đ Happy New Year, let’s kick it off with a review! đ đ
This was one of the greatest shots with natural theatrics from the ball + rim and actual raw emotions from stone faced Kawhi and I finally got the Omn1s in December…you know half a year later. I have been tying since June to get these shoes and like nearly everyone else in the world, I failed due to super limited quantities. Was the Omn1 worth the wait? Errr..
Pros: traction, average cushioning, decent fit
Cons: cushioning is just there, tippy heel, poor containment
Sizing advice: go down half a size, these run long like Kawhi’s hands. Best to try on in store..oh wait, you can’t.
Buying advice: after 6 months of making uber limited quantities, I expect the floodgates will open. From a playing perspective, I regret spending $140. $100 or less is fair, bottom should be around $75-80 but Iâm not sure since NB just returned to hoops
Weight
I don’t care about the weight as much as others do so this is just a reference. At 16 ounces this is a average to a little heavier than average for a mid. Most weight in the 15-16.5 ounces range.Traction:
Definitely the highlight of the Omn1. These just bite the hardwood like a good pair should. It has a similar look and pattern as the Rose 7 but it isnât as thin and the rubber isnât as soft but it still does a heck of a job. Trojan would be proud.
Definitely one of the best traction set ups Iâve tried this year. Well done NB!Cushioning
I’ve read that Fuelcell is dual density and I believe it. The Forefoot (black) is softer to the touch than the midfoot and heel (white). But still not a lively set up. Itâs very on point with what I expected from New Balance though from the OG 802 trail shoes I used to buy to the Cruz (wtf you retroed them already NB?) New Balance has a muted feel to them. Iâm a fun guy .. are you sure you didnât mean fungi Kawhi bc these have nearly zero fun to them.
Pretty dense ortholite insole (top is curry 3, bottom is Omn1) gives a little more step in comfort but not much I don’t complain much about cushioning and I’m not complaining about Fuelcell but from what I’ve read about the running shoes, it seems that NB just tuned it more for hoops while taking out a lot of the fun factor. But geez, Boredman gets paid alright.
Overall cushioning is just there. If you want more fun in your shoes, look anywhere elsewhere.
Fit
Go down half a size. I wasnât sure how these were going to fit but given NBâs limited quantities I went with what was left and 10.5 was the right call . These do run long since I had a finger width at the toe which I perfect for me. If I went true to size these would leave me a thumb at the toe. I went standard width since that was what was left and it was plenty of space width wise even with my widefeet . I do really appreciate the option for wide even there arenât as many options as NB offers in running shoes. I guess that says something about the important of fit in b-ball shoes versus running.
Simple lace set up which like. Just a little inner sleeve and normal laces. There is no extra space width wise and I experienced no heel slip from the get go. 
I did have a little bubble at the forefoot but deadspace above the forefoot wonât hurt anyone.
I did have a little bubble at the forefoot but deadspace above the forefoot wonât hurt anyone. Overall I enjoyed the fit but make sure to go down half a size or try on in store ..oh wait you can’t.
Just buy online and return the pair that doesnât fit..oh wait you can’t.
Overall the fit is good. No issues here.
Materials
If you love or miss the âbenefitsâ of Primeknit or Flyknit, you’ll love the Omn1s’ Fitweave. It is very nice looking and soft to the touch for his and her pleasure. Very nice feeling on foot reminiscent of the days of yor circa 2014-2017. But feeling soft to the touch doesn’t make a shoe any better.Support and Stability
Very cheap budget model flimsy heel counter
Support comes from the fit and somewhat from the NB straps since they are made from a firmer synthetic material. However like most shoes these days they fold very easily. As noted above the heel counter is flimsy and thin and will wear down over time (trust me I’ve done it with all my Kobe I’s). Luckily anyone reading this probably a sneakerhead and will fine with other shoes in the rotation.
I don’t expect a lot of structure or support from a woven upper.
Midfoot support is good not much flex but not overly stiff and not overly bendy.
Stability is iffy. They are wider than the Dame 6 but still have the contoured shape which I personally do not like. Landing at a sub optimal angle or at an angle where you can’t get your foot placement correct in time is how I’ve hurt myself in the past so that’s why I stay away. Kawhi played fine in the AJ XX9 but I still prefer a flatter heel for those imperfect landings.
Containment
Load management anyone ? It’s on my IG stories if you want to see the slow mo vidLooking at the exterior of the Omn1 continent doesnât look like an issue but the foam used as sidewalls is thin and soft so it does nearly nothing plus the foot doesn’t sit thst far below the walls.
Add in the woven upper which isnât reinforced with any major backing and you basically get a sock with sole.Containment isn’t a deal breaker for me but it is a tie breaker and the Omn1 does a really poor job in this category. Probably the worst containment I’ve seen in a few years.
Conclusion
Iâve been playing the shoe game for a few decades now so I understand and get scarcity marketing. It isnât like shoe companies are the only companies that pull this stuff. The fact is the majority of consumers are highly unaware that companies do this to build hype and false demand. Throw in some influencer marketing and you got a nice hype building machine. Iâve been trying since June to get these at 9 am on the dot but struck out every time.
Overall, the shoe has its strengths and weaknesses; I loved the traction and the fit is pretty good but cushioning is very Kawhi with very little fun guy in it. The shoe is also seriously lacking containment, like Brandblack bad. It also has a rounded heel which I personally do not like or trust. See Dame 6.
The show certainly isn’t unplayable and isnât going to kill anyone but like Kawhi I want a shoe that does everything well with no holes in its game.
