves. Thx, lol. Best reviews on the internet! Thx for a such great website. You can tell you put a lot of work (and money) into it.
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Thanks for the love! I’ve been buying all these shoes for years anyways just never thought to post my thoughts until last few years. Sorry the KD 8 didn’t work out for you. KD 9 did fix a lot of the issues except containment but it isn’t bad. Let me know what you end up with!
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I tried on the KD9’s at foot locker. Loved so much about them but jumping laterally off one leg to the other made me doubt their lateral strength and containment. Doable but I felt like I’d break the shoe too soon. I actually grabbed a pair of $44 outlet store Nike Hyperlive and played in them today. Pleasantly surprised. I friggin’ loved them! Gotta wear a sock high enough to cover the back of your ankle is all. Shows are low and comfortable enough to get a workout in, then jump into pickup ball with no change of shoes. Just enough cushion, great court feel. Secure fit and containment. You gotta try these if you haven’t. I didn’t like the “raincoat” materials in hand, but they play perfectly. $44 !!! Lol
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Probably my favorite shoe since the Kobe 6 and maybe of all time.
I know everyone has been riding on Adidas’s dick this year and I think they’ve been doing well especially compared to how god awful they were, but this has been as innovative of a shoe we’ve seen. People say Adidas is innovating but all I see is them throwing boost on a shoe, after a a while it’s the same thing.
But this, the full length air zoom that is more comfortable than any boost model, plus it’s lighter and moves and flexes with your foot like no other.
I really do love the materials, although not the most durable, I do wish it had a tongue but the one piece helps with lockdown.
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Haha adidas is very good with influencer marketing.. they are discrete about it but there is a pattern if you pay attention. I only really liked rose 7 the other models were all flawed. The KD ix is great just not for me and my game but I recommend it to my friends looking for a low profile soft cushioning.
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Yea, I mean I love ultra boost and I have quite a few of them and some other off court Adidas shoes but the boost in their basketball shoes aren’t special or groundbreaking. It’s good, fine but like chill out. My favorite Adidas hoop shoe is the Lillard 2 and those don’t even have boost lol!
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Haha influencer and adidas marketing..jam it in your face till you believe it. Bounce on the Lillard 2 is great. Wait for bounce is life hashtags lol
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Hey schwollo. So I just got the Kd 9 couple days ago. I haven’t tried it yet but heard rumors about the shoe is not very durable since the zoom might pop after a while. Is it true? If so what should I buy then? I’m a shooting guard/point guard on my high school team.
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Nike had a two year warranty on shoes so if it does pop you’ll get a voucher. All shoe companies make defects but they usually resolve the issue with their warranty. UA has been the best for me followed by Nike and adidas http://help-en-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/53421/p/3897
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I’m hoping for a recommendation for a well cushioned but not squishy, flexible and comfortable hoops shoe…i had the lebron 11 and i found the combination of zoom and lunarlon in the drop in midsole too squishy…I’m a bit older and like having good cushioning support for my knees…so far I have been disappointed with the forefoot on the adidas boost basketball line along with some other issues on materials. I had the rose 6 but hated the bulk on the mesh; made it feel like wearing hiking boots and i tried on the crazy explosive but wasn’t super impressed with the cushion in the forefoot and I think i actually prefer zoom air to boost which i find kind of uneven in running shoes and too firm in bball shoes …I have a pair of 2016 hyperrevs and the cushioning is great but that stupid @#$! strap keeps coming undone…I don’t like straps and i wish they would stop using them…laces work just fine…I’m looking for a shoe with solid cushion with a bit of bounce but not excessive like the lebron 11’s which i hated the fit and design of as well and got rid of asap..I cannot for the life of me figure out why nike changes the zoom setup on each shoe they release especially since so many of them don’t feel like much of anything or feel like you are wearing trampolines made of jello…I’m thinking about trying the kd 9 or maybe 2016 hyperdunk…I personally like flexible uppers and lighter weight shoes and i hate anything rigid or hard because i am