Puma Court Rider 2 Performance Review

Puma Court Rider 2

A great budget model that’s well suited for guards. Be mindful of the fit.

Colorway: Ocean Dive/Harbor Mist

Release Date: 2022

Style Code: 376646-04

Price: $110

 

8.5/10

Total Score

The Puma Court Rider 2 is the follow-up to what LaMelo Ball initially wore in the NBA – the Puma Court Rider. Puma kept some things from that first model and updated several others. The Puma Court Rider 2 has some obvious aesthetic updates, and we liked the shoe during our initial review. But, how did they hold up after hours on the court? Let’s find out.

Traction

Puma tweaked the traction pattern slightly from the original Puma Court Rider. They took the bold, durable Puma patterned section of the outer portion of the sole from that first model and spread it all over. This turned out to be a good move because the shoe gripped every surface I played on superbly, and the pattern is plenty durable to hold up well outdoors.

The traction also wraps up on certain portions of the midsole. This will add bite to more aggressive moves like crossovers, or hard cuts. Traction would have been my favorite feature if Puma had neglected to update another feature. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Cushion

The Puma Court Rider 2 features full-length foam cushioning. Puma calls this foam Rider Foam. The setup is well balanced and offers sufficient impact protection while keeping the shoe responsive and low to the ground.

The Puma Court Rider 2 was clearly designed to cater to lighter, more nimble players who need a more reactive ride. If I’m nit-picking, I would have preferred a bit more plushness, but I enjoyed the setup, and at no point did I feel my legs or my joints getting weary.

Materials

Now, the materials were my favorite part of this shoe. Admittedly, there is nothing I would describe as premium on the shoe, but I would say the build is excellent. The Puma Court Rider 2 features textiles, fuse areas, mesh, and synthetic leather layered on top of each other. The Court Rider 2 reminds me of shoes from the early 2000s.

The upper performed admirably. Lockdown was on point, with no pinching or restrictiveness, they were lightweight and breathable, and ventilation was not an issue. But what takes everything to the next level is just the look and feel. How you feel in a shoe is almost as important as how it performs (just ask Rasheed Wallace) and I just loved how I felt wearing these.

Fit

The fit was the one area I had an issue with. I usually hover between a 12.5 and a 12. I ordered my pair in a size 12 and I felt I could have gone down a whole size, length-wise. It was odd because the rest of the shoe felt great: no break-in time, 1 to 1 fit, no sliding, etc. But there was almost an inch of dead space between my toes and the end of the shoe.

To be fair, it didn’t affect the performance of the shoe in any noticeable way, it just took some getting used to.

Coincidentally, I happened to order another pair of Pumas in a 13 and they fit better lengthwise than the Jordan 37. Maybe I just got a wonky pair, but I would say to go into a store a try them on.

Support

The Puma Court Rider 2 has more than decent support. Nothing crazy, but it gets the job done. The layering of the upper plus the lace cables helps keep your foot securely on the footbed. The forefoot provides a wide base to enhance stability, and there is a decent heel counter as well.

There is no visible torsional plate, however, and the shoe is pretty flexible. I didn’t have any problems with the setup, but if you like shoes where support is the main feature like the Nike Air Max Scorpion, these might not be for you.

Overall

I really enjoyed playing in the Puma Court Rider 2. At the moment, if I’m reaching for a “guard shoe” I’m reaching for the Puma Court Rider 2. I do like what they bring to the table performance-wise and the materials and aesthetics just happen to be my jam.

In closing, I should bring up their price. Nowadays, $110 seems to be a budget price point, which I think is a bit nuts. I was able to get my pair for $80, so going into my testing they felt like a budget shoe. I must admit that part of the reason why I like the Puma Court Rider 2 so much is that I perceived them as an “impressive budget model”. I don’t know if I would have been so impressed if I had paid full price.

Nike Giannis Immortality 2 Performance Review

Nike Giannis Immortality 2

The Nike Giannis Immortality 2 is a solid budget option that excels in traction and responsiveness. It’s almost identical to the previous Immortality model.

Release Date: 2022

Style Code: CZ0170-001

Price: $85

8/10

Total Score

Score Breakdown

Cushion:8.5/10

Materials:7/10

Fit:6/10

Support:8/10

Weight and Sizing

 

The Giannis Immortality 2 is a very decent budget model. No denying that. But, if you are a sneakerhead and familiar with the Giannis Immortality 1, it feels completely redundant. The Nike Giannis Immortality and the Giannis Immortality 2 are, as Mike Goldberg would say, “virtually identical”.

