ClutchFit Drive Low - Elite 24

UA has slowly been upping their shoe game in the Philippines to compete with basketball household names like Nike and Adidas. Signing a high profile All Star in Steph Curry has definitely stamped their full arrival in the basketball shoe game. Opening stores in BGC and SM Megamall adds to the Baltimore based manufacturer's presence here in the Philippines.

One of the signature shoes from UA released in 2014 was the ClutchFit Drive Low which was showcased during the Elite 24 on the blacktop court of Brooklyn in August. The Elite 24 game featured the top 24 high school preps suiting up for a pick up game in front of basketball fans, college coaches and scouts all brandished in their UA gear from head to toe. Unfortunately for us the ClutchFit Drive Low was never released in the Philippines. Only the Steph Curry endorsed high tops made it our local UA stores and other retail outlets (Titan, Planet Sports and Toby's). Fortunately for me, I have a hook up who was able to grab a pair and ship it to Manila for this review. Let's get it on.

Cushioning - Micro G

UA used the Micro G cushioning technology on the ClutchFit Drive Low. Micro G, like the Lunarlon on the Kobe line, provides a low to the ground profile for that quick change in pace and direction. However, I will give Micro G the slight upper hand because it is firmer and doesn't bottom out over time. There is a bounce in UA's cushioning system that it makes it effortless to land and rebound (responsiveness). And it looks like Under Armour did not sacrifice anything over their cushioning technology as it is still slim and extremely light.

Traction - Herringbone Pattern

One of the best features I love about UA basketball shoes (particularly the Anatomix Spawn Low and the ClutchFit Drive Low) is their traction. The grip on a wooden court is excellent. The well spaced multi directional herringbone pattern of the sole make for those sudden stops or when you want to do that quick cross over. And I say "well spaced" because the sole doesn't accumulate dirt and is easy to clean. Traction on outdoor courts (and I mean the cement courts in our barangay) is no different with the grip indoors. 

Support - Heel Clip 

I've been using low tops since the Kobe IV and have favored the recent UA low tops as well. There is definitely less support in using low tops but this pair still provides plenty of support in all other areas. UA added the heel clip counter to provide that extra support. A flat base and low to the ground Micro G also helps provide that stability. However, the Micro G insole doesn't have that molded arch which might not be the best for flatfooted players. A very small outrigger on the lateral side of the forefoot provides some additional support when cutting. The material used on the upper also provides added stability to show as is snugs your foot in place. One downside of the CFD Low is the lock down of the heel clip. I felt that it does not provide that lock down similar to what the Kobe 8 provides. 

Upper - ClutchFit

That material that I referred to earlier is UA's newest upper technology, the ClucthFit, which was laid around the shoe. ClutchFit is a light material that is supposed to act as a second skin which wraps around your foot for that perfect fit. And I can say that it is as advertised. I initially thought that this will be like the Kobe 7 where the upper is really hard and hurt my foot when cutting or stopping. ClutchFit was definitely nothing like that -- it molded to my foot and flexed when needed. 

Final Word

For most people the UA CFD runs true to size but that is not the case for me. I normally wear a US 9.5 on the Kobe line and when paired with the Elite Socks they fit perfectly. So I got the US 9.5 of the CFD-L and there was some space in the toe box even if I use thicker than usual socks. The extra space is a welcome though due to the lack of the shoe's ventilation. I will definitely get a US 9 when the next colorway is released this month (January 2015).

As I mentioned, my initial concern was the lack of ventilation due to the use of ClutchFit technology on the upper. This material doesn't have any mesh or perforation for the feet to breathe. The only area where your feet can take in some air is the tongue which is made of mesh. In the Philippines where it is hot and humid it is a definite cause for concern. I've used my ClutchFit Drive Low on may occasions, in different courts (indoor and outdoor) and in different Manila weather (hot and humid, extremely hot and humid as well as a little cold) but I've never experienced any blistering of chaffing on my feet. The mesh tongue is more than enough to provide your feet some needed air to last a full game.

My other knock on the CluthcFit Drive Low is the heel to toe transition. The Anatomix Spawn Low is noticeably better in this area. The ClutchFit Drive Low doesn't propel you forward and a little more effort is needed in making those fastbreak dash.  

The ClucthFit Drive Low is on my usual rotation as it provides traction, cushion and comfort. The high top version is most likely the same with the added support on the ankles. Hands down this is one of the best performance shoes for 2014.