already slow enough and am not looking for a tonne of support although i like the feel of a mid or high over the feel of a low (i have a pair of jordan xx9 which i bought off a guy to try and love the fit of the upper and the feeling but cushioning is underwhelming and they feel a bit high off the ground for my liking…maybe i should look to pick up a pair of the 28’s or 31’s…I do like that woven upper quite a bit…too bad there isn’t a primeknit upper with great zoom air…flyknit hasn’t really impressed me on the running shoes i have tried on…wish those 31’s weren’t so silly expensive…i don’t feel like i should pay more than $150 canadian dollars for a decent basketball shoe and i don’t give a #$%@ if it is worn by a particular player or not, I’m wearing it to play hoops not pretend i am an nba star)…i have worn kobe lows but don’t do that anymore given how crappy lunarlon is and i like some material on my ankle although it’s probably more just for feel since i believe the most important support come from having strong ankles…anyways, any thoughts on the kd’9 in terms of cushioning compared to that overbouncy soft lebron 11 with all that hyperposite crap which was clearly made to look cool at the expense of actual comfort and performance? i may not get a pair regardless since i have so far been unable to actually get the things on my feet…perhaps you have another recommendation? I basically want the equivalent of the 2016 hyperrev without any stupid strap or other gimick and maybe a little more bounce but maybe not…a little more support especially around the heal would be ok too. I think your reviews are generally pretty thoughtful and considered. Thanks
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Man that would be awful if I didn’t respond to your long question lol. I actually ditched my hyperrev 2016 to go back to my Soldier vi which feels very similar in terms of zoom. Did you like the materials of the hyperrev ? I thought the Lebron XI cushioning was too muted as well. Hyperdunk 2016 non Flyknit is good not great in the forefoot but pretty good in the heel. You might like the Hyperdunk 2016 Flyknit bc of the full length zoom (feels like real zoom heel to toe) and it has a Flyknit upper which I think you mentioned. If you’re patient the AJ xxx1 will go on sale but not sure how long it takes in Canada. You’d be happy with the KD 9 as well, as it is pure Zoom with no Phylon. Only issue I have the the kd9 is containment on cuts and that zoom is a little laggy on quick movements compared to its predecessor. The heel and support on the kd9 is very similar to the hyperrev 2016. To sum it up, look at the KD 9, hd 16 Flyknit, or Zoom soldier vi. Hope that helps! Btw kd 9 runs long lengthwise.
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thanks for that…might give the soldier’s or kd’s a go…i had the soldier 8’s and the cushioning sucked so i sold them…everyone’s saying the crazy explosives are best things since sliced bread so i might try those out on court…hopefully the price will drop this year…may just stick with my hyperrevs and 29’s and see if they go on sale in the next little while…cheers
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Yes the soldier 8 cushioning was very underwhelming. Crazy Explosives are ok forefoot cushioning still isn’t great Mid and heel is pretty good. Lots of variability with Boost in my experience. Upper is soft but that’s preference and traction is pretty good not great. Good luck !
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so yesterday i went to the local footlocker store and tried on the kd 9’s in red…they were pretty snug and it was not easy to get them on at all but i did manage to although the amount of effort involved was irritating…the cushion felt fantastic though and i was interested but not prepared to shell out $200 especially since they are so hard to get on. then i went to the champs store and saw 3 colorways for $150 which is like $120 or something american which seemed like a good deal so i grabbed a pair. I tried them on at home and they were even harder to get on and i felt like my feet were being compressed by one of those things that crushes cars lol! maybe i have wide feet but i am not going to be able to wear these things…they really are meant for people like KD with narrow feet…I normally can’t stand listening to most of what kick genius have to say because they are so annoying but i have to agree with them on this…they are almost unwearable even to walk in let alone play in unless you have narrow feet…they are going back to store today…i really recommend you advise people only to pick up kd’s if they have narrow feet…anyhoo, back to my hyperrevs and old xx9’s and the search for well cushioned, comfortable kicks continues…maybe one of the local stores will bring in some hyperdunks or maybe i’ll order a pair when the price drops a bit…the lebron 14’s look like they might have potential…hopefully they will be cheaper than his shoes normally are…have you tried those?
