The biggest obstacle to choosing between the latest basketball shoes? Trying to decide if the new shoe is worth the investment. Adidas has just released their Pro Bounce 2018, a new basketball shoe that slightly resembles that Mad Bounce. It offers an innovative design especially for the basketball court, with great grip and support everywhere you go. We’ll break down some of the major features of this basketball shoe, as well as the pros and cons, in this Adidas Pro Bounce 2018 review—so you know if it is worth your investment before you buy it.
Color and Design
This high-top style version of the Adidas Pro Bounce 2018is perfect for the player who wants all-around support in a shoe. Each element of its design is made for performance. Even so, knowing that there are plenty of color options may sway your opinion on which shoe to buy.
What Colors Are the Adidas Pro Bounce 2018 Available in?
This basketball shoe has a very distinct design. Even so, there are plenty of color options, whether you are trying to find a shoe that matches your team’s colors or want to show some personal flare. Among the color options are the combinations of:
- Black/White/Grey
- White/Black/Crystal White
- Orange/White
- Light Blue/White
- Collegiate Royal Blue/White
- Collegiate Navy Blue/White
- Dark Green/White
- Power Red/White
- Maroon/White
- Regal Purple/White
This is not an all-inclusive list of colors and color combinations. There are other colors available through the Adidas company. Something to note, however, is that most of the shoes have white, non-marking soles. Even though they won’t scuff the court, they might not maintain their white color without regular cleaning and maintenance, especially if you play on the asphalt.
Design and Fit
The design of a basketball shoe is the only thing separating it from competitors. While having a wide range of color options is nice, a good color is not enough to help you dribble the ball up and down the court.
The 2018 Pro Bounce model has a high-cut style. This lets it provide adequate ankle support and stability for quick movements. This shoe also features GeoFit construction, which is an anatomical design that enhances comfort and responsiveness. The fit lets the shoe hugs to the curve of your feet, while giving the shoe free range to flex and bounce with your foot.
The one downside of the fit is the shape of the toe box. Basketball is a sport that requires good balance and support of your foot, so it is common for players to spread their toes slightly to increase balance. The toe box does not necessarily pinch toes, but it might not provide the roomy area that some players need to maintain their stability on the court.
Materials Used
You would not make a salad out of old, wilting vegetables and expect to impress your house guests. Likewise, you cannot build a shoe out of substandard materials and expect it to stand up to the demands of the basketball court. Let’s take a look at some of the materials Adidas used to craft the 2018 Pro Bounce basketball sneaker.
The Upper
Whether you are shooting hoops with friends or competing in a league, the last thing that you want to worry about is sweat. The Pro Bounce overcomes this issue with the mesh upper that provides breathability and air flow through the shoe. Though mesh is usually associated with being flimsy, it has been crafted from TPU-coated fibers that are stitched in and heat pressed to the design.
The way the upper is crafted makes it clear that Adidas has paid attention to detail and wants to enhance durability. The design also holds your foot securely and improves zonal stability and lateral movement, without sacrificing the lightweight build of the shoe. However, it will be interesting to see if the mesh design will withstand use on outdoor courts, particularly against abrasion. The ForgeFiber is a relatively new technology from Adidas, so only time will tell.
These basketball sneakers also have a cable lacing system with webbing eyelets. The shoestrings are the perfect length for double knotting without dragging or tripping you up. They also hold fast once tied.
Inside the Shoe
Adidas has spared no expense for lightweight design and added comfort. The shoe comes with a GeoFit padded collar, which enhances Achilles and ankle support as you pivot and move around on the court. It also makes break in a breeze, as these shoes are ready to hit the court the moment you take them out of the box.
This shoe also features Flexible Bounce midsole cushioning. This proprietary cushioning is responsive, making each step that you take count and giving you the flexibility that you need to make the quick movements that will win you the game.
Outsole
Not only does your footwork on the court determine how well you perform, it can be a major tell as to the direction you are headed in. When you are moving quickly to fake out an opponent, its important that your shoe moves with you. It is also important that the sole of your basketball sneaker has enough traction to propel you forward in the direction you are trying to go.
These Pro Bounce shoes feature a rubber outsole with an aggressive tread pattern that holds fast to the court when you are running, faking out your opponents, and going in for a basket. The design also helps distribute the weight of your body across the entire feet. Since it does not concentrate the weight to one area, it reduces fatigue and makes playing comfortable instead of hard on your feet.
Within the outsole, you can also find a propulsion plate and TPU shank. These are positioned perfectly to make your toe off count. You can quickly move in any direction—with unsurpassed precision and speed.
