Executive Summary: plays almost exactly the same as the Kyrie 2. Similar firm cushioning and very good traction. Shoe starts stiff but breaks in. No real reason to buy the 3 when the 2 does nearly everything the same or better though.
Pros: traction, court feel, fit, support and stability, containment, very durable
Cons: traction pods protrude and cause a little bit of inconsistent traction in the heel, needs periodic wiping on dusty floors on Non pod portions, cushioning needs break in and is very stiff and firm like the Kyrie 2, materials start stiff but break in, not the best value out there especially now that sale time is upon us.
Sizing: true to size, very wide footers will probably want to go up half a size
Best for: guards looking who value response and quickness; players who liked the Rose 4
Buying Advice: wait for sales, Nike made a lot. $90 is fair, $65 is near the bottom. Or just buy the Kyrie 2
Weight
14.5 oz which is pretty average
Kyrie 2 is the exact same weight
Traction
If there is one thing you can say about the Kyrie line, it’s that it’s traction patterns look aggressive.
The main attraction of the Kyrie 3 traction is the use of traction pods in the forefoot that ride up the sides.
The rubber is softer and raised a millimeter or two from the rest of the shoe.
The concept works and the pods do their job very well. The rest of the shoe is a blade pattern or modified herringbone and feels softer than the Clutchfit Drive herringbone but firmer than the Kyrie 2 rubber. I wish the entire outsole was made of the pods’ rubber or Nike put some of these pods throughout the entire outsole like the AJ XX because on a few occasions I’d spin out at the heel since the forefoot stuck better than the rest of the shoe. This occurred even on pristine floors. Nitpicky I know.
One concern with the traction pods is durability and efficiency once they wear down. I think they will still work fine once they wear evenly with the rest of the outsole but expect more wear in that area due to the softness of the rubber.
Overall traction is very good overall but I feel the Kyrie 2 provided better consistent traction overall especially on dirty floors since it is the same rubber, pattern, and depth throughout the outsole. Neither required too much wiping but the 3 needed a few more wipes per session. Not quite top tier stuff but still good overall.
Cushioning
Here is the tech highlight of the Kyrie 3. The rest of the shoe is Phylon just like last year’s.
If you did not like the cushioning on the Kyrie 2, you will not like the cushioning on the Kyrie 3. Say with me again, if you did not like the cushioning on the Kyrie 2, you will not like the cushioning on the Kyrie 3. One last time..
Cushioning is very firm on the Kyrie 3 just like the 2. It starts off very very stiff but softens a little with break in. I could feel the Zoom a tiny bit just like on the 2. It is serviceable and responsive as Randy noted but I just prefer a little more softness in the forefoot because I have Morton’s neuroma in each foot. The good news is that the neuromas didn’t flare up badly but I could feel some buzzing after an hour just like the 2’s. I prefer a more balanced cushioning feel overall and these are just a little too hard for my tastes. The set up feels almost exactly the same as the Rose 4 except the Rose 4 has a thicker PU insole. Very low to the ground and quick feeling.
*interstingly enough if you check out Fastpass see the Kyrie actually sits at nearly 18 mm which is higher off the ground than the Harden V1 or CLB. Of course that’s not accounting for the insole thickness which probably evens it out. Thanks reader Pflite*
Although this didn’t really affect cushioning much, these two changes make the cushioning on the 3 feel a smidge firmer:
Number 1
The Kyrie 2 featured Poron in the forefoot while this year’s does not. Hard to really tell a difference but to the touch Poron is softer.
Number 2
The Kyrie 2 had an ortholite insole while this year’s doesn’t have the ortholite markings so in guessing it’s not ortholite. Anyways, the name doesn’t matter but the Kyrie 3 insole is very thin and flimsy like a limp noodle (it can barely hold its shape when I took the pic) plus it feels slightly thinner towards the middle than the Kyrie 2 insole. It’s as if someone wore down the insole of the Kyrie 2 and put it into the Kyrie 3. That’s how thin it feels to me. On Adidas Boost models, the thin insole is fine since it has all that Boost below it but with this firm set up, Nike really should have given us a thicker insole.
