Month: February 2022

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Puma: Keeping Progressive in 2021

Several months ago, a famous Japanese runner posted a picture of a pair of yellow and gray running shoes featuring a leopard motif with the brief tweet “NIKE   PUMA”. The first reaction of the runners who read the news in their spare time was, “Why not Adidas?” However, different from the ordinary runners, those experienced would be wondering “Why PUMA again?” The reason they have such question is that PUMA has released lots of products in 2021. Its inspiration seems to be ceaseless and its products could be seen on all sorts of occasions through the year. Here is the brief introduction of PUMA’s achievements in 2021.

As an international sportswear giant, PUMA has a long history in running, and it will never fall short of great shoes. When it comes to the top professional running shoes of PUMA, many people may blurt out the golden boots worn by Usain Bolt who created one miracle after another.

Nonetheless, there are other great ones which are as well impressive. For example, the UltraRide PUMA released in 2020 is a great one, despite the not-so-desirable sales. The shoes adopted the PROFOAM LITE, PUMA’s latest shock mitigation technology, which, however, was not as welcomed as it was expected.

Despite that, it seems everything has changed beyond all recognition. In 2021, PUMA has released quite a few running shoes of the Nitro series using the Nitro technology. It is safe to say that the technology directly helps form PUMA’s running shoe matrix. In the first half of 2021, three works have been launched, PUMA Deviate Nitro, PUMA Velocity Nitro and PUMA Liberate Nitro, and in the second half of 2021, on the basis of the previous shoes, the Magnify Nitro was released for both beginners and those with heavy weight, the lightweight Electrify Nitro for training and Voyage Nitro for cross-country race.

Over and above that, the shoes that have been frequently exposed and worn by elite athletes include the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite and the PUMA Fast-R, one of which was often worn by the renowned American athlete, Molly Seidel, and the other is to be released this year.

Actually, PUMA has made progress by leaps and bounds in 2021.

Well before the Tokyo Olympics, Molly Seidel had worn the Saucony Endorphin Pro to rise to the challenge in 2020 Us Olympic Trials marathon event.

Later in the Tokyo Olympics, she wore the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite to take part in her match and won herself a medal. In November of the same year, she also participated in the 2021 New York City marathon, in which she not only made breakthrough but has PUMA shining again.

Before the 2020 TOKYO Olympic Games, PUMA cooperated with Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team to update their products, creating EVOSPEED TOKYO FUTURE FASTER+ and EVOSPEED TOKYO FUTURE NITRO FASTER+, the lightest and most powerful shoes of the brand so far.

Karsten Warholm, the Norwegian hurdler and world record holder, has broken his own world record again at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, as a matter of fact, this is not only Karsten Warholm’s victory, but also PUMA’s. With his excellent performances, Warholm also won himself “MALE WORLD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR” which brought glory to PUMA as well.

In addition, PUMA increased the exposure of its signing athlete Alica Schmidt. As a member of the German national team, she has helped PUMA a lot with her good looks and excellent abilities.

Overall:

With its hardcore products and the publicity and exposure that goes with them, 2021 is a year of PUMA innovating and staying ahead in the running field. We’ll wait and see what new and stunning performances PUMA will present to us.

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Unboxing: Nike PG 6 “Valentine’s Day”

NBA star Paul George’s signature shoe series has always been favored by the majority of sneaker lovers. From the first edition to the newly released PG 6, they are all widely enjoyed and cost-effective tools on courts. What electrifies the fans of the series is that the recently launched PG 6 has ushered in its newest colorway, the “Valentine’s Day” colorway, and here is some detailed information of the shoes.

For the appearance of this colorway, it is quite striking and fits the air of romance of Valentine’s Day. The main hue of the vamp is the emerald green while the other details are as well bright and eye-catching. For example, the tender pink outsole and the pattern of butterflies and flower embellishing the vamp are all perfectly matched. Covered by a large engineering mesh cloth, the vamp is not only breathable, but also ensures perfect wrapping. In conclusion, there is an obvious contrast of the overall colorway, but it is also eye-pleasing at the same time.