Kobe X - Leaked Photos

Early pictures of the Kobe X have surfaced all over the net which is rumored to release in February leading in to the All Star games. Nothing has been officially confirmed if these are the actual Kobe X but all signs point to this being the next in the Kobe signature line.

Based on the leaked photos the Kobe X will debut in a low top silhouette. It ditches the Engineered Mesh and will be replaced by a fuse-like material for the upper. It will also move away from Lunarlon and instead have a translucent sole where you can see the zoom air bags (I am glad they are going with Zoom Air).  Nike also did away with the pressure mapping sole which provided excellent traction. The heel counter doesn't extend to the sides of the heel like the Kobe 6, 7 and 8. It's a diamond shaped heel counter similar to what we've seen in the Kobe 5.

A lot of Kobe signature line followers are on the fence with the Kobe X because of the change in technology (no more Flywire, Flyknit and Lunarlon). But I am still expecting these next Kobe signature shoes to be one of the best performing shoes of 2015.

Here are the upcoming release dates and colorways of the Kobe X

Nike Kobe 10 (X)
Blue Lagoon/Black-Vapor Green
705317-403
February 7, 2015

Nike Kobe 10 (X)
Black/Multicolor-Volt
742549-097
February 14, 2015

Nike Kobe 10 (X)
Poison Green/Sequoia-Volt
705317-333
February 14, 2015

Images courtesy of @kb824, @fyk7 and @retro_1h77

Kobe Mentality - Performance Review

Nike has consistently released an alternative of the Kobe line over the years with the Venomenon. The Venomenon bares the Kobe logo but the design, technology and materials used is very different from the Kobe 9. This year Nike kicked it up a notch in the Kobe alternative line with the release of the Kobe Mentality. I used the Kobe Mentality on two pick up games and here's my short review.

Cushioning

The Kobe Mentality uses the same Lunarlon cushioning system found in the Kobe 8 and Kobe 9. You can actually pull out your Kobe 8 or Kobe 9 insole and do a swap. Lunarlon provides the low to the ground feel but doesn't sacrifice support. However, lunarlon support is more built for smaller or lighter guards. Heavier guards, forwards and centers might find the cushioning of the Kobe Mentality a bit too thin. Just like the Kobe 9s, the Mentality was a good fit out of the box. No break-in needed. My foot immediately molded into the Lunarlon insole. Throughout two pick up games there was no movement or slipping inside. As expected the Lunarlon support and cushioning was excellent.  

Traction

Nike used a herringbone pattern on the sole of the Kobe Mentality. I have to say that they played this pefectly by placing the herringbone pattern in the forefoot and the heel part. As a result, the shoe provided excellent traction. I used my pair on a smooth cement covered court in QC which has accumulated dust over the years. My pair was able to provide the grip during stops and cuts and even let out that sweet sounding squeak numerous times. The hard outsole also ensures it will be able to handle the rigors of an outdoor court.  

Support

The heel clip on the Mentality is a little bit shorter on the Achilles part compared to the Kobe 8 and Kobe 9. It doesn't provide that total lockdown feel when I initially laced it up. But it did not come off or felt like coming off (or slipping) when I was playing. The other support the Mentality provides is a small outrigger on the medial forefoot. This helps prevent your ankles from rolling out. The overall support of the Mentality is not too far behind to that of the Kobe 9.

There is also a 4:00 AM printed on the heel tab of the Kobe Mentality. This signifies Kobe's routine of waking up in the middle of the night (for most of us) and start his workout. During his tour in China he woke up his players at 4am to start practicing. During their Olympics training Kobe calls professional trainer Rob around 415am to workout with him. Rob rushes in the gym only to find Kobe already sweating and has been putting up shots. Kobe strongly believes that waking up at 4am and start training adds to the mental toughness of a player.

Upper

Like the Venomenon, the Mentality also uses a light fuse material on the upper in printed red and black.  This gives the shoe better breathability especially during those hot and humid days in the Philippines. The softer fuse upper also provdes excellent forefoot support without hurting my pinkie toe when cutting or stopping. The mesh honeycombed tongue also helps in the breathability aspect.

If you take a bird's eye view look at the Mentality's forefoot you'll notice the sheath pattern or the Kobe logo running from the toe box to the medial and the inner part of the forefoot. Sneaky! That same sheath pattern has some splatter design added to it. It is not that noticeable until you put the shoes a couple of feet in front of you. Again sneaky!

Final Word

There was some weird flex on the forefoot when I initially wore it but immediately went away after a couple of up and down the court. I expect the feel and flex of the toe box to get better as I use this more.