But the few changes Nike made on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second signature budget model are for the better so there is that, and the fact of the matter is (spoilers) that the Giannis Immortality was one of the best budget basketball shoes last year, so you can trust that the Giannis Immortality 2 is going to be an above-average performance model. Let’s get into it.

Traction

The traction pattern is identical to that of Giannis Immortality 1, which featured herringbone everywhere. There are 3 distinct sections to the traction pattern that you can see clearly as they are highlighted in two different colors: blue and volt yellow. The pink portions you can see peeking out in between the traction is the foam midsole.

The traction is very solid. It does need wiping in very dusty conditions, but on clean courts, I had zero issues. There are several sections of the traction that wrap up the midsole that help you on more extreme changes of direction and cuts. The shape of the shoe, the traction, and the cushion setup give the model a distinct “guard shoe” feel. And speaking of the cushion…

Cushion

The cushion on the Giannis Immortality 2 is a feature that some will love and others will hate. The cushion is great if you like responsiveness and court feel. If you are a bigger player and you want something with great impact protection, you might want to look elsewhere.

The setup is again, the same as on the Giannis Immortality 1: a slab of Phylon. Nothing else. Portions of which are caged by the outsole. The Phylon does take some time to break-in, but once it does, you get a nice responsive ride. Shifty, lighter players will enjoy this setup.

If you want a bit more cushion from the get-go you can pick up a pair of Move insoles in order to boost the shoe’s cushion from the jump.

Materials

The materials on the shoe are where you will see most of the changes from the previous model. On the Dunk Low, we have a very lightweight mesh upper with fuse overlays on high-wear areas. The tongue and heel of the shoe have some of the most synthetic leather portions you will ever see on a shoe. Similar to the Immortality 1 there’s a back section that feels like neoprene with a mesh wrap.

The materials are as cheap as they can get, but they are functional. The shoe is very lightweight and there is no break-in time whatsoever, and there are no containment issues. So we can’t really complain too much when we are talking about an $85 shoe.

Fit

The fit is another high point of the Giannis Immortality 2. The shoe fits true to size and fits like a glove. It might seem slightly snug at first but within a couple of minutes of play, the shoe conforms to your foot perfectly.

The 1-to-1 fit also contributes to the shoe’s all-around lockdown and helps you to feel secure on moves with more torque.

Support

Support is basic but effective. As I have mentioned, the upper keeps your foot safely locked down on the footbed. The shoe’s forefoot provides a wide base and features a substantial outrigger to keep you centered while spotting up for a shot, or changing directions.

The heel of the shoe is wide and rounded which creates a stable base. The beefed-up materials in the heel also help lock down the back section of the shoe.

Overall

The Giannis Immortality 2 is an above-average performance basketball shoe and a very good budget model. It’s a shoe that smaller, faster players will appreciate the most. The blend of performance features included on the Giannis Immortality 2 makes it a great option for guards.

On the downside, Nike displayed very little creativity when designing this shoe. If you already own the Giannis Immortality 1, there is no need to pick this model up. Also, even though I understand that this is one of the cheaper budget models from Nike, I still expect better material quality for $85, even as functional as the Giannis Immortality 2’s materials are.

Jordan Zion 2 Performance Review

The Jordan Zion 2 is different than its predecessor. Some changes are upgrades and some are downgrades.

Colorway: Half Blue/Pink Prime-Deep Royal Blue

Release Date: July 2022

Price: $120

 

8.5/10

Total Score

Zion Williamson hasn’t played for the New Orleans Pelicans since May 4, 2021, when he had a stat line of 23 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST, and 4 STL. That’s an excellent game for a second-year player. This is the potential of Zion if he stays healthy. His second shoe, the Jordan Zion 2, also has potential. It has elements like the traction and (partially) the cushion going for it, but there were adjustments made from the Jordan Zion 1 that don’t bode well for its potential on-court performance.

Traction

The traction is the best aspect and our favorite part of the shoe. It’s multi-directional and covers you on all movements. There are very few shoes that are going to bite as well as these, especially on lateral movements. There are levels to traction performance, and the Zion 2 is at the top-most level. Just note that about an hour of break-in time is needed for peak performance.

The grip is good outdoors, but it isn’t going to last long because the traction pattern is shallow. For as long as it lasts, though, you’re going to get an excellent experience.