The highlights of the shoes include a heart-shaped basketball on the tongue, a Cupid logo on the left insole and a heart-shaped tag printed with the words “Just Do It” to echo the theme of Valentine’s Day.

The Nike Swoosh on the heel has changed back to the PG2 iconic logo.

The upturn of the PG Logo on the outside of the sole can improve the performance of lateral support. In addition to that, the particular appearance of the midsole also personifies the shoes and makes it distinctive.

With regard to the insoles, there is also the pattern of a basketball and a basketball rim on the right insole, which echoes that on the other one, symbolizing that Cupid’s arrow has hit its target.

Overall:

Good news is that the brand-new Nike PG 6 “Valentine’s Day”will be available soon, priced at $120. Those who are interested in this colorway may as well get prepared and take a shot. After all, this colorway is quite unique and is also endowed with particular meanings.

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HOKA ONE ONE Shoes

When talking about thick-soled carbon plate racing shoes, chances are that many running enthusiasts will blurt out “Nike” , “Adidas”, or any prestigious brands that they’ve heard of. Nonetheless, when it comes to a brand that trumps its thick-soled design, the answer among running shoe enthusiasts is consistent: HOKA ONE ONE. HOKA ONE ONE is recognizable among running shoes because of its iconic, super-thick midsole design, and it’s the same iconic, super-thick midsole design that brings unique and unforgettable experiences to runners. In this article, we are going to take a look at the various running shoes of HOKA ONE ONE and figure out what type of runners they are suitable for.

1.Carbon plate racing shoes

HOKA ONE ONE Curbon X 2

The Carbon X series is an iteration of HOKA’s Carbon plate racing shoe, which has already been released in 2021. On the basis of the original version, the vamp and the midsole rubber of Curbon X 2 have been fine-tuned to enhance the vamp wrapping and optimize the resilience of the midsole. In terms of the outsole, Carbon X 2 is the same as the first edition, and still adopts the rubber outsole.

The launch of the Carbon X series coincides with two of the brand’s prestigious 100 km World Record challenges. The athlete, Jim Walmsley, who has covenanted with the brand succeeded in bringing on buzzes in the matches, which in turn succeeded in putting the Carbon X series on the map.

HOKA ONE ONE Rocket X 1

HOKA’s carbon-plate running shoes released in 2020 debuted in the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon, worn by HOKA’s contracted runners.

The main difference between Curbon X and Rocket X lies in the thickness of their midsole. The Rocket X series has thinner midsoles and their overall wrapping and supporting have become all the more excellent. As a matter of fact, Rocket X 1 is not quite as HOKA’s other shoes. Given the weight of racing shoes, the brand trades in its signature midsole thickness for lighter weight, which leads to a faster and more direct feedback.

HOKA ONE ONE Evo Carbon Rocket

Because of relatively little publicity, few runners know about this HOKA ONE ONE Evo Carbon Rocket. It is HOKA’s first carbon plate racing shoe, and has a 2mm midsole difference, unlike the 4-6mm midsole difference that most HOKA shoes have today.

A smaller midsole height difference is closer to our natural running state and requires more of the runners. Actually, this Carbon Rocket, compared with the previous carbon-plate racing shoes, is harder to harness, but it also reduces runners’ dependence on the cushioning and support and helps exercises their abilities.

 

2. For daily training

HOKA ONE ONE Mach 4

The Mach shoe combines three of the HOKA ONE’s strengths: superior cushioning, flexibility and lightness. The fourth edition of Mach features a brand-new loop design and an improved vamp woven from hot-pressed TPU. At the same time, the use of new midsole material will offer a much better and nicer experience for wearers. Therefore, it is in conclusion a good choice for both daily training and competitions.

Clifton 8, based on the its predecessors, has adopted a more lightweight vamp and its newly developed lightweight midsole. The combination of the two setups makes the experience all the more enjoyable.

