The Kobe series has long been one of my favorite signature lines in the basketball shoe industry. The first pair of basketball shoes that I bought on my own (when I was in middle school) was the Nike Kobe 1, the first signature shoe that Kobe Bryant created with Nike after leaving adidas. After that, I owned the 5s, 6s, 8s, 9s 10s and 11s…so it’s fair to say that I’m usually a fan of Kobe’s latest signature shoe. Because of this fact, the Nike Kobe A.D. Big Stage was one of the most disappointing basketball shoesthat I’ve ever played in.
I heard a lot of bad things about the Kobe A.D. For Sale before I even got my hands on them, and I tried not to let others’ opinions affect what I thought of the shoe while I weartested it. However, when it comes down to the performance of this shoe, what everyone had been saying was in fact true.
The simple way of putting it is that I didn’t enjoy playing in these shoes…ever. The traction was extremely inconsistent, the cushion system was subpar (and also very misleading with the fake Zoom etchings on the back), and the upper was stiff and uncomfortable. The only reasonably decent portion of the shoe was the support, as the stiff upper cradled my foot well and forced my heel into the heel counter. When it comes down to it, I will never wear the Kobe A.D. on the basketball shoes court again.
For the price point of $160, there are literally dozens of shoes available that not only outperform the Kobe A.D., but also cost a good deal less. Though you can likely now find the A.D. for reduced prices at outlets, I can’t recommend them to anyone who is looking for a solid pair of on-court kicks.
Thanks for checking out the Quick Kicks Performance Review of the Nike Kobe A.D. Let us know what your thoughts about the A.D. are in the comment section below, and stay tuned to kd10sale.com for future performance reviews.
2017年8月17日星期四
2017年8月16日星期三
Air Jordan Project and air jordan 4 performance reviews
Traction – The traction is pretty solid. Whether you are moving from front to back or side to side, the traction can keep up. I do think the newer style of herringbone is much more functional but overall you can’t complain. I will say this though… the Air Jordan I has had the best overall traction – in my opinion – at this point in the line.
Cushion – Pretty much the same thing as the Air Jordan 4 for sale… encapsulated Air in the forefoot with a heel Air unit along with a Polyurethane midsole. It’s still dense with some minor compression… exactly what you’d come to expect. I am getting used to the setup though as I have had less pain while playing in this type of construction as time goes on, however, after long periods of play and the following day are painful for my knees and ankles… this could be due to my age.
Material – I’ve said this before in a previous teaser; the PU coated leather is very durable. While I personally preferred the softer leather featured on the Air Jordan 4 Retro Alternate, the leather used here will last you for a greater length of time. I guess you can consider that one of those ‘more bang for your buck’ attributes. Again, I’d personally prefer something softer but as for what was given they will hold up just fine.
Keep in mind, break-in time is needed so if you plan on playing in a pair you may want to wear them around the house for a while until they loosen up a bit or opt for a pair with a nubuck upper.
Fit – I absolutely loved the fit. The Air Jordan 4 had a surprisingly good midfoot to heel lockdown and these are even better. Those forefoot lace wings hug and tightly hold your forefoot into place while the rear wings will provide you with a lockdown fit once you adjust the laces. There was not one moment where my foot slipped inside the shoe so the fit was much improved.
Ventilation – A much appreciated change in ventilation took place going from the Air Jordan 1 -3 into the Air Jordan IV. I had gone over this in detail in my last Performance Teaser if you wanted to take a look. Basically, the side panels offer a very good amount of ventilation while the tongue is slightly restricted yet still encompasses much more air flow than the previous models.
Support – Not much support is in place as far as today’s standards but the molded arch and superior lockdown provide you with enough support throughout to make these enjoyable to play in at positions 1-4.
Overall – There is something very nostalgic about playing in these Retro classics. While they may not be the most comfortable at times, they have all been pretty darn performance worthy. Of course there are better options available but realistically… who wouldn’t want to play in a pair of classic Air Jordan’s? http://www.kd10sale.com
Cushion – Pretty much the same thing as the Air Jordan 4 for sale… encapsulated Air in the forefoot with a heel Air unit along with a Polyurethane midsole. It’s still dense with some minor compression… exactly what you’d come to expect. I am getting used to the setup though as I have had less pain while playing in this type of construction as time goes on, however, after long periods of play and the following day are painful for my knees and ankles… this could be due to my age.