Overall for all the work to get the shoe and the $140 price tag (which I canât even coupon code due to scarcity) I canât recommend the shoe unless youâre a Clippers or Kawhi fan or you really like woven uppers. Hardens are on sale already for far less (I got some for $80 this month), KDâs and AJ 34’s are on clearance as well. Hell, Iâd take the Curry 7 over these even though they arenât a favorite of mine. Similar traction, better cushioning but far more stable and way better containment. Plus you can find them on sale. NB knows it isnât a strong basketball brand (now or back in the 2000âs) so playing the limited game gives it some cred but let these out in the open market and itâs $100 or less easily.
I’m giving these a third team rating because aside from the traction I don’t find anything about them particularly great. I considered bumping them up to second team just for the traction but in the end I felt that was too generous. Way to start off my year New Balance. đ„ł
schwollo.com 
My biggest issue with these is the fit. They are a bit long, forefoot a bit spacious, but the ankle area feels super tight due to that NB strap. Very strange since NB running shoes usually fit great.
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I forgot about the strap. I have a low instep so didnât really even notice it. It isnât nearly as thick or tight as the Harden V4 strap. Happy new year đŻđ”
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lol I actually meant to refer to the synthetic leather N strap around the ankle collar instead of that midfoot strap, typed it wrong. My insteps are pretty high now after the surgeries, but the midfoot straps did pretty much nothing I noticed. They are just too stretchy to affect anything IMO.
Happy new year to you too man!
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Yea I forgot about the strap entirely. Makes for some nice fonts though.
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Happy New Year Schwollo! Hope you and your family had a great holidays.
Thanks for another great review. Been tempted to try these, but they are near impossible to get (what a PITA) and I donât want to pay retail. Now Iâll likely just skip them all together. Blah cushioning, lack of containment, and tippy heel just sound bad for me. Ugh. Iâll save my money for Kobe Vs, Peak Undergroundâs, or another pair of 34s.
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Kobe v chaos is on my calendar:) happy new year across the pond !
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I missed out on the Chaos Vs. oh well. Maybe the next colorway or Iâll just grab the 34 lows whenever they come out.
Howâs you finger doing? Whatâs the official diagnosis? I dislocated my right pinky 3 years ago and almost need surgery (luckily the had specialist/surgeon could reset it at the last minute before going to the OR). It healed after about 3 months, but itâs still a little crooked and more sensitive to getting whacked. I hope yours heels quickly and completely.
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Ha it was broken for five years so it healed like that . Dr said all the cartilage is gone so no real point to fix it now bc heâd have to rebreak and reset it đ€Šââïž. Good news is it doesnât hurt itâs just ugly
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I bought the green pair with the gum outsole. Haven’t played it in yet but cushioning does feel disappointing with just the initial try-on. The fit is indeed a bit long but I love the secure fit I can get in all the other areas. A bit of a shame that these probably won’t make the rotation cause I personally love how they look.
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Can you do Air Max Lebron 7 performance review? I think it will be great.
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I had the original it was ok. Traction was poor for me on dusty floors. Fit was decent cushioning was solid. Not a fav of mine
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Patiently waiting for the Kyrie 6 Review!
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Busy!!
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Nice review man. 50 bucks and Iâm in- ow wait you canât ;p. With no cushion, Iâll wear these casually,
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Lol
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Whatâs in your bag these days? Any chance of a 2019 wrap-up post?
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Also – you mentioned in a post a while back that you previously dealt with plantar fasciitis. Any shows youâd find particularly decent for managing it? And did you ever use special inserts?
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Best remedy for quick relief is a night splint so your PF can heal while it is stretched overnight . I also rolled and stretched my calves and Achilles. The most surprising fix was a bosu ball. Strengthening all the muscles and ligaments around my ankle and foot really helped. Just balancing on it daily helped rid PF for me.
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Thanks!
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Nothing really changed but 2019 was great. I wouldnât hesitate to put any into the rotation but canât say any are wayyy better to kick anything out. Will be doing a 2019 wrap up soon
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Played a few games with these. The fit is great with their wide option. I felt very comfortable wearing these. But just the cushioning just lacks bounciness. As a guy on the heavier side, my knee hurts more after playing in these than in zoom or boost or Lightstrike.
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No issues with the fit for me either but yes the cushioning is basically boring EVA w a cooler name. No bounce no fun
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What/when is your next review? Could you pls try to write more often, even about like sneaker news or older shoes I really enjoy reading these reviews haha.
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Haha Iâve gotten really busy in real life but I try to make time for my site. Next up is Promodel or Kobe V . Actually in the process of selling a lot of closet lifers so check out ebay (schwollo) for some deals from an honest seller. Feel free to reach out on social media too about any questions (schwollo )
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Could you please try to write more often? I really enjoy reading these reviews lol. Honestly anything from older shoes to performance reviews to sneaker pickups to like sneaker news.
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Thanks again Schwollo! Great review again! Greetings from Finland! Could you do a Clyde Hardwood review? Or do you have something against Puma? đ
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Hah nothing against puma I think they look hot but I tried on jn store and felt they were too tippy for me so I had to pass. đ«đź awesome!
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Hi Schwollo,
Your content is awesome and I’ve been following for a while. I was just wondering how the traction on these compare to the drose 7. I’ve had all kinds of shoes but I still reach for my drose 7s to this day because of how good the traction is. Are there any shoes on the market that you think have a comparative traction to the drose 7? The only shoes I’ve had comparably were the Kobe 9s.
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Itâs very close but Iâd take the Rose 7 over the Omn1 easily. omn1 doesnât do anything better than the Rose 7. And đ of course !
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