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Ha it’s weird or I’m just flexible but I have had no issues getting the KD ix on either in my true size or half size down lol. I haven’t tried the Lebron 14 just waiting for the release to the public !
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Hi Schwollo! Very good review ad usual ! I got a doubt which is better between Lebron 13 and KD 9 in responsiveness and impact protection ? I’m a 118 kg or 260 lbs big man with an explosive game. With the KD 9 i go half io size while in the lebron 13 TTS.
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These two feels very different. You can feel the Zoom in the heel well with the lbj 13 hex Zoom feels ok. The KD feels like Zoom should heel to toe. The only worry for someone your size is how the upper holds your foot in. I’m not that big at 5’10 180 but my foot comes off the footbed on hard cuts and movements (not the worst containment but not the best). I like a little stiffer upper usually. But if cushioning is what you’re looking for KD ix is great.
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Just picked this up on sale. Yes, another shoe I didn’t need. But I think I’m going to love these. One thing….I put a KD on one foot and a M12 on the other and when taking my normal stride both walking and running they felt almost exactly the same cushioning wise! The only difference was I noticed the KD being soft and compressing under my big toe. It was only when I purposely put weight on my heels that I noticed the KD compressing in that area and the Melo not doing so. Just thought it was interesting because the KD is considered to have possibly the best cushioning and the Melo doesn’t get talked about much in that regard probably because it’s forefoot only but in terms of their functional use, it seems they’ll play almost the same in that area.
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Hahha I got a pair too just bc of the price even if I don’t wear them much so don’t feel bad. Surprised you don’t feel a difference all the way through although that foam on the m12 is pretty soft.
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Agreed on the M12 foam and I feel like mine have softened even more since I played in them so much. Perhaps it’s just the way my weight is distributed and the way I walk…I’m light for my height my weight isn’t back on my heels much.
I love the way these KDs fit my foot. But I’m so used to being able to crank the laces tight though, so that aspect of these may take some getting used to. I want to lace tighter, but I’m not sure why because I feel locked in. Just old habits I guess.
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The padding in the kd is weird kind of like the Hyperrev 2016. It’s locked it in an doesn’t slip or move much but doesn’t feel that way
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This shoe is somewhat meh to me. But I’m happy they lowered the price tag on this from 180-150 with better material and more cushioning. I went with my true size 10.5 and the lacing system felt weird and I had to re-lace my shoes every 10-15 minutes or so. Like I mentioned, cushioning was great in this shoe. The only aspect I actually adored. I didn’t like the support because I didn’t feel safe when I started to hoop in these. And it was just weird. Thus, I didn’t like the support. I thought it was meteokre at best. I liked the whole concept, but it was one of those things that were good in theory and not reality
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Yep. Cushioning is great. My kd have stretched out and containment has gone to sht so I only use them to shoot around now . Never made my rotation anyways so not a big deal
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Stretched out? To where the fit/compression is affected? Containment I’m not as worried about because I loved my M12s(still do) and you didn’t largely because of containment……but will the fit and compression on the top of the foot be affected? These fit my foot so perfectly right now, I have no containment issues, there’s no dead space, and I have no support issues(thankfully been blessed with healthy ankles to this point in life)…..I love the cushion and traction on these. The prospect of them stretching out and not being the same is a bummer. Hope these hold out for me! They’ve quickly become my number 1 shoe that I have!
