2018’s LeBron 16 Review: Performance Analysis in 2022

I always had an eye for getting out a LeBron 16 review sooner or later. So I guess it’s later then. Or should I say two years later?

Anyway, you might be wondering why a review for a two-year-old shoe, when the LeBron 17 is out for a while and the 18th is just around the corner?

I feel like the 16th LeBron is among the rare group of shoes that are still really good in 2020, it has one of the greatest cushion setups EVER and despite the hefty retail price – it’s a premium shoe with premium specs, and you can find these under retail now, so a total win for those who are looking for a new pair of quality ball shoes.

In my ~1.5 years of experience in these, let me explain why they’re worth your time.

We’ll be taking a look at the shoe’s comfort & performance aspects, examining the value for its price, and also evaluating who is the shoe best recommended for.

Let’s begin!

SPEC SHEET

Model: Nike LeBron XVI

Build: Mid-Top

Weight: 17.2 oz / 488 g. (size 10)

Retail Price: $185

Cushion: Full-length Max Air & Zoom Air units

I. COMFORT & FIT

Battleknit 2.0, a nice flat base + tons of internal padding – these are mad comfortable. At least when you properly break them in.

Yes, it’s a knit but it’s reinforced for more structure, so you’re going to have to play in these for a bit before the upper, the lacing system, and internals fully mold to your feet. Not a long break-in period at all though – it took about 6-7 days for me (and I have a VERY wide foot).

For anyone with narrow/regular-shaped feet, you’ll want to go true to size, no issues should occur. As for wide footers, you’d most likely need to try them on in stores but I doubt you’ll find much on the shelves today as the 17th model is the main attraction at the moment.

No worries though, I personally went true to size and even though I likely needed more time to break them in than most, it was still a great experience afterward.

I don’t have any dead space I wouldn’t need, though the fit is tight and snug. If a looser, more roomy fit is your preference and you’re a wide footer – going up half a size will be a good idea.

The shoe is premium to the touch and feel, there are tons of internal padding inside, and I like the way the higher ankle collar cups your heel. It was a bit iffy at first but everything stabilized in a short period of time.

I have no complaints about the shoe’s fit or comfort aspects, simple as that. I guess you could call them heavy based on an average weight of a hoop shoe but the difference doesn’t bring up anything bad at all.

Do they feel and play heavy? Not really. You would feel a difference between a 12.5 oz Zoom Freak 2 and a 17.2 oz LeBron 16 but I really don’t mind that.

My usual preference is comfort, security, and proper supplementation to my game other than shaving off a few ounces and having something lighter on your feet.

They’re very comfortable and you’re pretty much running on a mattress – the experience nicely blends together with the shoe’s performance and we get a great package in result.

II. TRACTION

I’ve briefly talked about the shoe’s outsole in the outdoor shoe guide – so guess what, the LeBron 16 is a beast in terms of traction.

Durable rubber, a near-perfect curved line traction pattern that fights the dust issue very well and they grip the floor on all surfaces. That would basically be everything you need to know, which is a huge compliment for a shoe these days.

I think this is one of those instances where a traction pattern with storytelling elements actually performs and holds up really well. How about that? I thought that day would never come.

Alright, I’m exaggerating but the point is you’re getting pretty much everything good that can be done on a basketball shoe outsole.

Excellent bite on all types of courts – check. A pattern that doesn’t make you wipe your outsole to prevent dust – check. Durable rubber that’s good for outdoors – you got it.

Don’t sleep on the LeBron 16’s traction – it’s as good as you can get, even in 2020.

III. CUSHION

Full-length Max Air with a bunch of Zoom Air units underneath? Sign me up.

Those who played in the LeBron 15 or the 17 will be right at home with the 16 in terms of cushion. What’s awesome about this one is it’s the perfect blend of both of those shoes.

The midsole is no longer unstable and the Zoom units don’t contort as much, as they did on the 15, making it feel like something’s not right doing lateral movements.

And, the midsole and the Zoom units are just a tad bit firmer and quicker than the LeBron 17’s implementation, making you still responsive and not losing 100% court feel like you did on the 17.

So what happens as a result? We get a more balanced ride that nearly every player would enjoy and find sufficient for their playstyle.

It’s stable, despite it might not look that way, there’s still a tiny bit of court feel, and even though you sit high off the ground, the units have a very fast spring back rate that balances out the ride beautifully.

Don’t get me wrong, the setup is still A TON of fun to play in – it’s not dead or anything, and far from feeling firm. You’re still running on clouds, tons of impact protection even for the heaviest of players. But importantly, all that while keeping you fast and precise.

Not as fast is it gets though – if you’re looking for something that’s strictly made for low profile players, I think you won’t enjoy what the LeBron 16 has to offer but for those who are cool with a balanced ride, go for it!

A legendary job by Nike and LeBron on this setup – not a lot of better setups these days.

IV. SUPPORT

One of the key advantages the LeBron XVI has is the ability to properly support a player while still maintaining high levels of comfort and mobility.

So yeah, support on the shoe is great. Not the most features packed ever but the package works nicely overall.

A double internal outrigger, adjustable lacing system with Flywire cables for more containment, a flat base to maintain stability, and every single Zoom unit you see on the outsole is slightly extended, acting as small outriggers to further extend lateral protection.

The biggest chunk of support and containment comes from the upper itself. The knit upper isn’t just raw knit – it’s reinforced with nylon to prevent overstretching.

