Risewear Halo 720 Performance Review

Executive Summary: I know 99.99999999999% of people will brush these off but if you’re looking for a bang for your buck shoe that does it all or just an outdoor shoe to beat up, these are it.

Risewear ? More like Surprisewear! 

I don’t know much about Risewear or it’s backstory but I’ve always been curious how a discount brand performs on court. I could have bought some Shaq’s but to tell you the truth, the design and look of the Halo 720 looks better than Shaq’s and a lot of the whack jobs out there today.  It seems Risewear pulled a play from the Hyundai or Kia playbook and made an nice looking for less than the big boys. I find these very Air Jordan 1 and  Hyperdunk looking for the crazy low price of $29.99 available at Kmart using coupon code SHOE10. I even got 4% back on befrugal. (Just looked today, they are $34.99-29.99 without coupon)

The Halo 720 is named after The Air Up There’s 720.

I can’t do that on a 7 foot goal without a ball . Lol

Ah the word Kmart. I remember back in the day Kmart was a demeaning word.
“Oooh your mommy buy those at Kmart? ”

“Is that a Blue light Special?”

I have no idea if Kmart is still looked at in that light anymore nor do I care because I’m a mature man now.  Sadly there are no more Kmart stores around Texas as Walmart and the internet basically killed off everyone.

But I digress and I applaud Risewear for making a good looking inexpensive shoe. I also applaud Shaq for bringing a huge superstar name at an affordable price to an “uncool” segment of the footwear industry.

Pros: good indoor traction, great outdoor traction, outsole durability, fit, materials, decent cushioning, support and stability, containment, price

Cons: traction needs some break in time indoors, needs a lot of wiping on dusty floors, no half sizes past size 11, deadspace on top of forefoot, could use more midfoot support

Sizing: runs short about 1/4 size

Best for: guards

Buying advice: I don’t think they get much cheaper than $29.99.  Retail: $44.99 and $39.99 mid and low respectively

Weight

Surprised it was only half an ounce difference between the low and mid. Usually it’s about an ounce.

Traction:

I get asked all the time about a good outdoor shoe and this pattern and compound will be durable outside. Look how deep the herringbone runs. It says “non marking” which is usually something you see only on outdoor shoes.  Would make sense the old And1 guys are called STREETballers eh?

Indoor performance was great on clean floors (what isn’t ?) Dirty floors do require a lot of wiping which is expected since the rubber isn’t ultra soft; that’s the trade off you pay for durability.

I would have preferred plain full length herringbone but the idea to make lateral side like the did was to help with side to side movements and stops. In theory it’s a nice idea but but those flat spots caused some sliding on dusty floors indoors.

Not the best traction ever but a great pattern for outdoors they will last. Indoor performance is similar to the Lebron Solider 10 to give perspective.

Cushioning

There isn’t much on the Risewear or Kmart website so I’m guessing it is just EVA or something similar but it feels pretty good overall all. It actually has a nice bounce to it although you won’t mistaken it for Boost, Bounce, Micro G or Zoom.  Feels similar to Nike Phylon. I like it better than the Bounse on the Wade 4. By the way, I can six of these for the price of one Wade 4. 

It is low profile so you feel close to the floor and I didn’t have any bottoming out. If this is just EVA or Phylon, I don’t expect it to last long because once that foam compresses it pretty much stays that way.

Risewear also took a play out of the Adidas playbook and gave us a thin insole.. or maybe it was the other way around ? Time to play insole swap.

Overall, I expected the cushioning to be below average since the shoe retails for so little and there probably isn’t a bunch of RnD or proprietary foam. So it was nice to be surprised that it actually felt better than average. No knee pain or other aches after 90 minutes pickup sessions so I’m more than pleased.

Fit
I went true to size with my size 11 and I feel it runs about a 1/4 size short. However there aren’t half sizes above 11 so I made due. No issues with width for my wide feet.

Why are there no half sizes above 11?

My guess is that half sizes above 11 don’t sell well and that’s a money saver to cut out unpopular sizes.

