- Jun 26, 2016
- 3
- 10
I've been considering purchasing a 8mm thick zoom insole of off eBay to put in my Kobe 9 EM. If anyone has used these eBay zoom insoles how was your experience? Are they even worth the 20 bucks? Thanks for any and all advice.
langfor5
Supporter
- Nov 24, 2006
- 7,345
- 5,702
An NT'er posted a ebay link for some Zoom insoles in the KD9 thread. I purchased two of them. The performance and feel are exactly like any of the other Zoom insoles out of my other shoes.
After shipping the insoles I purchased were less than $10. The issue I have with them is that they are very narrow and they can cause sizing issues.
Sizing Issues: if you have a shoe that is your normal size and you add a 8 mm Zoom bag it will make that shoe extremely tight. I have found that in shoes that were a little big or snug for me adding that Zoom bag helped with the fit. Plus or minus on the sizing depending on how you look at it.
Insoles being narrow: The thing you have to remember is that these are Zoom bags and nothing else. They aren't embedded in a insole or midsole. When you add a Zoom insole to a shoe it can affect the fit of the shoe. Because the Zoom sits so high when you put the existing insole over the shoe you can feel the extra couple inches on each side hanging over. Sometimes it isn't that bad but other times on certain shoes you almost felt unstable.
Conclusion: At $8 they are worth it. $20 dollars you might want to make sure that it doesn't mess up the fit and sizing of the shoe it is intended for.
After shipping the insoles I purchased were less than $10. The issue I have with them is that they are very narrow and they can cause sizing issues.
Sizing Issues: if you have a shoe that is your normal size and you add a 8 mm Zoom bag it will make that shoe extremely tight. I have found that in shoes that were a little big or snug for me adding that Zoom bag helped with the fit. Plus or minus on the sizing depending on how you look at it.
Insoles being narrow: The thing you have to remember is that these are Zoom bags and nothing else. They aren't embedded in a insole or midsole. When you add a Zoom insole to a shoe it can affect the fit of the shoe. Because the Zoom sits so high when you put the existing insole over the shoe you can feel the extra couple inches on each side hanging over. Sometimes it isn't that bad but other times on certain shoes you almost felt unstable.
Conclusion: At $8 they are worth it. $20 dollars you might want to make sure that it doesn't mess up the fit and sizing of the shoe it is intended for.
- Dec 27, 2012
- 5,850
- 1,509
@Jonny88
@langfor5 has good advice on being careful with sizing, as they can throw off the fit.
Honestly though, I have not had the same experience with the eBay insoles. If you are looking for a true pressurized zoom insole for more activity than walking around, I can't vouch for the eBay ones. I've purchased them and they are definitely comfortable as a casual option and give you springiness walking around, but they are not pressurized like true zoom should be and would bottom out on me too easily playing ball. Maybe there are new sellers out there now with a better product, but I can't say for sure.
At one point, NTer @eltouha had some truly pressurized ones that I can vouch for -- ones that were definitely true zoom and worked at high impact. Unfortunately, I have no idea on the origin of those anymore. I'm sorry to shake things up -- you can take a chance on the eBay ones if you want, but I can't recommend them based on my experience between those and adequately pressurized zoom bags. Thanks for the tag @spacekid9
@langfor5 has good advice on being careful with sizing, as they can throw off the fit.
Honestly though, I have not had the same experience with the eBay insoles. If you are looking for a true pressurized zoom insole for more activity than walking around, I can't vouch for the eBay ones. I've purchased them and they are definitely comfortable as a casual option and give you springiness walking around, but they are not pressurized like true zoom should be and would bottom out on me too easily playing ball. Maybe there are new sellers out there now with a better product, but I can't say for sure.
At one point, NTer @eltouha had some truly pressurized ones that I can vouch for -- ones that were definitely true zoom and worked at high impact. Unfortunately, I have no idea on the origin of those anymore. I'm sorry to shake things up -- you can take a chance on the eBay ones if you want, but I can't recommend them based on my experience between those and adequately pressurized zoom bags. Thanks for the tag @spacekid9
- Dec 13, 2004
- 80,746
- 72,093
I have been looking on one of these as well but so far no luck with finding an insole that isn't just a zoom bag.
