*4/30- deciding to upgrade my traction rating on these. Seems to be similar on dusty floors as any other shoe when in comes to wiping*
Gas, brake, take a nap, cook
Harden is ruining the game
Harden travels on his euros and step backs
Harden is taking advantage of the rules
Harden is the greatest offensive weapon ever
Harden is the centerpiece player you want
Harden is a better iso player than Jordan
After some time in the V2, I think the shoe is polarizing just likes it’s namesake and it definitely isn’t for everybody. But you have to give credit where credit is due; Harden is having a monster year (again) and the V2 is an improvement over the its predecessor, the Volume 1
Pros: excellent traction on clean floors, smooth yet firmer cushioning, fit, stability, containment
Cons: needs wiping on dusty floors like other shoes, heavy for a low top, break in needed, some lace pressure at top eyelet, very stiff underfoot midfoot and back
Best for: bigger guards to bigs, not for players who want a minimal, flexible shoe
Buying Advice: wait as always. I got my pair with a coupon at Dick’s for $112 on release day. Already coupon eligible on Eastbay. $100 or less is fair, bottom around $65
Weight
I erroneously said it was 17 ounces in my midway review. It’s actually 18.5 ounces which harkens to Lebron weight but in a low top.
For reference the Kobe VI weighed 9.5 ounces so that’s almost twice the weight. It doesn’t matter to me but don’t tell me this is lightweight. Most lows weigh around 13-14 ounces. Ball don’t lie, neither do numbers.
Traction
Fractal pattern is Adidas’s name for it, I call it the lotus root and cantaloupe rind pattern.
Traction is ridiculously good on clean floors and I never say that. However, on the flip side you do need to wipe agood amount to stay stuck to the floor when it gets dusty. The rubber is soft and there are a lot of flat portions and contact points so it’s just swiffering the floor for the next team.
*By the way where has Continental rubber been for the Adidas Bball line up the past two years? Yea it didn’t do anything for indoor hoops you’re welcome.*
Is it better or worse than the Volume 1? It has much better stopping power when clean but just as bad a little better on dusty floors so overall it has a slight edge in my book. I’d rate these better than the solid and translucent outsole of the Harden V1 but not as nearly as good overall as the Crazylight Boost 2016 or Rose 7. Like the Dame 4, humidity and clean floors are your friend with the V2.
Cushioning
Although it looks like a lot of voluminous Boost, it is not actually that high. Your foot sits below the green line. If you take a look at Fastpass, you can see that it’s actually about 2-3 mm more than the V1 and about 3-4mm than the CLB16. Adidas stated somewhere that it’s the most Boost ever used and technically it might be (read on) . Adidas also swapped out the traditional fiberboard strobel and went back to cloth ala Rose 6.
All these changes sound like you’d get a super soft ride, softer than any Boost shoe in Adidas’s line up doesn’t it? Yep, I thought the same too but it’s the firmest set up out of the Boost basketball line up in the past three years. I personally really liked the set up because it’s a nice blend of speed and impact protection but I know lots of people want it softer (that’s not what she said). I feel like this set up is more BMW like made for quick turns than a comfy floaty ride of a Cadillac.
How did Adidas manage to give us more Boost yet make it feel firmer? My guess is that while there is more Boost in the shoe, that extra bit they added is not actually underfoot. Look how wide the Boost sits outside the shoe, as well as how far your foot sits below that green line I mentioned above.
Also, the shank’s shape takes up a lot of space underfoot so a lot of there isn’t as much Boost and/or it’s serially compressed.
Pic courtesy of Fastpass.cn
Don’t forget that Adidas can change the density or spacing of the pellets as well.
Overall, it feels similar to the Dame 4 set up but with a little more volume and spring thanks to Boost. There is not a ton of give like the older Boost set ups but it is feels more refined for quicker movements.
Fit
Per usually Adidas runs slightly long but it’s shorter than the V1. Wide footers like myself will want to go true to size because these run snug true to size. I fit both length wise but preferred the width of my regular size 11. Regular and narrow footers will want to try these in store if possible but I’m pretty sure they can go down half a size depending on preference. The thick rand at the midfoot will really affect players with high insteps so once again try these on in store.
The fit is great out of the box for most of the shoe while the heel fit needs time to break in. Most of the shoe feels very one to one thanks to the one piece bootie. It is a very similar set up (and look) to the Nike Zoom Crusader which Harden wore when he was with Nike. Ground breaking design it is not.
Pic courtesy of Nicekicks
The heel collar has more padding and contour to it than last year as well so it does a decent job even without break in.
I had a bit of heel slip the first week or so but after this past week, the slip is gone.
The main reason for the needed break in is the stiffness of the the shank plate. Midfoot and back has almost zero flex, similar to the Dame 3. You can either play through the stiffness to break it in or you can real use your muscles to flex and soften it up a touch. Seriously it takes some muscle or leverage to get these to bend.