If you’ve ever played in basketball ball in tennis shoes like the Adidas Barricade or even the Nike Zoom Vapor 9, that’s what the cushioning feels like. Actually the Zoom Vapor 9 has the exact same size Zoom and a similar if not thicker Phylon set up from heel to toe including the foam strobel.
However, the Zoom Vapor feels better because the insole is thicker. If you want to improve the comfort level of the Kyrie 3, get a bigger size and put in a thicker insole to add a couple of millimeters more of cushioning. Keep in mind that it might feel better underfoot but one or two millemeters isn’t going to fix any knee issues you might have.
Fit
I bought my true to size 11 and initially thought I should have gone up half a size. However, after playing in them a few weeks, true to size was the way to go. Even though I’m a wide footer, these stretched out enough for me. If you’re Fred Flintstone, you should at least try half a size up before deciding on the correct width though.
There is no movement in the forefoot, very little deadspace above the foot in the toe box and zero heel slip. Midfoot fit is still tight like the previous models but not deathly like the Kyrie 1.
After a few hours of break in time, you almost forget they are on your feet as the upper softens up. Almost
Even though the Kyrie 3 has a very good fit, the Kyrie 2 has an even better fit due to the strap that helped pull the ankle and heel back further.
Materials
In case you’re part of the Night’s Watch or need to defend Winterfell….
The materials start off stiff but soften up quickly. They don’t feel Flyknit soft or anything but they do soften up enough after a few hours of break in time. The spiked look doesn’t really convey a soft warm comfy feel does it?
The lateral side of the upper is a similar fuse as last year’s model
Not cracker crispy like the Kyrie 1 but not definitely not Snuggles soft.
The medial side and toe box is mesh with a nylon backing and feels a lot softer than the lateral side. The front of the toe box does have a hard rand for durability as well.
I’ve noticed this is a trend these days as shoe companies have added strength and stiffness to the lateral side for containment and support while leaving the medial side soft for flexibility. Hmmm, maybe I did make a difference .(I’m kidding I don’t have that kind of pull)
Of course we can’t forget the featured marketing portion which is the forefoot flex area.
Across the top of the foot, a long stretchy band flexes with your foot for support during quick cuts and sprints.
Nike used a thinner mesh and Flywire to allow extra flexibility at the forefoot. I don’t it feel stretches at all but that thinner mesh allows for a more natural flex area. Plus it’s hard to quantify if it really works since the rest of the upper is so much stiffer than this little area.
If you’re big on materials and have to have that pure Flyknit or Primeknit or mesh feel, you probably will want to steer clear of the Kyrie 3. I think the materials are fine and don’t affect playability but every person has different needs and wants.
Support and Stability
Support is good with the Kyrie 3 thanks to the fit, heel counter and stiffer fuse on the lateral side. Just plain and simple, solid support. As stiff as the upper starts off, it is plenty flexible like the Kyrie 2 and isn’t going to save any ankles
Nike continued with the curved outsole but didn’t choose to market it this time around.
It seems slightly less curved in the forefoot than the Kyrie 2. After not playing in the Kyrie 2 for a year you can feel a difference with the curved outsole but it doesn’t make a difference for me in terms of performance.
Also helping with the stability was the firm, low to the ground cushioning.
Overall just a solid supportive and stable shoe. Same as the Kyrie 2.
Containment
No surprises here as containment was excellent thanks to that stiffer lateral fuse upper as well as the raised midsole. Softer materials might be all the rage but there are benefits to using stiffer and stronger materials like Fuse.
Conclusion
Not the best value out there but a good performer overall. The Kyrie 3 has great traction, a good fit with solid support and stability and very firm cushioning. I had no issues with aches or pains but then again don’t have knee or back issues (knock on wood). The Kyrie 3 just feels like a quick high cut tennis shoe for players that value lateral quickness over everything else.
