Executive summary: Excellent cushioning but in between sizing, slightly sloppy heel fit, and dust attracting translucent outsole hurt the shoes’ overall performance.
So initially I wasn’t going to review the HD16 Elite because the price was prohibitory in my opinion. $200 for a Hyperdunk? You have to be crazy. Of course in typical HD fashion, these were available for discount on Eastbay and Footlocker so I grabbed them for a much more reasonable $160.
The other reason I decided to review these was because, other than the outsole and raised midsole, the HD16 and the Elite version have very little in common. Here is my regular version review
Hyperdunk 2016 Review
Pros: traction, Zoom feels great, stabilty, containment, materials nicer than regular HD
Cons: support, some heel slip to start but improves, overall fit is inconsistent
Sizing: most everyone should go down 1/2 a size but may be too tight for some. Wide footers will want to go true to size for comfort reasons
Best for: guards
Weight:
14 oz or 1.5 oz lighter than the regulars HD
Traction:
Same set up as the regular HD so it is great on very clean floors. However, the translucent sole is VERY STICKY and picks up everything like the Kobe XI outsole.
It doesn’t slip and slide like the Kobe XI since the pattern isn’t super shallow but you have to wipe often even on slightly dusty floors. The regular outsole worked much better for me with less wiping required.
When it’s clean, the traction is great, but when it catches dust, get ready to wipe.
Cushioning:
I really wish Nike just put this full length set up in all of the Hyperdunks. Usually I don’t care that much about full length versus targeted Zoom but the Elite Zoom feels so much better and it makes the shoe fun to wear.
I’m still not convinced that the holes in the sole help much in terms of the trampoline effect but I put these on par with the Jordan XII and almost as good as the Zoom BB set up. Let’s hope Nike continues to bring real Zoom back. These will make my Zoom list
Well done Nike!
Fit and materials
Another shoe with weird sizing…
While the regular HD fit perfectly true to size, the Flyknit version has a lot more space at the toe, about a thumbnail’s width (true to size for me is a pointer finger width). I’m guessing the extra space is due to the change from Fuse to Flyknit.
I preferred the width of my true to size 11 and wasn’t really bothered by the extra length. However, I was getting some heel slip in the size 11 so I went down half a size to a 10.5. It started off too tight but loosened up enough after break in.
I recommend going half a size down for narrow and regular footers. Wide footers will want to try on because it may be too tight.
Now the heel slip is a whole different issue. Even with the 10.5 I had some heel slip to start but it got down to being acceptable to me.
Heel slip in a mid? Well the HD Elite really isn’t a mid.
The issue for me is that the heel counter sits too shallow and the padding on the inside is too sparse.
Heel slip is very minimal like the Crazylight Boost 2016 but there is some movement up and down as well as side to side. I was disappointed with the lockdown because I just came off perfect lockdown of the regular HD16.
I’ve always had heel slip issues with lows so I’m not as easy to please as others might be (thus almost all my shoes are mids). The only things holding the foot in place are the the laces, heel padding and to some extent the compression sock.
Although the top eyelet does a decent job pulling the heel down and back, I would have liked one more eyelet. Of course this would have looked and felt awkward with the one piece sock construction..
Another issue I had with the upper was sliding forward in the shoe. Since the upper is so soft and flexible, my foot would slide forward on hard stops. Once again, an extra eyelet would have helped.
Putting on the Hyperdunk Flyknit isn’t as much of a chore as I thought it would be because it pulls on like a sock.
The once piece sock fits nicely over the foot but the lack of tongue padding doesn’t allow for the most comfortable lacing experience.
I had some deadspace in the toebox due to glue backing but after sizing down it went away.
Overall the fit is excellent from the forefoot to midfoot but the looseness in the heel gives an inconsistent feel and fit.
Overall the fit isn’t as good as the regular Hyperdunk 2016
Support and stability
Support comes solely from the fit and heel counter. The sock is only there for proception purposes and as an ankle warmer. The heel fit isn’t as good as the regular HD but it is acceptable. However, if you are looking support first and foremost, look elsewhere or get the regular HD.
Stabilty is excellent just like the regular HD.
Containment
The foot doesn’t sit as low in the shoe which I’m guessing is due to the Zoom set up. The regular HD sits where the outsole meets the midsole while the HD Flyknit sits about half up. In addition the Flyknit stretches more than the Fuse found on the regular.
Overall containment is still very good but not as good as the regular Hyperdunk
Conclusion
I like the HD16 Flyknit, especially the cushioning, but I can’t say I would pick it over the regular Hyperdunk. The cushioning and the range of motion is much better than the regular Hyperdunk but you’re giving up a better, more consistent fit as well as lateral containment not to mention traction performance on dusty floors (as well as some extra cash).
schwollo.com 
oo, peeped the nike zoom bb’s. i had the low cut steve nash ones back in the day lol.
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In writing an ode to the BB .. Still awesome
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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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It will stretch but I didn’t feel they were super tight personally.
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Crazyexplosive has got to cut into your rotation?!!
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Not sure yet .. It is comfy but not sure if it’s for me
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Review kobe mentality 2 for your outdoor hoopers fan like me plz
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Ha I’m not a fan of drop in insoles so I passed on it.. Looks like a solid performer though .
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Another great review Schwollo. Thanks!
