I know everyone and their mothers loved the Crazy Explosive 2016 last year but they just didn’t work for me due to the placement of the cored out section and thin Boost in the forefoot. I wasn’t very hopeful for the 2017 but some slight tweaks ( international or not) in the cushioning made my neuroma pain a little more tolerable. As for the rest of the shoe, I feel the 2017 is superior to the 2016 but not everyone will feel the same way. Luckily, you can still buy the 2016 for less.
Pros: traction when clean, cushioning, fit, support and stabilty, containment
Cons: shoe starts off stiff but breaks in quickly, outsole needs wiping on dusty floors, outsole prone to wear and peeling
Sizing: most players will want to go up half a size since these run slightly short and narrow. Wide footers will definitely want to go up at least half a size.
Best for: guards or lighter bigs
Buying Advice: wait, they made a lot and they aren’t going anywhere. $100 is fair and what I paid, $75-85 range should be the bottom. Finishline has them for $112.50 after one month.
Weight
16.5 ounces in an 11.5 US. Pretty much the same as last year.
Traction
Power Coral, Ready for action!
Same as last year. Works great on clean floors but requires a fair amount of wiping on dusty floors. More than acceptable but still not top tier since it doesn’t have that strong bite and needs wiping to stay glued to the floor. Also it is still prone to peeling and wear so not really recommended for outdoor use. Swap out the Rose 7 traction and you’d have a beast of a shoe.
Cushioning
Similar to but slightly better feeling for me than last year’s set up.
Last year the forefoot felt thin to me and I didn’t feel it much but this year feels better for me in the forefoot. The set up feels ever so slightly firmer than last year’s which is great for me since I don’t bottom out quite as much. If it wasn’t cored out exactly where my neuroma sat, I’d have no issue but oh well at least it’s tolerable this time.
Just like last year this ridge is where the Boost actually starts.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you if it’s supposed to feel that way or if it’s Adidas’s quality control. I actually bought the Black White Neoprene pair last year and was planning on writing about the improved traction but got sidetracked and never did. I actually bought four different pairs of the same shoe and they all felt different; Some felt great in the heel while others felt stiffer than the rest. I’ve had similar experiences with other Boost models. Don’t get me wrong it feels great underfoot pretty much no matter what but they do feel different.
Okay back to the actual cushioning on the CE17. Overall, the cushioning is slightly stiffer than the 2016 but still feels good heel to toe. Forefoot is still thin feeling due to the heel toe drop as well as the Infinity Shank. Cushioning is still softer than the Harden Vol 1, Rose 6 (in the heel) and CLB16 but just not as wide of a margin as last year’s.
Sizing
For reference I went true to size with the 2016. With the 2017, wide footers should go up half a size maybe even a full size because these run tight. Regular and narrow footers can go true to size or half a size up as well because these run a little short. I advise regular and narrow to try them on if possible.
Fit
Yes a real improvement!!
Adidas finally got the shoe sock (SHOCK) trend right. The fit on the CE 17 is fantastic and really gives a one to one sock like feel. The HD 2016 FK had a similar idea but I had some heel slip in those due to the placement of the top eyelet. This is one of the big reasons the fit works is because Adidas actually put the top eyelet where I need it to pull my ankle back and keep it there. They also made five sets of eyelets this time around (I told y’all it was a dumb gimmick last year!)
Another reason the sock works well is because Adidas padded the sewn in tongue well and kept it elastic.
By keeping it elastic, it keeps the tongue from bunching up and allows it to actually fit like a sock.
Overall the fit is excellent, well done Adidas!
Materials
Primeknit is back again but it isn’t as soft and flexible like last year’s. If you liked the softness of last year’s Primeknit, buy last year’s. Forged Primeknit is what Adidas calls it and it’s basically Primeknit with “forged yarn” plus some light glue on 95% of the upper. Adidas left out the “forged” portions along the medial forefoot to allow it to flex more naturally. It takes only a few runs to get the upper to break in. No issues here for me but if you liked the Primeknit of the 2016 version, get the 2016 version.
Support and Stability
Support comes mostly from the fit and the internal heel counter. At first glance it looks like the CE 17 sock is just there for proprioception only but only the very top of the collar is sock like so you do get a touch of support if you call padding support. You can see how thick yet flexible the padding is below.
