Nike KD 12 Review: The Definitive Performance Breakdown

The KD basketball sneaker line is very strange. Sometimes we get amazing performers from all aspects, sometimes we receive a sub-par attempt to revolutionize tech that’s supposed to blow everything else out of the water. Today, I’m bringing you my KD 12 review – the supposed 2019’s performance sensation.

I was extremely excited to play in these since I heard a ton of good things about them. I’ll be taking a look at the shoe and how it holds up in the performance, comfort, and overall value for the money aspects.

I’ll also try to answer the question of whether you should upgrade if you currently have a previous KD model.

SPEC SHEET

Model: Nike KD 12

Build: Mid Top

Weight: 14.5 oz / 411 g.

Retail Price: $150

Cushion: Full-length Zoom Air, Hex Zoom Air heel unit, Phylon midsole

I. COMFORT & FIT

 

Right away, I do want to mention that pretty much all KD’s shoes fit pretty narrow as they got a slick and narrow construction of the tooling.

So the space where your foot sits is extremely compact. Some people like this, some don’t. I’ve had experience with KD’s shoes, so I happened to know this before I got ’em.

I’m a wide footer, so I went up half a size and they fit me near-perfectly. Regular/narrow footers will want to go true to size.

Expect a pretty snug and condensed fit if you have a regular-sized foot. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but it comes down to personal preference.

Thanks to that type of construction though, the overall fit is very well-contained, secure, and stable.

Foot mobility is out of this world and it seems that Nike really used every single inch to make the shoe as mobile, secure, and precise as possible. Amazing work here.

The KD 12 is also comfortable. Nothing to really boast about as I’ve experienced more comfort in a hoop shoe but definitely nothing to complain about – the package works.

II. TRACTION

 

Funny enough, I’ve just recently tested Air jordan and the KD 12 brings a very similar performance from the traction aspect – the translucent outsole might not promise much but it works really well.

I did not experience any major slipping or gripping issues in these. Wiped the outsole here and there, and I’m good to go.

I’d say these are probably a bit more prone to collecting dust than the Dame 5, especially outdoors. But again, that didn’t affect my game at all, as I didn’t find myself slipping or having bad traction because of it.

I’ve played in these outdoors for quite a bit and can say they’re holding up pretty decently. Realistically though, this is a $150 shoe and it does not look like it has the most durable outsole in the world, so you might want to consider something else as your effective outdoor beater.

Overall though, very solid, no complaints at all.

III. CUSHION

 

Full-length Zoom Air is back and it’s sitting directly under your foot now. On top of that, we got an extra Hex Zoom Air unit in the heel for added impact absorption, and a Phylon midsole for a stable, responsive ride.

The setup works extremely well, and I think it’d work for just about any player/position.

Unless you want an extremely prominent and straight-up bouncy ride. The KD 12 doesn’t do that.

While the setup might not be extremely springy and as much fun to play in as, for example, the KD 9 – this model brings all the critical components that a quality cushioning setup should bring.

I felt explosive, all my jumps, cuts, and landings definitely did not feel like a problem but I was also really quick and did not feel like full-length Zoom slowed me down or sunk me in the midsole for no reason.

The setup works really well and it’s well thought out – every style is accompanied as much as possible.

If you’re looking for an extremely fun and pillowy ride – this isn’t totally it (even though you can still really feel it and it’s awesome).

However, if you’re looking for a very balanced option or you’re not sure what to go with – this one’s the one.

IV. SUPPORT

 

I generally haven’t had any major complaints in the support department on any KD shoe. This one looks to be more of the same.

What ain’t broke – don’t fix it.

We got our traditional implementations – there’s a heel cup for heel containment, the midsole is very nicely contained in a TPU cage for a stable ride and Quad Axial Flywire does a good job locking down the foot, no matter the movement.

I don’t really know how much the fancy named “Quad Axial Flywire” helps with the shoe’s marketing, but I don’t honestly care.

All I know is that these are Flywire cables done right and I really did feel that they’re working while I’m playing.

During more aggressive moves such as quick cuts or when extremely bent-over, while driving to the hoop, there wasn’t a single second where I’d feel I’m not secure.

And that’s more than enough for me.

V. BUILD & MATERIALS

We got a conventional upper here – it’s mainly textile with synthetic mesh, plus Fuse for extra durability and stability.

