Nike Hyperdunk 2014 REVIEW: A Solid All-Around Shoe (2016)

Welcome to my Nike Hyperdunk 2014 review! Yes, it’s an older shoe and I don’t typically do that, but I felt like people searching for it need to know that it’s a solid shoe to play in. 

I’ll talk about the shoe’s tech specs, performance, comfort, materials and decide it it’s worth the price. Let’s start the Nike Hyperdunk 2014 review!

MAIN SPECS

Shoes: Nike Hyperdunk 2014

Weight: 323.2 g. / 11.4 oz

Type: Mid Top/High Top Sneaker

Technologies: Lunarlon, Dynamic FLYWIRE, Fuse

Fit: True to Size

Available Colors: 5+

My Rating: 8/10


THE TECH

Lunarlon – so the shoe uses a Phylon midsole with Lunarlon units in the heel and forefoot under it. That’s the cushionning setup of the shoe. A pretty cool one and it works very well, more on that later.

Dynamic FLYWIRE – these are cables under the upper that are connected with the laces for proper lockdown and containment. A great addition and it’s implemented very nicely on the shoe. Part of that is the upper’s very sturdy, so it holds those cables very well.

Fuse – Nike’s primary upper material that feels like soft plastic. It’s very durable and supportive. The downsides are poor ventilation, lack of mobility and sometimes even comfort.

If you still have no idea what all those tech names mean, go HERE.

PERFORMANCE


FIT/COMFORT

I definitely didn’t have any issues with the fit, the shoe is pretty comfortable. It can be as comfortable as something like Flyweave or pure mesh, but for Fuse, this is pretty good.

Of course, you can feel some bulkyness and a slight lack of mobility. The sturdy collar locks in your ankle, so it’s not the best shoe for a guard. Still, nothing to really complain, just keep these things in mind.

CUSHION

We have a targeted Lunarlon setup (it’s not full-length, not removable). A pretty damn cool setup if you ask me. I really like these for the amount of balance the cushion has. It feels pretty soft and bouncy enough, but you also have some responsiveness and impact protection.

Very awesome because lots of different players could play in these I think. The best fit would be from bigger guards, all the way up to power forwards.

TRACTION

Once again, nothing really to complain. The pattern is actually durable and dense. Not a lot of wiping will be needed, but they’re also fine for some light-medium outdoor play.

I got some inconsistency from time to time on dusty courts, but that was very rare and that happens on a lot of shoes, so I don’t think it’s something you should worry about.

SUPPORT

Everything was completely solid in terms of support. Good fit provides support right away. The upper is very supportive, there’s a TPU heel counter, a TPU shank for lateral support and FLYWIRE for lockdown.

The complete package if you’re looking for proper support. It’s definitely not a very mobile or restriction-free setup, but for those people who need this stuff, it’s great.

MATERIALS

The upper mesh for areas where the shoe needs to flex and breathe, and Fuse is for durability and support. So yeah, this is a solid outdoor option.

Breathability is decent (though I personally don’t care about that), it’s durable and well-constructed. Comfort is not the best, but enough. All in all, a basic, but trustworthy setup that simply works.

FINAL VERDICT

So the Hyperdunk 2014 isn’t an ultimate performer or an innovation. But it’s a good performer that fits lots of player at an affordable price.

They’re relatively comfortable, they have an awesome cushion setup, good traction (even for some outdoor play), great support and a basic material setup.

You’re in need of a shoe but don’t really know what to choose? Don’t want to spend $200? You’re a heavier/bigger player than a regular guard? I think this shoe won’t disappoint you then.

PROS

+ A very versatile cushioning setup
+ Good traction, even for some outdoor play
+ Fantastic support

CONS

 Not a very mobile or flexibility-oriented shoe
 Traction can be a bit weird sometimes

Alright, that’s it for the review! I hope you found it helpful! I tried my best to explain the positives and negatives of the shoe and whom it’s best for.

Find out if this one is better than the current 2016 Hyperdunks!