Shoes

[bulbasaur]

Shoe Envy 6: Peak Tony Parker

I've never owned a pair of Peaks, so I kinda want to give them a try.  However, spending $100+ on a shoe just to experiment seems wasteful.  There are other shoes that I want and that I know I would like, so getting those shoes would be the wiser choice. 

The Peak TP's look cool, and the reviews are mostly good.  It even comes in my color scheme.  Anyone out there ever tried Peaks?

[CARLOS]

I have a pair of shoes for different occasions. Adds up but each individual one isnt too expensive.

Everyday wear:

New balance tennis shoe
Sketchers memory foam walking shoe
Sperry leather boat shoe

Semi-formal/formal:

Alfani leather wingtip
Alfani loafer

Running:

Nike roshe run
Skechers go run

Active sports:

Timberland leather hiking boot
Vibrams (watersports)
Adidas golf shoes
Classic chucks (weight lifting)

[bulbasaur]

25. Nike Air Force 1

Okay, these were part of my Shoe Envy series, but I just recently got them.  I wanted some sports shoes that I could wear to work.  My basketball shoes are a bit beat up and sweaty, so I don't want to wear them.  My running shoes are a bit too flashy, so I don't want to wear them.  I figured I would look at the Converse and the Nike and the Adidas.  I settled on the Nike since I saw it first. 

I really wanted the high tops with the black laces and the strap, but I couldn't find them.  I had a choice between the white soles with black bottoms and black laces, or black soles and bottoms with white laces.  I thought the  first option looked better, but the second option was probably more practical.  Plus, I could always switch the laces (or go without the laces). 

My shoe, and its theme song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfzsMQGqrt0

[bulbasaur]

I always wanted a pair of Mizuno's.  I heard they were great running shoes. 

I only wear sneakers when I'm running. In which case, I prefer the Mizuno Wave Inspire line for my pronation. Now, the question is, how do you lace your shoes?

[bulbasaur]

Shoe Envy 7: Nike Hyperdunk 2015

I generally favor mid-tops, but lately I have been wanting some highs for support.  My UA's are sorta high, and they feel good.  Maybe I am a high-top wearer now.  I am eyeing the Hyperdunks 2015, but I can't seem to ever find the black ones in my size.   

[bulbasaur]

Shoe Envy 8: Converse All-Star 2

Okay, I had the original Chuck Taylors on the Shoe Envy list, but I think I might prefer the All-Star 2.  I  will miss the light fabric of the 1's, but I think the 2's might be more comfortable with the Nike foam.

[bulbasaur]

I've seen a lot of people with those shoes.  Surprisingly, I noticed a lot of nurses and secretaries wearing them.  They must be good for long hours standing. 

My new pair of shoes.

Nike Roshe

I don't recommend using it for running.  I mean, you can run in it.  But it's not a running shoe.  It's my casual walking shoe.  It's very lightweight. very comfortable.  And so brightly colored.

[SummerBerry]

I love them for walking and standing around.  Might want to get them snug though, unless you don't mind them being lose.  Mine are a bit loose, but I don't mind since I'm not running. It has a good support for the heel and arch, less support for the front of your foot.

The very thin layers makes it light and breathable.  I just hope they hold up an don't rip easily like Vans do.

I was in Oakland over the weekend at the zoo.  That shoes seem to be the most worned shoes by old folks and young couple just in different color. 

I purchased a new pair of Nike from ebay and it's perfect fit because it's narrow.  I have to get rid of all my old shoes before I start buying new one.  New shoes are lighter and has mesh to make it more breathable. 

[bulbasaur]

Shoe Envy 8: Nike Hyperdunk 2014

Okay, I am scratching off the Hyperdunk 2015 from the list.  After trying them on, I dislike them.  They ride high, which is probably good for support, but they are just cumbersome.  I also tried on the 2014 model, and those felt much better.  Nike tends to run narrow and tight on me, but these were fairly true to size.  Unfortunately, they didn't have them in black, and I don't want to wear a rainbow shoe.  I need some new basketball shoes, so maybe I'll keep an eye out for them this weekend.  That being said, I am also interested in UA's "clutch fit" stuff. 