Cushioning will come down to personal preference and if you didn’t like the 2 cushioning you will not like the 3. I’ll even qualify that statement with this; If you don’t like UA Charged you will not like cushioning on the Kyrie 3. Charged foam is easily thicker bouncier and softer. If you want to improve the comfort of the Kyrie 3, size up and swap out the cheapo insole.
Is the Kyrie 3 an upgrade over the 2? No I don’t feel it did anything better than the Kyrie 2.
Is it worth paying $120? No probably not. There are plenty of shoes out that at the $120-$130 range that do everything just as well or better than the Kyrie 3. Curry 2, 2.5, 3 all come to mind. Plus it’s almost mid season so there are plenty of sales on earlier launches. Do not buy these if you want a softer cushioning set up or if you want a Charmin soft upper material.
I’m guessing Nike made a lot of these to capture the new Kyrie fans post championship. If Kyrie 2 sales are any indication, these should hit $90 under range soon and bottom out around $65. If you want a marginally better performing and cheaper shoe, stick to the Kyrie 2.
schwollo.com 
Goddam…The shoes the same as the 2s. Might as well invest my money for some discounted CL16s!
Do you think Kyrie will have his own Elite series? Any word on a PG1 shoe? Look like a Hyperdunk special PE IMO.
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Yep too many sales going on now to make $120 sound cheap. Bad launch time by Nike imo. Not sure about elite series I imagine Nike might scrap that whole idea soon . Pg1 looks good pretty much looks like it will play like the Zoom Live but we will see in March!
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well they will sold very well in my country,even in retail price(they are the cheapest sig shoe around)
any way great review!!
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Ha thanks what country are you in again?
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Indonesia bro!
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Awesome!
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So you like the AD’s better?
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Yes. Better cushioning for me without being mushy. Traction better too, I barely had to wipe with the AD.
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How is the traction compared to the hardens?
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Hardens better from heel to toe when clean but when a little dust gets on the Harden you need to wipe. Kyrie 3 better on dusty floors overall but still needs wiping to work well .
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Have you played in the soldier 8? How is the traction compared to that?
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Didn’t play in the Soldier 8. Felt like mushy foam to me although the fit was nice
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Another awesome review Schollo!
Ordered a pair of the “Warning” colorway from Ruvilla for $84 shipped (code: THANKYOU30) for any one who’s looking to purchase these….not sure if the code is still valid though.
This review kinda validates what I thought when the official pics/tech specs were released…these are the 2’s w/ minimal tweaks like the absence of the strap, traction pods, etc. Not that that’s a bad thing at all, I like that Nike is sticking to the formula when it comes their sig lines but I agree there’s no need to rush out and get them at retail prices unless you just have to have em
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Thanks grittyman! Really just a made over Kyrie 2 which is pretty typical for Nike. Thanks for the code that’s a very fair price for a sig shoe. I think the days of true sold out shoes are long gone. There will be occasional limited pairs that become must cops but are they sold out because of the limited number or are they really that great looking. Tricky and annoying game played by every shoe company.
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No problem! Btw, you have to be logged in to the site for the code to work.
I thought the 2’s were fun to play in..just not my shoe of choice on days where either I planned on getting an extended run (over two hours) or on that 3rd/4th hoop session of the week. Looking forward to trying out the 3’s this week.
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what’s the cheapest you have seen for the kyrie 2?decent colorways?
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I’ve seen them around 59 to 65 . Most colorways aren’t bad imo lol
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any chance you can get a pair for me?
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Shipping is $$ but I’ll look around what size and color? What country are you in again?
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Oh cool..much appreciated. I’m in from the UK, whats the shipping like?I wouldn’t mind it without the box if its cheaper. Sizing depends on the fit I wear US10.5 for HyperRev ’15, Kobe 9 its US11, my feet are on the wide side. As for the color, I am not too picky, as long as the sole is solid rubber and the upper isn’t neon it should be fine. The blue upper with yellow soles are nice if you an find them though.. 🙂
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Go with an 11. Better too big than too tight . I’ll be on the lookout
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Awesome. Quick curious question. Besides unlocked Zoom and Boost, which cushioning setups would you prefer between these 4 in order: Zoom, BOUNCE, Charged ( I know micro g is more plush, which I like) and Lunarlon?