I’m pretty much pushing down with all my might
Lastly the pegboard is back and once again it doesn’t really do much. I ended up lacing the top eyelets so I could spare some laces for the last eyelets and using the second to last eyelet in the rear. I had some crazy lace pressure with the furthest down just like in the Dame 3.
How does the fit compare to the V1? Much better in opinion. The V2 feels like it hugs the foot better due to the inner sock construction filling in every little bit of space around the foot. Break in time took a few hours but in my opinion it is well worth the extra effort.
Materials
Adidas markets the material as Forgedfiber and I like it. Forgedfiber is:
Heat-pressed, TPU-coated fibres that are stitched in to provide targeted support and lightweight durability
Or basically glue covered stitching plus mesh.
Sure it isn’t Primeknit but it looks premium with all that texture and color. It probably does little to nothing to the upper but kudos to Adidas for premiuminizing boring looking budget materials. It’s like watching a makeover show for sneaker materials.
The rear of the shoe is enveloped between two sturdy synthetic panels.
They might not look or feel great to the touch but it works as intended and that’s what counts.
Although the V1 used some nicer materials, it made no difference on court. I thought these were on par value wise with the retail price.
Support and Stability
I really think this area will imake or break it for a lot of players. Since this is a low, support comes from the fit and the heel counter(s).
There is actually an average stiffness internal heel counter in the sock while the extending outsole acts as an external heel counter.
Like my abs, this thing is rock hard (just kidding about the abs not the heel)
Adding to the support is the hidden shank which really makes 3/4 of the shoe a stiff board. As I said earlier it is very similar in stiffness to the Dame 3 but the Boost pretty much hides the stiffness. The only part that really bends is the forefoot. Some may like the stiffness while others may not. I don’t think these feel clunky at all thanks to the Boost but you have to break in that shank. If you like a more natural or flexible feel, stay away from this shoe.
Stability is excellent on the V2. Like the Dame 4, the outsole is ultra wide and your foot is just sitting in a raft of Boost.
I really enjoyed the wide outsole and never felt in danger or turning my ankle at all.
Great job Adidas!
Containment
I was skeptical when I saw the pictures of the V2 but Adidas added a thick TPU piece to keep the forefoot from flexing. Add in the strong synthetic panels and the tough midfoot rand and you have great containment.
Awesome job Adidas!
Conclusion
Harden and Adidas waited a whopping fifteen months to release the Volume 2. Doesn’t Adidas know that sneakerheads need the shoe cycle to be twelve months or less? Today’s sneakerheads need retros from 2016 already so three months is like ..like a whole three months more!
I’m probably one of the few consumers that actually appreciates the 1.25-1.5 year release. We don’t need a new model year after year especially as new colorways are coming out only a few months before the new model. The only reason we see new models every twelve months is to make sales number work.
Overall I feel that Adidas improved everything on the V2.
- Better traction on clean floors
- Better overall fit
- Firmer, more refined Boost
- A ton of support and stability maybe to the point of turning off some consumers
- Excellent containment
And like the Dame 4, this shoe is extremely fun to wear. I really like this shoe a lot more than the V1. However, again like the Dame 4, it will only be allowed on clean floors. I played a tournament this past weekend and used it for all seven games and had zero issues since the court was clean and waxed. One other player I talked to had them as well (the only other person I saw with them) and he said he was normally a Kobe guy but loved the V2 as well.
I think people in general will really enjoy this shoe if you allow some break in for the traction. You still have to wipe but not as bad as I initially thought when I posted this review.
Overall I’m pleased with the traction
Overall, like the Dame 4, the Harden V2 is a first team honorable mention. Had traction been better on dusty floors it would definitely have first team honors. I do have to say it is my favorite shoe so far this year (all two months!!) even with the less than desirable traction on dusty floors and really makes me want to try replicating some of Harden’s signature moves. Isn’t that a sign Adidas got it right ? First team honors for the Harden V2.
schwollo.com 
Just arrived from the first leg of my weekly back to back pick up. Great first impression! I loved these things and I agree with everything you just said. I was a bit paranoid about the traction failling me after reading some of the talk around the web so I kept wiping it like crazy, which is something I really never do. But I never really had a problem. Actually I felt very fast and springy on them. Fit is otherworldy. Will wear them again tomorrow. The only curious thing is that I’m feeling a bit of pain underneath my right foot, reminiscent of the pain I felt when using (the also thick) Rose 6. I wonder if that thick boost/unflexible setup triggers my plantar fasciitis. I hope not because I’m def in love with this shoe.