You feel comfy and mobile while you’re idle since knit is what’s mainly felt. But during more aggressive movements – nylon comes into play, preventing the knit from stretching too much.

Just as most people that I’ve seen comment on the shoe, I did feel some heel slippage at first but that went away even quicker than the break-in process itself.

I loved the way the shoe supported me without taking away the benefits of a knit. It’s awesome. Period.

V. BUILD & MATERIALS

The upper is what’s called Battleknit 2.0. It’s basically a knit material stitched with nylon for containment purposes, as I’ve mentioned above. There is also a nubuck piece at the rear of the shoe and at the tongue.

I take my hat off to Battleknit 2.0 though. Even though we’ve seen similar concepts before, this upper works really well with the way the LeBron 16 plays. Knit and nylon are best friends here and I feel like their relationship blossoms every time I make a movement inside the shoe.

Think of it like the way a race car is set up. You start driving at normal speeds but when it’s time to take off, you see a spoiler and other aerodynamic features enable themselves, pushing the most out of the car.

The shoe’s upper acts in a similar way – nylon doesn’t really do much when it’s not needed but when it’s time to drive to the hoop, it comes into play, ensuring you have maximum containment.

Ventilation isn’t the shoe’s strong suit – thanks to the layered upper, there’s barely any airflow going in and out. I don’t personally care much about that but felt like you should know.

Lastly, the shoe is durable. It really is. It’s my #2 contender for the best outdoor shoe for a reason – this iteration of a knit really works wonders in terms of performance but it’s also very strong, and since stretching is heavily controlled by the nylon backing, these should last for a while even outdoors.

VI. OVERALL

The Nikey LeBron XVI is a treat for us hoopers. It’s comfortable as hell, they fit great after your feet get accustomed to them, cushioning is god-like (if you’re into that sorta thing), traction is fantastic AND they’re ready for outdoors. You’ll be supported without sacrificing much of anything really. And since you can get them under retail, it’s a solid deal.

Even at retail, I would consider them a good buy since they’re durable.

The shoe ticks a lot of boxes many different players would need ticked, which is both awesome and unexpected from a LeBron sneaker, which are usually player-specific.

Is it better than the LeBron 15? Yes. Is it better than the LeBron 17? Yes, I think it’s better than both of them.

It strikes a nice balance and does it in a very comfortable way. 2018 or 2020, it doesn’t matter – a shoe is a shoe, and the LeBron 16 is a good shoe.

2018’s LeBron 16 Review: Performance Analysis in 2022

I always had an eye for getting out a LeBron 16 review sooner or later. So I guess it’s later then. Or should I say two years later?

Anyway, you might be wondering why a review for a two-year-old shoe, when the LeBron 17 is out for a while and the 18th is just around the corner?

I feel like the 16th LeBron is among the rare group of shoes that are still really good in 2020, it has one of the greatest cushion setups EVER and despite the hefty retail price – it’s a premium shoe with premium specs, and you can find these under retail now, so a total win for those who are looking for a new pair of quality ball shoes.

In my ~1.5 years of experience in these, let me explain why they’re worth your time.

We’ll be taking a look at the shoe’s comfort & performance aspects, examining the value for its price, and also evaluating who is the shoe best recommended for.

Let’s begin!

SPEC SHEET

Model: Nike LeBron XVI

Build: Mid-Top

Weight: 17.2 oz / 488 g. (size 10)

Retail Price: $185

Cushion: Full-length Max Air & Zoom Air units

I. COMFORT & FIT

Battleknit 2.0, a nice flat base + tons of internal padding – these are mad comfortable. At least when you properly break them in.

Yes, it’s a knit but it’s reinforced for more structure, so you’re going to have to play in these for a bit before the upper, the lacing system, and internals fully mold to your feet. Not a long break-in period at all though – it took about 6-7 days for me (and I have a VERY wide foot).

For anyone with narrow/regular-shaped feet, you’ll want to go true to size, no issues should occur. As for wide footers, you’d most likely need to try them on in stores but I doubt you’ll find much on the shelves today as the 17th model is the main attraction at the moment.

No worries though, I personally went true to size and even though I likely needed more time to break them in than most, it was still a great experience afterward.

I don’t have any dead space I wouldn’t need, though the fit is tight and snug. If a looser, more roomy fit is your preference and you’re a wide footer – going up half a size will be a good idea.

The shoe is premium to the touch and feel, there are tons of internal padding inside, and I like the way the higher ankle collar cups your heel. It was a bit iffy at first but everything stabilized in a short period of time.

I have no complaints about the shoe’s fit or comfort aspects, simple as that. I guess you could call them heavy based on an average weight of a hoop shoe but the difference doesn’t bring up anything bad at all.

Do they feel and play heavy? Not really. You would feel a difference between a 12.5 oz Zoom Freak 2 and a 17.2 oz LeBron 16 but I really don’t mind that.

My usual preference is comfort, security, and proper supplementation to my game other than shaving off a few ounces and having something lighter on your feet.

They’re very comfortable and you’re pretty much running on a mattress – the experience nicely blends together with the shoe’s performance and we get a great package in result.

II. TRACTION

I’ve briefly talked about the shoe’s outsole in the outdoor shoe guide – so guess what, the LeBron 16 is a beast in terms of traction.

