“The Wade 2 is lighter and has a better fit (than the Fly Wade). It also has a great underfoot feel because of the full-length Lunar foam.” – Jordan Fly Wade 2 Designer Mark Smith
We continue to “choose flights” in preparation of the Air Jordan 2012 unveiling later on this week. Following yesterday’s Jordan Melo M8 performance review, we now take a closer look at the latest footwear for Dwyane Wade, Jordan Brand’s installment of “Fly Over”. On the Jordan Fly Wade 2, Flash was supplied with Lunarlon foam, Fuse technology and an unmatched lockdown system. Is the combination of Lunar and Fuse durable enough to stand rigors of playing basketball on a consistent basis? View our Jordan Fly Wade 2 performance review to find out.
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Lockdown: The lockdown/fit of the Jordan Fly Wade 2 is the shoe’s best attribute by far. Actually, the Wade 2 scores as high as any other shoe in this department that we’ve tested. From heel to toe, this shoe totally grips the foot and holds it tightly in place. It’s possesses the true feeling of oneness between your foot and the shoe. Words cannot stress enough how much the Fly Wade 2 clenches your foot. Even before you lace it up, you notice the secure fit around your foot. On the heel, you can really feel the internal heel pads on each side of your Achilles, which keeps that part of your foot from slipping while hesitating or quickly changing directions on the court. You can also credit the full inner sleeve and mesh tongue for this shoe’s snug, comfortable fit. Lastly, the Jordan Fly Wade 2 is an overall narrow, sleek wear, which means there is not a lot of excess materials, horizontally, in the toe area. It is a nearly perfect lockdown fit for the foot.
Breathability: For a shoe that fits so securely, the Jordan Fly Wade 2 has an amazing breathability factor thanks to the introduction of the three-layer Hyperfuse construction on Wade’s signature line. As stated earlier, I was amazed at the lockdown and fit of this shoe, but even more astonished by its ability to be so ventilated despite its extremely snug fit. The exposed mesh and perforations on the side panels are great sources of ventilation for the foot in this shoe. I played for at least two hours every time I wore the Fly Wade 2, and my foot never profusely sweated. Also, the mesh-like inner sleeve is extremely thin, which allows a nice circulation of air to seep through the perforations. The Fly Wade 2 is a definite upgrade from the Jordan Fly Wade in regards to breathability. At the Jordan Fly Wade 2 launch event, Wade said, “I sweat a lot, so I’ve went through about three shoes in one game.” With the aforementioned exposed mesh and perforations, the Jordan Fly Wade 2 undoubtedly alleviates this problem for Wade and consumers who perspire a lot.
Cushioning: In the same manner as the player-friendly lockdown and fit attributes, the Jordan Fly Wade 2’s cushioning level will assuredly catch a wearer’s attention from the first time he/she slides their foot into this shoe. Many sneaker enthusiasts are truly in love with Lunarlon right now and rightfully so. Jordan Brand’s decision to add it to a high-profile signature basketball shoe was risky, but well worth the gamble. Lunarlon is heel-to-toe in the Fly Wade 2’s construction and provides you with a super soft, plush and supportive footbed. Factor in the molded Ortholite sockliner, and you have one of the most comfortable shoes to play in on the current market. After playing in the Wade 2 about five times, the previously mentioned sockliner noticeably began to take on the form of my foot, and it became more comfortable with every wear after that. It doesn’t take that long to benefit from the Wade 2’s comfort level though. The Fly Wade 2 is highly cushioned, comfortable and ready to go on the initial wear. It’s one of the only shoes I’ve laced up that doesn’t warrant a long, drawn out break-in time.
Responsiveness: Besides being extremely plush, soft and comfortable, the Fly Wade 2’s cushioning is super responsive and bouncier than the Melo M8’s combination of Air Max in the heel and exposed Zoom Air in the forefoot. If you shift your body weight vertically back and forth (standing still), you can actually hear the squeaking and springiness of the Phylon/Lunarlon combination in the heel.
Traction: The Jordan Fly Wade 2 was not horrible in the traction department by no means, but it had its lowest ranking in this column. The outsole features two very unique traction patterns and a pretty nice sized outrigger. Specifically, the traction pattern on the medial side of the shoe features flex grooves that are widely spread apart, while the traction pattern on the lateral side of the shoe is more compacted. I was able to stop and start quicker on the lateral side’s traction pattern than on the medial side’s traction pattern. A couple of times, I had some slippage when launching off of the medial side. Maybe, incorporating the smaller flex groove pattern throughout the entire bottom would have performed better. As stated earlier, the traction was not bad by no means. We’re just being picky. This shoe is really that good.
We must also mention the welcoming presence of an outrigger on the Jordan Fly Wade 2. It really helps with leverage on quick cuts, sudden change of directions and overall lateral stability.
Support: Although the Fly Wade 2 is considered a lightweight sneaker, it has its fair share of reinforced, weighty support, specifically in the heel. Actually, the heel was the most stable part of my foot in my time wearing the Jordan Fly Wade 2. The majority of the Fly Wade 2’s build consists of a very flexible Hyperfuse construction, but the four layers of material on the heel definitely provide structure to this shoe. Also, the 3/4-length TPU shank and the aforementioned outrigger aid in the Fly Wade 2’s stable support.
Durability: Incorporating Fuse technology on Dwyane Wade’s signature was an exceptional move by Jordan Brand considering Dwyane Wade’s style of play. Fuse is ideal for the player who possesses a rugged, physical style of play like Dwyane Wade. The outer shell, which is comprised of TPU film, is very flexible and sturdy. The materials never weakened, and from my first time playing in it to the most recent wear, the shoe maintained its sturdiness, stability and strength. Fuse is here to stay.
Overview: Dwyane Wade’s signature line is still wet behind the ears, but Jordan Brand has made vast steps and improvements in engineering a quality shoe for one of the most unique players in the game in so little time. The unique combination of Lunar foam, Fuse technology and a super secure fit makes the Jordan Fly Wade 2 one of, if not the best performance basketball shoe on the market. You can’t find a better fitting sneaker, and the Fuse upper is ultra flexible and durable to say the least. This shoe is ideal for the player who relies on athleticism above and/or below the rim.
The Jordan Fly Wade 2 is now available at retailers for $145.
