Nike Adapt B.B. Performance Review
Nike, Self Lacing, & Basketball?? This Could Get Very Interesting!
I initially picked these up during All-Star weekend in Charlotte this past February and was very excited to actually pick these up and get them in hand. I actually went to an event where I was able to try the shoes on and get a good feel for them before actually purchasing. This is where we will begin this review.
Sizing: 1
For me personally the sizing was a little weird. I struggled to find the actual size to fit me perfectly. I am a true size 11.5, but occasionally I will size up to a 12 if I only have intentions of wearing a shoe causally for a loose, comfortable feel. The Adapts, on the other hand, I ended up purchasing an Sz. 11. The width of the shoe was no concern for me and normally it isn’t, unless its just a very tight shoe. The length was the issue. I found the 11.5 was a little bit longer than I prefer when Playing in a basketball shoe. I do prefer a nice snug fit, so there is less room for injury. The size 11 fits me much better than my normal sizing, so that is what I ended up rolling with. My overall wish for everyone with the adapt b.b. is that they could walk into a store and try them on. I feel this is a shoe that is going to be hard to explain the sizing due to so many different adjustments that you can actually make to the shoe to fit your foot the way you would like. We have not been lucky enough to really get them into any stores at this time that I am actually aware of, but if you were in the market to purchase a pair I would suggest going true to size with a possibility to where you were able to return the shoe if it did not fit.
Lockdown: 2
Let me start by saying a low top basketball shoe is not necessarily at the top or favorite on my list. Due to several ankle injuries, you will normally find me in at least a mid-top basketball shoe if not an actual high top. Over the past few years, I have tried to adapt to the newer models which have been more friendly to low top players. The adapt b.b. does offer great support and stability, and I never really found myself worrying for much injury. I ultimately feel this was more of a strong point to the shoe overall and impressed me overall to be a low top. I have always been a Kobe fan and a fan of his sneakers overall, but not really from a basketball standpoint. If I were going to compare the lockdown, support, and feel overall to the adapt b.b. it would be to a Kobe model, but actually with a little better feel to the lockdown overall. If you like playing in low top basketball sneakers I feel you will love the adapt b.b.
Adjustments: 1
I know, I know, your already asking a 1 for a shoe that self laces and has so many different adjustments and even so customizable that one shoe can be looser or tighter than the other? How Can this be?? Let me explain. You must be very careful not to overtighten the sneakers while playing or wearing them overall, because if you do you will be at risk of your feet going numb. I have had such a hard time finding the right adjustment for my actual feet playing in these sneakers. One definite plus to the app that you get with the purchase of the initial shoes is that you can save your adjustments for the shoe, so when you put them on it remembers how you like them. The issue or problem for me is, I have never been able to find the correct adjustment for my feet. Remember this review is a personal opinion on how these sneakers worked out on my feet. This may not be the same issue for you, but it was definitely the weakest point of the shoe to me. The adjustments overall is also a very complex point as I feel it is obviously the most significant part of the shoe and neatest/coolest part, but at the same time, it made it the hardest part for me to enjoy on the actual court. Casually if your wondering I normally wear the shoes completely loose for a very comfortable feel. At the end of the day, you may purchase these and find the perfect adjustment and love the shoes from day 1. I was not that lucky, but then again maybe its a personal problem, because I had the same problem struggling to find the right adjustment in the newest tech Jordan brand shoe, the Jordan 33.
Materials: 3
I have no complaints about the materials of the shoe overall to this point. The upper features a very tough fly knit, with a mesh underneath. The materials on the shoe overall to me are very comfortable and give a great feel to the shoe on the actual court. One thing I have never been a fan of is playing with super sweaty feet or having a shoe that just doesn’t have great airflow. To me the adapt does the opposite, it has great airflow and overall the materials are a strong point to the shoe for me.
Cushion: 3
The Adapt b.b. features a cushlon foam system. Overall the cushion was another strongpoint to me as the shoe is very comfortable. I actually find myself wearing these more often casually then wanting the play in them. As I said before the reasoning for that mostly is because I just can't find the correct adjustment for me on the court, but if you are looking for a comfortable basketball shoe; you will not go wrong with the adapt b.b.
Traction: 2
When I think basketball shoe, almost every time the first thing I am concerned or worried about is traction. That is the point of the shoe I feel gives you so much. If you have great traction it can make a whole shoe actually better. Great traction can take a shoe that maybe doesn’t have great support and make it feel like the support is great, but if a shoe has bad traction and bad support, you are definitely going to feel it. The traction on the adapt b.b. worked well for me overall. I didn’t find myself wiping my shoes over and over to remove dust, but actually felt myself very stiff to the floor at most times whether this was lateral movements or vertical. The only time I had a bad experience is I once tested them on a very dusty court and when I say very dusty I mean it was to the point people wanted to go home…To say the least I have not been back to that court. Overall the traction was a strong point in my opinion on the shoe and there were no real complaints from me.
Overall Grade: 1
That 1 was a tough grade to give because I ultimately wanted to give these shoes a 3. You can probably already guess from reading the review of why my overall grade is quite low. Ultimately until I’m able to find the right adjustment for myself overall I can't technically play in these shoes. I wore them enough playing-wise to write a review, but overall as I said before I find myself wearing these casually on the loosest setting and that's where I am most happy with them. I don’t want you to think I am trying to steer you away from this shoe, because ultimately if I could find the correct adjustment they would probably be one of my favorite low top basketball shoes I remember playing in. I hope this review has helped you understand the adapt b.b. a little better and gives you the information needed to grab you a pair or not!
Thanks For All Your Support And As Always Happy Hooping!
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