2008’s Nike Hyperdunk was an instant classic to say the least. Nike introduced the futuristic Flywire technology in the form of this shoe and, consequently, a vast amount of basketball players worldwide fell in love with its player-friendly attributes. Therefore, many were curious as to how the Nike Hyperdunk 2010 would capitalize on its predecessor’s seemingly unmatched success.
With that said, we decided to put the Nike Hyperdunk 2010 through our performance test to see how Nike improved on the iconic Hyperdunk with this new model. With that said, view the Nike Hyperdunk 2010 Performance Review Scorecard and check out our in-depth analysis of this sneaker, along with detailed photos.
Strengths:
- Cushioning
- Stability
- Response Time
- Lockdown Support
What performance-ready qualities lure you to a basketball sneaker? Guards may long for lightweight capacity in attempt to be quicker on the court, while forwards/centers may opt for lockdown support to keep a lower base when posting up or rebounding. The Nike Hyperdunk 2010 specializes in both categories all while possessing a trait that many basketball players overlook when picking a sneaker: comfort level. This player-friendly characteristic is showcased on the Nike Hyperdunk 2010 by way of the injected Phylon midsole which provides lightweight cushioning.
Nike Zoom Air technology is applied to the heel and forefoot giving this sneaker a seemingly unmatched, responsive cushioning system; it seems as if the softest surface is below your foot when playing in these. Another testament to this sneaker’s comfort level can be credited to its full-foot inner sleeve. In detail, the sleeve literally surrounds the entire foot as opposed to most sneaker’s inner sleeve only covering the top half of the foot. This quality, along with an extremely thin tongue construction that wraps nicely around the foot, makes for a closer fit to one’s feet and alleviates the ‘loose’ feel when quickly changing directions.
Response time and lockdown support are also superior qualities within the Nike Hyperdunk 2010. Because of the full-foot inner sleeve and its lightweight capacity (11.6 oz.), one is able to move horizontally and vertically without a feel of the sneaker ‘sliding’ in the opposite direction. Much like the Nike Zoom Kobe V, the Hyperdunk 2010 actually feels as if it is attached to your foot; therefore, one can potientially possess great stability and balance seeing that it basically feels as if you are playing with no shoes. You may also notice the bulging outrigger which also attests to the Hypedunk 2010’s balance and can keep one on a common surface.
Weaknesses:
- Breathability
- Lacing Panel Structure
The Nike Hyperdunk 2010 seems to lack nothing in regards to performance capabilities; however, a couple of its weaknesses are noticeable before and after playing.
As for pre-play, we noticed that the lacing structure is not easy to work with as opposed to other sneakers. The Hyperdunk 2010?s upper is constructed of synthetic Skinwire; therefore, when lacing it up, stressed, flex areas are revealed in major sections such as the space between the toe and side panels. Additionally, it seems as if it is a struggle to get a firm grip on lacing your sneaker up at times.
In terms of post-play, one will quickly notice the lack of breathability the Nike Hyperdunk 2010 possesses. Sure, the second-to-none lockdown support is a great trait to have; yet, the absence of perforations on the upper causes this attribute to also be a crutch to the Hyperdunk 2010 and can cause one’s foot to perspire easily.
Overview: The Nike Hyperdunk 2010 can simply aid one’s ability to play with power, speed and agility all while being comfortable in the heat of battle. Its lightweight capacity, combined with a ultra-responsive Zoom Air cushioning system, is ideal for the player who relies on quickness and plays at different paces throughout the time period of a basketball game.
The Nike Hyperdunk 2010 is available now at Nice Kicks shop and other select Nike retailers.
