I get that shoes are sent out to reviewers and have been for years, but I’ve never seen a PR push from any company as big as the recent one Nike did for the Caitlin 1’s and the upcoming LeBron 24s.

Literally flying in dozens of shoe reviewers and influencers and giving them a multi-day expenses paid access to their HQs, shoes, parties, and who knows what else.

Would you still hold the opinion of any of the flown in reviewers as true regarding the Caitlin 1’s and LeBron 24s.

I guess for me it’s given the entire release of these two shoes a giant asterisk when it comes to finding sources that weren’t inherently influenced by the trip. It’s honestly had the opposite effect that Nike probably wanted because it’s only sown doubt, at least for me.

Has anyone returned shoes from Ontario, Canada to 361?
How much were you out by the end of it?
I’ve been struggling to find a shoe that fits me well and I’m losing my mind and about to order every shoe out there 🙃

Landed The nightmare colorway on launch day. Totally hooked on these shoes I love the style I don't ball I just wearing casually. I'm about to go crazy and order several more colorways, which I normally do not do. Been messing around on the Nike app creating my own has anybody else done this and receive theirs? I've made several designs I like but can the bright Criton pass for a gold metallic color?

Are they similar to bbv3? I’d love If they were because I’m not sure what I’m doing to do because bbv3 are getting harder to find.

Been looking for a while, wondering what the best budget basketball shoe is right now. I'd consider under 130$ budget. Seems like Way Of Wades are the best option right now. What yall think?

Are any even worth it right now, or are the CC1's just the best value shoe?

A couple years back there was a list of shoes of drop-in midsoles and even their compatibility… feel free to add info here (also gonna put what I know)

I have 4E width feet and I'm looking to buy a pair of Game1 Lows for basketball. My feet are size 11-11.5 US, with 11.5 having roughly 1 inch of space between the end of my toe and the end of the shoe. I'm wondering if I should get size 11s for a more snug fit or size 11.5's because I've heard that they run short.

I would like to ask about this specific shoes. I have problem with my KD 6 when it comes to dust on court. I’m eyeing the Lining 808 6 ultra because of the GCU material, do you recommend this shoes on dusty and outdoor court? I’ll appreciate every comments, Thank you.

I’ve been hooping for a while now, nothing to crazy just pick ups for the love of the game. I’d go through a pair or 2 shoes a year and the Gt cut 3 are the best pair of basketball shoes I’ve played in imo.

I’m looking for something that plays and feels as close as possible to them while not absolutely breaking the bank and dropping 150+ every time I want a new pair.

I was in the wsb sub about Nike and I said their bball shoes are ass, ballers have moved onto Li Ning, 361 and Anta. The posters there don't believe Americans wear these brands cause they haven't seen them at THEIR run. I told them Steph wears WOW 12 for a reason but they ignored me. The guy who said "they only buy them in China" got upvoted and I got downvoted.

https://www.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/s/SPc7KRwYPh

First row: Hyperdunk 2012 Low, Hyperdunk 2011 Low. Second row: Hyperdunk 2012 High, Zoom Hyperfuse 2012

Intro

Time flies, measured by glue slowly losing its bond. Just a couple of weeks ago, a pair of Kobe 5 OG Miles Davis started separating and now they are joined by Hyperdunk 2011 Low and Zoom Hyperfuse 2012 (right column). Before I help them fall apart completely to prep them for a reglue, I thought I’d bring you this little review.

I'm sure we have many old heads around who spent their younger years obliterating these models and having a great time experiencing it all first hand, but I'm equally sure a big chunk of sneaker crowd parrots praises without actually knowing the reasoning. This piece is for both groups.

Context

Let's jump into the time machine and observe the background:

• 2003-2009: low tops became a viable option for every position, mostly thanks to Kobe.
• 2003-2008: Lebron models up to Lebron 6 are on the market. Very heavy, with plenty of support and barely any breathability.
• 2004-2008: Jordan Melo line remains innovative in every way. Joined by CP3 line in 2008.
• 2008: Nike releases Hyperdunk 2008, which debuts at the Beijing Summer Olympics. The first basketball model to feature the Flywire support system.
• 2009: Nike Kobe 4 OG is released.
• 2009-2010: Lebron 7 & 8 are released. Industry trends touch this line as well, most visibly on the uppers.
• 2010: Nike releases Zoom Hyperfuse 2010, the first basketball model to feature Hyperfuse material.
• 2010: Jordan Brand’s 25th anniversary. Jordan 2010 is released, headlined by DWade, who joined the brand a year prior.
• 2010: Nike Kobe 5 OG is released.
• 2011: Nike Kobe 6 OG is released.
• 2012: Blake Griffin joins Jordan and Super.Fly line starts.
• 2012: Lebron 10 High is released. Much welcomed comeback for Zoom, full length Zoom Air this time.

To summarize, Nike (and Jordan as an extension) is innovating and using its best tech on signature lines. While each one has their distinct design principles, the bigger trend is clear: go lighter and more breathable without sacrificing support.

Main actors

Notice how similar in shape all four are.