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Could be anything ..poor warm up or you lunged and pushed off your calf too hard ..or just tight calves. Or could be the shoe haha. I was very surprised with the traction it just felt tight on clean courts or when wiped
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Father time my friend. Still unbeaten hahahaha…
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I’m trying !! Lol
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Played in them again. The foot pain went away. The traction (which wasn’t a problem for me in the 1st place) is getting even more reliable (didn’t feel the need to wipe during play, only between games)…man, I gotta tell you: since I can’t play strictly in low profile shoes anymore, this shoe has just become my go-to. This kind of cushioning with that amount of court feel and responsiveness…I’m so in love with them I’m wearing them walking around the house LOL.
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Great to hear !
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Awesome review, looks like the Harden V2 does it’s justice.
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Traction in dusty floors could be better but it works better when clean than the v1. Everything else is def better though
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In-depth review as always Schwollo! Good job!
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Thanks as always !
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How noticeable is the weight of shoe in game? When I tried on the shoes at the store, they seemed heavy. I was worried they would feel bulky.
As point of reference, I too mostly wear Kobe’s and Curry 2’s. However, I have worn Nike zoom crusaders in the past for outdoor hoops and they were definitely heavier than the Kobe’s, but it wasn’t something I consciously felt in game.
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No didn’t notice the weight but I’ve played in every early Lebron. Four of five ounces isn’t going to kill anyone’s legs. Crusaders were not this heavy probably around 13-14 ounces which is the same as curry 2s
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I was worried about the weight as well but since the fit makes your foot work with the shoe in such a seamlessly way, it never crossed my mind during play.
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Wait what if the flat surface with little holes on it actually act like suction cups?? Ok imma outta here haha
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Haha
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Haha! When I was a kid, a friend’s cousin said the circle cutouts on the soles of Nike hoop shoes like the Flight Lite II and the Air Force Max (‘93) we’re supposed to act like suction cups. Can’t remember—think I was uncertain about it at the time, too—whether he was earnestly hypothesizing about it, bullshitting us, or actually relating Nike marketing.
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Haha I remember those patterns hahah
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Any thoughts on the outsole for outdoors? Looks pretty solid and seems like boost would be good for the harder surface. I usually play outdoors but haven’t tried boost yet for hoops. Also, very glad I read your Jordan 31 low review, might be my favorite hoops shoe ever!
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Outsole will wear down bc the rubber is soft. Upper is mesh and will get holes if you drag feet at all. Anta kt outdoor looks and sounds like a good option according to thegymratreview.com
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Nice! These sound promising. I play in the CLB16 (mod’ed to have double the number of lace holes), Jordan 31 low, and the Curry 2.5—heavily Schwollo-influenced rotation… cheers, man—and the CLB is my all-around favorite, I think largely thanks to the cushioning’s being softer and bouncier than the C2.5’s and feeling more consistent (regardless of where my foot strikes) than the 31’s Zoom. I’m hoping the V2s are similarly dependable and well-rounded. On the strength of your review, I actually ordered a pair this morning (had patiently waited for Eastbay to come down on their HD17 prices, but now that they finally did, they were too low to qualify on their own for the 20% off $99+ orders… so I kinda had to get the V2s too, HA!). I like how the V2s look, too, so I was kinda hoping they performed well—makes it easier to rationalize buying ‘em. Thanks for the review!
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I like how certain colorways (these) look. I think you’ll like them but clbs feels softer underfoot.
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Word. I actually like a majority of the colorways, which is rare.
As much as I like the CLBs, I’d prefer that they were slightly firmer in the heel, so, yeah, hopefully I like the V2s. The cushioning isn’t as firm as that of the Curry 2.5s, is it? Also, the CLBs feel a little thinner than I’d like under the forefoot, so I’m encouraged that these appear to have a thicker slab under the forefoot (although I noticed that Fastpass included the outsole thickness in their measurement on the V2 but not the CLB, so maybe it’s not all that different). We’ll see. I’m eager to give them a spin!
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No they aren’t that firm. I think you’ll find the cushioning to your liking overall bc everything you don’t like about the CLB seems to be “fixed” on the v2. Let me know how it goes!
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I like some of the colorways not all. Don’t really like that leafy design look on the panels. Solid colorways look good though !
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Excellent! Now I’m even more excited to get them on the court. Too bad the traction isn’t as consistently top-notch as the CLBs. Yeah, I’ll let you know my impressions.
I don’t always like patterns on uppers but I do like the leafy design ones. I mess with some of the solid ones too. I like the look of the contrasting midsole and outsole, especially because it accentuates how the outsole wraps up huge at the heel.
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Haha good looks will make any shoe better .. look good play good right ?!
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Haha, let’s hope so!
