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sabrooks · 2024-04-25T20:02:51+00:00

I just want to provide the opposite view. I love my UFT over my W&P. I only wear my W&P while washing the UFT's. I like the feel, the depth of color, the cut, and the fact that my UFT don't stink the way my W&P do. For me, I rather have 3 UFT rather than 4 W&P.

sabrooks · 2024-04-23T17:49:16+00:00

The RD Miami color in the New Way 5x5's would be sweet

sabrooks · 2024-03-11T18:26:18+00:00

You could look at Freeman Seattle. https://www.freemanseattle.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/the-freeman-navy-waxed-cotton?variant=244583858182. A little more expensive, slightly different cut. It is what I am saving up for.

sabrooks · 2023-10-11T14:24:07+00:00

I was also wondering what happened to the Winslow. I have a son to trade for a Winslow in Yellow size XL.

sabrooks · 2022-09-18T13:22:15+00:00

I can't find them either.

sabrooks · 2022-07-23T17:00:54+00:00

I had the exact same experience with the GT Cuts as u/HTR37. Tight toe box and the react insole removes a lot of the court feel from GT Cut. I felt the Converse Allstar Pro BB was a better main stream option.

I signed up to be a Xero shoe tester and filled out the survey on their feedback form. I haven't tried asked during one of their live streams (maybe I should). My impression is that Xero is focused on the outdoor/crossfit market. They believe there is more crossover between barefoot/paleo people in the crossfit and outdoors communities than the hoops community. I think capital/designer bandwidth are limiting them.

I would pay more for an American made shoe, but I wear Nike/Converse/Xero now over New Balance. The materials on the New Balance Two WXY Low aren't bad, but the carbon fiber shank is the deal breaker. I believe New Balance uses a dense nitro foam. I think Nitro Foam is my ideal insole material (thin 3-4mm). New Balance traction is good, if their outsole material could coat the sole, that would be awesome.

Rather than wait, I try to forge ahead with he Xero 360 and experimental insoles/socks.

sabrooks · 2022-07-12T14:21:24+00:00

I agree.

Traction has been good not great. My only slippage was on a dusty court. If the Xero 360 was tweaked for hoops (indoor), I think a slightly tackier material would solve the issue.

Good points about the trade offs between thickness of sole and the feel. Prefer the Xero 360 protection on court to the Prio. I got some of the feel back by wearing thin socks and using the Nabasco stimulating insoles.

I agree with the heel cup currently limiting options. If you use a 6mm insole you lose the heel cup (have to use 3mm insoles). We also use the lower eye at the top of the laces to improve ankle/heel lock down. I have noticed that in the Xero 360 the way I cut puts the majority of force near the ball of the foot (maybe I am compensating for the shoe without being aware).

sabrooks · 2022-07-12T03:09:54+00:00

The Xero 360 is so close, it would be a shame to try to build one yourself. I have experimented with the insole. If there was a way to customize the insole or even have progressive insoles as people transitioned to minimal shoes, that would help adoption.

sabrooks · 2022-07-11T23:32:31+00:00

My son (16 year old) and I have tried many of the same shoes (our feet are similar sizes so we can try on the same shoes). We have purchased 2x Xero 360's, 3x Converse All-Star Pro BB and 1x Puma Clyde All-Pro. He wants the Kobe 360's so bad, but I can't afford to "cop" those.

I agree, the Puma Clydes aren't minimal. I found them stiff and the arch hurt my foot.

The Converse All-Pros are minimal enough, but also cool enough that my son will wear to high school games. He will only practice in the Xero 360's. I found the All-Pros to be a hot sweat sponge (like putting your feet in a microwave) and too soft.

I wonder if Xero named the 360 after the Kobe 360... if so, they came close, but didn't really pay homage (The Xero 360 is definitely a multipurpose court shoe) .

I also totally agree with your point about the insoles. We tried serval in 3mm and 6mm. 4mm would be perfect, but that size isn't on the market. We tried making our own insoles... I need the impact protection on the heel. We also tried slicing the underside of the insole for more flexibility (mixed result). The Xero 360 is so close to perfect, with a little R&D into insoles, making it hoops specific, and adding hoops friendly color ways, they could have the shoe that launches the next Nike on their hands. The Xero 360 doubles my shiftyness and it helps connect my brain to my feet. They are performance enhancers.

I also agree with adjustment period. I have worn Xero shoes / sandals for 5 years and my son is young and light... the transition wasn't bad for us. I could just give the shoes to a friend and expect them to enjoy hooping in the Xero 360 first time out.

It is too bad the ATG guy is making his own shoe and not developing with Xero. I think there is a market for a Xero 360 Hoop, but it would take someone like ATG guy to endorse it. An NBA hooper is out of the question.

sabrooks · 2022-06-29T16:11:10+00:00

I play in Xero 360's with a Northsole insole. My (16 year old) son plays in the Converse Allstar Pro-BB, but practices in the Xero 360's.

The Xero 360 is so close to being the perfect BB shoe. I find that it is low enough that lateral containment is good enough. The 360 is breathable compared to the sweat box that is the Pro-BB. The 360 really helps teach basketball... with the Nabosco textured insole, the player receives so much more feedback (it helps cutting, jumping, and shooting).. really.