Material – I’ve said this before in a previous teaser; the PU coated leather is very durable. While I personally preferred the softer leather featured on the Air Jordan 4 Retro Alternate, the leather used here will last you for a greater length of time. I guess you can consider that one of those ‘more bang for your buck’ attributes. Again, I’d personally prefer something softer but as for what was given they will hold up just fine.
Keep in mind, break-in time is needed so if you plan on playing in a pair you may want to wear them around the house for a while until they loosen up a bit or opt for a pair with a nubuck upper.
Fit – I absolutely loved the fit. The Air Jordan 4 had a surprisingly good midfoot to heel lockdown and these are even better. Those forefoot lace wings hug and tightly hold your forefoot into place while the rear wings will provide you with a lockdown fit once you adjust the laces. There was not one moment where my foot slipped inside the shoe so the fit was much improved.
Ventilation – A much appreciated change in ventilation took place going from the Air Jordan 1 -3 into the Air Jordan IV. I had gone over this in detail in my last Performance Teaser if you wanted to take a look. Basically, the side panels offer a very good amount of ventilation while the tongue is slightly restricted yet still encompasses much more air flow than the previous models.
Support – Not much support is in place as far as today’s standards but the molded arch and superior lockdown provide you with enough support throughout to make these enjoyable to play in at positions 1-4.
Overall – There is something very nostalgic about playing in these Retro classics. While they may not be the most comfortable at times, they have all been pretty darn performance worthy. Of course there are better options available but realistically… who wouldn’t want to play in a pair of classic Air Jordan’s? http://www.kd10sale.com
2017年8月9日星期三
Nike Air Max 97 Release Guide For Fall To Celebrate 20 Years
Nike has been celebrating 20 years since the nike Air Max 97’s original release all year — but the real bangers are coming for the fall.
Designer Christian Tresser, the same gentleman that designed the Air Zoom Spiridon, was inspired by the industrial lines of his favorite mountain bike while creating the Air Max 97.
“Mountain bike components and mountain bikes at the time had metal on metal finishes like aluminum and polished titanium,” Tresser said in a statement.
nike air max 97 behind the design 2
The Air Max 97 is celebrated for introducing full-length visible Air cushioning. Now, two OG builds are returning, including premium renditions, as well as the new Nike Air Max 97 metallic gold.
The Nike Air max 97 Ultra has undergone a weight savings by way of a single layer upper and (hopefully) become more comfortable with new Air-Sole PSI levels.
nike air max 97 behind the design 3
“The innovation in the Air Max 97 Ultra comes from the point of view of refined comfort,” said Dylan Raasch, Nike Senior Sportswear Design Director, in a statement. “We updated the airbag, which is tuned softer, and the foam around it is streamlined to be closer to the ground. The lining is totally seamless with a single shell for the upper construction. The Air Max 97 Ultra retains the spirit of the OG through details you can really feel.”
Here’s the Nike Air Max 97 release guide for the fall, so far.
NIKE AIR MAX 97 OG
nike air max 97 OG white and nike air max 97 OG black for sale
While these are new colorwyas, these AM97s are how the silhouette was originally conceived. Both will be available August 1 on Nike+ SNKRS. No price has been announced.
NIKE AIR MAX 97 OG PREMIUM
Outfitted with premiums leathers and faux reptile skins, the Air Max 97 OG Premium debuts August 4 on Nike+ SNKRS. No price has been announced.
NIKE AIR MAX 97 ULTRA
Lighter weight and supposedly softer underfoot, the Air Max 97 Ultra is available August 17 at retail globally on Nike+ SNKRS. August 5 for North America, although no price has been announced.
nike air max 97 fall 2017 to kd10sale.com
Designer Christian Tresser, the same gentleman that designed the Air Zoom Spiridon, was inspired by the industrial lines of his favorite mountain bike while creating the Air Max 97.
