Sneaker Livestock

Performance Review: Nike Zoom BB3

2010-01-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

My Nike Zoom BB3 review has just been posted! Enjoy!

Performance Review: Nike Air Max LeBron VII 7

2009-10-22T07:34:00.000-07:00

It's hardly fair. The guy is built like a power forward but can move like a guard. Throw in his natural talent for the game and you have one of the most dominant forces in basketball. A guy who performs at such a high level needs a shoe that caters to his unique game and physique. Enter the Air Max LeBron VII.

Let's start with the obvious. The most glaring design aspect that sets the LeBron VII apart from the previous models is the massive full-length air bubble. Until now, the LeBron signature line utilized Zoom Air cushioning in the midsole - sometimes even double-stacked units in the heel. Mr. James is very fast and very quick, so it only made sense to give him the lower profile cushioning that Zoom provides - but let's not forget the guy weighs 250+ pounds. Players of this build usually default to shoes with Air Max cushioning, and with the latest advancements in Air Max 360 technology, the newly tuned-for-basketball air bubble boasts 80% more air than previous air max units.

Another first for the LeBron signature line is the application of Flywire technology, which improves fit by sculpting the upper into a more natural foot shape, reduces weight while maintaining durability, and of course adds aesthetic beauty.

Upon removing the shoes from the box, it's hard not to notice the LBJ VII's light weight despite its fairly large silhouette. Your feet will slide into these sneakers very easily, at which you will notice a comfortable, roomy interior with a very natural fit. Fully laced, the Flywire sculpts the upper to your foot, creating a snug and instinctive fit. I did find my pair of size 12's to run slightly large; I recommend everyone to try on your natural size as well as a half-size down before purchasing. Because of the over-sizing, my pair didn't lock down quite as well as I'm used to, and there was a bit of extra room in the toebox. However, I was able to tighten them enough to get good runs out of them. I have no doubt that an 11.5 would have fit like a glove.

The first few steps made me realize how much higher off the ground these are than most shoes. The large volume Air Max 360 unit is obviously the culprit, but the cushioning produced (especially in the heel) is quite amazing. I have a very harsh heel strike, and the LBJ VII absorbed the impact of each step extremely well. The comfort level was very high, as the mesh inner boot gave a perfect amount of plushness while shielding any seams that may have otherwise dug into my feet. The arch support was perfect for my almost-flat arch, so those of you with really high arches may seek additional arch support.

It isn't until you start running back and forth that you can fully appreciate the first tuned-for-basketball Air Max 360 unit. Compared to Zoom Air, the feel of Air Max cushioning is very different. Zoom Air cushioning is very springy, as it seems to push back when you step down on it. The LeBron VII's cushioning doesn't have the same reflexive behavior, but instead seems to absorb the impact perfectly while not sacrificing too much lateral stability. Those of you who are expecting a very springy feel from this massive air bubble will be sorely disappointed, but I don't believe that was designer Jason Petrie's goal by switching to Air Max. Since Mr. James carries the weight of a larger player but still makes guard-like cuts, the perfect balance of cushioning and lateral stability was needed. As evidenced by the double-stacked Zoom Air units in LeBron's previous shoes, Zoom Air was probably simply not enough impact protection for his 250+ pound frame. To be honest, my first thought was that the small amount of air in the forefoot (compared to the heel) wouldn't be enough cushioning, but the idea is to keep the forefoot relatively low to the ground since the majority of basketball is played on the balls of your feet. Had Nike put too much air in the forefoot, the players' movements would've been greatly stunted.

It seems as though the harder you play, the better these shoes feel. Come to think of it, the harder I played, the more I completely forgot about the shoes. The fit and cushioning are so instinctive that I really didn't think about the shoes much - and that's what players really want in a shoe. My lateral movements were sharp, but of course not nearly as crisp as they would've been had I been wearing something like the Zoom BB. Lateral stability was very good, as I felt completely safe from rolling my ankle despite the enormous air bubble. Ankle support was also very good, with small triangular pillows hugging the ankles on either side. Lockdown was superb throughout the foot even though my pair ran slightly large, and heel lockdown is aided by an extra heel pad that supports the backside up to the achilles. A lot of shoes have you re-adjusting something mid-game - such as pulling the tongues back up or re-tightening laces - but the LeBron VII required no such in-game tweaking.

There are a few minor gripes, but none of them are deal breakers. First, the LBJ VII, like most other LeBron shoes, are slightly on the bulky side. Though these don't look as boot-like as previous models, it still has a somewhat boot-like feel because they're so high off the ground. I noticed that my first step was a tad slower due to sacrificed court feel, but this is offset by the superior cushioning and superb comfort. I experienced a couple of traction incidences where my cuts were slowed by minor slips, but I'm not sure if those were anomalies due to dirty spots on the floor or maybe due to my unfamiliarity with non-low-profile sneakers. Breathability wasn't bad, but it wasn't terrific either; the mesh tongue didn't seem to do much to dissipate heat.

The Bottom Line: The Air Max LeBron VII is a great innovation in basketball shoes. It's terrific fit, comfort, cushioning, and performance combine with stunning aesthetics to form a true luxury balling sneaker. Priced very high at $160, it's actually quite difficult for me to argue that they aren't worth every penny. However, they're not suited for the average player; if you're a lighter player that naturally plays the guard position, you might be better off sticking to the Huarache's and Zoom BB's; this shoe is tuned for big forwards and quick centers. Players who crave the feel of Zoom Air will be left wanting a little more.

Upcoming Review: Nike Air Max LeBron VII

2009-10-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

Quite simply the most beautiful Nike basketball shoe I've seen in a very long time. Let's see if performance lives up to the very high expectations...

