I had a great feeling about these shoes when I first got them. Their design is great and they look like they are going to last longer than some other sneakers. I tested them for two month, playing 3 times a week, indoor and outdoor. This is how it felt…
The design of the Drive’s sole is clearly absorbing most of the force of impact. In the meantime, you can feel the two lateral air bags preventing your foot from rolling on either side, which is always something ballers are looking forward to. The diversity of clever materials used for these shoes make it a great experience.
They seem to be pretty resistant to outdoor games and after two month of intensive testing, I still haven’t seen any glitch in any area of the shoes. The disadvantage of the perforated leather used on each side of the shoe is its hardness and thickness we may feel two rigid for players who love "Huarache" type of shoes. The sensation is really intense when you first wear the shoes but however tends to decrease little by little as you keep playing with your And1 Drive. These materials were clearly used for durability purposes and might feel uncomfortable to some ballers. If you are however looking for a solid shoe which main objective is to maintain your foot during your powerful drives to the basket, they might be the right shoes for you. The And 1 Harmonix system provides a lot of confidence on your heel and ankle area and you shouldn’t feel too worry about injuries using the Drive.
To summarize, the And 1 Drive Mid is a great deal for durability, impact protection, stability and cushioning. The different technologies and materials used to get to these great results might feel a little uncomfortable for ballers who are used to ride light flexible shoes. The reasonable price of the Drive mid, averaging around $90 however makes it a great streetball shoes. Just try ’em and feel if they are for you.
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Drive Mid Technical details
Upper: Combination perfed action leather for durability and breathability and synthetic panels for a lightweight feel.
Lateral/Medial Reinforcing: Medial & Lateral TPU support structure keeps your foot from rolling over.
Nylon Ghillies: Makes lacing the shoe that much easier. Keep the laces tight.
Molded Heel Counter: The pre-molded plastic counter will not break down. It gives you the absolute best in rear foot support and control.
Padded Collar: Add comfort and support to the ankle area.
Compression Molded EVA Forefoot: Lightweight and cushiony. Enhances feel and comfort.
Harmonix Heel Unit: Provides cushioning and stability withoutnreducing court feel.
Molded Rubber Outsole: Great traction and enhanced durability.
Removable Molded Footbed: Supports the foot and adds to overall comfort. Accomodates orthotics.
