Funny enough, it so happened that I’ve played in both the Witness 5 and now the 6 for the exact same amount of time. The only difference is I had the ability to switch it up with some indoor hoops with this one. With that, here’s my detailed indoor & outdoor LeBron Witness 6 review from a hooper, to a hooper.
I HIGHLY encourage you to delve deeper into some of these less expensive takedown models like those in Nikey’s LeBron Witness line, as most of ’em proved to be excellent performance sneakers for the money. They’re not exactly groundbreakers but they’re such good cost-effective shoes and the 6 looks to do more of that.
But did it succeed after the fantastic 4 & 5 models that I had such a good time with? Let’s break it all down.
I. SPEC SHEET
click to inspect the full-sized image
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
For those in a hurry: the LeBron Witness 6 from Nike might just look like a further improvement from last year’s model but it’s more than that. Mostly not in a good way.
It gave me a good fit for my wide feet since the toebox is fairly roomy, as well as solid traction with deep groves capable of lasting a long time, even for outdoors.
The open mesh & nylon build is about what we’d come to expect in the current era of performance footwear, and this upper performed well after a short break-in period.
The problems started the moment I began playing a more intense match close to full pace.
The lateral portion of the shoe’s Air Max cushion is exposed, causing it to overcompress upon a more akward foot plant and make the shoe roll outwards.
This is a pretty serious issue as I actually rolled my ankle twice due to this. I haven’t rolled my ankle for a full 2 years up until this point.
This is why it’s tough to recommend this one to anyone who’s a hooper.
It could’ve been a very decent shoe but now, all that’s left is a pretty silhuette for casual wear, an option quick shootarounds with your pals, or if you’re a linear-dominant player that doesn’t play at a high pace, you might just be able to get away with it.
Fan of the Witness series? The 4th and the 5th shoe are still your top options at the moment.
III. FIT & COMFORT
How’s the sizing situation and are these comfortable? Anything else to know fit-wise?
SIZING GUIDE
The LeBron Witness 6 is a better wide footer’s choice than the last two models, I’ll give ’em that.
Regardless, most guys should stick with their usual size for these. I found that the midfoot & heel portions fit just how you’d expect from today’s average basketball shoe: snug and secure.
The forefoot is where things got a little more roomy than usual, and while I greatly appreciate such nuance for my wide feet, hoopers with a more narrow foot or those who are more accustomed to a one-to-one fitting formula might find these a little ways from ideal.
Still though, I wouldn’t recommend going down half a size for anyone. The length is pretty much perfect, so stepping down might do you more harm than good.
The back of the toebox (right above the little Nikey logo) is fairly tall, and I’ve seen users report having a bit of room over there. Nothing crazy, just something to remember.
I’ve also got a tall midfoot bone which is why these fit me pretty much perfect right from the start. Yes, by now you realize my feet are thiiick.
I did feel some pressure on the lateral portions of the forefoot though, particularly where the foam of the midsole comes up to the material.
It just so happened to align with the widest part of my foot, so I did feel some discomfort at first.
But as the days went by, this soon resolved itself as the material stretched out a little. The little foam barrier did its part too, slightly softening up and better moving with my foot.
Now, I’ve reached a point where I can still feel my pinky colliding with the material at certain movements but it doesn’t get in the way anymore. It kind of just happens without consequence. No pain, no suffocation, or anything like that.
COMFORT
Taking sizing out of the equation, the Witness 6 is a fairly comfortable shoe.
I didn’t have rocket-level expectations just like I didn’t with the 4 & 5 and it’s exactly what I got: distraction-free action. Comfort-wise that is.
There’s a bit of padding on the seriously large tongues of the shoes and the ankle area isn’t padded that much. Though it sits in place very securely and that’s all I need over there.
The sneaker is also pretty light-feeling for a LeBron model despite the beefy bottom portion. The extremely minimal build up top is the biggest factor here.
I did feel some slight pressure on the area where the second and third lace eyelets reside (counting from the top). It seems that the pressure from the laces goes right through the thin tongue and my tall midfoot bone is there to soak it all in.
It’s not as laughably terrible as it was on the LeBron 19 but still something I thought about from time to time. Not a dealbreaker by any means though, so don’t get it twisted.
Overall, nothing terrible can be said about the fit of the LeBron Witness 6. It should fit most foot shapes well, the laces allow for plenty of customization, and they’re nice and easy to put on.
IV. TRACTION
How does the shoe grip a variety of surfaces? Do dust/debris matter for these? What about outsole durability?
NDOOR PERFORMANCE
The shoe sports a classic herringbone pattern from heel to toe along with a large flex groove in the midfoot area for weight-reducing & flexibility purposes.
The thread of this pattern is deeeep. And I mean Retro-level deep. The rubber is also thick and hard, so all of this immediately tells you it’s a cheaper Nikey shoe built primarily for outdoors.
I did manage to put some hours in a high school gym for the Witness 6. I hooped on a rubberized court which is even softer than your classic hardwood, so shoes that don’t have good base bite usually don’t perform too well over there.
Luckily, I had a decent time with these on this court.
Such hard rubber actually needs some time to break in and allow for better compression which means the pattern will be able to cover more ground upon each foot plant.
This is why I didn’t get an ideal bite during the first few hours but things quickly stabilized without me even noticing. We had a lot of guys in the gym on that particular day of initial testing, so we started a 5v5 match with me thinking about how subpar this traction is.
About an hour in, I didn’t even notice that I was seamlessly playing and biting the floor about how I normally would, and only at the end of the game, I actually stopped and realized that all is good now.
The base level of grip was nice, stops were decent with no huge delays or slip-outs, and an occasional wipe or two even now and then was all I needed to maintain a healthy bite.
Granted, the floor I played on is regularly maintained since it’s a high school gym.
Now, I’m not saying this is elite-level traction. It’s not, despite the ultra-aggressive-looking outsoles. You can tell it’s a setup catered more towards outdoor play since such hard and thick rubber isn’t as good at catching your movements on a less abrasive surface.
The thread simply doesn’t move as well as it does on more traditional indoor outsoles which are thinner and more pliable. It’s a bit of a trade-off in durability and actual traction indoors.
I was still fine though, just don’t expect something you’d find on Kyrie or a Curry model in terms of grip.
This is where these outsoles straight from the 2000’s really start to shine. Outdoors, I take my shoes on a classic concrete surface and a rubberized tennis court-like stadium surface.
Both surfaces brought no issues for the Witness 6, just as I expected. This is about as good as it gets for those who are primarily outdoor hoopers and looking to get the most bang for their buck.
You’ll be able to forget about dust/debris piling up in the thread as well. Well, almost. Such a deep pattern might easily attract a lot of nasty stuff inside but since the grooves are so deep, it barely affects the traction.
And that’s exactly how it was with the LeBron Witness 6 for me. No sliding, no wiping, no hassle. I did wipe ’em down periodically but mostly out of habit rather than out of necessity.
No surprises here – outdoor players who are looking to get a cost-effective shoe for a long time should definitely consider this one.