Performance Review: Nike Zoom FP (Fun Police)

2009-10-09T14:39:00.001-07:00

Nike Zoom Fun Police saw very little NBA court time last season despite having design characteristics from the late 90's classic Air Garnett III. Rashard Lewis gave them a shot, but soon reverted back to his season-favorite Hyperdunks. For such a great-looking shoe to get no playing time, there must be something seriously wrong with them, right?

At first glance, this shoe posesses some components for a great shoe: a beautiful design, a variety of sharp colorways, Zoom Air in the heel, and lightweight feel in your hands. But when I put them on and started shooting around, I experienced some interesting findings.

When I first put the shoes on, they simply felt awful. The upper was extremely stiff. The short, rigid foam tongue irritated my leg. The top of the toebox dug into my toes with every step. The only good points were its low-to-the-ground feel (similar to the Zoom Flight Club) and the heel's responsive Zoom Air unit. I almost took them off and put on my backup shoes, but I decided to stick with them and continue warming up.

Here's where it got weird. Just when the shoes started to loosen up a bit, I noticed the tongues had slid down considerably, so I pulled them back up. Five minutes later, they had slid down again. Maybe they weren't laced tightly enough... re-tighten and re-tie. Five minutes later, I found myself pulling them up again. I was really starting to see why nobody wears these shoes. After tugging at the tongues for the 5th time, I was thorougly frustrated and was ready to toss them aside. As I started to untie them, I noticed the tongue has a bunch of circular cutouts in it. Obviously, they're there for style and breathability, but I thought maybe I could use them to keep the tongue from sliding. I experimented with a few configurations and finally arrived at one that worked. The photo below illustrates threading the laces through the lowest holes in the tongue and finishing at the topmost eyelets. Problem remedied; tongue movement minimized.

It took a couple of games for the Zoom FP's to really break in. Once they did, they felt better, but I found performance to be lacking in some areas. While the leather column with vertical stitching should provide a good amount of stability on either side, the shoes are simply not cut high enough to make an impact on ankle support. The shoes aren't roll-prone, but lateral stability could stand to improve. Not only is there a lack of a decent outrigger to stabilize the shoe, but it also feels as though the shoes want to roll outwards towards the rear. This is most like due to the visible Zoom Air unit that probably gives a little too much cushioning and not enough stability; it almost feels as though the heel is cut more narrow than normal on the lateral side. As for the comfort, the upper's stiffness had greatly improved by the end of the night. The wandering tongue was no longer an issue thanks to threading the laces through them, but this is something that should've been solved by Nike during development and testing.

As for the positives, lockdown is actually quite good with assistance from the offset eyelet placement, and the mesh tongue provides good breathability. The midsole continued to perform well, providing great heel to toe transition, great heel cushioning, and very responsive forefoot performance. The outsole pattern would suggest subpar traction, but I encountered no problems on our well-maintained indoor court.

The Bottom Line: The Zoom FP will turn heads on the court, but leaves much to be desired performance-wise. After enduring a long break-in period and implementing make-shift tongue/lacing improvements, this shoe is decently comfortable but simply can't compete with the other models in the Nike Re-Fresh line.

Upcoming Review: Adidas TS Lightning Creator

2009-10-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

We saw the Adidas TS Lightning Creator on the feet of many NBA players last season. Chauncey Billups, Devin Harris, Derrick Rose, Raymond Felton, TJ Ford, Leandro Barbosa, and many others blazed the court in their own PE makeups, raising the question of whether these shoes are really that great. I'm finding out for myself this week, as I'll be balling in the Raymond Felton PE's (pictured above, middle).

Performance Review: Jordan XII CDP 12

2009-09-21T21:46:00.001-07:00

We recently (sadly) witnessed the end of what is arguably the world's most successful, popular, and iconic sneaker series - the numbered Jordan line. Michael Jordan's induction into the Hall of Fame appropriately followed, reaffirming all that he has brought to the game of basketball and the culture that comes with it. To celebrate his success, I gave court time to one of the favorites and all-time classics of the numbered Jordans: the Jordan XII.

The Collezione 11/12 pack caused quite a stir during the holiday season of 2008, as sneaker shops saw lines snake around the block days before the release. I was lucky enough to score a pack via Finishline.com, and I've been curious to see how a shoe that originally released in the mid 90's would compare to those of today's technology. It should be noted that the XII was the first Jordan to utilize Zoom Air midsole cusioning.

From my experience, a lot of Jordans have a very sculpted fit that would favor players with narrower feet and higher arches (like the XI or XX3). With the XII on my feet, I was surprised to find the shoes to be quite roomy and very plush. People with average-width to wide feet should feel comfortable wearing these, as would those with flat feet (the arch isn't completely flat, but does offer a good amount of support without killing my flat arch). The super-thin round laces felt flimsy and unreliable during lacing (they almost reminded me of the horrid Windmill laces), but in the spirit of testing the product as it's presented out of the box, I remained hopeful.

As always, I tried lacing the shoes all the way to the top eyelet, only to run into 2 problems. 1) The laces are too short, and 2) the shoes are so high cut that in order to have enough lace to tie them at the top, I had to pull the laces so tight that the ankle collar and tongue dug into my leg. I un-laced the top eyelets and found that they were much more comfortable, but the ankle support had taken a considerable step down.

