Ballistecs 2.3 Review?
- Thread starter finchy
- Start date
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
They really are an amazing shoe.
They are GOAT worthy. The most comfortable, plush, great performing tennis shoe I've ever had. They are truly a joy to wear and I know it sounds strange but I look forward to lacing them up and wearing them because I've become addicted to the way they feel on the court. They simply rock. And with a 6 month guarantee it doesn't get any better.
Between the CB 2.3, 2K10, and LunarLites the CB 2.3 are really the best choice of the new Nikes.
They are GOAT worthy. The most comfortable, plush, great performing tennis shoe I've ever had. They are truly a joy to wear and I know it sounds strange but I look forward to lacing them up and wearing them because I've become addicted to the way they feel on the court. They simply rock. And with a 6 month guarantee it doesn't get any better.
Between the CB 2.3, 2K10, and LunarLites the CB 2.3 are really the best choice of the new Nikes.
TennisKid1
Semi-Pro
how generous is the width? similar to the Barricade or to Vapors?
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
Here's the deal...V5 and V6 were perfect for width for me.
Breathe 2 are horribly narrow.
CC Genius 1 were way too narrow.
CB2.3 seem very generous width wise.
To be honest I've never owned Barricades. Never liked the way they look.
CB 2.3 seem like the widest of the Nikes.
I friggen love them.
Breathe 2 are horribly narrow.
CC Genius 1 were way too narrow.
CB2.3 seem very generous width wise.
To be honest I've never owned Barricades. Never liked the way they look.
CB 2.3 seem like the widest of the Nikes.
I friggen love them.
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finchy
Professional
Thanks a lot JoelDali. I just ordered the black ones earlier today. I tried on the 1.3's and found that i had a little too much heelslip. I currently wear the Vapor 5's (i love them so much) but the outsoles wore out quickly. I slipped on court yesterday and could have had a nasty fall but i was lucky.
How are the sizings compared to the vapor 5's? I am a 9.5 for the vapor 5's and i ordered the same for the 2.3's. Luckily I ordered from TW so I can do the free return shipping if needed.
How are the sizings compared to the vapor 5's? I am a 9.5 for the vapor 5's and i ordered the same for the 2.3's. Luckily I ordered from TW so I can do the free return shipping if needed.
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
They are amazing out of the box. Beautiful. Perfect. These are certified GOAT shoes. Just played another 2 hrs just now. Had a running at the net Rafa like get, flicked it crosscourt. ESPN highlight shot, my buddy was in awe, loving these shoes. Can't wait for new colorways. Black greys are current GOATs.
CB 2.3 - best shoe ever.
CB 2.3 - best shoe ever.
boris becker 1
Semi-Pro
hate this shoe compared to feathers or even cc clima cool.
i cant wear them to play a match they are far too heavy
i cant wear them to play a match they are far too heavy
TW Staff
Administrator
Hey Guys,
I love the 2.3 ballistec. I was a big fan of the 1.3 ballistec, so I wasn't surprised that I liked the 2.3 Ballistec. I think the 2.3 Ballistec is the best Nike shoe that I have ever worn. I think it offers the best combination of comfort, stability and durability. I needed no break in period with this shoe. It is ready to go right out of the box. I have been testing this shoe for about a month or so now. I used it for basketball last night and loved it. It is one of the many shoes that I am testing and we should be reviewing it soon.
Danny, TW
I love the 2.3 ballistec. I was a big fan of the 1.3 ballistec, so I wasn't surprised that I liked the 2.3 Ballistec. I think the 2.3 Ballistec is the best Nike shoe that I have ever worn. I think it offers the best combination of comfort, stability and durability. I needed no break in period with this shoe. It is ready to go right out of the box. I have been testing this shoe for about a month or so now. I used it for basketball last night and loved it. It is one of the many shoes that I am testing and we should be reviewing it soon.
Danny, TW
PED
Legend
Danny and Joe D are correct, this is probably the best Nike hard court shoe I've ever worn. FWIW, my previous favs were the Cage 2's.