 

HOKA DNE ONE Rincon 3

HOKA’s lightweight training shoes combine extraordinary cushioning with an super-light shoe design, aiming to bring an extremely soft and feathery experience to wearers.

In addition, the improved vamp, instead of adopting a single layer of mesh fabric, uses refined engineering mesh. The modified mesh is especially refined for the areas that wears out easily and to ensures excellent air permeability as well as wrapping.

 

3. Those with excellent cushioning and supporting for protection

HOKA ONE ONE KAWANA

The versatile KAWANA released in 2022 is specially designed for runners and fitness enthusiasts. While ensuring cushioning and comfortness, it also provides runners with a more pleasant exercise experience with its bold, innovative and fashionable designs.

KAWANA took inspiration from the much-sought-after MACH 4, featuring SwallowTailTM, a geometrical design at the heel, to provide flexible protection when runners are landing. Besides, the 5mm height difference between the front and rear part is combined with the grooves in the outsole to ensure stability.

 

HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7

This HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7 is the one with the most excellent cushioning among HOKA running shoes. It uses the same all-EVA midsole, breathable mesh vamp and iconic rolling balance technology as its predecessors. The upper rim is made of sponge to ensure comfort at the heel.

 

HOKA ONE ONE Bondi X

It inherits the essence of HOKA’s classic BONDI designs and makes breakthrough use of carbon plate technology, which ensures that runners of different abilities receive the same efficient, stable and powerful support at every step. Its super nice cushioning also generates an opportunity for runners with heavy weight.

 

HOKA ONE DNE Elevon 2

This is a pair of excellent shoes for daily training. Its appearance is innovative and eye-catching.  Apart from this,  the supporting in the front and the arch is enhanced.

 

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton Edge

This is HOKA’s new series, extended from Clifton, equipped with new super-elastic foam material and trend-setting geometric shapes here and there.

 

HOKA ONE ONE Gaviotu 3

This HOKA ONE ONE Gaviotu 3 is available in US and some areas of Europe now. It is cushioned with a thicker midsole foam to provide all-around protection. In terms of innovation, compared with the previous versions, Gaviota 3 has been updated and adjusted the thickness of midsole and vamp to optimize the wearing experience.

 

HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 5

Arahi 5, on the basis of Arahi 4, altered the heel, part of the vamp and midsole so as to reduce the pressure on the instep and ankle. Lighter weight is an advantage of the Arahi series over Gaviota. In conclusion, Arahi 5 is a super lightweight shoe with good cushioning and support.

 

4.HOKA ONE ONE Dra Recovery Shoes

HOKA’s recovery shoes combine excellent cushioning and breathability, and can be suitable for dailsy wearing, matches and exercises.

 

HOKA ONE ONE Dra Recovery Slide2

The recovery slippers of HOKA are quite distinct. Combining oversized midsole and rolling balance technology, the slippers can help relieve our fatigue underfeet and offer us extraordinary comfort and strong supprt.

 

HOKA ONE ONE Dra Recovery Flip 2

The same as the last slippers, this HOKA ONE ONE Dra Recovery Flip 2 is not only fashionable, but also offers comfortness and superior support.

Overall:

From the racing shoes to the daily training shoes and jogging recovery ones, HOKA ONE ONE has gradually developed into a versatile shoe brand and its shoes are suitable for  runners of different abilities. Time has witnessed the brand’s growth and it will see it gets better in the future.

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Unboxing: New Balance 550 “Triple Black”

The brand name New Balance is nothing new for many people, not least for sneaker lovers and running enthusiasts. Many of the brand’s shoes remain classical and fashionable even in the world of today. For example, the New Balance 550, a pair of vintage basketball shoes created in 1989, has become a cult favorite in today’s fashion world. Now that the colorway “Triple Black” of New Balance 550 has been released, it is set to have its fans electrified and scrambling to buy it.

