Adidas D.O.N. Issue 3 Performance Review

From the first time I saw them, I liked the D.O.N. Issue 3, aesthetically. Given they were reported to feature a Lightstrike foam midsole, that made me even more excited to try them, as the Dame 6 Lightstrike is one of my all-time favourite cushion set-ups. Moreover, I’d recently had a good experience in the D.O.N. Issue 2, so I had no reason to expect otherwise with the third iteration.

Let’s get into it!

Traction:

The outsole rubber used feels firm and seems very durable, even for extended outdoor play. The outsole works well outdoors, offering consistent bite and good grip across multiple outdoor surfaces.

It works well indoors on the hardwood too, again offering a consistent stop and change-of-direction. Like the D.O.N. 2, it’s a silent traction with no squeak. It doesn’t pick up a lot of dust, but a light wipe here and there won’t go astray, either.

Cushion:

As mentioned before, the D.O.N. Issue 3 offers a full-length Lightstrike foam midsole.

For those of you that like Lightstrike, you may be a little bit disappointed.

However, if you were worried about Adidas implementing Lightstrike in the D.O.N. 3, you need not be.

This iteration of Lightstrike feels just like the Bounce foam midsole used in the D.O.N. 2. It’s a lot more dense than the Lightstrike on the aj 1, to be sure. It is firm to the touch as well, but it doesn’t feel incredibly firm underfoot. You do get a nice small little bit of bounce in your step, paired with good impact protection. I found the foam cushion to offer a smooth ride throughout from heel to toe.

Overall I would say it’s a very well-balanced cushion set-up, and a good option for outdoor with it being full-length at an affordable price point.

Fit:

Just like with the D.O.N. Issue 2, if you’re a wide-footer like me, or you like an additional bit of wiggle room, you’ll want to go up half-a-size.

The D.O.N. line fits more like a traditional Nike sneaker, rather than some of the other Adidas offerings. While many people go half-a-size down in Adidas, citing additional width/length/toebox volume, you don’t need to do that with the D.O.N. 3. Those people should go true to size.

If you’re like me and usually go up half a size in Nike, that’s what I would recommend here. There isn’t even a lot of additional length at the end of the toe, just enough to where you avoid toe-jams (I’m someone that likes some length at the toe for that reason). If you’re someone that likes their toe right at the end of the sneaker, and you love a super-duper snug fit, you could consider going down half a size, although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.

I personally removed the elastic mid-foot band that sits below the laces and above the tongue. I felt this was way too tight and constrictive for me, and they felt much better after removing this. I also did feel some slight pinching & rubbing at my pinky toe for the first couple of wears, even despite going up half a size, but the materials broke in nicely and I didn’t notice this for very long at all.

Support:

The D.O.N. Issue 3 is an extremely supportive sneaker, and comes equipped with ample support features expected of any modern performance basketball sneaker.

The outsole is flat and the forefoot base is wide. You have the lateral TPU piece that extends down & around between the midsole foam and rubber outsole as the torsional support shank. You also sit within the midsole quite a bit for added lateral containment.

The upper material doesn’t stretch too much, while the support wings integrated into the lacing system aid with lockdown. There’s an internal heel counter with sturdy material overlays externally. Moreover, the heel area is extremely well-padded and really sucks your heel in and locks it into place. I found the heel/collar area of this sneaker very comfortable.

I never once experience a support issue with this sneaker.

Materials:

Nothing ground-breaking here.

The materials are textiles and synthetics, with a main build of a textile mesh upper, paired with synthetic overlays.

I must admit, the synthetic nubuck-style material at the eyelets and for the wing piece feel nice to the touch, kind of soft and buttery. It’s actually quite a nice material for an Adidas sneaker, especially at this price point. I’m not sure if other colourways feature the same sort of material, but mine did and I’m glad about it.

That takes care of it for my thoughts on the Adidas D.O.N. Issue 3.

