Way of Wade has taken the basketball world by storm!
Way of Wade is one of the newest kids on the block in the Australian Basketball scene - and it's pretty easy to see why! Owned by Li-Ning (a Chinese performance brand), the Way of Wade Brand stems from a long-term partnership between the company and Dwyane Wade, who joined forces with the Asian powerhouse in 2012. His first release, the Way of Wade 1, paved the way for the future of innovation for basketball footwear. New technology, functional performance, and mind-altering aesthetics made the "WOW" brand instantly recognisable on court. Due to his status as an NBA great, his footwear was in high demand within the basketball community, building demand in Western markets before eventually becoming available globally and met with renowned positive feedback.
Who is Dwyane Wade?
"Dwyane Wade joined the Miami HEAT as the fifth pick of the 2003 NBA Draft. In his first season, the Chicago-area native, who also flashed his athletic brilliance for Marquette University, achieved NBA All-Rookie Team status. In 2006, Wade led his team to the city’s first-ever NBA Championship. Wade represented the United States in the 2004 Athens Summer Games and brought home the gold, representing the USA in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. In 2012 and 2013, Wade won his second and third NBA Championships. He rejoined the Miami HEAT in February 2018 after playing with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. During the 2018-19 season, he became the third player in NBA history to record at least 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, 4,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals, 800 blocks, and 500 three-pointers. He was also recognized for achieving the most blocked shots of any guard in NBA history. In 2020, the Miami HEAT retired Wade’s number three jersey, and Northeast 7th Street at Biscayne Boulevard, outside the HEAT arena, was officially designated Dwyane Wade Boulevard. Wade was recently named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history." - About Dwayne Wade (DwayneWade.Com)
What Way of Wade is for me?
Depending on how they play, each player has a unique way of moving, trains in a distinct environment, and appreciates different aspects of performance. While some prioritise explosive reactivity for indoor competition, others require durability for outdoor courts, and yet others seek versatility that suits both daily life and performance. For this reason, Way of Wade provides a variety of series designed to accommodate various playing styles, court conditions, and athletic requirements. Here is a comprehensive guide to selecting the WOW shoe that best suits your needs, including everything from basketball position to performance requirements.
What are the different Way of Wade models?
The Wade Shadow and Flash series are excellent places to start if you're new to basketball. Both are designed for both indoor and outdoor play and provide robust support, balanced cushioning, and dependable traction at a reasonably priced price. They are perfect for players who want dependable all-around performance but are still developing their fundamentals.
The Wade All City series is the obvious next step for intermediate/advanced basketball players who want to improve both their footwear's capabilities and on-court performance since it offers better cushioning, more rigid support, and sufficient durability for regular training.
The flagship Way of Wade 12 remains the most premium offering. Designed for elite players, it's equipped with carbon-fiber plates and SUPERBOOM technology; these shoes are built for outstanding propulsion, responsiveness, and peak competitive performance. The design also includes many nods to Dwayne Wade's beliefs, paying respect to what drove him through his playing career.
The Wade 808 5 Ultra series offers remarkable responsiveness and lightweight performance with its drop-in SUPERBOOM midsole, ideal for indoor games. Its outsole is made of TUFF RB and GCU, striking a great balance between durability and slip resistance, along with a carbon-fiber plate for better force transmission.
Shoes for positions:
Choose what matters most to you!
Selecting a basketball shoe can sometimes be reduced to a single criterion. Whether you are price-conscious or seeking peak performance, there should be a fantastic option available in the Way of Wade family!
For the best budget shoe series, the Shadow series takes top honours. At a reasonable price, it has all the features a basketball shoe needs: consistent support, balanced cushioning, and solid grip. For players and students on a tighter budget, it provides great value even though it might not have flagship-level technology.
The Way of Wade 12 is one of the best performance shoe series available. It is designed for top-tier indoor performance and is the newest and lightest flagship model. The carbon fibre plate increases propulsion for explosive performance, and the two-layer SUPER BOOM midsole offers superior responsiveness. It is the preferred option for athletes seeking optimal performance when paired with the improved GCU outsole for increased durability and grip.
Whatever your needs may be, Way of Wade by Li-Ning has something for you!
Reference: Way Of Wade Guidebook