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Sorry for the delay. Fit is ok still just when I cut my foot comes out the foot bed like my normal containment issues
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i like lows and think minimal shoes are best for the health of your feet and lower body and the best support comes from strong feet and ankles…I really wanted to try them but they were so tight on my feet in the store so I didn’t…then a dude was selling a used pair for $50 (canadian) in my size and i couldn’t resist…so far they feel amazing…my old knees are so happy (I’m 44) and i didn’t think i would but i love that bouncy responsive ride…max zoom is fantastic stuff…way better than boost in my opinion…the fit is great too…like wearing socks on the court…only issue is the translucent outsole is separating on the sides in a few places…i hope shoe goo can fix that…i tried gorilla glue but it isn’t holding…do you have any recommendations for fixing this problem…i might just pick up another pair if i can’t fix this although i may just leave it since i haven’t noticed a performance issue yet but i’m worried about the exposed zoom unit popping on the side…other than that these are amazing…best ball shoes i’ve ever worn…wonder what’s in the works for the 10’s…
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Yes I agree that lower body and strong feet and ankles will do more good than any pair of shoes can. I think training in minimal shoes is good for the body but mentally it’s best to go with what you trust. Shoe goo is your best bet to fix that sole and it should hold up. Gorilla and any super glue just cracks under stress . Can’t wait to see the 10!
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I’m really light guy and my KD9 got messed up in two months of approx. 30. out-door sessions + few games, for of shoe seems alright condition but the heel is completely destroyed from inside.
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It isn’t designed for the outdoors. Flyknit and wovens /knits in general will get eaten up outside. And yea that interior is pretty soft fabric so it will get worn as well.
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hey…i appreciate your thoughtful reviews…everyone else seems to love the crazy explosive and i hated the bottoming out in the forefoot and they felt bulky…I’m looking for a recommendation for a super comfy shoe with a great balance of impact protection and response…kd 9 are too bouncy but super comfy…kd 8 upper seems too tight and stiff…do you know if they break in quickly? I love the 2016 hyperrev but the strap keeps coming undone…maybe i should cut it off but it would look a bit stupid…any other shoe suggestions…am thinking the hyperdunk 2017 or kd 10 maybe but they are expensive now so might sit on them…how’s the cushion in the curry 2? and is the upper comfortable like flyknit? any other recommendations?
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Kd 10 is a little firmer. You might want to look at my review of the Explosive Bounce. I really like it and it’s comfy out of the box. Curry 2 is a firmer cushioning set up and the upper is synthetic in the forefoot. I don’t mind it at all though. Currently HD17 and the Explosive Bounce are my top two this year.
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how does the explosive bounce compare with the 2016 hyperdunk? is the bounce as good as the zoom? I think the zoom in the 2016 hyperrev is the perfect balance of response and plushness
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It stacks up well to the hyperrev 2016. I agree the Zoom is perfect in the Hr16. Bounce is pretty good as well it feels a little softer than Zoom but not as soft as Boost.
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Thanks…I might try them or I might pick up the hyperdunks…I love a good zoom setup…I wish I could just keep playing in my hyperrevs but the stupid strap keeps coming undone which is annoying…I wish the kd’s weren’t quite so bouncy…I love that flyknit upper…it fits me perfectly after breaking in…I might just hold off and wait for a price drop on the 2017 hyperdunks or maybe I’ll give those xx31 a go…I hear the traction isn’t so good but traction has never been an issue for me since I’m not that quick anyways
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I tried on the explosive bounce and agree they feel really good…I’m thinking of picking them up when they go on sale…what did you think about the regular hyperdunk 2016…they are on sale now for a good price and i’m thinking about them too…thanks
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Hd16 is great nothing wrong with it at all and for 50 bucks heck yea lol . Solid outsole works better
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I’m in Canada…stuff is way more expensive here…where can you get them for $50? here the hd 2016 and the explosive bounce are about the same price…about $100 us…am thinking of picking one of them up
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Oh us nike outlets had them for under 50 bucks. Explosive bounce has better traction fit goes to to hd16 by a hair but only bc I like that high cut.
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thanks…I’m also thinking about picking up the drose 6 primeknit…i had the mesh version but found it too bulky and heavy and the fit wasn’t good for me…out of the hyperdunk 2016, explosive bounce and drose 6 primeknit which one do you think is the best and why?