That’s definitely not a pretty or by no means premium setup for a $150 price tag which felt a bit fishy at first but after playing in them for a while – it’s not too bad.

This is surely not in my top 10 best uppers or anything, but it worked well – support wasn’t compromised and it looks like the shoe will hold up well for a while.

I am not noticing any major tears or chipping, despite playing outdoors a lot (minus the outsole).

So if you can live with the materials not being fancy and don’t mind paying $150 for a basic mesh & Fuse upper – the KD 12 will get the job done for you from performance and comfort aspects.

VI. OVERALL

 

I think this is my second favorite KD shoe ever, right behind the KD 9.

I think the 12th model really thought about all the scenarios players could come across, and it deals with those very well.

I’ve found myself liking the fit after going up half a size, traction is great, full-length Zoom Air is brilliant, while the support and lockdown areas are straight-up savage locking down my foot like that.

Bravo! If you can afford it – the KD 12 is a very nice addition to a balanced basketball performance sneaker rotation.

adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Performance Review

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is the next evolution of adidas’s high-end long-distance racing shoe line. I’ve liked the Adios Pro line since the original but most people jumped on the bandwagon starting with the second iteration. The Adidas yeezy  is so good it currently sits on our list of Best Marathon Running Shoes. Is the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 good enough to get a place on our best list?

adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

Release Date: June 23, 2022

Price: $250

Weight: 7.6oz

Drop: 6.5mm (33mm forefoot, 39.5mm heel)

Sizing: Typical adidas sizing, half size down from your shoe size in other brands.

• Rundown: A smooth-riding, bouncy, and stable long-distance racing shoe that’s one of the best shoes on the market.

Pros

• Stability
• Rocker and Bounce
• Breathability
• Outsole

Cons

• Achilles Stitching
• Upper materials

Pros

Stability

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 widens the base in a significant way from the Adios Pro 2 and its ridiculously high stack brother, the adidas Adizero Prime X. The result? The most stable marathon-focused racing shoe on the market.

The extra stability is incredibly helpful on sharp turns (like the dreaded 180-degree turns that some race courses have), in wet conditions, or when you’re feeling tired and your feet are pronating more than usual. During a track workout, I felt myself increasing speed around the corners because I felt so secure. That’s not the norm with high-stack super shoes. Stability tends to be a negative on almost all of them.

So, if you’re hoping for a more stable race day option, it’s here.

Rocker and Bounce

In addition to getting wider, the midsole of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 gets a sharper toe angle and updated Energy Rods 2.0 (used instead of a one-piece carbon fiber plate).

The sharper toe angle makes a big difference in the rocker motion, I felt like my feet left the ground a little faster than in the Adios Pro 2. The smoother, quicker rocker made the shoe feel faster and bouncier. Mentally and physically, it was a nice boost.

The updated Lebron 9 play into both the stability and bounce. Previously, the rods were five completely separate, well…rods, floating within the foam. Now, though the rods can still move individually, they’re attached together in several places. This likely helped the fluidity of the rocker and the bounce as the rods worked together more than they did in the Adios Pro and Adios Pro 2.

So basically, I love all the changes to the midsole. The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 feels faster and more supportive without sacrificing anything.

Breathability

While I don’t love the textile mesh used for the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3’s upper, more on that later, it’s a lot more breathable than the recycled polyester upper on the Adios Pro 2. It’s not as see-through, but more air passes through the upper to hit the foot. Running on some particularly hot days leading up to writing this review, I appreciated the extra airflow. And you’ll appreciate it too when you’re grinding through the final miles of your next marathon.

Outsole

The Continental rubber used on the outsole of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 doesn’t feature any lugs and even has a bunch of cutouts to save weight. But the rubber used is like a race car tire. It just holds the ground extremely well. It combines with a more stable midsole to offer security in any condition. You won’t slip and slide no matter the conditions. That’s invaluable peace of mind when you’re focused on running a difficult race. It’s just one less thing on your mind.

Cons

Achilles Stitching

While it didn’t cause me any hotspots, the design of the Achilles pads and heel cup on the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 isn’t well thought out. I felt it rubbing slightly my first couple of runs but the heel tab of my Bombas Performance Running Socks saved the day.

The heel cup features an extra piece of fabric on the inside that integrates with the Achilles pillows and can flip upwards like an elfish spoiler. Due to both it, and the fuse supporting the heel, there’s hard stitching around the pillows and across the rear of the shoe right just a centimeter or two below the top edge of the heel collar.

