Adidas Adizero Tempo

A new addition to the list of the Adidas Adizero collections is the Adidas Adizero Tempo. This shoe is for runners who prefer running in lightweight shoes that provides medical support. For long distance running, this shoe will match the mild over pronated runners. Adidas continues to improve its edition of the Adizero Tempo not that it has a much cooler style than the previous edition and a more mid-foot support for extra comfort and performance. When it comes to shoe technology for the running tempo required for each race, the Adidas never fails to bring significant innovation for the benefits of the runners who are also fans of Adidas.

Arch support and pronation control

The arch support of the Adidas Adizero Tempo is under the ‘stability’ category, which means the arch support is good for neutral runners. Runners and athletes who have normal to high arch of foot shape usually have over pronation control. Shoes with better stability, like this Adizero Tempo, are the right ones for them.

For runners who are ‘light-over pronated,’ the Adizero Tempo is the perfect choice of running shoes. It has the features and designs that will improve the pronation control of the runner and will also provide the runner the tool that will help him manage his ‘light-over-pronation’ type of foot.

Terrain

The Adidas Adizero Tempo is engineered with specific design of outsole, using the adiWEAR and the Continental rubber that can handle different terrains. The grip of the outsole is good not only for any of the tracks, roads, and gravel types of terrain, but also for wet and slippery ground. The non-marking rubber of this shoe can stand roads and terrains without sacrificing the performance.

Use

The Adidas Adizero Tempo can be used for normal training with the rate of 4 out of 10. Aside from the running routines of short and long distances, this shoe is also perfect for any training and athletic purposes. Since it has the lightest weight, plus all the latest in the shoe technology, most athletes and runners will love this shoe if they are looking for a transition of getting better when it comes to speed and performance.

Durability

The Adidas Adizero Tempo is built to last high-wear durability. With the adiWEAR technology that is exclusive only in all the Adidas sports shoes, you can expect that this shoe is extremely durable for long distance race tracks.

Fit and sizing

The width availabilities of the Adizero Tempo are fitting for sizes D and B. This shoe fits runners with normal size, and the heel, the mid-foot, and the forefoot of this shoe is in medium 

Elements of the Adizero Tempo

Outsole

Adidas uses the latest technology in the construction of their shoes. Among the creditable technologies is the adiWEAR placed on the outer sole of the shoes. The outer sole is made with a Zonemotion design intended for forefoot flexibility. In addition to that, the Continental rubber in the outer sole is also engineered to provide the shoes with better traction, which means the shoes are perfect for any type of weather and terrain.

Midsole

The mid-sole of the Adizero Tempo is designed with the CMEVA or the Compression molded EVA foam for better cushioning. Constructed with it is the Pro-moderator material that is firm enough to make the mid-sloe durable. This pro-moderator technique is also intended to control the over pronation and to provide stability for the heel to toe transition. The mid-sole also has the extended Torsion system, which is designed for a more relaxed forefoot and rear foot movement. This is the thermoplastic unit in a wishbone shape located in the mid-foot sole of the shoes.

Upper

Adidas uses the Sprint Web technology for the upper of the Adizero Tempo. The Sprint Web is the seam-free, lightweight fabric in the upper part of the shoe. The Micro-suede and the breathable open mesh of the shoes offer comfort, smooth, and soft feel to the foot for better performance. For additional step-in comfort and fit, Adidas also included the respoEVA sock liner to the upper of the shoe. This is also molded for the anatomical fit and snug in the upper area. The Strobel Last also makes the upper feels soft and protected as it is stitched in full, attaching the adiPRENE foam in the underfoot to the upper.

The technical construction of the Adidas Adizero Tempo

The Adizero Tempo has a technical construction system that is built and constructed not just for better and faster running routines, but also for the technological advantage of the runners. The most significant technical feature of this shoe is the extended Torsion System, which Adidas intended to include providing security in the mid-foot area. It has the responsive and lightweight molded foam in the insole for better and comfortable cushioning.
The Adizero Tempo also features other Adidas exclusive technologies like the adiPRENE+- placed in the forefoot. This is to maintain the propulsion of the shoes that promotes bounce in the forefoot part. On the other hand, the adiPRENE placed in the heel part of the shoe is intended for the superior cushioning and efficiency.

There is also the adiWEAR technology, which is placed in the outsole. This technology ensures the durability of the shoe. This technology is added to the tough Continental rubber for superb grip on different terrains. And since both the adiWEAR and the rubber are both durable, their presence in the shoes makes them even more durable to last longer milestones in racing and running routines.

Another breakthrough in the Adidas shoe technology is the inclusion of the Sprint Web in the upper mesh fabric, particularly in the toe box area. This technology provides support, protection, and the softness for a comfortable feeling when running. Aside from being breathable with its open air mesh material, the upper also has the Microsuede and Strobel Last upper.