“Mountain bike components and mountain bikes at the time had metal on metal finishes like aluminum and polished titanium,” Tresser said in a statement.
nike air max 97 behind the design 2
The Air Max 97 is celebrated for introducing full-length visible Air cushioning. Now, two OG builds are returning, including premium renditions, as well as the new Nike Air Max 97 metallic gold.
The Nike Air max 97 Ultra has undergone a weight savings by way of a single layer upper and (hopefully) become more comfortable with new Air-Sole PSI levels.
nike air max 97 behind the design 3
“The innovation in the Air Max 97 Ultra comes from the point of view of refined comfort,” said Dylan Raasch, Nike Senior Sportswear Design Director, in a statement. “We updated the airbag, which is tuned softer, and the foam around it is streamlined to be closer to the ground. The lining is totally seamless with a single shell for the upper construction. The Air Max 97 Ultra retains the spirit of the OG through details you can really feel.”
Here’s the Nike Air Max 97 release guide for the fall, so far.
NIKE AIR MAX 97 OG
nike air max 97 OG white and nike air max 97 OG black for sale
While these are new colorwyas, these AM97s are how the silhouette was originally conceived. Both will be available August 1 on Nike+ SNKRS. No price has been announced.
NIKE AIR MAX 97 OG PREMIUM
Outfitted with premiums leathers and faux reptile skins, the Air Max 97 OG Premium debuts August 4 on Nike+ SNKRS. No price has been announced.
NIKE AIR MAX 97 ULTRA
Lighter weight and supposedly softer underfoot, the Air Max 97 Ultra is available August 17 at retail globally on Nike+ SNKRS. August 5 for North America, although no price has been announced.
nike air max 97 fall 2017 to kd10sale.com
THE AIR JORDAN 13 RETRO ‘BRED’ RETURNS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL
The Air Jordan 13 is without a doubt one of the most iconic sneakers to date — ask the Utah Jazz team from ’98…just kidding. Now, have a close up look at the upcoming much-anticipated retro.
This Air Jordan XIII Retro features True red suede from midfoot to heel, just like the original, with a leather toebox. The sweeping midfoot panel is a textile with 3M reflective material woven in, and a holographic image of the Jumpman logo.
The outsole is comprised of solid rubber in multi-directional herringbone pattern. Cushioning should be Zoom Air units at the forefoot and heel. Hats off to Tinker Hatfield who created a spectacular signature model for the GOAT.
The Air Jordan XIII ‘Bred’ colorway is rumored to debut on August 19 for $190.
How many of you still have your original pair — or even the 2004 Retro? Do you plan on grabbing this pair? Let us know. http://www.kd10sale.com
This Air Jordan XIII Retro features True red suede from midfoot to heel, just like the original, with a leather toebox. The sweeping midfoot panel is a textile with 3M reflective material woven in, and a holographic image of the Jumpman logo.
The outsole is comprised of solid rubber in multi-directional herringbone pattern. Cushioning should be Zoom Air units at the forefoot and heel. Hats off to Tinker Hatfield who created a spectacular signature model for the GOAT.
The Air Jordan XIII ‘Bred’ colorway is rumored to debut on August 19 for $190.
How many of you still have your original pair — or even the 2004 Retro? Do you plan on grabbing this pair? Let us know. http://www.kd10sale.com
2017年8月7日星期一
New Arrivals : Jordan 5, Nike PG 1, Kryie 3, Flight Bonafide can cop now
New Arrivals : Jordan 5, Nike PG 1, Kryie 3, Flight Bonafide can cop now
Another Saturday, another set of drops that you can cop now.
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Cement' For Sale : Men’s |
The classic AJ 5 style comes with a classic colorway, with cement print taking over.
The colorway takes inspiration from the Jordan 4 ‘Cement’ with the gray midsole with black speckling originating from that style. Black and red touches contrast the white leather throughout the silhouette.
Quality is said to be fairly good on this pair, with a supple leather that may come with extra tumbling, depending on the pair.
Check above to find the Air Jordan 5 ‘Cement’ in men’s sizes, with the men’s retailing for $95.