Cushion

The cushion comprises an injected Phylon midsole with a heel Air Strobel unit and a standard forefoot Zoom Air unit. The heel does its job of impact protection, though don’t expect anything as plush as the Jordan Zion 1. The forefoot, however, is lower to the ground than you’d expect. The Jordan Zion 2 may have been made for a big player like Zion, but it will cater to the average wing and guard.

Materials

In one word: cheap. The front half is a mesh that allows for flexibility, while the rest of the shoe comprises poor-quality synthetics. The heel portion is incredibly disappointing because, although it has some cool graphics, it’s just felt. The tongue is a nylon material similar to the shoe’s inner lining.

Fit

We recommend true to size for everybody. Length-wise it’s perfect, and the width is accommodating enough for wide-footers. Narrow-footers also don’t need to worry because the forefoot strap works well to contain the feet.

The heel area is well-sculpted, though the Achilles pillows didn’t feel like pillows. The area where the rubber comes up the side of the midsole around the lateral midfoot can create some pinching. Watch out if that’s a typical trouble spot for your foot.

Support

This is the aspect of the shoe that feels like it was made for Jordan 37. It all starts with the wide base and the outriggers. If you remove the insoles, you can see the shank plate through the Air strobel heel unit. The rubber that comes up from the midsole adds more stability. If you get the right size, the Zion 2’s support will not disappoint you.

Overall

The Jordan Zion 2 will leave many satisfied with its performance on-court. There’s not much to complain about. This is a great option if you enjoy a low-to-the-ground, supportive basketball shoe. If you don’t mind the cheap materials and are willing to break in that traction, you’ll be ready to go. Just don’t expect to be dunking like Zion Williamson as soon as you put these on.

UA Curry 7 Review: Another Perfect Guard’s Shoe?

I’m coming a little late with a 2020 review of the latest Curry 7 but better late than never! So, you got $140 in your pocket, and you’re looking for a trustworthy pair of basketball shoes to play in. Perhaps this one will do the job just right? That’s what we’ll find out in my comprehensive Curry 7 review.

We’ll be covering the comfort & fit aspects, the shoe’s performance on the court, value for the price, and I’ll also compare it to the last model, the Curry 6 which I actually really liked.

SPEC SHEET

 

Model: Under Armour Curry 7

Build: Low-top

Weight: 13.2 oz / 374 g. (size 10)

Retail Price: $140

Cushion: Dual-layered HOVR & Micro G

I. COMFORT & FIT

 

SIZING ADVICE: TRUE TO SIZE ALL-DAY

Just as the Curry 6, the 7th model fits true to size for just about any foot shape. I’m a wide footer myself and just as I liked the fit on the 6, it’s more of the same feeling on the 7.

However, since the materials have been changed on the upper, the break-in process of the shoe was a bit longer for me, and putting them on for the first time didn’t feel as great as the Air Jordan 37.

This is nothing to worry about though – after the shoe adapted to my foot, I was reaping the full experience of the Curry 7 in about 5-7 days.

The materials aren’t even stiff or hard to break in, it just so happens that I’m a very wide footer.

I’m pretty sure the break-in process would be completely minimal for a regular footer, and the shoe would feel closer to optimal right from the start.

COMFORT: COMPACT & COMFY

In terms of overall comfort – I have no complaints. If you’re a fan of low tops, this one is one of the prime examples of a good fitting, comfortable, light, and secure shoe, all in a very minimal design.

I usually prefer mid-tops but if you’ve never tried a low before – I think this is a good one to get into.

I didn’t experience any slipping or containment issues, ventilation is mediocre but I don’t really care about that too much.

If I had to stack this one up to the previous Curry 6 – I’d give a very slight nod to the 6 just because of the softer knit materials used.

Nothing to take away from the 7 though – they’re very comfortable and if you don’t care too much about having more premium materials on board, then it really makes no difference.

II. TRACTION

 

A classic multidirectional herringbone traction pattern is back along with a radial pattern combo to better accompany quick movements from all angles.

What can I say – works just as good as it sounds. At this point, I think you shouldn’t even think about how good’s the traction on a Air Jordan. All of them excel in this area and this one’s just more of the same.

Pure grip on a wood court, dusty or new, just as aggressive bite outside on rubber & concrete courts. Once again the classic pattern choice proves it’s simply the best in the business.

I play mostly on a medium-condition wood court inside and in a park outside, made of synthetic rubber. Both courts felt great, I was barely wiping my outsoles as it was mostly not needed.

