Adizero Crazy Light 2 FULL PERFORMANCE REVIEW

 We were invited to test the Adizero Crazy Light 2 last June 7, 2012 at the Moro Lorenzo Gym in Ateneo. It was the product launch for endorsers, sponsored athletes and select media partners for a more intimate treatment. A kid’s buffet was served before the event and the members of the media that would participate in the basketball camp were given locker keys. Yes, it contained a personalized jersey, a towel and the Crazy Light 2. We were given a short presentation detailing the amazing shoe as the players and endorsers arrived one by one. After that Coach Ronnie Magsanoc, PBA Legend Benjie Paras and a couple other PBA assistant coaches and trainers were introduced to put us through several drills to fully tap the capabilities and deficiencies(if any) of the Crazy Light 2. Here’s our full review:

We caught up with Chris Tiu to discuss the Crazy Light 2. Check out the video!

Materials and Breathability: 4/5

The upper features 3 layers of heat pressed synthetic material called SprintWeb. It appears to be a more advanced version of the SprintWeb since it feels totally different and a lot more streamlined than the previous basketball sneakers from Adidas that had it. It really felt sturdy yet flexible at the same time. The collar has sufficient padding which translates in amazing comfort you’d feel as soon as you try it on. The entire midsole features an injected molded EVA cushioning much similar to the first Crazy Light which is a lot more softer than the Adizero Rose 2.5. The outsole seems to be a lot more durable than the first one so for those wondering about wearing these for a whole season, you shouldn’t worry. Breathability is slightly above average but you hardly notice it since the shoe feels really good on foot and the fit is outstanding. No significant moisture build up is present so I guess it works really well because it does its job.

Cushioning: 4.5/5

The foam cushioning is very consistent and seems to be really resilient no matter what motion you’re doing. Heel to toe transition is so effortless you barely feel any resistance as you glide through the court. It truly is a well designed formula of foam and rubber because it’s hard to find something so soft and responsive at the same time. I will say it: it feels better than Nike’s Lunarlon technology(and I’m a huge fan of Lunarlon). There’s just more bounce to it and a ton of comfort especially when you consider how thin they are. Before you put it on, you’d expect something firm because of how thin and low to the ground everything is. So it catches you totally off guard when you feel that pillowy softness and very active bounce it gives back. Something every basketball player, pro or casual, should try and check out for themselves.

Support and Court Feel: 4.5/5

When you put the shoe on it feels really stiff in the forefoot and midfoot to the point that it’s really annoying. Then you lace them up really good and you feel everything wrapping into the right places and you feel the asymmetrical SprintFrame wrapping your heel. Everything feels right and weird at the same time and the entire feeling is uncomfortable. Then we did the drills and played the short basketball game to test the shoe. From the very first sprint I did the shoe felt AMAZING throughout. To be perfectly honest it felt like a combination of the Kobe V and the Hyperdunk with how supportive and comfortable it was as you move. Laterally it was very stable with that wide base and lockdown feel. You would need to break them in for around 3-5 games though to really make them fit a lot better. It’s super snug when you first put them on but as you use it, it molds to your foot and the material breaks in significantly. It has that unique one to one feel only a few other basketball shoes can provide. The SprintFrame allows you to move your foot freely medially but it restricts motion laterally which protects your ankles from getting injured. There is no movement inside the shoe as you move, your foot absolutely stays securely in place while you do all your cuts and plants.

Since the shoe is low to the ground, you feel secure in every move and court feel is spectacular. The resilient foam made this possible while still providing comfort and support.

Traction:4.5/5

They went away with that spine they used in the first model and used a more traditional segmenting and used a circular pattern which centers on the ball of your forefoot. It allows you to pivot with ease while restricting lateral motion and quick stops. Basically, it is one of the better traction available on the market today. No matter what you do, it will give you everything you need as you stop on a dime, curl from a screen or stay on your man on defense. I just couldn’t bring myself to give it a perfect score just because I’ve experienced better grip (which is not a knock on the Crazy Light 2 at all). There's a few flex grooves implemented as well to provide better court feel and flexibility unlike the first Crazy Light.

Overall:4.4

The Crazy Light 2 does everything right effortlessly and lets you play free from any concern. It’s a no nonsense basketball shoe giving you everything you actually need and shaves off all the unnecessary junk. Notice I didn’t mention it’s 9.5 ounce weight above and how it impacted performance? It’s because it’s not the best thing about the shoe as you would notice. It does everything right and to think that it’s barely noticeable on feet is absolutely mind blowing. The package comes with 2 insoles, the Crazy Comfort insole and the less padded one. It comes with two set of laces as well, one is the Crazy Light laces which is super thin and a set of regular laces. You can just see how scrutinized every single detail is and how much you're getting from Adidas. Lastly it's miCoach compatible as well for those who are really technical about their performance but the miCoach kit is sold separately.

Is it the best performance shoe I’ve ever used? Could be…

Go ahead and try these when they release nationwide this June 15. It retails for P7,995. Special thanks to Adidas Philippines and Green Bulb.

UPDATE:
As requested by the commenter, here are the upcoming colorways throughout 2012!





Stay tuned for more on the Crazy Light 2!