Such outsoles should last a damn while, and I’m talkin’ multiple seasons. It’s really a shame most higher-tier Nikey shoes don’t offer such reliability since they’re primarily focused on their signature athletes and performance for the hardwood.
I guess we can’t get everything.
So, about 4 months of on and off action with these in the park meant almost no damage to the rubber of the outsoles. Not visually, not performance-wise. They’re dirty but that’s about it.
I also regularly clean out my outsoles almost after every session, and that helps with preserving almost out-of-the-box traction every time I step on the court.
I do expect the thread to get a little thinner by the end of the season but that doesn’t mean traction will completely get messed up.
I’ve had plenty of outdoor shoes still biting very well despite their outsoles being visually torn apart.
Good rubber beats all.
V. CUSHION
How’s the impact protection & energy return of the cushioning? What about ride height, step comfort, and stability?
The shoe utilizes a large Air Max unit as the main component of the cushion along with a traditional foam midsole (likely Phylon) to accompany the rest of the ride.
The Air Max unit isn’t actually full-length, despite Nikey claiming otherwise. It runs all the way to the beginning of the forefoot area but it’s all foam from there.
The flex groove you see on the outsole basically separates foam from Air Max, so everything you see on the medial side from the flex groove is all foam.
It is known that Air Max can take a bit to offer the feedback that it intends to. It’s also known that it’s one of the less resilient compounds from Nike.
Both of those statements were true to the Witness 6. The ride definitely felt a little stiff and clunky the first day of playing and things gradually got smoother.
The heel area is surrounded by rubber which makes heel plants anything but Air Maxy and step-in comfort is decent at best the rest of the way. Even after giving this setup some time to break in.
Air Max is chunky too which means ride height will be elevated and I felt that. Definitely not a low-profile setup here, so shifty guards or quick shooters might not find this ride optimal.
Even the forefoot portion felt more slightly elevated than a traditional setup where things get gradually thinner going to the forefoot and court feel becomes the priority there.
This ties us into the biggest issue of the shoe. The only place where I’d actually feel nicer feedback from the cushion is the lateral portion. This is where the Air Max unit is fully exposed and there’s nothing to keep it in check.
But why? This is the most critical area for hoopers as we need to ensure the elevation created from the cushion is as stable as possible to prevent awkward foot plants or ankle rolls.
You’d usually see this area of the midsole protected the most, while here it’s quite the opposite.
I actually rolled my ankle twice about a month in of play with the Witness 6. One time I landed on someone’s foot following a rebound and the other, it was just a simple change of direction laterally.
Granted, neither situations were severe sprains and I was ready to go back on the court the same day. The point is, I haven’t rolled my right ankle for a good two years now. Not once.
I worked hard on solving this issue as I couldn’t rack up more than a few games without at least partially spraining my right ankle a few years back.
It seems that hooping in a shoe like this caused enough instability for it to happen after all this time and I feel like I needed to be super aware of my foot placement for the next 3 months I spent with the sneaker.
The Air Max unit simply overcompresses if I planted my foot in a more awkward position or landed on the side of my foot, thus promoting an outward motion of the shoe and possibly endangering myself to an ankle roll.
The last time I saw something like this was on the Nikey Air Zoom BB NXT it wasn’t as intrusive there. The LeBron 17 was also quite unstable (if I remember correctly) but none of the shoes came close to this one.
And remember what I said about the reliability of Air Max? About 3 months in, the experience got even duller as the Air Max started bottoming out which took away some of the compression where it was most felt.
I’m not saying things are completely dead now – they’re not. In fact, I think it actually helped with the stability issue as the unit doesn’t compress as much now, plus it’s a bit lower to the ground now.
For a hundred bucks, I can appreciate we’re still getting some tech in our shoes but at what point does that become obsolete when actual performance doesn’t live up to the visual flair this ages-old Air Max idea is still standing on?
Regardless, I still believe this setup could’ve been saved by ensuring it’s optimized and stable, even if it is Air Max.
Now, I feel like it doesn’t make sense to recommend the shoe to anyone because of the dangers associated. Not even for a casual hooper going out to play with the guys on Sundays.
VI. SUPPORT
How much support vs. mobility does the shoe offer? How about foot containment?
The LeBron Witness 6 has all the critical support features you’d see on most shoes implemented.
There are excellent internal heel counters for ankle & heel lockdown along with these plastic shark fin-looking plates on both sides of the heel for containing the back of the foot in place.
The forefoot area of the shoe is also protected with subtle foam sidewalls, again, for proper containment at the front.
There are also these nylon bands on each side that run through the laces and go around the midfoot to further pull down on the area for a locked-in feel.
No complaints there – works as intended and my foot never moved an inch inside the footbed.
Torsional rigidity is also there due to the stiff nature of the midsole.
But all of this doesn’t save the shoe from the fact that the cushion isn’t properly stabilized laterally. I feel like Nikey was aware of this and threw everything else they got support-wise (for the budget they had to work with of course).
I don’t think I have to tell if it’s a sub-optimal solution. Lateral stability can be straight-up awful with these at times, despite other aspects delivering.
They could’ve at least widened the base of the shoe at the forefoot to help save some of the stability but even that’s not the case. No real lateral outriggers either.
Some of the decisions behind the creation process of the shoe just seem strange to me. I’m sure there were reasons behind this but we’ll never know.
However, that doesn’t justify the downsides a lot of hoopers could potentially experience. Especially when we’re talking about an increased risk of injury.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the materials used throughout the shoe and how do they perform on-court? What about reliability?
BUILD OVERVIEW
The Nike LeBron Witness 6 features an upper fully in line with the rest of the performance shoe lineup of the modern era.
Lightweight open mesh serves as the base layer and nylon cables run all the way throughout the upper on top of the mesh for added strength.
The back portion of the shoe seems to feature a screen mesh type of material that’s scratchier and cheaper but sturdier. The build as a whole is extremely thin and lightweight though which is always nice to have.
The tongue & ankle areas are lightly padded with foam, the heel sidewalls are made from TPU (hard plastic) and the outsoles is, of course, all rubber.
The shoe utilizes a traditional construction with laces and a separately sewed-on tongue. No internal booties or inner sleeves are to be found here.
PERFORMANCE
I didn’t have any major issues with the performance of such a build, as we’ve all come to expect that now.
The upper, particularly the forefoot, actually started off a bit stiff as each linear motion that caused the shoe’s flex point to bend caused some discomfort. I do believe my thick feet played a role in this but still.
This went away fairly quickly and a few days of action resulted in a solid experience. The build moves well with each movement, containment is great for such a minimal setup, and the breathability of this mesh actually surprised me.
We rarely get properly ventilated basketball shoes nowadays (and even less so in the past), not that I’m eagerly looking for that.
However, the Witness 6 definitely offered a cool ride as there’s a good amount of airflow due to this open design.
Guys who are constantly hooping in a hot climate under the sun – you shouldn’t feel any worse than you normally would with these.
RELIABILITY
Honestly, this performance shoe industry has become so good in providing modern synthetic builds that are both minimal AND durable, that it’s becoming less and less relevant to even mention the build’s reliability at this point.