And thank u so much for these reviews man. They mean alot!
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I still like Zoom when done right. Hyperrev 2016, soldier vi, Okder Kobe’s, older Lebrons, older Nikes lol . Bounce is the most plush after that . Some days I like the feel some days I like quicker set ups like charged that’s why I have a mix of shoes in my top 10. Lunarlon is good but dies fast and doesn’t give much feedback. It feels consistent across all sneaker lines from golf to basketball to tennis which is a plus though. Thanks for reading !
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Ooh interesting. Is there a cushioning setup that you find underrated?
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Blackfoam and jetlon plus ? I hated the Wade 4 cushioning and have yet to try another Chinese brand
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Nice review schwollo! Wish nike just put full length zoom on these and added 10 bucks. They’ve been scrimping too much on the features. Hard to believe the adidas team shoes are outperforming nike’s sig shoes.
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Yeah, I just don’t buy into the “no zoom because they want it responsive” line of thinking. Zoom was always known for BEING responsive! I’ve got the 2016 Low Hyperdunks with forefoot and heel zoom….I feel as quick in that shoe as in any other shoe I’ve played in.
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Yea I never bought into that line (AJ xx9 xxx anyone? ). Hd16 has been great I may grab a pair of lows to mess with come summer time. Zoom is fantastic when done right. Low profile springy and responsive.
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Ha yea would have been nice! Adidas finally decided to try the last few years plus they finally created a cushioning system to compete with or beat out Nike. They are still way way way behind in market share but never under estimate the hungrier dog. Adidas has been growing fast for Adidas but very slow for Nike standards. Fun to watch though and great for us
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Thanks for mentioning my comment and for your reviews 😉
Keep up the good work!!!
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Thanks for the tip !
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Definitely agree with you about the tennis shoes. After I play my knees always hurt. I’ve played in the lunar ballistecs(lunarlon is mad stiff in those) vapor 9.5s( they were actually pretty cushiones), barricade 8s (god those were awful cushioning eh horrible arch and stuff materials) and the gel res 5, 6, and 7s. All of those had my feet aching for a few hours after I played. I still wonder why companies don’t put more cushioning into tennis shoes.
Also, have you seen Andy Murray’s tennis shoes? They are basically the clutchfit drive (ogs)
thanks and nice review. hopefully you reply lol
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Ha yes I’ve seen Andy murrays shoes. CFD for tennis! They don’t put more cushioning because of the quick lateral movements. I have tried on the Barricade Bounce and they felt good but clunky. The energy boost was ok but thin. Best tennis shoe that was well cushioned was the Nike Implosion. I have a review coming on those . Real Zoom heel and forefoot.
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Among Kyrie 2, Dame 3, and Crazy explosive what can you recommend?
My preferences are:
-on foot comfort (not necessarily cushioning)
-fit
-price
-traction
-court feel (least priority)
Thanks in advance Schwollo!
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Haven’t tried the Dame 3 yet so can’t say. CE over Kyrie for all your other needs . Check back when Dame 3 general release comes !
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Thanks bro! I’ll wait out on your Dame 3 review
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Which is a better outdoors kyrie 3 or d lillard 2?
In terms of durability of outsole and performance.
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Kyrie would be more durable with the outsole as well as the upper. Lillard 2 upper has no kind of protection around the toe box so it could tear. Rubber is also softer on the Lillard 2 so it would wear down. Don’t know how it would traction would Perform outdoors since I don’t use my shoes outdoors.
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How long did it take to break in the cushion? I’m thinking of trying these for 30 days from Nike and send em back if I don’t like them.
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Probably about 3-4 hours..still firm overall though
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Which shoes are better ? pg1 vs kyrie 3
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Pg1. A little less stiff more cushioning but rides higher than kyrie. Better fit and traction overall too.