Thanks to the no-too-dense pattern of the outsole, dust isn’t much of an issue, even less so than on the Curry 6, so I guess you could say it’s a slight improvement.

OUTDOOR-READY OUTSOLE?

As for durability for outdoors, again, very similar to the 6. The rubber compound is not among the most durable, but from the few weeks of playing in them, I still don’t see any cracks or forms of deterioration on the outsole.

The grip itself is also just as good as it was from the start.

I do believe the rubber will start deteriorating soon if I keep playing outside so much, but this shoe isn’t really made for outdoors, so take it with a grain of salt.

I think if you’re looking to spend your money on an outdoor shoe specifically, this won’t really be it. But if you’ll be playing indoors and take them outside from time to time, I can absolutely see this lasting for a while.

III. CUSHION

 

A brand new setup is used on the Curry 7 – it’s a dual-layered setup, meaning HOVR sits on top, while Micro G sits on the bottom layer of the midsole.

Yeah, sounds good on paper, though it’s more of the same Curry style cushion, just as on the previous models.

I know it’s not much of a surprise for you but don’t expect to be walking on clouds or feeling any kind of bounce/spring from these.

This is a very low-profile, guard-orientated setup that will provide as much speed with zero sacrifices, mobility, and court feel will be at their maximum.

Though since the setup is not completely barebones with nothing in the heel, there is still some impact protection, so you won’t be blowing your knees out.

I personally prefer more cushion in general since it works better with my playstyle, so this will definitely come down to your personal preference.

Give ’em a shot if you’re looking for a very stable, quick, and responsive ride, with no restrictions or anything else to take away the speed of movements.

Though stay away from them if you’re looking to get maximum impact absorption and a soft, bouncy ride.

I do think the Curry 6 felt just a bit less firm than the 7 in my opinion. Despite all the marketing and bringing the beloved Micro G to the game in the Curry 7, I would actually stick to the Curry 6’s setup if I’m hunting for something balanced, catered towards more players than just low profile guards, shooters, etc.

Not saying the Curry 6 has a very bouncy and springy cushion setup – it doesn’t. Just comparing the two, I think the 6 is a bit closer to an in-between solution.

IV. SUPPORT

Just as traction goes, the support area tells a similar story. The Curry 7 does a fantastic job providing stability, support, and hardcore lockdown – but that’s no surprise since pretty much all Curry’s releases blow this category out of the water.

We’ve got a supportive upper and a snug, contained fit, an internal heel counter, outriggers for lateral protection and there’s the plastic flexible plate around the shoe’s heel & midfoot areas for even more stability.

This one feels like a tank, reminds me of the older LeBron’s back in the day, but the Curry 7 does it in a much lighter & minimalistic frame, which is really cool and shows how far basketball shoe technology has come.

Though due to the stiff upper, the plastic reinforcement, and overall rigid tank-like design, the shoe barely flexes, as the Curry 6 does.

I definitely don’t have any complaints about this though – I personally prefer this level of support over a small loss of flexibility.

If you’re really looking for maximum support and security – keep in mind that it comes at a cost of having the shoe a bit less flexible, and leaving your foot with a bit less mobility in terms of awkward movements.

But once again, this is totally a personal preference, I personally think this is a fantastic setup for my explosive play style.

For anyone who’s looking to feel freer and get more flexibility – taking a look at knit upper shoes might be a better idea.

V. BUILD & MATERIALS

 

It feels kinda weird to see a classic, OG material combo in 2020 but it’s what we get with the Curry 7.

The upper is pretty much mesh with synthetic fuse overlays, as well as plastic casings on the sides of the shoe. That’s what I meant when I was talking about the shoe being tank-like, and this upper adds to it for sure.

Compared to the way less hardcore Curry 6 upper, this one is almost the complete opposite. Yes, you’re getting a ton of support, containment, lockdown on these is insane, and the shoe is definitely very durable.

But as I’ve said earlier, the flexibility of the shoe and the material’s ability to move around more freely will be limited.

Ventilation is also something that’s not going to be ideal if you care about such, due to the synthetics taking up a larger part of the shoe’s upper.

So as you can tell, it’s not a very premium-like upper, and it seems a bit strange for a star’s signature shoe to be this way, but I don’t personally complain about it since it works from a performance perspective.

They’ll last longer and provide excellent comfort & performance on the court, so if you could get past the fact that you’re paying $140 for a 2011 style upper, then I think you’ll do fine with the Curry 7.