Brands are constantly innovating in this aspect, consistently making small changes to their product each year and coming up with solutions of how to make a shoe light & comfy but also properly structured.
This can be seen on the Witness 6 – thin mesh by itself would be pretty flimsy but add strategic nylon reinforcements to the mix and we’ve got an upper that will both last and perform.
I’m not seeing any severe damage with these 4 months in beside a few small frays along the toebox. The outsoles are looking solid as well.
I feel like this Air Max cushion setup will completely bottom out faster than this build will get damaged to the point where it would matter.
Of course, it’s not the MOST durable upper you can get today as there are much thicker and better-structured builds for the likes of athletic high-flyers, 7-foot big men, or 260 lbs attackers built like tanks.
But if you don’t happen to fall in any of the categories – you’ll be fine. This upper should last as long as you need it to.
VIII. OVERALL
Closing out the LeBron Witness 6 review: are they worth it? How versatile are they? Worthy of an upgrade from last year’s model?
The LeBron Witness 6 review is coming to a close and so are my expectations for the next Witness shoe. Unfortunately. They say expect disappointment and you’ll never get disappointed, right?
I’ll keep it to myself as to where I got that quote from.
Well, the shoe could’ve been very decent for the money if the core issues would’ve been addressed and corrected. But in this case, these issues simply make the shoe a hard sell for just about anyone, honestly.
I had moments of fun with these since they’re not all terrible and the stability issues didn’t plague me 100% of the time. But I’d be lying if I said I’ll continue playing in the Witness 6 after this review is done.
A company like Under Armour always feels like the first choice for workout apparel but it’s not one that’s ever felt like the first choice for fitness shoes. But the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 is, by all measures, a shoe that should change that for anyone who gives it a chance.
This review was written by Arune Singh. Arune is a twenty-year veteran of the entertainment industry and is Director of Brand, Editorial for Skybound Entertainment. He was previously an exec at Marvel, Syfy, and BOOM! Studios. You can find his published writing in various graphic novels and nonfiction books. You can follow him for sneaker, comic book, and entertainment commentary on Twitter or Instagram.
I’ve been doing functional fitness with Reebok Nanos and Nike Metcons for as long as I can remember, with the occasional Under Armour shoe sprinkled in (shout out to the Project Rock Delta). I was able to purchase the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 because I won a gift card from Jake Boly at That Fit Friend when I commented on his TriBase Reign 4 review. Once I got the shoes, I messaged Drew (a WearTesters cofounder) in the WearTesters Discord telling him I’d be interested in writing a review. He replied with “hell yeah, let’s do it”. So here we go. Enjoy my first sneaker review.
Under Armour TriBase Reign 4
Release Date: 2022
Price: $120
Weight: M: 11 oz, W: 10 oz
Drop: 2mm
Sizing: True to size but slightly long
Rundown: Versatile, low drop workout shoe that’s perfect for heavy lifting.
Pros
Great for wide feet
Solid base
Low drop
Versatile
Cons
Sizing
Terrible laces
Cardio cushioning
Pros
Great for Wide Feet
As a wide footer, it’s not easy to find functional fitness shoes that allow my toes to spread out and thus allow me to really grip the floor. The Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 fits incredibly well around my feet, with a much wider forefoot than the Nike Air Force 1, Reebok Nano X1, or any non-barefoot training shoe. It’s a welcome relief. If you don’t have a shoe that lets your toes splay while lifting heavy, grab one. It’s a great experience.
Solid Base for Heavy Lifts
I remember trying the Project Rock 4 (which also features a TriBase outsole) and thinking the sole had a ton of potential but the shoe felt too unstable. The Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 delivered exactly what I wanted by utilizing the TriBase tech in a way that gives this shoe great grip and stability on even the heaviest deadlifts. It’s also really great for single-leg movements like RFESS (Rear Foot Elevated Split Squats).
Low Drop
A big part of why I love this shoe is the 2mm drop, which feels leagues more natural than the 4mm drop of the Nike Metcon 7. The lessened drop helps me grip the floor in a way that’s similar to a barefoot training shoe but doesn’t leave me feeling like I’m always on my toes. I notice my balance is improved and I can handle heavier weights on movements like split squats.
Versatile Enough for Polymetrics & Cardio
I don’t love any functional fitness shoe for running, but the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 is the best I’ve tried for short runs since the old-school Nanos. This shoe is great for rowing, biking, SkiErg (Nordic skiing machine), and even short runs – emphasis on short. It’s also really solid for burpees, jumping jacks, and box jumps (with an important exception I’ll note below).
Cons
Sizing
The caveat to all the pros is that I have no idea what Under Armour training sizing is supposed to be and this shoe continues that trend. While not as egregious as the UA curry flow 9, I keep feeling like the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 is a quarter size too big by going true to size but going down half a size would be too small. This isn’t a problem in most training, but if you’re a competitive functional fitness athlete, I think the sizing will cause stability issues and might create a shoe that feels too loose to confidently move in. That will all, of course, depend on your specific foot. But, hey, at least it’s wide enough! I recommend you try these on in-store if possible.
Terrible Laces
Adding to the sizing problem is a lacing system that refuses to stay snug – the instant you tie the knot, you can feel the laces loosen. I could swear the shoes get looser during every second of training. This exacerbates the sizing problem because without the laces staying locked in, you’re going to get varying degrees of heel slippage.
One caveat, there’s a Pro version of the TriBase Reign 4. The Pro version features a stretchy knit upper and the final two lace holes go through a fuse wing to aid lockdown. The wing seems to prevent the laces from loosening up top thus keeping the foot better locked down. If you want to avoid heel slippage and get a better all-around fit, grab the Pro version.
Cardio Cushioning
Look, the Under Armour TriBase Reign is comfortable, but after 30 minutes of any cardio training session, I found I was consciously aware of the shoe on my foot. It didn’t totally bottom out but felt like the bounce and comfort were gonna die out at any moment, not unlike when your headphones start beeping to indicate you’ve only got 10% power left. The good news is that I can just move onto weight training without loss in performance after a cardio session, BUT I do worry about what this means long term for the durability of the midsole.
Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 Summary
The Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 is a legit cross training shoe that’s great for heavy lifting, caters to wide footers, and handles short cardio well. You won’t want to do long cardio sessions in them and the sizing can be an issue. However, if you’re worried about the sizing or laces causing heel slippage, you can buy the upgraded pro version of the shoe for $30 extra.
Overall, if you’re weightlifting regularly or doing a functional fitness class setup like Orange Theory, the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 will handle it all.
I finally got around to putting together a Curry 9 review – something that I struggled to finish due to being abroad and working all the way up until March of 2022. Well, I’ve now put enough time into the shoes – so here we go!
Last year’s completely revamped Curry Flow 8 basically showed us how a runner sneaker concept can be adapted to a basketball court but with that came some compromises. The next shoe in the line, the Curry Flow 9, aims to take that same concept but improve upon it by making things a little stronger and more reliable.
It looks like UA has in fact successfully done that as lots of people seem to LOVE the 9th shoe. Well, what about a wide footer, an unforgiving outdoor environment, and 4 months of action? Let’s put it to the test.
