u/occassional-lurker

Hey everyone! Following up on my rotation post from about 14 days ago, I’ve updated my active lineup to 9 pairs for indoor runs.

Quick context: I play 2–3 times a week (quick cuts, transition plays, off-ball movement) and have a slightly wide forefoot.

Also, sold my Nike Kobe 6 Protro recently—as much as I loved the look, the tech felt a bit repetitive alongside the Caitlin 1 and LeBron 20.

Special shoutout to Volanti as well—they’ve been a super generous partner to me and my TikTok channel and sent over both of the Volanti Rocket Air pairs in my rotation to wear-test.

Here is the current 9-shoe lineup:

* Serious Player Only Player 1.5 "Just Wing It" (US 10.5): My current favorite in the entire rotation! It fits quite snug, but in a really good way—it locks down tight around the midfoot without choking the forefoot, so your toes don't get jammed during hard stops. Ultra-lightweight and lightning-fast drop-in setup.

* Nike Air Zoom GT Cut 1 "Titan Daybreak" (US 10.5): Still peak performance. Unbeatable court feel, elite grip on indoor hardwood, and super responsive. Fits true to size perfectly.

* Nike Kobe 3 Low Protro "FC Barcelona" (US 10.5): Incredible ankle and lateral lockdown with clean hardwood bite. Snug at first, but breaks in nicely for wider feet.

* Way of Wade 808 6 Ultra "Red Stingray" (US 11): Sized up half a size (+0.5) to an 11 to avoid any drop-in sidewall cage pinch. Super bouncy SUPER BOOM drop-in and ridiculously grippy.

* Nike Ja 3 "White Label" (US 10.5): Low, springy, and broad through the forefoot base. Very responsive setup for quick-cut guards.

* Nike Caitlin 1 "Warning Code" (US 10.5): Currently wear-testing this pair and still undecided if it stays in the rotation long-term. Need to get more court sessions in before making a final verdict.

* Nike LeBron 20 "Pink Diamond" (US 10.5): My go-to leg-saver. Heavy impact protection that keeps my knees fresh during long full-court runs or back-to-back days.

* Volanti Rocket Air "Purple" (US 10.5): Bouncy V-Bounce foam setup, great court bite, and very easy on the joints for continuous runs. (Seeded by Volanti)

* Volanti Rocket Air "Black" (US 10.5): Same plush, bouncy ride as the purple pair, executed in a clean stealth colorway. (Seeded by Volanti)

Sizing Takeaway: True to size (US 10.5) works across standard Nike, SPO, and Volanti setups for my slightly wide foot. The main exception is the Wade 808 6 Ultra, where going up to a US 11 (+0.5) is essential to give your forefoot room inside the drop-in cage.

Happy to answer any questions on fit, traction, or cushioning feel in the comments!

Just picked up the Jordan Triangle (Size 10.5) today and took them straight to the court for some heavy runs tonight!

Quick first impressions for anyone curious about this $140 tech stack:

Fit & Materials: 📐 Went true to size. The woven mesh upper is extremely lightweight and low-profile. It feels completely weightless on foot!

Weight vs. AJ40: 🏎️ The Triangle is not as bouncy as the Air Jordan 40's full-length Zoom setup. However, it is much lighter and faster. It feels way less restrictive—like taking ankle weights off!

Cushion & Landings: 🧪 It uses ZoomX in the forefoot and an Air Zoom unit in the heel, all in a Cushlon 3.0 carrier. While the forefoot is low and responsive, the heel impact protection is phenomenal. I felt completely safe and cushioned during hard landings. 🛡️

Traction & Support: 🛑 The Hart Rubber 2.0 herringbone pattern bit the floor perfectly on hard lateral stops. The side shank plate kept me feeling secure on fast cuts. 🦾

Verdict: 🎯 If you want a vertical launchpad, stick to the AJ40. But if you want a shoe that feels way lighter, faster, and keeps you safe on hard landings, the Jordan Triangle is an absolute winner! 🏆

Drop any questions below! 👇

I know, I know. Every other reviews seems to be about how the Book 1 is technically the better performance shoe.

A lot of the community has pretty strong negative feelings toward the Book 2 and honestly? I get it. I probably would have sat this one out too.