Previously the ALD X New Balance 550 has attracted many people, and even Bieber and Bella could not resist it. Since they wore the shoes, there have been a number of colorways and the eye-catching retro Vibe has once again caught the attention of millions of people.

With the release of the “Triple Black” of New Balance 550, many people are pulling out all the stops to buy a pair of shoes. As regards its appearance, it is safe to say that it can be in the forefront in the field. Although it is pure black, that doesn’t make it any less handsome and cool. Instead, it is because of its black appearance, it looks all the more aggressive and is endowed with the air of nobility.

The vamp is made of large perforated leather and embellished with some fabric material, ensuring high quality and good air permeability.

The logo “N” and the vintage fonts “550” at the side of the shoes are both simple but delicate as well as the craftsmanship. Besides, the three-dimensional, lowercase “new balance” and the white stitching in the midsole all create an air of full retro.

The shoes’ simple yet characteristic appearance is very eye-pleasing, if not eye-catching. On top of that, the shoes can match with all kinds of our daily dressings, making us distinct among a huge crowd of people.

 

The New Balance 550 Triple Black is now available on the brand’s website and at certain retailers, including Up There, for between $132 and $180. Therefore, it is highly recommended for those who are interested in the shoes to take action right away.

 

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Super Shoe Trends 2022

The past year has witnessed a lack of follow-through among international sportswear giants. For example, Nike did not launch any new product in the field of racing shoes last year, only relying on releasing new colorways and reducing prices. Besides, New Balance, Saucony and HOKA ONE ONE merely released some new products. It was only Puma and Adidas Asics that had done well in the past year. Nevertheless, with hopes for the new year, many brands are prepared to take part in the cut-throat competition and launch their new works.

Nike:

Nike still prevailed over many brands by frequently appearing on courts in 2021, but it seems to be losing this advantage without the release of new hardcore running shoes. Despite that, Nike has mustered all its strength to change the situation through the release of various new running shoes. With all manner of new shoes exposed on social media, many people are electrified and expect to get their beloved ones.

Nike Alphafly NEXT% 2 has been a hit in the field of racing shoes and worn by many Nike athletes. However, it still remains to be seen whether the innovative work can change the problem of excessive pressure on wearer’s calves and ankles.

Nike StreakFly’s image has also been released. The shoes, without a carbon plate, is equipped with a ZoomX foam of moderate thickness that is inviting for many Nike fans. What’s more, the training shoes like Nike Pegasus Turbo 3 and Nike ZoomFly 5 are all coming to runners  this year.

New Balance:

New Balance has in the past year updated its FuelCell RC Elite, a carbon plate running shoe, along with a revamp of its training shoes. But among its various shoes, it is FuelCell Rebel V2 that has received the most popularity from runners.

New Balance is determined to change that and improve itself by launching a series of products. In addition to FuelCell RC Elite V2 and FuelCell Rebel V2 with which many runners are most familiar, New Balance is to release the SC Pacer and the SC Trainer as well.

The design concept of SC Pacer and SC Trainer is somewhat similar to that of several works of Adidas. The soles of SC Pacer are of medium thickness while that of SC Trainer are super thick, about 50mm. Despite that, the difference between them may be the experience they are to offer to runners, which still remains to be tested.

PUMA:

Puma did make a great stride in 2021 and it seems to continue the trend. In addition to the Fast-R Nitro Elite unveiled at last year’s World Expo, Puma also exposed Fast-FWD Nitro Elite that looks more radical than Fast-R Nitro Elite.

Saucony:

Saucony’s achievements in the field of new running shoes in 2021 are somewhat unimpressive. Although Endorphin series has ushered in new versions, the upgrades merely lie in the refinement of the shoes’ vamps. However, good news is that the brand is finally to take action and catch up with others.

In the new running shoes of 2022, Saucony actively adopts the design of thickening the soles. On the basis of the previous shoes, Saucony has its shoes thickened, and Endorphin Pro 3, Endorphin Speed 3, Endorphin Shift 3 and Triumph 20 have all become bulky.