Depending on your socks, it could dig in and cause a blister, especially as you break in the shoe. You might get lucky like me and avoid a blister, but there shouldn’t be exposed stitching of that nature around the Achilles on the heel collar. It’s asking for trouble.

Upper Materials

The textile mesh used on the upper of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is coarse. It’s more durable and breathable than the materials used on previous versions, but it’s not more comfortable. It really hurts step-in comfort as it’s the sort of material that takes a couple of runs to break in fully. I foresee a lot of specialty run store employees having to convince runners it won’t annoy them.

In addition, the synthetic suede tongue just feels cheap. It’s light and was likely done to provide crucial weight savings. It’s not bad, just meh. On the plus side, even though it’s not gusseted, adidas strings the laces through the tongue three times so it won’t slide around.

While the upper materials don’t inhibit performance, I wish they hadn’t taken a step back from previous versions. I mean, they’re ok, but I expected more. Luckily, the midsole changes are so good that I can overlook the upper’s issues.

adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Summary

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is one of the best marathon racing shoes on the market. It sits above the fray with the likes of the Nike Alphafly and a shoe I’m reviewing right now, the Asics Metaspeed Sky+.

The new midsole’s combination of bounciness and stability help it fill an unoccupied niche. And while it did take a small step back in terms of the upper, it’s an incredibly high-performing shoe that sits in the top tier of long-distance running shoes. Those runners needing stability, in addition to speed, should try the Adios Pro 3 as soon as they can.

UA HOVR Machina 3 Performance Review

The UA HOVR Machina 3 is, in many ways, similar to the original UA HOVR Machina. The second iteration didn’t even change enough for us to review it since it was basically the original with minor tweaks that didn’t affect performance. However, the small tweaks and changes on the UA HOVR Machina 3 do affect performance and comfort. Are they improvements?

UA HOVR Machina 3

Release Date: May 2022

Price: $150

Weight: M 10.6oz, W 9.3oz

Drop: 8mm

Sizing: True to Size

• Rundown: The UA HOVR Machina 3 is a comfortable, supportive running shoe meant for athletes that occasionally hit the track or do short 2-4 mile runs.

Pros

• Dual Density HOVR
• Tongue
• Stability

Cons

• Blown Rubber Outsole
• Breathability

Pros

Dual Density HOVR

When the Under Armour press release revealed the UA HOVR Machina 3 was getting dual density HOVR, specifically a firmer responsive forefoot paired with a softer heel, I was intrigued. This is the first shoe I can think of with a bifurcated HOVR setup.

The heel portion of the HOVR is the typical HOVR with the traditional netting around the outside. It feels exactly like you’d expect and similar to previous running shoes with HOVR. The big difference is in the forefoot. The forefoot feels quite a bit firmer and snappier. While this isn’t good for the HOVR Machina 3’s long-distance running prospects, it’s better for track work and shorter, quicker runs.

It appears Under Armour tuned the cushioning of the shoe to target athletes training for basketball, football, baseball, etc. So while the HOVR Machina 3 is a running shoe, it’s not meant for those that view running as their main sport. It’s targeted at athletes using running as cross-training for something else. And if that’s truly the purpose (as I believe it is), Under Armour chose the correct cushioning setup.

Tongue

The entire upper is comfy but the well-integrated foam and mesh tongue is the best part. The perforated foam on the inside is super comfy and relieves lace pressure while the mesh around it allows for airflow. It’s not bulky but it’s just as comfortable as tongues with 5 times the padding (and weight).

Stability

The plastic TPU heel clip that extends around the heel on both sides is a great addition to the UA HOVR Machina 3. It wasn’t present on the first two iterations of the HOVR Machina World Champ line but it really ups the support in an inconspicuous way. It looks like part of the design but does a great job preventing side-to-side movement. It’s perfect for athletes doing cone drills, shuttle runs, and sprints as part of their offseason training regimen.

Cons

Blown Rubber Outsole

The worse part of the original HOVR Machina returns in the UA HOVR Machina 3. The blown rubber is thicker and thus harder to wear through this time, but it still wears quicker than traditional rubber. Blown rubber just isn’t durable enough for a shoe used primarily on roads and concrete. Your best bet is to mix in a fair amount of rubber tracks, field turf, or manicured grass. That will keep the front 3/4 of the outsole from wearing away too quickly. It’ll also keep you from going back to the store for running shoes sooner than you’d like.