BUT. Just look at this thing in it's Sunburst colorway.

I went up a half size to a 10.5 (I'm usually a true 10 widefoot), and the fit feels money—snug but not agonizing. I am breaking them in indoors this weekend.

Another shoe going into my rack. Not really sure yet if this is for keeps. But I'm definitely going to admire it's looks for now.

Hey guys, just wanted to share my current on-court rotation.

Look, I know. I definitely don’t need this many shoes, and I’m definitely not a pro hooper. I’m just a guy who loves playing the game and deeply appreciates collecting sneakers.

If you saw my previous post from a while back, my rotation looked completely different. I actually ended up selling off that entire previous lineup at some point, took a break, and recently started buying new kicks to build a fresh rack from scratch.

A handful of these are still completely deadstock—I'm just waiting for the right court days to finally wear test them.

Here is how the new lineup is sitting right now:

⚡ Speed & Court Feel

Nike Ja 3 "Uncle Phil": My newest pickup. Just debuted them—the full-length Hybrid ZoomX has a ridiculous, bouncy energy return while staying light.

Nike G.T. Cut 1 Dylan Harper X Titan: The absolute goat standard of the collection. Fully broken-in and has the perfect low-profile, responsive ride.

Jordan Tatum 4 "Bruce Lee": Super lightweight frame. Traction grips like crazy, just waiting to unleash them on a pristine hardwood court.

Jordan Luka 5 "Lakers": Incredibly stable for sudden steps and lateral stops. Love the cushion upgrade on these.

🛡️ Heavy-Duty & Impact Protection

Jordan 40 "Bordeaux": Brand new acquisition. Stiff nubuck upper out of the box, currently putting in the hours to break them in. Underfoot tech is insane.

Kobe 3 Protro "Royal Pulse": My ultimate high-top safety net for maximum impact protection.

Kobe 3 Low Protro "CHBL": The low-top version. Closer to the ground but still keeps that bouncy Zoom Strobel setup.

adidas D.O.N. Issue 7: Super plush Lightstrike Pro. Heel collar is on the rigid side, so thick socks are a must.

Nike A'Two "A'Pink Shoe": Love the loud, all-pink colorway. Snappy forefoot Zoom unit makes it feel faster than it looks.

Moving on: Currently phasing out/selling my KD 19s because they feel a bit too heavy for my current playstyle.

Thinking about filling that last open slot with the G.T. Cut 4 "Kay Yow" since the initial fit felt fine to me. Let me know your thoughts if you've played in the Cut 4s, or what you think of the new lineup!

I don't know if it's just me, but I sometimes feel that I am sinking to the ground with the AJ40s ZoomX foam.

Cushlon 3.0 is slightly stiffer but also has great energy return. Both of them have an Air Zoom Strobel on top of their respective foams.

Did I make the right decision? I also copped this for half it's retail price.

Player Profile:

Height/Weight: 5'7" / 81kg (178 lbs)

Play Style: Spot-up shooter. Drives occasionally to the basket

Foot Shape: 2E Wide Foot

Sizing: Went 10.5 (Asia-EP version)

1. Comparison & Transition: Moving from Li-Ning

Out with the Old: I actually sold my Wade All-City 12 Encore for these. While the AC12 line is a great performer, the Encore was too narrow for me, and I found the S.T. Charge to be a better overall fit for my specific rotation needs.

The "Premium" Feel: Compared to the Nike S.T. Flare, the Charge feels like a much more premium outdoor option. While the Flare is a solid budget beater, the materials and tech in the Charge feel significantly higher-end for the price.

2. Traction (XDR-X): 9.5/10

Dust Performance: I used these on my local dusty outdoor court, and they handled the surface incredibly well.

Durability Surprise: Despite the outsole being translucent, I have zero fear of wearing it down quickly. The new XDR-X formulation is a much tougher rubber specifically designed for this kind of abuse.

3. Cushioning (Cushlon 3.0 Drop-in + Zoom Turbo): 8.5/10

At 81kg, I can really feel the Zoom Turbo in the forefoot; it gives a nice "pop" for jumpers.

The Cushlon 3.0 drop-in is much softer than older setups, providing great knee protection for long outdoor sessions.

