Nike Hyperize Performance Review
Posted by Ian Stonebrook | Aug 21, 2009 State of the art lightweight basketball shoes have been a mainstay at Nike for years now. From the Air Flight Lite to the Zoom Flight 2k3 to last season’s juggernaut, the Hyperdunk, Nike continues to push the envelope proving that when it comes to shoes, performance comes first. The cosmic success of the Hyperdunk would be hard to follow up, but Nike stepped up showing that creating a lightweight basketball shoe was no heavy task. Rather than start from scratch, the Nike Hyperize does an amazing job of carrying over the Hyperdunk’s best features while improving on its weaknesses.
The Hyperize draws familiar cues from the Hyperdunk carrying over Flywire Technology and Lunar Lite foam. The silhouette is more or less maintained after the success of the Hyperdunk and Huarache line shoes. Other similarities include Zoom Air in the heel as well as a glass fibre, midfoot stability shank plate. The biggest changes were the use of less Flywire threads, herringbone traction, and a wider toe box. Could the Hyperize outstep it’s big brother the Hyperdunk on the court? Click here to find out. |
Nike Hyperize Performance Review - Score Card
Strengths: The Nike Hyperize is an incredibly light and comfortable shoe. The mesh tongue/bootie makes for a very comfortable ride and requires little breaking in. While one would have a very hard time noticing a difference unless carefully inspecting, the tongue is thinner and more breathable than that of the Hyperdunk. While the Flywire upper feels awkward and rigid upon the first steps shooting around, once in game it proves light, strong, and supportive. A major improvement to the way the Flywire performed was that when the foot would flex, the Flywire panel had more points to flex as well making the shoe less restrictive in sprints. The Hyperize’s traction tested remarkably well on both hardwood and blacktop surfaces with no signs of slipping. The herringbone traction was in my opinion one of the most important changes between the Hyperdunk and Hyperize. A cushioning tandem of heel Zoom Air and forefoot Lunar Lite foam needed no breaking in and caused no blistering or sore feet. The Hyperize, like the Hyperdunk, comes in a handful of amazing color make-ups making for a sneaker that can broke both necks and ankles with no feelings of fragility or signs of cosmetic damage.
Weaknesses: While there is little room to criticize the Hyperize, it is not perfect - actually, there is no such thing as a perfect shoe. The widened toe box makes for a very roomy fit and could present some serious sizing issues. While I generally wear a size 11 for casual shoes, I always wear a 10.5 for hooping for a snug, sock-like fit. The Hyperize runs noticeably big and is the only basketball shoe I have ever worn two pairs of socks at once to play with. For most guards looking for a performance shoe the toe box fit is key because it is so critical to the ever important first step. Because of the roomy toe box it is hard to get a secure lockdown and more pressure is put on the heels instead of placing the player’s weight on the balls of their foot. The use of Lunar Lite foam in the forefoot make the shoe ultra-light and provide great court feel, but it is not as comfortable or responsive as Zoom Air.
Summary: In closing, the Hyperdunk left big shoes to fill because of its game changing design and even more, a genius viral marketing campaign, Olympic endorsement, and revolutionary performance. While time does not allow the Hyperize to capitalize on the Olympic glory synonymously attached to the Hyperdunk, the shoe is still amazing visually and tested great on court. The shoe’s only true weakness was the sizing issue and lockdown issues that stemmed from it. The jury is still out on the longevity of Lunar Lite foam, but it is undoubtedly light and provides great court feel. With that said, the Hyperize is an amazing shoe and ranks among the best shoes I have ever played in. Clearly the Hyperize is the future of Nike basketball and an improvement on an instant classic. This shoe is a must have for the upcoming season of basketball and a great shoe for back to school.
Nov 8, 2009 at 4:24 pm
We got Hyperize for team shoes 2 weeks ago, and from just 2 weeks of practice they’re starting to tear up. The bottom is starting to unattach when I cut and the flywire is ripping. I think Nike tried to make the shoe so lightweight that it’s not very comfortable or durable.
Sep 29, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Hyperizes T.I.D mit!!
Hyperdunks weigh a tonne mahn!
My favourite shoes are Jordan 5’s
Does anyone own a duck-billed platypus?
Sep 28, 2009 at 11:08 am
the hypermax is too heavy and lesser grip, the lebrons are too heavy, the hyperize does not have enough traction because there wasn’t as much as herringbone designs for grip. i tried all of them and i like the kobes hyperdunk the best.hyperdunk is known to be an awesome shoe and it is durable. I’m sticking with the original awesome shoe, the hyperdunk.
Sep 26, 2009 at 6:32 pm
lebron shoes are way too heavy and are wicked gongky. nike hyperize all the way
Sep 26, 2009 at 5:58 pm
So what should i get hyperized or the lebron soilders III
Sep 14, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Lebron shoes sucks. Too heavy.
Sep 10, 2009 at 10:01 am
About the sizing problem, I wear a US11 caually and ball in the US11 hyperdunks (all my balling shoes are US11s) but theres quite a bit of room in the toe area in the hyperdunks, same with the hyperizes, but i wear ankle braces, would getting a US10.5 hyperize be too cramped?
Sep 9, 2009 at 8:52 am
WHY CAN’T THEY JUST USE NIKE ZOOM AIR CUSHIONING ISNTEAD OF THE LUNAR LIGHT? THE DIFF OF WEIGHT IS JUST A FRACTION FROM EACH OTHER. ZOOM AIR LAST LONGER.
