*Curry 6, AJ 33 reviews in progress, maybe one or two more reviews and the 2018 Year in Review..shooting for January 2020 (kidding..sort of)*
So I’m about three reviews behind and I was going to do a quick short summary of the ones that weren’t done but the HDX deserves a full review. I wasn’t sure if I was going to review these at all but I waited and got a nice deal on these and I’m This is short and sweet because the Hyperdunk has been consistently one of the best year over year (sans 2015). Let’s see what a decade of Hyperdunking has taught Nike.
Pros: traction, real zoom, excellent fit, support and stability, containment
Cons: bland looking for a ten year anniversary shoe. Traction isn’t the grippiest out there even after break in and needs wiping to stay connected on dustier floors.
Sizing advice: true to size, wide footers can go up half a size
Best for: anyone
Buying advice: since I’m about six months after RD, feel free to buy them now if you find them under $90. Otherwise you’re overpaying. Bottom around $45-55.
Weight
I was really surprised these were 14 ounces. Guess my man Kunapao was right, it is possible to go lighter without compromise. I guess lighter for consumer means lighter wallets for executives I guess.
Traction
No issues here. Although there are better options, the HD has been consistently good over the years with traction, even the HD15. Nike might change up the pattern just to keep things interesting but there are never story telling elements since nobody wants to know about Miscellaneous Player ABC.
Thin soft rubber in a wavy lays pattern work great for the most part. It took a little break in to get these to bite well but once broken in, I had issues at all on clean courts with a a decent bite especially move and stopping laterally. I really would have liked to see herringbone or have the waves move across the width of the shoe instead of front to pack because I think that would have really improved its stopping power. Granted I played on some ultra sorry floors in these but in my experience changing up the traction pattern directions would have helped. As you can see above, the pattern doesn’t really pick up dust it just doesn’t bite.
Good job overall Nike, not great but more than acceptable.
Cushioning
If you put this into the Kyrie and you’d have some great, nearly perfect cushioning in a sig shoe. It is similar on paper to the HD16 but even softer/better/feeling right out of the box. No gimmicky marketing with this forefoot and heel Zooms set up it’s been working for decades. The HDx does use a thicker than usual sockliner like the PG line but the real MVPs are the larger zoom and the softer foam in the midsole.
The midsole foam feels a lot like the foam on the Kobe AD Exodus which was fine by itself but add in some Zoom and you’ve got a winner. If you are “bored” of Zoom I guess you’re tired of something that has worked great for decades. Newer is almost never better and the HDX just reinforces that idea. Just a nice blend of comfort, impact protection and springiness.
Well done Nike!!
Fit
True to size for almost everyone except the wide footers or players that just want a little more space. I could fit true to size and half a size up with no issues at all which I think all shoes should be able to do (I opted for the latter). One size fits one is so annoying especially if you are off half a size that I appreciate being able to fit two or three sizes without any major issues.
The fit is very one to one from the get go. No side to side movement or heel slip or deadspace in the toe box. The excellent fit comes from a full length sock inner and a 3/4 bootie outer so there isn’t a traditional tongue per se.
The shoe is padded perfectly to adapt to different feet and ankles and is just plain comfortable. I think the fit and cushioning almost made me forgot about some of the small weaknesses of the HDX.
Awesome job Nike. Seriously
Materials
Nothing fancy it’s just comfortable textiles (a nice generic term Nike) Nice and thick so it doesn’t feel cheap, textured for her pleasure and to make it look less cheap. Zero break in time needed for this upper.
Dammmn look at these premium material
No issues at all with these materials although some might want a prettier or more pricey materials for $130 retail.
Support and Stability
As always zero issues here. The ankle collar is foldable like most shoes these days but it does a great job laced up, holding my ankle and heel in place at all times.
Just normal heel counter flexibility which is perfectly fine.
No issues with midfoot support either since there is a little plastic shank like most Hyperdunks (see pics above for reference)
No issues with stability with a flat outsole and forefoot outrigger.
Good as always, well done Nike
Containment
TPU midsole wall. Hey Donald emergency crisis averted, Adidas and Nike are building walls so the government can get back to work!
Containment is surprisingly only pretty good and not perfect because that TPU wall is very soft and flexible. I could feel some flexing of that wall but that’s okay since it didn’t cost five billion dollars. Luckily my my foot sits below the top of the midsole line heel to toe as well. the TPU feels more rubbery than plastic and could have been made firmer for containment purposes.
Overall, no issues with containment although it could have been made better.
Conclusion
For a ten year anniversary shoe this design looks rather bland and a little too similar to models of the past. Maybe Nike wanted to pay homage to its lineage, who knows. However the HDX is one of those shoes that you can buy online or off the shelf without wondering “hmm is this going to be a good shoe?” This version of the HD was so close to being perfect but I really wanted the traction and containment to be better. The fit is amazing right out of the box and I really loved the cushioning as well. The HD X is just a jack of all trades per usual which I really love.
Given that these are basically half price during Nike clearance sales, there really isn’t any reason not to buy it but at the same time, there isn’t really a big reason to either unless you really love a shoe with a great fit. Hyperdunks aren’t limited at all so if you want to wait a few more months, feel free to because they will still be available everywhere. Fair is $80 or less while $45-60 is usually the bottom with Hyperdunks.