If you liked the D.O.N. 2, you will like these very much. I’d say it’s an almost identical experience from 2 to 3 — which is not necessarily a bad thing.

I highly recommend the D.O.N. Issue 3 to those looking for an outdoor hoop shoe. The price (US$100) paired with the full-length cushion, durable rubber outsole and textile mesh upper all make for a sneaker that will hold-up without breaking the bank — and hopefully give the knees some reprieve for those harsh & unforgiving outdoor surfaces.

One last thing I will say before I finish up on this review — the insole that came with the Adidas D.O.N. Issue 3 is terrible. It was really thin, it was all scrunched up even when I first got them and took them out of the box, and I immediately removed them and replaced them with the insole from the D.O.N. Issue 2, which is much nicer relatively (still not a world-beating insole, but better than the ones I got!)

Price:

The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 3 retails for US$100 (AU$180)

Weight:

The Adidas D.O.N. Issue 3 in a men’s size US 11.5 weighs 440 grams (15.5 ounces)

Score:

I give the Adidas D.O.N. Issue 3 a score of 4.7/5.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Performance Review

Let’s get straight to the point: The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is a one-trick pony. But this pony does its one trick really well.

I might be biased, as over the past year, Asics has taken up a lot of my shelf space, from the impressive GlideRide 3 and springy Novablast 3 to the polarizing Superblast (which I can’t get enough of) and now the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25. But each model serves a purpose and fulfills that purpose well.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 25

Release Date: January 2023

Price: $160

Weight: M: 10.2oz, W: 9.0oz

Drop: 8mm

Sizing: True to Size

• Rundown: It’s not snappy, but the luxurious upper and cushion make it the perfect shoe for putting in a lot of everyday miles.

Reasons to Buy (Pros)

Comfort

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 shoe is a dream to slip into. Tons of FF Blast+ cushion under and around the foot. And with some added foam in the forefoot this time around, this is one of few shoes that can be described as “walking on a cloud.” (Editor’s Note: A very stable cloud.) Simply put, you just feel safe and secure with these on foot.

Build

Everything about the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 feels like it was thought out for a long time. The knit upper is near perfect, with a touch of stretch to conform to your foot, while not getting overly sloppy. The somewhat hidden eyelets keep a more streamlined aesthetic on the upper. And the super-stretchy knit tongue and ankle collar system remind you why Asics calls it their most comfortable shoe. But even the smallest details, like a nice wide pull tab on the heel, reinforce just how comfortable these are every time you wear them.

Reasons to Pass (Cons)

Singular Purpose

I said it up top, but the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is not a versatile shoe. It was built and intended for long, slow runs (or just wearing casually, which they are great at as well). You’re not going to feel any pop or snapiness when you try to pick up the pace. And honestly, that’s okay. We’re spoiled with so many shoes that have a lot of versatility, so consider these your recovery run SME. (Editor’s Note: SME is subject matter expert. I had to look that up. Can you tell Tyler’s day job is corporate? It’s a wonder he was able to write this review in between endless Zoom calls.)

Breathability

While I did all of my testing in January and February, I had no issues with breathability, but given the construction of the shoe, I surmise that warmer climates might not “gel” as much with these shoes. Thanks, I’ll see myself out…(Editor’s Note: Ba dum ching! Also, huge and lingering eye-roll.)

Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Summary

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is another great shoe from kd 15 sale, albeit, not one that will be showing up on speed days. While they might lack a touch of snap that you might find in other higher-cushion shoes, I think this shoe should be a strong contender for anyone who wants to treat their feet luxuriously during recovery runs or at slower paces. (Editor’s Note: They also easily pass the theme park test and have the style to be rocked casually in a bunch of settings. So while you don’t get running versatility per se, they are useful beyond running, unlike some of the stuff we test. Like…ahem…all the race day shoes.)