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I don’t have the drose6 pk but I’d imagine it weighs the same as the regular one. I cut the straps off mine and I like them better so something you might consider (it’s on my IG page). I like the Explosive Bounce most out of the three bc traction mostly.. cushioning is great and low to the ground. Hyperdunk 16 traction isn’t as good as XBounce but it’s still good overall
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i picked up the explosives but i am going to return them…they don’t fit as well as my hyperevs…the cushioning is great though…i haven’t had any luck with adidas basketball…gonna stick with nike i guess…i really like the one piece sock like upper on the hyperrevs and kd’s…gonna wait for the flyknit hyperdunk 2016 or 2017 to drop in price…might try the kd 10…the 9’s are just too bouncy which is too bad because the fit is fantastic for me…i guess materials do matter more than i thought
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That sucks. I have uneven luck with adidas so it’s understandable . If you love your HR so much and the Velcro is weak go to a fabric store and buy stronger Velcro. Just cut to size and stick it on.. just a thought
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yeah the explosives probably play well they just don’t have the comfort level i have come to expect from the hyperrev and esp the kd9…thanks for the idea…i tried to add velcro but it still won’t stick during play…i’m going to try the kd10 maybe…i hear the cushioning is firmer…maybe the hyperdunk flyknits when the prices drop…how were the 2017 crazy explosives? did they still bottom out in the forefoot? i wish they didn’t core out that section…adidas keeps doing weird things to their shoes…i really thought i would love the crazy explosives after all the good things i heard about them…wish nike didn’t overprice their high end so much…someone is selling some kobe 10 elite highs for cheap…did you try those? how was the comfort on the flyknit and the cushioning? i played in kobe 8’s and 9’s and they weren’t bad except for the lunarlon not lasting…i wonder if the adidas boost cross trainers are any good for bball
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CE17 are better than the 16 if you don’t mind the slightly stiffer upper. I still had some bottoming out but not nearly as bad as last year’s . Yes I tried the Kobe x elite i liked them a lot (Review is on here just google search).
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ok thanks…good to know…i might try them…i tried the kd10 today and it felt really good…i might pick those up…that flyknit upper is very comfy and the cushion feels much more responsive
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hey…so i tried the kd x today and don’t like them…the zoom is rock hard and they just don’t feel as good as the 9’s…i’m looking to get something with a super comfortable fitting upper like the 9’s but that isn’t quite so bouncy…the jordan 31’s feel amazing but i know the traction isn’t great…might try them and see…also thinking about the kd 9 elites…did you try them? was the zoom a little less bouncy? I’m also considering the rose 7 primeknit or maybe clb 2016…i’m concerned those may feel too heavy…the rose 6’s felt like bricks and didn’t have any court feel…i love light weight kicks with form fitting uppers…thanks
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You have to let the Zoom break in with the X. I’ve played in them sparingly but it broke in. Try the xxxi low with solid outsole (review coming sometime this month) Kd ix elite I just picked up but feels pretty much same as the regular ix. Rose 7 and clb are both pretty heavy at 16 plus ounces in a us 11. Aj xxxi low is prob your best bet.
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thanks for the advice…I tried the lows with a solid outsole and i found the heel area on the color i tried to be uncomfortable…it’s the all white color and the heal area is shiny like patent leather and not very well padded…i also don’t think i like the unlocked full length zoom…it feels uncomfortable and maybe unstable or something it’s hard to explain…i owned a pair of the blue zoom bball the steve nash ones…loved how they looked but hated that full length zoom feeling…couldn’t play in them…think i prefer separate regular zoom bags…gonna return them i think…back to the ol hyperrevs…might try the crazy explosive 2017if they don’t bottom out…i hated how the 2016 ones did that and you seem to be the only reviewer who noticed that issue… or maybe the 2017 hyperdunk when the prices drop a bit…hopefully the next version of the crazy explosives won’t bottom out if the 2017’s do…what do you think of the 2017 crazy explosives?
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Well I’m out of ideas for you lol bounce some shoes off me and I’ll try to give you some input
I like the 2017 CE fit is better than last year’s. Same issues with cushioning for me but not as bad .