Enough campfire stories, let's jump straight into the details (left to right):

• Nike Hyperdunk 2012 Low: Lunarlon pods in heel and forefoot, Phylon foam carrier, plastic midfoot shank, upper made out of mesh, fuse and Flywire cables. 322g (11.35oz) for US 9.5.
• Nike Hyperdunk 2012 High: Lunarlon pods in heel and forefoot, Phylon foam carrier, glass + plastic midfoot shank (basically looks and feels like carbon fiber), upper made out of Engineered Mesh. Dynamic Flywire cables debut. 340g (12oz) for US 9.
• Nike Zoom Hyperfuse 2012: top loaded forefoot Zoom unit, Phylon foam carrier. 385g (13.6oz) for US 9.
• Nike Hyperdunk 2011 Low: top loaded, wide Zoom unit in the forefoot, Phylon foam full length, plastic midfoot shank, upper made out of Hyperfuse with Flywire reinforcements. 300g (10.6oz) for US 9.

All of them are breathable and supportive enough not to even ponder about it. All feature minimal tongues that somehow manage to offload lace pressure. All have a sole base much wider than the upper, sugarcoated with a prominent lateral outrigger. All are lighter than similar releases today. Simply put, basics done right. If we’re feeling nitpicky, the only failure was the use of Lunarlon, but hey, it was their flagship foam back then. Luckily, there's still decent and proven Phylon to save the day.

Lack of innovation & GOATs 15 years later

Let's recap Nike and Jordan models from 2025 & 2026, excluding Retros and Protros:

• Jordan 40
• Tatum 4
• Zion 4
• Heir 2
• ST Flare
• Lebron 23
• Freak 7
• Sabrina 3
• GT Cut 3 Turbo
• GT Future
• GT Cut 4
• Luka 4
• Luka 5
• Freak 8
• JA 3
• JA 4
• Sabrina 4
• KD 18
• A'One
• A'Two
• Triangle
• ST Charge
• Caitlin 1

(If I forgot any notable ones, let me know in the comments)

All of them are either heavier (when comparing the size that fits equally) or less breathable or most often both, than the Hyperdunks mentioned above. Some feature better cushioning but it's always hindered by some other flaw. Only all around good performers worth mentioning are Jordan 40, ST Flare, GTC 3 Turbo, A'Two, Caitlin 1 with an honorable mention for JA 3 for the best design of all of them.

One thing is clear: weight reduction and breathability are no longer considered main goals. In fact, neither seems to be a goal at all.

These 4 models way back from 2011-2012 would still be viable today as they stand, or even be in the conversation for best releases of the year had they slightly protroed the cushioning (Zoom Turbo units instead of standard ones, Cushlon 3.0 or Injected Phylon instead of standard Phylon). This says a lot - innovative tech from 15 years ago is either still a solid choice or gets pivoted away from altogether, not developed and iterated on.

The only segment that has seen somewhat steady development is cushioning. Every brand, including Nike, is always on the hunt for the next best foam. This always comes with big claims, which often turn out to be false, especially when it comes to durability. Still, foam-only cushioning setups can only go so far and somehow the best cushioning setups from Nike always incorporate Zoom Air. Simple yet brilliantly effective, Zoom debuted as Tensile Air in Nike Air Go LWP more than 30 years ago (March 1995). The whole writeup so far paints a grim picture of Nike’s inability to innovate past its staple tech, so let's give them their due flowers for the recent comeback of Zoom and Zoom Strobels.

Let's come back to weight and breathability. Performance sneakers market of 2008-2012, arguably led by Nike, looked as if the golden ratio had been established. Foam + Zoom cushioning setups with uppers based on synthetics (mesh, Fuse, Flywire) or knits later on. For those who didn't quite enjoy going away from previous eras of leather based uppers, there were still Retros and a few new models (Jordan Melo line and the likes). Then, there was a comeback of Posite uppers. Whether you wanted a lightweight and breathable shoe or an outdoor tank, the market got you covered.

Since then, the only line that somewhat tried to keep things breathable and as lightweight as possible is Jordan numbered line, at least up to 38. Leno Weave blinked and faded.

If a consumer values weight and breathability, you are barely given any choice from Nike, Jordan or Western brands in general, to be fair. Heck, you basically need to look to Chinese brands to deliver. Li-Ning Yushuai, Gamma, Liren, Sonic lines, some Way Of Wade 808 versions, recent Anta Shockwave and Zap, 361 Big3 5.0 Quick Pro, 7.0 Pro, partly 361 Joker 1 GT SE and likely a dozen I forgot to mention.

Outro

What's next for these 4 pairs? Well, both Hyperdunks 2012 show no sign of glue failing. A year ago, I'd have bet the rubber would be totally gone, but lo and behold all 4 still maintain decent indoor traction.

https://preview.redd.it/mk0cca21lbth1.jpg?width=4618&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8f86e566748703868779320973a44257f0f221c

It’s barely worth the hassle of reviving them, but the tinkering part of me is ready to give them a full reglue just to see how far they can go. I wish I had easy access to cheap replacement Zoom Turbo units.