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Tangential, but felt I should follow up my OP to say: I played in the 31 low solids again today and gotta say that they’re certainly giving the CLBs a run for their money for top spot in my rotation. For cushioning, the Boost still has a slight edge for me, but the shape of the 31’s midsole & outsole seems a little more nimble than that of the CLB, if that makes any sense—maybe the CLB’s outrigger is just a liiiiiittle beefier than I’d prefer (probably to keep the Boost stable)… I’m not sure, it’s hard to pinpoint. I put one of each shoe sole-to-sole and looked at them straight on at the toe, and they’re almost exactly the same width with a very similar profile/cross section—the most noticeable difference (aside from the protruding Zoom unit… I was focusing mostly on the lateral and medial edges) is that the CLB’s outrigger is buttressed up a little more, whereas that of the 31 is more like a blade.
Reviewing your V2 front-on flicks and stability section, I’m wondering if the really wide base will feel slightly less nimble like the CLB.
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Tough question bc it’s really all about feel. I don’t think the harden feels less nimble than the CLB bc the cushioning is firmer and you really don’t notice the width of the shoe when you’re playing. The xxxi feels like the most nimble shoe out of the 3 probably due to lower cushioning and lightest weight. Harden v2 is sturdy tank of a shoe but has a nice balance.
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Word, word. Well, I’m intrigued. My V2s (and HD17 lows) are supposed to be delivered Tuesday, and I should get to play in them Wednesday. Looking forward to it!
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Sweet let me know how it goes !
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Package arrived today—love how they feel just walking around the house. The forefoot looks so wide looking down at them… kinda reminds me of those Strength Shoes—haha! Obviously won’t be a distraction while playing (except for maybe lining up to shoot free throws). Was worried the wide lateral outrigger would make for slappy landings when like planting sideways for jumpshots but tried it at home and didn’t notice anything amiss. Again, hopefully get to hoop in them tomorrow and get a better sense of how I like ’em, but so far feeling very favorable!
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Let me know how it goes !
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Oh yeah, also meang to say that I don’t really notice the weight walking around in them. Probably because they fit so well and seem well integrated/cohesive.
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V2s treated me well for the first run. When I just started warming up, I felt a little more impact on the balls of my feet when landing (from jumping) than I expected, but honestly I felt pretty fatigued from work and whatever, so I probably wasn’t landing properly (i.e., bending my knees to absorb impact). But I guess I had hoped for a little more cushion/bounce there (even though your review said they are fairly firm—ha!). Regardless, I didn’t really notice that jarring impact or anything else negative once we started playing. And that’s pretty nice to be able to lace up a new pair of sneaks and basically forget about them while playing. Guess that means they feel pretty natural.
I followed your lacing pattern, didn’t pull them real tight, and didn’t have any discomfort from lace pressure or overly tight fit, which has been an issue for me with other new shoes recently until I’ve gotten the right lace tension dialed in.
No problems with traction, but we were playing on this weird rubber/vinyl surface where I’ve never had any issues with traction. Wish I had more insights but I was fairly preoccupied by playing and, like I said, didn’t really notice any problems I can recall, which is a good thing!
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That’s always a good start! I haven’t had any issues with traction aside from wiping and on clean floors they are great. Rubber floors sound like they will stick like glue lol
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Ha! Yep. Thanks for steering me towards these!
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Harden v2 on mi adidas…might be a problem for me
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Uh-oh! I almost wish you hadn’t told me! Did I say before that I’d consider wearing them casually? ‘Cause I had thought that… although now that I know they look like Strength shoes when I look down, I might have to backpedal on that. HOWEVER, I actually got on here to say that I had my second run in them today and REALLY like playing in them. This was on a usually pretty dirty rec center court (I’ve seen non-ballplayers troop across it in hiking boots, and often there are little nickel-sized piles of crumbling dirt—probably that fell out from between lugs of damn boots—here and there on the floor), and, with only sporadic wiping that I did probably more out of habit than necessity, never had any issues with slipping or traction. But the V2s just seem to be very well-rounded, like finely-tuned in every category of performance. I know you said they need a good deal of break-in, but they’ve felt pretty natural to me from the get-go. I don’t notice their weight nor the wide base while playing (I do notice it occasionally while walking around). I like the balance of cushion vs. responsiveness. Without even cranking down on the laces (which I guess is my default approach), I get a good snug fit and lockdown. As you can tell, I’m real enthused about these—hoping to grab another pair or more if I can find them for cheap. Now lemme see the options on miadidas (haha!)…
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Nice! Glad they’ve been working out so far for you. I don’t know why other reviews are saying the traction is horrible i think it’s way better than the v1 overall. The ride is really tight which I also like.
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Ohhhhh, man—they have gum soles!
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I’ve been messing around in it..lots of good options
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Wish they gave the option for other colors for the Boost, though.
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How have the hardens been this past week?