I had the 1.3's and liked them but they were a bit hefty in the weight department. The 2.3's are more comfty right out of the box with basically NO break in needed and are much quicker around the court. Plus the orange and white ones look totally hot...especially with some black laces installed
I had the 1.3's and liked them but they were a bit hefty in the weight department. The 2.3's are more comfty right out of the box with basically NO break in needed and are much quicker around the court. Plus the orange and white ones look totally hot...especially with some black laces installed
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
I would get the white orange but I don't have much that would really match, black laces sounds bad ass, post a pic please.
I can't wait for the new colorways.
I've got about 10 hours on my CB2.3 and thank god they are wearing down (slowly) for a warranty by June 2010.
I love these shoes, yes they are somewhat heavier than Vapors or BC, but I can still run around the court as fast as I did with Vapors.
I can't wait for the new colorways.
I've got about 10 hours on my CB2.3 and thank god they are wearing down (slowly) for a warranty by June 2010.
I love these shoes, yes they are somewhat heavier than Vapors or BC, but I can still run around the court as fast as I did with Vapors.
miniRafa386
Hall of Fame
how does the sizing compare to the 1.3's? i remember i would normally wear a size 10, but with the 1.3's i would wear a 9.5. is this the same for the 2.3's?
stopthewave
New User
I've been a diehard Barricade IV user the last 3 years but just had to try the CB 1.3 since the orange/white one's looked so good.
Well, I won't be wearing Barricade's any more. This shoe is absolutely perfect; it's stable, comfortable, no break-in required and looks amazing.
It'd be really great if Nike never stops making this shoe.
Well, I won't be wearing Barricade's any more. This shoe is absolutely perfect; it's stable, comfortable, no break-in required and looks amazing.
It'd be really great if Nike never stops making this shoe.
finchy
Professional
Thanks a bunch everyone for posting in this thread. I got my black/grey 2.3's today and after lacing them up, I immediately felt the same magic I felt when I first had the breathe free 2's. I have not put any time on the court with them but they were so great to just wear, that I wore them around the rest of the day.
I do not believe that these shoes feel heavy at all, in my opinion. My previous shoes were Vapor IV's and V's and I cannot say that they are substantially heavier to the point that I cannot wear them to play in. I generally don't have a problem with the weight of shoes so that may play a part in my opinion. I can say the heaviest shoes I have worn are the Barricade III's which had to be heavier than even my dress shoes so everything feels light compared to them.
I will post back whenever I get some court time on the 2.3's.
I do not believe that these shoes feel heavy at all, in my opinion. My previous shoes were Vapor IV's and V's and I cannot say that they are substantially heavier to the point that I cannot wear them to play in. I generally don't have a problem with the weight of shoes so that may play a part in my opinion. I can say the heaviest shoes I have worn are the Barricade III's which had to be heavier than even my dress shoes so everything feels light compared to them.
I will post back whenever I get some court time on the 2.3's.
PED
Legend
I wore a 10 in the Cage 1's and every other nike I've had until I went to the CB 1.3's.
For the 1.3's I went down to a 9.5 and it was perfect. For the 2.3's I again went with a 9.5 and there were just a tiny bit snug for the first hour or so but then the fit was spot on. I later had a chance to try on a 10 in the 2.3 and it felt ENORMOUS.
I guess the takeaway is to try them on first as every foot is different.
Try th
For the 1.3's I went down to a 9.5 and it was perfect. For the 2.3's I again went with a 9.5 and there were just a tiny bit snug for the first hour or so but then the fit was spot on. I later had a chance to try on a 10 in the 2.3 and it felt ENORMOUS.
I guess the takeaway is to try them on first as every foot is different.
Try th
floydcouncil
Professional
I agree with the B2's fitting narrow. I love them!!
finchy
Professional
So, I took the CB 2.3's out to the court today to see how they hold up. I have been wearing them all day before then because they are just so dang comfortable and good looking IMO.
Coming from my old shoes, the Vapor V's, the 2.3's felt slightly cumbersome. While moving on the court, I noticed that the 2.3's felt a little more wide than my Vapors but in doing so, they were much more stable. Traction was awesome, very grippy to the hard courts I play at. Now I normally have been playing with 2 pairs of socks, but as tonight was my first time with the 2.3's, I tried just one pair. Had a little foot movement but that would be easily fixed with two pairs.