During warmups, the shoes felt quite good out of the box, but I noticed the shoes felt looser than when I laced them up. I re-tightened and re-laced and continued warming up, but after a few minutes again felt that the shoes had lost some lockdown. It seemed as though the laces kept loosening up due to the movement, so I re-tightened and re-laced yet again. I also noted that no outrigger existed to improve lateral stability, so I performed the same "ankle roll" test as I did with the Huarache 09's and found the lateral stability to be just average (or subpar depending on how spoiled you are by other shoes' lateral stability).

During play, the excellent Zoom Air midsole cushioning along with the plush upper cushioning provided a very comfortable ride. The shoe broke in very quickly after which it flexed effortlessly with every movement. Traction was good on our well-maintained hardwood court. I did feel the shoes to be on the heavy side, and the extra weight rendered the shoes a little clunkier than I'm used to. I wasn't tripping over my own feet or anything, but the extra weight combined with the so-so lateral stability had me a millisecond slower than usual. Although, I'll mention that a friend of mine noticed that I may have been jumping higher than normal. A downside to the roomy, plush interior is that the shoe doesn't lock down as well as it could. I actually had to re-tighten and re-lace a third time in between games; I'm guessing this is caused by the thin laces. I'd be curious to replace them with a standard flat lace or oval lace and see if lockdown improves. I was also craving a little more ankle support since I couldn't lace them all the way to the top.

The Bottom Line: The Jordan XII certainly performs well, but faces very tough competition with the high standards set by recent balling sneakers. They're very comfortable shoes, but the heavy weight, less-than-stellar lockdown and bad lacing system put these classics in the middle of the pack.

Performance Review: Nike Huarache 09

2009-09-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

Nike's Huarache line has earned a reputation for beautiful aesthetics, great comfort, and consistently high performance. So, it's only natural to anticipate the same level of performance (if not better) in the latest model, the Huarache 09.

This will probably be one of the most schizophrenic reviews I ever write, because this shoe's great strengths are so tragically marred by its critical shortcomings. I'll start by saying that these are among the most comfortable shoes I've ever put on - not just basketball shoes... all shoes - period. Right out of the box, the comfort is overwhelming. The thinner, softer, and more flexible upper combined with the familiar Huarache forefoot/heel Zoom midsole simulates the feel of pillows strapped to your feet. When laced up, the 09's mold to your feet for terrific fit and lockdown. The ankle collar conforms to your ankle without feeling intrusive, so one shouldn't hesitate to lace these all the way up to the top. Yes, the shoes feel that good.

During play, the shoes performed as the typical Huarache performs - effortless heel-to-toe transition, amazing cushioning, great comfort, good traction, and light weight.

Then I noticed something odd. As I mentioned, the cushioning is amazing... probably rivaling the squishiest of squishy midsoles... to a fault. The midsole simply absorbs way too much impact and movement, causing me to lose a step in quickness. I noticed that on hard lateral cuts, it felt as though the midsole was still compressing and absorbing when it should've already been pushing back and helping me go in the direction I wanted to go.

I thought that it was maybe all in my head, so after I got home, I kept the 09 on one foot and tried on about 6 other shoes on the other foot for comparison (2k4, 2k5, LeBron Soldier III, Huarache 08, Hyperize, Zoom BB1). Sure enough, the cushioning of the 09 outshined most others, as the midsole felt much thicker and squishier overall. Then I ran a quick zig zag pattern with each shoe, and realized the 09's critical downfall: the lateral stability is almost nonexistent.

On each zig and zag, I experimented with pushing outwards in an effort to purposely roll my ankle. All six of my comparison shoes beat out the 09 in this test, as the 09 threatened ankle blowouts every single time. Here's why.

1) The midsole is just too thick and too soft - a bad combination for lateral movement. On lateral cuts, the midsole squishes outwards on the lateral side, allowing your ankle to roll outwards more than usual. A thinner midsole (like on the Zoom BB) would allow the Zoom Air to cushion the impact while also providing better court feel and more responsive and accurate movements. Think of this in terms of a car's cornering ability with thin, low profile tires versus with normal, thicker tires; the low profile tires will corner more accurately because there's not as much side wall on the tire to give way to the outward force. If you have strong ankles and/or don't make a ton of drastic cutting movements, this won't be a huge problem; but for more active players, this could be a huge problem.

2) The ankle collar is way too thin and flexible - it does nothing for ankle support. Think of it as low-top performance with the illusion of mid/high top feel. The ankle collar feels great; it conforms to your ankle, doesn't cut into your achilles, and flexes with every movement you make. But if you happen to roll your ankle, it's not going to do anything for you.

(For those of you who are curious as to how the shoes ranked in my lateral stability test, here's the order, starting from the best: 2k5, Zoom BB1, LeBron Soldier III, 2k4, Hyperize, Huarache 08)

The Bottom Line: The Huarache 09 is an incredibly comfortable shoe with a great fit, ridiculous cushioning, and superb out-of-the-box playability. However, poor lateral stability and nonexistent ankle support make the 09 a shoe that many players will want to avoid. I highly recommend this shoe for those of you who like wearing basketball shoes casually and/or to train at the gym or run on the treadmill. But as far as on-court performance, these shoes should come with ankle insurance.

Upcoming Review: Jordan XII CDP 12

2009-09-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

I have to take a timeout from my normal review lineup to celebrate Michael Jordan's induction into the Hall of Fame. This week's sneaker of choice is the Jordan XII from the 11/12 Countdown Pack; let's see what this baby can do.