Performance on the Basketball Court
You would not play soccer on a damp field without the right pair of cleats to help you grip the turf and perform at your full potential, so you should never play on the basketball court without a pair of quality shoes. Not only will your basketball sneakers improve your performance, proper shoes are critical for preventing ankle and foot injuries. As these shoes offer plenty of traction to prevent slips and support to prevent sprains, strains, and other injuries, what it really boils down to is performance.
If you want a shoe that is going to move where you move and propel you across the basketball court, this is a great option. You won’t feel weighed down by bulky shoes or spend the game worrying about how hot your feet are. Instead, your feet will feel supported and comfortable, giving you the focus and concentration that you need to outperform every other player on the court.
Jordan True Flight vs. Pro Bounce 2018
NIKE is a leading competitor of Adidas, creating countless shoes designed with the athlete in mind. The NIKE Men’s Jordan True Flight Basketball Shoehas an upper constructed of Nubuck leather and mesh, which enhances durability while maintaining good air flow. The overlay also gives a good amount of support. However, it is slightly less support in some areas when compared against the upper of the Adidas Pro Bounce 2018.
In areas like flexibility and fit, the two shoes are very close. Each of them features secure lacing and the fit lets the shoe cling to your foot. The NIKE shoe may have more room in the toe area, for people who need this to add stability on the court.
The Jordan True Flight Basketball Shoe also has a soft, comfortable fit. It has an inner sleeve that hugs your foot and a soft foam core that will contour to your foot the first time that you wear the shoe. This is comparable to the Adidas Pro Bounce 2018, but the Pro Bounce exceeds in responsiveness. The ‘bounce’ of the shoe increases your energy return as you move up and down the court.
Overall
These shoes fall in the same mid-range price, though the NIKE version may be a little more expensive. The Jordan True Flight Basketball Shoe by NIKE is a good option for players who value softness and a shoe that cradles their foot. However, the Pro Bounce 2018 is slightly more responsive which makes every step you take on the court count. It also has all-around breathability, while the breathability of the NIKE shoe is cut back by the Nubuck overlays on the shoe.
Adidas Crazy Explosive vs. Pro Bounce 2018
Among the many successful basketball shoes that Adidas has launched is the Adidas Performance Men’s Crazy Explosive Basketball Shoe. It features the same high-top style and ankle support as the Pro Bounce, as well as the responsive, well-treaded outsole that helps you grip the court.
The original models of the Crazy Explosive had a problem with the pressure exerted by the laces, which could squeeze the foot and make the shoe too tight to wear. However, Adidas responded to complaints with an update, so this is no longer a problem in the newer version of the shoe.
The materials used also are different in each of these shoes. The Xeno upper is not quite as breathable and flexible as the upper presented in the Pro Bounce 2018. Additionally, while the Boost midsole is responsive and flexible, it is not quite as responsive as the Bounce midsole in the Pro Bounce 2018.
Overall
The Performance Crazy Explosive shoes do have many great features packaged in the same, mid-range price that you would pay for the Pro Bounce 2018 shoes. However, it seems that Adidas is a company focused on change and providing the best basketball sneaker possible. The Pro Bounce 2018 has increased breathability, more responsive cushioning, and is an all-around updated version of the Performance Crazy Explosive shoes.
Pros
- Great all-around support, flexibility, and responsiveness
- Outsole leaves your foot feeling good, not fatigued, at the end of a long game
- Wide range of color options
- Great traction to help propel you across the court
Cons
- Toe box might be too narrow for some people
- White soles will need regular maintenance to maintain the clean appearance of the shoe
- Mesh material might not make this a good shoe for regular day-to-day wear
Final Take
At first (and second) glance, the Adidas Pro Bounce 2013 Basketball Shoe holds up in all the areas you would expect a basketball shoe to. It provides the traction you need to grip the court and the flexibility you need when faking out your opponent. It is constructed of materials that will let your feet breathe, while providing just the right amount of support so you lessen the chance of injury. Time will tell if the materials stand up to the durability necessary from a basketball shoe, but overall it seems a worthwhile investment for the serious basketball player.
Samantha is a part-time writer and stay-at-home mom of two boys (and three pets). With all the outdoor activities the family participates in and two growing boys, shoes are something she’s very familiar with.
Great review. I’m not a 3 stripes guy but these shoes caught my eye. I will definitely consider purchasing for my new basketball shoes. Also, my favorite soccer club is switching to Adidas from Puma next season. I will need at least 2 pairs of Adidas.