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Deadly Pink’
The AJ 5 is also dropping in a girl-friendly colorway, with a black nubuck upper and small touches of ‘Deadly Pink’ to draw the eyes. An interesting touch on this shoe is the imprinted, horizontal lines on the tongue.
You can pick up the Air Jordan 5 ‘Deadly Pink’ up for $90, with smaller kid’s sizes available for less.
Nike PG 1 ‘Checkmate’
The popular PG 1 is back with another simple colorway, this time in black and white. The colorway is likely based off of chess, with the strategic game featuring white and black pieces.
You can pick up the Nike PG 1′ Checkmate’ for $83 in men’s sizes, with full family sizes available as well.
Nike Kyrie 3 ‘Blackout’: Men’s |
If you thought the PG 1 was popular, you may not know that the Kyrie 3 is the top-selling basketball shoe out right now.
Kyrie Irving’s third signature has dropped in a (mostly) all-black colorway, with a little bit of white infused into the outsole in a camouflage look.
This Kyrie 3 can be found for $88 in men’s sizes, with family sizes available as well.
Nike Flight Bonafide ‘Military Blue’: Men’s
Another updated version of a classic model, the Nike Flight Bonafide has dropped in ‘Military Blue’ at Eastbay.
The shoe takes the eye-catching tooling from the Zoom Flight 95 that was famously worn by the likes of stars like Jason Kidd. The updated part of the shoe is the Flyknit upper, which reduces weight and gives an aesthetic update with more popular shoes from the swoosh featuring such an upper.
Nike Flight Bonafide ‘Military Blue’ can be had for $95. go to our Store:KD10sale.com
2017年8月3日星期四
Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 High And Low Are Available and reviews
Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 High And Low Are Available and reviews
The Swoosh’s every-man shoe is back in 2017. The versatile Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 in high and low-top forms is available now.
The high-top versions feature the Flyknit that made up the “premium” iteration, much like the 2016 Hyperdunk. This build will come in muted tones including black, white, and sail (off-white.)
The low-top model is dropping with premium synthetic materials. The black and olive green pairs will drop with suede uppers, while the white version will feature leather.
You can check out our Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit performance review for more information.
Transitioning from what was an already wonderful shoe — the Hyperdunk Flyknit 2016 with full-length Zoom — to a new unknown cushion in the React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit makes me scratch my head.
The fact that NBA Champion Draymond Green has given the Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit his co-sign is somewhat positive. Is the new Hyperdunk build for the better? We’re here to find out…
I’d say that the Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit’s traction definitely fit the bill. Of course, some wiping was necessary on dusty courts, but I didn’t skip a beat from either going end to end on-court or having to defensively slide in transition to cover on defense. The outsole did take some time to break-in but afterwards, it’s amazing — especially that extended outrigger.
Cushion – REACT! A lot of questions were asked when React debuted in the Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit. Is it Lunar? Is it better than Zoom Air? Is it like Bounce? Is it better than Boost? I think React is its own entity.
The React foam takes time to break-in. After I put time into the shoe, and the heat from my feet molded the foam, the foam will be felt — but not by much. Without the Ortholite insole the cushion itself would feel far too firm. The feedback is felt upon impact and the foam bounces back quickly, but the bounce is quite minimal.
A big guy like myself — someone who has a heavy in-step and lands hard — requires something more cushioned (I still love the Pebex Zoom, refer to Nike LeBron II) than React. I prefer something more forgiving, something similar to the Air Jordan 31. React is effective, but there are improvement to be made. The Swoosh is always innovating, so I wouldn’t call it a failure, but it’s an evolved version of Lunar in my opinion.
If it were up to me, I’d find a way to stack forefoot and heel Zoom Air to compliment the firm React cushioning. It might be a completely different shoe at that point, but I wouldn’t mind paying an extra $10 if that combination was implemented effectively.
Materials – As stated by the shoe’s designer, Ross Klien (he did the UA Anatomix Spawn and Nike KobeA.D.), the upper is constructed entirely of Flyknit and it’s super comfortable around the foot. From the reinforced toebox with nylon yarns to the modified stretch tongue, Flyknit on a basketball shoe has really come a long way.