Performance Review Comparison: Hyperize vs Hyperdunk

2009-09-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I'm a regular on the NikeTalk and Sole Collector message boards. The more time I spend on the boards, the more I notice that while people appreciate straight up performance reviews, they always want to know how the shoe compares to another shoe. So I thought I'd try something different this time. What I'm going to try to do more frequently is to not only review a shoe, but also compare it to a shoe that's very similar. I'm hoping this will provide even more insight into how the shoe performs, and it'll also be sort of a buy-one-get-one-free review. Anyway, moving on to this week's [delayed] review - the Nike Hyperize. Since the Hyperize is supposed to be the updated Hyperdunk, they'll be going toe to toe in Sneaker Livestock's first performance battle.

I've played in both shoes; they feel very similar - so similar that I wouldn't be able to find any differences between them by wearing them separately. In order to get the most accurate comparison, I put a Hyperize on my left foot and a Hyperdunk on my right foot and ran, jumped, cut, etc. and then switched feet. Doing this revealed the slightest of differences between the shoes, and I encourage everyone to try doing this with any 2 shoes.

Hook 'em Horns!!

My first impression when having both shoes on was that they felt strikingly similar. The midsole cushioning felt basically the same (as it should, since they have the same setup - heel Zoom / forefoot Lunar Foam). I did notice that the forefoot foam is slightly squishier in the Hyperdunk, but any extra points it would've earned are cancelled out by complaints of the foam quickly bottoming out. The heel-toe transition was exactly the same, and the fit and comfort were identical. I had different shoes on my feet for a while and at one point actually forgot that they weren't the same.

Here's where I noticed the differences. Lockdown is better in the Hyperdunk, thanks to a few factors:

1) The Hyperdunk has 2 lace eyelets tucked in the crease where the top of your ankle bends. This means that the laces actually cross over the top of the ankles, keeping the middle and back of the foot more locked down.

Note how the Hyperdunk's laces travel inward into the cutout just where the ankle collar starts

2) The Hyperdunk is cut higher in the back by the Achilles. The higher cut prevents the heel from slipping during toe off.

Note the Hyperdunk's slightly higher cut in Achilles area

3) The Hyperdunk's ankle collar has 3 levels of lace eyelets as opposed to the Hyperize's 2 levels. The extra level allows for a more snug fit around the ankle collar, improving lockdown and also increasing ankle support.

Note the extra lace loop sewn into the inside of the bottom part of the collar (Hyperdunk)

The other key difference is that the Hyperdunk seems to have a wider stance than the Hyperize. It's not actually wider; if you put the shoes sole to sole, they're the same width - but the shape of the outsole around the pinky-toe side juts out closer to the front of the shoe in the Hyperdunk, while the Hyperize has a curve that happens towards the midfoot. Confusing, yes... just think of the difference between the Huarache 2k4 and 2k5. The 2k5 has better lateral stability thanks to the exaggerated shape, but the more streamlined 2k4 is a more nimble shoe. That comparison can be applied here, where the Hyperize compares to the 2k4 while the Hyperdunk compares to the 2k5.

For now, this is purely an assumption (will need to be confirmed over time) but the Hyperize should be a much more durable shoe. While the Hyperize utilizes less Flywire than the Hyperdunk, in no way does it sacrifice flexibility, comfort, fit, or most importantly, weight (and it's even supposed to weigh a few ounces less than the Hyperdunk). The additional leather (or patent leather in this case) that frames the Flywire should provide a longer lasting shoe - and therefore, more bang for your buck.

The Bottom Line: The Hyperize and Hyperdunk are strikingly similar shoes in terms of comfort and feel. Nike addressed some key Hyperdunk problems in the Hyperize; general durability seems to have improved, and the forefoot Lunar Foam is claimed to last longer. People who complained about the Hyperdunk's poor traction will be happy to see herringbone applied to the Hyperize outsole (although I never had any traction complaints). However, the Hyperize does take a tiny step back in terms of lockdown and lateral stability. Of course, the performance differences are very small; in no way would I discourage anyone from trying out the Hyperize, especially if you like the Hyperdunk. It's a great shoe, and it definitely earns a spot in my top performers list.

Side-by-side comparison:

Upcoming Review: Nike Hyperize

2009-09-03T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Nike Hyperdunk was easily the most popular shoe last season for NBA players, and they continue to be the sneaker of choice for streetballers around the world. Nike's new Hyperize brings a facelift to the Hyperdunk design - and with it, lots of anticipation. Does the Hyperize live up to the hype? Look for my thoughts in the full review to be posted early next week!

Performance Review: Nike Zoom Shark-A-Laid (Sharkalaid)

2009-08-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

The Zoom Flight Club was the first of Nike's Re-Fresh collection to appear on the feet of many NBA players. The Zoom Shark-A-Laid seems to be the next in line, as rising superstar Rudy Gay wore them to tear up the Team USA scrimmage earlier this summer.

A hybrid of the Snake N'Destrukt and the Air Raid, this shoe combines outdoor durability, upper stability, and in-your-face style. Staying true to the Re-Fresh idea, Nike offered these shoes in the classic and irresistible black/white/carbon fiber colorway reminiscent of the Zoom Flight 95.

As I struggled slightly to lace the shoes up, I couldn't help but hope that the two stylish but cumbersome straps that cross over the top of the shoe had some functional purpose. I laced the shoes up to the second-to-last eyelets and found that they were very loose around the ankles. Feeling safer with more ankle support, I tried lacing them all the way to the top. This actually yielded so much ankle support that movement was restricted; I had tightened the laces so tight that the plush ankle collar dug into my Achilles. I loosened them a bit and found a perfect balance of ankle support and mobility.