I did not have a problem at all with these shoes, but I have to say I was a little tentative with my movement because I took a nasty fall when I played with my Vapor V's because the outsole wore down and became slick. Luckily I didn't get hurt, but even with new shoes, I still have yet to recover my confidence in my own feet.
That being said, I seriously can not find a fault with this shoe. The weight does not seem clunky or disadvantageous at all. I do not notice the weight of them at all. At 16.9 ounces, Nike did a great job hiding the weight of the shoe. IMO, my old pair of barricade 3's feel 1.5 times heavier than the CB 2.3's. Seriously a great shoe to consider buying.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, that this shoe itself, combined with the fact it has a 6 month warrenty, might just be the best tennis shoe Nike has ever produced. This coming from someone who absolutely adores the Vapor Speeds. I've owned the original breathe frees, breathe free 2's, Vapor Speeds, Vapor IV's, Vapor V's, breathe cages, and now the 2.3's. I would seriously applaud Nike if they could make this shoe any better than it already is.
Coming from my old shoes, the Vapor V's, the 2.3's felt slightly cumbersome. While moving on the court, I noticed that the 2.3's felt a little more wide than my Vapors but in doing so, they were much more stable. Traction was awesome, very grippy to the hard courts I play at. Now I normally have been playing with 2 pairs of socks, but as tonight was my first time with the 2.3's, I tried just one pair. Had a little foot movement but that would be easily fixed with two pairs.
I did not have a problem at all with these shoes, but I have to say I was a little tentative with my movement because I took a nasty fall when I played with my Vapor V's because the outsole wore down and became slick. Luckily I didn't get hurt, but even with new shoes, I still have yet to recover my confidence in my own feet.
That being said, I seriously can not find a fault with this shoe. The weight does not seem clunky or disadvantageous at all. I do not notice the weight of them at all. At 16.9 ounces, Nike did a great job hiding the weight of the shoe. IMO, my old pair of barricade 3's feel 1.5 times heavier than the CB 2.3's. Seriously a great shoe to consider buying.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, that this shoe itself, combined with the fact it has a 6 month warrenty, might just be the best tennis shoe Nike has ever produced. This coming from someone who absolutely adores the Vapor Speeds. I've owned the original breathe frees, breathe free 2's, Vapor Speeds, Vapor IV's, Vapor V's, breathe cages, and now the 2.3's. I would seriously applaud Nike if they could make this shoe any better than it already is.
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Pink_Shirt
Rookie
Great review man, I'm going to pick them up when they release the summer colors. Ala Green, Blue and Grey ones.
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
The only few faults I have with the CB 2.3 are sort of minor.
1. The glue blob inserted around the tongue to hold it to top side portion of the shoe is sort of odd. Not sure why they put a big dab of glue here. Check it out if you havn't noticed.
2. The NIKE Label on the tongue ripped two stitches off from pulling the tongue up. Be careful of this, its easy to do. I have pics of this and was going to post but, eh, I'm over it. I can restitch it but I'm just letting it be.
Thats it.
This shoe remains my personal GSOAT.
1. The glue blob inserted around the tongue to hold it to top side portion of the shoe is sort of odd. Not sure why they put a big dab of glue here. Check it out if you havn't noticed.
2. The NIKE Label on the tongue ripped two stitches off from pulling the tongue up. Be careful of this, its easy to do. I have pics of this and was going to post but, eh, I'm over it. I can restitch it but I'm just letting it be.
Thats it.
This shoe remains my personal GSOAT.
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
10ACE
Professional
Wow those look much better in that video then in the pictures- the green neon brings me back to the Agassi era. Def getting those!!!
pmacino
Semi-Pro
I was one of the first to get a pair of 2.3s and immediately bought a second pair after hitting in my first pair one time.
I'll vote for it as the GSOAT as well...the second pair was as good as the first...lace 'em and play 'em...perfect.
I've been playing in them since the beginning of January, and they are holding up great (I'm currently rotating two pairs). My previous recent shoes, include 1.3s, Vapor Vs, Bab PPII, Bab PP, Adidas B5s....
I'll vote for it as the GSOAT as well...the second pair was as good as the first...lace 'em and play 'em...perfect.
I've been playing in them since the beginning of January, and they are holding up great (I'm currently rotating two pairs). My previous recent shoes, include 1.3s, Vapor Vs, Bab PPII, Bab PP, Adidas B5s....
