The 88 dolla playa just works.
I was writing down my thoughts on the PG2 and forgot I had a few pair of these in my closet. I thought it would be interesting to review these since it’s basically the same idea with the same target customer (same team as a matter of fact); budget conscious consumers looking for a signature shoe.
If you haven’t noticed, budget friendly sig shoes are all the rage. Why pay $185 for Lebrons when you can get PG2 for $110? Dame 4 for $115? Kyrie 4 for $120? If you didn’t know the basic laws of supply and demand, more people are willing to purchase a product at a lower price if they see the higher priced item as equal. That’s how you move units without giving up a premium image.
Weight
14.5 ounces which is exactly the same weight as the PG2
Traction
Just a simple herringbone pattern that works. Standard rubber with a standard pattern and it works just fine, very similar to the Clutchfit Drive traction performance. Great on clean floors, needs some wiping on dusty floors to stay tacky. Nothing spectacular, no special storytelling but still very good overall.
Has sneaker traction technology changed much in seven years? A lot of my favorite traction patterns came before 2011 so it isn’t technology related, it’s just what they happened to use this time. At least Nike kept the storytelling to a minimum.
Cushioning
Forefoot Zoom and Phylon midsole. Sound familiar?
These feel almost like any other Nike set up with Zoom forefoot including the PG1. (I think the PG 2 feels a little softer overall). Works just fine. I remember when they released these, Nike would say KD “plays on his toes” so that’s why it’s forefoot Zoom only. What Nike forgot to mention is that it hurts their wallet to put Zoom in the heel for $88.
This set up just works fine. Nothing spectacular as you can feel the Zoom a little in the forefoot and the heel is cored out to give some extra give.
Fit
True to size
No heel slip from the get go, no movement side to side. These sit a little higher than most lows but not my much.
No fancy lace set up although this flap of leather is supposed to help but it’s attached to directly to the medial side of the shoe so you can’t get much more lockdown with this set up. You can choose a slightly lower lace set up at least.
These even have standard white flat laces. Can’t get much more mundane than that. No burrito, no asymmetrical, no one piece bootie…standard lace set ups just work.
Materials
The majority of the shoe is leather with just a little touch of Flywire and synthetic. This particular pair has patent leather on the lateral and medial panels.
Good luck finding this much leather for $88 let alone $150. It works just as well as any of the new materials out there but due to rising costs, much cheaper knits/mesh, and the call to go greener, we won’t be seeing this much anymore. But for Mother Earth, I’m willing to go with a more sustainable material.
Support and stability
I guess this a low but it’s a higher cut low like the PG2 and Kobe ADM. Support comes from the fit and standard heel counter. There is also a basic plastic midfoot shank that works fine as well.
Stability is great thanks to a flat outsole and forefoot outrigger
Once again, nothing new, nothing mind blowing, it just works.
Containment
No issues here. A little stiffer synthetic and Flywire at the forefoot and a raised outsole just keeps everything in place. Hmmm, who would have ever thunk to do that ? Oh yea, me.
Conclusion
Seven years later and it’s the same story as before, no issues at all with the KD3 . $88 would cost $96 today based on inflation so you are actually paying a little more for the PG2 than the KD3 in theory. You have to remember sneaker prices went into hyper drive for a few years then settled back down the past three.
Once again, it’s a matter of budget: how many bells, whistles, and signature allure do you need to buy this shoe? A good analogy for the KD III would be a 2011 Honda Civic; it’s priced affordably for all consumers, looks pretty good and can get me from A to B without fail. Do we need 350 HP cars with German engineering or a newer model to get us home on our daily commute? Absolutely not, but do we want it? Absolutely! Can we afford it… now thats the really question.
The same goes for shoes; do we need full length Boost or Zoom? Do we need the newest model to make us play better? Absolutely not, but boy do we want it. It’s consumerism at its finest.
PG2 Update
I’ve been playing in the PG2 sparingly the week and a half as I recover from my tournament and here are some of my thoughts.
Traction
A softer rubber and thinner pattern make the traction great. I already liked the PG1 traction but these having been working slightly better with a nice bite and minimal wiping. I love to see basics done right. Give me a good traction better with a decent fit and I’m usually a happy camper.
Cushioning
Nike put a bigger Zoom bag in the forefoot and I could tell a slight difference. It isn’t mind blowing Zoom but the feel is a little Zoomier than the PG1 which I thought felt very muted. The overall cushioning also feels an little softer and lower which I think everyone will like. Nike really disguised that Phylon feel with an ultra thick insole like they used last year.
Fit
True to size for everyone. I thought they were snug at first but they loosened up quickly. No heel slip, no side to side movement. I really should just copy and paste my KD3 review.
Materials
Mesh with some synthetic suede panels. Budget materials but it looks nicer than most budget shoes by breaking up the monotony with the placement of different colors and textures. Aside from a name and story telling, that’s the biggest difference you get with budget signature shoes in my opinion; sexier budget materials. As I said in my Harden review, premiumizing budget materials makes us feel like we got more value or bang for the buck.