Since the Shark-A-Laids posess the same midsole setup (Phylon with heel Zoom) and outsole pattern as the Phenoms, my expectations of the same cusioning, heel-toe transition, and traction were verified. Zoom Air in the heel softened my heel strike, heel-toe transition was effortless, and traction was great on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. I noticed almost immediately that the lateral stability of the shoes is amazing, as the two straps actually prevent the upper from shifting outwards during lateral movement, allowing for sharper, more precise cuts. The interior forefoot was slightly on the slim side, but not ridiculously slim like the Foamposite Lites. They're just about as roomy as the LeBron Soldier III's, and the arch height matches that of most Nike shoes (Huaraches, Flight Clubs, Phenoms, Zoom BB's, etc.) The mesh tongue and mesh panels on both sides of the upper allowed for good breathability (the straps didn't seem to suffocate my feet), and the ankle support was very reassuring throughout games - so much so that these shoes can probably even accomodate power forwards and centers.

The straps provide great lateral stability while still allowing the mesh tongue to do its job.

Same outsole pattern and cushioning setup (Phylon midsole with heel Zoom) as the Phenoms

I can't really call this a complaint because the Shark-A-Laids did perform very well, but the ride isn't as low to the ground as shoes like the Phenoms, Zoom BB's or Huaraches. I actually put the Phenoms on my left foot and the Shark-A-Laids on my right foot for a side-by-side comparison, and the Phenoms are definitely lower to the ground. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing; think of it as a BMW's handling vs a sport-tuned Range Rover's. Of course, the Shark-A-Laids are still more nimble than anything built for big men with a full Max Air unit (Air Max Tempo, Air Max Elite).

The Bottom Line: The Nike Zoom Shark-A-Laid is a very good shoe that's best suited for mobile forwards that crave ankle support but still want a smooth ride in a quick shoe. Overall, they're a tad heavier and slightly clunkier than the Zoom Phenoms, but this level of lateral stability and ankle support in a shoe that forwards and even big guards will appreciate is tough to match.

Rudy Gay wearing the Nike Zoom Shark-A-Laid (custom Team USA colorway) at the Team USA scrimmage in Las Vegas

Weapon of Choice: Nike Zoom Shark-A-Laid

2009-08-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

Continuing with the Nike Re-Fresh trend, I've decided to hoop in the Nike Zoom Shark-a-laids this week. Just can't get over the Flight '95 black/white/carbon fiber colorway of this shoe. If I can find the Alpholutions in this colorway in my size, it'll be snatched up quickly.

Performance Review: Nike Zoom Phenom

2009-08-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

If you're following this blog, I know you're a big enough basketball fan to have tried to piece together your idea of the perfect basketball player. Jason Kidd's court awareness, Tony Parker's blinding speed, LeBron's build, Iverson's handle, Gilbert Arenas' range, Kobe's clutch and perimeter offense, Hakeem's inside offense, Gerald Green's vertical leap, Dwight Howard's strength and shot blocking, Chris Paul's pickpocketing, Dennis Rodman's rebounding... you get the idea.

It's this principle - combining the best traits from multiple entities - that resulted in the Nike Zoom Phenom. A hybrid of the Shake N'Destruct (outsole) and the Air Max Sensation (upper), the Zoom Phenom has a lot to offer as a very good basketball shoe.

Upon taking them out of the box and prepping them to be put on, it was refreshing to realize that the Phenoms don't have any gimmicks - no midfoot straps that get in the way or zip-up shrouds that have you wondering where the laces should be placed. You simply slide your foot in, and with one or two quick tugs on both lace ends, the speed-lacing system (borrowed from the Air Max Sensation) has your foot locked, loaded, and ready for battle.

During shootaround, the midsole proved to be very flexible out of the box. However, I noticed that as the shoes bent with each step, the somewhat stiff patent leather forced the uppers to crease inwards and press on the tops of my feet at the base of the toes. My remedy was to physically pull outwards on the upper where it was bending inwards, while simultaneously bending the shoes so that the upper creased outwards away from the feet (it's easiest to do this while wearing the shoes). After bending the shoes in this manner a few times, they naturally started to crease this way without manual help, and they no longer dug into my feet. (This trick not only worked with these shoes, but with many other shoes as well.) *EDIT* I will be posting photos to illustrate this technique.

The Phenoms during game play are, well, phenomenal. They feel very light on your feet, and while the outsole may appear bulkier than desired around the toebox, I didn't feel that my quickness or first step were hindered at all. Lockdown and ankle support were terrific as well, as I felt completely safe wrapped in the plush supportive upper, yet unhindered with the shoes laced all the way to the top. The outsole pattern seem more suited for outdoor courts, but I had absolutely no problems with traction on our well-maintained indoor court. A large visible Zoom Air unit in the heel cushioned every heelstrike, and while I would've loved Zoom in the forefoot, the Phylon forefoot provided a nice, gentle ride.

I should give a little extra focus on the Phenom's interior. They're generously roomy and perfect for players with flat, semi-wide feet. The roominess reminded me of the Flight Clubs, but thanks again to the speed-lacing system, the Phenoms have much better lockdown.

The Bottom Line: It's no wonder that Deron Williams, Rudy Gay, and Brandon Roy stuck with these shoes throughout the entire season. They look sharp, perform very well, are ready to go right out of the box, and seem capable of maintaining durability through longer periods of time. And at a very affordable $50 with F&F + sale price on Eastbay, the Zoom Phenoms are a great shoe to add to your rotation.

A closer look at the Nike Zoom Phenom Deron Williams PE:

Welcome to Sneaker Livestock!

2009-08-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome, sneakerheads! As some of you know, I started sneakergallery.blogspot.com a few weeks ago, and thanks to you all, it has gained enough popularity to justify taking this to the next step. So without further ado, I present Sneaker Livestock.

