Decided to supplement my KD and Crazylight 2016 reviews with a direct comparison with each performance aspect. It all comes down to how much weight you place on each category versus looking at how many categories each shoe won.
Here are the full reviews
Nike KD 9
Weight:
KD: 13.5 oz
Crazylight: 16
Traction
Almost all shoes work great on clean floors so the real differentiator comes down to dusty floor performance and the CLB16 outperforms the KD 9 on dusty floors. The KD flat honeycomb pattern just picks up dust while the CLB traction brushes it away.
Verdict: Crazylight Boost 2016
Cushioning
Both shoes provide exceptional cushioning so it comes down to what you look for in a cushioning set up.
The CLB set up is firmer than the KD 9. I think the KD 9 Zoom feels better though because it doesn’t get my neuromas buzzing in my feet and sits lower to the ground while retaining some serious bounce.
Verdict: KD 9
Fit
One of the easier categories for me is the fit. I had no heel slip in the KD9 and it fit like a glove with no break in time.
The CLB16 had me having to choose between comfort and performance with true to size or half size down. I also had minor heel slip in both sizes.
Verdict: KD 9
Support and stability
Neither is built for saving ankles but the firmer, denser Boost midsole plus the firmer heel counter, torsional shank plate and forefoot roll cage gives the CLB16 the edge.
The KD 9 support only from the fit and a flimsy heel counter.
Verdict: Crazylight Boost 2016
Lateral containment
‘Nuff said
Verdict: Crazylight Boost 2106
Personally I can’t stand heel slip so I’d take the KD 9 over the CLB 16 but neither is making my rotation. If the CLB had zero heel slip and were made in a 10.75, I’d pick the CLB but unfortunately for me, it isn’t. The KD 9 traction is great just needs some wiping on dusty floors and lateral containment is very good for a knit upper. I hope this little comparison helps!
Love,
Schwollo
schwollo.com 
Thank you for the useful info. and comparison! Decided to hold off on the CLB2K16 after seeing there might be heel slip issues… which is really a bummer since I dig the look and am excited for how to implemented the boost.. funny NightWing didn’t seem to report heel slip in his review..
I guess I’ll wait for the D Rose 7 release and your review on them.
Lastly, I still can’t fathom how zoom (when implemented right) is still the best cushioning tech on the market… it’s a tech that’s more than 2 decades old.. Do you think the companies just don’t have the motivation to innovate…or is it because zoom is really that good…?
Keep up the good work!
LikeLike
The heel slip is minor but definitely there. Nw reviewed a Primeknit version that doesn’t have plastic lace loops, a tongue or inner sleeve so it’s not the same as the upcoming release. Heel slip in lows comes down to millimeters so it’s a really fine line. Ankle and heel shape play a big part in it .
LikeLike
Regarding Zoom, Nike changed the formula with the KD 9. Much better than previous iterations . Boost in general is right there with the KD set up although it is firmer. Well done Zoom is awesome That’s why i don’t get why Nike strayed away from it other than cost
LikeLike
Which is more wide-footer friendly? And which would you say is better for court feel? CLB16 has firmer cushioning, but KD9 is closer to ground, right?
LikeLike
Yes clb firmer but KD plays lower . Wide footer friendly goes to KD if you go true to size. I had to drop half a size with CLB and I’m a wide footer. Broke in but still tight. True to size on clb was too sloppy when playing but fine for walking and casual
LikeLike
I tried the KD’s yesterday and could barely get them on my feet. It immediately cut off my circulation. Cushion felt great for the 2 minutes that I had the shoes on, but they just don’t fit. I gotta pass on them. I really wish they were constructed traditionally instead of the one piece upper approach. I have tall, wide feet so the one piece uppers don’t seem to work for me. In fact, I feel like they only work for certain foot types.
Wanted to try the CLB but the Footlocker I was at didn’t have them in yet for whatever reason. Gonna try the CLB when I get a chance and I got my fingers crossed that I don’t get any heel slip.