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thanks…yeah i’m not having much luck…would like to get my hands on a pair of the AJ 28 or old zoom soldiers…the offerings in Canada are pretty lame though…i might try the AJ 31’s and see how the traction is on the court i play on…might get used to that unlocked zoom…maybe give the dame 3’s a go…wish i could try a pair of rose 7’s low…when the hyperdunk 2016 low’s drop in price those seem like a decent option even though i’m a super huge fan of fuse…or i might give the kobe 10 highs a try…not sure if they are fakes but i might not even be able to tell
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hey…am curious on what you think is better, traction aside…the Kobe X elite vs. Jordan 31…probably buying one of these this weekend from a friend as long as the sizing works…thanks
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I prefer the x elite . Traction and fit is better (xxxi a little too wide even for me) and containment isn’t great. Cushioning is good overall too
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thanks for your thoughts…I’m going to check them both out…i tried the xxx1 mid on in store and it felt really good…i don’t normally care much what a shoe looks like but I have always liked the Jordan 1 aesthetic…I think the 31 is the best looking performance shoe I’ve ever seen…if i can get it for cheap i might pick it up…if the traction sucks then i’ll have a super comfy old school inspired pair to wear casually…the kobe x with the flyknit looks pretty nice too
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If you’re in love with one shoe’s looks and meh about another always go with the one you love. Traction doesn’t suck, there are just better options but you can say that about pretty much anything in life lol. And I’m sure it’s on sale now so price wise it’s lower or in line with others
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yeah true enough..l i do like the 31 look alot…reminds me of the jordan 1 and they seem to fit great…i tried them on again and found the padded collar to feel uncomfortable…it does seem to create some pressure on my achilles…maybe once it’s broken in it is ok but it’s too expensive for me to find out that it doesn’t..when the 32 comes out maybe those will be better or maybe i’ll pick up the 31’s on clearance…i bought the purple kobe x for about $70 US from someone who ordered a replacement pair but didn’t need them…they seem pretty good…i realize i do prefer a mid feel as long as it isn’t restrictive…hoping they loosen up a little with playing time…do you know if they are prone to bottoming out like the 8’s and 9’s did?
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Man I thought I was picky lol
The x doesn’t bottom out as much but the lunarlon does deaden in the forefoot over time. I really like the x elite
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yeah, I’m super picky and I have a hard time paying alot for quality because i think most stuff is overpriced to sell to young kids who want to look cool…and I find the whole industry is frustrating because so much of it is about trying to make cool looking shoes and performance becomes secondary…it’s not like that nearly as much with other sports except maybe soccer…i wish the big brands would make a line of shoes that are just about quality and performance and without the high price tags associated with selling cool shoes that older dudes who just play ball in them and don’t care about rocking them off court would buy…team shoes are supposed to be that i guess but they should be better than they are…i hope these kobe elites work out…they seem a bit narrow and stiff…they aren’t too bad though…when those 31 lows go on sale i’ll probably grab a pair they feel pretty comfortable…i wish adidas made a shoe that i like…that bounce cushioning is really nice
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Just wait for sales is best way to combat high prices. The xxxi low down to 90 (or was) so just be patient !
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yeah…we have such crap options in Canada…only two on-line options and the local champs store…I wish finish line would ship to Canada…they have dropped a little for a couple of colorways at the local Champs store…I like the all red ones and the outsole looks like it might have better grip than the totally translucent ones…how’s the traction on the ones you tried? I wonder when the next crazylight boost will come out…I’d like to try those on
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Which shoe? I can’t find my reply lol
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lol…the jordan 31 low…there’s 3…a white, black and red pair that have solid rubber outsoles…also have you heard anything good or bad about the shattered blackboard colorway in the mid’s? I might trade the Kobe X elite mids for a pair…unfortunately, i can’t play in them…they hurt my feet alot
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Oh the xxxi low white traction is very good much better than Clutchfit drives but not curry 2 level . I like the xxxi low a lot played in it this week. Fit is tight so had to go up half size. Review will Be up next week!
