Nike React Hyperset Review

Review:

The Nike React Hyperset are an extremely complete volleyball shoe. They offer great stability and comfort while maintaining a grippy outer sole and responsive cushioning.

The aggressive patterns of the outer sole provide amazing grip on both wooden and taraflex flooring. This is great for all volleyball movements because it gives you a strong and stable starting point to drive from. But especially as a setter this was extremely important to help increase my court speed. Throughout the shoe's lifetime the grip quality didn't decline, which was very important.

The innersole offered enough cushioning and support to the foot, which made for a comfortable feel through the whole session. The midsole cushioning wasn't super soft however it provided enough support and comfort when jumping. Over time the innersole became more comfortable once it moulded to my foot. Combining a grippy outer sole and a comfortable inner and midsole made for great responsiveness when moving in any direction, which was crucial for my performance.

The design of the shoe, with the high tongue, firm heel structure and forefoot strap, made for a very stable shoe. The rear and mid foot felt extremely supported and there was no sliding inside the shoe because the strap locked the foot in place. This was great for my foot comfort and overall performance but also for protecting my ankle from rolls. When I first started wearing the shoes the high tongue felt uncomfortable pressing on the front of my ankle, however I got used to the feeling over time. A side effect of this extremely stable design is that the shoe can feel a little clunky and bulky at first if you have previously been wearing something like the Adidas Crazyflight.

Because of the high quality materials, the Hyperset was extremely durable and showed very few signs of falling apart. The grip was outstanding throughout the whole season and didn't deteriorate. The velcro strap remained sticky which allowed me to get a tight lock down feel. No holes appeared in the mesh material. The only spot that showed signs of use was where the outer sole began to peel off slightly from the mesh material at the toe of the shoe. This had no impact on performance however and the function of the shoe was not affected. Towards the end of the season I started to feel the cushioning become fatigued and the shoe began to lose a bit of its comfort. I added a new thicker innersole to the shoe once I felt them get more rigid and then the shoes were fine for the rest of the season.

The fit of this shoe was true to size and offers a good flow from heel to toe so that your foot can sit nicely. There were no areas of added pressure or rubbing.

Overall, I think this is a great shoe that offers good performance throughout. The stable design and durable build combined with the aggressive grip, great responsiveness and good comfort made for the perfect balance between stability and performance.

Rating: 8.5/10

Grip: 9

Responsiveness: 9

Cushion: 7.5

Comfort: 8

Durability: 9

Pros

• Outstanding grip and responsiveness

• Good overall comfort

• Extremely durable shoe

• Readily available worldwide

Cons

• Quite expensive

• Cushioning becomes fatigued over time

My verdict: The grip and responsiveness of these shoes were perfect for the agile nature of my playing style. One of the most stable & complete shoes I have worn. I really enjoyed playing in them.

Value: $240 AUD - A little expensive however their long life makes it worthwhile!

Questions?