Thankfully stability is once again excellent on the Crazy Explosive thanks a large flat outsole, low ride and infinity shank. I’m not sure if Adidas firmed up the shank but the 2017 starts out much stiffer underfoot than 2016 but breaks in nicely.
Just like the Hyperdunk 2017, I feel the combination of flexibility around the ankle with a very stable base is the best of both worlds. Great job Adidas!
Containment
My dream come true !!
Look at that roll cage.. heel to toe coverage. Containment is fantastic on the CE17. Awesome job Adidas!
Conclusion
I am probably the only “reviewer” who didn’t give the Crazy Explosive 2016 tons of praise and love. I get all geeked out over new tech like everyone else but not if it doesn’t translate onto the court it’s a simple pass for me. The 2017 made minor tweaks to the 2016 formula and the result is a better performing shoe due to a better fit and containment. I think most players will enjoy these because it does everything well if not great and really gives the player an excellent one to one fit with a low to ground yet well cushioned ride. If the cored out section wasn’t cored out and traction was improved I’d undoubtedly love these (I am a traction lover what can I say).
And if you loved the 2016 CE them again. 2016 is soooooooooooooo long ago so it’s time to clear them out of inventory and make room for the newer models. If you ever wondered why I don’t like top ten lists for a calendar year, well that’s why. Limiting your kicks to what’s new for the season really confines you to what the manufacturers make and market for the year. Keep your eyes open and you won’t have to open your wallet as wide while getting the shoes you actually want.
schwollo.com 
Oh man, your reviews get me confused on what shoe to buy hehe I am very torn between the CE17 (to cushion my old creeky ankles and back), the HD17 or maybe even waiting for the Rose 8 or shoot in the dark with the Harden B/E. All looks like crazy good (pardon the pun) options. Unluckly there are no outlets here, most of those shoes only sell online on the Adidas and Nike stores and just get discounts on low numbers.
Btw, have you ever tried another insole on the CE line to see if it helps with the cored out parts ?
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Hahah man Brazil (?) has it rough in terms of shoes. I still think the Rose 6 has the best overall heel to toe cushioning of the adidas line. Maybe the 8 will improve on that ? Hd17 isn’t as soft or plush as Bounce. Harden BE should be good too. I tried a thicker insole and it helps a little but not enough to eliminate the pounding.
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Yep, Brazil. The thing is: who lives in São Paulo, Rio, Minas (or near those regions) is in luck because they have teams on the national league and there they have some stores that you can actually try the shoes. I live to the extreme north (if you’re curious, google Belém-PA) and some things come VERY late to here, not only shoes. Our basketball market is small, the clubs here are very poor so basketball footwear is overlooked. A few months ago a local store brought here some Rose 7s,CLB16s and HD16 and I was really surprised because this is really really uncommon.
Back to the shoes…I hear what you say about the Rose 6 – my friend say it is very soft and confortable and really protects from impact. But I had one of those duds Adidas let through QC and it was stiff as a rock thus I ended selling it. I also felt like I was dragging two heavy weights on my feet, really disliked playing on them. The Rose 7 I tried on was much, MUCH better.
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Schwollo sorry to sidetrack this great review.
I got a chance to pick up a pair of OG Jordan 21’s in decent condition. Any experience with these shoes as far as traction and performance man? I have like 14 hours before I have to decide on them.
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I’ve read great things about the xxi from professor K (look on his site kicksology.net or old sole collectors for the review). However I did not like the shoe all that much. Very good traction decent zoom feel but very targeted in the heel since they used those pods. Forefoot was too wide for me and I’m a wide footer! Rest was good though ! I do like how they look if that matters
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Once again a very thorough and informative review. I believe that Adidas has improved last year’s model not only aesthetically but also from performance aspect. Keep up with your great work!
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Oh yea I had a lot of friends ask me about the CE17 this year simply bc they liked how it looked. Nobody bought them though bc I told them to wait lol
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As always, quality review! And I’m definitely going to wait when the price hits rock bottom.
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Good idea ! Prices in the U.K. Seem to stay up a bit longer!
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Hope everything is ok for you … again. Geez what is this world coming to?!
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It’s a crazy world we live in- regardless of where you are, crazy and selfish people are roaming around. Me and the family are good, thanks for asking. But gotta remain vigilant.