There is also a pro-moderator and CMEVA added in the middle part of the sole. These technologies are nice materials for cushioning and for durability. The Litestrike EVA mid-sole completes the technical side of the shoes as it provides the lightest materials for the mid-sole, which are far better than the traditional and conventional mid-soles used in the classical old shoes.

Heel cushioning

Neutral runners who prefer running in regular schedules would benefit the most from the Adizero Tempo. It has the heel cushioning rate of 7 out of 10 in the men’s shoes, and a rate of 5 out of 10 in the women’s shoes. The heel cushioning of this shoe provides runners with the ability to have full control of the heel strikes in each movement and routine. The rate of 7 is quite high for a cushioning, and this only shows that this shoe is perfect for runners who need the heel support and stability.

Forefoot cushioning

The forefoot cushioning of the Adizero Tempo has a rate of 4 out of 10 in men’s shoes and a rate of 3 out of 10 in women’s shoes. The forefoot cushioning is important in each running shoe because its cushion protects the foot while it provides comfort and toe-off bounce when running. The rate of the cushion shows that the shoe is beneficial to runners who long for fast paced speed work performance.

Stiffness

The stiffness of the Adizero Tempo is at the rate of 4 out of 10 both in men and women’s shoes. Having a high rate of 4 for stiffness, this shoe offers flexibility and comfort for runners even for long distance marathon and for other types of training.

Stability

The stability of the Adizero Tempo is at the rate of 6 out of 10 both in men and women’s shoes. The rate of 6 is a high rate for the stability, which means that the pronation issues would be given attention accordingly.

Similar running shoes

One typical lightweight shoe that is similar to the Adidas Adizero Tempo  is the Saucony Viraata. This Virrata is a shoe that offers the most lightweight features with its 184 grams (6.5 oz) of weight for a standard size of men’s shoes. The flexibility and the cushioning of the Virrata is also similar to the Tempo, plus the zero drop platforms for better foot movements and control. As most runners prefer the Virrata because of its features and light weight, they will surely find the Adizero Tempo as one of the running shoes that they will add into their collections.

Another great similar running shoe is the Nike Zoom Structure+. This shoe from Nike is built with dynamic technology, which is also present and significant in the Adizero Tempo. The stability, the cushion, and the heel support are among the points that are similar in both shoes, yet the Tempo maintains the updated extended Torsion system that is not present in the other shoes.

Another similar running shoe that can be compared to the Adizero Tempo is the new balance 990. This is the type of running shoe that most runners would want to have, not just because of its stylish gray color, but also because of the high technology being used and included in its construction. Although the NB 990V3 has the updated features when it comes to cushion, support, and stability, the Adizero Tempo can never be left behind because Adidas makes sure that runners will benefit greatly from its flexibility and soft off-toe bounces.

Summary

Flat racing shoes are built and engineered not just for runners to have the ability to run smoothly on the track, but also to improve their speed. Adidas knew it, which is why the Adizero Tempo is constructed with the most updated technology. This shoe is definitely one of the best running shoes available in the market today.

Running the long distance marathon will only feel cool and fresh in the forefoot area because of the Sprint Web and the Microsuede technologies. If you are doing your regular routines already, and you know how to maximize the pronation for your advantage, this shoe is just the perfect pair for you. For a conclusion, this Adizero Tempo is the type of shoes that every runner longs to have, not just because it has the lightest weight as a flat racing shoe, but also because the features added and combined in its construction all promotes speed performance.

Li-Ning Wade 808

Traction – The traction featured on the 808’s and Wade 3 is pretty much identical. Ihaven’t had a problem with them at all. I may have needed to wipe once in a blue moon, but other than that I’ve had no real issues with them. Something that I like is that the rubber is thick enough to wear indoors and outdoors. So for all of you that like to play outside and need something with thick rubber, these are for you.

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Cushion – Li-Ning has used their Bounse and Cushion foam in the heel and forefoot, and they felt reminiscent of the Wade 1, which is a good thing. The Wade 3’s cushion was one aspect I wasn’t too fond of, but these rectify the issue by going back to what works. Much like the traction, the cushion offers no frills or strange gimmicks–just solid performance at a reasonable cost. They do require a little break-in time before you enjoy them, but once you’ve done that then you’re pretty much good to go.

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Materials – For a shoe that is listed – for US residents – at $90, there is no other basketball shoe that will offer better materials for the price. Yeah, you read that right. There is no other basketball shoe currently available – for their original retail price – that offers you materials like this. What I like most about the leather on these is that they break-in rather quickly–likely due to the poor ventilation, but either way they felt really nice after a few hours running in them. Each time on-court is better than the last, just like the 90’s.

