Pumped Up Kicks: The adidas Crazyquick

Pop quiz, hotshot.

What do John Wall and Damian Lillard have in common?

Ummm… a lot, actually.

They are both world-class point guards playing their trade in the NBA -- Wall for the Wiz and Lillard for the Blazers (duh!). They're both hellafast. They both have great court vision. They are both fierce when attacking opposing defenses. They are both rising stars in the game.

And they're both wearing the all-new Crazyquick shoe from adidas.

A brand new shoe for the crazy quick guys out there!

Wait… isn't it Crazy Light?

Same great brand, different shoe.

This particular variant of adidas's line of basketball kicks is designed specifically to help make players quicker on the court -- hence the name, gee whiz.

adidas hopes to do this by providing greater controlled flexibility, better traction, and optimal foot lock-down. Operationally, these should all contribute towards an easier time to execute moves and improve performance on the hardwood.

So far, so good, according to the 2010 NBA first overall pick.

According to Wall, “Quick is what separates me from other players in the league. Being quicker than my opponent has helped me win at all levels of basketball, and wearing a shoe designed to make me even quicker will be a huge advantage on the court.”

John Wall epitomizes quickness.

This advantage, of course, is thanks to the cutting edge design of the Crazyquick, which resulted from extensive research and testing care of the adidas Innovation Team (aIT). The aIT scrutinized over 1,000 basketball-specific movements (yes, there are that many) to develop the unique technology that elevates the shoe (and its wearer) beyond the ordinary.

The shoe's blueprint.

adidas advanced footwear designer Robbie Fuller expounds on this, "From making explosive cuts into the lane, grabbing a loose ball or being a lock-down defender, quick is the key to elevating to the next level. Every player needs to be quick on the court, and this shoe helps deliver that benefit."

So what exactly are the novel elements that make up the Crazyquick's tech?

- Four unique "quick zones" in the outsole to provide maximum traction and flexibility (Toe zone for the quick push-off, Forefoot zone for the laterals, Midfoot zone for support and stability, and the Heel zone for multi-directional stopping and linear traction).

- The TECHFIT upper enhances stability while providing stretch and return.

- The 3D Molded Collar provides contoured fit and comfort.

- The New Heel Notch design adds greater range of motion.

- The enlarged and re-engineered SPRINTFRAME moderates movement and optimizes support.

- At just 11.25oz, the Crazyquick is one of the lightest mid-cuts on the planet.

And now for the sneaker-heads obsessed with the pinpoint specs and performance bonuses, here are some aspects of the Crazyquick that will make you salivate even more:

Aesthetics:

An update in the styling of the Crazy series can be seen with this new shoe. The TECHFIT upper is soft and flexible, improving the fit of the shoe and movement of the wearer. One will also almost instantly notice the different outsole styling of the Crazyquick, which is strategically segmented for more fluid motion. There is kind of a symmetrical splotch design perpetuating the shoe's outer design, from the toe box to the sides and the back. Groovy and funky if you ask me.

Nice-looking kicks from the tri-stripes!

The TECHFIT tongue underneath the laces is also a beauty. There is a nifty silver adidas logo visible form the front, and a mock John Wall signature (with his #2) on the inner portion, while the adiPURE and Crazyquick brands are found on the heel footbed.

Performance:

Here are some things to consider when trying out the Crazyquick in your pick-up games:

- In static positions, the forefoot is snug and the shoe offers a very natural feel and fit. No slipping here.

- Once breaking into a sprint, the segmented sole kicks in and makes running movements feel fast and flexible. One wouldn't have difficulty shifting directions, too.

- Because the TECHFIT upper is designed to stretch and bend as the foot does, the shoe offers a great balance of support and lightness -- like wearing heavy duty shoes as light as socks.

- I can imagine players who like to move aggressively or those who juke in every which way with sudden motion and change of pace won't have anything to complain here. Again, the outsole steals the show here, but the midsole and the rounded outer segments also offer enough cushion for those who are akin to make those power hops or quick jumps.

- The collar manages to secure and protect the ankles quite well, too, thanks mainly to protruding pads that act like soft bumpers.

- Under all these, the mid-foot plate grants stability despite all the moving, flexing, and pedaling that basketball demands.