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- Dec 3, 2007
Hey all! Just got my all-stars today and it was just in time for my Tuesday night league game. I figured what better time to review a shoe that actually has some anticipation attached to it from JB. I haven't done a review in over a year so bear with me and I hope I provide all of you with a little insight on what to expect.
Player Profile: I'm in my late twenties and played college basketball. Thanks to the winter time in the Chi I spend a lot of time on the court from Nov-March getting into "ball" mode. I play about 3-4 times a week. Two leagues and the rest in open gym settings. I'm a 6'1 guard/forward type. Depending on the team I'll be the one bringing the ball up or I can post up smaller guards. I'm a slasher and love to drive to the basket. Now to the review...
First impressions out of the box were that the shoe lives up to the hype. The anticipation that was missing from the 2010 and 2009 are greatly warranted here. The xi comparisons actually decrease once you see the shoe in person, mostly because of the "stressed" leather look. The first time you slide these on your feet you will find quite a bit of room. I have a 13 and a 12 that I was able to get my hands on and while the 12 had the lock down feel that 13 was the one that had the proper sizing for me. I'm usually the type of shoe size that goes 13, maybe 12.5 as it is rare that the 12's every fit me comfortably. If you are the type that wears double socks or ankle braces you will appreciate the extra room, more so for the double sock people as the ankle area can be a bit narrow.
I had an initial issue with the inner part of the bed that holds the insole sticking up and brushing the inner arch of my foot. I usually wear a single sock, but busted out the thick Nike Elite socks and once I started playing it was hardly noticeable. I am also thankful that the 2011 does not have the fit of the 2010. I liked the 2010, but found the are below the toe box and foot pads a little too narrow. It really needed breaking in with the 2010, but the 2011 were ready to go out of the box.
Quick or Explosive?
Those who have seen my posts in the insole or shoe threads would know what a fan I am of zoom air. However after reading that Wade had liked the Air sole instead I figured I would give the shoes first test run in the air. While trying both soles out in my first wear (they shoes come with one quick and one explosive in each shoe) I found the air max to be quite plush and full feeling. The zoom actually felt a little thin and didn't have that push back that I love in zoom. In fact the zoom felt a tad tougher than the zoom setup you find in the 2010. I know the 2010 had double stacked heel zoom, I'm speaking about the forefoot area mostly. I'm going to be playing a little with some friends tomorrow morning and plan on going in with the zoom units and posting my comparisons later in the day.
Traction:
Traction is probably my first or second most important feature on a shoe. While in college I suffered a severe groin pull which was mostly thanks to going full speed in some Jordan xvi's that had no traction whatsoever. I also hate the feeling of trying to beat someone off the dribble and feeling like you were in quicksand. Something I have loved about the last three Kobe's and to a lesser extent, the lebron line is their excellent traction. I know many people raved about the 2010 and it's traction, but these seemed to be between the 2010 and the super glue grip of the kobe iv/v. In fact; my first play of the game I grabbed the tip out wide from the sideline and took some dribbles around a defender under the hoop and as I turned around on the other side to attempt my shot it felt as those my foot had rotated completely inside the shoe. The shoe seemed glued to the court and my plush socks just let my foot kind of slide around in an odd way that I never remembered having happened.
After that I settle in with the shoe and the traction was decent, then again the floor I played on tonight was not in the best shape thanks to Chicago winters and people who don't know how to bring an extra pair of shoes to play in.
The Jump Factor
From some youtube videos I have posted, I can prove to you that this guy still has hops. The problem is that with age most machines need fine tuning and expensive parts to help them along, I am no different. I'm not going to be in any dunk contests anymore and while I can still dunk I am right at the edge of not being able to do it easily. This is why I notice when a shoe gives me that extra edge.
I know your thinking I"m crazy, but it's true. Shoes like the Lebron Soldier III and Lebron VII PS offer the mid cut, excellent traction and cushioning that gives you that extra confidence you need to give it your all. Unfortunately the floor, or the 2011's traction didn't offer me that same confidence. Tomorrow when I play in a cleaner gym, I'll be able to give you a guys an update on that.
^
Me in my Lebron VII PS.
Couple action live pics of my blue's. Also in the official Jordan Thread. I'll post a further review later of the zoom soles and get more pictures in natural light for all to see. I will actually be playing in the same gym as that video so I'll be able to do a better job comparing it to other shoes I've tried this year like the Kobe VI, Melo M7, KDIII and so on. Hope you guys enjoyed the read!
UPDATE 3.28.2011
Thanks for all the comments and additions guys. This will be the first Jordan I buy multiple pairs of since the xiv. All I can say is wow. I've been playing in leagues and open gyms for a while now since they came out and here are some updates.
Wore the explosives casually. Super comfortable. I was sick this past weekend but had to play Sunday cuz my team is tied for first. I played in the explosives since I figured we would have an easy game and I fell in love. I will try and run a few games in these once I'm healthy but now that they are broken in they are so nice. They no longer feel like I'm standing on a liquid ball where my foot would rotate off the bubble, now my foot sinks in and they feel so nice.
Still love the quicks though.
Wish I could get a little more lockdown in the forefoot are but the fit on these are awesome. I'm usually between 12 and 13 and will get a 12 in my next pair to see if this changes anything.
Gotta get another colorway, I look too silly rocking the blues casually.