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Sorry, I missed your question until just now (was looking back over this because I was sending the link to your review to a buddy who asked me about the V2s and the Curry 4 lows). Man, the V2s have easily taken the top spot in my rotation. It’s not even close, really. I haven’t played in any of my other pairs since I got the Hardens, actually. If you recall, I got the HD17 lows in the same shipment with the V2s. Shot around in them once after a shorter than normal run just to break them in a little bit. They felt good, but the cushioning is about as firm as I’ll go for. If I were playing in timed, officiated games, I’d probably like the quick firm responsiveness, but I play in 1.5-2-hr. pickup runs and find myself wanting what you call good “blended” cushioning. I’ll still give the HDs a shot sometime, probably, but, damn, the V2s suit me so well, it’s hard to rationalize playing in anything else at the moment. Like I said above, prior to the V2s, my rankings were: 1. CLB16, 2. XXII low solid, and 3. Curry 2.5. Well, the V2 easily takes the #1 spot now. Not sure where the HD17 will fit in there. But I’m hoping to grab another pair or two of V2s if I can get ’em on the cheap.
I’ve been quite pleased with the V2’s traction. Don’t recall slipping once. Occasionally I’ll wipe them mostly on principle or out of habit or just from superstition (maybe subconsciously recalling your review) but I don’t even remember thinking that it had felt a little iffy and I oughtta wipe to tighten it up or anything like that.
Guess it should come as no surprise that I enthusiastically encouraged my friend to get the Hardens and not the Curry 4s.
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Glad to know they worked out for you! i really enjoy playing in mine as well. Only had one really bad experience traction wise but everyone was slipping that night. Just wait around for sales on the v2. Eastbay coupons work already.
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And thanks for sharing my reviews 🙂
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Yeah, for sure—thanks for writing your reviews!
Gotcha re. traction. Yeah, I was able to use a 20% off Eastbay coupon on my first pair. Hoping they sit and I can get some rock bottom prices 🙂
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Nice ! Yea they are sitting everywhere !
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Woo-hoo!
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OK, I’ve made it clear that I love the V2s, right? Maaaaan, I have to say I’m kinda displeased, though: the forefoot doesn’t feel as springy as it did at first (and it was pretty firm to begin with). I estimate I haven’t played more than 35-40 hours in them over the course of the last seven weeks. I know the foam’s gonna gradually break down over time, but that seems too fast. Reminds me that the forefoot cushioning on the DRose 6 got pretty firm on me eventually, but I don’t think that happened this quickly. Kinda wanna try on a fresh pair of V2s to compare. So now I really hope their prices hit rock bottom, and soon, although I don’t know if I’m beat to buy up several pairs of a shoe I love when it’s new but then wears out real quick (all other aspects of it are holding up fine, though). I know you rotate in a bunch of other shoes so I assume you haven’t logged a lot of hours in your V2s—be that as it may, you got any insights?
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That’s weird..well you know as well as I about adidas QC. Try buying another pair off adidas and see if the same thing occurs. You can return them within 30 days even if worn. BtwI’ve found the traction to be better on dusty than I initially thought. Still my fav shoe of the year so far
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That’s cool about their 30-day return policy. Would be nice if I could get ’em on sale. Hmm…
But yeah, this model’s a great performer in every category. Glad they’re treating you better on dusty floors. Kinda like you mentioned about having one bad experience on a day/surface when everybody was slipping, I’ve had one run where I could tell just from warmups that the floor was extra dusty and slippery, so I went ahead and changed into HD17s, which probably helped some, although even they were having a little difficulty handling the dust.
I hear you that the V2s are your favorites so far this year. They’re my favorites in a while! You order any custom miadidas ones? I haven’t but have considered it. I’ve been on the lookout for an all-white shoe with gum soles that wrap up the sides somewhere in an interesting way, just for casual wear. Ideally, they’d be leather or synthetic leather so that they’d be easier to keep cleanish. I’m not sure exactly where this desire came from, especially since I’ve been trying to get/customize casual sneaks with no white for a while now, but it was probably largely influenced by my remembering that my buddy back in high school had the white/gum Air Rattle Ndestrukts. I thought they looked boring at the time—you know my thoughts on monochrome uppers—but now I think they or something that resembles them would be fun to rock every once in a while. Kinda wanted to iD the Kyrie 2s because they had that nice wavy forefoot lateral outsole wrap but I held off for too long because I was worried the white mesh upper would get dirty too easily. So, even though the V2s have that fresh chunky heel wrap, I have the same concern about the upper… too bad they don’t offer white for the leather toecap option.
… And but even if they did, that wide forefoot tooling might be too goofy for casual wear. Haha! I don’t know.
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Hahah I have not miadidas the harden yet but I’ve played around with it. Waiting for the 30% off since i have the imma be and asu colorways now. A few years ago I would have jumped on those 20% miadidas sales but now I can wait lol
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Maybe I’m trippin’ about the forefoot cushioning, though. Played this morning, and it felt good. Left my previous comment after playing Wednesday evening after being on my feet all day at work, so maybe my feet were just tired before I even put on the Hardens. I’m relieved that the situation is better than I’d feared.