Breathability

The breathability of the UA HOVR Machina 3’s tongue is great. The rest of the upper, not so much. The second layer of mesh prevents the large air holes on the first layer from doing much good. This is better for the all-around support/stability of the shoe but not ideal on hot summer days. I wish Under Armour increased the airflow considering this shoe is aimed at conditioning for other sports, something that often happens during hot and humid summers.

UA HOVR Machina 3 Summary

The UA HOVR Machina 3 is designed for athletes using running to get conditioned for other sports. This means it’s sort of miscategorized as a true running shoe and thus drives the middling score below. That said, other than the breathability issues, this shoe is stable enough, cushioned enough, and comfortable enough to be a great training companion, especially when that training involves a lot of running and running-based drills.

adidas Harden Stepback 3 Performance Review

adidas Harden Stepback 3

The adidas Harden Stepback 3 is a solid performer and brings back the Bounce we’ve come to love. A budget model to be reckoned with.

Colorway: N/A

Release Date: 2022

Price: TBA

The adidas Harden Stepback 3 follows the Stepback 2, the budget model that was better than the James Harden flagship adidas Harden Vol 6. It’s rare and unexpected when the budget model outperforms the major release. This time around, though, the same can’t be said. The adidas Harden Vol 6 performs well and better than the Stepback 3. But that doesn’t mean these aren’t worth your consideration. If you’re a fan of Harden, looking for a good budget basketball shoe, or want to support the brand without spending above $100, you’ve come to the right shoe.

Traction

My favorite aspect of the shoe. It just gripped everything I put them on. The last court I went to had a sheet of dust covering the surface, and these still bit the ground well. During my time in them, I only slid once, and it was relatively early in the testing process. The traction pattern looks data-driven, something we’ve seen from the adidas Harden Vol. 1. The only gripe I have with the traction is the solid rubber’s durability. After about four hours on a rough cement outdoor court, it already showed bald spots.

Cushion

The midsole is full-length Bounce, just like the adidas Pro N3XT 2021. However, it’s comfortable this time and does a decent job combining impact protection and court feel. I did notice, however, that at least one of my heels hurt after playing for about 2 hours. This is due to the rubber caging in that area. The strobel board is also made up of a plush foam which I think is also Bounce. I wasn’t astonished by its performance, but it’s an upgrade from the KD 15.

Materials

The materials are what you’d expect. The main build is a mesh with thick padding inside it combined with fuse overlays on the sides and eye stay area. There are also reflective hits on the tongue and pull tab. A piece of cheap felt is found near the top of the collar.  The tongue is a more open-celled mesh. They’re not exceptional, but they’re at least comfortable.

Fit

The shoe looks big when you first see it, but that’s deceiving. Because of the thicker inside, the shoe fits true to size with a thumb’s width of space up front. You can go down half a size for a more snug fit since the materials will loosen over time and wear. Heel lockdown could have been better, though. To get the best fit, make sure to cinch the top as hard as you can.

Support

I had no issues in this department. The base is wide enough to compensate for the lack of a proper outrigger. I didn’t shift in the shoe once I was properly locked in. You sit inside the midsole just enough to be laterally supported but not where you’re too close to the ground. The heel rubber caging works in conjunction with the internal heel counter to provide ample ankle support. Everything did its job, and I was able to walk away without injuries.

adidas Harden Stepback 3 Overall

The adidas Harden Stepback 3 is a solid performer that will not disappoint many. The traction is top-notch for as long as it lasts. The cushion brings back the old Bounce that we’ve come to love. And although the materials aren’t unique, the fit is accommodating enough that most foot shapes and sizes will love putting these on. For the price, it’s worth the purchase.

Nike Zoom Freak 2 Review: Better than the Freak 1?

After putting hours into the Freak 1 not long ago, I’ve decided to continue with its direct successor – hence I present you my Nike Zoom Freak 2 review!

So, in search of a mid-tier budget shoe that’s durable, provides a little bit of everything for different players in a secure, lightweight way?

The Zoom Freak 1 is what you’re looking for. Or is it?

Despite looking very similar in terms of looks and tech specs, AND having the same price tag, Giannis’s second installment in the Freak series claims that it’s a direct improvement from the first.