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cool…good to know…have you played in the Jordan B Fly…I’m thinking about giving those a try…they are quite cheap and have had some good reviews
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I have not no plans to either .
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I think I might give the KD X another try…i love the nice flyknit and the full length zoom of the 9’s…hopefully it soften’s a little with wear…i loved the 9’d but they were just a bit too bouncy…they are cheaper than the xxxi too
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I think you’ll like the cushioning of the X. I like it better than the IX for playability purposes.
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thanks…did you play in the 9 elites?…i have heard they are a bit less bouncy
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I have a pair sitting around just tried on . Can’t really tell a diff if at all
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Thanks I hope so…I tried them once and it felt rock hard…do you know if they soften after break in? I’m still considering the jordan 31 lows and the b fly and maybe even the Lillard 2s but I’m wary of adidas fit issues
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Yes it breaks in after about and hour or two.
Lillard 2 fit pretty well . 31 lows really surprised me in a good way .
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thanks for all your feedback…I do like those 31’s…wish they were a bit cheaper…canadian prices are high…I might go for the kd X as i love the fit of nice flyknit…the 9’s fit me like a glove although i wasn’t crazy about having to work a little to get them on…if the bounciness is mostly gone then the cushioning should be about perfect…hopefully by next year the 31’s will have dropped in price a fair bit…i wish the crazy explosives didn’t bottom out…i’d grab the new ones in the mesh …I didn’t like the 2016…I felt like i was wearing a sweater on my feet and they were really hot
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New ones aren’t going to breathe any better imo. Surprised prices are that high in Canada!
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updates from the sneaker files…I have tried the KD 10…didn’t like the reinforced flyknit much and cushioning felt ok but not great so I returned them…tried the KD 9 elite cause someone said they aren’t as bouncy as 9’s but didn’t notice much difference so those are going back…saw on your review that the 31 lows are on sale so checked nike Canada and to my surprise the black and white colorway with translucent outsole is down to about $115 usd which is way way cheaper than anywhere else so I ordered a pair this morning…I’m hoping these are good…i tried the white colorway with solid outsole when it was on slightly reduced price, I think it is the one you reviewed but the shiny plastic heal felt really uncomfortable and it dug into my heel…I’m hoping this other colorway will be better even if the traction might not be quite as good…I haven’t tried the PG1’s but maybe I should…the zoom revs felt pretty good but I realize that prefer lows to mids…you might want to check those out…the jordan B fly felt flimsy and cheap…I’m looking forward to trying out the Dame 4’s…I’m hoping the mesh upper fits great cause i really like bounce cushioning…i wish the upper on the explosive bounce fit me better
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There are a lot of shoes to go through lol
Good luck with the search keep me updated !
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so my 31 lows arrived today in the gym red color way and they look awesome…i find the top of the heal area to be minimally padded…I’m hoping it will feel better as it breaks in a bit…have you noticed this? I might try the mids if i can find a cheaper pair in canada…i wasn’t crazy about the padding pods around the heel when i tried them on in the store but they might be ok to play in…have you tried the 32’s…I wouldn’t pick them up until they go on sale but they sound pretty good from the description and an early review i saw…still looking forward to trying the lillard 4’s
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I had no issue with the heel actually really like how it’s shaped and fit my foot. I tried the 32 but really couldn’t pull off all red so I’m waiting for a diff colorway. Zoom felt good but stiff shoe to start I’m sure they will
break in . Lillard 4 on the way though 🙂
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hi…so I have been playing in the 31 lows and they are very comfortable but I find them a bit too springy…I have decided that my setup of choice is lows with ankle braces…I have done both ankles before and one of them quite badly and I want to protect them and research I have looked into recommends ankle braces and that lows vs high tops doesn’t make any significant difference…I prefer a light weight setup that doesn’t slow me down and the braces give a great secure feel like high tops but they actually offer injury prevention according to the research literature…anyways, I’m looking for a pair of lows or maybe mids that are comfortable (not stiff or super structured but also not flimsy), light weight and have the optimal balance of impact protection vs. response…nothing really bouncy or squishy (no KD’s, lebrons, kobes but not hard as bricks like Kyries, I suspect most underarmour since they seem to be phasing out micro g…)…I’m thinking maybe the dame 4’s or possibly the jordan 32’s but they seem overpriced and not the lightest setup around… I need to be able to accomodate my ASO braces…I might even try some tennis shoes…do you have any recommendations?