4. Fit & Materials (Monster Skin Upper): 9.5/10

Wide Foot Verdict: As a 2E wide footer, I often struggle with Nike, but the S.T. Charge is built on a flatter, wider last—no midfoot pinching at all in my 10.5.

Engineering Detail: I really like the Monster Skin upper design. As seen in one of my photo, they added a specific cutout in the TPU overlay. This allows the midfoot to bend naturally when running, so the shoe doesn't feel like a stiff "boot" despite the heavy-duty build.

5. Support & Stability: 8/10

The TPU wrap provides elite lateral containment, keeping me secure on the balls of my feet while shooting.

Pros:

New XDR-X formulation is incredibly tough even in translucent form.

Strategic cutouts for flexibility.

Decent cushion that can handle impact of a concrete floor.

Cons:

A bit heavy/clunky compared to minimalist "speed" shoes.

Breathability is just average.

Small rocks tend to easily stick on the outsole pattern of the shoe if your outdoor court doesn't have nice flooring.

Final Verdict:

This is the premium Nike "Street" shoe we've been waiting for. If you're coming from Li-Ning or looking for an upgrade over the S.T. Flare, this is a worthy investment for outdoor hoopers.

Looks like another Freak shoe that does not come with any kind of Air Zoom unit. If this shoe has a full length ReactX midsole, how will its performance differ from the Lebron Witness 9? They also went away with the backwards Swoosh design wise.

Photo from @sneakersenseofficial on IG

Was told by the staff that this literally just arrived this morning.

📍 Planet Sports Asia, Greenhills Mall, Manila, Philippines

Hey everyone, wanted to share my current rotation and how I’m using each pair. I’m about 81kg, from the 🇵🇭, play a pretty linear game (not a lot of shifty lateral moves), and I’m a true 2E wide foot, so comfort and impact protection are my top priorities.

Here’s what I’m rocking and when:

1. The "Knee Saver": New Balance Fresh Foam BB v3

When I use it: Long weekend runs or days when my knees feel a bit "achy."

Why: This is the plushiest shoe I own. The Fresh Foam X is deep and forgiving for my 81kg frame. Since it's New Balance, the 2E fit is perfect with zero pinch. It’s my go-to for maximum comfort.

2. The "Game 7" Performer: Way of Wade 11

When I use it: Competitive 5v5 indoor runs where I need to be 100% locked in.

Why: This is the most stable shoe in the rotation. The carbon fiber shank and Boom foam give me that "elite" snappy feel without feeling unstable. It handles high-intensity 14-minute sets better than anything else.

3. The "Light Day" Flex: Nike Ja 3 "Explorer" (Jurassic Park)

When I use it: Light 3v3s, skill work, or casual shootarounds.

Why: I just copped these for a steal (6k pesos!). The Full-length ZoomX is like jet fuel—super bouncy and fun. Since I don't do heavy lateral cuts, the "instability" others mention isn't an issue for me. Plus, the Ford Explorer aesthetic is 10/10. (Went size 11 for the 2E width).

4. The "High-Vertical" Beast: Air Jordan 40

When I use it: Days when I'm feeling bouncy and want to focus on rebounding and finishes.

Why: That Zoom Strobel + ZoomX combo is insane. It's my heaviest shoe, but the energy return is unmatched. It’s a bit narrow, but the performance makes the break-in worth it.

5. The "All-Rounder": Jordan Luka 5

When I use it: Mid-week indoor runs when I want a balanced feel.

Why: It’s my "middle ground" shoe. Good court feel, solid Cushlon 3.0 comfort, and very stable. It doesn't excel in one specific area like the others, but it never fails me.

6. The "Outdoor Beater": Wade AC12 Encore

When I use it: Neighborhood concrete courts.

Why: The GCU rubber is built for the street. It was a bit stiff and "pinchy" on the sides initially, but once that Boom foam breaks in, it’s a tank. (Pro tip: thin insoles helped with the wide-foot pinch here).

On the Watchlist: Currently looking at the Kobe 3 Low Protro "Mamba Magic" or the Book 1 to replace the AC12s if the pinching doesn't fully go away.

Would love to hear thoughts from other heavier guards or wide-footers—what are you guys running lately?