I. SPEC SHEET
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
For those in a hurry: the Curry Flow 9 is a successor to what the 8th shoe started. It’s still a formula of a shoe but this time, it should cater towards a broader spectrum of players.
I still got the same deadly traction I did with the 8, and they’re decent for outdoors too. I’ve been playing outside for 4 months and the bite’s still solid.
UA Flow cushion is a little firmer this time but it’s still a balanced setup for just about anyone, and especially optimal for a fast guard like the Splash Brother himself.
The build was completely remade to a beefier multi-layered mesh & nylon upper and while it’s still super thin & light, it was immediately apparent to me that foot containment has improved.
Most people will be fine with their usual size, unlike the Curry Flow 8. Yes, even wide footers like myself.
There’s little reason to choose the previous shoe over this one. Unless you value more cushion over the other mentioned upgrades.
III. FIT & COMFORT
How’s the sizing situation? Should go up/down? Are they comfortable? Anything else to know?
image source: underarmour.com
SIZING GUIDE
Ready for some improvements over the Curry Flow 8? Well, you asked. It all starts with the fit & sizing.
With the 9th shoe, I immediately felt more at home after putting ’em on. The 8th shoe didn’t fit me terribly per se but I did need to go up half a size and there was this foot shifting issue due to some extra length.
Not the case here – while I think the Curry Flow 9 fits snugger and things were a little too tight at first, my usual size was still the best option.
No unwanted space length-wise, no toe bumping, no side-to-side movements, none of that nasty stuff.
Most people will want to go true to size with the Curry 9, I don’t think there will be a lot of people who will absolutely need a half size up. Unless you’d like a particularly roomier fit but do that at your own risk.
Trying every basketball shoe in a store before purchasing is always something that should ideally be done but if you’re not going to – there’s very little chance you’ll regret the decision of going TTS.
The only thing of concern for me was how exactly will these turn out to be for those damn wide feet of mine. Gotta hand it to UA – I was sold on the fact that they’re not for me since they’re pretty narrow. But a few sessions in and things changed.
The build stretched out, giving me a bit more room to operate and it’s just what I needed. I think a slightly tighter fit than now would’ve meant it’s a pass for me, so it was close.
Fellow wide footers – you’ll be fine is what I’m trying to say.
image source: underarmour.com
COMFORT
The previous Curry shoe was mad comfortable if I took out those toe bumps out of the equation. With the 9, there was no need to take ANYTHING out of the equation.
The sneaker is just really damn comfortable, smooth, and a ton of fun to play in.
There’s plenty of padding on the tongue for added plushness, and yes, these have a dedicated tongue now as opposed to the previous shoe utilizing a one-bootie construction.
This paired with a heightened heel tab means that it’s easier to put on a Curry model on your foot than ever before. Even for those boat-like feet of mine.
The Curry Flow 9 is one of the lightest-feeling basketball sneakers I’ve ever played in as well. They’re ridiculously minimal-feeling and if the sculpting doesn’t give away a runner-like build for you – I don’t know what can.
The upper is also extremely nice in hugging my foot without overly suffocating it. Well, minus the first few days of action that is. We’ll break down the upper intricacies later.
Overall, this is as good as it gets for such a minimal build.
Everything works nicely together, and finally, and I mean FINALLY, I get to enjoy an experience on the court without forcing myself to ignore that 90% of shoes made today simply aren’t for my wide feet.
IV. TRACTION
How’s the grip on a multitude of surfaces & conditions? How durable are the outsoles?
image source: underarmour.com
The UA Curry Flow 9 sports a very similar traction pattern to the Curry 8 and also returns with the same single-piece foam concept. For those unaware, the shoe’s midsole AND outsole are made of one single piece of Under Armour’s Flow foam.
Yes, foam traction. Not a single ounce of rubber is to be found on the Curry Flow 9 and that’s what reduces the weight so dramatically.
Another interesting thing is that the threads of the pattern are molded out of the same foam, so they’re not articulated as they would typically be when using rubber. This helps the threads compress more and cover more ground in a more precise way upon every single foot plant.
What’s the result? Deadly traction. I mean it.
INDOOR PERFORMANCE
Even though I mainly hooped outdoors with this one, I did manage to catch a few hours on a rubberized court in a high school (where I usually play when I don’t have access to a more streamlined hardwood gym).
If you’ve seen what the people say about the Curry Flow 8’s traction, this will be no surprise for you. The Curry Flow 9 offers some of the craziest levels of grip not only among basketball shoes but among all performance shoes in general.
It’s actually pretty nuts and you have to try it out yourself to get a grasp of it. Each and every stop means there will be no delay. None.
Even on a moderate-condition court I played on, these are completely destroying any competition you can put them against.
The only thing I’ve seen people report is when this foam pattern catches more dust, a more slippery spot on the floor, or something like moist, the shoe can definitely slip a bit.
And of course, playing on the worst possible courts also means that slide-to-stops will become more frequent due to the foam catching excess debris.
Rubber is better and handling this than foam but the overall package you get with these is still insane and it’s not even close.
Now, I personally haven’t experienced such issues simply because I put very little time into these inside. Still, something worth keeping in mind if you’ll be hooping in a weary gym.
image source: about.underarmour.com
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE
Outdoors is where most of the action took place with the Curry Flow 9 for me.
I play on two courts: a classic blacktop and a rubberized court you commonly see in stadiums. As you might expect, I had no issues with traction. The more abrasive the surface, the more friction is generated between the sole and the ground. This means stronger bite. Not that these need more of it.
Seriously, this setup is almost too much at times. You’ll see what I mean when you try ’em yourself as things might feel a little weird at first.
There were a few times (not a lot and most of them happened on the first few days) where I’d almost trip myself after a foot plant.
This is because we don’t usually have such strong coverage of certain movements that aren’t particularly aggressive or pronounced.
With this shoe, EVERY single instance where the outsole comes in contact with the ground means you’ll receive crazy bite regardless. This caught me off guard at times which is what also happened with the Curry Flow 8.
So, at first, I needed to be a little bit more aware of my movements and almost get ready to “brace” for the extra-aggressive bite when I’m about to do a quick stop or a take-off.
You’ll get used to it though, so don’t worry about it being deal-breaking or anything close to it.
image source: about.underarmour.com
DURABILITY
Just like last year’s shoe, expect similar reliability with this foam setup. Not the best in the world but definitely not the worst either.
4 months in, and I’m still playing with confidence, doing full stops, etc. The pattern is heavily worn though as the very minimal thread depth quickly burned off.
However, this doesn’t immediately turn the shoe’s traction from great to terrible. As long as I’m regularly cleaning out my outsoles after a session and occasionally wiping them down mid-game, I’m still getting A-level bite.
This foam is still able to handle the load and although I’m getting a few more slip-ups on a tricker spot on the ground, things are still very good.
You should expect the Curry Flow 9 to keep this up for at least a season.
One thing though – make sure to clean your outsoles periodically, especially when you see some debris buildup inside the threads. This will preserve good bite even a few months in and keep things responsive despite the surface condition you’re hooping on.