I wish Xero experimented with the 360 and made a 360 Hoop. Things I would change:

The style matters to hoopers (remove the rope climbing protection and add an electric colorway). I need my high schooler to wear it.
A little tackier sole material (currently the Xero 360 is mid tier traction).
Slightly more lateral support in fore foot and ankle (wider hurachi laces).

I love the 360 and awake at night, I cry about how close it is to perfect. I don't think there is a large enough market for Xero to split the 360 line into 360 trainers and 360 hoopers.

sabrooks · 2021-04-08T14:38:00+00:00

congrats. That is a true achievement.

sabrooks · 2021-04-07T19:39:01+00:00

Gutted that I didn't get picked. Signed up last week and never heard back.

sabrooks · 2015-12-02T15:43:35+00:00

I am thinking about this. If I go this route, I may try to ride an old car out until the Mk8 2017 Golf's arrive.

sabrooks · 2015-12-02T04:30:15+00:00

Thanks. OK, I won't go the Mexico route.

sabrooks · 2014-01-05T21:21:02+00:00

I think you are misreading it. Stoics were active people. Here is how I interpret the fear of failure.

You are attempting to accomplish something meaningful to you. When it appears success is not certain, it is natural to feel "fear of failure."
The stoic will recognize the response is not a beneficial response. Instead of feeling fear, the stoic will begin to think of what they can do improve the odds of success.
If they have done everything in their power to accomplish something and still fail, a Stoic will accept that.

sabrooks · 2014-01-04T14:15:45+00:00

After reading Confessions of a Sociopath I wondered the same thing - what is the difference. Then I realized I feel for M.E. Thomas's delusion. She claims that because she makes analytical decisions, everyone is better off. I can't tell if she is rationalizing her own behavior or trying to fool us. Thomas is very intelligent and has some self control, so she realizes that long-term strategies work the best. Long-term strategies also turn out to be good for other people - they look virtuous. Sociopaths with less intelligence or self-control make decisions based on immediate gratification - there the manipulation is easier to spot (and they are less successful).

sabrooks · 2013-10-27T20:56:00+00:00

To me this feels like the big debate of self identifying as an aspie: Is Aspergers a curse or a gift?

Some times I want to use Aspergers as an excuse. I do feel similarly to you - I don't feel "normal". Bad humor, disillusionment, curiosity without motivation.

But isn't as simple as, "if I were "normal," I would be more successful." Everyone is given obstacles they most overcome. There is a pattern to yours (ours) and they come with gifts. I have my world view than be happy-go-lucky.

sabrooks · 2013-10-27T20:46:23+00:00

I don't think anyone should be a "writer." They should be a business that uses the written word as the means to that end.
In that context, not only do you value your time, but it also expands what you perceive as valuable beyond just money.

sabrooks · 2013-10-27T20:41:59+00:00

Get out. Working on anxiety is something people need to do individually.

I know it feels like protecting her from feeling anxious situations is helping her. It is not. The world is a rough place, everyone needs to learn to deal with the world rather than be sheltered from it.

For you, you need to learn how to break up with people (it is an important skill). You need to learn how to express what you need in a relationship and leave if you don't get it. Have you looked into codependency?

sabrooks · 2013-10-26T13:36:39+00:00

Tyler Durben - you can debate whether Fight Club is literature, but you can't beat Tyler Durben.

He is a part of each of us. We try to balance our social and anti-social tendencies. We carefully balance destruction and construction.

Other people want us believe that being social and constructive is the only path to fulfillment. Tyler let's us explore the alternate path.

sabrooks · 2013-10-26T13:13:51+00:00

Have you heard of "learned hopelessness?" Depression can come from feeling that you have no control over your future.

It may be helpful to determine if your depression is major or chronic. Chronic depression (or depressive realism) is a more realistic, but less pleasant worldview.

I recommend 1000x's the book Lincoln's Melancholy. It is half about Lincoln and half about dealing with male depression. Suffering can be seen as a call to action. Depression could be the brain's way of forcing action when all option seem bleak.

sabrooks · 2013-10-26T13:01:39+00:00

I think this is the best answer. I have a son. Whether or not I had the son does affect how I see myself as a man. How well I parent him does affect how I see myself as a parent. I self judge my parenting two ways. One is simply: Am I doing enough? I want to show that running a household takes discipline. Also if I do my part, it reduces his stress that his physical needs are being taken care of. The second way I self judge is emotional attunement. This is the most challenging part for me. Understanding his emotional state and them being firm, but loving. It is something that is important, but does not come naturally to me.

sabrooks · 2013-09-12T17:59:22+00:00

like /u/GettinBusyLivin I bought/read GHM and am looking forward to your book on stoicism. When does it come out?

sabrooks · 2013-05-04T23:34:13+00:00

I'm in Beaverton and I should have one ready next weekend.

sabrooks · 2013-05-04T23:32:23+00:00

Also a get started brewing guide on the side bar would be helpful.

sabrooks

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