Sounds like we have similar experiences with the shoe. Plays like a low. The sock is just there for warmth and little compression. Love the zoom in my pair. So bouncy and responsive. Wish the midsole was a little thinner because the shoe feels a little high off the ground. Not a problem – just an area for improvement. Fit is funky – had to go 1/2 size down to get the best fit. 1/2 size down the length is best for me but the toebox volume is still a little off while the midfoot gets tight. Lacing system is semi-annoying – hard to get tight, get some lace pressure across the “tongue”, and the heel doesn’t totally lock in. It takes a few wears to get figure out the right balance. Traction is good to very good depending on the floor. Containment is very good for a knit upper. Shoe is stable. Price is definitely too high. Seems like the right price in the market is ~$150 before discounts. Overall I feel it’s a good to very good shoe.
Excited to hear your take on the CEs, Rose 7s, and 31s when you get to them.
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Bingo! Zoom feels great. I like the shoe a lot wish the fit was more like the regular or just swap the zoom into regular
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Hey thanks for the great review once again. I was wondering when your D Rose 7 review will be out. Thanks.
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Should be done this week.. It didn’t take long to figure out 🙂
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And yes into my rotation
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Can you do a performance review on the Hyperdunk 08 retro (United We Rise)? It was a shoe that i wanted so badly back in 08 but i couldn’t buy them
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No plans on buying those until clearance time . When I played in the OG heel zoom was good lunar foam sucked and traction was only ok
Here is a good reviewer https://youtu.be/KaVr6M5rN68
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Great review! How are these compared to the XXXI’s if you were able to play in them yet? Thanks
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I didn’t love either but if I had to choose I’d go with the Hyperdunk… I think lol I’m almost done writing review on the xxx1
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I just posted my xxx1 review
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Awesome review man! Long time lurker, first time poster haha
Currently I’m playing in the Hyperrev 2016 and thinking about getting a pair of the HD16 Flyknits or the KD9 as my next shoe. Out of those 2, which one did you prefer more?
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Kd9.. Better traction since hd Fk is translucent . Cushioning is softer than HD though but the lag isn’t bad.
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Never been a huge fan of translucent outsoles, I know they look nice but traditional rubber works so much better just makes more sense to go that route. Might give the KD’s a try if I can find a color way I like in my size, thanks for your help!
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No problem !
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Would you ever consider reviewing the Jordan 12 retro low? I want to experience full length zoom in a low top with good containment, and maybe that one has it? Not sure …
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Ha I’m not sure maybe when sales come ? Or did they sell out?
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Which one provide more impact protection, these or kd9.
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Kd 9..just more Zoom than the hd
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thanks. I’m using the kd9 and I’m enjoying them. Any other model as forgiving to my knees you can recommend? I’m 6’00 and 200pds…
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Jc3 has nice cushioning, Rose 6 has better overall impact protection than any of the 2016 adidas shoes imo.
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how is the responsiveness with these…i love flyknit and the fit even though it is a little long…it feels so good and i don’t have any issues…my KD 9’s fit so comfortably except i don’t like having to stuff my feet into them…wish they would loosen up a bit…do you think these are better? i also like the feeling of full length zoom but i find it a bit too bouncy in the kd’s…I’m a little concerned that these will slow me down a bit…is responsiveness absent with these? the crazy explosives feel so heavy and hot plus they bottom out in the forefoot…my quest for glove like fit and a great balance of cushioning and responsiveness continues…
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I think the responsiveness is great in these .. I prefer the uptick in firmness in the hd vs the Kd ix. The fit is good overall although I didn’t like the sock set up. I like my laces to come up a little higher up the ankle to pull my ankle back. Hope that helps!
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I know this is an old post and not sure if you’ll respond but I’m currently using these in my rotation and there awesome I just cant stand the containment I feel like everytime I do something quick and hard my foot shifts positions is there any shoe that plays exactly like these but feel like your more locked in?
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Do you like the full length zoom feel? I was just going to say get the non fk version but it’s probably the Zoom you like lol
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Yes its the zoom I like… and how well it moves with my foot also giving me the bounce and the impact protection I need. I recently bought the lebron 15 thinking I would be getting hd16 with better knit and more zoom but it was not good at all so I was wondering if you knew a shoe that was just like the hd16 flyknit but that kept you more locked in so that you don’t slide around inside as much because that would be my perfect shoe
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Haha yea Lebron xv containment is pretty bad. Aj xxxi is the same cushioning but containment will probably be an issue for you again although I felt it worked fine. You might try the Westbrook shoe when it releases again. Full length Zoom again . Older Nike Zoom BB would be ideal for you. Do not try the Hyperrev 14 it has terrible
Containment.
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Jordan xii xviii xx3 also might work. Lebron XI full length Zoom with lunarlon but imo too clunky.
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Sprained my ankle twice in these, and I was playing in a half-size down to get rid of the deadspace. Any suggestions?
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Are you asking for a shoe suggestion or a rehab ? Lol
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I meant like any suggestions to avoid ankles sprains lol. I really like how they look so I want to keep playing in them but just am really scared of spraining my ankle again.
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Bosu ball or unstable surfaces work to strengthen your muscles . Calf raises band pulls with ankle. Google it there are lots of PT’s on IG and youtube. Hope that helps a little
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