Aug 27, 2009 at 10:17 pm
cool
Aug 24, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I totally agree with this review. When I first put these boys on I noticed the toe box right away. For me though, it fit kinda perfectly because I normally wear a 10.5 but sometimes I get an 11 FOR the extra room, I have flat feet and these are perfect. The dunks are ok but the rizes are perfect for me.
Aug 23, 2009 at 11:52 pm
The hyperdunks is duggy, but the hyperizes is where its at. And for those who say the hypermaxes. Those ARE TO FCKIN heavy. The best of the three to me would be the hyperize. maybe cuz im a guard. but thats what i vibe wit. Plus they LIGHT as a feather.
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:51 pm
My first Hyperize will be the Marty Mcfly… if they are ever released?
Aug 22, 2009 at 11:29 am
I would get the hyperize cuz they don’t cost as much have more variety. Nd they’re lighter nd more breathable. Great for a game.
Aug 22, 2009 at 11:07 am
Wow Nike is really using flywire for every goddamn sport
Aug 22, 2009 at 10:25 am
Just get Zoom Soldier III’s for now.
LeBron VII if you can wait.
Aug 22, 2009 at 4:14 am
Looking forward to feeling the last product
Aug 22, 2009 at 12:30 am
when i tried the hyperize on, it creased in a bad spot for me. dug into my toes and was not comfortable. i agree with the reviewer too, that it does size big, and you have to really cinch it down or go two socks. I have had the hyperdunks and really liked those. has anyone bought the hyperize and had the same fit problem? wondering if it goes away…
Aug 22, 2009 at 12:17 am
I’m diggin the new Nike Hyperize commercials.
Aug 21, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Crazy comfort, I compare the hyperize to the haurache 2k4!
Aug 21, 2009 at 11:53 pm
LOLOL
Will Ferrell (Chazz Michael Michaels): … mind bottling, isn’t it?
Jon Heder (Jimmy MacElroy): … did you say mind bottling?
Will Ferrell: … yeah, when things are crazy and it is like your mind is trapped in a bottle …
From Blades of Glory
Aug 21, 2009 at 11:05 pm
freeballer..mind bottling? are you serious?
Aug 21, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I REALLY like these. I mean a lot. With that said, Im gonna J Kidd these and pass, cause the Lebron 7 I think is going to blow all of our minds. The hyperize is mind bottling, but the Lebron 7 is mind boggling.
Aug 21, 2009 at 8:33 pm
@ La heuy: thanks for your input. I feel the same way about the solider 3 and i’ll probably end up sticking with the solider
Aug 21, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Don’t criticize hyperize.
Aug 21, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Wow the LEBRON 7s r better then these then
Aug 21, 2009 at 7:08 pm
btw, the reviewer makes a really good point that the shoe feels really shaky when you first put them on but once the game starts up, its solid.
Aug 21, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Well that seals the deal I’m getting the LeBron 7’s
Aug 21, 2009 at 7:06 pm
johnGIRAUD35: I’ve balled in the LBJ Soldier 3s a whole bunch and I like them alot. They’re very durable and the straps keep my laces secure and the fit tight. I just got the Hyperize and played a few games. They feel quicker and breathe much better but they don’t seem to absorb impact as well the Soldier 3s. I mostly play the 3, 4, and 5 spots when I ball. I haven’t balled in the Kobe 4s and the anxiety I’ve built up from a history of ankle injuries won’t let me even think about playing in a pair of those. That’s my two cents.
Aug 21, 2009 at 6:42 pm
sick, hyperize is the future of nike basketball
btw wat happened to the post on the purple zoom tres
Aug 21, 2009 at 6:02 pm
This is why I mess wit nicekicks.com! I just discovered yall site on my iPhone 3GS, thru ya app. I been tryna decide wether to get tha Hypermax, Hyperdunk, or Hyperize. Imma 3 so I want somethin lighter than tha Hypermax but wit more protection than tha Hyperdunk. Any suggestions? Hit me wit a email if u do.
Aug 21, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Hey Matt
i need to get some new kicks to ball in at school ive used the hyperdunks and lebron soldier 3. The soldier 3 is my favorite but im considering the kobe 4 and the hyperize in your opinion which one is better to ball in. Or do you think i should stick withe the soldier 3?
Thanks
Aug 21, 2009 at 5:03 pm
WOW DATS BAD……..i lik da shoe da ppl dat did dat survey were ppl who cnt afford da shoes
Aug 21, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I hooped in the hyperdunks and kobe carpe diems last season… does the hyperize meet the performance of the two, or does it surpass it?
Aug 21, 2009 at 4:59 pm
i got the red and black ones and there MUCH better then the hyperdunks.(i had the original red color)
only thing about the red hyperize is the patent leather or whatever it is creases really bad.
Aug 21, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Hypermax all the way as a sophmore in high school and standing 6ft 8in I need all the comfort And stability I can get
Aug 21, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Gotta hoop in them!
Aug 21, 2009 at 4:03 pm
E,
The Hypermax is in a different class if you ask me. It’s designed for a bigger man on the court with the full length Air Max as opposed to something like the Hyperdunk and Hyperize that utilizes Lunar Lite and Zoom Air. The Hyperize was designed as a followup to the Hyperdunk, that is why we make so many comparisons between the two shoes.
Aug 21, 2009 at 4:01 pm
they’re decent
Aug 21, 2009 at 4:00 pm
What about the hypermax? Why no comparison’s of the three?
Aug 21, 2009 at 3:58 pm
so what is better hyperdunk or hyperize? which one would u buy?
Aug 21, 2009 at 3:50 pm
so that’s why we shouldn’t criticize…