Durable rubber, a near-perfect curved line traction pattern that fights the dust issue very well and they grip the floor on all surfaces. That would basically be everything you need to know, which is a huge compliment for a shoe these days.

I think this is one of those instances where a traction pattern with storytelling elements actually performs and holds up really well. How about that? I thought that day would never come.

Alright, I’m exaggerating but the point is you’re getting pretty much everything good that can be done on a basketball shoe outsole.

Excellent bite on all types of courts – check. A pattern that doesn’t make you wipe your outsole to prevent dust – check. Durable rubber that’s good for outdoors – you got it.

Don’t sleep on the LeBron 16’s traction – it’s as good as you can get, even in 2020.

III. CUSHION

Full-length Max Air with a bunch of Zoom Air units underneath? Sign me up.

Those who played in the LeBron 15 or the 17 will be right at home with the 16 in terms of cushion. What’s awesome about this one is it’s the perfect blend of both of those shoes.

The midsole is no longer unstable and the Zoom units don’t contort as much, as they did on the 15, making it feel like something’s not right doing lateral movements.

And, the midsole and the Zoom units are just a tad bit firmer and quicker than the LeBron 17’s implementation, making you still responsive and not losing 100% court feel like you did on the 17.

So what happens as a result? We get a more balanced ride that nearly every player would enjoy and find sufficient for their playstyle.

It’s stable, despite it might not look that way, there’s still a tiny bit of court feel, and even though you sit high off the ground, the units have a very fast spring back rate that balances out the ride beautifully.

Don’t get me wrong, the setup is still A TON of fun to play in – it’s not dead or anything, and far from feeling firm. You’re still running on clouds, tons of impact protection even for the heaviest of players. But importantly, all that while keeping you fast and precise.

Not as fast is it gets though – if you’re looking for something that’s strictly made for low profile players, I think you won’t enjoy what the LeBron 16 has to offer but for those who are cool with a balanced ride, go for it!

A legendary job by Nike and LeBron on this setup – not a lot of better setups these days.

IV. SUPPORT

One of the key advantages the LeBron XVI has is the ability to properly support a player while still maintaining high levels of comfort and mobility.

So yeah, support on the shoe is great. Not the most features packed ever but the package works nicely overall.

A double internal outrigger, adjustable lacing system with Flywire cables for more containment, a flat base to maintain stability, and every single Zoom unit you see on the outsole is slightly extended, acting as small outriggers to further extend lateral protection.

The biggest chunk of support and containment comes from the upper itself. The knit upper isn’t just raw knit – it’s reinforced with nylon to prevent overstretching.

You feel comfy and mobile while you’re idle since knit is what’s mainly felt. But during more aggressive movements – nylon comes into play, preventing the knit from stretching too much.

Just as most people that I’ve seen comment on the shoe, I did feel some heel slippage at first but that went away even quicker than the break-in process itself.

I loved the way the shoe supported me without taking away the benefits of a knit. It’s awesome. Period.

V. BUILD & MATERIALS

The upper is what’s called Battleknit 2.0. It’s basically a knit material stitched with nylon for containment purposes, as I’ve mentioned above. There is also a nubuck piece at the rear of the shoe and at the tongue.

I take my hat off to Battleknit 2.0 though. Even though we’ve seen similar concepts before, this upper works really well with the way the LeBron 16 plays. Knit and nylon are best friends here and I feel like their relationship blossoms every time I make a movement inside the shoe.

Think of it like the way a race car is set up. You start driving at normal speeds but when it’s time to take off, you see a spoiler and other aerodynamic features enable themselves, pushing the most out of the car.

The shoe’s upper acts in a similar way – nylon doesn’t really do much when it’s not needed but when it’s time to drive to the hoop, it comes into play, ensuring you have maximum containment.

Ventilation isn’t the shoe’s strong suit – thanks to the layered upper, there’s barely any airflow going in and out. I don’t personally care much about that but felt like you should know.

Lastly, the shoe is durable. It really is. It’s my #2 contender for the best outdoor shoe for a reason – this iteration of a knit really works wonders in terms of performance but it’s also very strong, and since stretching is heavily controlled by the nylon backing, these should last for a while even outdoors.

VI. OVERALL

The Nikey LeBron XVI is a treat for us hoopers. It’s comfortable as hell, they fit great after your feet get accustomed to them, cushioning is god-like (if you’re into that sorta thing), traction is fantastic AND they’re ready for outdoors. You’ll be supported without sacrificing much of anything really. And since you can get them under retail, it’s a solid deal.

Even at retail, I would consider them a good buy since they’re durable.

The shoe ticks a lot of boxes many different players would need ticked, which is both awesome and unexpected from a LeBron sneaker, which are usually player-specific.

Is it better than the LeBron 15? Yes. Is it better than the LeBron 17? Yes, I think it’s better than both of them.

It strikes a nice balance and does it in a very comfortable way. 2018 or 2020, it doesn’t matter – a shoe is a shoe, and the LeBron 16 is a good shoe.

Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 Performance Review

The long awaited sequel to Mizuno’s highest end volleyball shoe is finally here. The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 picks up where the its predecessor left off, but with some key changes and improvements. The Wave Plate is still there, but this time it’s under Mizuno’s new Enerzy foam midsole, previously seen in their running shoes. The Wave Momentum 2 comes in low and mid-top varieties, and I tried both for this review. This newest volleyball shoe in the popular Mizuno line is a great option for any player.