There is also the molded midsole/outsole piece which featured the React foam cushion. The materials made the Hyperdunk 2017 come to life and it showcases one of the best builds on the market today.
Fit – One of my favorite aspects of the shoe is the fit. Even for a wide-footer like myself, I went with my natural size, and I recommend going true to size. There was some minor narrowness to the shoe but after a few games the Flyknit contoured to my feet well. The Flywire, nylon yarn backing at strategic areas, the soft tongue, and the padded ankle collar complement each other so well that the shoe feels one with your feet — the ideal feeling. I didn’t feel any empty space whatsoever and the material did not created any hindrance on-foot.
Support – The support comes directly from the fit, and the fit was wonderful once fully broken in. The Flyknit wrapping your foot, internal heel counter, and ankle pillows provide balance and stability.
The only gripe I have is that I find that the laces come loose a little more often than they should. Once you’re really strapped in you’re good to go. I did enjoy the React — and definitely appreciated the OrthoLite — but I’d prefer something a little bit more forgiving for my knees and legs. React just didn’t work well for my style of play.
Overall – The Nike React Hyperdunk2017 is by far one of the most solid shoes I’ve played in this year. From the fit and support to the traction and materials — the build is well thought out and executed. The introduction of the new React foam was a nice touch but it was more firm than expected. If Nike considered adding Zoom Air units to complement the React foam, I might jump at the shoe even more because its other qualities work very well.
Also, a big thank you to the people at Nike and Jordan Brand for having the kd10sale.com team at the Terminal 23 Court in New York City.
The Swoosh’s every-man shoe is back in 2017. The versatile Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 in high and low-top forms is available now.
The high-top versions feature the Flyknit that made up the “premium” iteration, much like the 2016 Hyperdunk. This build will come in muted tones including black, white, and sail (off-white.)
The low-top model is dropping with premium synthetic materials. The black and olive green pairs will drop with suede uppers, while the white version will feature leather.
You can check out our Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit performance review for more information.
Transitioning from what was an already wonderful shoe — the Hyperdunk Flyknit 2016 with full-length Zoom — to a new unknown cushion in the React Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit makes me scratch my head.
The fact that NBA Champion Draymond Green has given the Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit his co-sign is somewhat positive. Is the new Hyperdunk build for the better? We’re here to find out…
YOU CAN FIND THE NIKE REACT HYPERDUNK 2017 FLYKNIT ON kd10sale.com
Traction – The outsole traction pattern was created by data-informed pressure maps of feet in the Nike Sports Research Lab. The Swoosh created a traction pattern that manipulated the foot’s impact and movement to ensure a supportive base that is fine tuned for areas that require traction the most.I’d say that the Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit’s traction definitely fit the bill. Of course, some wiping was necessary on dusty courts, but I didn’t skip a beat from either going end to end on-court or having to defensively slide in transition to cover on defense. The outsole did take some time to break-in but afterwards, it’s amazing — especially that extended outrigger.
Cushion – REACT! A lot of questions were asked when React debuted in the Hyperdunk 2017 Flyknit. Is it Lunar? Is it better than Zoom Air? Is it like Bounce? Is it better than Boost? I think React is its own entity.
The React foam takes time to break-in. After I put time into the shoe, and the heat from my feet molded the foam, the foam will be felt — but not by much. Without the Ortholite insole the cushion itself would feel far too firm. The feedback is felt upon impact and the foam bounces back quickly, but the bounce is quite minimal.
A big guy like myself — someone who has a heavy in-step and lands hard — requires something more cushioned (I still love the Pebex Zoom, refer to Nike LeBron II) than React. I prefer something more forgiving, something similar to the Air Jordan 31. React is effective, but there are improvement to be made. The Swoosh is always innovating, so I wouldn’t call it a failure, but it’s an evolved version of Lunar in my opinion.
If it were up to me, I’d find a way to stack forefoot and heel Zoom Air to compliment the firm React cushioning. It might be a completely different shoe at that point, but I wouldn’t mind paying an extra $10 if that combination was implemented effectively.
