Project Crazylight Boost 2016
Written by schwollo
Big Grazie and shout out to reader Daniele66 for coming up with solution that should fix even the most fickle ankles and heels.
As many of you have read on my Rose 6 review, I didn’t like the lock down I was achieving so I made an extra eyelet and it helped tremendously.
The CLB16 was so close to a great low top for me but the sizing and heel slip frustrated me so it was assigned only to shoot around and drill duty.. until now.
Daniele66 commented on the CLB review about his “Schwollo” inspired mod (I wept a little when he told me) and after some consideration I decided I had nothing to lose.. and you shouldn’t either. Even if the extra eyelet doesn’t work for you for some odd reason, it is covered by the plastic piece so you’ll never see it.
So what do you need ? Just a leather belt hole punch or drill and two minutes. The belt punch can be found at Amazon here for a whopping $8
Putting in metal eyelets is optional since the hole is where Adidas reinforced it with TPU. I may add them in the future if I think it’s needed but so far so good. Hole placement is about 3-4 mm back of the original lace loop and I made my a little lower than the original.
Thankfully, Adidas was chintzy with lace loops so the original laces are plenty long with the extra holes.
I thought about drilling holes in the plastic but decided it would look weird since it isn’t in the center.
Right when I put these on I could tell a difference with lockdown and I’m happy to report that heel slip has been eliminated.
Swapping insole
One thing I didn’t like with half size down was the tightness in the forefoot since I’m a wide footer. The green pair I bought is actually my true to size 11 since I thought it was going to be casual wear only. Since the CLB runs a little large and I fixed the heel slip, I could put a thicker insole into the shoe without heel slip.
Obviously this is personal preference so if you want a little more cushioning to offset the firmer Boost of the CLB16…
Does the CLB 16 make the Top 10 now?
I am undecided on this since I’ve only got one day of pick up and a shoot around in but I do really like playing in these now that the heel slip is fixed. It should make it into my top 10 though although it has some tough competition to get through. It doesn’t do anything way better than any of my top 10 but is sure is sexy in Aquaman green.
Definitely on the radar now to make my all time best lows list.
As I said in my CLB review, the line between lockdown and heel slip is just a few millimeters and this little “project” all but proves it. I hope shoe companies make multiple lacing options to save us from having to mod shoes altogether.
schwollo.com 
Great job, dude! 😉
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Now I don’t know if I should go with these or the rose 7s. Do the roses limit range of motion at the ankle? I usually go with lows for that reason. Also, which is more flexible at the forefoot?
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Yes but not like the ektio breakaway or anything. Most noticeable front to back not side to side
Rose 7 is more flexible in the forefoot bc less Boost than clb
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Awesome, thanks for the info. Truth be told, I’ll probably eventually get both when I see the prices and colors I like.
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Ha good idea !
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Hi Schwollo. Would it be possible if you also made a review of the Adidas Ball 365 mid? I’m intrigued about its features.. It has a forefoot strap that’s plasticky and harder than in other shoes.. And I’m wondering how the bounce cushion will compare to the d lillard 2.. Really would want to buy it but it is still expensive here in the Philippines so for now, I will remain to be intrigued.. Hehe..
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I’m waiting for it to drop in the US! And I’m eyeing the mids myself
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I think it should be an excellent outdoors shoe
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thank you daniele66 and schwollo. this eyelet modification worked wonders! did not completely eliminate heel slip on my triple white pair but definitely a very big improvement!! now i’m thinking of doing it on my harden pairs….
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Don’t thank me thank Daniele66
I fiddled with mine a bit before getting locked in but it is a vast improvement regardless
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Hi mate, thank you! You make me blush…
Now, I need for a pair of Rose 4 insole (I have one pair but I would have another).
Where I can find these insoles without buying a pair of Rose 4…?
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It can be any brand just see if it is a little thicker. Ua micro g insoles fit in as well
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Good info on the mod. I will give it a try for sure. Clb is so near a perfect low.
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Let me know how it goes!
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Hi schwollo. I did the “runner’s lacing” style on the mod. It worked perfectly without cutting off circulation to my feet. Then I put my UA micro G spawn insoles inside. The perfect low cut shoes.
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Nice!! Yep makes a big diff even if the hole moves back only a few millimeters
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Theres a nonmod fix for the heel slip that works pretty well- reverse the lace loops with the plastic pieces to the outside-in. Locks down the heel a lot better.