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Hahah all good!
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Good to know about the miadidas sales—assumed they never went on sale. Nike rarely puts iDs on sale, right? The premium for customizing the V2s is higher than I would’ve expected. $30 more than the $150 they charge for the regular colorways (which is also $10 more than they’re listed with most other retailers—also struck me as strange). So yeah, a markdown would be helpful.
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I think it’s 170 for non leather toe and 180 for leather. You can use the 15-20% off on miadidas anytime usually. Nike id does go on sale during clearance time but not all.
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Gotcha, gotcha. Thanks.
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Excellent review Scwollow! Long time stalker and a fellow Asian Austinite, I’m very intrigued by this. I might just cop this because you pulled the zoom crusader pic on me…
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lol I wonder if we know each other . Do you play in the Rommel’s Asian league ?
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These were never on my list.. but you making me to second guess haha. Dope review as always!
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Thanks !
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I’ve heard the green colour way has much better traction on dusty floors. U should try them out
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Traction on the Kobe 5, Kobe 6, Dame 4, or Harden Vol. 2?
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Another tough question. V2 has the strongest bite by far of the four but at the same time it needs wiping to keep it. In terms of wiping effort, you need most wipes with either Dame 4 or Harden then Kobe 5 and Then 6. I really like the biting power of the v2 . Been awhile since I was surprised like this
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Hey schwollo! I’ve been hooping in the PG 1 last year and they’ve been great. However, I found a pair of kobe 8s in the same size as my PG 1s and am thinking of getting them, based off the fact that so many of my friends had them back in high school.
I have 2 questions:
i) how does the fit of the kobe 8 compare to that of the pg 1 width wise
ii) what are the pros and cons of the kobe 8s
ps: Love your reviews
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Did you go up half a size with the Pg1? Kobe 8 is more wide foot friendly than the Pg1. Kobe 8 has excellent traction very light very low to the ground. I’m not a fan of drop in insoles but cushioning feels pretty good. No major cons to the Kobe 8 other than that. Fit is very nice no heel slip at all. Feels like you’re playing in a running shoe.
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Thanks! Also, Kobe 8s dont have any tippiness in the heel right?
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Nope none at all. Very flat stable outsole
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How’s the traction compared to solid PG1?
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Oh I forgot to ask, is the traction “safe” on dusty floors? My Lillard 2 and PG1’s traction is safe for me tho, bc I won’t slip and hurt my self like in the Dame 3.
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You should be ok after wipes. I haven’t slipped in them.
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Better bite but needs more wiping so it’s a trade off
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Hey Schwollo, I know these guys are old but can you try these Brandblack out? https://brandblack.com/products/future-legend?variant=27751957128. Nightwing says the traction on the black/white colorway is the best, but Solebrothers says the traction on the maroon colorway is pretty bad, and both of them says cushion and lockdown is one of the best! And plus $60 is too craaazy! And a ton of sizes left on most colorways. But the traction performs differently on different colorways is bizarre… And since there’s only two of them reviewed these so we don’t really have any idea of which colorway to get! Maybe try them out, they might be the top performance for a sleeper and for the price!
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I think they “perform” differently bc it’s two different reviewers. I have no interest in those but for 60 it isn’t a bad deal. I saw them for 45 around Xmas still didn’t pull the trigger lol. I tried them on and they are very comfortable very soft cushioning and plush interior. Traction looks and feels like it should work though.
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I’m just gonna put it out there that even though nightwing isn’t the end all and be all of shoe reviews, sole brothers is definitely the worst source for shoe reviews. I have seen them put the same shoes in a “top tractions” video AND a “worst tractions” video.
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Haha that’s funny
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What shoe is in both?
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I think they were the 2016 hyperdunks?
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Well I think that traction is very good. No issues with it
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Hey Schwollo! What are the top 5 most guard-oriented (ie: quick feeling) shoes of all time from nike?
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All time? That’s a lot to digest
Recent: Why Not, pg1 and 2, Kobe adm, Kobe nxt, hyperdunk 2017 Jordan xxxi low solid
Somewhat recent: Kobe xi hyperdunk 2011-2013, Kobe 8, 9
Older: Kobe 4-6, zoom bb I
I know I’m forgetting some. If you have one in mind just ask
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what about the Kyrie and KD line?
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Kyrie 2 is the best of the 4 . Then the 3 4, 1
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Kds 1-3 pretty guard like. 6 is guard shoe but I didn’t like it. 8 is a good balanced guard shoe too.
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and shoes from the lebron soldier line
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Not real a light weight quick shoe more an overall sturdy shoe . Not sure what you’re looking for here .
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i was just wondering if these shoes were suitable for quick players haha. Thanks for answering all my questions
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I got the 31’s for Xmas, the shoes feel great but the traction is terribad!!! I have been slipping like crazy on clean courts. I think I am gonna have to pull the trigger on the vol2’s they look so nice!