 

I mean it even has this poster on Nikey’s site which strangely feels like an OG 1990’s ad for a product. Speed, power, and control for every type of player are what the shoe is aiming to deliver.

THE REVIEW: HOW WE’LL DO THIS

Since the first one’s mission was pretty much the same, it’s only right of me to put hours into the Freak 2 and find out if it does all those things better over its younger brother.

I’ll be breaking down the shoe’s:

• Comfort experience & fit
• On court performance
• Overall build quality & value for the price
• Differences from the first shoe

Let’s begin!

SPEC SHEET

Model: Nike Zoom Freak 2

Build: Low-Top

Weight: 12.5 oz / 354 g. (size 10)

Retail Price: $120

Cushion: Forefoot Zoom Air & foam midsole

I. COMFORT & FIT

From the fit and overall comfort aspects, the Freak 2 was pretty much identical to the Freak 1 for me.

I have very wide feet, emphasis on very. But despite the shoe having a pretty narrow area for your foot to sit inside in the midfoot and forefoot areas, the shoe felt completely solid after I broke them in. It took 3-5 days for me to properly break in the first Freak and it was very similar to the Freak 2.

Granted, it sucked big time during that first week. If these would’ve had some kind of a stiff synthetic leather upper, there’s no way I would’ve been able to pull off a true to size.

So, I’d recommend going true to size for most foot shapes, if like a very snug, tight, and strongly contained fit. For those wanting more room inside the shoe, wide/regular footers will want to go up half a size.

These underwent some upper material and some slight fit changes, so the fit is even tighter than the first Zoom Freak. Not to a point where I should’ve gone up but for people who aren’t used to this extremely contained fit, they should definitely either go up half a size or try them on in a store if possible.

On top of that, I noticed these have more internal padding around a few areas and the tongue on these is CRAZY large, as well as soft, making the experience even more pleasant. I said this a lot but I’ll say it again – a traditionally separated tongue construction is the true boss sh*t.

Sure, there are benefits to a one-piece upper but for a shoe such as the Freak 2, they’re already very secure thanks to the contained fit, thus putting these on is amazingly fast and easy.

So combine the classic separated construction, more padding inside, and an enlarged tongue, this feels similar to the Freak 1 but just a tad bit better in my opinion. I love this approach – if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it. And the Freak 1 was certainly not broke in terms of fit and being comfortable.

They tweaked a few things here and there, the tightness of the fit will come down to personal preference, so if you get the sizing optimal to you – you can forget about the Freak 2, since this is a solid, mobile, secure, and distraction-free experience, making you forget you got a shoe on. And that’s always a good thing.

II. TRACTION

For traction, we’ve got a completely revamped outsole that looks nothing like the Freak 1’s. So far, the shoe comes in a solid rubber outsole on some colorways, while the regular black colorway priced at $120 comes with a translucent rubber outsole, which is the one I have.

For translucent rubber, it feels surprisingly durable overall. The grooves are very hard and certain areas have very thick rubber that looks like it’s not about to budge any time soon. That’s awesome but what’s not awesome is that the outsole is inconsistent in terms of the durability of the rubber.

As you can see, the outsole consists of two separate pieces and the back portion of the outsole is EXTREMELY durable. It’s got thick rubber, it’s not shallow and despite the weird pattern, it’s actually well spaced out, so wiping this portion of the outsole won’t be something you need to do.

As for the forefoot area – the story is a bit different. I get the design choice, but I still have no idea why brands still go with this super dense pattern made out of a fragile rubber pattern, such as these dots or knobs, whatever you wanna call them, on the lateral side of the shoe.

This is the area where dust and debris will be more of an issue – not the worst I’ve seen but wiping will surely be needed occasionally to keep the traction at 100%. It’s kind of a half-baked deal for me, why they couldn’t have used the same pattern all throughout the outsole or just went with classic herringbone, I don’t know.

As for traction itself, it was fine, I have no complaints. It’s got a very similar bite with lots of squeaking. I had no major slips or slides, I felt fine and supported during any kind of movement. They gripped the floor equally well indoors and outdoors.

What I’m not cool with is the rubber inconsistency throughout the outsole – I want to call these durable and suitable for outdoor play but when one side deteriorates faster than the other one, it’s tough man.

