Since the Curry 3 review is just around the corner, I thought I’d step back and review the AJ XX2 since the Curry 3 took a huge bite out of the AJ XX2 back story. I’m disappointed that UA went there but if the Curry 3 performs, nobody will care. I guess since the XX2 was such a sales dud maybe UA thought they could pull it off without anyone noticing? I don’t know …
Pros: traction, fit, support, materials
Cons: pod cushioning is too targeted and feels unnatural, tippy in the heel, pricey at $175 especially in 2007.
Sizing: half size down
Best for: guards
Weight
16.5 oz so just a half ounce more than the Crazylight Boost 2016.
Traction
Jordan Brand usually does a good job with traction and this was the highlight of the XX2 for me. Stuck extremely well on clean floors and needed minimal wiping on dusty floors. Probably would have been better if the entire outsole was the same depth but then the IPS system wouldn’t “work” as well
Cushioning
IPS is back again for the third straight model starting with the XX. Hurray?
I couldn’t tell a difference in density in any of the aforementioned models and this was no different. The IPS foam feels great overall at least with a nice bit of springiness.
As for the heel, Jordan Brand brought back the modularity idea allowing the player to swap between Max Air and Double Stacked Zoom. Now that sounds great in theory but the Max and Zoom don’t cover much surface area And the double stacked Zoom is nearly as thin as a quarter (I mean two quarters since its double stacked). Maybe this was the beginning of the end for real Zoom
You can feel the cushioning if you like quarter size set ups. It literally feels like a quarter size lump of cushioning is under your heel. Having the logo raised in the insole doesn’t help either.
Which feels better between the two ? Zoom pod for sure. It just has a more even feeling than the Max set up.
Overall cushioning is decent but far from ideal. A simple forefoot zoom and regular heel that covers the entire heel like the Kobe VI would have been great.
Fit
The XX2 came out before Nike and JB went to a more narrow last and fit so 10.5 fit me perfectly. Finger width of space at the toe, no heel slip and no space side to side.
The upper starts a little stiff since it is real leather but it breaks in nicely and gives a decent almost one to one fit. Not quite perfect but still good overall.
I really liked the simple lacing set up with the lace lock because it just works.
Materials
What is this foreign space age material ? Oh it’s real leather. Good luck ever seeing leather again from any company.
JB and Nike were really pushing the quilted interior back in 2007.
Personally I like the look and feel but it doesn’t make a difference performance wise.
Nice materials and build quality, may leather Rest In Peace
Support and Stability
Ah, when a higher cut shoe didn’t fold like a bad hand in Texas Hold em. I really liked the combo of the firmer mid cut with a stiff heel counter
JB also says the XX2 features a titanium coated midfoot shank plate
Errr, just because it is painted silver doesn’t mean it’s titanium Jordan Brand. Clearly plastic with silver paint. It does its job just fine but don’t hype a piece a plastic as something it isn’t.
The XX2 is stable in the forefoot even without an outrigger but the heel is a little tippier than I prefer. The protruding outsole under the modular unit doesn’t help either.
Overall support is good but the tippy heel isn’t trustworthy.
Containment
Clean simple lines with no major physical barriers would be worrisome with today’s knits and woven uppers but leather is strong and doesn’t have that stretch on hard cuts. Also this extra leather rand helps in containing the foot. Similar idea to the Curry 3 “midsole frame”
Conclusion
Every sneaker has a snorey..I mean story. Out of ideas, let’s say make up one about fighter planes! Zooooom fast powerful stealthy (is that a word? ). It’s everything an Air Jordan should be! Whoever was running Jordan Brand back then needs to be destroyed like Cyberdyne in Terminator 2 to prevent the proliferation of story telling these days. Unnecessary and adds no value to sneakers; let the players wearing them write the story.
Inspiration aside, the shoe itself is a good overall performer but the ultratargeted tiny heel cushion really ruins the shoe. Let’s see how UA does with the same inspiration.
Thanks!!
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Man, don’t get me started on inspiration/story telling for sneakers! Wish the designers (and collaborating boutiques) would focus on making casual shoes that look good and performance shoes that perform well (and, ideally, look good too). The story/inspiration doesn’t make a shoe any more appealing to me.
As for the XX2, I got mine for casual wear/collection and never hooped in ’em, but your review rings true with my experience of them just walking around. Tiny heel cushion pod feels bad and tippy, and as you accurately note, the raised logo on the insole just makes matters worse. I had thought that maybe that issue would be resolved with more wear, break-in, but it hasn’t for me, and it sounds like it didn’t for you either.
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Have you ever played in the 2010/2011s?
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It’s really nice to read reviews for past models. It’s like reading again Kicksology reviews! Good job Schwollo!
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Highest praise ever! Thanks !
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I broke mine out a few weeks ago when it was still hot outside. Never balled in them, though. I have them in black and white (the white/reds were too plain and the basketball themed pair were just garbage).
Was there any performance difference between the regular XX2 and the SE?
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I never tried the SE but I doubt it
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Please help : which is better ::: ua clutchfit drive 2 at 52$ or hyperdunk 2015 high at 67$. And also should I go with one of these or wait for christmas sale (could I expect new models like crazylight boost 2016 low or soldier 10 coming around 60 to 70$ range in near future).please help as soon as possible.
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Id take the CFD 2 over the Hyperdunk 2015. Check Marshall’s or Ross if you’re in the US though bc they are around 35 bucks or less there. Crazylight 2016 bottom price will be around 70 and might get there soon. Adidas already has some colors at 84 minus 15% if you sign up for newsletter
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Will you be doing the Brand Black Rare Metal?
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I am trying to wait it out when prices drop but at 110 I might just get anyways
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I had a pair of these to play hoops indoors. They lasted me a good few years and in terms of durability no shoe I ever had before or after these even came close. And I bought my pair off ebay for like a 100USD which leads me to think they might not have even been original (or maybe 2nd grade quality). True it was after the season they were introduced for and the legendary 23’s were just round the corner, but whatever. Bottomline they were absolutely phenomenal to play after 2/3 weeks of leather breaking in. And I will agree that the heel cushion was a low point, even if it didn’t really bother me that much as the shoe more than made up for that flaw with other aspects like traction and support. I like higher cut shoes that protect my ankles and these had plenty to offer in that area, and then some. And yes, the “titanium shank plate” is actually plastictanium, but it does what it’s supposed to.
I wish they’d retro them at some point with maybe improved heel cushion setup. As for the fighter inspiration – everyone knows it’s a whole load of baloney, but do You honestly care? As long as the shoe does the job on court I couldn’t care less for it’s looks (unless it were pink of course, sayonara Air Jordan WhyNot Zero.2 coral coloroway). I’d never were any performance basketball kicks on street anyways.
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I think the 22 won’t be retroed for awhile . Just no demand for the xx2.
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