2019 Rankings + Review
Written by schwollo
Yep I’m way behind so to expedite the process I left out the pics for the time being. It’s almost March (thank you leap year!!) so hope this helps everyone out. If you read my Pricing 101, you’d know the longer you wait, the better the prices get so if you were waiting for my 2019 review you get low prices and a good guide all in one!
Kyrie 6
I never got around to writing about Kyrie 6 and I was trying to review it before I did this year end but we’re almost into March so yea…sorry I’ve just gotten too busy with life’s.
The Kyrie 6 is a great shoe all the way around just go up half a size for a more comfortable fit. Great traction, Zoom Turbo feels pretty good plus traction, support, containment are all great. I definitely enjoyed it more than the 5 probably due to a little softer feel underfoot. Nothing bad to say about it at all as you can see from its ranking below.
My 2019 Rankings
Since I didn’t review a whole shit ton of shoes and actually went after shoes I knew (thought) I’d like, I was able to compile a nice little list. This is only for shoes released in 2019 FYI
From worst to first(s)
- Curry 6 (I thought it released in 2018 but nope it was Jan 2019)
- NB Omn1
- Nike Zoom Freak 1 (too flexible in midfoot iffy traction on dusty floors)
- Dame 6 (too tippy for me)
- Why Not Zero 2
- Dame 5
- Pro Model Bounce
- Curry 7
- PG3
- Spawn 2019
- Kyrie 6
- Harden V4*
- AJ 34 *
- Kobe IV Protro *
- KD12*
Nobody really cares about anything but the top 5 but they should. Everything except the bottom few are excellent all around shoes that have no major weaknesses. Take your pick from the list because they are all on sale except for the Kobe IV and the Omn1 (artificial limited supply). Despite the weaknesses of the Freak1, I really enjoyed playing in it and for some reason I just balled out in it (I think I averaged 25-30 over a nice little stretch in them). Just comes to show you it ain’t the shoes so don’t base your purchases off any type of lists or shoetubers. I like a well rounded shoe that isn’t overly squishy, is supportive, stable and just covers all the bases. Of course I love me some good traction and all of these have you covered. Personally I love the Kobe IV bc the IV and I have a deep history and mental connection that you can’t replace (great games = great memories= confidence). If I were to pick one other than the Kobe IV, I’d pick the KD XII. Pure Full length Zoom, not overly soft, low to the ground, great traction all right out of the box. If I were on a more limited budget, I’d go Harden IV. Great all around and I picked up some last week for $62.50. (Told you adidas prices drop like rocks). The AJ 34 is also great with no glaring weakness although cushioning could feel a little more fun but hey that’s what the KD12 is for. I think I’ve pushed more friends into the Kd12 than any other shoe in recent years because it was so damn fun to play in a reminded me of what fun you could have with the KD line. Plus it was very Zoom BB feeling which is one the purest Zooms you’ll ever feel.
Best Budget
- Spawn
- Dame 5
- Harden V4
I’m still perplexed how people use retail prices as the basis for a budget shoe. I wrote an extensive pricing guide to help those who think retail means the price you pay. Price is the price of the shoe at the time of purchase not the retail list price. So if you’re buying two months after a general release you’ll pay a lot less than someone who buys stupidly on release day..especially if that shoe is from Adidas or UA. All that being said, if you want to spend less on the sticker price, the Spawn and Dame are the way to go. Dame hit the swaggiest shot ever in PG’s face and they sell for under $50 a year later. Great overall shoe although cushioning was a little Ho Hum for me. You can splurge more and go with Hardens as well if you don’t base your numbers in retail. Already on sale for $104 plus Adidas discounts and you get a great shoe for $80 or less. Thanks for being unlikeable James! The spawns are ugly and on sale everywhere so if you are paying retail for them, you just wasted fifty bucks. Great shoe awesome traction with the right amount of cushioning even if it has zero relation to the original spawn aside from the name.
Best Sig Shoe
See Rankings
I mean how do you pick ? It’s basically the same list up top. Who wears team shoes nowadays anyways? I honestly think this year you pick by going with your favorite player and or your favorite looking shoe. Mine just happens to be the Kobe IV Carpe Diem which has always been one of the shoes I just love to look at and wear on court. As I said in my review, I got more compliments on those than any recent shoe I’ve reviewed. Well AJ Alpha 1 is up there too.
Best traction
- Kd12
- Curry 7
- PG3
- Kyrie 6
- Aj 34
- Kobe IV
All these are great but if I had to pick one for simply traction, I’d go with the .. Spawn ?!Pliable soft rubber just works like a beast. I mean everything I listed above are excellent but the spawn just bites like a bulldog.
Cushioning
- Kd12
- Aj34
- Harden V4/Dame 6
FLZ directly underfoot just makes the KD12 feel great. The AJ34 is a bit muted but still feels good and Lightstrike just feels great out of the box. I still don’t trust its durability but hey they are practically half price now so buy two and rotate. Man adidas prices 😂
Best fit
- Kobe IV
- Harden V4
- Kyrie 6
- AJ 34
The Kobe IV wins this category hands down even if it’s from 2008. Just a perfect fit for me and nimble as can be. See I can rhyme in threes.
Best retro
- Kobe IV
- Pro Model Bounce
Aside from a switch in the forefoot, these are very true to the original which is all I wanted out of the Protro. As I said in my Kobe V review, Kobe was never my favorite player but I loved his shoes. Without the Kobe IV, I really doubt we’d see the proliferation of low tops like we see today.