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i just bought kyrie 3 and used them in dusty court, but the thing is i am sliding a lot when doing hard cuts(like literally falling) what do you suggest me on doing, how to clean the sole…. man i am disappointed by the traction.
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Only the pod areas are good for traction the rest is pretty average imo. Maybe wear them outside to rough up the rest of the outsole may help.
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Great review, bro!! Do you think that add thin fit insole can protect the knees and body? Do you know something about thin fit insole from sofsole?
thanks!
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I’m sure it would help a little. I know what the thinfit is just never bought one. The Insole is super cheap on the Kyrie 3 so anythhg would be an upgrade
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My kyrie 3s do not squeak at all I just got them and I have been playing in every court condition so they start squeaking after some time or do I need to return and get kyrie 2s big fan of the 2s
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The pods in the front are the only part that Work well, The rest can get slippery with dust. My review says go with the 2 if you read it.
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If I get the pg 1 would they squeak ?
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Pg1 has better traction than the Kyrie 3. Squeakiness is not an indicator of traction performance btw
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Ok sorry for this question but out of all the current shoes which ones squeak the most and also have great traction
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Rose 7 curry 2 2.5 all top notch
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Im impatient and I have to buy it tomorrow so can I 🙏please have someone reliable to help me please.
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Ohh ok thanks but my only options to buy are kyrie 2s keep my kyrie 3s and kd9 elite , pg 1 and harden 1 , also do the pg 1s squeak.
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Based on traction Kyrie 2, pg 1, Kd 9, Kyrie 3, harden 1.
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Depending on traction and how much it squeaks what would you rank those shoes, so sorry to better you but you are the only person I trust on the Internet because there is no biased in your reviews 👍👍👍👍👍 love it!!!
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Do you think designing a shoe is good? I designed my kyrie 3 coming in october 😀
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Making your own ID? Yes it’s great it lets you make the shoe the way you want it and it’s unique
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Is kyrie 3 a good starter shoe? Like is it good for a point guard? Which would you recommend, PG1 or Crazy explosive? Kyrie 2s are better right? Should I get them because my tryouts start soon for the basketball team.
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Can you try them on in a store? Kyrie 2 is better imo. If you’re just getting started and trying out, go work on your fundamentals and show the coaches what you can do. Hustle, heart, coachability count more than you think. good luck!
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Hey schwollo, I’ve been playing in my Kyrie 3s since January for every week for once a week. I have one problem with it. One shoe is extremely stiff like I just got it from footlocker, and the other is soft. Has this ever happened to you/someone? (btw I’m a really light dude, which might be the problem) I’m thinking just to let my heavier friend break it in for me.
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I didn’t have that issue but that sucks. Maybe just your hands and accordion the stiff shoe and flex it around a bit . Ifs it’s the cushioning I don’t know what to
Tell you lol
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Hey Schwollo! I’ve been playing in the Kyrie 3s for quite sometime now and am comtemplating copping a pair of Kyrie 2s off ebay. My kyrie 3s are in size 8.5 and I have a finger’s width of space at the toebox, while width-wise they were a bit tight at first but broke in quickly. Do you think I can fit in a pair of Kyrie 2s in size 8?
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It will probably be too tight. Unless you can size down to an 8 in the 3 id avoid trying that in the 2
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is it gonna be tight length wise?
ps: I just did a measurement and there’s 1/2 inch of space between my big toe and the tip of the toe box
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Tighter overall. You’ll have no space at the top of your toes. I’m sure you can fit it but it will be tight
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my man, have you tried the EP-XDR version of these shoes? They supposedly are made in Asian specs – wider, so I was wondering how they fit you.
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I do not have a pair
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Thanks for the swift reply. I like how you actually read and reply to comments. Makes it a better experience overall for the consumers of your content. Helps that you’re a wide footer like myself so I can have a better time making a decision for myself. Awesome work man! Really appreciating your work!
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Thanks !
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