Why Sneaker Livestock? Because none of the shoes I write about are deadstock. All of the shoes on my site are worn and tested by me in a basketball setting in an effort to provide insight into how they perform. I'm not sponsored, and I don't get paid for this. I buy all my shoes with funds out of pocket. Hopefully, one day, cost will not be an issue in providing you, the readers, with more reviews on more sneakers. But for now, I'm doing my best to review the more popular models, and I hope you find the reviews helpful in your sneaker choices.

Of course, I'm just one opinion; if any of you have worn the shoes that I review and agree or disagree with anything, please shoot me an email at sneakerlivestock@gmail.com and let me know. I'm always open to other opinions and constructive feedback.

I'm quite active on message boards, so look for me on NikeTalk and Sole Collector Forum (username Whiplash).

And don't forget to follow Sneaker Livestock on Facebook and Twitter (links are in the left-hand navigation bar) to stay current with new review posts and other news, such as when I get new shoes.

I've said enough; I'll let the reviews do the talking now. Thanks again for reading, and keep the encouraging emails coming!

Performance Review: Nike Zoom Flight Club

2009-08-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

In 1998, Nike released the Nike Zoom Flight 98 - the signature shoe of Gary Payton, a.k.a "The Glove". The shoe featured a glove-like shroud that covered the entire upper, secured by a zipper which spanned the length of the top of the foot. Eleven years later, the Zoom Flight Club is born with design influence on almost blanant-ripoff levels. However, while I never had the priviledge of balling in the Zoom Flight 98's, I can say that the Zoom Flight Clubs are terrific performing basketball shoes.

When I took the shoes out of the box, I couldn't help but notice the shroud's remarkable flexibility. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who thought the shroud might be a thick, unforgiving, rubber-like material that would require plenty of break-in, but it's actually incredibly thin and pliable.

My feet slipped into the Flight Clubs very easily, and the shoe's generous width and low arch were a treat to my semi-wide, flat feet. After tying the laces, it occurred to me that I really had no idea where they were supposed to sit. Outside the shroud? Nah... it has to be inside, but where? Wouldn't it press uncomfortably into my feet during play? I tucked half into the medial side and the other half into the lateral side and zipped up the shroud.

As I started warming up, I noticed how amazingly flexible the shoes were. The outsoles felt as if I had been playing in them for half a season (I actually took the shoes off again and tried bending them in half by hand, which was accomplished with very little effort - I encourage everyone to try this with the display model next time you see them in stores), and the shroud did absolutely nothing to hinder any of my movements. After a few minutes, I noticed some slight pressure on the tops of my feet, so I unzipped the shrouds, re-tucked all of the laces into the medial side, and re-zipped; that proved to be the best placement for the laces, as they no longer put pressure on any part of my feet.

The Flight Clubs were an absolute pleasure to play in. Of course, the Zoom Air in the heel provided top-notch cushioning, and though the forefoot does not contain an air unit of any kind, the midsole was foamy enough to allow a little bit of cushioning (a similar feel to Lunar Foam) along with a great low-profile feel for the court. The shroud combined with the velcro strap provided pretty good lockdown, but since this is a wider shoe, my feet moved around a tiny bit, but it was definitely an allowable amount to sacrifice for the great comfort. The shoes feel lighter on the feet than what the listed weight would suggest (15 oz), and they're very quick, nimble shoes with very sticky traction.

One problem that I encountered was that the zipper kept unzipping during play. I experimented with a few different ways of placing the zipper and found a method that held up for the rest of the night. When the zipper is pulled all the way up, it sits just above the velcro strap that goes across the top of the ankle. The trick is to pull the zipper up, secure the velcro strap, and then flip the tab of the zipper back over the velcro strap (see the first photo). What this does is essentially anchor the zipper so that it's less likely to slide back down under the strap.

After about 2.5 hours of play, I took off the shoes and noticed that my feet were quite drenched. I typically sweat very heavily, but I've rarely noticed this amount of moisture in my feet. My guess is that the shroud, while perforated, still hinders the breathability that the mesh inner boot would allow. It wasn't a big problem for me, though.

The Bottom Line: The Zoom Flight Clubs were quite a surprise on the basketball court. They require absolutely no break-in time, as they can go instantly from box to killer crossover. I would've loved having Zoom Air in the forefoot, but there was sufficient cushioning there nonetheless. My greatest concern is durability. Will the forefoot cushioning bottom out over time? Will the super-flexible outsole peel away from the super-soft shroud at the side of the shoe? I'll definitely be looking to answer these questions with continued playing time.

Performance Review: Nike KD1

2009-08-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

For me, there's nothing better than the smooth, responsive, springy, low profile ride of Nike's Zoom Air technology, especially if present in both the forefoot and heel. That said, Zoom Air isn't for everyone, so Nike doesn't put it in every shoe - and that's completely understandable. But explain to me why Nike likes to produce shoe after shoe with Zoom Air in the heel, but not in the forefoot?

Basketball is a sport that requires quick, drastic changes of direction at the blink of an eye. Anyone who has played any kind of sport knows that in order to make these kinds of movements, you need to stay on your toes. So if players are spending most of their court time on the balls of their feet, why do the Hyperize, Shark-A-Laid, Zoom Kobe IV, Zoom Flight Club, Zoom Phenom, Zoom FP, Hyperdunk, and Zoom Sharkley all contain Zoom Air in the heel but have nothing in the forefoot??

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the KD1 would be one of a rare breed that has Zoom Air in the forefoot but not in the heel. This attribute combined with the very affordable price tag (on sale at footlocker.com for $59.99 + Friends & Family = $53 shipped!) made it easy to grab a pair for testing.

