I somehow hit on both of the original pairs, and I can say with 100% honesty that these are barely worth the $160. I get that there's hype, but I genuinely feel bad for people getting hit over the head paying resale for these.
- the cushion IS great, it's React in its most pure form and is very comfortable
- while durable, the midsole wrinkles and gets really dirty with just normal wear
- the upper looks unique (deconstructed, translucent) and is very breathable yet supportive and durable considering how thin it is
- the upper is also very unforgiving, and if your foot doesn't fit this shoe perfectly...they don't look that great (personally, I'm somewhere right in the middle)
Wide footers stay TTS. Normal footers go TTS or half down if you don't mind a snug shoe. Narrow footers...it's your call. I have a narrow foot and while my true size actually fits TTS, that normal toe room along with the dead space on the lateral side of my foot creates some wrinkles and creases. Plus I have a low instep so the top of my foot doesn't fill in the shoe either. If I tie them tight, the eyestays nearly touch each other. I'm a size 14, so I can't do anything about this.
I'm actually more excited about the Element 55 (or whatever it may be called). Non-translucent upper, the same midsole, same overall design, and a price decrease (reportedly $130).
