Comparison between playing in Kobes, Hyperdunks, and Lebrons

dclee78

dclee78

33
11
Joined
Feb 1, 2012
Waddup NT'ers. I need your input into which shoes are better to play in. Up until now, I have been playing exclusively in Kobes (4s, 5s, and 6s) and hyperdunks. I'm thinking about buying a pair of Lebrons (8 or 9s) to play in. I prefer playing in my hyperdunks, but I've noticed that the treads on the bottom have become slippery and the shoes don't grip quite as well as they used to. They're not that old, nor have I played in them much because every time I buy a pair of Kobes I wear them on the court to break them in. They have a lot of life left, and by no means are they starting to go bald. With about 10 pairs of Kobes that I've bought in the last few years, my hyperdunks haven't seen too much playing time in the last 2 years. I like the added ankle support that the hyperdunks give me (real or imagined), and if I play with my Kobes I have to tape up my ankles.

One of my boys recently came with a pair of Lebron 9's. I checked them out, and they look like they'll provide the ankle support that I need, and the pattern on the soles look like they'll grip well for a while. I noticed that the treads on the hyperdunks are horizontal, which is the reason why I think they're starting to get slippery. So that's why I'm considering the Lebron 9's (or 8's if essentially they're the same shoe). I absolutely hate Lebron and would never ever consider buying any of this branded products, but I need a pair of light basketball shoes with good ankle support to play in.

So I'm asking for your thoughts and non-bias opinions, especially if you've play ball in the Lebrons, and especially more so if you've tried all 3 shoes. Thanks.
 
I love the lockdown and feeling of ankle support on the Lebron 9 but they are a different animal then Kobes or Hyperdunks. They are really cushy. Also the traction isnt as good as the Hyperdunk or the Kobe IV and Kobe V. Im a bigger guy so Im starting to like the Lebron line alot but if you want a shoe with ankle support that plays like Kobes and  the Hyperdunk try the Hyperdunk 2011.  Its not as stiff in the ankle as the orginial Hyperdunk but the cut is still high and the cushioning has aspect is greatly improved over the orginial Hyperdunk and the Kobe line IV-VI. Also you can try the Nike Huarache 2K4 retros that are coming out.
 
Have balled in all 3. Really liked the kobe 4,5, and 6, but always would tweak my ankle every other month or so... A few major sprains that took a couple weeks to come back, but nothing major structurally. From there I moved on to the Hyperdunk 2011. I wear the black griffin mango colorway and I feel that this is the best bball shoe I have ever worn. Haven't twisted my ankle since wearing them last september and still wear them to this day. Recently just bought the swingman lebron 9 to ball in and I really disliked it. Comfort wise it was much worse than the kobe or hyperdunk, and the traction felt worse also. I even felt a step slow while wearing them. To make a long story short, I sent them back to nike. Also, interested in seeing the elite hyperdunk since I like the hyperdunk so much. For me anyways, with the price, support, traction, and comfortability, the hyperdunk 2011 is the way to go IMO.
 
I love the HD 2011 as well as the Kobe IV,V. I prefer shoes with a flatter toe box, I didn't like wiggling my toes around in my shoes. I want my shoes to fit like a sock and to be an extension of my foot
 
The lebron 9s felt really solid...I feel logically that the best materials and ideas are goin into the lebron line...I really dislike lebron the person and hate to buy his product but the lebron 9 changed my mind.
 
I can never ball in low tops because my ankles are weak as hell and I'm always spraining it
Favorite bball shoes were the 2009 Hyperdunks but I recently retired those and bought Hyperfuses..hated it.
Looking into buying LeBron 9s, they have excellent ankle support, and feel extremely stable.
 
Originally Posted by verbatim2d

^ lighter on feet than what they look
Click to expand...
I hope so. All the of the Lebrons have always looked heavy and chunky like boots. I guess that was the look they were going for, but I'm from So Cal. It's all about shorts and flip flops for me. Just makes sense that I gravitate toward the low-tops instead of Nikeberlands.