Reebok Nano X3 Performance Review

If you’re someone who got swept up into CrossFit at the height of its popularity, there’s a good chance you’ve owned multiple pairs of the Reebok Nano because it was the shoe that defined the sport. Our friend Jake Boly at ThatFitFriend put together a great retrospective on the tenth anniversary of the line a few years back. It really helps you understand how the Nano led to the current cross training shoe craze that includes the KD 15 Sale, Under Armour Project Rock line and so many more shoes from a bunch of brands that weren’t associated with what was a divisive sport for so many years.

But in that time, the Reebok Nano has gone from undisputed king of the functional fitness mountain to a shoe in fierce competition with those big brands we mentioned before along with established voices in the space like NoBull (now the sponsor of the CrossFit Games after Reebok ended that relationship amidst the controversy around the sport), Inov-8 and so many more.

Recently dubbed “The Official Shoe of Fitness,” the new Reebok Nano has seen major changes. The Reebok Nano X3 (available in several early colorways on Reebok.com now with a full launch slated for February 10th) arrived at the WearTesters offices early thanks to our friends at Reebok.
While Reebok provided these shoes to us for review, they have no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and have not attempted to influence the review.

You can also see the Nano X3 on our Best Cross Training Shoes, Best CrossFit Shoes, and Best Weightlifting Shoes lists.

Reebok Nano X3

Release Date: January 20, 2023

Price: $150

Weight: TBD

Drop: 7mm

Sizing: True to size

• Rundown: The Reebok Nano X3 is a return to form for the greatest training shoe line of all time. It’s been a long time since we enjoyed a Nano this much.

How do the Authors Train?

Arune Singh (age 41, 5’11”, 205lbs): Trains daily with functional fitness programming provided by Deadboys Fitness, founded by Colby “Seth Rollins” Lopez and Josh Gallegos. He has recently been training for 5Ks and looks for every opportunity to get some time on a heavy bag. Given his medical history of Sleep Apnea and Myasthenia Gravis, Arune’s focus is on lean muscle mass and getting down consistently to 190lbs, with a secondary focus on cardiovascular training and aesthetics. He works out in a home gym with a rower, air bike, bench, adjustable dumbbells, kettlebells, and either a cat or dog trying to obstruct him at every turn.

Drew Whitcomb (age 41, 6’6″ 195lbs): Trains daily with a focus on running, strength training, and mobility. He writes the majority of our running shoe reviews and runs a lot of miles both due to testing needs and his growing affinity for long-distance races. He recently completed the New York City Marathon. More marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races are in his future. His strength training and mobility regimen center around maintaining flexibility and lifting heavy to build power as a counterbalance to all the long-distance running he’s doing. His number one focus is staying injury free so he can keep up the sweet gig of reviewing shoes for a living.

What is the Reebok Nano X3?

The Reebok Nano X3 retains the “official shoe of fitness” moniker from previous iterations and says it’s “built to deliver reliable performance, game-changing comfort, and a show-stopping sleek and stylish, versatile design.”

The Reebok Nano X3 has a 7 mm drop. We’ll add the official weight once we get it.

Pros

A Truly Functional Fit(ness)

Arune: Let me be clear from the start – the Reebok Nano line remains one of my favorites of all time. But while I’ve bought every iteration of the shoe since the Nano 3, I’ve never kept a pair after the Nano 6 because the fit never quite felt as wide or as comfortable as those original pairs.

The Nano X, X1, and X2 (read our Nano X2 review right here) never quite felt right on my feet. They were too narrow in the midfoot (with a lot of pressure on my arches) and not wide enough for my wider forefoot. The X1 and X2 also structured their shoe in a way that I felt like I was always on my toes, ready to tip over, and too focused on balancing to really get the most out of my shoes. It also made going true to size a tough choice as being pushed forward made the shoe feel narrow but going a half size up felt too big.

The forefoot width was largely not an issue with the X2…but then again, I did return those shoes after one day.