I actually laced these up last week and warmed up in them, but they were much too stiff to play in straight out of the box. The midsole felt great (like a Huarache without Zoom Air in the heel) but the upper was very stiff and unforgiving (constructed with leather on the lateral side and a stiffer, patent leather-like material on the medial side). On top of that, the thin mesh tongue did nothing to improve comfort. So, I went back to the Soldier III for the day and spent a full week wrestling with the shoe, bending it and manually trying to wear down the upper by hand.

The thin mesh tongue helps breathability, but does nothing to cushion the tops of your feet from the thin uppers.

Stiff patent leather-like medial side (top shoe) vs the leather lateral side (bottom shoe)

Already knowing how thin and uncomfortable the uppers of these shoes are, I came prepared this week with a double layer of socks. This time around, they felt much better after they were laced up. The double socks provided the plushness that I craved, the uppers were considerably softer thanks to my manual labor, and the Zoom Air felt terrific under my forefoot.

The outsole pattern allows great flexibility while providing excellent traction.

The best way to describe the performance of the KD1 is that they're basically a poor man's Huarache 08. Midsole cushioning and flexibility was quite good, and ankle support was decent. I thought there was a slim chance that I would miss not having Zoom Air in the heel, but it never bothered me at all. Responsiveness was surprisingly good, as the traction actually felt slightly stickier than the Huarache 08. The footprint profile isn't narrow like the 2K4, but not super-wide like the 2K5, and with a listed weight of 15 ounces, the KD1's are a fairly nimble shoe. Lockdown could improve, as the upper isn't very sculpted and there are no straps to help the shoes hug the feet (early photos of the KD2 show a strap across the top of the foot).

The Bottom Line: The KD1 is a decent performing shoe for the price. For $88 (retail), you're getting a great midsole with Zoom Air cushioning, a very sticky outsole, and a clean looking signature shoe. However, the stiff and uncushioned upper makes the shoe uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. Its minimal construction leads me to believe that this shoe will take years of punishment without breaking down, but obviously it'll take much more testing for me to prove that. I plan to continue wearing these and will follow up with an update down the road.

Performance Review: Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier III 3

2009-08-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

I already know you're thinking it. A review for a LeBron shoe? Another heavy, bulky, boot-like excuse for a basketball shoe that only LeBron James himself can wear and not become exhausted after running up and down the court once?

Well you may have heard that the Soldier III is unlike any other LeBron shoe ever released. I was very skeptical when I went to Eastbay.com and saw their listed weight of 13.4 oz. It couldn't be possible - that's damn-near Hyperdunk-light (13.2 oz)! The previous year's Soldier II's weigh in at 17.4 oz... four beefy ounces heavier.

So what gives? Was it a typo? Could a LeBron shoe actually be that light? And even if it really is, does the shoe even perform well on the court? As the performance reviews started appearing on the internet, I read as many as I could find. Most were surprisingly positive, and after reading Nick DePaula's gushing review on Sole Collector, I just had to lace up a pair and see for myself. When I walked into Champs and asked the sales rep for the Soldier III's, he asked, "You're going to ball in them??" As I explained that I had read positive reviews, another sales rep overheard and said, "You're actually gonna play in those boats? You're gonna have massive calves by the end of the night!"

After 2 outings, I'm happy to report that their assumptions were wrong.

Before I begin with performance, I'm compelled to comment on how great these shoes look. They don't look like big, heavy work boots like the other LeBron shoes; the shape is very practical and sensible, and no part of the design feels forced. The swooping, curved line from ankle to toebox combined with the two large velcro straps are dramatic, yet clean, and most of the colorways are very sharp (I could do without the black/camouflage).

Out of the box, the shoes feel amazingly light but solidly built. I contemplated cutting the straps off as Nick DePaula did, but I wanted to try the shoes out as Nike had engineered and intended them to be worn (and this particular colorway doesn't look right without the straps). After I had my feet in the shoes, I wrestled with the straps as they did indeed get in the way of lace tying, but that was easily remedied by simply stepping on the straps.

With the laces tied and straps in place, I noticed right away that the lockdown throughout the entire shoe was very good. Nike's use of a ballistic mesh upper was a great choice since it trims weight off the shoes while providing durable, consistent flexibility (leather continuously breaks in and eventually becomes too soft). I paid special attention to the upper strap, as I squeezed the area around the ankle part of the shoe before securing the strap; I found that extra step to provide amazing heel lockdown.

During play, the familiar forefoot and heel Zoom Air cushioning provided a great and responsive ride. Traction was terrific, and the straps really helped lock down the shoes. I thought the width of the straps might restrict bending of the feet, but it was never a problem. Lateral stability was very good with help from the straps and patent leather. The shoes were initially laced all the way to the top, but I found that it put unnecessary stress on the tongue, which in turn pressed on the top part of my ankle. Lacing them up to the second-to-last eyelets proved to e perfect.

These feathery-light shoes were true extensions of my feet as I never once noticed the "presence" of the shoes (except to think, "Damn, these are amazing shoes!"). Yes, I'm saying this about LeBron shoes!

The Bottom Line: The Zoom LeBron Soldier III really does prove doubters wrong with its amazing light weight, playability out of the box, forefoot and heel Zoom Air cushioning, and terrific foot lockdown. Not only did these immediately carve out a spot in my top 5 performers list, but they'll also turn heads whether worn casually or on the court. As the different colorways hit outlets and sale racks, I'll definitely be adding more pairs of the Soldier III's to my playing rotation.