So close yet so far, second team rating. I’d still rather stick to the floor with my 2017s.
schwollo.com 
Thanks for another great review. Sounds like a really good budget baller shoe. Keep thinking of buying a pair of the lows because the highs I tried on at NikeTown were pretty nice. Just can’t get excited about the aesthetics and colorways available, so I’m waiting for steeper discounts. Really wish Nike would use this cushioning in more shoes like the PGs and Kyries. If they did, I think they would sell more shoes…well at least to me anyway. LOL.
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Ha wishful thinking S lol
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I don’t think the Hyperdunk were ever ‘budget’ shoes. They’re what you’d call ‘team’ shoes line. They were always about 10-15% less than signature models, or in the case of this this version is the exact price as the Kyrie’s at least over in the UK. Nike budget baller shoes are the long the line of the Infuriate, the Versitile and Evidence just to name a few. I don’t know if Schwollo would review those, unless he gets a recommendation (just based on an assumption). Wouldn’t mind seeing heel zoom unit in a Kyrie or PG..or maybe the utilisation of cushlon!
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I think he meant just the looks and materials of it are budgety haha. Nope not interested in those since I can get a previous year or two or five solid performer for the same or less.
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Hi schwollo great review per usual. So is the zoom more bouncy/responsive in these than the 2016s? Thanks
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Yep
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lol who dat kunapao dude
I heard some chinese reviewers had problems with HD X’s forefoot containment, which was probably caused by a combination of soft materials and wider forefoot (Asia EP versions are made with a wider last). Kinda disappointed since this is the 10th hyperdunk (counting hyperize) but there’s nothing too special about it. You can still find HD16s and 17s for cheap on the market, and I think those two have overall better performance.
The HD line has been pretty consistent in the past decade, minus hyperize (poor support) and 2015 (brick), but I think it’s probably about time for nike to stop making them. They now have PGs, Kyries, Kyrie lows, Flytraps, Soldiers, team KDs sold at the same or much lower price range, and I’m not even counting Why Nots and Jordan team shoes. No one that I know gets excited about a new hyperdunk because they know it’s just another hyperdunk. It’s too expansive as a team shoe that has no real selling point. People on a budget would just buy a cheaper shoe, or last year’s hyperdunk. People who have enough money to spend have plenty other options that are just way more interesting. Honestly, does nike really need it?
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Thanks for the review Schwollo! I could really kick myself for not picking up a pair during the Nike online clearance sale (instead of a tech pack hoodie that’s wack in person😡). Maybe a factory store will have some for relatively cheap. Hyperdunks have been a consistently all around good performer for me since day 1. This might the first version where I like the low over the mid.
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Don’t worry Nike will have another soon. Yea I don’t like the tech packs either haha just return it
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So is the cushioning better in these or the HD 2017?
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It’s softer and springier than the 2017 but I like both
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HD2017 was react BTW…
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Yes I know
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They shouldve just copied the 2017 traction for this. They wouldve had a savage shoe. Anyway, these seem pretty good. Hyperdunks always hit the outlets for around 70 so maybe ill pick these up if they fit wide.
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Ooooh yea that would be beastly. They do not fit wide so go up half a size
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I like these but I’ve seen some problems. My hs team got these as our team shoes this year and out of the box they’re more comfortable than last year. Some of the the other guards and I have problems with the outrigger collapsing under the shoe. The 17’s and our personal shoes haven’t had this problem. Also, our starting centers outsole cracked around the hollowed points in two places. I’ve never seen that before. Overall, pretty good and comfy but some niche problems
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Damn that sucks ..but damn Nike team shoes in high school must be nice haha
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Great review Schwollo
Don’t know why but been thinking a lot about the Hyerdunk line lately. Thinking of just getting a decent all around shoe with no hassle. Too old for all the flash and gimmicks; just need something with good cushion and traction for my super wide feet. Maybe I’ll see if I can find last years version on deep discount somewhere.
Slowly catching up with your reviews. Been pretty busy but keep pumping them out! I’ll catch up eventually.
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Haha that’s what you get with Nike, consistency. At least more so than the other big two whose fit is all over the place. Snow boots work well in your neck of the woods I hear 🙂
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Well, after a few weeks of intense use (semi clean hardwood courts) i have to say these are my second Hyperdunk’s since the originals.
I had 5 pairs of the 08’s and even after tearing an achilles tendon in ’em, wore them for years after. Hated the shiny 2010 versions, then the amazing HD11’s released and i was allover those. Still my favs of the line. Long period of unwearable one’s for me after that, too narrow (2013), too bulky(2015) until i tried the seemingly too high 2016 mid’s. Fantastic cushioning, good fit, no break-in time, solid traction.
The HDX’18 feels similar to the 2016’s but much lighter, comfier upper and slightly bouncier Zoom, especially under the heel. Wonderful to ball in, zero “tipping over” etc. that some have mentioned online. Now if only they released those NBA Player PE’s. Oof.
*One annoying thing though: the stitching/finish of the upper heel edge area is quite hard and uncomfortable. Had to switch from my usual socks to NBA NikeGrip Power Crew models to cushion the poking.* It’s not too pronounced mid-game or practice but sore heel immediately after. NOT fun when i only possess one uninjured achilles tendon.
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Agree 100% on that assessment. Hope they are helping you dominate that league !
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