Great fit + sharp traction+ responsive cushioning= a great combination for speed and quickness. While the original hyperfuse brought something new to the game in a tight breathable and fun package. The 2011 hyperfuse found a way to make things even better in a new, but familiar package.
I’ll be the first to tell you for a design/aesthetic stand point I like weird. I like different. I like unique looking designs that solve problems, challenge conventional norms and push the envelope on form, function, materials and performance. Products, designs, & innovations that standout from the completion and make things even better. The original hyperfuse did that with a new material: Hyperfuse. Traditional basketball sneakers and many sneakers/shoes altogether were made of traditional materials like Leather, suede, nubuck, canvas, patent leather, mesh and so forth. These materials over time were combined, layered, stretched, woven, combined and so on until some took a chance to ask, explore, try and challenge the current norms to innovate. Like the use of patent leather used on the Air Jordan 11 not just as a visual element, but as a performance material to maintain fit and keep the foot on the foot bed or the ballistic nylon mesh also used on the Upper of the 11 to provide breathability and a better/closer fit as well durability. The uses of natural leathers changed to synthetic leathers because the lack of stack with helped the sneaker retain it’s shape/fit longer fast forward and now have the innovation a fuse uppers which solve multiple issues in a signgular whole package that is strong, light, breathable, thin, flexible and well fitting. This is done by fusing/heat pressing multiple layers of material that all serve different purposes into a single upper and assembling everything together in a fast form fitting product that ready to perform with only a couple of wears.
In a fuse uppers the first layer is used as the backing. It usually is structured and has cut outs at breaks within the pattern that create windows for breathability. This is the layer that sits closest to your foot. The inner most layer of the shoe. Next upper is the mesh packaging. Their are different types of polyester mesh such as the jersey style mesh used in last years original hyperfuse sneaker or the diagonal net mesh used in this years 2011. This layer allows for the breathability while providing full coverage and support for fuse areas that don’t have cut outs like the medial toe area, ankle area (in the original), and heel. Finally is the top most layer made of polyurethane or PU skin/skins. This layer provides durability texture and finish. This is the outer most shell of the upper. Now that all of the layers are stacked they are vacuum sealed tight. No Bubbles! ( at least not in your uppers lol) and heated/pressed until all of the layers are essentially FUSED into one seamless piece. Then the upper is stitched together, given a heel counter as well as other necessities and assembled like a traditional performance sneaker. Voila! You’ve been hyperfused. What great is that you get the best of many different materials all into one lightweight, durable, breathable, form fitting, strong, slow stretching, thin, and futuristic package. This is definitely a step about natural materials like traditional materials like natural leather & nubuck and the next level of synthetic man-made materials that don’t use animal hides and are slow to stretch. Now if it can be made to be sustainable with green and biodegradable eco friendly materials, we might have something. But does it perform? Onto the review.
Comfort & Fit 9/10
Like last years initial launch the hyperfuse (2010) provided a strong and unique fit unlike any basketball sneaker before it. The mid ( I throughly enjoyed the low top version.) featured a one pice mesh based bootie that fit well around the foot while keeping the tongue connected and irritating seams away from the foot. Good. The back half of the sneaker featured a nice amount of padding including the ankle area which featured a few layers of solid fuse for fir and form. The midfoot and forefoot of the sneaker was light, strong, breathable and flexed without hindering and natural flex or movement needed on the court. The stiff upper material kept the foot upright within the shoe and allowed little to no side to side movement with only a minimal amount of front to back movement. There is also extra amounts of fuse on the medial side of the toe back to protect from toe drags and contact made with that area, someone stepping on your foot, toe drags, etc. the 2011 version made some slight changes in the mesh style, fuse pattern and ankle area overlay. While the ankle area may be different from last years version. The Hyperfuse still provided great ankle support as the Hyperfuse pattern surrounded the area around the ankle with extra layers while allowing freedom of the ankle itself like a traditional Basketball Huarache sneaker like the Air Jordan 7 or Huarache 2k4 & 2k5. This time mesh covers the ankles. The fit is also added with a solid and rigid heel counter just like last year. It still works.
Cushioning 8/10
One thing that charities over was the tooling. The 2010 & 2011 have the same Midsole and outsole with only a slight difference that I call an upgrade for a couple of reasons. The Hyperfuse 2011 still uses the same lightweight phylon midsole and bouncy forefoot Zoom are unit as last years version. There is enough foam in the heel to work well even without a heel air unit. The design of the midsole allow it to compress as needed to have a decent movement on the court the heel to toe drop and fit of the upper make you want to play more on your forefoot and the shoe makes you want to sprint down the court and the bouncy responsive zoom air has you cover. The upgrade is the lateral stability as the 2011 midsole features a protruding extension of the midsole that provides more lateral support while helping to keep you from sliding off of the footbed on slashes and cuts and even has a super cool iridescent swoosh. It makes the shoe like different, almost ALIENNNNN lol. Again, I like different, I like weird. This was a welcomed feature on this years versions as some players did have instances is losing forwards the edge of the midsole or over.
Traction 9/10
This traction just works. It worked so nice that they had to use it twice lol. The pattern stays the same. Same great peaked herringbone. Same midfoot support shank for torsional rigidity and same heel impact force dispersion design for heel landings and strikes. Still works, still good.
In Summary,
The Hyperfuse 2011 is a subtle successor to last years models with only minor changes to the upper pattern and midsole design that helped to improve some areas that the 2010 fell short at which mainly some lack of lateral, support/sliding off of the food bed. Although the changes are subtle again the combination of the iridescent swoosh and stance give this shoe an almost alien look. Sported by some of the newest and craftiest young point guards such as Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Just like last year the Hyperfuse is light, breathable, durable and should hold up well over time. It great for your indoor runs and leagues. If you add a more cushioned insole these make the perfect outdoor bball sneaker for the summer! Buy them if you want a light, strong, durable, breathable sneaker with an upper that will last with a responsive cushion and sharp traction that’s stable for the hardwood and the asphalt. A great sneaker especially at the price point.
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