The outsole is getting mighty dusty which doesn't bother me, but can't wait to try a colorway with a solid outsole. Not just for the coloring issue, but to see how traction improves. I remember the Kobe line giving me amazing traction when you went with a colorway that had a solid outsole versus the icy.
Player Profile: I'm in my late twenties and played college basketball. Thanks to the winter time in the Chi I spend a lot of time on the court from Nov-March getting into "ball" mode. I play about 3-4 times a week. Two leagues and the rest in open gym settings. I'm a 6'1 guard/forward type. Depending on the team I'll be the one bringing the ball up or I can post up smaller guards. I'm a slasher and love to drive to the basket. Now to the review...
First impressions out of the box were that the shoe lives up to the hype. The anticipation that was missing from the 2010 and 2009 are greatly warranted here. The xi comparisons actually decrease once you see the shoe in person, mostly because of the "stressed" leather look. The first time you slide these on your feet you will find quite a bit of room. I have a 13 and a 12 that I was able to get my hands on and while the 12 had the lock down feel that 13 was the one that had the proper sizing for me. I'm usually the type of shoe size that goes 13, maybe 12.5 as it is rare that the 12's every fit me comfortably. If you are the type that wears double socks or ankle braces you will appreciate the extra room, more so for the double sock people as the ankle area can be a bit narrow.
I had an initial issue with the inner part of the bed that holds the insole sticking up and brushing the inner arch of my foot. I usually wear a single sock, but busted out the thick Nike Elite socks and once I started playing it was hardly noticeable. I am also thankful that the 2011 does not have the fit of the 2010. I liked the 2010, but found the are below the toe box and foot pads a little too narrow. It really needed breaking in with the 2010, but the 2011 were ready to go out of the box.
Quick or Explosive?
Those who have seen my posts in the insole or shoe threads would know what a fan I am of zoom air. However after reading that Wade had liked the Air sole instead I figured I would give the shoes first test run in the air. While trying both soles out in my first wear (they shoes come with one quick and one explosive in each shoe) I found the air max to be quite plush and full feeling. The zoom actually felt a little thin and didn't have that push back that I love in zoom. In fact the zoom felt a tad tougher than the zoom setup you find in the 2010. I know the 2010 had double stacked heel zoom, I'm speaking about the forefoot area mostly. I'm going to be playing a little with some friends tomorrow morning and plan on going in with the zoom units and posting my comparisons later in the day.
Traction:
Traction is probably my first or second most important feature on a shoe. While in college I suffered a severe groin pull which was mostly thanks to going full speed in some Jordan xvi's that had no traction whatsoever. I also hate the feeling of trying to beat someone off the dribble and feeling like you were in quicksand. Something I have loved about the last three Kobe's and to a lesser extent, the lebron line is their excellent traction. I know many people raved about the 2010 and it's traction, but these seemed to be between the 2010 and the super glue grip of the kobe iv/v. In fact; my first play of the game I grabbed the tip out wide from the sideline and took some dribbles around a defender under the hoop and as I turned around on the other side to attempt my shot it felt as those my foot had rotated completely inside the shoe. The shoe seemed glued to the court and my plush socks just let my foot kind of slide around in an odd way that I never remembered having happened.
After that I settle in with the shoe and the traction was decent, then again the floor I played on tonight was not in the best shape thanks to Chicago winters and people who don't know how to bring an extra pair of shoes to play in.
The Jump Factor
From some youtube videos I have posted, I can prove to you that this guy still has hops. The problem is that with age most machines need fine tuning and expensive parts to help them along, I am no different. I'm not going to be in any dunk contests anymore and while I can still dunk I am right at the edge of not being able to do it easily. This is why I notice when a shoe gives me that extra edge.
I know your thinking I"m crazy, but it's true. Shoes like the Lebron Soldier III and Lebron VII PS offer the mid cut, excellent traction and cushioning that gives you that extra confidence you need to give it your all. Unfortunately the floor, or the 2011's traction didn't offer me that same confidence. Tomorrow when I play in a cleaner gym, I'll be able to give you a guys an update on that.
^
Me in my Lebron VII PS.
Couple action live pics of my blue's. Also in the official Jordan Thread. I'll post a further review later of the zoom soles and get more pictures in natural light for all to see. I will actually be playing in the same gym as that video so I'll be able to do a better job comparing it to other shoes I've tried this year like the Kobe VI, Melo M7, KDIII and so on. Hope you guys enjoyed the read!
UPDATE 3.28.2011
Thanks for all the comments and additions guys. This will be the first Jordan I buy multiple pairs of since the xiv. All I can say is wow. I've been playing in leagues and open gyms for a while now since they came out and here are some updates.
Wore the explosives casually. Super comfortable. I was sick this past weekend but had to play Sunday cuz my team is tied for first. I played in the explosives since I figured we would have an easy game and I fell in love. I will try and run a few games in these once I'm healthy but now that they are broken in they are so nice. They no longer feel like I'm standing on a liquid ball where my foot would rotate off the bubble, now my foot sinks in and they feel so nice.
Still love the quicks though.
Wish I could get a little more lockdown in the forefoot are but the fit on these are awesome. I'm usually between 12 and 13 and will get a 12 in my next pair to see if this changes anything.
Gotta get another colorway, I look too silly rocking the blues casually.
The outsole is getting mighty dusty which doesn't bother me, but can't wait to try a colorway with a solid outsole. Not just for the coloring issue, but to see how traction improves. I remember the Kobe line giving me amazing traction when you went with a colorway that had a solid outsole versus the icy.
