Adidas today unveiled the new adiZero Crazy Light, the lightest shoe in basketball. At 9.8 ounces, the revolutionary adiZero Crazy Light sets a new standard for basketball footwear at more than 15 percent lighter than the nearest competitor1 to help players be faster to improve performance on the court. The adiZero Crazy Light basketball shoe now gives adidas the lightest footwear in three sports including football (adiZero 5-Star cleat) and soccer (F50 adiZero cleat).

“Lighter footwear makes you faster and speed dominates on the basketball court,” said Derrick Rose, two-time NBA All-Star of the top-seeded Chicago Bulls. “The adiZero Crazy Light is the lightest basketball shoe I’ve ever worn and it will no doubt make me faster on the court for our playoff run.”

“No other basketball shoe compares to the new adiZero Crazy Light and it’s a shoe that will revolutionize the game,” said Lawrence Norman, adidas Vice President of Global Basketball. “The ultra lightweight design is built for players who want to be faster, jump higher and perform better on the court. From the NBA’s best to pick-up games across the world, players are asking for light footwear to help them become one step quicker – and the adiZero Crazy Light delivers this in a way like no shoe in history.”

adiZero Crazy Light Technology

More than two years in the making, the adidas Innovation Team (aIT) and adidas Basketball Design developed the adiZero Crazy Light from the canvas of a bare foot to ensure every part of the shoe serves a vital performance function. Only lightweight, highly flexible and durable materials were selected to create the lightest shoe in basketball.

“We wanted to build the ultimate shoe for the ultimate basketball player, and research has clearly shown that a lighter shoe will provide better performance,” said Griff Wilson, senior developer, adidas Innovation Team. “The key is to provide the support and cushioning of a traditional basketball shoe in a super lightweight construction. The Crazy Light, the culmination of two years of design, research, and testing, is the lightest shoe in the market by nearly two ounces and will give basketball players an advantage over the competition.”

The adiZero Crazy Light features a revolutionary new SPRINTWEB exoskeleton upper less than 1mm thick and seamlessly bonded to a nylon textile base to significantly reduce weight and provide increased support and strength. The web layout of the materials provides vertical and horizontal strength to give players optimum support for any cutting motion.

The SPRINTFRAME external heel counter and TORSION SYSTEM are bonded together to allow maximum weight reduction, energy return and motion control. Each lace eyelet is load bearing and has a corresponding web spar to support players during hard cuts. The upper is made with translucent nylon to further decrease weight and give players nearly 360 degrees of ventilated comfort.

The adiZero Crazy Light traction system has varied engineered thickness to ensure maximum grip in high wear perimeter zones, and less thickness and weight in low perimeter zones like the midfoot. It also features longitudinal grooves in the heel and forefoot to provide support during extreme forefoot cuts.

The adiZero Crazy Light will be available June 3 in four colorways for $130 including sharp blue/white, black/red/white, grey/white/neon green and red/white. It will roll out in six additional team colorways through September and will be available at Foot Locker, Eastbay and Shopadidas.com.

adiZero Crazy Light Fact Sheet

Overview: At 9.8 ounces, the adiZero Crazy Light basketball shoe in basketball. The shoe is 15 percent (nearly two ounces) lighter than the nearest competitor to help players be faster to improve performance.

The adiZero Crazy Light basketball shoe now gives adidas the lightest footwear in three sports including football (adiZero 5-Star cleat) and soccer (F50 adiZero cleat).

Revolutionary Construction: The adiZero Crazy Light is the perfect balance between lightweight construction and support to improve performance. The revolutionary construction is unlike anything in the market.

Sprintweb: Revolutionary new exoskeleton system is less than 1mm thick and seamlessly bonded to a nylon textile base to significantly reduce weight and provide increased support. The web layout of the materials provides vertical and horizontal strength to give maximum support.

SprintFrame: The external heel counter and TORSION SYSTEM are bonded together to allow for maximum weight reduction, energy return and motion control.

Bounce: construction stitches the upper directly to the tooling to save weight and cut down on extra material needed for bonding.

Upper: The upper is made with translucent nylon to further decrease weight and gives players nearly 360 degrees of ventilated comfort.

The footbed is comprised of specialized foam to provide lightweight comfort around the collar while minimizing heat build up.

Injected toe cap provides toe drag protection and maintains forefoot volume.

Each lace eyelet is load bearing and has a corresponding web spar to support players during hard cuts.

