CUSHION and SUPPORT
Players’ preference when it comes to cushion technology greatly varies. Some may want the bouncy and responsive-type like the Nike React Cushion System, while some may prefer the low to the ground yet comfortable Nike Zoom Air, like the ones in the Nike Zoom Rize 2. But when it comes to the Nike Cosmic Unity, it feels like it has the combination of these features.
Using the Nike Cosmic Unity, it feels like wearing a Nike KD pair and a Nike Kyrie pair at the same time. The Nike KD pairs, most especially the latter releases, are known for their bouncy and responsive cushion system thanks to the Nike Air Unit and Nike Zoom Air Strobel. However, too much cushion system affects the heel-to-toe drop of pair which makes the court feel a bit lackluster.
The Nike Kyrie series, on the other hand, is built for the best court feel experience with minor bounce without compromising the comfort with the use of Nike Zoom Air cushion tech and Nike Zoom Turbo for Nike Kyrie 7. This built is made for shifty players like Kyrie Irving.
The Nike Cosmic Unity offers a wide variation of cushion performance. As I’ve said, it has the vibe of a modern Nike KD pair and basically any Nike Kyrie shoe with its superb bounce and compression due to the full-length Nike Zoom Air Strobel unit that is visible when you look at the outsoles and a Nike Zoom Air Unit. Of course the excellent court feel experience should further add to all these positive takeaways.
Because of these features, ballers no longer have to pick their poison whenever they purchase basketball sneakers.
In addition, the pair offers great stability and impact protection. The lateral containment is guaranteed as the pair is infused with crater foams. While these foams do not have a lot of compression, they are firm enough to hold and support the feet when doing lateral movements.
Overall, the Nike Cosmic Unity offers an excellent cushion system. The pair is a bit flat in the midfoot area when worn for added court feel, which is supported by its excellent heel-to-toe transition and soft toe box that gives good flexes for better running experience.
Nike also did a good job infusing the heel counter with TPU material for better support, neoprene-like material in the tongue for breathability, additional foams in the textile-like ankle collars, and more paddings in the Achilles part. Truly that the Nike Cosmic Unity does not compromise either the cushion system nor the court feel.
The only downsides of the pair’s cushion system are the insoles and the paddings. The insoles are stiff and thick which may cause discomfort to the foot, but a little break-in will do the the trick. With regards to the Achilles paddings, Nike infused the foam differently compared to the like of Nike Zoom Freak 2.
What Nike did is that the foams were infused somewhat similar to Adidas. The foams are straightforward, which means that your foot could slide off when the pair is not tightly-laced.
The Nike Cosmic Unity runs true to size. (Photo courtesy of Sneaker Bar Detroit)
SIZE and FITTING
The Nike Cosmic Unity runs true to size, though the toe box is a bit tight or snug where you can actually feel the crater. I can say that the Nike KD 13 is more loosed in sizing compared to this pair, so I suggest that if you are a wide footer, it would be better to personally try a pair for better fitting.
