Where I got them: Foot LockerWhat I paid for them: $95
Where I wore them: Outdoor court
NBA players who wear/have worn them: Tim Hardaway
Spike Lee and Tim Hardaway Air Raid commercial: http://youtube.com/watch?v=balEGzeAVdM
ATTENTION: This sneaker was specifically designed for outdoor use. I have not played indoors with them, so please keep that in mind while reading the review.
PERFORMANCE: In 1992, Nike released the Air Raid as a sneaker built for the blacktop. I live very close to a high school, and the school is adjacent to a park. As a result, outdoor pick-up games are easy to find any time after 3:00. A good pair of outdoor basketball sneakers are not so easy to find. The Nike Air Raid has a "DynamicFit Sleeve inner bootie", but I am not exactly sure what that means. To be blunt, the Air Raid is very comfortable. The cross-strap system did a great job of holding my foot in place. One thing I dislike about this sneaker is the roomy toe box. Also, the toe area is made of suede; if someone steps on your foot, it's going to hurt. The Air Raid also dissapoints in the ventilation department. The upper is composed of leather and mesh, but I feel like the mesh does more for the shoe's appearance than performance. Durability is definitely the Air Raid's biggest strength. I am certain that they will still be my outdoor basketball kicks this same time next year.
APPEARANCE: Nike was very smart to re-release the black/grey/white colorway of the Air Raid. They go well with jeans, and can be worn casually, unlike many other basketball sneakers. The design on the sole is pretty cool, and I think it's awesome that they say "for outdoor use only".
THE BOTTOM LINE: They can take a beating and keep on going. The Air Raid is both comfortable and durable. I especially like the cross-strap system, something that is rarely used in the sneaker world.