Materials – As stated by the shoe’s designer, Ross Klien (he did the UA Anatomix Spawn and Nike KobeA.D.), the upper is constructed entirely of Flyknit and it’s super comfortable around the foot. From the reinforced toebox with nylon yarns to the modified stretch tongue, Flyknit on a basketball shoe has really come a long way.
There is also the molded midsole/outsole piece which featured the React foam cushion. The materials made the Hyperdunk 2017 come to life and it showcases one of the best builds on the market today.
Fit – One of my favorite aspects of the shoe is the fit. Even for a wide-footer like myself, I went with my natural size, and I recommend going true to size. There was some minor narrowness to the shoe but after a few games the Flyknit contoured to my feet well. The Flywire, nylon yarn backing at strategic areas, the soft tongue, and the padded ankle collar complement each other so well that the shoe feels one with your feet — the ideal feeling. I didn’t feel any empty space whatsoever and the material did not created any hindrance on-foot.
Support – The support comes directly from the fit, and the fit was wonderful once fully broken in. The Flyknit wrapping your foot, internal heel counter, and ankle pillows provide balance and stability.
The only gripe I have is that I find that the laces come loose a little more often than they should. Once you’re really strapped in you’re good to go. I did enjoy the React — and definitely appreciated the OrthoLite — but I’d prefer something a little bit more forgiving for my knees and legs. React just didn’t work well for my style of play.
Overall – The Nike React Hyperdunk2017 is by far one of the most solid shoes I’ve played in this year. From the fit and support to the traction and materials — the build is well thought out and executed. The introduction of the new React foam was a nice touch but it was more firm than expected. If Nike considered adding Zoom Air units to complement the React foam, I might jump at the shoe even more because its other qualities work very well.
Also, a big thank you to the people at Nike and Jordan Brand for having the kd10sale.com team at the Terminal 23 Court in New York City.
2017年7月26日星期三
JORDAN MELO M13 PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Thirteen?!?! Hard to believe Melo has been in the league as long as he has, but yes, here it is, his thirteenth signature from Jordan Brand. The Melo line was long thought of as the “luxury” sig, right below the Jordan model as far as materials and technology. How will the Jordan Melo M13 compare to the rest of the line? You know how we do…
How do I say this? Oh, I know: not good. To start with, the pattern only has lines that run across, and nothing breaking up the pattern to give the shoe something to hold on to when playing laterally. These work decent on a really clean court, but for the normal courts most of you will play on, not so much.
Then JB added moguls to the Melo M13 sole pattern. Yeah, moguls — like on a snowy mountain and you ski down them. These are supposed to give the sole more of a cleated feel, to compress and give texture to the flat sole, and really, they don’t. The nubs end up compressing completely and then you get a flat sole with only horizontal parallel lines for traction. Again, if you play on NBA, college, or even well-kept high school courts you should be good. For the rest of us who play where we see a hoop, well, good luck — the next Winter Olympics is looking for skaters.
Outdoors, I don’t even know. The grooves are shallow and the rubber is not extremely hard or durable, so I wouldn’t recommend using the Melo M13 outdoors for very long.
Jordan hit a massive home run with Unlocked Zoom in the XX8 and has since modified and evolved from there with some good iterations and some bad. The Melo M13 uses the Flight Speed system and Unlocked Zoom from the Jordan XX9, which rides lower and more stable than the original example. The forefoot is well cushioned and responsive with the Zoom pushing your foot back on compression. The nubs on the bottom give a weird sensation when added to the mix, adding even more compression under the ball of the foot for a more forgiving ride. Honestly, this is the XX9 forefoot because it feels exactly the same; it rides low with great impact protection and springs back to place quickly.
Jordan Brand decided with the Jordan XX9 that heel Air was not needed, so we were introduced to a cored-out section of foam in the heel of most of its shoes that year including the Super.Fly 2 and the Melo M11. Nothing has changed, as the M13 stays with the concept. Still a Phylon base, the heel area didn’t have any problems absorbing impact or taking force and was extremely stable on post-ups and hard plants. Foam done right does the job, as we have learned these past couple of years, and this Phylon is very close to correct. Cushioning is not the issue with the Melo M13.