The good news is that the Reebok Nano X3 has delivered a fit that’s perfect for me from the moment I first laced up my pair. This shoe is wide-foot friendly, allows you to really feel the floor below you, and is as stable as any functional fitness shoe I’ve tried in years. I put the Nano X3 through the grinder with lifts, plyometrics, cardio (rowing, air bike, sprints), and even casually, with zero complaints. The FlexWeave upper feels soft and luxurious, never fighting against me and feeling more like a premium running shoe than the tough textiles of most training shoes.

In short, it feels like the golden age of Nanos on my feet, and I couldn’t be happier with the fit. I put the shoes on, I do my workout, and I rarely think about them again (with some exceptions we’ll cover in the Cons).

Drew: Arune is right. The Reebok Nano X3 is the best-fitting Nano in a long, long time. The shoe cups the heel and midfoot nicely and then widens so there’s plenty of space for toe splay in the toe box. The Flexweave material used on the toe is a little stiff at first but breaks in and molds nicely over time. Even by the end of day 1, you’ll start feeling the forefoot molding to your foot.

And while the tongue is very similar to the tongue on the Nano X2, the Nano X3’s version works a lot better with the upper, adapts well to the ridge on the top of feet, and adds to the comfort and fit across the top of the foot.

It’s the type of fit that starts out good and improves over time. If you love it on first wear, you’ll only grow to love it more later.

Float(ride) on Clouds

Arune: Last year we cited the Floatride Energy Foam as a standout, and it’s a big part of why the Rebook Nano X3’s midsole is so damn good. All those activities I mentioned? I actually enjoyed doing them and didn’t think about switching to a different pair of shoes (though I ain’t running more than sprints in any training shoe, I blame Drew for ruining me with the Air Jordan 1).

This year, Reebok has added the “Lift and Run (L.A.R) Chassis System” which they describe as “new midsole technology built for stability when lifting and added cushioning for running and jumping.”

I won’t pretend to be an expert on shoe construction works, but the combination of the LAR and Floatride really does feel incredible underfoot with just enough cushion to make it comfy when you’re in some ass-to-grass squats and explosive on the way up, but not so much that I felt unstable at any point.

Drew: The LAR Chassis System is a plastic plate that’s scooped to increase the pop you get when you push off the forefoot. In our pictures, it’s the metallic blue portion of the shoe. This type of construction is now standard on most high-end running shoes because it purports to help toe off without increasing load. This sort of plate setup does make shoes stiffer, but the benefits are typically worth it.

In the Reebok Nano X3, I felt the pop on plyometrics and agility drills. Otherwise, it’s kind of dormant except that it makes the already stable Nano line even more supportive.

As for the Floatride foam, there’s not a ton of it, but it does provide some needed softness when walking and sprinting. When you’re not on the move, the Floatride isn’t squishy so you can be confident on squats and deadlifts where you need a stable platform to maximize the weight you can lift.

Get Hype’d for the Aesthetics

Arune: As of writing this review, we haven’t had a chance to see what other colorways of the Reebok Nano X3 will be available but the “Hype Pack” colorway not only looks premium with the red and blue accents, but it’s the kind of shoe I would absolutely wear casually here in Los Angeles – it just looks awesome.

We’ve talked about old-school Nanos and while I liked the aesthetics of many – especially the Nano 6 in the black and gum colorway – this feels like the first Nano where I may buy another colorway to wear casually.

I don’t know, Drew, do I need to expand on this with some vague speak about the lines and textures, or is “badass” a good enough summary?

Drew: Badass works just fine. The Reebok Nano X3 looks durable and aggressive. Exactly what you want from your go-to cross training shoe.

Cons

Break-in Required

Arune: My one big caution with this shoe is that it is very stiff on day one, namely in the midfoot and that took me a couple of workouts to solve. So if you want something that’s immediately soft you can go with the Under Armour Project Rock 5 (plenty soft) or the Nike Metcon 8 (medium soft). The Reebok Nano X3 won’t be that shoe on day one. I had to work through some pain on the lateral sides of my midfoot.

But it’s definitely worth the pain because after one day it was gone. However, be aware as it may give you pause on that first wear.