Regardless of length, the Halo fit me perfectly width wise and I had no movement side to side and my ankle was locked in from the get go. There is some dead space in the toe box but it sits on top of the foot which is perfectly fine.  No frills, no gimmicks. Heck they only have two colorways instead of thirty and that helps keep costs down for everyone.

I took both the mid and the low out for a spin and surprisingly, I had no heel slip in either. 

The mid does an excellent job sucking the heel and ankle back with the use of the synthetic straps around the ankle.

The low does a great job holding the heel down due to the overall design that grab the Achilles like fingers.

No need to poke holes anywhere right YEEZY 350 ?

Also the low has a midfoot strap that actually works and puts extra lockdown at the midfoot.

I really think they need to cut the strap 3/4 of an inch or add more Velcro though because that overhang starts flipping upward and gives it a worn out cheap look.

Overall, the fit is great even with a little deadspace in the toe box. I feel the mid gives a better one to one fit due to the ankle collar though.

Well done Risewear!

Materials 
Before I picked up my pair at Sears ..yes Sears still exists..I thought that the materials and build quality would be total garbage but I was wrong. No crispy cracker Kyrie 1 fuse but instead it’s a softer fuse similar to what you’d find in an older Hyperdunk or midlevel Nike.

No hotspots and very little break in time needed to eliminate the bit of stiffness there is in the upper.

The rear lateral and almost the entire medial side even features a nice synthetic leather.

I thought it was leather until I smelled it. I think the synthetic leather on the lateral side would have made more sense but oh well.

Even the tongue is decently padded and features a nice synthetic leather

Overall great materials which you’d expect to find on much higher priced shoes.

Support and Stability 

The support comes mainly from the fit and the heel counter which is surprisingly stiff.

It is stiffer than what you’ll find on the Curry 2, KD 14, Hyperrev 2016 and does a nice job holding the heel and Achilles in place.

It also has a small plastic midfoot shank . I really couldn’t tell it was there but I can see it. The Halo is already low to the ground but is also stable at the heel and passes my heel test easily. I had no qualms or worries playing in these.

I should also note that the shoe is very flexible in the forefoot due to two deep flex grooves. No break in time required to get a natural feel.

Well done Risewear!

Lateral Containment 

No raised midsole or physical barrier to contain the foot had me worried but the extra layer of fuse did a good job holding the foot in place on the footbed on hard cuts. Using stiffer synthetics definitely helps with lateral containment.

Conclusion 
Dear Nike, Adidas, and UA,

Please take a step back (not jumper) and look at what can be achieved with a minimal budget. No outstanding modern tech, no storytelling, no frills or gimmicks. Just a basketball shoe that you can pick up on the cheap, lace up, look good and play well in. There is no shame buying a pair of shoes at Kmart especially when you’re (blue) lighting up your opponents in a shoe that costs a fraction of the big names.

The biggest hurdle for Risewear will be competing against big names at discount stores like Marshall’s and Ross because they are typically priced around $50 and below. Given the choice of similar products, the big names will win every time. However to go out and start at a retail price of $44.99 and bringing the And1 guys on board is fantastic and I wish them best in the future.

Reebok Nano X1: Everything You Need to Know

Ten years ago, Reebok introduced the world to a shoe, that at the time, was a completely new concept for a sneaker, a Crossfit shoe. Crossfit was several years old, but no brands made a shoe specifically for rope climbs, weights, running, box jumps, and everything else your typical WOD includes. To fill that need, Reebok introduced the Nano.

Now, after ten Nano models (click here to read our most recent review, the Air Jordan 1), we get what Reebok is billing as the pinnacle of ten years of research and evolution – the Reebok Nano X1.

Materials

While most cross training or functional fitness sneakers are stiff from the mesh construction (durability and stability are key), the Nano X1 uses a new Flexweave Knit for better flex and comfort while still being tough enough for the gym. However, in a first for Reebok, the Nano X1 will ALSO be available in Flexweave Grit, a tougher, more durable and supportive material for the crazy days or bigger athletes.

Cushion

Under foot, the Nano X1 utilizes what may be my favorite foam (also favorite of fellow testers Drew and Mrs. Wing), Floatride. The last few years, I’ve continually praised Floatride. If you need a comparison, it’s a lighter form of Boost. Last year, Floatride made its training debut in the jordan 1 high. The Floatride midsole might make the Nano X1 Reebok’s best “running” trainer.