Others:
Of course, it is about more than the above brands mentioned.  For example, Asics will release an iteration of its MetaSpeed series that has already been exposed online. At the recent Houston Marathon, Sara Hall has broken a record wearing the shoes. On top of that, HOKA has already launched a new shoe in January and will soon launch the HOKA Carbon X3 and the HOKA Mach SuperSonic.

Over and above that, Adidas will be loath to lag behind. Surely it is going to yield unusually brilliant results in 2022.

Overall:

With so many new shoes to be released in 2022, we can not only enjoy a visual feast, but also look forward to the performance of a lot of shoes. Therefore, let’s wait and see what surprises we can expect from the new shoes.

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Unboxing: Carhartt WIP x Salomon CSWP Shelter

Carhartt WIP, one of Carhartt’s high-profile branch lines, announced a collaboration with Salomon, which has electrified many people looking forward to buying one work of the win-win co-operation between the two brands. Among the shoes of their collaboration, it must be this  Carhartt WIP x Salomon CSWP Shelter that has got the most attention. What’s more, the good new is that the pictures of the shoes have been officially released, which lives up to all the waiting and expectation of fans.

Based on Salomon’s classic hiking shoes, the CSWP Shelter, the two brands adopted dark blue in the shoes’ vamp and typical black for the other parts of the shoes, making the shoes quite cool and reliable.

Carhartt WIP has a global reputation for its hardcore tooling style while Salomon is known for being a dark horse of outdoor sports equipment in recent years. Objectively speaking, both brands pay special attention to professional design, which finally led to this Carhartt WIP x Salomon CSWP Shelter here. Actually, the shoes are based on Salomon’s exclusive technology and integrated with the unique aesthetics of Carhartt WIP.

Regarding the vamp, it is not only waterproof, but also tear resistant, making the shoes to be suitable on almost every occasion, such as on rainy days, and for daily wearing and exercises.

However, what’s most impressive for me lies in the outsole. To tell the truth, I am not so much  impressed by its appearance or grains as by its performance. According to some professional test, its grip performance is very excellent even on slippy wet grounds.

Over and above the dark blue and black in the vamp, there are also embellishment of khaki, gray and red in the heel, eradicating monotony while also increasing a bit of vivacity.

According to the official video, the shoes can easily adapt to a variety of complex environments. Being nice-looking though, it is by no means useless. On the contrary, it is extremely practical.

Overall:

Carhartt WIP x Salomon CSWP Shelter is now available on Carhartt WIP and Salomon websites and some selected retail outlets. Therefore, for those who’ve fallen in love with it, it is recommended to take action right now.

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A Close Look at Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2

As the most popular shoes of Yeezy series, the Yeezy 350 V2 has been released in a number of new colorways over the past two years, among which, I believe, the pure white one is favored by the most shoe fans.

Several years ago, I was also on the buying bandwagon of the pure white Yeezy Boost 350 V2. In 2018, the pure white one was massively replenished, which was definitely a shot in the arm for many people. Nevertheless, that has also caused the shoes to become the cheapest pair of Yeezy Boost 350 V2 shoes at the time. In the current market, however, it is at around 3000 yuan for size 42 , from which we can tell that the shoes are deeply loved by many people.

It is safe to say that white never goes out of style on many occasions, which is also one of the reasons why Yeezy Boost 350 V2 is highly welcomed. Its pure white appearance, in my view,  can go very well with our daily dressings and its cleanliness and purity will also be the focus of crowd.

Its woven vamp is visually more layered than the previous version. The design at the side vamp is also different from the last version in that it adopts translucent design to enhance air permeability. In the front part, there are quite a few big air holes that further increase the shoes’ breathability.

The shoes, as a whole, look quite like a pair of socks. Without shoe tongues, the shoes are more agile, eliminating the hassle of adjusting tongues not least when they are deflected. As for the shoelaces, they are integrated with the vamp, which, instead of being a decoration, plays a significant role in enhancing wrapping.