Also, I’m also a wide footer who went half a size down for fit. These things hurt my feet in the forefoot until I de-laced the shoes from the “flywire” eyelets(which hold the foot in snug), and popped the last outer “flywire” thing in through the shoe so it didn’t pop out anymore. Still was a little tight, so I popped the 2nd outer eyelet into the shoe, and I had to cut out some stitches because it was stitched down. Basically, the “flywire” things weren’t there to hold your foot in too snugly. It works: my wide-ass feet fit perfectly in the shoe now. I hope my explanation makes sense.
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Not a bad idea with the flywire things! .. I tried the reverse loop at the top and it helped but not like extra holes. The little things we have to do to make a shoe work eh?!
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Picked up a punch tool at Homedepot. It now feels like a different shoe! Heel is now locked in as well as the kobe line does it. Why Adidas couldn’t position the laces higher or raise back collar to ensure lockdown is beyond me. Thanks!
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Yes it definitely feels
Like an entirely different shoe. My guess is they want the shoe to fit everyone …not necessarily well but just fit. Extra holes for options would have been awesome
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I wish we could have more options as to where the holes are placed on our women… sometimes I need a better fit. 😦
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The ultimate question: Is the lockdown better on the jacaurd version with this mod or the primeknit version? Thanks
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Don’t know I haven’t got a pair. Will let you know when and if I do!
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Dam I wish Nightwing could chime in in times like theese..I know he’s tried both pair. Hey Nightwing!… Somebody shine the bat signal!
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Schwollo, hopefully you’ve had some more time to play in the CL with the mod. What’s the verdict? Does it make your rotation now?
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Have a few league games this weekend but definitely close to top 10 if not in it. Still like the Rose 7 better.
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Heel slip eliminated. Still feels a bit too thinned out on forefoot for me. Started with 1/2 size down. Now I’m wondering if i should go tts maybe even swap insole.
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ur gonna swap to a thinner insole because the forefoot is too tight for you, is that what you mean?
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Clb’s midsole seems as thin in forefoot area as CrazyExplosive. I tried a thicker insole to fit but it was tight on my foot.
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Oh never mind just saw this . It isn’t as thin as Crazy Explosive but it is firmer overall .
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You might be able to insole swap with half size down
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Hey! I just got my first pair of CLB2016 and the lockdown was awful. After rereading this post (I had read it before I bought the shoes) I came up with this quick fix for people who is to lazy to find a hole puncher. Literally, I treat the last eyelet as 2 eyelets (1 on the jacquard part and 1 on the plastic clip) and use the same idea as making heel-lock loops like I do on the Kobe 8. Run the lace in between those 2 eyelets and you have a nice lock down. Please refer to the images below.
This is how I have done it.
I think the only problem with this is the plastic clip might damage the lace going through it in the long run. We’ll see how it goes.
PS: Sorry for my bad English. And useful post as always man!
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That’s an interesting way to lace it. Can’t hurt to try it! Thanks !
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what do you think of the suggested lacing? better lock down?
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Slightly better with the original stock set up but the extra eyelets worked better for me.
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I checked out your lebron xi review. It was hella accurate! its crazy how many more people comment on your forum now. U came way UP lol!!! Yeah that shoe is so clunky if I don’t lace them up as tight as possible I can easily hurt my ankle from a heel landing off a dunk because of the clunky heel to toe transition smh(and maybe some movement in the drop-in midsole that I put baby powder in because it sound like a duck when I walked :-). I’m now thinking about dropping the lebron insole in the old school Zoom Hyperenforcer or find a kobe that can fit it because the latest kobe’s cannot unfortunately.
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Haha amazing that people bother reading these days. Lebron XI comfy cushioning and that’s about it really lol
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Noticing how you extra eyelets make the extra lace loop run closer to the shin bone. I come here to say that there is an even better way to lace it. Try to run the lace the other side of the lace between the clip and jacquard. That will make the extra lace loop sits higher and the lockdown is better. It made the difference for me. Please look at the picture below.
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Cool thanks !
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Mr. Foamer Simpson must have read this post because he posted this lacing lockdown trick in a video a day after it was posted here lol.
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Haha maybe maybe not? Lol
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Haha that’s interesting.
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Yeah being on the heavier side of guards 190lbs). I can easily tell the clb has the most and best cushion for my weight and play style(hard cuts, shot blocking, occasional dunks). I’m going to have to give them a second chance with one of these lockdown tricks because the heel slip was the worst I’ve ever experienced even going a full size down lmao.
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Let me know how it turns out. Full size down damn !