Fit

The toebox of the Nano X1 is also reshaped from the bulkier, flat toebox of previous models to a sleeker, formed shape. This is mostly to make the aesthetics cross over from the gym to the street. Honestly, not a bad idea as long as performance doesn’t suffer.

Yes, a review pair is on the way. Stay tuned for a full performance review. It’ll take a lot to knock off the air max 2021 as Reebok’s top cross training shoe, but we’re excited to see if the Reebok Nano X1 is up to the challenge.

Chrome Industries Southside 3.0 Pro Review

The Chrome Industries Southside 3.0 Pro sneaker is supposed to be a cycling shoe that you can wear off the bike. I’m used to traditional road cycling sneakers that are impossible to walk around in. A shoe with bike cleats that was functional both on and off the bike was something I always wanted to try out.

The Southside 3.0 is compatible with two-bolt clipless pedals and have a stiff nylon sole to help the shoes transfer power efficiently. I used them with Shimano SPD cleats and the pedal engagement was efficient and easy. The nylon plate does its job well. On my first ride I noticed the shoe was very supportive when I started to put power down. They are clearly not as stiff as a pure road biking shoe or even an indoor cycling shoe (like the patta x nike air max 1), but they were more than capable in all the riding I did with them. The combination of the firm upper and nylon sole made my feet feel locked in on the bike, which is exactly what you want from a clipless biking shoe.

Off the bike, the shoes are very sleek and wearable. They have enough flex to walk around comfortably, and the design is kyrie 8. This makes them perfect for commuters, backpackers, and casual riders. The shoes looked great to me in casual settings, the design is basic in a good way and the shape looks awesome on foot.  They also come in a few different versions such as a low top or slip-on option. The shoes do run about a half size big so size down and they should fit perfectly.

Chrome Industries Southside 3.0 Pro Overall

I’m a cycling tech nerd and I was impressed by the Chrome Industries Southside 3.0 Pro. The power transfer was good enough for them to work well on the bike, but the aesthetics and comfort made them very wearable off the bike as well. I will continue to use them for my increased commuting rides as well as any backpacking I do in the future.

Pros

• Aesthetics
• Wearable off bike
• Good pedal power transfer for casual riding
• Very durable vulcanized rubber outsole

Cons

• A little heavy

Crossover Culture Menace Performance Review

The Crossover Culture Menace. One of the year’s biggest sleepers now receives a performance review.

Colorway: “Snow Patrol” White/Black

Release Date: May 2021

Style Code: G-DRFL-8-110

Price: $115

Traction

First things first, allow me to correct myself on a previous statement. The outsole of the Menace and Mayhem both combine a true solid rubber layer with translucent rubber via a special bonding process — the solid color outsole is not simply colored or painted on.

This bonding of solid rubber in the forefoot was specifically done to maximize grip where it is needed most for low-to-ground style of play and I must say, it works well for it’s intended purpose.

The Wavybone pattern provides all of the coverage and pliability needed to navigate around both ends of the floor and the solid rubber forefoot has been extremely resilient against dusty settings in my experience. This is one of those outsoles that visually looks like it can go either way, but performed stellar throughout testing.

Cushion

Twitchfoam, a new proprietary blend from Crossover Culture, is a responsive foam that runs full length in the Menace, Mayhem, and Kyrie 8. While the Drift’s Twitchfoam is tweaked more for impact absorption, the Mayhem and Menace for this performance review build upon the responsiveness of the foam by putting you closer to the ground.

Also made from Twitchfoam is the insole, which is lightweight and quickly molds to the foot. That combined with the midsole makes the step-in comfort next-level and also provides a fun experience on-court.

the step-in comfort next-level and also provides a fun experience on-court.

If I could compare the Menace cushion setup to another brand shoe, I would say it feels like a bouncier version of the Air max 2021, which is a shoe I loved. If you are looking for more outdoor play or extended indoor sessions, then I would recommend the Crossover Culture Drift which uses the same foam but is better for taking impact.