Release Date: December 2021

Price: $160

• Rundown: The Enerzy Foam in the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 is a huge upgrade from its predecessor. It’s a great choice for any volleyball player.

Pros

• Enerzy Foam Cushion (Bounce)
• Lateral Stability
• Traction
• Wave Plate Torsional Support

Cons

• Enerzy Foam Cushion (Softness)
• Lockdown

Pros

Enerzy Foam Cushioning (Bounce)

Starting with the biggest change, the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 changes its cushion setup from the U4ic midsole to a Mizuno Enerzy midsole. This is Mizuno’s new high-energy-return foam, and it’s immediately noticeable when you put on the shoe.

It’s not the softest riding foam, but in my experience, it was extremely responsive. When combined with Mizuno’s Wave Plate Technology, the Enerzy foam felt very bouncy underfoot.

Approach jumps felt explosive and lateral movements felt quick. Shoes will sometimes seem to “lag” slightly in softer foam setups, but that was not the case here. The new Enerzy cushioning is a huge step up in “bounciness” from the first Wave Momentum.

Lateral Stability

The lateral stability in these sneakers is also excellent. I felt confident and was not thinking about the shoe at all as I pushed off to block at the pin or reach for a dig. The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 has a very wide outrigger built into the outsole that ensures your foot will not roll over it. Additionally, your foot kind of sits inside the “frame” of the midsole/outsole when you wear them, in a way that’s fairly unique to this shoe.

Between the Wave Plate, the heavier Enerzy foam, and the substantial heel counter, your foot is cradled into the shoe in a manner that is both comfortable and effective. This means your foot is always in the right place to maximize energy transfer and stability whether jumping or pushing off laterally. This is a massive improvement from the first Wave Momentum, which I felt was leaning more towards instability.

Traction

There isn’t much to say about the traction. Dunk uses high-quality rubber that always seems to grip the court. With a varied tread pattern based on circles and wide curves, the outsole wipes easily (if needed) and reliably bites into plastic and wood court surfaces. The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 wasn’t the craziest bite I’ve ever felt, but I did not slip at all and anyone would be satisfied with the traction.

Wave Plate Torsional Support

Torsional support in volleyball shoes is usually pretty black and white. Either the shoe promotes bending and flexibility in only the healthy directions and locations or it doesn’t. In this case, the Wave Plate does its job and the shoe is supportive through the arch while allowing the toes to flex comfortably. The Wave plate also notably helps in transferring energy from your heel through your toes when taking an approach jump, which is crucial in volleyball.

Cons

Enerzy Foam Cushioning (Softness)

The first con is closely linked to the first pro: the cushion setup. The Enerzy foam is all about responsiveness, but it loses some points for impact protection and joint comfort. The gym I usually play in has partially thick flooring, where the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 felt fine.

But the other portion of the floor is closer to the traditional tournament-style thin court over cement. On that side, I could definitely feel the impacts in my feet and as time went on, in my knees and back as well. If you play on wood or high-quality plastic sports courts, this will be a non-issue. But for some players, this will be a concern.

Lockdown (Upper Fit)

The lockdown in the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 is a little odd. It’s provided entirely by the heel counter and shoelaces, which both work great. The problem is that the toebox is very wide and fairly tall relative to where your foot sits.

Narrow feet are likely to feel lost in the toebox. I tied the laces fairly tight and noticed no slipping, but as someone who prefers to be on the snug side in the toes, it wasn’t ideal.

The length hit right around where it should, but my feet weren’t touching the sides or top of the toebox unless I really tightened the laces. I do have a slightly narrow foot, but this is not usually an issue for me. I would probably recommend trying to go down ½ a size if you have a narrow foot.

Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 Summary

In summary, the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 is an excellent performer that feels great moving laterally and feels bouncy, even if it can feel a little rough on the landings. The Enerzy foam can be a little heavy. But it’s definitely something worth trying, especially if you’re one of the many volleyball players that prefer air jordan. You’ll notice I didn’t call out much difference between the low and mid-top versions, and that’s because I didn’t feel a difference in performance. Higher ankle cuts don’t prevent ankle twists and sprains but are mostly about comfort. The mid-top didn’t feel restrictive in any way, so if you’re someone who prefers mid-ankle height shoes, don’t hesitate to get the mid versions.

adidas Harden Vol. 3 Review from adidas: STILL The Best Harden Shoe

Don’t get me wrong – I love me a Harden Vol. 6 (and the Vol. 5 is on the radar too) but if we’re talking pure performance and ability to offer balance to MANY different players, the third shoe is still the king for me. Let’s break it all down in my comprehensive Harden Vol. 3 review – the 2018 hit from adidas.

BEHIND THE REVIEW

I’m a 6’1 guard at around 175 lbs and play explosively. If you’d like to know how these perform when pretty much pushed to the limit – this review’s a solid option. All the hooping was done outdoors and I’ll break down the shoe’s fit & comfort aspects, performance, value for the price and see it stacks up to the latest Harden models right now.

I was playing around in these for a long time now but the last 2 months were focused on really testing it to put together a review, so you could say these have been in “the lab” for a few years now.

Let’s jump in!

SPEC SHEET

Model: adidas Harden Vol. 3

Build: low-top

Weight: 15.4 oz / 437 g. (size 10 US)

Retail Price: $140

Cushion: full-length Boost

I. FIT & COMFORT

SIZING GUIDE

If you’ve had some adidas hoop shoes in the past – these should feel right at home with how the sizing goes.