That and I'm a Kobe and Lakers fan too...
 
lol you're shallow dude. Don't let your hate toward Lebron the person limit you from buying Lebrons the shoes. The Lebron line have produced some of the best shoes over the years imo. I especially prefer the soldier line over the signature line. 20-5-5, Soldier I, III, lebron ps etc are good shoes. The lebron signature line is not built for little guards. It's a small forward/power forward shoes.
 
the lbj9's feel really comfortable to me and is really cushiony. ankle support is really good too if tied up to the top. the only thing i would really complain about is the traction not being really good but that might be because of the dirtiness of the floors i'm playing on. i've tried on the kobe 7's but it seemed like the shoe sock wrapped my foot too tightly; it felt a little uncomfortable.
 
Tore a ligament in my ankle wearing the kobe 5s. Not blaming the shoe tho.My favorite shoes to ball in are Huarache 2k4s and Kobe IIIs.But, just got big bang lebron 9s and I'm very impressed at the comfort and lightness just walking around. I will probably get a pair of different color way to ball in.
 
kobe and hyper(shoes) seems to be more responsive to me. But the Lebron 9 are not heavy as his other shoes or at least they dont feel like it to me.
 
For me I jump and feel the best in Hyperdunks something about player shoes they just feel different idk what it is
 
Anyone have opinion on hyperdunk 2011 v hyperdunk 2011 lows?

Ive been a fan of the Kobe line, Dont have the VI's but loved the IV's and Liked the V's...Currently wearing hyperfuse low and they're performing great

Im not opposed to low or mid but everyone seems to be raving about the mid but cant seem to find much opinion on the low to compare
 
i hoop in a pair of kobe 6's prolly one of the best shoes i played in...but they arent the best in comfort
 
Have always been a big fan of the Kobe line.  Multiple pairs of V's and VI's.  Love the freedom due to the low top, court feel, and heel to toe transition.  But lately, been wanting a little bit more support and cushion so I gave the hyperdunk 2011's a try and I've been wearing them for a good two months now.  Still have the Kobe's in my bag but have not had to use them since the hyperdunks.  Of course the hyperdunks are not as close to the court but I do enjoy the slightly larger cushion area.  I thought going from low to mid would be a problem but the hyperdunk uppers are flexible enough to move with your movement.  Honestly think you can't go wrong with either one.  
 
Originally Posted by KenJi714

lol you're shallow dude. Don't let your hate toward Lebron the person limit you from buying Lebrons the shoes. The Lebron line have produced some of the best shoes over the years imo. I especially prefer the soldier line over the signature line. 20-5-5, Soldier I, III, lebron ps etc are good shoes. The lebron signature line is not built for little guards. It's a small forward/power forward shoes.
Click to expand...

^ well said, i'm not really a fan of the player, but the quality of shoes starting from the Lebron 8 p.s. and the v2 has been good for me, try getting a pair of LB9's from outlets just to get a feel maybe it could change ur mind
 
Originally Posted by dnvtran

Have always been a big fan of the Kobe line.  Multiple pairs of V's and VI's.  Love the freedom due to the low top, court feel, and heel to toe transition.  But lately, been wanting a little bit more support and cushion so I gave the hyperdunk 2011's a try and I've been wearing them for a good two months now.  Still have the Kobe's in my bag but have not had to use them since the hyperdunks.  Of course the hyperdunks are not as close to the court but I do enjoy the slightly larger cushion area.  I thought going from low to mid would be a problem but the hyperdunk uppers are flexible enough to move with your movement.  Honestly think you can't go wrong with either one.  
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I tried on the hyperdunks and was intrigued by the feel. A lot of cushion under my feet, not very close to the floor. I wonder how they'll play...Think those are going to be next 
 
I feel as if it depends more on your position...Kobes will keep you quick off the dribble, Lebrons are much more heavy, although they lockdown your ankle a lot better.
 
I've been playing in Kobe's since the IV's. And like some of the posts here, I like how they fit my feet like a sock.