It seems that people are faster to complain about the shoe’s performance as opposed to actually taking care of the shoe first.
V. CUSHION
How’s the shock absorption, energy return, and step comfort? What about ride height & stability of the cushion?
image source: underarmour.com
Under Armour’s Flow technology returns to the Curry Flow 9 and it’s more of the same properties last year’s model hit the nail on the head with.
Though this time, it felt like the midsole is toned down just a bit, resulting in a slightly firmer ride but one that’s still as ridiculously smooth, fast, and precise as the air jordan.
There’s still adequate impact protection in the heel, which is where most of the compression is felt, though still not that much.
Things gradually get thinner and firmer going to the front but it makes complete sense for someone like Steph since he needs that speed and precision when he’s on the balls of his feet.
Don’t get me wrong – this is not a dead setup by any means. It’s just one where it won’t exactly leave a huge impression on you while fully delivering performance-wise.
That’s exactly how my experience can be described. I had a ton of fun with the shoe but not because of the bounce underfoot, or feeling like I’m running on clouds.
It’s because the sneaker is sculpted very much like a running shoe, propelling my steps forward, delivering on insanely smooth heel-to-toe transitions, and also keeping me comfortable during a longer session.
Although I did expect to ride lower to the ground, especially in the heel portion. It’s definitely not the lowest-profile shoe you can find.
Ride height-wise, I’d put these somewhere in between a super low-profile Kyrie shoe and a more balanced adidas Dame or a Harden shoe.
I admit – I prefer the Flow setup on the Curry 8 just because it was a bit bouncier and that’s what I usually prefer.
However, the setup found here is still absolutely excellent in giving players a distraction-free experience and allowing them to feel like formulas on-court. Again, much like a runner.
VI. SUPPORT
Are they supportive laterally, medially, and torsionally? Any trade-offs as a result? What about foot containment?
The overall sense of security here greatly improved over the Curry 8. I love that since that was considered the weakest aspect of that shoe by a lot of wearers.
The biggest reason for the improvement is more structure throughout the upper. Even though I didn’t have major issues with last year’s release, I still immediately noticed a difference.
Foot containment just felt right this time. No near-slides-out-of-the-footbed, no movement inside the shoe, none of that business.
The Curry 9 also comes equipped with the needed support features to top it all off: internal heel counters for ankle & heel lockdown, greatly beefed up torsional shank plates that now extend all the way to the forefoot, outriggers for stability, and a wide forefoot base.
This is a great step-up while still maintaining that minimalistic look and feel of the shoe.
I remember almost rolling my ankle a few times in the Curry 8 due to the aggressive outsoles biting the floor so hard to the point where I wasn’t ready for it. Yeah, that happened and it’s another testament to how deadly this Flow setup is.
The reason I mentioned that is because I kind of experienced the same thing with the 9th shoe BUT it was never close to an ankle roll.
It was more just a trip-up and that immediately showed me that the Curry 9 had some thoughtful upgrades in holding the foot inside the footbed and also keeping things stable laterally.
Now, of course, I still wouldn’t recommend such a shoe to a big guy at 220 lbs. Or a super athletic wing that jumps out of the gym. It’s still a minimalistic shoe, just tweaked to better handle the load ideally for 1’s, 2’s, or 3’s.
If you’re one of those players – I really don’t think you’ll have any issues.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the upper materials and how do they feel & perform on the court? What about the build quality & reliability for the $$$?
BUILD OVERVIEW
The sneaker now utilizes a completely reworked upper. We’ve got a multi-layered mesh upper with a more open-based mesh underneath a criss-cross pattern of mesh for more strength.
You’ll also find nylon cables running all throughout this mesh which strategically stay tight when you need that lockdown but also keep you comfy when you’re idle.
The back portion of the shoe is a synthetic suede material and there’s a synthetic overlay around the lacing system. The tongue & ankle are padded with foam.
UA ditched the one-bootie construction in place of a more traditional lace & tongue system which I really like.
I’m not a huge fan of one-bootie uppers but that’s primarily because it’s tough to stuff my wide feet into them a lot of the time.
PERFORMANCE
I really do think the build is a direct upgrade in all ways you can think of over the Curry Flow 8. That includes performance.
This build barely requires any break-in time (though some will be needed for wider feet), the materials weren’t super stiff or plasticy-feeling out of the box, they move extremely well with the foot and while being super thin, they’re actually very secure.
Breathability isn’t the best here but try to think of three recent basketball shoes that offered excellent ventilation in your mind right now. Exactly.
I really don’t have any complaints about this upper when it comes to performance and comfort. It’s really damn good.
RELIABILITY
Even the durability aspect could be considered an upgrade over the 8th shoe. Neither shoe will claim the top spots in durability charts but that’s expected for ultra-thin synthetic builds.
This multi-layer mesh reinforced with nylon is still more reliable and stronger than the pure knit setup we got on the 8.
The cheapest part of this build is probably the suede portion in the back. I don’t have any problems with it but that area seems to be the most distinguishable. I’ve definitely seen better suede implementations but then again, I’m being very picky here.
4 months in, and I’m not seeing any major damage to the build yet. I am hooping outdoors – keep that in mind!
I didn’t really have any glaring wear & tear with the Curry 8 either (at similar mileage) but it would only make sense for me to give the nod to the Curry 9 durability-wise because of the beefed-up build.
VIII. OVERALL
Finishing the Curry 9 review: how versatile are they? Is it an improvement over last year’s shoe?
image source: underarmour.com
The Under Armour Curry Flow 9 is a fantastic basketball shoe in all areas, and you rarely see me state something like this.
While I’d ideally prefer just a little bit more cushion, it’s tough to find anything else to complain about.
I’ve seen some people trashing their traction on dusty indoor courts, I’ve seen others complain about their arch hurting after a few hours as well.
This comes with the territory though – EVERYONE is completely different, so you’ll never really be able to fully predict whether the shoe is for YOU based on someone’s review.
Be mindful of yourself and the way you play, check out multiple reviews and takes on the shoe, and you’ll be able to at least form a basic opinion.
If you think you’d like this type of shoe – go for it. Time will tell if it’s for you.
Back when I played in an organized league before I knew much about performance features in footwear, I would always buy two shoes every season: one budget model to destroy in practices, and one flagship-style model to use in games. I always loved when the budget model outperformed the flagship model. When I first tried on the Under Armour Spawn 4, my first thought was, “this feels like one of those shoes”.
The Spawn 4 is such a guard-specific shoe, that I found myself trying to be more shifty and explosive on the court when I played in them. I felt more nimble and elusive while playing with the Under Armour Spawn 4, which I have to say, I enjoyed.
And, because they had that budget or team feel to them, I had no remorse in being rough with them.
I should also mention that Under Armour changed very little from the previous model, the Under Armour Spawn 3. Same cushion setup, same Anatomix construction, same traction pattern. So if you liked that shoe, you will enjoy these.