Support and Stability
No issues here. Good fit and a normal flexing heel counter plus a flat outsole and outrigger set up.
Containment
The synthetic rand around the forefoot helps with the containment. Very similar idea to the KD3 but just done externally rather than integrated. It’s probably a lot cheaper to do it this way than to fuse it’s sew two different materials together. That’s why mesh and no sew uppers are so popular and prevalent now.
Summary
This is going to be another solid shoe from PG and Nike. Nike got the sneaker world buzzing with the PlayStation PG2 and that buzz carries over to the rest of the line. Brilliant idea Nike even if it has no real merit performance wise.
I won’t have this review done for another week or two due to Spring Break with the family but I think the consensus for the PG2 is pretty much same across the board, it just works just like the KD III.
schwollo.com 
Nice cw for the kd’s! I remember wanting the allstar one! Can’t wait for the pg2 review!
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Ha I have that colorway as well just sitting in my closet ..size 11?
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I need to quadruple socks and get 2 insoles for me to fit that 🙂
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Lpl
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Hey Schwollo,
I was searching for Curry 2’s on eBay a couple weeks ago and saw that you had some in the iron sharpens iron coloway in an 11.5. Just checked ebay again and they’re no longer listed. Did they sell or you took them down? If you haven’t sold them and still want to, what’s the lowest price you’d sell for? And if not that color I think you had some other grey ones listed as well?
Thanks!
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Sold
It but I have another pair of them if you’re interested. And yes I had the storm grey ones too but I sold to a friend but have another pair
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It’s hard to explain to kids these days that making solid shoes is not rocket science. They tend to wholeheartedly believe that fancy signatures, heavy price tags, and “newest techs” make shoes perform better.
Back to the topic: KD3’s heel felt a bit clunky to me when I was playing in them. Probably due to the thick outsole rubber that wraps around the thick heel bricklon.
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It’s a little squared off and firm in the heel but nothing bad for me. Yep it’s not rocket science at all . Good five factors and you have a good shoe. Kobe protro marketing might be the best worst example of the newer is better mentality
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I had a few reservations about the PG2 but decided to try them out, not a fan of lows and I need that good zoom for my back and knees. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with them so far, support and fit is great and the zoom is just good enough to not make me feel 100 years old the next day. Great connection between the KD3 and PG2, I didnt think of it but you’re right. I think they called the KD3 a 5/8’s collar back in the day?
Previous wore Lebron 10’s but popped the zoom and the Solder 6’s were killing my toenails.
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You def wore the soldier vi if you have that bruised toe..still wear mine despite it lol. Yep pg2 is solid not quite great but solid all around
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Can I have you thought on the NIKE HYPER ATTACK comparedto the PG2 ?
I hesitate between these 2…
I’m a volleyball player but i love to play with basketball shoes. My favorite are the crazy explosive and the harden 1
I also have the PG1 and the Lebron XV.
Thanks 4 your help mate !
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Is the hyper attack the volleyball Kobe Vi?
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It’s seems it’s the same ! I heard KOBE 6 are the best basketball shoes for volleyball… So i was kind of interested in the HyperAttack even if they are kind of ugly… What would be you advice Hyper Attack or PG2 ?
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I haven’t played in the hyper attack but if it is really like the Kobe vi I’d go with with the hyper attack. I saw it has a reg herringbone patten too. Pg2 is very solid but nothing I get excited about
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How does the cushion on the PG2 compare to the react cushion on the hyperdunk?
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Pg2 feels like Phylon mostly with a little zoom in the forefoot. Hd17 feels better to me overall with enough feedback to make them more fun.
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which shoe would you rather play in, these or kobe 6
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Kobe vi. Better feeling cushioning
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oh i see. But these are more quick feeling right?
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No not really. Zoom done right is perfect
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Are you gonna get the Kyrie Flytraps or the CLB18?
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I don’t plan to as of now maybe when they go on sale. The clb18 looks somewhat interesting since they added extra eyelets two years after I did lol. The flytrap just doesn’t do it for me I’m sure it’s decent though
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Thanks for the reply. Yeah, the flytraps look like the cushion is ass. I got the CLB 18’. They are a very solid shoe, with zero heel slippage (at least for me). The 16’ heel slippage was ridiculous. I just ordered to LeBron 15 Low. Probably gonna take them back after a week are so. I already know the traction is awful.
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Oh nice ..I’ll wait though no big rush. Traction any good?
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Traction on the CLB18’ was iffy at first. I was slipping out the first two times I played in them. But after that, they were A1
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Nice!!
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Does the cushioning in KD 3s feel similar to the cushioning in the PG 1
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Verbatim
These feel almost like any other Nike set up with Zoom forefoot including the PG1. (I think the PG 2 feels a little softer overall)
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Does the heel cushioning in KD 3s feel similar to the heel cushioning in the PG 1
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sorry didnt mean to ask the same question twice
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Hey Schwollo – love your site! I picked up an unworn pair of KD 3s based on your description. Really like the fit out of the box and I can’t wait to play in them. They seem like a show out of the 90’s and that’s great from my perspective.
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Solid shoe that just works! Thanks for reading !
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