[bulbasaur]

I was out to buy the 2014 Hyperdunk this week, but I can't find the colorway I want, which is just black.  There are some other shoes, but I don't feel like dropping cash on a shoe that I may or may not like.  For example, I want to give the Crazylight a try, but I have doubts on a low-top basketball shoe.  I currently want a mid-top.  I am determined to get some new kicks for basketball since the UA's are worn.  Ultimately, I have to make a choice between trying something different, or getting the Hyperdunk in a colorway I hate. 

[bulbasaur]

26.  Jordan AJ 29

If you've been following the thread, you'd know that one of my earliest introductions to shoe trends was from a friend wearing Jordans, and I promised myself that I would get Jordans when I was older but I never did.  Well, I got some Jordans today, specifically the Jordan AJ 29.  All the reviews said this shoe was comfortable and possibly the best basketball shoe ever, but I didn't believe the hype.  People say that about almost every shoe. However, they seem right.  I haven't given the shoes a workout yet, but initially, they feel great and supportive.

 

[bulbasaur]

I gave the AJ29 a workout. They felt really good.  The air in the forefoot gives a nice spring to each step, but not too soft to the point it affects responsiveness .  I was skeptical of the support because the material is soft.  However, the support felt good.  The best part about the shoe is the comfort.  Light weight and snug.  It's kinda hard to describe, but a "sock fit" might be a good description.  It's not as breathable as the Adidas Crazylight, but it's not hot either. 

My biggest concern is durability.  The material is really soft, so it might not hold up.  I am using this shoe indoor and outdoor, so I am skeptical of how long the traction will hold up.  I wish I could reserve these for just indoor, but that's not going to happen. 

[bulbasaur]

A Rant on Shoe Reviews

Like a lot of people, I research products that I am interested in purchasing.  For example, I researched several shoes before buying the AJ29.  I came across some reviewers who were insulting other reviewers because they weren't good ballers.  They claimed that those people's reviews can't be fully trusted because they weren't good ballers.  Although I understand where they are coming from, I don't fully agree...

1. A person's skill level does not equate to a person's ability to discern.  Ability helps, but it's not a requirement.  For example, not all great coaches were great players.  Not all great players can be great coaches.  In the case of shoe reviews, a person really doesn't need to be an expert baller.  Even the guys throwing out the insults weren't NBA players.  Using their logic, we shouldn't listen to their review either because they aren't pro ballers.  Moreover, the shoe designers themselves probably aren't even good basketball players.  Obviously, the ability to understand the performance of a shoe is based more than just a person's ability to ball. 

2.  Not all products are for everyone.  Even "the best" product won't please every person.  As much as people love the AJ29, some people won't like the softness of the shoe.  I know some guys who like a hard and heavy shoe. 

3.  The people they were insulting as bad ballers were bad, but they themselves also scrubbed it up in the same game.  Maybe they played down to their competition, but this is just a case of the pot and kettle.  Missed open layups.  Shots that didn't even hit the rim.  Miscommunicati on. 

4.  The people they insulted gave a similar review as they did.  They also liked the AJ29.  In fact, all of them give similar reviews of all the shoes.  If these other people can't be trusted because of their game, then how are they coming to the same conclusion as you?  The answer: A person's game doesn't equate to a person's ability to discern. 

[bulbasaur]

I played a couple of games with the AJ29, and they felt good.  They aren't as heavy as other midtops, but they aren't as light as the lows that are on the market.  I wish I could have given them a tougher workout with some harder steps, but I am a bit hurt right now.  But for what I did do, they felt really nice.  The biggest regret about the shoe, it is $20 cheaper this week at the shop. 

[bulbasaur]

So I got props for my AJ29.  Folks were asking where I got them and how much I paid for them.  They really liked the look.  Personally, I dislike the look.  I really wanted the blackout version.