Executive Summary: slight tweaks to the lacing set up and increased collar height helped slightly with lockdown for me but still pretty much had the same issues with the PK version as the regular. Inconsequential difference in upper “performance” as both are backed by nylon and the PK actually pops a little on the forefoot due to a synthetic or glue backed nylon. I’ll stick to my Project Crazylight Boost 2016.
I’m not going to go through the entire review as I just bought these to see how the fit changed with the Primeknit upper, no tongue, no plastic clips. That’s a big difference from the regular Crazylight wouldn’t you say? Both are my true size US 11. I did not go down half a size because of width issues with the regular CLB.
Here is my original review and project CLB:
Project CLB16
Weight
Half an ounce less than the regular version. Probably due to the lack of plastic straps.
Lacing set up
Heel slip was the main problem with the regular CLB so let’s address that first. The PK is a different set up differently and better in my opinion than the regular set up so it may help those who had very slight heel slip.
Here you can see how much lower the top eyelet is versus the regular CLB upper
And you can see it’s moved back as far as the hole I made thanks to reader Daniele66.
However even though they moved the last eyelet back, the second to last eyelet (out of four) limits how well you can pull back the heel and ankle. I guess I just need that extra set of eyelets.
Heel collar height
Lastly you can see the higher the heel on the PK vs the non PK.
It’s only a few millimeters but millimeters matter with lows. Don’t know why they changed this or didn’t do this the first time.
No Tongue
Adidas did this right by opting to use neoprene. This helps with the annoying bunching that occurs when shoes go tongueless. I had no bunching which is great.
Materials
Primeknit is their “premium” material but it’s nice that Adidas charged $120 retail just like the non PK. I really wonder why they did that? Usually it’s a $20 up charge. Maybe it’s because the Harden is $140 and they didn’t want to compete with themselves? Or more value for the consumer since it’s the second coming of the Crazylight 2016? Either way it’s nice but either way I’d still wait for sales on these.
Anyway the PK version has less deadspace on the toe box by a slight margin
The Primeknit is pretty much fully backed by nylon and maybe a little stiffer nylon or synthetic in the toe box that has a few cross cuts to allow for natural movement.
There is a little popping in the toe box but less than the Harden V1. Also the very front of the toe box has a hard synthetic inside it. You can see it in the pic below
Here you can see all the lace straps that pull the foot down.
Toe drag will be a problem since there is no TPU or toe drag cover of any sort on the exterior. This will be a big problem especially outdoors.
One last piece of the materials is the heel. It goes sans Primeknit and uses mesh instead.
Overall
These are all nice changes in theory but I had the same issues with the Pk as the regular version. I was really hoping the PK changes would have fixed the fit altogether . Still had about the same amount of heel slip as the regular upper in my true size. I’m the type of player/foot ankle type that needs something to pull my ankle back more rather than just down which is essentially what’s going on with the CLB. The top loop of the PK version does pull back slightly since the strap angles toward the heel but one strap isn’t enough for me I guess. Making that extra eyelet on the regular CLB helped a lot. If you didn’t have issues with the regular CLB, you’ll be fine with the PK version. If you had a little heel slip with the regular CLB, this change might help so….in theory of course.
I did not go down half a size because frankly I’m tired of trying two sizes for everything Adidas. Half size down was too tight for me in the regular upper and I do know it would help with heel slip. However it’s just not worth the effort at this point since I already have better lockdown with the regular upper and extra eyelets I made. No plans on Project CLB16 PK edition either.
schwollo.com 
This colorway is gorgeous.
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I’m not a big baby blue fan but they do look pretty good !
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Nice review schwollo. I can see why some reviewers didnt have problems with the lockdown. I was planning to buy another pair but ill wait for my first one to arrive.
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Little changes make a big difference with lows. Wish these worked for me but oh well
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Thanks for another great review. I really like the looks of the pk upper better and glad the lockdown is improved. Though I think this colorway is nice, I’m going to wait for a better colorway to release before trying out the pk CLBs.
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Good idea. Lockdown improvement is very slight FYI but might help some ppl
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Thanks for reviewing those I was thinking of getting a pair I put extra eyelets on the regular pair as it helped a lot I also double sock now which helps with the width in my shoes since I have long narrow KD feet haha. Plan on reviewing the Crazy Explosive low’s?