Under Armour Spawn 4 Traction
The Under Armour Spawn 4 features a radial traction pattern, in two different shapes. Most of the sole features a square wave pattern, but there are several targeted points that feature an X-shaped, black, and grey, traction pattern. The traction worked very well both indoors and outdoors with no slippage nor dust build-up.
One thing to take into consideration is that the rubber compound of the sole is on the soft side. I wore the Under Armour Spawn 4 sparingly outdoors, and I can already see some wear. It’s not the softest rubber I have ever experienced but it’s definitely not the most durable either.
Under Armour Spawn 4 Cushion
The cushion was my favorite part of the Under Armour Spawn 4. The shoe features full-length Micro G cushioning, which is great.
The foam took some time to break in. It started off stiffer, but the longer I played with them, the foam became softer and softer.
The Micro G is shaped like a wedge which might take some getting used to. The setup is thicker in the heel, which is also rounded, similar to the Giannis Immortality. This build is obviously meant to assist players to step into their shot. The thicker foam absorbs the impact of your heel strike and then its rounded shape rocks you into your jump. You do feel slightly tilted forwards when wearing them. It isn’t an issue but it is a peculiarity.
Under Armour Spawn 4 Materials
The shoe’s materials are, at best, basic. Others might call them cheap. And they are one of the main differences you will find between the air jordan and the Spawn 4.
The upper consists of a flexible nylon woven mesh, with some fuse portions, placed in high wear areas. The heel features a more substantial woven material for extra support and containment.
On the bright side, it takes no time to break-in, it keeps the shoe lightweight and agile, and ventilation is on point. Also, the flexible fabric doesn’t affect containment. I’m 6’3″ and 230 lbs, and used these guys during league play and had zero containment issues. So, take that for what it’s worth.
One detail I did like was the metal eyelets towards the top. I tie my laces tight and usually cut right through mesh lacing systems.
Under Armour Spawn 4 Fit
Ok, for me this was the worst part of the shoe by far. I ordered my Under Armour Spawn 4s in my usual size 12, and I am certain I could have easily gone down half a size. There is significant dead space in the toe area, and they felt very loose.
Also, the lacing system features 2 lace cables on either side of the shoe, that help maintain your foot on the footbed. On my right shoe, I had no issues, on my left, however, it cramped my foot significantly the first time I played in them. Again, I like my laces tight, so what I ended up having to do was lace the shoe very tight everywhere except on those two cables, and that helped a lot.
The Under Armour Spawn 4 maintains the “anatomix” construction we’ve seen in previous Spawn models which is supposed to conform anatomically to your foot. It might just be my foot shape but, I just wasn’t feeling the fit.
Under Armour Spawn 4 Support
The shoe has no remarkable support features, which in a way makes the shoe’s support somewhat remarkable. There is no shank plate, which keeps the shoe feeling agile and fluid. You can almost fold these guys in half like a barefoot shoe.
The shoe is rather wide in the forefoot, which gives you come extra stability, but there is no outrigger, and the midsole is rounded on either side.
On top of that, the shoe is also very low cut and has a very basic heel counter. But, surprisingly, everything worked well together, and I had no issues and no feelings of instability.
Under Armour Spawn 4 Overall
All in all, I enjoyed the Under Armour Spawn 4. Is it the best shoe I’ve ever worn? No. But, the Under Armour Spawn 4 has that generic team shoe feel that I love. I feel like I can go all out while wearing them and I feel no remorse in scuffing them or wearing down their traction. And, they perform well enough that I didn’t feel like I was missing out by not wearing some of my better performing and more expensive shoes.
And, I do have to say that when a shoe gets me feeling a certain way, that always gets an extra point in my book. The Under Armour Curry Flow 9 had me wanting to bring up the ball on offense and lockdown my guy on defense.
Want a no-B.S. budget hoop shoe that’ll get you through a few seasons? Adidas always has some stuff up their sleeve in that regard. After Donovan Michell’s 2nd signature shoe’s mixed reception, I finally racked up enough playing time through this half of the year to bring you my comprehensive DON Issue 3 review.
You can get these for as low as 100 bucks (or maybe even LESS) right now, so if this one turns out to be a solid overall basketball sneaker, you might looking at a contender among the best basketball shoes under $100.
I. SPEC SHEET
II. 1-MIN REVIEW
Here’s the quick DON Issue 3 review: the adidas DON Issue #3 brought what I expected it to bring, more or less. It’s a solid shoe but not without a few culprits some people might find unattractive.
The sizing is the biggest area of question. Most guys should be alright with their usual size but you can expect a bit of space length-wise and a lot of hoopers, including myself, have heel slippage.
The toebox is pretty wide here, so while a great option for wide footers, it might not be the shoe for someone with a more narrow foot.
The rest of the shoe worked just fine for me: decent traction (should last a while outdoors), decent cushion, great support (apart from slight heel slippage of course), and a basic but comfortable & lightweight textile build.
You can snatch these for cheap these days as adidas’s shoes tend to go on sales and show up in outlet stores very quickly.
Your alternatives for a similar but more refined experienced would be the Kyrie 8, the Dame 7, and the Trae Young 1.
III. FIT & COMFORT
Do they fit TTS or should you adjust? How comfy are they? Anything else to know fit or comfort-wise?
Following adidas’s classic sizing weirdness, the DON Issue #3’s construction doesn’t seem to know the size of a person’s foot.
Okay, I’m exaggerating but it seems like there’s always SOMETHING slightly wrong every time we get a new adidas shoe and opt for our usual size, as all normal mortals do.
Let me give you the short version first. MOST people (incl. wide footers) should stick with their usual size. If you think you’ve got a narrow foot, you might just get away with a half size down to fix the shoe’s length and end up with a very secure, yet extremely snug fit.
Since these are still on the shelves (during the time of writing this review), I would still encourage you to try these on in-store if possible. Or, you could always online a pair in your typical size and also grab a half size down option, later returning the one you won’t need.
Now, here’s the longer version.
I’m a pretty prominent wide footer myself and going true to size was probably the best decision I could’ve made. Things are still not perfect though.
While the wide toebox helped me out a ton and the fit there is just fine, the midfoot portion is pretty damn suffocating. It was fairly terrible at first but a couple of sessions stretched out the fabric and turned things from awful to acceptable.
Unfortunately, I’ve seen a couple of hoopers report that this unusually wide forefoot caused a bunch of problems for feet that aren’t particularly on the wider side.
There could be some unwanted movement inside the toebox and this is why I’d recommend trying these on or ordering a couple of different sizes online just to be sure. So yeah, this is one’s a wide footer’s friend – a rare treat for us, and a rare issue (potentially) for the rest of you.
Length-wise, there’s about 0.8-1.2ish centimeters of room up at the front for me. Not something I consider a major flaw since I’m used to wearing my sneakers with a tad bit of wiggle room.
Lastly, I was almost positive I wouldn’t have this issue due to my thick a** feet unlike many people did as per several reports. Yes, the dreaded heel slippage. I was wrong.
Now, it’s nothing crazy to where I’d risk having the shoe completely popping off my foot but still an annoyance I kept thinking about. Especially the first few days until I kind of got used to it and learned to just play with it.
