SocklesSneak's Review

Basketball Pro Player endorsements have become the norm for high-end basketball shoes. A trend started by Michael Jordon, and continued here with these 3 shoes by the likes of Kevin Garnett, Alan Iverson and Kobe Bryant. I have to admit right off the bat that I'm not a big basketball fan, and I won't even try to tell you which teams any of these players are on. The goal of this page is to share my experiences with this trio of shoes from my collection, and what they are like to wear casually, without socks, of course.
	The Nike Air Garnett III has been winning rave reviews from wearers, according to many Internet opinion polls. The bright blue faded nylon, black leather trim, a bit of chrome, reflective strips and the heel Air unit combine to make an eye-catching fashion statement. Although, I'm not crazy about the other colour combinations that are available. Wear these shoes, and people will notice. I often get looks and comments about them when I wear them out. Fun and sexy are appropriate words to describe these shoes. One of my Top 10 pics.
The shoes have Tn Air, which provides nice bouncy forefoot cushioning as you walk. The foot-hugging construction is very supportive. Interior materials are comfortable. But, surprisingly, the shoes don't "breathe" that well. This means that they get very warm inside, and can feel quite hot & stuffy after wearing them for a while. In other words, they do get sweaty!
Reebok's Answer has a feel which is similar to the Nike's when walking or running, this time with the DMX cushioning providing the bouncy forefoot support. The shoe upper is also just as supportive as the Nike. So, for casual wear (never mind basket ball for which they were designed) both of these shoes perform equally well, and are very comfortable. But the Reeboks don't get as hot & stuffy inside as the Garnetts, which does give them a comfort edge when you're wearing them for hours at a time.
These sneaks are made primarily of soft, full-grain leather. Highly reflective materials, as you can see in the photos, are found in the trim and side outsole. A zippered shroud covers the laces, for a neat look. However, I prefer the overall look of the Garnetts. Inside, vinyl-like padding surrounds your heel and ankle. As your foot begins to sweat, this material keeps the water on the surface, which can result in a very sensual experience. Personally, I like it, a lot!
	The Adidas Kobe could best be described as the Pontiac Aztec of sneakers. They feature a sharp, edgy design which you'll either love or hate. The shoes are made of very lightweight materials, and feature the Adidas Torsion support system. The cushioning isn't bouncy, like the Garnett or Answer. Instead, the wide soles provide superior lateral support, which would be useful for quick turns on the basketball court. But, this review isn't about wearing these shoes for actually playing basketball.
Worn casually, the Kobe is abyssmal. The only real leather in these shoes is a small amount on the inside of the ankle collar. Its sole purpose, apparently, is to chafe bare skin. Within 20 minutes of walking around with these shoes, I was in discomfort. At the end of the night, I couldn't wait to take them off! Blistering aside, these sneaks just aren't as comfortable as the Garnett or Answer. Based on sockless comfort and sensual appeal, I give the Reebok Answer IV top marks in this review.

Related Links:
The photos link to pages related to the shoes, with more pictures and info.