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lol yea some shoes just aren’t made perfectly for some ppl. I might review the CE low but lockdown might be an issue for me
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Based on looks alone thst is
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As always helpful review. Waiting for sales on these but may not havbe much luck as clb are very rare here. Hope to get a pair of either pk or non pk. Maybe i’ll try going half size down
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Ha half size down is the safe bet . Let me know if you need an assist 🙂
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Regarding heel slip, Schwollo, have you ever tried the heel sponge thing? I’m thinking this would be much easier than making holes. Women has used them for decades to eliminate heel slip in high heels.
Something like this:
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Someone mentioned these to me but I might give it a whirl. I don’t like taping or glueing things to shoes but I’d rather cut or poke (weird I know)
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I can’t imagine that they would hold up in an athletic shoe – I have used something similar before in casual (boat) shoes and just from walking around they came lose after a while
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You’re right, it needs to be stitched on. Glue just isn’t strong enough.
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That would tough to do !
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Thanks. While I do like soft uppers, I’d rather pay less for a shoe with stiffer uppers that performs just as well.
On another note, I need a summer bball shoe that will just hold up until the school season starts, so they don’t have to be super durable. I would prefer a higher lowtop( does this make sense) or a mid. Can’t wear anything super low though like the Nike zoom live though, although I could pull off Kobe ADs. Also, I need fairly cheap shoes as well, with 90-95 probably being my limit. I know it isn’t summer yet, but I’ve just started looking. Any suggestions?
I have been considering the Hyperdunk 2016 low, the adidas crazy light boost( with the extra eyelet if I feel I need it.) Also slightly considering the Nike Hyperrev 2016, because I think I would really like them. Also I kind of like these kinda oldish under armour low tops that I’m too lazy to see what they are called.
Any ideas? Keep up the good work.
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Also, I would rather have good cushion than a lot of court response, so no to the kyries 2s or other very minimal cushioning.
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Will get back to you shortly sorry busy !
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Do you meant he Ua Bloodline? Great show overall traction isn’t the best on dusty floors but very durable shoe (and a little heavy). I’d go for the CLB poke a hole in them or see if they work without it first. Can be found on Amazon or eBay or modells for 80 or less. Hyperrev 16 is great too but the heel counter gets flimsy. Can be found in eBay for 60 ish new. Kd 9 might work too even if not my favorite (under 100 nowadays). Check out Marshall’s or Ross for some super steals as well
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Ok thanks. I think I’m gonna go with crazy light boost if the price is right, if not I can just pick up the Hyperdunk Low, hyperev or maybe like a D lillard 2. Thanks for the suggestions.
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Can’t go wrong with any of those.
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I’m one of those people who doesn’t have heal slippage in CLB 2016. I went half size down and it’s a snug, yet very comfertable fit for me. Since I like this model so much will go after another pair, this time would like to try PK. What do you think, should I go half size down as well or TTS with PK version? Can’t try on them before buying. Just interested in your opinion since you tried both models.
Thanks
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Same as your regular so half size down
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Are the lace loops connected. You could probably improve the fit by using the lace loops individually instead of a tandem.
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They are kind of a y split coming out the same hole.
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Thanks man. Will cop when they hit clearence.
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I tried to post with picture but don’t know why it’s not visible. Anyway, 9,5 Jacquard version is the same as 10 PK Swaggy P version so in the end I had to return them. It’s so silly, to bad I can’t upload image to show it.
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That’s adidas quality control for you.. I bought a pair of ultra boost 3.0 gray and an Oreo pair and the gray pair is half a size smaller lol
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how are these for wide footers? are they enough wide in forefoot ?
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True to size is good for wide footers half size down is too tight for me
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(I realize it’s been months and months since the last reply, but I’m still hoping for a response)
I’m a wide footer, and in the non-PK CLB, I feel all sorts of discomfort where the tongue ends. It’s the part near the lowest lacehole where the jacquard meets the tongue. Looking at the PK version, I don’t see a tongue so I’m hoping that it would be friendlier to wide footers. Since these shoes have left the stores a long time ago, I was wondering if you could comment on if the PK’s are friendlier for wide footers than the non-PK, with specifics to that area where the tongue would have been. Thanks!
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It sounds like it’s a piece of cloth or something rubbing your foot. Try reaching your hand in there and seeing if there is something extra or loosening the laces. Yea the pk doesn’t have a tongue and it should
Be better for you but I didn’t have that pain so I can’t say for sure
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