Performance Review: Nike Flight Windmill

2009-07-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

After reading many mixed reviews about the Nike Flight Windmill, I needed to find out for myself whether these shoes were as bad (or as good) as people claim. These beauties have been seen on many of the L's best swingmen such as Rashard Lewis, Shawn Marion, Andre Iguodala, Andrei Kirilenko, Vince Carter, Rudy Gay, and Jamario Moon to name a few, which would suggest that they're nothing short of spectacular. I was a big enough fan of the aesthetics of the Windmills to own 4 different colorways before ever setting foot on a court wearing a pair. So what happened when I finally took the floor?

Consumer complaints are aplenty: no ankle support, laces are too short, lace eyelets rip apart from the shoes, velcro strap doesn't stay on, and the list goes on. When I first put them on, I noticed right away that these don't have as much cushioning around the top of the foot as most other shoes. They feel kind of like an average And1 shoe, which usually have very thin uppers. I compensated by lacing the shoes very tightly... a mistake that will be realized later in the evening. The laces, in fact, are quite terrible; not only are they much too short, but they are stiff, round laces that are prone to coming loose even when double-knotted. I opted to play in the stock laces, but a quick and easy lace swap will solve this problem.

As I started shooting around, my previous concerns went away as I felt the Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot cushioning every step and jump. There was some ankle support, but it wasn't spectacular due to the lack of cushioning in the upper. The shoe's weight falls in the very light category in the company of shoes like the Huarache 08 and 2K4.

I found the foot lockdown to be quite good during play, as I never noticed any foot slippage. The stiff panels that form a triangle on the sides of the shoe provide a lot of lateral support; the shoes don't seem to warp much during quick cuts and lateral movements, and I'm sure the black perforated patent leather contributed to this as well. Traction was never a problem with the Windmills during play. For a while, I actually felt that these shoes had become one with my feet, in the way that a Z-rated low-profile tire performs on an 18" rim. It's a very quick and nimble shoe.

However, after a few games and about 1.5 hours of play, I began noticing some pain in both pinky toes, as if the sides of the shoes were rubbing my feet raw. Sure enough, that was indeed the case; a big chunk skin was missing from each pinky toe. I'm not sure if I laced them up too tightly or if the shoe's profile is slimmer than average, but I had to switch back to my trusty 2K3's for the rest of the night. People suggest doubling up on socks whenever this kind of problem presents itself (as I've read with the Jordan XX3), but I haven't had the opportunity to try it. For reference, I always wear Nike quarter socks during testing.

I didn't experience any problems with the velcro strap and ripping lace eyelets, but consumers seemed to make these complaints after several outings; I was only able to play in these for a couple of hours. Judging by the flimsiness of the straps, cheap velcro that doesn't have as much "grip" as normal velcro, and eyelets that are merely sewn onto the shoe (instead of holes in the upper), I can definitely see durability becoming a problem in the long run.

Detail of laces and eyelets

The paper-thin straps are already beginning to warp

The Bottom Line: The Flight Windmill is a terrific looking shoe that immediately turns heads on the basketball court. It comes in great colorways, and the PE versions are simply amazing. There are a few shortcomings such as terrible laces, sub-par cushioning in the upper, and lockdown so good it'll rub your feet raw, but its great performance makes up for it. Long-term durability is definitely an issue. It's a good shoe for a quick game (or a dunk contest), but if you're looking for the one-and-only, play-all-day shoe, you may want to look elsewhere.

Collection of Windmills (front to back) - black/light blue, Shawn Marion PE (Suns), Rashard Lewis PE (Magic), black/white/purple

PE detail

Performance Review: Nike Huarache 08

2009-07-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

It's only appropriate that the first post on this blog is about one of the great basketball shoes of all time. I'm not biased in any way; as a connoisseur of basketball shoes, I've played in Reebok, Adidas, and Nike, and I can say with confidence that the Huarache line is the most consistent-performing line of ball kicks I've ever hooped in.

The Huarache 08 brings a fresh new look from the previous years' Huarache Elites I and II (unless you were fortunate enough to have your own PE straight from Nike). Along with the drastic aesthetic upgrades come a very familiar performance and feel... Zoom Air in the forefoot and heel provide a very responsive spring in your step, and the flexible midsole and leather upper ensures playability right out of the box. Traction was never a problem during play, and the feathery weight is a delight.

The only gripe is that the 08 model runs a tad bigger than past models, so the foot tends to slide around a bit more than desired. Naturally, I laced the shoes up more tightly, but then found that there was a lot of extra room in the toebox, rendering the shoe a little clumsy on quick cuts. I went with a half-size down on my next pair and found the length to be perfect, but they were slightly too narrow. (By comparison, I wear a 12 in the Huarache 2K4 and it fits perfectly; I would elect to play in an 11.5 in the Huarache 08 and let the laces out a little.)

The Bottom Line: The Huarache 08 is a great basketball shoe that doesn't fall short of the Huarache line's standards and expectations. It plays well right out of the box, and if you've balled in Huarache's before, this shoe will feel completely familiar. It comes in terrific colorways, and I find myself wanting to collect them all. Performance-wise, I'd rank the 08 just behind the 2K4, but just ahead of the 2K5. The 2K4 tops my Huarache list with its superior foot lockdown and more nimble forefoot silhouette, and the Zoom Air cushioning of the 08 somehow feels more responsive than that of the 2K5, especially in the forefoot (and the 08 is a more durable shoe).

note: I haven't tested the Huarache 09

Evolution (2K4, 2K5, 08)

Huarache 2K4

Huarache 2K5 Rashard Lewis PE (Seattle Sonics)

Huarache Elite II Rashard Lewis PE (Orlando Magic)

Huarache 08 Deron Williams PE