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
CB 2.3 10 Hours in.
Glue Blob I was talking about earlier...
Ripped Nike Label, be careful not to pull on this when tighteing tongue before lacing, my fault, not fault of the shoe...
Love the cool, "target" circle on the inner outside of the shoe, never noticed it until a few days ago...too cool.
Glue Blob I was talking about earlier...
Ripped Nike Label, be careful not to pull on this when tighteing tongue before lacing, my fault, not fault of the shoe...
Love the cool, "target" circle on the inner outside of the shoe, never noticed it until a few days ago...too cool.
captinsane903
Rookie
Compared to the BFIIs, how would you say they fit? I wear a 11.5 with my current BFIIs.
finchy
Professional
I think they fit the same way as the BFII's. I used to wear 9's in BFII's but my feet grew and they got tight. I also used to wear the breathe cage originals in a size 9 but they felt tight as of about a year ago so i'm now up to a 9.5 in the CB 2.3's. if anything, you can make up any leftover room by wearing another pair of socks.
captinsane903
Rookie
There are a few people here and there that say it fits like the 1.3s, but most said that it's true to size like most Nike's.
Is there word on any new colors schemes coming out soon?
Is there word on any new colors schemes coming out soon?
FedHammer
New User
I'll throw in my $.02. Just got my first pair of the black 2.3's about 10 days ago, & they are awesome. Been using B-V's, & as far as width goes, they are similar. Absolutely no break-in required, & very soft out of box. Much cooler, so should be a great summer shoe. I've played 4-5 times in them thus far with NO complaints.
slice it
Rookie
hahah, i am in the exactly same position as you.....
had the V's (what color for you?)....wear a 9.5....bought the 2.3's (black/cyber) and ordered a size 10
....All w/o seeing this thread before!
maybe we are long lost twins or something
finchy
Professional
I have the white/red vapor V's, the one Roger wore at the 2008 USOpen. As I said before, I wear a 9.5 in the Vapor V's and I also wear a 9.5 in CB 2.3's.
gino
Legend
20 hours in...
geeze joeldali, you are on your way to a new pair very quickly!
what do you think of the traction on the 2.3's? i am a breathe cage II and vapor vi user.
thanks
the mania
Banned
Great another bogus review just like the one that said the red spots on the vapors were fixed? Bogus!!!!
finchy
Professional
Blaming TW on Nike's fault isn't helping this thread.
On topic: took my white/orange pair out the other day and they felt great too. Traction was fantastic, I was sticking to the courts very well and could change direction in a heartbeat. I have no issues with these shoes. The outsole has to be one of the most durable compounds I have played on, ever.
JoelDali
Talk Tennis Guru
I've worn these on 3 different surfaces for well over 20+ hours now (including 8 this weekend alone) and the traction is magnificent.
Had my first run with my orange and white 2.3's. I was really impressed. The interior is slipper like. Excellent ventilation. I thought the forefoot stability would be as good as the Barricade V's which I have and I was pleasantly surprised. Cutting and movement were very solid. I have the Barricades, CC Genius's and Oscillated and the 2.3's were the most comfortable of the three.
I definitely had to cinch them up pretty snugly and to the last lace hole to make sure my back heel wouldn't slip. I have a narrow foot and was surprised that they fit so snugly.
Excellent shoe.
I definitely had to cinch them up pretty snugly and to the last lace hole to make sure my back heel wouldn't slip. I have a narrow foot and was surprised that they fit so snugly.
Excellent shoe.
the mania
Banned
dude, chris from tw specifically states in his video review that the problem is fixed, that makes it a tw problem when they back these statements
finchy
Professional
about 14 hours in. I've had a few moments where I've slipped (not on purpose) in these but nothing serious. Perhaps it's my footwork, but I never slipped in the Breathe Cage's or the Vapor V's.
I also picked up a pair of Vapor VI's. I'm still breaking them in but they feel incredibly supportive, holding my feet stable very well. The VI's provide less cushioning, but much more stability in my mind. They also have higher arch support (which I like). When I put on the CB 2.3's right afterward, I felt like I put my feet inside two pillows. Very plush ride, lower to the ground than the VI's. Will use the voucher on the white/orange 2.3's to get a pair of LL Vapors to compare.
