Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Performance Review: Peak Battier VI

 

The 2012-2013 NBA Finals was one of the most competitive battles between two teams in years. Battles between the Spurs and Heat were followed by million fans around the world. Fans may spot Tony Parker and Shane Battier wore a little-known basketball shoe brand. It was PEAK. I was honored to get a chance to lace up Shane Battier signature shoe and review it, and it was a delightful experience. 


The strong point of the shoe is its cushioning. The Battier VI provides a very good cushioning set-up. The shoe is rich with comfort provided by the foam around the ankle area. The sole also provides excellent impact absorption. It is like playing on a bed. Your leg will not feel the impact. Players who play forward and center position will be benefited by this feature.It is quite impressive on how the shoe absorbing impacts from jumping.
                The herringbone pattern on the outsole flawlessly provide superior grip on clean and dusty surfaces. Multiple movement and quick direction changes will be not a problem because the shoe keeps you in control of your movement. The threads are also molded quite deep and this will assure the shoe can provides tractions for a long time.
                Although the shoe looks bulky, it is actually not as heavy as you think. This is particularly due to the simple design and materials used in constructing the shoe. Synthetic leather is used in constructing the shoe; therefore the material will provide good structure integrity in holding up the entire shoe.
                The Battier VI is a good alternative for those who like to stand out among the crowd of Nikes and Adidas. People will quickly notice your shoe. Peak is still considered a rarity among the sneaker heads. Most of us are skeptical when discussing the quality of the Chinese-branded shoes, including PEAK. The qualities of the shoe are on par with other models from Nikes or Adidas.
                Many people were shocked when told that this is not a Nike. The design is much like all the Nike models in the market. The Chinese company did a good job in designing and selecting quality materials in developing the Battier VI.
                Although the overall build quality of this shoe are quite good, there are some flaws. For an example, the fabric lining of the insole loose. The insole also folded easily and out position when you take out your feet. Sometimes little discomfort like this will contribute negatively to your game.
                The cushioning setup might be too soft for some players. Sometimes you just can’t feel the court surface. Not recommended for players who plays guards or wing players. Some players do not need too much cushioning in the shoe because it will affect their fast-paced game.
                Creases appear just after one game. The creases appearespecially around the forefoot area where your foot flexes during running. This affects the appearance of the shoe.
Key technologies:
  1. Foothold stability plate - support on all ends whether it is with heavy landings or simply rough play
  2. CUSHION-3 - thick stacked foam midsole supports the outsole, which has added support at the heel
  3. Synthetic upper covering
  4. Internal sleeve system with tongue and Achilles support
  5. Rubber outsole with herringbone traction pattern
In conclusion, the Battier VI is a good basketball shoe. Some elements of this shoe are outstanding particularly the traction and comfort. It is a very good alternative for those who want a quality basketball shoe other than Nikes. The experiences with this shoe change my overall perceptions towards the Chinese brands. They are actually producing good quality shoes. So when I’m hitting the courts, with my PEAK laced, I’m confident and ready to ball.
 

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