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Time to See What This Shoe Has to Offer!
The New Balance Kawaii II is an extremely stable and supportive shoe that offers great protection and grip. It has a unique halloween spider web decoration on the tongue and its foam padding around the ankle collar gives an ultra-stable fit. It also has a gold-plated external outrigger heel counter combined with an internal heel counter, making it extra secure. The midsole is made with a dual density fuel cell foam, providing excellent energy absorption and return. The outsole tread offers excellent grip and is durably made with thick, translucent rubber. Sadly, it is only available in one width and requires a bit of break-in. Nevertheless, it is a great shoe for bigger players looking for a shoe with great protection, stability and grip.
Durability and Grip: A Worthy Combination
The New Balance Kawaii II features many features that make it one of the most durable and grippy shoes available today. The upper is made of woven fabric with a spider web decoration. Not only is it incredibly strong, it is also lightweight and won’t hold in a lot of heat. The ankle collars are designed to protect the ankle from sprains, as the high-high and heel counter won’t allow the ankle to move back and forth. To add to the strength and stability, there is also a midfoot shank. This shank runs from heel to midfoot and provides a ton of cantilevering. Regarding the outsole, it is made of a unique wave pattern which allows the rubber to grip into any surface. Moreover, the thick rubber used offers great durability, as this was proven in the outsole durability test. In conclusion, this shoe is built for those looking for outstanding durability and grip on any kind of court.
Competitive Performance on the Court
Additionally, the New Balance Kawaii II provides some outstanding performance benefits for athletes. Although it does need an hour of break-in before it moves, it offers great energy return when it does. In fact, it had an average jump height of 33 cm in the jump height test, which is better than some other New Balance shoes tested this year. The shape of the midsole also helps a lot in its nimble footwork and when combined with the outsole grip, it provides a more natural and versatile performance. It is also very consistent in performance regardless of the position on the court. All in all, it is clear that the Kawaii II’s strength lies in its performance on the court.
In Summary
The New Balance Kawaii II is a great choice for bigger players and those looking for protection and stability from a shoe. It is built with durable materials that provide excellent grip on any court and the shank inside the midsole offers an energy-efficient response and nimble footwork. While it does require a break-in for optimal performance, the Kawaii II is the perfect shoe for those seeking a balance between protection and performance on the court.
Pros and Cons of the New Balance Kawaii II Sneaker
Pros:
- The tongue is padded with a unique spider web decoration which is soft and lightweight.
- The ankle collar is high, padded and combine with a Fit Weave Light which helps to lock down the ankle.
- The woven upper is incredibly strong yet lightweight.
- The gold-plated external outrigger heel counter is combined with an internal heel counter that gives extra confidence when moving side to side.
- The midsole foo has a dual density Fuel Cell foam that gives energy absorption with better energy return.
- The outsole design has a wave pattern that allows it to grab onto any surface with great grip.
- The rubber on the toe cap allows for great grip even when pushing off from awkward positions.
- The outsole durability is excellent, with no damage after a 10 second dremel test.
Cons:
- They fit true to size and do not come in variable widths.
- Requires a break-in period for comfort.
- Can be uncomfortable for bigger players due to the heavy, strong uppers.
The Bottom Line Purchase Decision
The New Balance Kawaii II Sneakers are a great choice for those looking for a shoe that is ultra durable, with great grip on any surface, and provides protection and stability for bigger players, such as centers and power forwards. Although they take some time to break-in and might be uncomfortable for those with wider feet, they are a great performance-based shoe that can be used on any court and will still give uniform performance.
FAQ
Do the New Balance Kawaii II Sneakers prevent ankle sprains?
No, they do not fully prevent ankle sprains, however the high, padded ankle collar combined with the strong yet lightweight woven upper, get as close as the shoe will to preventing ankle sprains that are currently available on the market.
Does the midsole fuel cell provide great energy return?
Yes, the dual-density Fuel Cell foam midsole provides great energy absorption as well as better energy return that some other Fuel Cell shoes.
Are these shoes plush feeling?
No, these are not plush feeling shoes. They are meant to feel more like a performance-based shoe and may not give the ultra plush feeling of other maximalist shoes.