LikeLike
That sucks. I have low wide feet lol
LikeLike
great review. Now I’m even more confused. Will need to wait for the DRose 7 or the hyper dunk elite 🙂
LikeLike
Id wait. I still don’t think Hd elite cushioning is going to cut it for you.
LikeLike
If you see Drose6 primknit on huge sale somewhere write a post 🙂 You usually know of huge sales before they happen!
LikeLike
Finishline and Eastbay have tiny discounts on it . My guess is wait for outlets to get them
LikeLike
Great comparison!!! Thanks for writing this review.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
If strictly impact protection on a cement court, which is better?
LikeLike
I’d still go KD 9 although that Flyknit will get ripped up
LikeLike
Both arrived in Brazil this week…the KD9 for around $240 and the CLBoost 16 for a whopping and absurd $360. I guess it is an easy choice, huh ?
LikeLike
Is that in usd? Wow . Maybe adidas and Nike don’t know the Brazilian economy ? Better to order in the us and have it shipped there
LikeLike
What size should i get for kd9? The lillard 2 in size 9.5 is perfect for my wide feet. Should i go half size up in kd9?
LikeLike
What’s your true size? Did you go half size down in the Lillard 2?
LikeLike
I usually buy sz10 like in clutchfit drive. Went 9.5 in lillard2 coz of length
LikeLike
Go 9.5 with KD bc it runs long as well.
LikeLike
The upper should stretch enough like the Lillard 2 does
LikeLike
Really thankful you did this head to head comparison! I’m also waiting on the Rose 7 and I’m curious as to whether it’s gonna be better than the KD 9. Keep up the good work!
LikeLike
I think it will be fantastic . I love the 5 and 6 and the 7 looks to be even better
LikeLike
Couldn’t agree with you more on that. Btw, just wondering what you think of the KD 9 cushioning in comparison to the cushioning of the HyperRev ’14? Both are full-length, but I was wondering if one felt better than the other in terms of impact protection and softness. I’m a real sucker for plush cushioning and I wanna decide between the Rose 7 and KD 9 as my next purchase after my current pairs (HyperRev ’14s and ’16s), so if the KDs feel even better than the Rev ’14s then I’ll probably give it more consideration!
LikeLike
KD 9 is better, softer and feels better imo. No foam surrounding the zoom
LikeLiked by 1 person
How about materials durability?Which one of the two is better?As always great and very detailed review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the clb will last longer in terms of scuff and tear resistance. At least it has tpu in high wear areas. Neither will stretch much bc of the nylon backing.
LikeLike
I see and thanks for replying,I’m just worried about clb16 midsole durability after I saw a performance review by Zac Kerr where the boost of one of his clb disconnected from the midsole.Plus the weight of the shoe scares me
LikeLike
The weight is fine it doesn’t feel clunky at all. Defects happen and usually the companies are good about replacements in the first year . I saw his video. Good review as he usually does a good job
LikeLike
I’m a size 9.5 with wide feet. Will these shoes fit me? What size should I buy in each? Thanks Schwollo, great reviews.
LikeLike
The clb : go TTS for a more comfortable fit but half size down for performance ( will feel tight though). KD: TTS although a little extra length .
LikeLike
And thank you for the kind words
LikeLike
Thank you so much. I worried that neither of these shoes were wide foot friendly. I appreciate the help of you and your reviews.
LikeLike
No problem. Neither are perfect for wide footers but you can make it work
LikeLike
How is the stretching on the uppers of both shoes? I have wide feet and have trouble with shoes that don’t have a traditional tongue – HyperRev fogitabatit! I tried on the KD’s and were super tight. Even going half size up with lots of extra length the upper was tight. Wondering if they will stretch over time.
LikeLike
The KD stretches a little more than the Crazylight. The Crazylight has a traditional tongue it isn’t one piece like on the Primeknit pair. If you got really wide feet stay true to size with the clb. I’d probably stay away from KD if it’s tight even half size up bc TTS is probably really tight and half size down is unbearable lol
LikeLike
Dude u got the most detailed and unbiased review of all. I have the clb16 and what u said about thw fit was spot on. I bought my regular size 9 but decided to return it for an 8.5. Although the fit was better, I wanted the roominess of the toebox in the 9. And I’m losing sleep over it! It’s driving me crazy! Now I wanna go back and fet those 9’s!