I did find an alternative, the Converse Jack Purcell Signature has forefoot and heel zoom.
Thinking of just buying a pair (if I find it on sale, hoping to find a pair in the outlets) and just using the insole to swap around shoes.
I do wear Jack Purcells/Chucks though so the shoe wouldn't be a waste either but I definitely do not want to pay $95 retail price on a pair.
I did find an alternative, the Converse Jack Purcell Signature has forefoot and heel zoom.
Thinking of just buying a pair (if I find it on sale, hoping to find a pair in the outlets) and just using the insole to swap around shoes.
I do wear Jack Purcells/Chucks though so the shoe wouldn't be a waste either but I definitely do not want to pay $95 retail price on a pair.
- Jun 26, 2016
- 3
- 10
Thanks for the responses @langfor5 and @iks mod
These were the zoom bags I prchased: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Generat...hash=item33962ff554:m:mUlLE3O6vkPjqJ_ZY1ddkGQ
I was hoping to put they in my Kobe 9 EM because the Lunarlon midsole has completely bottomed out. I don't think sizing will be an issue because the shoe already feels loose in my normal size 10. Hopefully these zoom bags aren't horrible, if not i will contact @eltouha to buy some from him.
Thanks for the helpful advice.
These were the zoom bags I prchased: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Generat...hash=item33962ff554:m:mUlLE3O6vkPjqJ_ZY1ddkGQ
I was hoping to put they in my Kobe 9 EM because the Lunarlon midsole has completely bottomed out. I don't think sizing will be an issue because the shoe already feels loose in my normal size 10. Hopefully these zoom bags aren't horrible, if not i will contact @eltouha to buy some from him.
Thanks for the helpful advice.
- Jun 26, 2016
- 3
- 10
Thanks for the advice @langfor5 and @spacekid9
I don't think sizing will be an issue as my normal size 10 feels loose and the lunarlon midsole has completely bottomed out. Hopefully the zoom bags I bought aren't complete trash, if they are I will contact @eltouha.
I don't think sizing will be an issue as my normal size 10 feels loose and the lunarlon midsole has completely bottomed out. Hopefully the zoom bags I bought aren't complete trash, if they are I will contact @eltouha.
langfor5
Supporter
- Nov 24, 2006
- 7,345
- 5,702
As I have only had mine for a couple of weeks and haven't used them in football or basketball shoes I can't comment on if they will de-pressurize quicker than Nike factory Zoom bags.
The Nike Zoom E-cue had one of the largest and thickest Zoom bags I have ever seen. Like walking on clouds of air. I believe that shoe came out in 2004 so unless it is a DS pair that bag maybe be bottomed out as mine, unfortunately is. The recent Flightposite rendition that just came out, both with and without the shroud has both forefoot and heel Zoom that is amazing.
The Nike Zoom E-cue had one of the largest and thickest Zoom bags I have ever seen. Like walking on clouds of air. I believe that shoe came out in 2004 so unless it is a DS pair that bag maybe be bottomed out as mine, unfortunately is. The recent Flightposite rendition that just came out, both with and without the shroud has both forefoot and heel Zoom that is amazing.
- Dec 13, 2004
- 80,746
- 72,093
If/when I find one, I'll update here.
The older SBs also have zoomed insole but only in the heels, not sure if that is still the case today.
- Oct 22, 2013
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no worries. i figured you could help provided some info.
- Dec 3, 2007
- 5,231
- 702
hi everyone. sadly, my lot has been gone for years. my source was that jay guy from slamdunkspace from back in the day when grey market kicks were true GM, circa 2011 i think
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- Apr 30, 2002
- 8,026
- 10,803
Lebron IV, Flightposite 3, and Ultraflight, thickest insoles I've ever worn.