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Solid or translucent? I like the v2 a lot no issues on clean floors
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It’s translucent ones. Another hooper yesterday had the same issue with his pair. We both look like we were playing on ice.
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The 2022 Winter Olympic are only four years away though so it’s good practice 🙂 yea the translucent is no good in the mid or low. Solid is much better .
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hey schwollo, not related to the harden v2s but would you still recommend going a half size up on the HD17 flyknits for widefooters now that you’ve presumably broken them in? i want to get a pair but I’ve been on the fence on sizing since I’ve been seeing a ton of reviews saying the flyknit loosens up a ton after wear.
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I’ve had no issues half a size up. I like a little more space in the toe box and I preferred the width of half a size up. I have a lot of friends who went true to size also and had no issues so it’s really personal preference
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Hey schwollo, do you mind listing some of the thinnest cushions/most court feel you’ve ever played in?
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Curry 4, Kobe 5, 8, Kyrie 2, Rose 3,4 all come to mind immediately. We’re talking only a few millimeters.
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Got the Kyrie 2’s, and they seem to just have rock hard cushion as opposed to having court feel. They put me higher off the ground than my curry 2.5’s that are half a size bigger. They’re in my rotation now with the HOF grip, fit, and super responsiveness due to the hard cushion, but I don’t think that they have the “court feel” that every reviewer talks about.
Probably gonna get the Curry 4’s though, along with the 2’s too. Also Kobe 8’s too if there are any left in my size. My hands down most court feel/low to the ground cushion shoe I’ve played in though are the Kobe 11 EM’s.
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It’s an ok shoe, not one of my favorites . Some times you take an L on a shoe..I’ve taken a lot of L’s over the years . Haha
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Oh I see. Well they’re definitely in my rotation just for the GOAT traction, Superb fit, and rock hard responsive cushioning.
And yea, same lol. Only thing to do is either resell them or use them as street/outdoor shoes lol.
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Mamba mentality/instinct/rage shoes are real close to the ground, especially in the forefoot.
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Oh I see. Thanks for the suggestions. Yea the one I had most in mind was the mentality 2 for it’s superb traction too.
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Another joyfull and very informative review, well done Shwollo! Thus far, Harden’s signature line has releasedin my opinion two excellent performing models although the second one has a cheap look.
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Between the vol.2, lillard 4, and hd 17 fk which one would you say plays fast? Just put on a go crazy.
Thanks in advance.
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All play pretty firm and fast. Best traction and firmest cushioning is the HD, followed by the Harden then Lillard 4. None of the three are what I consider slow sneakers, all well balanced cushioning set ups.
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Thanks Schwollo I appreciate your reviews man.
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No problem i appreciate you reading !
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Thanks for another great review and traction update. Nice review – it’s in line with my experience with the shoes. The rear of the shoe is definitely stiffer to start but breaks in after a week or so of regular play and gym days. Initially it felt almost as stiff as the 32 lows, but the Vol 2s break in smoother and faster than the 32s. Overall, I’m with you that these are a nice improvement over the the V1s and I enjoy playing in them more. Still think the V1s look nicer.
I was so happy with my pair after break in that I bought a miadidas pair too with a 20% off code. Hard to beat a really nice custom signature shoe for only $136. Nike might get some more NikeID sales if they could get their pricing down…
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Yep I almost pulled the trigger on that deal but i held off only bc I’m waiting for the 30% lol. Nike would sell more ID’s at a lower price but they have the most brand power out of the big three we can’t expect lower prices except when Nike ids go on sale. At least shoes in general aren’t in that crazy 250 price point anymore.
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Hey Schwollo, did you find these more stiffer or on par with say the AJ 32? Got a pair of these a couple weeks ago and trying to get an idea of the break in process
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I found the harden more flexible since the shank is plastic vs carbon fiber..ditching the Kobe’s ?!
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Ha, great memory! I still love everything about the Kobe’s, they broke in nicely and were my go to shoes for most of 2017. The combination of old age and playing a lot more ball lately has me left me wanting to transition to shoes with more impact protection/cushioning than what I’ve been getting from lunarlon (even if it means less responsiveness).
Right now I’m trying out these Harden’s and the AJ 32 mids. Both are giving me what I’m looking for from a cushioning standpoint, but I do prefer the Zoom on the 32’s to the Boost on the Harden’s. Good traction on both, Harden’s had a better bite but on dusty courts I can’t say that one outperformed the other. Weight feels about the same, 32’s feel slightly more supportive (maybe too much!) and they both feel like they’ll be really solid performers to add to the rotation. Overall I have the 32 slightly better right now because I’m still experiencing some heel slippage in the Harden’s…nothing crazy, but just enough to where it’s noticeable. Maybe I haven’t found the ideal lacing set up, or could just be that they haven’t quite yet molded to my feet.