Materials

I commend Crossover Culture for blending modern and classic materials via layering across the upper. Ripstop and leather team up for a supportive and durable package that I hardly have any critiques for.

If I have to reach for a critique, I would say the Mayhem and its sock-like inner bootie construction is more comfortable around the foot compared to the Menace. However, for performance purposes I would take the Menace and its traditional construction as my top choice.

Fit

I prefer the fit of a half-size down from my true size in the Menace and all other Crossover Culture 2021 releases for performance. I’d like to think wide footers will be fine going for their true size, however if you have a store near you that stocks these then do try them on first.

Overall fit was adequate for me. The thick cuts of leather for the mudguard on the Menace creates a little volume in the toe box (hence why I opted for a half-size down), but for the rest of the shoe it is nice to have a little more customizable fit with the traditional build.

Support

The Menace never failed me as far as support goes. The dual-TPU shanks and abundance of court feel aid to torsional and lateral stability. Materials and optimal fit also enhance the support the shoe brings.

I would be more comfortable with a little stronger of a heel cup, but the internal counter of the Menace is an improvement over the Mayhem in my opinion, also making it my preferred sneaker of the two for performance purposes.

Overall

Crossover Culture continues its line of high value performance basketball sneakers at reasonable prices with the Menace silhouette. I’d recommend this shoe to the quicker, grounded players looking to give something new a try.

It’s rare in a basketball shoe that you find good grip, nice cushion, and thoughtfulness put into materials for under $120, so if you value all three in a sneaker then it may be time to look outside of the norm from other brands.

World Balance Scottie 1 Review

We have an exclusive first look at the World Balance Scottie 1. This shoe is significant in many ways, not the least of which is that it is the first signature shoe for a Filipino athlete by a Filipino brand in a long time – around a decade actually. That’s quite a feat for a basketball crazy nation like the Philippines. The brand was kind enough to let us get an early look at this historic sneaker.

Scottie Thompson is a Filipino professional basketball player for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the most popular team in the country’s basketball history. Scottie resonates with his countrymen because of the hustle and effort he puts out on the floor every night. He isn’t the tallest guy on the court, standing just 6’1”, but he outworks a lot of the big men in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), especially in crucial and clutch moments.

First Impressions

When I saw the silhouette of the sneaker, my immediate thought was that it resembled the Air Jordan 36 Low, one of the best performing sneakers that was released in 2020. The way the eyestays are placed as well as the overall shape give off those vibes. And I’m all here for it. What makes these different from the Jordan flagship is that these have an internal booty construction which should make for a more snug and secure fit. True to size is the sizing recommendation of the brand and we’ll test that when we get the shoes in hand.

The outsole looks typical, but interesting. There’s herringbone all over and it’s hard to go wrong with such a set up. There are segmented portions in red, which leaves us to wonder whether or not that is for foam pods in the midsole, firmer rubber, or just for design. However, as far as I’ve seen, World Balance outsoles tend to last quite a while, which is great for Filipinos who mainly play outdoors.

The cushion of the Scottie 1 has to be the feature I’m most excited and interested in. Scottie himself said this about it,

“Actually, 2 conference ko nang nagamit itong shoes and wala talaga ako masabi sa comfort and performance talaga.” (Translation: I’ve actually used these shoes for two conferences and I am left speechless with the comfort and performance.)

The brand is calling this foam compound air max 2021, which they say “provides superior and responsive cushioning that will help you outlast your opponents all season long and add explosiveness in every step.” We’ll have to give these a whirl once we get them on court.

There are also the lateral sway bars, which are plastic pieces that come up both lateral sides for containment, and a torsional shank plate that’ll help reduce overtwisting the foot. A standard external heel counter is also present with the words “hard work,” faith”, and “discipline” etched all over it. Scottie credits his success to those three attributes.

World Balance Scottie 1 Conclusion

Do I think these will perform well? I honestly think they will based on the tech specs provided. World Balance is on the come up as far as basketball sneakers are concerned and I’m hoping that these will propel them into the mainstream. Filipinos should be proud that we once again have a homegrown signature athlete with a local brand.