I also really enjoyed the Pro Model Bounce and it can more than hold its own versus any modern shoe. If only it didn’t get so damn hot..but at least it looks hot too.
2020 vs 2019
If you were wondering how 2020 shoes have stacked up, don’t worry you aren’t missing anything. PG4 is solid but I still like the PG3 and 2 more. The Kobe V would be the only shoe I’ve tried this year that I’d seriously consider playing in so let’s keep our fingers crossed that Nike opens the floodgates for Kobe fans and sneakerheads alike. It’s funny yet sad how $180 doesn’t sound so bad once someone is gone. #ripall9
schwollo.com 
Can you please write a Kyrie 6 review when you have time? I really enjoy reading your reviews and look forward to them everytime you publish one.
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I’m trying ! Lol
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I gotta say it was a year of many solid performers, but nothing truly special to me (not counting retros). Maybe KD12?
Ironically I’d still pick Kobe 4 protro over everything that released in 2019, purely from a performance standpoint. Good traction, good foam, good fit, good support, and just feels so quick and lively. KD12 is a bit too narrow to me, and doesn’t do anything better than Kobe 4 IMO.
Nike had the formula of that “perfect lowtop ball shoe feeling” figured out during the Kobe 4 ~ 6 period. I just wish they’d keep doing it.
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Yea the 4-6 were pretty perfect . Glad I have a few left
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I wish the Kyrie 6’s fit better. A size 13 fits too tight on me but 13.5 doesn’t exist unless I go NikeID. Size 14 might be alright because of how locked in the fit feels but I just don’t like having so much dead space at the end of my toes.
I love how they look too but with so many better options that fit better out in the market, and no colourways that really jump out at me and make me feel like wanting to cop, I might just skip the kyrie line yet again.
I need to go back to playing more basketball too. I remember you noting how tennis is great for developing footwork and I’ve been learning the sport recently and having a lot of fun trying something new. Any tennis shoe recommendations? I usually play on hard courts or synthetic grass courts and I’m thinking of finally getting a proper pair instead of using my beat up old Dame 2s. (which actually still grip well even with the rubber worn out all over the medial side)
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Double sock a size 14 or add an extra insole and you should be ok.
Synthetic grass is slick no matter what so get a more well rounded shoe. Zoom zero is still great all around and a great hoop shoe too .
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I had the same problem in the Kyrie 6’s. I also wear a 13 and it’s just too snug, NIKE.com has 13.5 in regular color ways without having to ID any but they sell out quickly but I ended up finding the Trophies color way at an outlet for 20% off in a 13 and for some reason it ran bigger and fit like a 13.5 so I got them. I would suggest trying that color way as weird as it sounds it worked for me
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Surprised you didn’t list the KD12 for good fit. Maybe cause it’s really tight (even compared to the AJ34)?
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The fit is fine just nothing that wowed me.
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Speaking of shoetubers, the few ones that I find really good at ball shoes are nightwing, luvmykicks (too bad that he stopped) and sometimes solebrothers, the rest are just sneakerheads that ball occasionally, thinks that the shoes looks cool etc. basically lifestyle “performance” review for ball shoes lol. I might have missed other great ballshoestubers tho, have had a few pairs of ball shoes and really happy with them so not really interested in new overpriced ball shoes.
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Schwollo, will the KD12 last outdoors or will I rip the rubber off them very quickly on the blacktop?
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I’d say fast.
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You’ve mentioned using tennis shoes for outdoor play before…any specific recommendations?
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https://www.google.com/amp/s/schwollo.com/2018/08/28/nikecourt-zoom-zero-performance-analysis-and-review/amp/
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Legend. Thank you.
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😂
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That’s just one of my favorites. Lots of good options out there
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I don’t like buying a shoe without your review, but just had to pick up a pair of the Kyrie 6 for $72 after the 30% off Nike promo today.
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You’ll be happy with them 🙂
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Can you do a throwback review on some of the following: kd 4, 5, 6, 7, lebron 9+9 elite, 10 elite, 11 elite kobe 7 + 7 elite, 8 elite, 9 elite, hyperdunk 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, OG hyperrev 2014, CP3 6, 7, 8, superfly 2?
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pg 4 review please?
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It’s up next
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Any plans on reviewing the Nike Zoom Rize released last year? Heard in the vines that it’s one of the non-signature shoes released by Nike in a while
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No plans no time right now .
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Will you have more time during the current situation with corona to write? When’s the next review coming?
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No less time
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Need reviews soon!
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Kyrie 6 is up now
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Hey Schwollo, thanks for putting out these great articles over the years, always a great resource to look to when buying new shoes for hooping! At this point in time, what are your top 5 rotation shoes? I’ve used the Zoom Soldier VI and D Rose 7s a ton (the latter is still my primary), but looking to get a new pair of shoes now, hopefully something lighter!
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I’ve honestly been going back into the closet and really been playing a lot In the Zoom
BB 1/2 Jordan I alpha and Kobe I IV
And V Protros. Still love soldier Vi
And rose 7 just like trying new stuff
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How have you been liking the BB 1/2s? They definitely caught my attention and seems really cool with the auto-lacing system, but I wasn’t sure how they rest of the shoe performed. Thanks again and stay safe!
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Oops wrong BB. I’m talking about the Zoom bb from 2008 2009
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Hi Schwollo,
Do the KD 12s crack your top 5 or top 10?
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If I didn’t already have a solid top 5 I’d def use them
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