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But then again my Lebron 11’s I just got off ebay has real nice forefoot cushioning. I haven’t tried the clb in a couple months does any one know which shoe is better for (forefoot) cushioning? Thnx
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Cushioning is softer but a bit muted in the XI. Shoe itself is pretty clunky (I have my review on here https://schwollo.com/2015/09/16/retro-review-nike-lebron-xi-11-performance-review-2/amp/) but some ppl like them
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Schwollo, thanks for this fix. I just bought the Crazylight boost and I was wondering did the clb make it to your top 10 rotation?
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It’s close to the top 10 but my other shoes do everything as well or better. I really really like playing in them and heel slip is pretty much gone but I can put on the Rose 7 with zero issues at all. Overall fit is good now but not great due to the four lace loop system (if you tighten them tightly, you’ll see the 4 “straps”that hold your foot down. A regular lace set up would have made the fit better (see harden vol 1 lol). I also sprained my ankle in them a few months back on a landing but wasn’t really shoes fault but memories are a bitch to forget haha. I’m planning on expanding in my clb and CE experiences part II just been busy
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Thanks, I thought of using flat laces and adding some new lace holes between the 1st 2nd and 3rd lace holes with metal eyelets. Will this improve the fit? Is it ok to use flat laces on the original lace holes? and will adding metal eyelets on the new holes help make it more durable?
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Yes to all three. I’d try that as well but that’s so many steps compared to just doing one extra set lol
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Oh and thanks for that very helpful article on not buying retail. Got my clb’s for $80 (inclusive of taxes) because of it 😀
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Awesome! That’s pretty close to the bottom. Makes me feel better when I know I didn’t pay retail lol
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Hi schwollo, what else can i use other than a leather belt hole puncher?
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A drill maybe ? Leather hole puncher is the easiest and cleanest
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EVERYBODY: Check out this thick heel liner that helped tremendously with my heel slipage. It’s called “Profoot Heelsnugs” they go for $5 on Amazon and also help make your toes reach closer the edge of the toebox if you need that or you can just cut it in half and articulate where you want them on your ankle like the jordan 31’s but with a way softer material than the gel pads used in the 31’s. This coupled with the extra eyelet mod gave me the best lockdown! I Highly encourage my fellow ballerz to try it! L8er
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I’ll check it out thanks !
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No, Thankyou big hommie shoe expert! 😉
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btw the one caveat about using the heel liner is that you may have to super glue it inside your shoe once you’ve found your sweet spot but I’m sure its not too difficult to remove and its in an inconspicuous spot so I went ahead and did it. Sadly the CLB aren’t worth shit to me without these mods anyway lol.
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Ha ha I agree. Heel slip bad true to size not bad half size down if you don’t have wide feet. I did the hole punch for a few friends already .
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Hey guys! Thanks for this suggestion and update. I just bought the hole puncher and will try this out once I get it. I feel like I’ve tried every option on this shoe and am close to throwing in the towel. I have a wide foot and went 1/2 size down (to compensate for the length and heel slip) but I keep getting a bruised pinky toe. I skipped tying that 1st “flywire” lace loop as I thought that was what was causing it. I noticed it is mainly on hard cuts or stops. I also tried dbl socking but maybe too much volume. Any other suggestions? It’s a pity because I love the traction and lower boost. I’m considering the military green hardens but since traction is not as good (and Adidas still has fit issues) – I prefer to just keep experimenting more with this pair. And I dont think there’s any other lows that are good for wide footers this year. It’s kind of crazy to me that there can be all this amazing tech but seems 2016 was kind of a mediocre yr for basketball shoes and that there are still these basic fit issues from a #2 footwear brand.
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The main issue in my opinion is the use of only four eyelets. It might hold your foot down but it allows your foot to slide forward. More eyelets would have made a better fit (see PLayer exclusive Crazy Explosives). The extra eyelet you make helps a ton though bc it holds the ankle and foot back. Let me know how it goes !
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Schwollo would suggest going true to size or 1/2 a size down with the extra eyelets?
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Whatever size you’re most comfortable with. The clb runs long so half size down for reg and narrow footers true to size for wide footers (I was dying in half size down).
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Hi just wondering about the insole swap.. I thought the CLB16’s insole is not removable? I tried to pull on the insole of my CLB16 a bit and it seems glued on.
Thanks
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It’s removable none of mine have a glued insole .
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Schwollo – Do you have a recommendation for another Adidas Boost basketball shoe that offers even more cushion than the CLB 2016 and does not have any heel slippage?
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Rose 6 is your best bet even though it isn’t full length. More volume less dense in the forefoot and heel. You could go Rose 7 or 8 and add a thicker insole as well for a nicer ride.
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