Both feet (though more slippage happens on my left foot since it’s smaller than my right) slightly shift up and down upon certain movements. Not ALL the time but it still happens.
I’m not completely sure of the culprit here as I normally don’t experience slippage even when I have some space at the front.
The lining around the ankle doesn’t seem too slippery, I even pulled down on the laces as much as I could, got a grippier pair of socks and the issue still tends to happen fairly frequently.
If you’ll be getting these – I highly recommend checking out my heel slippage guide to arm yourself with a few ways to prevent or at least decrease the chances of it happening.
The midfoot section of the shoe is still a little too tight for me, even after a few weeks. I couldn’t experience the DON Issue #3 in its full potential comfort-wise because of this but despite that, I still found the overall experience fairly enjoyable.
There’s a good amount of foam padding around the ankle and on the tongue which nicely hugs the foot, and the upper conformed to my foot shape very nicely despite looking pretty cheap and plasticky at first.
These aren’t among the lightest shoes but we all know adidas is never really going for that crown anyway. The shoe doesn’t feel particularly bottom-heavy, overly clunky, or anything like that.
I think the days when adidas is struggling to keep up with air jordan 1 in this regard are coming to an end. Not saying this one’s a super feathery, formula-like shoe (it isn’t) but I had fun in these, and I don’t have many complaints when it comes to comfort.
If the sizing situation with these wouldn’t have been so weird which introduced the extra length and likely heel slippage, the overall experience probably could’ve gone from okay to awesome.
IV. TRACTION
Does it grip a multitude of surfaces consistently? Is dust/debris a factor? How long will the outsoles last?
The third shoe from Donovan Michell features a semi-translucent and a solid rubber combo throughout the outsoles, and the coloring will depend on the colorway. The traction pattern is very similar to the DON Issue #2, and so is the rubber used, it seems.
Much like the DON Issue #2, I didn’t have the BEST time in terms of traction, nor was it terrible. It was mostly fine with some hiccups here and there but since I don’t usually play indoors much, I’m not very worried about this one.
If you are playing a lot on your classic hardwoods and rubberized surfaces indoors, pay attention.
I was able to play on two surfaces indoors: classic hardwood (moderate condition, not too dusty) and a rubber surface that mimicks hardwood but it’s much more forgiving in comparison.
Traction was mostly the same on both floors. I did wipe the outsoles down periodically to keep things consistent, although slight slip-ups did happen occasionally despite me doing so.
However, taking off, stopping on a pull-up, cutting, and doing anything that I do normally at full pace was fine, as the outsoles were able to hold their own.
Would I like the bite to be more aggressive and those slips taken care of? Of course, but if you would ask me if these are playable and not necessarily ideal, I would say yes.
Hoopers who play on poor condition floors that aren’t cleaned often might need to prepare themselves for some serious wiping every few minutes.
At least that’s what I saw people report who regularly hoop indoors on dustier courts.
image source: adidas.com. Team Colleg Purple colorway outsole
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE
When the action’s outside, I mostly hoop on a rubber court surface and sometimes on the blacktop.
As one might expect, I was getting stronger bite outdoors, purely because there’s more friction created between the shoe and the surface which is more abrasive than an indoor floor. Happens with most shoes.
From what I noticed after playing outdoors in both the 2nd and 3rd DON Issue one right after another, the differences in the overall strength of the traction are pretty marginal.
I’d give the nod to the DON Issue #3 in terms of the base level of traction but I also feel like the 2nd sneaker required less hassle to preserve optimal bite throughout a longer session.
Not saying I was sliding all over the place if I hadn’t wiped for a few minutes in the Issue #3, but with the 2nd shoe, I could forget about that whole business, and those moments can definitely occur.
If we got a bigger group of guys and play a full 5 on 5 match, hoopers can get so locked in during a more intense/important stretch and the idea of wiping down your outsole doesn’t always come up at that time.
That’s when it’s great to have your shoes ready to handle the load (which is what they’re supposed to do) even after you catch some debris in the outsoles.
I don’t think I had such moments with the DON Issue #3 if I remember correctly but if I had to compare the two shoes in this aspect, I’d give the nod to the Issue #2.
But then again, just if we had to compare. Practically speaking, I don’t think the 3rd model is completely terrible at this and I’m fine with a few swipes occasionally.
So, DON Issue #2: better job at performing with dust accumulation. DON Issue #3: slightly grippier overall.
Could be just the paint coating differences between the two shoes (yes, coating color can have an effect), could be quality control, or could simply be true. Might be worth keeping in mind.
image source: adidas.com. Sonic Ink Colorway outsole
OUTDOOR DURABILITY
There isn’t a huge perceivable difference in the rubber compound used across the 2nd and the 3rd sneaker, so my prediction for outsole longevity outdoors is similar to the previous model.
The grooves of the pattern are pretty deep which is good but it’s definitely not the strongest rubber.
Though it’s worth knowing that Adidas generally offers decent durability for abrasive surfaces, even if we’re talking about a weaker outsole among their catalog of shoes released.
I hooped in these more than I did in the DON Issue #2 (~5 months vs. ~3 months) and my current level of grip seems to be fine, much like it was within a 3 month period with the Issue #2.
Hard to compare the two if I had to pick a winner in terms of outdoor reliability. Don’t think about this one too much – either shoe should definitely get you through at least a full season.
V. CUSHION
How’s the shock absorption? What about step comfort and energy return of the cushion? Is it stable?
image source: adidas.com
A full-length Lighstrike midsole replaces the previous shoe’s Bounce setup for cushion. The lateral section of the midsole is caged with a TPU plate for stability purposes, while the medial side is fully exposed to offer more compression there.
Not a huge change when put into action but it doesn’t look like adidas is planning to use Bounce on future basketball models in the future so Lightstrike could be regarded as the replacement. We’ll see.
From what we’ve experienced with both cushion compounds, Lightstrike is in fact lighter and can be in a lower profile while still retaining the properties of good cushion.
The setup implemented in the DON Issue #3 didn’t overly impress me but I’m satisfied. The ride I got with these felt a bit quicker and lower to the ground when compared to last year’s shoe.
Much like the Dame 7’s Lightstrike – a denser & thicker slab of foam is used in the heel for more impact absorption, while the things gradually get firmer and thinner going to the front.
The contrast between the heel and the forefoot isn’t as huge as I experienced on the Dame 7 though. I prefer the DON Issue #3’s heel-to-toe stride.
But if we’re talking about how comfortable they feel and how much bounceback is felt underfoot, the DON Issue #2’s Bounce iteration felt plusher. Neither shoe will give you tons of cushion though.
With this shoe, I’m able to stay quick, I’m slapped fairly low to the ground (it’s not as low-profile as a Curry or a Kyrie shoe though) and there’s also a bit of cushion to retain adequate comfort. I ideally prefer just a bit more pop but not to take anything away from the Issue #3, I still had a good time in ’em.
It’s just that, man, I love me some Bounce. I’ve been playing in it for years and the classic Dame 3 is still one of my favorite hoop shoes EVER.
It’s hard to give the nod to the newer Lightstrike when adidas doesn’t always seem to know what it wants to be.