The Melo M13 uses a mesh upper with Kurim overlays around the lateral side and heel, and the mesh feels great on-foot. Soft and flexible, there are no hot spots at all and the upper forms right around your foot when laced. The mesh isn’t as soft as the KD 10 heel or the nike hyperdunk 2016, but for the focus of the Melo line, this version is better because it provide a little more structure. Of course, there is the fuse area over the toecap (for drag) and along the seams (for strength).
Not sure what the Kurim is for, other than design. The individual pieces aren’t connected in any way, so besides looks, the only thing it could possibly be for is to protect the mesh from side swipes. The tongue is regular open cell mesh for some breathability. A little leather stripe placed along the heel for Melo’s signature is actually a nice touch — JB should have just made the heel wrap completely out of that leather.
The fit of the Melo M13 is nothing special, which is perfect. There are five fit straps through the forefoot and midfoot and two regular lace holes on the ankle, along with an internal bootie/tongue system. Altogether, these allow the shoe to be laced however tight or loose you need (for me, extra tight). Once laced solid, there is no heel slip or midfoot movement to really complain about, at least before playing (more on that next).
Sizing is dead on; a size 10.5 fits just like a 10.5 should, about a thumb width in the length from the end of my big toe. There is very little dead space over the toes in the toebox, so some wiggle room is there but not enough to move the wife and kids in. Even without the ankle pillows from the M12, the heel is locked when laced tight — no pulling your foot out without loosening the laces in the Melo M13.
And here is another problem with the Melo M13. First, the heel counter. Do you see it? Can you find it? Me either, because there isn’t one. That can be a problem, especially if you like a little extra help on bad landings or post up moves. Maybe Melo liked that omission, I don’t know, but I don’t.
However, the midfoot is supported by the Flight Speed system and it does a great job, like always. The plate keeps the midfoot straight and solid while making the transition smooth and fluid.
Now for forefoot containment. Again, there is none. Maybe not none, but the foot sits right on top of the midsole, so no sidewall help. The mesh is soft with no overlays, so no upper help. The lacing straps are just nylon ties going into the footbed — a little help but not enough. My foot, when it wasn’t sliding from lack of traction, was all over the place inside the shoe while cutting and stopping. The first two things I need are traction and stability/support/containment, and the Melo was far behind in both, at least for my kd10sale.com .
Nice try, but not quite. Felled by traction and support, the Melo M13 had potential. Cushioning was nice, even without heel Zoom. The materials were good, and aesthetically, I think it is one of the best Melo’s ever. That traction, though. Can’t do it. I hate, hate the feeling I get when I come off a screen and plant for a jumper and my lead foot keeps going. After that, it’s a guess whether the shoe will stop or not, and when it does, the upper can’t handle the torque, letting my foot roll over the footbed completely on some occasions.
If you are a stationary player, shooting endless 25 foot threes, or a real post that plants in the block for a 10 count, then the Melo M13 may be for you. If you are a dynamic player looking for movement and containment on hard cuts, nope, nada. The search continues for you. Much like Melo’s game, it seems the best years of his signature model are behind us as well.
How do I say this? Oh, I know: not good. To start with, the pattern only has lines that run across, and nothing breaking up the pattern to give the shoe something to hold on to when playing laterally. These work decent on a really clean court, but for the normal courts most of you will play on, not so much.
Then JB added moguls to the Melo M13 sole pattern. Yeah, moguls — like on a snowy mountain and you ski down them. These are supposed to give the sole more of a cleated feel, to compress and give texture to the flat sole, and really, they don’t. The nubs end up compressing completely and then you get a flat sole with only horizontal parallel lines for traction. Again, if you play on NBA, college, or even well-kept high school courts you should be good. For the rest of us who play where we see a hoop, well, good luck — the next Winter Olympics is looking for skaters.
Outdoors, I don’t even know. The grooves are shallow and the rubber is not extremely hard or durable, so I wouldn’t recommend using the Melo M13 outdoors for very long.