LikeLike
Haha it drove me insane
LikeLike
*get not fet
LikeLike
hey schwo,
so you would say zoom has better impact protection? which do you think is lower. or has more court feel?
Thanks i like the reviews
LikeLike
They are about the same both feel great. I think the KD has a softer feel overall vs clb boost. the KD sits lower to the ground but court feel is about the same bc the CLB is firmer (although higher). Wish I could be more helpful but words can only go so far
LikeLike
Hey Schwollo, since the KD 9s run long. Do you think that if i go with my true size (I have narrow feet), they will fit well with my orthotics? I don’t have any store near where i live to try them on.
Keep up the great work, you and sneaker gearz are my two favourite reviewers. The most in-depth reviews that you can find in the internet.
LikeLike
Thank jsmoove. I like sneaker gearz very informative guy.
I can’t say for sure bc orthotics vary a lot in terms of height. Even with thst extra length is still guess you’d want to go up half a size but I can’t say for sure. Sorry couldn’t be more help! What brand is the orthotic ?
LikeLike
They are made by a podologist. If it can serve as a reference, now i’m balling in the Nike Kobe X highs and my heel is just a tad bit higher than with the standard insoles. With the standard insoles, the pading is alined perfectly with my achilles, while with my orthotics, i can feel the pading touching the superior part of my heel. I will say that the heel of my orthotics is probably equivalent to the height of two insoles.
LikeLike
I’d go up half a size but don’t quote me on that lol. . That extra length of half size up should be negated by your insole but not all of it since it does run long. Too bad you can’t try anywhere
LikeLike
In regards to traction, how good do you think the KD 9 is compared to the Rose 6?
LikeLike
KD 9 traction on clean floors is better but on dusty floors, the rose 6 requires a little less wiping. Two very different shoes altogether imo
LikeLike
Dang if only the KD 9 traction were better. I currently use the D Rose 6 primeknits and my only complaint about the shoe is the fact that I don’t feel as fast as I can be whenever I do cuts or drive to the basket. I’m not entirely sure if it’s the court feel or the traction that makes me feel this way. That’s one thing the crazylight boosts did well for me when I tried them.
By the way I really appreciate you taking the time to read and reply to my comments.
LikeLike
The kd9 doesn’t have that “fast feel”
Either if that makes yo feel better haha. Try the Rose 7. Def a quicker feel
LikeLike
Nice review dude! By the way, I’m looking for shoe that comfortable to walking around as casual wear between kd 9, clb 2016, and curry 2 low. Which one do you think is the most comfortable and why?
LikeLike
Kd9. Softest cushioning of the three followed by clb then curry 2 low. Upper is also softer than clb and curry 2 low. Go true to size for comfort even if it runs long
LikeLike
thanks dude!
LikeLike
No problem !
LikeLike
Which of these will price drop first on Footlocker and when?
LikeLike
Probably adidas . Nike takes longer to drop
LikeLike
Adidas.com has the ClB on sale for 84 now
LikeLike
Hi schwollo, I tried the kd9 recently and fit was really good for size 12 US, for clb should I go TTS?
BTW great website! Keep up the good work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If Kd 9 wasn’t long for you then you should be fine true to size with the CLB. And thank you!
LikeLike
Thanks mate, really appreciate the reply.
Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
which shoe from the KD line would be most suitable for players that rely on speed?
LikeLike
Earlier kd . I didn’t buy 1 or 2 but 3-6 are “quick” feeling IMO 8 also qualifies
LikeLike
was the cushion on the 7s and 9s too plush?
LikeLike
7 is pretty good . A little tippy at the heel for me. Very good cushioning overall though. 9 too plush and gets upper sloppy with wear. Very comfortable though
LikeLike