Outsole: The adiZero Crazy Light provides players with maximum traction and flexibility on the court.

Outsole traction system has varied engineered thickness to ensure maximum grip in high wear perimeter zones, and less thickness and weight in low perimeter zones like the midfoot.

New traction pattern offers a multi-level cross section that increases surface area and limits dust build up for indoor players.

Features longitudinal grooves in the heel and forefoot to provide support during extreme forefoot cuts.

Asymmetrical midsole layout aligns with internal I beams to reduce rollover and help players adapt and adjust to playing surfaces.

Retail Availability: The adiZero Crazy Light will be available June 3 in four colorways for $130 including sharp blue/white, black/red/white, gray/white/neon green and red/white. It will roll out in six additional team colorways through September and will be available at Foot Locker, Eastbay and Shopadidas.com.

This summer had the most amount of drama in NBA history. Big changes were made throughout the league involving some of the most talented free agents in sports today. With the new season underway, NBA x Marvel Comics has teamed up to create one of the coolest advertizing schemes since Michael Jordan teamed up with Bugs Bunny.

If you like the ‘Comic Book Covers’ you see here, you can check out the rest of them over at ESPNMediaZone.

Via Def

There is another new basketball performance sneaker on the market and it was made specifically for the ladies.

The Nfinity Bionic Lite is just that, lite… in fact it weighs less than the Kobe V coming in at 11.1 oz making it the lightest performance shoe available. Yes, it even weighs less than the Hyperfuse which came in at 14.6 oz. If you’re interested in giving these a try head over to Eastbay.

The Nfinity Bioniq Lite basketball shoe is the lightest shoe in its category. Anatomical last offers better centering of weight in the middle of the shoe. BIONIQ™ Outsole Technology addresses the pronounced Q Angle in female athletes to help protect knees during pivots and quick direction changes. QChannel™ technology helps center the foot and weight when playing. True 5/4 upper provides enhanced ankle support. NfiniFit™ forefoot gives a natural fit around the toes and jumping area. Interchangeable color cards add team or style customization. Packaged in a signature Nfinity shoe case with the five-year anniversary N logo. Wt. 11.1 oz.

Li-Ning has a new model dubbed the ‘001’ now available at Eastbay. Check out the two colorways and a small description after the jump.

The Li-Ning Classic 001 style has been modified for the first time into a comfortable and wearable high-top basketball shoe. Rich and supple natural leather and suede uppers. Thick Li-Ning interior cushion package provides comfort and that “perfect fit” feeling. Interior TPU shank adds midfoot support. Midsole sidewall and heel leather wrap offers improved durability and protection. Clear rubber outsole with artist’s rendtition of the aerial Los Angeles map showing Baron Davis’ UCLA college and Staples Center locations. Wt. 16.6 oz.

What is the first thing you need when your team designs new uniforms? New kicks to match! That is exactly what Monta Ellis is getting this upcoming season with the Warriors. The And 1 ME8 Sovereign Mid will be worn with the new retro like uniforms by the Warriors star Guard.

A synthetic leather upper along with a breathable mesh tongue can be seen clearly from these images. What is most interesting is the TPU side panel in a smooth wave pattern.

Retail information has not been made public as of now; we will keep you updated with more info as it comes.

What do you think… is And 1 back in the game?

Via And1

Sneakerfiles was one of the first to report on the Hops Sportswear movement. A movement in which we as players can find not only a comfortable and reliable sneaker to give us the performance needs we crave, but to also keep our wallets in mind as well.

Hops uses nothing but the best materials including real full-grain leather for better support and all over feel, a CMEVA midsole for optimal cushion and impact absorption and a brand new patented technology feature- the ‘Medial Wing’- giving a player’s lateral movements the crucial support that one needs while making hard cuts to the basket as well as keeping your defensive stance completely stable while making your lateral movements more balanced and explosive.

SLAM Magazine has just released an in depth performance review that should keep any of the naysayers at bay. Click HERE to read the full report; it’s a very informative and pleasing read. We would also like to thank Hops Sportswear owner/ company director Matt Kaipuke for allowing us at Sneakerfiles to bring you this news first.

Via SLAM & Hops Sportswear

Yesterday we broke news about Australian footwear brand, Hops Sportswear, releasing their products here in the US.

While we had some images of their product line as well as tons of info from their press release, we have found an advertisement with a great 360 view of their kicks.

Hit the jump to check it out and let us know what you think in the comments section… the White/Black/Red pair has my full attention.