The Harden Vol. 3 might fit some people a little long but it all depends. Regular/narrow footers will still be okay with their regular size for the most part but I’ve seen people recommend going down half a size at some instances.

Truth is, it’s impossible for me to accurately pin-point which size you should go with but most people will end up just fine with their usual size. If you’d like a very snug, one-to-one type of it with zero space at the front, going down half a size is also an option. Just NOT for a thicker, larger foot that is.

Chances are, most of you will have a little bit of space at the toebox area but it wasn’t anything terrible for me personally. But if you absolutely can’t stand that, ordering a few different size pairs will be the safest option here.

Wide footers should all go true to size, which is what I did and I have no complaints after a break-in period. It’s not THE best shoe for a wider foot, sure, but definitely not a terrible choice. The shoe is built on a fairly wide last and the materials do stretch out in time, so don’t overthink this part too much.

Due to the shoe being slightly long for some, there might be some heel slippage at first but that usually goes away. I haven’t experienced this at all but that’s likely due to my huge feet. And I mean huge.

COMFORT: ON POINT!

There’s nothing special about how the Harden Vol. 3 fits or feels comfort-wise but in this case, this is absolutely a good thing. You can already tell what The Beard and adidas were going for with these – simple, minimal, and straight to the point. That’s exactly how the shoe felt for me.

The main point of emphasis with these is to give these some time to adjust to your foot shape. Sure, you could say that about most shoes but particularly with the Harden Vol. 3, it went from questionable to awesome for me in a matter of a couple of weeks.

The shoe felt a little stiff at first, my foot was kind of suffocated in the upper and the midfoot torsional plate also gave an impression that there won’t be any flex torsionally. Well, all that changed after giving these some playtime.

They’re nowhere near as stiff now, the midfoot shank does provide strong torsional structure but there’s some flex now to accommodate better step motions, and all that internal padding & exaggerated achilles heel piece made for a comfortable, no B.S. ride.

The Harden Vol. 3 is a light-feeling shoe and it sure does play that way. The upper wraps around the feet very securely, there are no unneeded features or gimmicks, just a “lace-up and go play” mentality. I like that a lot.

Will these make a top 10 most comfortable list? No. But they will deliver in making you forget you’ve got a shoe on while hooping. In a good way.

II. TRACTION

A classic herringbone traction pattern all over the place.

The end result is just as expected – deadly multi-directional traction that’s consistent and makes all your shifts, stops, and stepbacks feel that much more responsive.

You can go with a translucent or a solid rubber option. I have the solid rubber pair but I’ve heard pretty much one-sided feedback on the translucent option – those work just as well.

As you can see, the pattern is quite dense which has become a common tendency among adidas’s basketball stuff. It sure does grip all kinds of courts well but debris will get into those tight spaces of the outsole.

A quick wipe-down or two will be enough to keep the traction fully healthy every once in a while. Nothing deal-breaking here, so nothing to complain about.

Those guys who aren’t accustomed to wiping their soles down won’t be left in the water though. The rubber is tacky enough and there’s enough volume of the pattern to catch your plants even if there’s a lot of crap stuck onto it. But in an ideal scenario, I do recommend getting into such a habit of wiping lol.

I do have to mention that things got a little sloppier on one particular court I’ve played on. I took ’em to an old concrete park with all kinds of nasty stuff lying on the ground. Wiping more frequently was needed there and I did slip from time to time when there was too much dust where I planted.

But that’s a very extreme case though – you could imagine how that court looks like. I don’t usually play on something like that and I’m sure a lot of you aren’t either. But if you do though – just know that you’ll need to wipe these down a little more often and expect some slips here and there. It’s still fine.

OUTDOOR DURABILITY

Now, I’ve had these for over two years now, and the solid rubber pair is pretty banged up now. There are a bunch of frays along the lateral & medial sides of the outsole and the rubber looks weary. HOWEVER, things aren’t as bad performance-wise as they are looking visually.

This is not an outdoor model but still having fairly solid traction 2+ years later, including playing outdoors, is something I didn’t expect. No, the overall bite isn’t as deadly as it was out of the box but it’s still to a point where it’s acceptable for me personally.

Perhaps much shiftier, Kyrie-like players might not find it suitable but for the average player, this is still fine.

I’ve been thoroughly cleaning the outsoles every few games and that did help preserve the tackiness of the rubber. But to put things into perspective, you’d ideally want something more durable if you’re solely looking for a heavy-duty outdoor model that will last several years.

For someone like me, I’m mostly playing outdoors during the spring and summer, while I shift to indoor gyms during the autumn & winter. Well, since the world is anything but normal at the moment, I’ve been playing more outdoors than ever.

What I can say confidently is that the Harden Vol. 3 should last you at least a couple of seasons of hardcore outdoor sessions.

III. CUSHION

Full-length Boost. I could probably end it there for some. But for those who are unfamiliar – Boost has been one of the flagship foam compounds providing some of the most fun and efficient rides there is to date.

This particular implementation of Boost might not be the bounciest or the most FUN but it sure is among the most efficient and balanced. This is seriously engineering at its finest and it shows.