Drew: I mentioned this in the fit section, but you’ll have a break-in period over which the Reebok Nano X3 will get better and better. I felt the initial stiffness more in the forefoot near where my toes connect to my feet. But, as that stiffness faded, it became a secure, more 1-to-1 fit. And at that point, I stopped thinking about the shoes at all and could focus 100% on my workouts.

Heel Slippage

Arune: There’s not a lot that I didn’t love about the Reebok Nano X3, but I will say that as good as the fit is, there’s a good amount of heel slippage. It’s not enough that it has affected any of my sessions, but I’m also not doing rope climbs, box jumps, or CrossFit competitions where I could see this being an issue.

Drew: I actually didn’t experience this particular con. That could have something to do with my low ankle and heel bones. In fact, I had zero heel movement in the back of the shoe.

That means when your pair arrives from Reebok, wear them around the house for a couple of hours and see if you get any heel slippage. If you don’t, you’re likely not going to experience it in the gym either. If you do experience some slippage, try switching up the lacing and tightness. If you’re still getting slippage after that, it might not be the best shoe for your foot.

Is this for me?

Arune: Yeah, when I think about my day-to-day training, the Reebok Nano X3 is my new training shoe of choice. The cons – especially the heel slippage – are something to consider but short of being a professional-level CrossFit competitor I can’t see a situation where this wouldn’t be a solid choice.

I can’t see anything dethroning the Nano 6 as my all-time favorite Reebok training shoe, but this one certainly is a top five – if not top three – from the company and I think we’re all the better in a world where Reebok and Nike are competing for the top spot with athletes.

Drew: If you want to stick to the big brands, as of this moment, the Reebok Nano X3 is the best choice for a cross training shoe. It emphasizes lifting, but the springiness is appreciated for jumps and side-to-side movement. I think I’d only rank the GoRuck Ballistic Trainer and RAD One above the Nano X3 in my personal cross training shoe power rankings.

Is this for you?

Arune: As I said above, this is an excellent choice for anyone doing any kind of functional fitness or Olympic lifting. You’ll get an incredibly solid base and consistent performance, even if you might choose lifters or running shoes for some of your specific training modules.

But the Reebok Nano X3 is a shoe that can do it all and you’ll probably want to do it all in these shoes.

Drew: The Nano X3 can handle everything in the gym except maybe super heavy Olympic power cleans and any running that’s not sprint-focused. That makes it a versatile shoe that delivers everything most gym-goers need.

Reebok Nano X3 Summary

Arune: I’ll give you the pull quote right here – the Reebok Nano X3 is a return to form for the greatest training shoe line of all time.

It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a Nano and I hope that this means we’re on the verge of the line truly reclaiming the glory of its earliest years.

This one is definitely worth the pickup, and I’m already thinking about grabbing another pair when Reebok drops one of their collabs (because we know I’m a sucker for that whether it’s shoes, cereal, or frankly, anything).

Drew: The Reebok Nano X3 isn’t the perfect shoe, but I’m confident any typical gym goer that purchases it will have a great experience. They’ll also get a long-lasting shoe that, after a break-in period, is one of the most comfortable Nanos ever. True, $150 feels steep for a cross training shoe, but by the end of 2023 I think most cross trainers will be around that price point. Sigh. It’s more a reflection of the inflationary time period we’re living in than anything else.

One Mix Light Armor Performance Review

One Mix, founded in 2013, is a growing Chinese footwear manufacturer that started popping up in our Instagram feeds a few months back with an intriguing running shoe. At Jordans 2022, we love trying new shoe brands, so when One Mix reached out, we quickly agreed to test the shoes. The shoe in question, the One Mix Light Armor, is marketed as a hybrid marathon training and racing shoe. And tech specs show it has all the typical marathon racing shoe bells and whistles such as a carbon fiber plate, proprietary foams, and air pockets.

But can the One Mix Light Armor compete with the extremely crowded and very good marathon running shoe category? Let’s find out.