I absolutely LOVED the explosive ride the recent Trae Young 1 provided with that version of Lightstrike. I also really liked the Harden Vol. 4’s super well-balanced approach.
But take the D Rose 11, or the Harden Vol. 5, and the cushion I experienced there almost felt unrecognizable.
I think adidas should be more consistent with it or if they want to use Lightstrike in a vastly different implementation across many shoes, they should do a better job in detailing such differences in their product pages because it can get deceiving.
Just my two cents.
VI. SUPPORT
How much overall security does it offer? What about stability and foot containment? Any restrictions as a result?
image source: adidas.com
Your sense of security with the DON Issue #3 will greatly depend on the way these fit you. Remember the sizing situation I was talking about earlier?
I doubt you’ll be feeling optimal with a good amount of room width-wise. Pair that with heel slippage and things can get questionable. Now, for us wide footers, things are the opposite.
I can’t say I had major issues with overall support here. My wide foot sits very nicely in there, besides the tight midfoot section. The extra width at the toebox is awesome for me, as I can fill that space in without feeling overly cradled.
Yes, I had some heel slips but none of those really meant any danger as they were mostly just an annoyance that would cross my mind sometimes. Of course, I don’t want any heel slippage in my shoes but I’d be lying if I said I couldn’t play in the Issue #3.
For support components that handle the rest of the load, we have a pretty standard setup for adidas.
Internal TPU heel counters provide ankle & heel lockdown (not enough I suppose) and extend in both the midfoot as plates for torsional rigidity, as well as up to the lateral portion of the midsole, acting as sidewalls.
The forefoot portion of the shoe sits on a wide platform which promotes stability and is a usual component for adidas basketball sneakers.
That little strap that’s right in the middle of the lacing system is completely useless as it doesn’t add any extra tension, nor is it attached to anything else that would contribute to lockdown.
The overall chassis of the shoe is damn near rock-solid and they’ve done a killer job in building a supportive, structured shoe that doesn’t feel overly excessive like it used to a few years back. But at the end of the day, none of these features will save you if you’ve got too much unwanted room for your feet.
Wide footers, you should be good to go. For the rest – get the size right. Or order a couple of pairs just to be certain you won’t miss. Or skip the shoe entirely if you don’t feel like doing all that.
VII. THE BUILD
What are the materials used? How do they perform on-court? How’s the quality & reliability of the build?
image source: adidas.com
BUILD OVERVIEW
The DON Issue #3 features a very thin textile upper along with a few synthetic nubuck-like pieces like on the lacing system, the tongue logo label, and those little flaps that go through the top eyelets.
The external lining around the top of the ankle collar seems to be neoprene, and those two pieces on both sides of the forefoot are a sturdy rubber material. The midsole sidewalls are TPU. The ankle & tongue are traditionally padded with foam inside.
The shoe utilizes a standard lace & tongue construction, meaning you won’t find an internal bootie inside the shoe, and the tongue is sewed on separately which allows for slightly easier entry inside the sneaker.
Nothing out of the ordinary for a mid-tier basketball shoe from adidas, or any other brand for that matter.
image source: adidas.com
PERFORMANCE
Initially, I didn’t think this build will get as comfortable as it did. The fabric looked and felt a little paper-like and rigid at first but as little as a couple of days quickly turned things around when the build softened up, stretched out (to a point), and better conformed to my foot.
It was able to do this due to how extremely thin it is. The midfoot area still feels a little much for me but there’s not much I can do about that since the materials are already stretched out to their optimal limit.
There’s plenty of flexibility up at the front for a smooth linear stride, and the build moved nicely with my foot as a whole. Foot containment was also a-okay, with no signs of the build wanting to let my foot shift out of the footbed.
Ventilation could be better but I don’t remember when’s the last time I played in a shoe that offered exceptional ventilation, nor do I remember the last time I actually cared about that.
Synthetics are synthetics. If they’re not open-based or don’t have any perforations – your foot will get hot in there if your skin tends to start sweating in no time. I’m sure you guys will be fine though lol!
The only thing I didn’t like and the one hiccup that keeps on reoccurring with almost every adidas hoop shoe: the laces. They loosen up constantly. No matter how hard I pull down on them.
Now, things weren’t as bad as, say, with the Dame 7. Those things were torture in that regard. I’d feel the laces go almost undone a couple of MINUTES after each re-do.
Not as crazy with the Issue #3. Adjusting all of the eyelets to a more accurate fit helped, and I’d only stop to tighten ’em once or twice per hour. Doable.
image source: adidas.com
RELIABILITY
Such thin builds always show their wear & tear soon after you start hooping but that’s normal, so don’t worry about the shoe looking a little banged up or bubbled on a few areas.
This is the nature of a cheaper, thinner material but as of yet, there’s no effect on performance that I would notice. 5 months in, and things are looking pretty strong.
The laces are fine, none of the painted visuals are fading, and the only visual damage that’s clearly perceivable would be the chippy top portion of the heel due to many entries in and out of the sneaker.
The toebox didn’t fray as much as the DON Issue #2’s did but neither cases are major in any way. There are a few uneven spots on the forefoot right on the flex zone. Once again, nothing unexpected from a thin, budget fabric.
These would definitely hold for multiple seasons if I kept playing in this one pair. I don’t see a reason why they wouldn’t. The bigger question is whether the outsoles would be able to hold as long.
VIII. OVERALL
Summing up the DON Issue #3 review, who it’s best for, and is it worth the $$$
image source: adidas.com
The adidas DON Issue #3 is a shoe one could come to expect if we’re talking about a long-time observer of the market adidas has created in the last few years. Nothing innovative or remarkable but it’s not that a lot of us need that. Most of us just want a good, reliable hoop shoe.
And it is a good shoe. Yes, it’s got a few things that could potentially skew some people away. However, there will definitely be people who will appreciate it as it’s pretty versatile.
Explosive guards with a style similar to that of Donovan Michell, versatile two-guards, or even wings could potentially find these a good fit, provided they got the size right.
QUICK RECAP
The sneaker should fit most people with their usual size but not everyone will get an ideal experience. Get two pairs online or try these in-store if possible.
Traction shared much of the qualities with the DON Issue #2 – adequate bite, decent rubber for outdoor play but some wiping will be needed to keep the traction optimal.
The shift to Lightstrike will no doubt result in mixed reception but not to say I hated this setup. It’s lightweight, fairly low-profile while retaining a bit of plushness. The shoe’s chassis is very supportive and well-structured but I couldn’t fully escape heel slippage.
For $110 (or less), the basic textile build won’t exactly impress you but it’ll get things done on the court. No issues there.
I don’t think the 3rd shoe is a direct upgrade from the 2nd, but nor is it the opposite way around. Both have their hiccups and their strong points, and I’d encourage you to see what the Issue #2 has to offer in comparison to make a better decision.
A company like Under Armour always feels like the first choice for workout apparel but it’s not one that’s ever felt like the first choice for fitness shoes. But the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 is, by all measures, a shoe that should change that for anyone who gives it a chance.
