Friday, March 23, 2012

HYPERFORMANCE

(中文版請到這裡。)

Combining the best features of the Hyperfuse and Hyperdunk, Nike has created the newest iteration in the Hyper-series of performance basketball shoes.  The look of the Hyperenforcer borrows heavily from its predecessors, which isn’t at all a bad thing.  I always felt that the Hyperfuse looked too patchy with its generous cut-out perforations, while the Hyperdunk looked too ordinary.


The love child of the 2 silhouettes is understated yet more interesting.  Its tongue resembles a more padded Hyperfuse and the body is a better ventilated Hyperdunk.  Numerous polygons are cut into the Flywire surface to provide flexible ventilation holes for extended play.  The external heel counter from the Hyperdunk is replaced by a symbolic one coated in 3M.  The Swoosh and laces are also lined with 3M which gives the shoe a bit more pop, especially these being the PE colorway for the West All-Stars.  The midsole is every bit Hyperdunk, but the Zoom Air in the forefoot is less pronounced while the Lightweight Phylon feels more substantial.  The ankle guard is cut higher and more layered than both to provide maximum protection.  Overall, I’d rank the Hyperenforcer the most protective and cushioned of the 3.


The sole on these Hyperenforcers are a no-nonsense, hardcore herringbone design more akin to the Hyperfuse, which is a wise departure from the fancy visible Zoom in the Hyperdunks.  A new addition to the sole which I have yet to see in any other shoe is a brush-like contraption which allegedly provides better grip when you land or pivot on your heel.  I don’t get up high enough to worry about traction when I land, and I have never ever performed a heel-pivot in my life so I cannot attest to its effectiveness.


Overall, the shoe feels very solid in my hands with its almost-seamless construction.  It’s not the lightest shoe on the market, but with the reinforced ankle collar and toe box, I have no complaints.  Even the Flywire+Hyperfuse surface feels stronger than before.  The imprint in the insole is not unwarranted.


Court performance-wise, the Hyperenforcer are an absolute monster!  I played in these on 3 separate occasions and each time I fall deeper in love with them.

Before you play in them, I recommend lacing them up all the way to the top because unless you tie them down, the collars are so well reinforced that they are too rigid to stay close to your ankles.  The fit is snug like the Hyperdunks, but not as scratchy because of the additional layers and softer Hyperfuse.  I asked for better ventilated Flywire in my ISO 2 review, and lo and behold, I got them.  The diamond cuts in the Flywire kept my feet cool the whole time without sacrificing protection or feeling too soft.  Bravo Nike, bravo!


Dreamy is the best word to describe the well-endowed cushioning.  Even after extended play, each step still felt springy like they were my first.  This became especially handy when the 3-point shootout contest I participated in went to triple overtime.  I really needed to get my legs under me for that final round and the Hyperenforcer did not disappoint.  

Zoom Air in the forefoot does the job well, but I am more impressed by the Lightweight Phylon in the rest of the midsole.  It reminded me of the Jordan 2010’s.  Yes, that’s how good it felt.  Just because it’s not called something Air or Air something doesn’t mean it’s not as good.  Perhaps Nike should give Lightweight Phylon a better name like… AIRLON!  Or not.


Grip was another highlight of the Hyperenforcer.  Dusty courts required multiple hand-swipes on the sole, but once the dust comes off, prepare for some squeaky traction.

For some reason, the laces tend to loosen after extended play.  It’s not a huge bother.  A few re-ties here and there will easily put the issue to rest.  I wonder if it’s because of the rigid ankle collars that stretch out the laces at the top, or the seamless construction which may tend to give way altogether instead of at specific stitch points.


In conclusion, I highly recommend the Hyperenforcer to anyone who enjoyed the Hyperfuse or Hyperdunk.  Bigger players will benefit most out of the awesome cushioning, while lighter guards may find the sole a bit too thick.  If shoe weight is not a big concern for you and you like to bang down-low (and drain the occasional 3’s), these shoes will leap over the competition.  



Thursday, March 8, 2012

With Great Power...


After the disappointing performance of the ISO 2, it was difficult to get excited about reviewing another generic black/red Jordan Brand offering quirkily named Flight the Power (FTP).  With that said, the results may be tingling to the senses…

Sue me...

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

MELO CHRISTM8S


(備註:雖然現在還談聖誕遲了一點,但M8這雙鞋,遲買好過不買!)

ST PATRICK’S DAY 也適用
NIKE想我們相信LEBRON是一頭獅子,而KOBE是一條蛇(或鯊魚或獵豹)。另一方面,JORDAN BRAND的推廣手法有所不同,他們的球星系列球鞋很少講故事。 有見及此,CP3、WADE及MELO的鞋款都經常被鞋迷忽略,往往在OUTLET出現後都未必有人買。

Monday, January 16, 2012

MELO CHRISTM8S


Show me the green...
Nike wants us to believe that LeBron is a lion and Kobe is a snake (or shark or cheetah).  On the other hand, Jordan Brand takes a different approach as their signature series seldom tell a story like its brethren.  CP3s, Wades and Melos appear to have become less popular because of this, often ending up in outlet stores and ignored by the sneaker community.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

孤孤單單的下午


序言:
ISOLATION-一種普遍使用於球隊重心進攻球員的進攻戰術,在更多空位面對單對單的防守下製造出理想得分的機會。要將戰術運用得淋灕盡至,進攻球員在比賽中必須備有快速的反應及準確的判斷能力。

ISO-LA-TION,(休‭)想住進我心裡...

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Lemon Tree

The isolation play is most commonly called for the team’s best offensive player to go one-on-one against his defender.  For the play to work, the isolated player must be explosive off the dribble, able to react quickly and creative in handling any late-game situations.

ISO-lation, is not good for me...

Friday, November 18, 2011

沉睡的獅子,醒來吧!

(For English, please go here) 

對於大多喜愛LEBRON JAMES的籃球迷來說,回想於2011NBA總決賽系列對決,LEBRON往往在關鍵的第四節中表現得強差人意,如隱形人一樣,令眾球迷大感失望。再加上上季初高調直播轉會的「決定」,實在令本人對大帝的好感大打折扣。

但要成為智者,是不應留戀於過去的,要從失敗中學習改變,才能創出更好的未來。而這雙 AIR MAX AMBASSADOR 4,可能就是喚醒LEBRON的最佳裝備

中港城的海豚銀像及不上邁阿密的顏色鮮豔