One Mix Light Armor

Price: $130

Weight: 8.7 oz.

Drop: 8mm

Sizing: True to size

Pros

Chris Chung: You can’t ignore the fact that this is a carbon-plated shoe starting at $129.99!

The starting price for a carbon-plated shoe usually starts above $200, so that in itself is a huge plus. Now you might be asking, “does the performance of this shoe fit in the same category as some of those other super shoes?”… my simple answer is “no.” But there are still a few features of this shoe that can’t be ignored and make it a great choice.

First is the carbon plate itself. It’s very responsive without being overly aggressive. So training with the OneMix Light Armor could be a great option in the weekly shoe rotation.

Secondly, the midsole is nicely cushioned with an excellent rocker shape for a smooth toe-off. I really found myself settling in nicely on my longer runs, with my stride feeling smooth.

Drew Whitcomb: I wasn’t enthused with the midsole setup of the One Mix Light Armor but I’ll get into that in the cons section. What did stand out was the breathability. The Light Armor’s engineered mesh is barely there and allows an incredible amount of airflow. This is how summer running shoes should be built.

I also enjoyed the padding on the heel collar. It added comfort to a shoe that didn’t nail the fit so it was appreciated.

Finally, the traction, of which I was originally skeptical due it’s repeating starfish pattern ended up working quite well. It’s not top of the line like any shoe with Puma Grip, but it only slipped in the typically difficult spots (like mildewy boardwalks).

Cons

Chris: Something just feels off about the fit of the upper. Even though the “Engineered Mesh” was extremely breathable, there was just too much room, especially in the toe box area.

The lacing system was also way too close together. When I tightened the laces, it didn’t do anything.

There was also a very interesting concept with the lacing system that is supposed to tighten around the heel to further lock down the foot. But as mentioned before, I wasn’t able to tighten the laces properly for this feature to be effective.

Overall, my foot just felt lost inside the shoe.

Drew: I agree with Chris that the fit is the weakest point of the One Mix Light Armor. The width was very accommodating and will work for wide footers. But there’s not a foot in the world that can get the bubbly toebox and interesting yet ineffective lacing system to provide good lockdown.

The laces, as Chris mentioned, don’t do anything. I wish they did because the top lace loop connects to a pull tab at the heel to create a “heel tension belt” that looks like it could lock down the heel similar to a runner’s loop. With the whole lacing system basically doing nothing, I couldn’t get the heel tension belt to work as promised. I love the concept though. I hope One Mix refines it in the future.

Differing from Chris, I really didn’t like the ride of the One Mix Light Armor. True, the rocker shape is good but I found the foam/air/plate combo to be really firm and dead. It didn’t give me the bounce I expect from a modern marathon racing or long distance shoe. The foam feels like basic EVA and even the visible air pocket feels overfilled. A shoe needs softer cushion to KD 15 out the stiffness of a carbon fiber plate and One Mix wasn’t able to deliver that here.

One Mix Light Armor Summary

Chris: I can see myself reaching for the One Mix Light Armor on long runs, as the midsole setup was very comfortable and responsive. It carried me through later into my runs on tired legs. The roomier fit wasn’t terrible for, the slower paces on longer runs. But I wouldn’t choose these on race day, as the fit was not locked down, and taking turns at a faster pace could become problematic. With all the major brands, it’ll still be tough to find a shoe that performs like this for under $150.

Drew: The One Mix Light Armor has an interesting value prop but even around $130 there’s many better long distance running shoes. And this certainly isn’t a race day shoe. Not even close. I won’t touch this shoe again now that the test is over. It’s just not a very good running shoe. I do, however, hope One Mix learns from its first effort at making a high end running shoe and delivers something truly competitive with their next shoe.

New Balance Two WXY V3 Performance Review

The New Balance Two WXY V3 is a shoe we can easily recommend, and it appears on several of our best basketball shoe lists. We hope people give it a chance.