The setup is perfect for a player like James Harden – the shoe is very low to the ground so court feel is retained. There’s a ton of response as Boost contorts and then springs back extremely fast. The ride is stable as the shoe’s platform is wide & flat, plus there’s the forefoot cage to suppress Boost over there from getting all crazy on us.

But for someone else who isn’t as quick or shifty, or perhaps much heavier/more athletic, this midsole is STILL a great fit.

This foam, usually regardless of implementation, always provides some of the best impact protection while keeping a low profile, and the bounce sensation underfoot is something that never gets old with Boost. You get the best of both worlds. Or should I say all worlds.

Bottom line – most people will like this setup for one reason or another. Or for all the reasons.

While it doesn’t go all-out in one aspect (like the LeBron 8 cushion-wise or the Kyrie 5 responsiveness-wise), it provides all the qualities most player types will find extremely enjoyable. And does so in a Boost-like fashion. What more is there to ask.

IV. SUPPORT

The Harden Vol. 3 is a supportive shoe for what it offers.

Say what you want about a low top and its ability to support player’s movements as well as a higher cut shoe would, but the Harden Vol. 3 does everything it can in its power to provide a secure experience.

Yes, it’s a low top and it’s a pretty minimal feeling shoe but adidas has always been known for pushing security to its limits while keeping a small footprint. And this one’s yet another successful attempt at just that.

There’s an internal heel counter for ankle & heel lockdown along with an extended achilles piece for a more secure feel around your, well, achilles. There’s also a midfoot plate going from heel-to-toe which provides torsional structure. A decent choice if you’re a flat footer and need a new pair.

But since the shoe is as compact as it is, overall support & containment mostly comes from the fit & the upper. If you get the size right, you can definitely expect a secure fit and the upper has enough structure to hold your foot in and wrap around it very nicely.

Lastly, the shoe’s platform is definitely wider than average and it’s almost entirely flat, so stability is on-point with these. If you need a mobile shoe that feels fast but still retains the security that you need, this is a great option.

V. MATERIALS & BUILD

The upper is some kind of rough, strong textile-based synthetic material that’s heavily backed up with nylon for structure. The end result is pretty damn good.

Now, this won’t feel like a “premium” setup to the touch but it does play nicely. Since it’s a textile at its core, we’re getting comfort and it doesn’t take ages to break these in. But the material is reinforced rather heavily, so containment and durability are also intact.

The shoe is actually built very well and unlike the outsoles, the upper still looks a-okay 2+ years later. Since this fabric is pretty tightly threaded, proper ventilation is nowhere to be found, so your feet will get pretty hot under the sun. I don’t really mind that though – I’d take structure and comfort over breathability any day of the week.

The shoe sports a standard lace-and-loop lacing structure and there’s a large tongue for easy entry. Forget about all the one-bootie stuff, while some of those do work, I’d always prefer a traditional construction.

The little extra piece at the top of the tongue and the heel portion with the adidas logo look like leather but those are actually synthetics. It does feel like leather upon touching it, which is a nice detail.

Similar to the Dame 7 and the Crazy Explosive 2017, my laces loosen up pretty fast, no matter how hard I pull them down. Not as fast as on the Dame 7 though – those were a little crazy with that. Nothing terrible obviously – just had to stop and re-adjust occasionally, if I felt there wasn’t enough lockdown.

Overall, once again there’s nothing so special about the build and the upper – it works. It’s durable, it’s comfortable, and it holds your foot in at all times.

Sure, there are cheaper options that provide about the same thing and there are always much pricier options that have a “luxury” feel to them but if you’re here for performance and practicality, there’s nothing wrong with the build of the Harden Vol. 3.

VI. OVERALL

The adidas Harden Vol. 3 is a fantastic shoe that might not look like it. It’s got a pretty boring design (lest’s be honest lol) and there are no fancy features/tech packed and marketed as some amazing stuff you must try out.

But behind all that is superb all-around performance, a fairly competitive price for what you get, durability for some outdoor action, and versatility. Most people could pick these up and play safely. It will all depend on your individual needs as perhaps you’d like more support or firmer cushion.

But whatever the case may be, the shoe delivers in providing a little bit of everything for virtually anyone to cover comfort, efficiency, and security.

adidas D Rose 10 Review: 4-Month OUTDOOR Breakdown in 2021

After a very mediocre D Rose 9, it’s finally time for me to blow the dust off of my D Rose 10 review and put it out there in 2021. Okay, that’s not exactly how it went – I’ve actually picked these up just last year as opposed to when they launched back in 2019.

The adidas D Rose 10 (currently the second-newest D Rose signature sneaker) is heavily on sale during the writing of this review and it’ll likely stay that way for some time.

BEHIND THE REVIEW

So if you’re looking to grab a cheap pair of hoop shoes – this is still an option in 2021. Is it worth it next to many awesome kicks released in 2020 and 2019? That’s what I’ll be answering – kind of like I did with the 9th D Rose.

I’ll break down the shoe’s fit & comfort aspects, on-court performance exclusively outdoors ~4 months in, build quality and value for the price.

Let’s begin with the main specs!

SPEC SHEET

Model: adidas D Rose 10

Build: mid-top

Weight: 14.91 oz / 423 g. (size 9.5 US)

Retail Price: $140

Cushion: full-length Bounce

I. FIT & COMFORT

The 10th D Rose model definitely brings some of the nostalgia from the older Rose models. Beefier plastic caging at the back (of sorts), a more of an old-school leather upper, as well as a very wide platform that’s also almost just as flat as the classic lineup going from the D Rose 1 to the 4.