The 808’s take what was so awesome about the 90’s and bring them up to speed in 2015. They feature leather, straps, and herringbone. What more could you want?

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Fit – They fit me like a glove so I’d say they fit true to size, but wide footers may want to go up 1/2 size as I like my kicks snug.  I was a little concerned about lockdown in the heel since there isn’t an internal heel counter, but I ended up having no issues in them. Because they used a nice leather along the upper, the entire shoe just fits your foot perfectly. It feels like you’re wearing your favorite pair of beaters for the first time in a month. Something about the way they hug your foot just feels right.

The midfoot strap was intended to help with containment, and while it does a little, it’s not enough to justify the strap. I’m pretty sure with or without the strap they would have been pretty similar, especially seeing as how the low top version of the shoe basically does just that – they remove the strap and cut the height down a tad.

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Support – Their support is pretty basic. Nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either. Much like the cushion, the support features here are very similar to the Wade 1, but instead of a Carbon Fiber shank they went with TPU – which works just as good and lowers the manufacturing cost. While you might think of that as a bad thing, I feel quite the opposite: Li-Ning tried to do too much with the Wade 3 and that made them hard to play in. These keep things simple. Just short, sweet, and to the point.

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Overall – I have to say out of all the Wade models I’ve played in since they created the Wade Brand, this is my favorite one. And it’s not even his actual signature. They offer solid traction, solid cushion, great materials (which help lead to a great fit), and to top it off, they’re actually affordable. Sometimes you just need to keep things simple. Innovation is great and all, but there is nothing wrong with rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done. They’ve got everything you need and nothing you don’t…except for the strap…that, they could have left off.

Nike KD 8

Traction: I don’t know how else to say it, but one thing that Nike pretty much has

 down is traction. It’s hard to find a shoe that has any issues in terms of grip on a court, on any court conditions, and the KD 8 is just that. You are covered with the digitized herringbone pattern in the form of nodules, similar to the Kobe 10. The pattern will fail slightly only on super dusty or poorly maintained court conditions, but with a simple wipe or two of the bottoms you will be good to go. Durability is an issue for this pattern, as the rubber nodules started to fray in the toe areas. I recommend to stay strictly indoors with these; I did not even take these outdoors and it has started to fray. While this pattern is still intact you will get some really nice traction.

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Cushion: Cushion is solid for sure. Full length Zoom is always promising. This Articulated Zoom Air unit runs full length and is bottom loaded, but don’t worry about that, you get plenty of impact protection and responsiveness still. The most responsive portion of the articulated Zoom is right under the ball of your foot, as nothing hinders the compression, like the plastic support pieces. The unit itself has plastic support pieces to keep you stable, but that hinders the compression of the Zoom unit, thus making it unable to give that responsive bounce we all like. Either way, if you’re just looking for a cushion set up that will be sufficient for impact protection and offer flexibility at the same time, the KD 8 is a good option for you.

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Materials: A new material for Nike Basketball is introduced here on the KD 8 and

it’s calledFlyweave. Basically, you have a woven upper, similar to the Air Jordan 29 (which you can now grab for under retail), but not as thick as the Air Jordan 29. This gives you a very sock-like fit, and contours to the foot’s shape. No break in time is needed since it’s a woven, and very minimal Fuse is used as overlays. The only downside to this type of material is durability, as you can expect any type of mesh, woven, or softer materials to eventually start to tear. Who knows how long though–it depends on every type of player.

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Fit: Like some KD models from the past, the fit of the KD 8 is more on the narrow side. Length wise, it’s pretty much true to size but in the midfoot area, near the lacing system, I experienced a very tight fit that almost made it uncomfortable for me, so I had to go up half a size. If you can deal with the tight fit in that midfoot area, then by all means go true-to-size. The lockdown of the shoe was very solid. You have F

lywire containing your forefoot to the footbed, while taking the load of your force upon lateral movements to keep you from rolling your ankle. You also get really nice lockdown from the overall fit. Coupled with the internal heel counter and thickly padded heel area, the sabertooth counter really does nothing as it wraps up the internal heel counter, so it is there for more of design purposes.

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Support: You are covered in support with the KD 8. You have a Flyweave upper to give you a one-to-one fit, Flywire to keep you locked in, a flat stable base, and the internal heel counter to keep your foot from shifting side-to-side too much. The flat stable base gives you a nice foundation, and the Zoom unit is stabilized where needed by plastic support pieces (see cushion section as well). Flywire contains your foot upon lateral movements and keeps your foot locked to the footbed as well. And we all know what that heel counter does by now, so that’s that. One thing I forgot to note in my video was the extra long heel area in the midsole. It came out beyond your foot too much, so much that people would always be tripping me because they’re stepping on this heel area. Just something you have to watch out for.