Colorway: Black with blue

Release Date: 2022

Price: $120

9/10

Total Score

New Balance is still climbing up the basketball footwear ladder. Going toe to toe with Nike, Jordan, and adidas isn’t easy for any brand, even for one with a history as big as New Balance. However, we have in our hands a basketball performance model that feels like one of the best of the year: the New Balance Two WXY V3. The previous two models were great, and these take the on-court performance features a notch higher.

The New Balance Two WXY V3 is also featured in overall Best Basketball Shoes, Best New Balance, Best for Shooting Guards, Best for Small Forwards, Best for Power Forwards, Best Outdoor Basketball Shoes, and Best for Ankle Support.

Traction

Bryan: Two areas of the Two WXY V3 absolutely hold ground against any shoe on the market, and the first one is traction. An abstract pattern based around circles in the high-contact spots, the traction absolutely stuck to anything I played on. The circles actually make a suction-cup “POP” sound when walking (you can hear it) and that’s exactly what they feel like on court. The rest of the pattern is lines running mostly laterally around the circles, and in most cases, this would be a problem when sliding on defense (you want the pattern to be perpendicular to the movement to grip), but with the circles in the middle, they just feel smooth and easy. The grooves are spaced wide enough that dust was not an issue and honestly I am not sure I wiped even one time during the three weeks I have been playing in them.

Outdoors? Honestly, I don’t know. The rubber isn’t really hard, and the grooves aren’t really deep, but they feel like they would last as long as they weren’t an every day, three hours per day on rough concrete shoe (rotate your shoes!). But, I did say “I don’t know,” so don’t blame me if I am waaaay wrong on this.

Stan: The Two WXY V3 takes queues from the Two WXY V2 with a wide-based rubber outsole. While the rubber is thin just like the V2, the whole outsole covers you on every movement you make. The circular cored-out portions of the shoe along the heel and forefoot (right below the ABZORB DRS – Dynamic Response System) almost act like suction cups to the floor. However, it doesn’t prevent movement once you go through your foot-lift transition. These would also work outdoors well but don’t expect them to last long on the rigors of the blacktop.

Cushion

Bryan: Probably my least favorite aspect of the shoe and even then I still liked it. New Balance is using a FuelCell midsole with ABZORB inserts in the heel and forefoot. This isn’t the FuelCell from the runners (DAMMIT!!!! – that stuff is AWESOME), but it still absorbs impact and bounces back underfoot quickly. The ABZORB feels quick and stable and, again, not a lot of soft compression but the stiffer setup feels quick and agile. If you are looking for a soft, pillowy feel from NB, look at the Two WXY V2. The V3 feels much more like the V1 or the Kawhi 2. Again, these are great for players looking for that extra quick first step and quick changes of direction, and I loved the stability coming off screens and planting for jumpers or elevating in the paint on drives – whatever move I wanted to make the shoe was RIGHT THERE with me, but if you are looking for that extra bounce or pillowy feel on landings definitely look somewhere else like the Nike LeBron 20 or Nike KD 15.

Stan: A combo of FuelCell Foam and ABZORB pillars at the heel and forefoot provide ample responsiveness in all facets. This shoe is literally made for those who want the ultimate court feel. For my part, I prefer the cushion setup from the V2 over the V3 due to my size (so if they do make a variety of cushion setups between the V2 and the V3 to select from that would be dope), but it’s nothing a Move Game Day Pro insole can’t fix. But that’s beside the point, this shoe gives you all the nooks and crannies.

Materials

Bryan: Weird. That’s the best way to describe it, and the tongue logo kind of ties in – the material looks like a brain, especially the colorways with the added hits in the upper. It’s a soft textile with added padding in areas around the midfoot lacing and medial arch area. It’s super flexible and comfortable and lets the shoe wrap your foot without getting in the way. It doesn’t exactly feel durable, except for the big toe area with the fuse layer, so beware of toe drags outdoors. The way it feels on foot is amazing. The heel and tongue areas are medium padded – not overly thick (like the Trae 2 from adidas) or super thin (Jordan 37), just a nice amount to hug the foot and keep lace pressure away.