And guess what? The shoe also feels more like the older releases, at least partly. Let’s get to the need-to-know first.

SIZING: USUAL ADIDAS HELL

Yep, it’s back. adidas’s iconically inconsistent sizing shenanigans are here once again. The D Rose 10 runs pretty damn long in the forefoot AND wide, mainly in the toebox and at the widest portion of the midfoot areas. It’s looking like the D Rose 9 all over again, but wait…

IF you can get the size right for you, it’s a decent fit. I’m personally a very prominent wide footer, and I’ve got some really chunky feet in general. But given the one-sided feedback on these before buying, I still went down half a size (my regular is a 10) and this was probably the correct decision in the long run.

My feet did feel suffocated during the first couple of weeks but once the leather stretched out a bit and molded to my foot’s shape, they feel fine. Still a tad bit long from being ideal and also a little suffocating at times at the bottom midfoot area but it’s acceptable. Let’s leave it at that.

This is one of those cases where these will probably fit most wide footers better than a more regularly shaped foot or a narrow foot. The wide platform and exaggerated midfoot area width-wise might cause a lot of regular/narrow footers some trouble.

But if we’re talking sizing, I’d still say going down half a size will be the best option, regardless of your foot shape. Regular/narrow footers could try a full size down but I can’t vouch for the fit. Going down half a size should fix the forefoot & midfoot areas a bit but expect a roomier, chunkier fit regardless.

And for wide footers, same thing. A full size down is definitely too much in my opinion and if I would’ve gone with a size 10, I probably would’ve run into containment issues & end up feeling much bulkier than I do right now.

Yeah, I know. It’s strange, it’s inconsistent and it’s annoying. Ordering a couple of different sizes will be the safest bet here but if you can only snatch one – a 1/2 size down should do it.

Although I can’t guarantee that since everyone’s foot is different – it’s still the most consistent choice throughout the people that tested it, including myself.

COMFORT: OLD-SCHOOL. LIKE IT OR HATE IT

If you get the fit close to optimal (since optimal is a tough task for this one) for you and give the material a couple of weeks to break in, the comfort level is definitely not bad. If you happen to like more of an old-school setup with raw, more structured materials dominating the build, you should feel right at home with the Rose 10.

This upper definitely wraps around your foot nicely and securely and despite the shoe feeling a little chunky at times, I never felt compromised of security since leather’s there to catch your foot no matter how awkward your plant might be.

Speaking of chunky, that feeling mainly comes from the ultra-wide & flat platform, and the upper of course. It’s not that chunky per se, but a 2020-style textile-based shoe usually feels a little lighter, faster, and more forgiving. It’ll come down to what you prefer more, as there’s no right or wrong option here.

There’s also a good amount of internal padding around your ankle and a slightly elevated cut for the achilles. I liked the way this back area cupped my ankle & achilles and despite a higher-cut mid-top design, I never felt the ankle collar got in the way too much.

So, nothing special but solid nonetheless. Fans of these classic types of setups should like the Rose 10 as it doesn’t take away the performance. But even for guys who are more used to today’s standards of lightweight, synthetic textiles & fabrics, this shouldn’t feel out of this world.

II. TRACTION

A mix of classic herringbone & adidas’s radial pattern is apparent throughout the outsole. I’ve seen these HEAVILY squeak for guys who had the chance to play in a gym and despite it, traction was mediocre for most indoor users.

Since I’ve played solely outdoors, the experience was a little bit better for me. As you know, the more abrasive the surface is, the easier it’ll be for the pattern to bite.

While this wasn’t anything top 5-level, it got the job done for me. Indoors though, I still don’t have access to a gym so for anyone who has, there are plenty of indoor reviews that describe the indoor traction performance as decent.

But even outdoors, both herringbone and radial portions of the outsole are so damn densely spaced out, dust & debris gets in there in no time. That sticky rubber doesn’t help either but I can’t be mad at that since it does help the overall traction.

So, wiping will be your #1 habit when playing in the air jordan. Indoors, outdoors, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s an older/dirtier court – you’ll have to wipe these down frequently to keep the bite close to 100%.

OUTDOOR DURABILITY

As for durability, the rubber feels similar to the D Rose 9 which is not a good thing. Relatively soft and pliable, and none of the grooves are that deep, so a full season of constant outdoor play is questionable.

4 months in though, they’re still pretty good. I am regularly cleaning my outsoles which helps get some of that rubber tackiness back (since it’s like a damn dust magnet) but I don’t feel I’m at 100% anymore. Still enough to play confidently but I have a feeling these won’t last a full year.

These options along with a guide are waiting for you if you’re looking for a trustworthy outdoor shoe you could wreck for a long time.

III. CUSHION

Full-length Bounce returns from the Rose 9 and it feels very similar to the last shoe. However, I do prefer this setup over the 9.

Firstly, it’s Bounce, so don’t expect any kind of extreme bounce or pillows of God underfoot. This is a very good setup performance-wise but it might not impress those who are looking to have a lot of FUN with what’s offered. And for those people, THIS might help.

Bounce is a very well-balanced foam compound and it feels fast, stable, and responsive on the Rose 10. I love Bounce for the way it manages to keep you low to the ground & fast while providing a necessary amount of impact protection & a little bit of energy return for more explosive players.

