Basketball Outfit: Nike Zoom Hyperfuse 2012 Volt/Gorge Green

Having a great fit is one of the single most important things for me in a hoops shoe. If I feel secure, I have the confidence to push myself that much harder. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll play better, but it does mean that I won’t be worrying about my foot sliding around while I should be worrying about who I’m guarding. But the story of the Hyperfuse isn’t about fit. It’s about the new construction technique, the weight reduction and the breathability. Those elements work in conjunction to produce a shoe that fits so well though, that fit steals the show.

Hyperfuse is a shoe with about as generally shaped of an upper as you can get. If you’ve ever laced a pair up tight though, you’ve probably noticed that the thin canvas upper actually forms to the foot very well, regardless of the unique shape of your foot. It doesn’t have the strength and support necessary to perform to the standards of modern basketball footwear, but the fit is dead on.

Rather than sewing and gluing layers of leathers and synthetic leathers, the fuse process bonds three much lighter and thinner layers together to create a single unit that makes up the entire upper. First, a synthetic base layer provides support in strategic areas to contain the foot – not unlike the thought behind Huarache-based shoes. Next, a mesh layer holds all of the pieces together, and provides large windows of breathability. And finally, a skin layer provides abrasion protection in key locations on the outside of the shoe. Along with some carefully placed foam in the collar (which provides solid heel lockdown), the layers are then bonded together to create a unibody upper, which also results in zero harsh seams along the underside, a common result of stitched sneakers.

One major area of note is the shoe’s width. My feet are slightly on the wide side (not enough to be a frequent issue), and the Hyperfuse felt very narrow. If you can’t try these on before buying, sizing up may be a good option.

The exceptional fit alone would have made the Hyperfuse a standout. That it’s been achieved as a result of a new construction method (which also makes great progress in the weight and breathability departments) makes future iterations even more exciting.

Grade Justification:

Comfort & fit: The fused upper fits like a glove, and the lack of traditional seems makes the interior smooth and soft.

Cushioning: Forefoot Zoom Air is a positive thing every time. The Phylon-based heel is a notch behind, but still provided a perfectly adequate level of impact protection on landings.
Ankle support: The collar padding is well-shaped, and combined with the overall fit, make for a secure shoe.
Breathability: It’s not on the level of the most breathable running shoes, but it’s about as good as I’ve felt on a hoops shoe. Tough to find breathability in a hoops shoe with this much support.
Heel-to-toe transition: The entire shoe is flexible and smooth, though midfoot support may be too flexible.
Traction: Excellent on a clean court as well as dusty courts.
Weight: They feel light on the foot. Pretty straightforward.


Specification shared from blog.eastbay.com