Overall:

According to the official, Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Pure Oat” will be available on March 11, priced at US $220. Therefore, for those who are interested in Yeezy series or seeking a pair of simple, nice-looking and versatile shoes, this Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Pure Oat” will be a terrific choice.

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Unboxing: Air Jordan 6

As one of the classic colorways created by Air Jordan, the “North Carolina” blue is as widely enjoyed as the “Chicago” and the “black and red”, which is beyond question. Earlier this year, it has been announced that a pair of “North Carolina” Air Jordan 6 would be released, which, however, was delayed. In spite of that, it will definitely be launched and live up to the waiting of its fans.

The overall appearance of the shoes is eye-pleasing, if not eye-catching. The toe and part of the vamp are complemented by “North Carolina” blue abrasive leather whereas the other parts of the vamp are decorated with white leather.

What’s more thrilling to AJ fans is that there is another colorway of AJ6 besides the above “North Carolina”, the former being more inviting in its appearance. Actually, this one is a player version for the University of North Carolina, from which we can get a glimpse of the brand’s originality and sincerity.

The vamp of this colorway is mostly covered by “North Carolina” blue while the tongue and midsole are coated with darker blue, more visually appealing.

The iconic “North Carolina” embroidery Logo at the heel distinguishes the shoes from others.

The white midsole matches very well with the ivory crystal outsole, which looks very simple but very fashionable at the meantime. From my point of view, it is one of the most nice-looking shoes I’ve ever seen. But regrading a shoe’s appearance, it has always been a matter of opinion.

Overall:

As a pair of shoes that got a lot of attention long before they hit the market, this “North Carolina” blue is set to be the preferential choice of many people, in spite of the fact that many of them are to be disappointed for not getting it. However, since it hasn’t been launched, we still have a ray of hope of copping one pair.

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Adidas adizero adios Pro Performance Review

I’ve copped this adizero adios Pro for more than 1 year. During the past year I’ve participated in various matches in it and put myself and the shoes to tests. Judging from my experience, I think it is a pair of pretty outstanding shoes that deserves compliment and recommending. However, “what is honey to one may be poison to another.”Likewise, Adidas adizero adios Pro is not definitely suitable for everyone and it is recommended to take a shot before buying.

As Nike’s thick-soled carbon plate shoes represented by next% occupy a favorable position in major marathons, various brands have followed suit by using carbon plate as a focus in the development of racing shoes. Adidas adizero adios Pro is just a case in point.

My adizero adios Pro is the eye-catching fluorescent yellow that seems to be more vibrant than the fluorescent pink. As for the design, there are obvious distinctions from the style of the past. For example, the three bars at the side have now spread to the middle of the vamp, appearing to be very obtrusive.

As for the materials, they are smartly chosen. The knitted mesh vamp is actually very thin and light, and the holes in it ensure excellent air permeability during exercises. In terms of the tongue, it is directly connected with the inner lining of both sides and the soles so that it won’t move to the sides during running.

Regarding the weight, a single shoe weighs 246 grams that is relatively light. The heel of the shoes is 39.6 mm thick while the forefoot is 29.6mm.

Previously I also experienced such shoes as adizero pro, boston 9 and adios 5, all of them being relatively hard in their soles and not that responsive in the cushions. Actually, they would be more suitable for runners with weak ankle strength and short distance races.

Adios pro looks similar to the almost-simultaneous-launched adizero pro, but the biggest difference between the two lies in the thickness of the soles. What’s more, adizero pro uses the traditional LIGHTSTRIKE BOOST hybrid midsole, while the Adios Pro uses the new LIGHTSTRIKE Pro which is lighter and more elastic. Therefore, despite some similarities, adios Pro has outweighed adizero pro in more ways than one.

Regarding the wrapping, it is also good. According to the feedback of quite a few consumers, the shoes fit their feet exactly right and many of them feel like they were wearing a pair of relatively hard “socks”.

