So if anyone is interested in actually hooping in these, here is my review.
Because we are all different, here is a bit of background about myself:
- I'm a older baller (40+) 6'1" 210 lbs - but not a statue on the court. I can still get up and down and cut and slash.
- play 3-4 times per week, pick-up only (no leagues) at a Big 10 University Rec Center
- Had the OGs of these - 2 pairs of this colorway and also 2 pair of the teal colorway.
- current kicks rotation: KD 8 (3 pairs), 2017 Hyperdunk Low, 2016 Adidas Crazylight Low (2 pairs), 2012 Hyperdunk Mid (2 pairs), plus an occasional appearance of one of my favorites like the 2K5 or Kobe V.
- favorite performance kicks of all time: Huarache 2k5, Kobe V, KD 8
- always wear Nike ELITE socks when playing
I got to play in these for the first time today - and they are not BRICKS. Cushion is very firm, but not hard - similar to the 2017 Hyperdunks. My KD 8s are very cushy and have lots of give, where the Uptempos are much firmer. The upper was actually the stiffer part of the shoe and not the cushioning. Really hope they uppers break in and soften up. These are heavy, similar to my CrazyLight lows - you can definitely feel the weight difference between these and my KD 8s.
Traction was great with no issues ( the courts I play on are almost always clean). Court feel is higher than modern shoes, but I had no problems with stability. And I didn't notice that I was wearing retro shoes with an older design. There is a reason these are classics.
Overall I am happier than I thought I would be with these. I don't wear bball shoes casually, so if these didn't work out for playing, I would have sent them back. But I will definitely add these to the rotation, as I assume that both the bottom cushioning and the upper will soften up a bit , which will make these better. Since I use a rotation, I can handle the extra weight when wearing them occasionally, and switch to something else when I want to go lighter or softer. Love the nostalgia of them, and the silhouette has always been my favorite of all-time (these and the 2K5s), the colorway is maybe my favorite as well - plus on a couple of pull-up jumpers in transition, it felt like it did some 20+ years ago.
Let me know if you guys have any questions.