But since I bought a pair of Lebron IX I plan on trying them out on the court. So far walking around in the house and tightening up the laces have been unbearable for my ankles even with longer and thicker socks. Wearing ankle support might help with the comfort. I'll find out soon.
 
Originally Posted by ArmorRig

 But since I bought a pair of Lebron IX I plan on trying them out on the court. So far walking around in the house and tightening up the laces have been unbearable for my ankles even with longer and thicker socks. Wearing ankle support might help with the comfort. I'll find out soon.
Click to expand...
The LB 9's KILLED my ankles! The tongue created serious pressure points on the front sides of both my ankles. In between foul calls I had to keep folding the sides of the tongues in to get some relief from the pain and pressure. I still managed to have a great game, but the IX were playing better pressure D than the team I was facing. Really disappointed with these! Switching back to my fly wades and Jordan 2010.   
 
Originally Posted by Hardaway33

Originally Posted by ArmorRig

 But since I bought a pair of Lebron IX I plan on trying them out on the court. So far walking around in the house and tightening up the laces have been unbearable for my ankles even with longer and thicker socks. Wearing ankle support might help with the comfort. I'll find out soon.
Click to expand...
The LB 9's KILLED my ankles! The tongue created serious pressure points on the front sides of both my ankles. In between foul calls I had to keep folding the sides of the tongues in to get some relief from the pain and pressure. I still managed to have a great game, but the IX were playing better pressure D than the team I was facing. Really disappointed with these! Switching back to my fly wades and Jordan 2010.   
Click to expand...


That too man. The sides of the tongue are pinching up on the vein, while both sides of the "ears" are killing the medial and lateral bones. I would hate it if I need to wrap it up if I only wanted to shoot around before working out.
 
Originally Posted by ArmorRig

Originally Posted by Hardaway33

Originally Posted by ArmorRig

 But since I bought a pair of Lebron IX I plan on trying them out on the court. So far walking around in the house and tightening up the laces have been unbearable for my ankles even with longer and thicker socks. Wearing ankle support might help with the comfort. I'll find out soon.
Click to expand...
The LB 9's KILLED my ankles! The tongue created serious pressure points on the front sides of both my ankles. In between foul calls I had to keep folding the sides of the tongues in to get some relief from the pain and pressure. I still managed to have a great game, but the IX were playing better pressure D than the team I was facing. Really disappointed with these! Switching back to my fly wades and Jordan 2010.   
Click to expand...


That too man. The sides of the tongue are pinching up on the vein, while both sides of the "ears" are killing the medial and lateral bones. I would hate it if I need to wrap it up if I only wanted to shoot around before working out.
Click to expand...
The tongue is a MAJOR design flaw in the shoe, and at $170+ this is completely unacceptable!
Also my back was really tight after playing in them. This never happens to me with the other shoes in my rotation.  
 
Originally Posted by Hardaway33

Originally Posted by ArmorRig

Originally Posted by Hardaway33

The LB 9's KILLED my ankles! The tongue created serious pressure points on the front sides of both my ankles. In between foul calls I had to keep folding the sides of the tongues in to get some relief from the pain and pressure. I still managed to have a great game, but the IX were playing better pressure D than the team I was facing. Really disappointed with these! Switching back to my fly wades and Jordan 2010.   
Click to expand...


That too man. The sides of the tongue are pinching up on the vein, while both sides of the "ears" are killing the medial and lateral bones. I would hate it if I need to wrap it up if I only wanted to shoot around before working out.
Click to expand...
The tongue is a MAJOR design flaw in the shoe, and at $170+ this is completely unacceptable!
Also my back was really tight after playing in them. This never happens to me with the other shoes in my rotation.  
Click to expand...

I can relate having a stiffness in the back after playing when I'm not planting my feet right (like trying to play through a mild ankle sprain). So I would imagine if your feet are hurting while playing in the shoes, that you might be compromising your movements and thus affecting your back.  
 
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