The half carbon plate in the heel seems to be born for runners who are used to landing on their heels. On the other hand, it also plays the role of anti-torsion and shock relieving. Different from the setup of Nike, the carbon plate of the forefoot adopts five carbon-fiber skeletons that not only reduce the shoes’ overall weight, but also offer sufficient support and propulsion force for runners.

The outsole of adios Pro is significantly different from those of the many shoes in the market in that the former is not equipped with any concave and convex patterns, but after my tests of the shoes, it turned out that its grip is no worse than the others, not least on plastic and asphalt roads. However, without the concave and convex patterns, the outsole is still inferior to other shoes in rainy days, which brings on another problem, poor wear resistance.

Its soles being thick, the shoe has prevailed over the thin-soled ones by saving energy consumption and relieving fatigue for runners especially when they are rather tired in the latter half of their running.

Overall:

As a pair of carbon plate shoes, adios Pro focuses more on helping improve runners’ speed and is relatively poor in supporting. Therefore, for those runners with weak ankle strength, it is recommended to think twice before buying thick-soled carbon plate shoes.

 

 

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Nike Cosmic Unity Performance Review

Nike Cosmic Unity has attracted quite a lot of attention even before it hit the market. Actually, when Anthony Davis first wore this Cosmic Unity on court, it is set to be a pair of extraordinary shoes. Although admittedly, it has brought on some controversy for a while, its performance is certainly noteworthy.

Talking about its overall performances, I am most satisfied with its full-foot Zoom Strobel cushion that is really very impressive. Although the cushion setups in the market today have come in all shapes and sizes, the full-foot Zoom Strobel still works as well as ever. The cushioning is thick to thin from the rear part to the front, providing a comfortable experience with both rebound and cushioning. Put directly under the insoles, you can obviously feel the existence of the cushion and the rebound it provides is so conspicuous that you may feel like stepping on a foam.

However, such a setup is not generally applicable. Instead, it will be more suitable for center and power forward because the full-foot cushion, after all, has a certain bearing on startup. For guards, however, I think it is within the acceptable range.

The rubber outsole, XDR, of Cosmic Unity is equipped with grains that are thunder-like, which I’ve tested in different floors. It turned out that its grip performance was steady and good on clean wood floors, but not so on wet grounds. But despite some decrease on wet grounds, its grip is still enough for use.

Another advantage of the outsole is that it requires little cleaning because it has no “affinity” for dust. Although I only played basketball on indoor courts, the wear resistance of the outsole so far is pretty good. To tell the truth, after 8 hours’ combat indoors, there were hardly any signs of wear and tear.

One of the highlights of Nike Cosmic Unity is its use of 25% of recycled materials which, however, may also account for its weight and the hardness of the vamp. As a matter of fact, I was quite unaccustomed to it and I even thought that I might have picked the wrong one. But after a period of getting along with it, I am used to it now.

What is intriguing for me is the shoelace system. At first I even had trouble fastening the laces because of the thick tongue and the design of shoelace system. However, as soon as I got the hang of it, I instantly felt its super wrapping performance.

As is mentioned earlier, the vamp is a bit hard, bringing on some discomfort at first. Yet it is because of this that I am more assured that it will at least provide me with enough support which is essential for every player.

The midsole at the heel is both eye-catching and strong. It’s safe to say that the midsole is the largest I’ve ever seen and is capable of offering protection for the wearer.

The anti-torsional TPU in the sole, which most of the sneaker fans are very concerned about, is much more practical than the large carbon plate widely enjoyed in recent two years.

Nevertheless, the shoes are not without shortcomings. The hard vamp may not be that friendly to our skin because it may bring on blisters in the toe. Besides, its reaction is a bit slow when I am starting up.

Overall:

To sum up, Nike Cosmic Unity is cost-effective with overall good performances. Although the shoes are far from being perfect and there is still room for improvement, I think it is still recommendable for most people. But before purchasing the shoes, you are also recommended to have a try in the flesh.