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Overall: I personally loved the KD 8. It had really solid traction, cushion was overall really good, the fit could use a little work, and you were definitely contained into th

e shoe and locked in. You can never really go wrong with a woven upper, if used correctly, and it’s something that you just have to try out to enjoy. If only the price point on these weren’t so high, I would be grabbing multiple pairs of these personally. If retail was still at the $150 price range as the KD 7 was, then I’d say you’re getting a hell of a hoop shoe for $150.

Puma Mobium Elite Speed

Highly expansive in terms of performance, the new Mobium Elite Speed from PUMA is a performance trainer that has successfully infused smart, innovative design, style and quality all in one package. It is the third series of the Mobium elite series, and like the other shoes it belongs with, the Elite Speed has an adaptive fit technology. This means the fitting is flexible and can cater to a wide range of foot types. This shoe initially looks fast and is indeed fast according to its satisfied testers. It is an award-winning shoe that features a very useful reflective print. It is widely available in a range of color palettes which prove its stylishness. It also has been infused with a heavy combination of PUMA’s new technologies.

Arch support and pronation control

Being a neutral running and performance shoe, the arch structure and support of the Elite Speed is fairly sufficient, which mainly supports neutral pronators or supinators.

Terrain                                        

The Elite Speed can be used for a long range of surfaces or terrains. It can be used on urban city roads, dry dirt-packed trails, and even on the treadmill at home. What is really good about the Elite Speed is that it is not restricted in terms of terrain.

Use

As much as it is versatile on any kind of terrain, the Elite Speed can also be used for a wide range and assortment of activities too. Runners will like the fact that it can even be used as casual wear because of its modern design on the upper.

Durability

In terms of resilience and durability, the Elite Speed is considered a winner. An award-winning shoe like this has been proven to be very tough against a lot of naturally caused wear. Its defining feature, the Mobium technology, extends the life of the shoe much more aesthetically. It also does not overlap against the other technologies, which is very essential in a shoe. The “revolutionary” design of this shoe has been indicated as carefully processed and designed. The encouraged natural foot movement/motion also contributes to the overall durability of the shoe. Anything that lessens excessive wear is considered highly helpful to the resilience of the shoe’s different aspects.

Fit and sizing

Wide-footed runners may actually be turned off with the narrow design of the Elite Speed’s fit. These wide-footed runners though, are runners who have bigger foot types than the usual. On the upside, the adaptive fit technology of the Elite Speed makes it an able shoe that can easily adapt to a range of foot types; so if these wide-footed runners will choose to risk buying it, they will still benefit from the shoe. The sizing is also normal, meaning it comes in sizes available in width D.

Outsole

There are very noticeable expansion pods on the outsole of the Elite Speed, which provides all of the cushioning, durability and flexibility needed by the runner. The outsole is also where the Mobium band is highly utilized, running through the entirety in an 8 pattern, and works dynamically well with the tendons of the runner’s foot. What makes the Elite Speed very unique is that the more impact the runner puts on the landing, the more spring or bounce it returns. Another technology that completes the outsole of the Elite Speed is the Evertrack technology, the abrasion-resistant rubber compound found at the high-wear areas of the outsole. This is then complemented by the Everride Technology, the maximum cushioning needed for easier toe-off.

Midsole

The Molded PUMA Supreme Ride EVA sock-liner is found in the midsole of this shoe, completed and enhanced with flex grooves and a simple arch support. This allows the runner to go on very smooth, transitional and gradual rides. The underfoot is also sufficiently protected by the midsole cushioning, where the Mobium technology is highly utilized.

Upper

The upper of the Elite Speed is a new design that stretches four-way, which contracts and expands with the runner’s foot during running. A reflective design technology called the NightCat has also been used on the upper, so as to aid the runner during low-light conditions. All in all, the air mesh provides a very breathable coverage.

Summary

To runners looking for a very excellent combination of quality and design, the Elite Speed could very well be their ideal choice. The shoe lives up to its promises, and is truly reliable and trustworthy in a lot of aspects. So far, there are only slight concerns that are associated with the shoe, ones that do not usually grow into bigger problems. The Elite Speed may also still be regarded as a minimal shoe, but it provides so much more than just minimal feel. Look up retail stores to get your pair now!

Price

With the kind of technology the Elite Speed has, the price range does not initially come in an affordable price. The Elite Speed has primarily been endorsed as a neutral performance running shoe that has the reasonable price of $130. On the upside, there are retail stores you can look up online which may sell stocks of the shoe at a very affordable shoe.