I’ve seen that the pattern looks exactly the same on solid rubber pairs, so even though translucent, in theory, is not as durable as solid rubber, you can expect similar results.

Overall, I don’t see these chipping away any time soon, especially outdoors but I think a simple fix in the outsole could’ve prolonged these even more. So in a nutshell, good traction, good durability, just could’ve been better by sticking to what works and ditching the pattern on the forefoot area.

III. CUSHION

Despite having different tech specs from the Freak 1 on paper, the shoe feels pretty much the same in terms of cushioning. You’d think these would have tons of cushion for a big, strong individual such as Giannis, but nope – what we have is far from that.

We have a bottom-loaded forefoot Zoom Air unit as well as a foam midsole throughout the shoe (probably Phylon), so it’s very reminiscent of what the Kyrie 5 and the off-white x air force 1 had.

The ride is extremely responsive, it’s quick as there’s almost no real energy return from the foam, you sit low to the ground and the precision of your movements is supplemented as well as just about any other shoe.

The heel area feels almost dead but it will budge and give you some impact protection on harder landings, jumps, or cuts. The forefoot area, you can feel a bit more thanks to a Zoom unit, but it’s still not to a point where I’d prefer. I’m not saying it’s a bad setup – it’s just not really my cup of tea.

For low profile guards that are light, or spot-up shooters, this is a near-perfect setup. But Giannis plays in them, and he’s a very big guy, so it’ll obviously come down to what kind of a ride you prefer. If it’s quick, low to the ground, firm, and precise, the Freak 2 is top-notch for that, and I guess that’s what Giannis goes for as well.

For players who need more cushion and impact protection for one reason or another, you’d want to go with something such as the Nikey Dunk.

IV. SUPPORT

The support & security department once again feels extremely similar to the first Zoom Freak.

We’ve got most of the critical support features you’d require from a shoe – a very secure fit, an internal heel counter, larger outriggers than on the Freak 1 for lateral protection, your foot sits inside the midsole for more stability, and a base that’s not as wide as on the Freak 1 but still wide enough to make you feel stable.

The upper still flexes like crazy as you can literally bend these in half, but just as this wasn’t an issue on Freak 1, it’s still not an issue on this one. The lack of a proper midfoot shank made some people scratch their heads in terms of the Freak 1 but if you’ve played any of the two shoes, you probably realized it’s not an issue at all.

The Freak 2 is very light but provides a secure experience for just about any player out there. I wish I could say the same thing about the cushion but hey, it comes with the territory. You take some and you leave some.

Overall, a great job in the support department – very secure, stable but does not sacrifice mobility. That’s versatility on point!

V. BUILD & MATERIALS

The upper is pretty much today’s mid-tier budget standard – a synthetic textile material with some Fuse and TPU overlays in key areas for more structure.

The shoe took a similar chunk of time to break them in, it’s just as light, just as mobile, and likely just as durable. This is one of those uppers that makes you forget you’ve got a shoe on while playing which is every bit of awesome. Ventilation isn’t very good due to the nature of the materials, so your feet will get hot during play.

I think these will be just as durable as the Freak 1. If you can live with the inconsistent outsole, I think the upper will hold up well outdoors. The TPU overlays do a good job holding the shoe together and I don’t see any signs of wear and tear on the upper so far.

Don’t expect a super premium upper but for $120 – this is a solid option. No gimmicks, no fancy tech names, nothing to get into the way of your playtime.

Solid job!

VI. OVERALL

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The Nike Zoom Freak 2 definitely feels like a direct sequel to the jordan 11 cherry – pretty much every aspect feels similar with some minor changes here and there.

The shoe is comfortable, it’s distraction-free, it feels every bit of light, it grips the floor well, and provides adequate support for most players. If you prefer fast and responsive cushioning, and if you can live with the inconsistent outsole, I think the shoe is a great addition to your rotation.

Is it a direct improvement over the Freak 1? In some areas, yes, while in others it feels more of a slight step back.

Is it a versatile shoe? Yes, if you prefer firmer cushion.

Could the Freak 2 be even better? Yeah, I think it absolutely could, and all that was needed were a few quick fixes, in my opinion.

Would I choose these over the Freak 1? Yeah. I love that large tongue and more padding around your foot – those two things actually felt like the biggest improvement for me. Comfort is everything and a foundation for a good performer. I’m not a fan of the outsole but it gets the job done, so I give props to that.