I gotta say these feel a little softer than the D Rose 9. A level of step comfort and plushness is there as well as bounce but it’s very subtle. I mostly felt like it’s just there but it kept me stable, precise and explosive – that might not be all I want in a cushion setup but it’s definitely all I need to play the way I play.

I was also quite surprised that this experience was true from heel to toe. We’ve seen a lot of stuff from adidas that usually feels pretty good at the back & dead at the front, even on some full-length Bounce setups.

Not the case for the D Rose 10 – things were just as responsive and balanced at the front as they are at the back. Once again, nothing groundbreaking but most definitely welcome.

While this might not be a very eye-catching setup for the general buyer, everyone should find this ride suitable if we’re talking efficiency and security on the court.

IV. SUPPORT

After pretty serious containment issues with the D Rose 9, this time the 10 provides some of the usual beefy overall security we’ve come to expect from adidas. Those guys really know what they’re doing when it comes to making a shoe supportive and comfortable at the same time.

This time though, not a lot needed to be done, given the upper which does most of the work providing support, as well as holding your foot in the footbed at all times. There’s also a pretty aggressive external TPU heel counter that extends all the way to the midfoot, further adding to the structured support.

As mentioned earlier, the platform of the shoe is very wide & almost completely flat, and aggressive outriggers are found laterally, so stability was excellent too. Also usual to adidas, torsional rigidity is present – while there’s no midfoot shank plate this time, the midsole is rigid enough to not cause any trouble torsionally.

The ankle collar has some rigidity to it too, so pulling down the top eyelets will grant you some additional ankle lockdown, which is welcome for those who need it for one reason or another.

HOWEVER, if there’s always a but. Support always starts with a proper fit. You must get it right, only then you can fully take advantage of what’s implemented as support components. As the D Rose 10 fits rather unusually, I can’t stress how important this is.

A little bit of space at the front (like I have) or laterally won’t ruin things for you, but an overall roomy fit that feels bulkier than it should will introduce compromises in containment, as well make you end up feeling sloppy. Going half a size down is a must for these.

V. MATERIALS & BUILD

The upper utilizes genuine full-grain, perforated leather, and fans of raw materials should love this setup. It’s nothing but thick, strong leather in here. The tongue is made of some basic mesh but the logo part is leather. The heel section is covered with a plastic cage for heel & ankle lockdown.

The shoe utilizes a standard lace & tongue construction and the tongue bends pretty heavily, so putting these on isn’t troubling. If the rubber of the outsoles would’ve been as sturdy as the overall build, these would be a near-perfect contender among the best outdoor shoes. We can’t always get what we want though.

So, obviously, this type of upper has its strong suits as well as drawbacks. This is a very durable, well-built shoe that should last you a long time, at least the upper portion. You have plenty of structure too, so containment is great, as well as overall rigidity some people prefer to have when looking for strong support.

And remember this is full-grain leather, which is the strongest, thickest leather available and it isn’t heavily processed like corrected or synthetic leather is.

This is probably the main reason for the $140 price tag, as the cushion setup alone wouldn’t really justify in it my book. I give props to this build though – those looking for quality leather will definitely find it here.

But there are also drawbacks. It’s not the lightest possible option available, and while the Rose 10 didn’t feel particularly heavy for me, there’s no denying there are lighter, more mobile/nimble options out there.

This leather will also take a while to break in and stretch out. A little over two weeks did it for me. And when it does stretch out – genuine leather does have a tendency to go all loosy goosy on you after a while.

And I’ve seen people report on this – the upper of the D Rose 10 did stretch out a little too much for some width-wise, causing some disruptions in the fit.

While it hasn’t done that for my pair – I’m only 4+ months in AND I’ve got a very wide foot, so take it with a grain of salt.

Lastly, ventilation isn’t leather’s strong suit, and you can ignore the perforated holes cut out throughout the upper as they don’t do much in terms of breathability. Your feet will get hot under a 2-hour under-the-sun game, that’s for sure.

So, it’s best for you to weigh the pros and cons of this setup and decide if it’s for you. Could I call this a versatile option? Absolutely. It’s very supportive, durable and it’s not like it’s 2008-level comfortable. It’s fine. Just might take a bit of time to get used to it if you’re coming off of a Curry 8-like minimal build.

VI. OVERALL

The adidas D Rose 10 is a solid shoe, even for outdoor play. Definitely a step-up from the D Rose 9. I’ll let you know how it stacks up against the Rose 11 as soon as I’ve played in those enough.

The shoe fits a little weird and you might need a few pairs to nail the correct size for you. General rule of thumb though, go down half a size. Traction is nothing crazy but fine for outdoor play, though people reported it as just decent for indoors.

Bounce cushion is well-balanced and gets the job done for most players, and the shoe is definitely supportive. No containment issues like we’ve had on the Rose 9.

The genuine leather upper is a thing of beauty for those classic setup lovers but it just about does everything on a solid level performance-wise, even for someone who’s used to more modern setups.

Is it worth the full $140 in 2021? I wouldn’t say it’s a terrible deal but you can surely find some truly kick-ass stuff for the same price or less. I’d say this is a very solid buy if you can get it under retail, which you can do since all I’m seeing are 75-80 dollar Rose 10’s, even on basketball shoe for some sizes.

A nifty package for those looking for something cheap & reliable! Don’t sleep on it – keep it on your radar.