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Another great review. I’m with you on CE16 not living up to the hype for me. Exchanged them for Rose7’s and haven’t looked back though i don’t like the heel-forefoot drop. I may try an insole mod where I double up on the forefoot. Rose6 tooling + Rose 7 upper would be perfect. Keep up the great work!
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Yea the insole makes it feel a lot more even. Thanks for reading!
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So they kept the traction the same? These companies will put out near perfect traction on one model and then switch it up on the next one for no apparent good reason. But they keep the one that’s just “good” until it quickly wears out? SMH.
Sounds like a good shoe overall, but the traction isn’t what I’m looking for and those high sock collars don’t do it for me so I’m passing. As always, thanks for the detailed and thorough review!
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Haha yep
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Could you do a review on the Drose 8? Word has it that its a lighter drose 7 with a less clunky silhouette…..would love to see what you think!
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It’s on my radar. I’ve already tried 1-7 can’t stop now lol
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Are these really hot/poor ventalation? Was about to buy these but heard they were like a sweater on your foot. Also heard the drose 8 was basically an improved performance version (but ugly as sin).
Great review again! Also looking forward to you drose 8 review.
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I didn’t think it was terrible but I’m not picky about that lol. That glue on the forged areas will keep heat and the tongue is thick so not really anywhere for heat to go so logically it prob isn’t the best.
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Excellent review as always. You touched most aspects of the shoes that I noticed. I’m testing the black/red version with solid outsole. Hopefully they can bite a dusty floor
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Nice !
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Hey you had mentioned that the boost bottoms out for you over time. Do you feel the same bottoming out effect with bounce? Thanks.
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No I do not
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These or the explosive bounce???
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I prefer the Explosive Bounce mainly due to traction and no bottoming out for me. Fit is better on the CE though
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Hey Schwollo,
I really like ur reviews! On eastbay they sell CE low (2016) with solid rubber soles, have u tested those? Would be great if u could write me ur opinion on those. Thanks Chris
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I tested the solid mids and they are better traction wise than the translucent. Hope that helps !
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Hi, I own a KOBE AD NXT US9.5 and Hyperdunk 2016 US9, what size do you think would suit me for CE PK 9.5? We dont have them in our local store so I will need to order one online, i had a chance to try a D Rose 7 low and US9.5 suits me. Thank you.
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2017? 9.5 2016 then 9
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Yes, I’m after the 2017 CE PK, so will I get a 9.5 or 9? Thanks
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9.5
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this one or CLB 16?
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Tough one. If no mod to CLB then crazy explosive .
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Did you have any discomfort from the heel counter? Admittedly my ankle is shaped in such a way that I am prone to pain from aggressive heel counters (for example I can’t wear Nike’s Goadome boot series, the Kobe 7, any number of dress shoes) but these really did a number on me. I wore them twice and had to return them. Dug into my heel and opened up a one inch by one inch, deep divot that bled and hurt. I actually really liked the CE2016 and I was looking forward to these. I still have my Vegas pair deadstock (kept it as I paid retail and they are worth more), should I give it a chance? Does the heel counter even out? Someone suggested that I try bending it (he said he did that with his pair after having similar issues) but I don’t know if that will work for me.
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I had that same problem with the 2016 and bending it helped a lot so it should work w the 2017. I had no issues with the 2017 digging in so it’s a matter of quality control and ankle shape I guess. I personally wouldn’t un ds the Vegas pair but that’s just my collector side. Once you wear them the value goes down fast haha
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im 10.5 on crazy explosive 2016, what should be my size for this one? 10.5 or 11?
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11 they run shorter than the 16
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Did you ever feel the heel counter of this shoe rubbing against your heel? Mrfoamersimpson on youtube said in his review that the stiff counter of this shoe was digging a bit into his heel.. For me, I experienced this with the Lebron Soldier IX which also had a really stiff heel counter.. I also had another adidas budget shoe that was rubbing against my socks and whenever I removed the shoe, I literally could see some fraying on my socks.. Have you ever had this experience with any basketball shoe you have owned in the past?
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I had that issue with the 2016. It is actually a soft thin internal heel counter and it sits right around the bottom of the lateral ankle bone (malleolus). I did not have that issue with the 2017 but if you do just work it with your hands manually. Everyone has different ankles and feet so although online ordering is nice sometimes it just doesn’t work out.
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