VI. OVERALL

 

I think it’s a killer performer, no doubt about it in fact. The Curry 7 will get the job done pretty much perfectly if you’re a lighter/lower profile guard, you need all the court feel you can get, and having firm & responsive cushion is your preference.

If you can get past the basic material combo, it won’t bother you playing – it’s just that coming with premium expectations while buying a signature shoe could likely leave some people disappointed.

But hey, the shoe is a beast and there’s no denying it, plus $140 is not a bad price compared to some $170-$200+ releases this past couple of years.

On Cloudvista Performance Review

On Running Shoes are almost ubiquitous in the United States. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen them on a medical practitioner’s feet at a doctor’s office or PT clinic. And have you been to a theme park lately? Scores of moms and Dads rock them as they read articles on smartphones while waiting in line with several talkative children. On is basically a yuppie movement at this point. And so, On is off to conquer new ground. Next stop, the great outdoors. The On Cloudvista takes On’s signature styling from the roads to the trails.

On Cloudvista

Release Date: March 2022

Price: $140

Weight: 9.88oz

Drop: 7mm

Sizing: Go up a 1/2 size

• Rundown: The On Cloudvista is a great-looking, comfortable shoe with a super grippy outsole and firm cushioning.

Pros

• Outsole
• Upper
• Devilishly Good Looks

Cons

• Cushion
• Rock Plate
• Narrow Fit

Pros

Outsole

When the On Cloudvista arrived, I liked the size and spacing of the lugs. The rubber used, called Missiongrip, is impressive. It gripped various trails well and performed admirably on slippery mud that’s often the bane of other trail shoes.

The Cloudvista was also flexible enough to handle bigger rocks and roots that made footing uneven without messing up my stride. The only problem with the outsole is the occasional rock getting stuck in the channel down the middle. That happens in some form or fashion with almost all trail shoes so I don’t see it as a big issue. Overall, I was impressed with the performance of Missiongrip and will definitely take notice when it pops up on other On shoes.

Upper

The mostly polyester upper almost looks like ripstop nylon with a different pattern. However, it feels much better than ripstop on foot. There’s no weird flexing and it hugs the foot nicely. On knows how to make a comfortable upper and this one is no exception. It’s built so well that I hardly even noticed the TPU overlays protecting the toe and heel until they deflected rocks, roots, or mud.

I could complain about the synthetic suede tongue (in my mind it cheapens the premium look On achieves) but at this point I’ve just come to expect it on all my On Dunk Low. One thing about the tongue and laces I’ll compliment is the lace garage. I love a nice lace garage on my trail running shoes to keep those laces from getting caught on stray branches. It’s a small but welcome touch that doesn’t necessarily add to the comfort but nails the convenience.

Devilishly Good Looks

The On Cloudvista is one of the best-looking trail shoes on the market. It’s just so well balanced. It could easily be worn casually as part of your after-outdoor activity, on the way to dinner, hiker chic fit. It fits well in upscale outdoorsy towns like Telluride, Park City, or Vail. It’s the only shoe that can go road to trail to dinner without missing a beat.

Cons

Cushion

Different On shoe, same story. The Cloudtec midsole is just a little too firm for my liking. I felt too many of the rocks and roots poking my foot. And that’s disappointing because I know modern trail shoes can do better (see the Air Jordan 37).

Rock Plate

Part of the reason I could feel the rocks and roots so pointedly (pun intended), is that the On Cloudvista doesn’t have a real rock plate. It just relies on the typical TPU On Speedboard that sits above the cushioning. The Speedboard is meant to flex, load energy, and provide pop upon toe-off. It’s not meant to shield your poor feet from sharp rocks. With its Cloudtec midsole, I’m not sure how On would implement a real rock plate, but I hope they figure it out on the next iteration of the Cloudvista.

Narrow Fit

Not only does the On Cloudvista fit about a half size small (go up a half size from your normal shoe size when buying it), it runs narrow. I can’t recommend my wide-footed friends grab this good-looking shoe. This is odd because On shoes are usually pretty accommodating and not something I expected going into testing.

On Cloudvista Summary

The On Cloudvista is a fantastic-looking, comfortable, versatile shoe with a super grippy outsole and firm cushioning. While wide footers should avoid the narrow fit, the Cloudvista has some good use cases. You can run in it, hike in it, vacation in it, and more. It’s one of those do-everything sneakers easily packed for a European vacation that features a bunch of city streets and mountain peaks. And as a bonus, your feet will look really good the whole way.