Stan: The materials of the shoe are comprised of a Textile wrap-around upper, midfoot TPU shank plate for torsional rigidity, FuelCell midsole combined with ABZORB cushioning, and depending on your pair either solid or translucent outsole. Not bad New Balance…not bad at all.

Fit

Bryan: The second-best aspect of the New Balance Two WXY V3. One thing New Balance has always had on lockdown is fit. I mean, they do offer wide shoes for basketball, so fit is on their mind. I already talked about the upper and how the material feels wrapping your foot. Taking it further, the N logo is integrated into the lacing, forming a strap system over the foot and pulling you into the shoe. It’s honestly one of the best uses of a logo I have ever seen – functional, sleek, and still branded.

I am a semi-wide footer (I’ve been going up to an 11 in Nike’s recently because of it) and these in a 10.5 (TTS) fit me perfectly. The heel is locked in using the padded ankle, and the top lace comes back far enough to lock you in completely. The lacing system reaches right to the toebox and holds you tight. Enough said – the fit is perfect.

Stan: I was gifted a pair by the good people over at NB in my true-to-size, and I highly suggest staying true-to-size. If you wear an ankle brace – I suggest bringing them with you to try the shoe one, or if you can’t go to the store, I definitely suggest 1/2 size up. Anything other than true-to-size would be both a disservice to the shoe and your foot.

Support

Bryan: Wide base. Great lacing. Lockdown in the heel. The foot sits down in the midsole. Solid heel counter. Midfoot shank. All of the above are aspects of a shoe with great support and stability, and the New Balance Two WXY V3 has them all. Yes, it is cut low (although it’s not as low as it appears) but by now, surely we know, it’s not the ankle height that matters. With the wide base and stiff cushioning, elevating for jumpers while moving is easy (a stable base equals better form – now you know). The stiffer heel cushioning isn’t as easy on impacts but doesn’t compress and deform under pressure, so if you land on your heels, you won’t roll those ankles over.

Stan: The New Balance Two WXY V3 has been great as far as support goes. I never had any stability issues, and I played my normal game without any hesitations. The bite from the traction really helped maintain my movements and balance, while feeling totally locked down in the shoe. The minor caveat I have with the shoe is the lacing structure. Because of its unique lacing structure, I find that area of the midfoot where the New Balance N wrapped up along the top of my foot – if I lace too tight – really start to dig into the top of my foot. That definitely felt uncomfortable. The other thing for me is the lack of enough cushioning just based on the way I play and what I need. This is strictly compared to how much I love the way the V2 feels. This is not a total knock at all, I just wish the V3 had the same plush feel.

New Balance Two WXY V3 Overall

Bryan: New Balance has been soooo close to making “the shoe” over the past couple of years. The Omn1s was the beginning and was a serious shoe, but they were too new. The Kawhi 1 was too stiff for the masses, and the Two WXY 1 was a top shoe for me. I still even see them at the gym today. The Two WXY 2 was waaaaay under the radar, and the Kawhi 2 was DOA because he didn’t play last year. The New Balance Two WXY V3 is different. With the Murray’s rocking some clean PEs (Jamal and Dejounte) and Lavine wearing these in the classic Chi-Town black/red/white, this is THE shoe to break out for New Balance. Easy to wear, easy to play in, and easy to look at – it has it all. Priced at $120, it’s accessible to all consumers, and with the colorways we have already seen, there’s something for everyone. If you are looking for a do-it-all shoe on every level, then you found it. The only reason NOT to try them is if you just don’t like the letter N, and that’s just weird.

Stan: The shoe has all the bells and whistles to be named one of the top ball shoes of the year. Yeah. I said it. No hesitation whatsoever – even with the minor gripes I detailed in the support section. It’s honestly one of those shoes where you grab it knowing you’re ready to do battle. I highly recommend the shoe without hesitation. Cheers New Balance, you have a winner here.