Still going back to Kobe’s on my feet when it’s playoff time in my league…Mamba Mentality!
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Yea you gotta break in the harden a bit before heel slip goes away. 32’s you don’t really have to worry about.
I do the same thing . When it’s playoff time, no fooling around with xxx shoe, goto’s only lol
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Thank you for the review!
I finally tried on the harden vol 2s at store last week. It was on sale for 92 bucks at outlets. I almost pulled the trigger to buy them but I decided to wait. I was not really into the maroon and California dreaming colorways. I have a question about the break in process of hardens. Although I am always fine with size 10 in all shoes, Hardens felt too narrow
. Do they break in to form into your wide foot?
I am fine with kobe ad nxts in size 10 though. It’s kind of weired. For wide footer like myself, it is too bad. I loved the vol 1 because of its wide fit. I hope adidas makes some more wide footer friendly shoes.
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That band in the midfoot doesn’t stretch much so you may feel it is too tight. If going up half a size is too much for you try thinner socks. Keep waiting though, harden prices will keep dropping
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yo schwollo, i made a hole on the heel part of the boost of the vol 2, how will that affect playing on these?
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What kind of hole ? In the strobel?
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small circle hole in the strobel
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Hi schwollo, can you explain a bit more when you say that the Harden Volume 2 is fun to play in despite its stiffness? Like you, I also prefer a nice balance between support and flexibility. I have basketball shoes that are mid cut, wrap too much around the ankle, and are somewhat hard to bend and those seem to affect my shooting. Especially when running on curls or stopping on a run to shoot, I feel like there’s just too much on my feet. So, on your experience, why is the Harden Volume 2 still fun to play in despite it being stiff? Thanks.. 🙂
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Did my reply go through ?
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Hi schwollo; thanks for seeing my query I dont see a reply here in your website though hmm. Could you maybe send it again thanks man And also additional question on the harden 2 if you dont mind: 1) Is the forefoot boost of the Harden 2 thicker than the Rose 6 which you loved? 2) A review from the sole brothers mentioned that the Harden 2 was too much of a low top because the heel portion wrapped too low on the achilles and they said it felt weird so is this really true? Thanks schwollo
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Back to your first question: it plays stiff midfoot back which is fine bc the forefoot is still flexible enough. It’s a fun shoe bc it’s well balanced, traction worked great, cushioning felt good as well and the fit was better than the v1. Forefoot Boost is about the same thickness as the Rose 6 but it is firmer all the way through the shoe. Achilles feels weird ? No not really it works fine after break in but it isn’t Nike level low top lockdown bc there isn’t enough padding. Still one of the best this year for me and half price on adidas . Hope that helps.
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Thanks for all the clarification schwollo. If the forefoot boost is as thick as the Rose 6, then I’ll be able to use it outdoors. I’m planning to buy a second-hand Harden 2 from facebook sneaker groups. Even if it has been used, it will have been broken in already plus it’ll save me money.. hehe..
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It’s as thick just not as soft. Harden should be decent durability outside except the upper since it’s knit/mesh
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Oh yeah the upper. Hmm.. I might just use it then as my sprinting shoe coz I wouldn’t want some dude stepping on it and ripping it apart. I do my sprints on a highway road by the hill so that thick boost is gonna help me some. Plus the heavy weight of the Harden 2 might make my calves bigger.. haha.. Thanks for all the info schwollo….
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It won’t rip from someone stepping on them it would rip from dragging you toe outside on concrete…unless the guy is wearing cleats lol
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I’m planning to cop a pair of Harden Vol. 2 but I need some advice from a fellow wide-footer.. Do you think I’d be okay going up half a size since you said anyway that the Harden Vol. 2’s have a lot of padding? I’m a wide-footer with thin ankles so lockdown is a must for me.. I’m not sure that going true to size with this shoe and lacing them on the top eyelets will be enough to hold down my ankle.. I’m hoping that if I go up half a size, I can just double sock and not feel the lace pressure you mentioned if the laces are slipped through the farthest eyelets–thus providing me with the lockdown I need.. I usually double-sock with my other shoes that are a half size bigger in order not to feel the lace pressure when I really tighten the laces although it is to be noted that I’ve found this to work with shoes that have a normal lacing system so I’m not sure if this will work the Harden Volume 2.. Do you think my idea will work man?
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Lows are tricky bc if they aren’t set right where you like it it doesn’t lock on all the way. I’m pretty sure it would work your way with double socks and the internal sock. Worse case there is a little heel slip imo
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My other option is just go true to size and bear with some lace pressure in exchange for total lockdown.. Does the mesh upper stretch a bit eventually? Because if it does, then I can later on double sock even if I go true to size..
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It kind of stretches but not much. I’d go true to size personally.
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