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You’ll have a hard time getting braces into the Dame 4 although the aso might work. Couldn’t get the zamst in . Explosive Bounce, Hyperdunk 2017 would fit the bill imo. Although early, the Lebron 15 isn’t overly squishy either. You’re best bet is a Zoom set up w forefoot and heel bc that Phylon surrounding it keeps the shoe stable. Curry 3 low might work as well even if it’s not micro g and are cheap now in the US . Kobe AD NXT or the AD are also good options bc they are nicely balanced across the board. Hope that helps !
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thanks! I might give the 2016 hyperdunk lows a try…the kobes are so expensive…or maybe the dame 2’s…the zoom lives don’t sound too bad and they are cheap now…did you try those out?
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I didn’t try those out hd16 lows are solid though as are the Dame 2 . Hd 16 is firmer though
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thanks…i like the look of the lebrons but i suspect they wiould be too much bouncy cushion…unless they are like the kd 10 cushion which seemed firmer…they are too pricey right now anyways…i think i am going to try the dame 4’s to see if they fit with my braces but i wouldn’t mind trying out the lebrons
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hi…so I’m thinking about trying a firm cushioning setup. I have been reading that soft cushioning is actually not good for your feet and research indicates that more injuries happen in shoes with alot of padding and cushioning. I’m thinking about trying the new react hyperdunks…did you experience any soreness in your knees and feet after playing in them? do you know if the insoles be replaced with better ones?
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No issues at all with the Hyperdunks and none of my friends who bought some as well have had any issues. You can replace the insole but it is glued in fairly well so take it out slowly. If you’re looking for a firmer set up, look at the curry 2/3/3zero etc. I think it’s a good blend of responsiveness and cushioning but it is firmer than Boost or real Zoom
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I’m also thinking about trying the harden vol 1 uncaged…just because they look super awesome…have you tried playing in them…they are being marketed as casual shoes i think
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If lonzo can play in them you can too. I did not buy any though but they feel nice
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thanks…I’m thinking about the harden LS or the HD 2017…I have to decide by tomorrow because of a sale end date…is there any other 2016/17 shoe you’d recommend picking up instead…i want a minimal, low to the ground set up but I probably need a bit of impact protection…i want a low or maybe a mid with a flexible upper like knit or woven or thin mesh…thanks!
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Those are two very different shoes . Curry 2/3 would be on my list as I said earlier. Sales are always ongoing so don’t rush it bc of a sale
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Do not you have the problems that the air chamber explodes? (sorry for my inglish)
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Mine did not
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But these didn’t get nearly as much play as my top 10
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Does the KD 9 have a removable insole if I were to put orthodics in them (SuperFeet Green)? What do you think about that? Also, if I were to add orthodics to a shoe such as this, would the tech in the shoe (full length zoom) essentially become obsolete?
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You can remove the insole of the kd ix but you’d have to size up a little even with slimmer insoles like superfeet black. No it wouldn’t make the Zoom obsolete but it would mute the feel since superfeet are stiff . I’d suggest trying on in store w the insoles
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How bout superfeet carbon? Do you think those would be better?
Thank you
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I haven’t seen them in person but I’d still try them on first. Look thin though from the pics. Kd ix runs long so probably half size up or maybe even true but can’t say for sure unfortunately
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I cant seem to find any KD 9 in store, do you know of any stores that still have this in stock? Also, do you know if the kd x have removable insoles, and whats ur take on kd x vs kd 9? Is the containment any better on the kd x?
Thanks
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Nike outlets and footlocker/Eastbay if you’re in the states. Kd x had a removable insole
But it is thin as well. Haven’t played in the x yet but containment should be similar which is pretty decent but not great
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