Jordan hit a massive home run with Unlocked Zoom in the XX8 and has since modified and evolved from there with some good iterations and some bad. The Melo M13 uses the Flight Speed system and Unlocked Zoom from the Jordan XX9, which rides lower and more stable than the original example. The forefoot is well cushioned and responsive with the Zoom pushing your foot back on compression. The nubs on the bottom give a weird sensation when added to the mix, adding even more compression under the ball of the foot for a more forgiving ride. Honestly, this is the XX9 forefoot because it feels exactly the same; it rides low with great impact protection and springs back to place quickly.
Jordan Brand decided with the Jordan XX9 that heel Air was not needed, so we were introduced to a cored-out section of foam in the heel of most of its shoes that year including the Super.Fly 2 and the Melo M11. Nothing has changed, as the M13 stays with the concept. Still a Phylon base, the heel area didn’t have any problems absorbing impact or taking force and was extremely stable on post-ups and hard plants. Foam done right does the job, as we have learned these past couple of years, and this Phylon is very close to correct. Cushioning is not the issue with the Melo M13.
The Melo M13 uses a mesh upper with Kurim overlays around the lateral side and heel, and the mesh feels great on-foot. Soft and flexible, there are no hot spots at all and the upper forms right around your foot when laced. The mesh isn’t as soft as the KD 10 heel or the nike hyperdunk 2016, but for the focus of the Melo line, this version is better because it provide a little more structure. Of course, there is the fuse area over the toecap (for drag) and along the seams (for strength).
Not sure what the Kurim is for, other than design. The individual pieces aren’t connected in any way, so besides looks, the only thing it could possibly be for is to protect the mesh from side swipes. The tongue is regular open cell mesh for some breathability. A little leather stripe placed along the heel for Melo’s signature is actually a nice touch — JB should have just made the heel wrap completely out of that leather.
The fit of the Melo M13 is nothing special, which is perfect. There are five fit straps through the forefoot and midfoot and two regular lace holes on the ankle, along with an internal bootie/tongue system. Altogether, these allow the shoe to be laced however tight or loose you need (for me, extra tight). Once laced solid, there is no heel slip or midfoot movement to really complain about, at least before playing (more on that next).
Sizing is dead on; a size 10.5 fits just like a 10.5 should, about a thumb width in the length from the end of my big toe. There is very little dead space over the toes in the toebox, so some wiggle room is there but not enough to move the wife and kids in. Even without the ankle pillows from the M12, the heel is locked when laced tight — no pulling your foot out without loosening the laces in the Melo M13.
And here is another problem with the Melo M13. First, the heel counter. Do you see it? Can you find it? Me either, because there isn’t one. That can be a problem, especially if you like a little extra help on bad landings or post up moves. Maybe Melo liked that omission, I don’t know, but I don’t.
However, the midfoot is supported by the Flight Speed system and it does a great job, like always. The plate keeps the midfoot straight and solid while making the transition smooth and fluid.
Now for forefoot containment. Again, there is none. Maybe not none, but the foot sits right on top of the midsole, so no sidewall help. The mesh is soft with no overlays, so no upper help. The lacing straps are just nylon ties going into the footbed — a little help but not enough. My foot, when it wasn’t sliding from lack of traction, was all over the place inside the shoe while cutting and stopping. The first two things I need are traction and stability/support/containment, and the Melo was far behind in both, at least for my kd10sale.com .
Nice try, but not quite. Felled by traction and support, the Melo M13 had potential. Cushioning was nice, even without heel Zoom. The materials were good, and aesthetically, I think it is one of the best Melo’s ever. That traction, though. Can’t do it. I hate, hate the feeling I get when I come off a screen and plant for a jumper and my lead foot keeps going. After that, it’s a guess whether the shoe will stop or not, and when it does, the upper can’t handle the torque, letting my foot roll over the footbed completely on some occasions.
If you are a stationary player, shooting endless 25 foot threes, or a real post that plants in the block for a 10 count, then the Melo M13 may be for you. If you are a dynamic player looking for movement and containment on hard cuts, nope, nada. The search continues for you. Much like Melo’s game, it seems the best years of his signature model are behind us as well.
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