The Kobe Mentality runs true to size. I wear a 9.5 US in the Kobe 9 and also used a the same size for this review.

For 5,500 pesos this is a definite bang for the buck pair especially if you mostly ball outdoors (blacktop or cement). You get some of the fine points of the Kobe 9 like Lunarlon, heel clip support and a herringbone sole pattern without breaking the bank. The design is also well thought off and won't be seen as a take down of the Kobe by the untrained eye. Plus the box used has Kobe's sheath logo in a multicolor reflective print which adds to the appeal of the Kobe Mentality.

Grab you pair of the Kobe Mentality in Titan, Nike Park, Planet Sports, The Athelete's Foot and even Proline.

Customized - Kobe 8 SS

Today won't be a shoe review but a Do-It-Yourslef session on one of my pair. The Kobe 8 SS.

Two Decembers ago Nike released their annual Christmas Day themed Kobe 8. Because Kobe was sidelined with his Achilles and Knee injuries the Kobe 9 release was delayed for a few months so Nike decided to do a Christmas Day version of the same shoe. There was the Kobe 8 Christmas Lights in 2012 and the Kobe 8 SS (Shedding Skin) for 2013

The Kobe 8 SS was everything the other colorways provide. It was light as it measured only 9.8 oz on a US size 9. It has that low to the ground feel with Nike's Lunarlon cushioning technology. It has the usual heel clip and medial outrigger for support. And the multi directional herringbone pattern for traction. What the Kobe SS showcased that other Kobe 8 variants did not have is the outer skin. It was a molded snake skin exterior which was laid over the entire upper of the show. It somehow looked like a punk's shoe instead of a basketball shoe.

I used it a couple of times and nothing was surprising with the performance. However, I noticed that after games I had a small pain on my pinkie toe. I initially thought that I needed to break in these pair so I used it again the following weekend. To my surprise I still feel the same pinkie toe pain. I suspected the molded snake skin as the culprit as it prevents the foot from extending when making those stops and cuts. The silicone material restricted the Engineered Mesh from providing that elastic support to my forefoot particularly the medial part of it.

So a couple of months ago I decided to try something crazy and cut out the outer skin of the Kobe 8 SS. I will literally shed the skin of this pair. I got my self a  regular box cutter and a lot of guts. After all this is an eight thousand peso shoe and destroying will be such a waste.

So I started cutting away on the stitches on the collar. Once that was done, I moved on to cutting the silicone molded snake skin. I made sure that I was cutting the edges (nearest the mid sole) to avoid any left over materials that will show. After cutting a couple of centimeters (and not destroying the EM upper) it was easy going around the shoe and cutting the rest of the skin. When I finished with both shoe the result was pretty amazing. The Engineered Mesh (EM) had a black and gray snake patter design which I thought was a lot better looking than the original one. There were some gaps on the mid sole and upper though and I had to bring it to The Lab for that quick glue to ensure that sole separation doesn't happen.

After a couple of weeks with The Lab I finally used it in a pick up game and lo and behold it was a lot more comfortable to use and the pain on my pinkie tow was gone. The silicone mold was really the culprit in preventing my foot from extending on those stops. And instead pressed against it which caused the pain.

Shortly after, the Kobe 9 was released and my edited version of the Kobe 8 SS was placed back in the box and will stay there for months. But at the back of my mind there was something missing with those shoes. A member of Kobe Section PH on Facebook suggested that I paint a swoosh on the side to fill the negative space. And I was seriously considering it but I had to have the right paint (an Angelus Gold paint to be exact). Tried looking for it in Sulit, Ayos Dito and even eBay but no one was selling.

Finally a few weeks ago (during that long Christmas and New Year holiday) I caught a break and saw someone post a Gold Angelus paint for sale. I contacted the seller and met with him. Bought a couple of paint brushes in National Book Store and continued my Kobe 8 customization.

I had to make a trace of the swoosh to ensure that I have the right pattern and the size would be proportionate to my shoe. So I got one of my other Kobe 8 and traced the swoosh. Then I used my box cutter to cut out that swoosh pattern. I pasted the trace over a thin cardboard to ensure that the paint wont seep int to the shoe. Lastly I had to make sure that it is securely fastened on the Kobe 8 SS as I paint it and a regular masking tape did the trick. After letting the first coating dry I removed the pattern and this is what I got

It was no where near a pro would have done it -- as expected (and that was not what I was going for so this worked for me) but it gave my customized Kobe 8 SS the missing piece..."the swoosh' and a little bit of "out of the norm" compared to the other Kobe 8 Christmas SS out there.