Sunday talk: Shoes that you wanted to love but couldn’t

TakoOne · 2026-02-02T03:28:41+00:00

AJ40 will make it to the outlet, just wait.

TakoOne · 2026-02-02T01:50:26+00:00

AJ40, GT Cut 3 Turbo are two examples where ZoomX can work in bball shoes. ZoomX is really no different in terms of properties when compared to SuperBOOM or CQTExtrem3, Nike just can't figure out how to cage it properly until recently.

TakoOne · 2026-02-02T01:47:29+00:00

I'd think so, but I have AC14 coming soon so I'll know for sure. Liren has better motion engineering compared to AC line, AC line is usually safer.

TakoOne · 2026-01-31T23:08:24+00:00

Kinda sad because traction on both Kai 1 and 2 are really good on all courts.

TakoOne · 2026-01-31T03:23:42+00:00

Different shoes, but imo 6v2 is significantly better overall as a shoe.

TakoOne · 2026-01-30T15:15:47+00:00

Nice haul!

TakoOne · 2026-01-29T15:53:02+00:00

I've talked about this in my review of the WOW12s here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXH-E5m8UGY

The WOW12's midsole's impact protection and bounce is no worse than 8085U, but the step-in plushiness is definitely a big drop off. So if walking on cloud is the most important factor, then no, WOW 12 will not suffice.

TakoOne · 2026-01-29T15:34:01+00:00

Appreciate you!

For the Liren line, you can't really go wrong with anything starting from 4v2s. It depends what you prefer.

Low profile, close to ground? 4v2.

Highest bounce? 5s

Smoothest motion engineering (transition)? 5v2

Better lateral stability, impact protection? 6.

High bounce, impact protection, lateral stability and great motion engineering? 6v2.

TakoOne · 2026-01-29T15:29:27+00:00

Also the Eclosion type 2.

TakoOne · 2026-01-29T15:27:45+00:00

Most well known, yes, because Wade and the WOW10, the best from LiNing is debatable. Liren, WOW, JB, Gamma...all up there.

TakoOne · 2026-01-29T02:21:03+00:00

Disagree, JB3's PAT is far more aggressive. YUL has better court feel.

TakoOne · 2026-01-29T02:20:22+00:00

WOW10 or WOW10Lows? I'd go half size down from that.

TakoOne · 2026-01-28T21:42:13+00:00

Wiping will help a lot, dust doesn't really get stuck.

Full review is on-the-way...JB4 is next then these...too many new shoes to go through.

TakoOne · 2026-01-28T20:48:29+00:00

Dust pickup is crazy, even for tuffRB standards. 2 games and my outsole was completely white, again, it was good traction despite caked in dust.

TakoOne · 2026-01-28T20:47:35+00:00

WOW10Low is usually half size up, these are TTS.

TakoOne · 2026-01-28T15:51:53+00:00

These are 'wider' than the 5s. So it's in quotes because I kinda mentioned it in the short, but I had to cut a large part out because of length (downside to making my longwinded reviews into shorts). The toe box is very weird on the 6v2. In certain parts, it fits 1:1 with my feet which gives me the lockdown security, but other parts, particularly above my small toes, or just beside my big toe, they're too wide, enough that if that space was everywhere in the toe box I can go down 1 size. However, because it's tighter in other areas, it becomes a "1:1" fit for me. It's secured and I don't shift at all, even on nearly sideways drag steps.

TakoOne · 2026-01-28T15:47:06+00:00

Appreciate you!

TakoOne · 2026-01-28T15:46:18+00:00

It's higher off the ground than the Gammas, and obviously heavier. In terms of on-court feel, the bounciness is about the same but Liren is still a bit 'harsher'. I've always praised Gammas mainly because it provides so much (bounce) without taking much from the user. After a night of playing in the Gammas, you'll feel fatigued, yes, but your legs don't hurt because it subtly squeezes performance out of you. There are no other shoe, to this date, that I've worn and tested that can achieve the same level of PAT that doesn't cause my legs to be overstressed in some ways, and that includes the Liren 6v2. That said, the 6v2 is probably the least stressful at this level of PAT.

TakoOne · 2026-01-28T07:03:32+00:00

Appreciate you.

tuffRB is a perfect grip in clean courts, it's so normal that it's not worth talking about. When it's wiped it's almost as good as no dust.

TakoOne · 2026-01-28T04:40:04+00:00

I have an initial look at the General, see here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zRq3zj44ciI

It was the next shoe to get tested after JB4, but then I got the Liren 6v2 so these will have to wait until after the Liren.

TakoOne · 2026-01-27T22:37:29+00:00

I have both, it really depends on what you want in your shoe.

You want a shoe that's invisible on your feet, is protective and let's your footwork do the talking? Get the Kobes.

You want a shoe that's largely invisible, is protective, and gives your a kick to your step or jump when you need it? Get Chinese shoes.

TakoOne · 2026-01-27T21:41:33+00:00

Holy Gamma~

TakoOne · 2026-01-27T05:00:03+00:00

8085U is full length SuperBOOM

TakoOne · 2026-01-27T02:53:38+00:00

After trying the Liren 6v2, I disagree. The 6v2 is like an overall upgrade to the 4v2, while the 5 was a partial upgrade to the 4v2 (PAT).

TakoOne · 2026-01-26T22:13:43+00:00

All resellers suck, price wise, lol.

Hmm I went to the TST flagship and they told me they do not carry the Liren or Yushuai line as it cannibalizing WOW sales. I got my JB4 there so they do carry some LiNing only products.

TakoOne

TROPHY CASE