by Zac Dubasik
For a player on his 11th shoe, Carmelo Anthony hasn’t always been the most popular signature athlete. Yet at the same time, his line has been one of my favorite signature lines of the modern era, thanks to its consistency in performance. You probably wouldn’t catch me wearing any of them off court, but beginning with the M7, they have been among my favorite sneakers to play in each of the past five seasons.
The 11th edition to the line is no exception to that rule, and it's one of the best yet. The M11 picks up right where the M10 left off, once again bringing Flight Plate to the table. Rather than sharing a tooling with the game shoe like it did last season, the M11 features its own – and I actually preferred its tooling to the already fantastic XX9. The Air Jordan XX8 (and M10) featured a split midsole, with a carbon fiber midfoot shank joining the two sides. On the XX9, a tendril was added to the midfoot to supposedly help provide a smoother transition.
Unfortunately, I found it hurt the transition, rather than help it. The M11’s construction is more similar to the XX8 or M10 tooling, which for me is the benchmark in terms of transition. Straight out of the box, it flexed like you’d been wearing it for weeks.
As for the cushioning, it’s as good as I’ve come to expect from Flight Plate – meaning it’s without question the best available basketball cushioning on the market. I’ve said before that it’s rendered “regular” Zoom Air second best, and I had an interesting experience over my test period to reaffirm that option.
Shortly after beginning to play in the M11, I also got a pair of KYRIE 1s. Anxious to play in them, I did a lot of going back and forth between the two pairs for the past few weeks, and the difference was even more obvious than I’d realized with such a close A-B comparison. While the KYRIE 1 is an excellent shoe (my favorite from Nike Basketball in years – review coming soon), the cushioning was downright disappointing when compared to the protection and response in the forefoot of the M11. Carmelo himself is a major proponent of the technology, saying at the shoe’s launch, "Even if you don't want to try a Melo shoe, try any other shoe with Flight Plate in it ... It's a game changer." I couldn’t agree more.
I’m almost as big a fan of the shoe’s upper as I am of the tooling. In the era of paper-thin fused materials, even a synthetic leather upper feels plush in comparison. While light in weight, the uppers found on many of today’s hoops shoes just don’t bend and flex with the foot in a natural way. In contrast, the M11 actually conforms to the foot and flexes without crimping and pinching.
This is a general term, but it just feels nicer than Hyperfuse and Hyperposite-based sneakers that are so prevalent today. More simply, it feels like a proper shoe, rather than a toy. The thickness probably does contribute a little weight, but thanks to the previously mentioned smooth transition, weight was a non-factor, and the shoe felt lighter than its measured weight would imply.
From its thick upper material, to its strap system similar to the XX9’s Flight Web, to its wrapping heel counter, lockdown in the M11 is top notch. These three elements work in unison to provide reassurance on every cut. The shoe felt as stable as it did quick, and the cut allowed for a full range of motion. The solid traction added to the shoes quickness as well. You’ll need to swipe here and there, but as long as it’s clean I found secure footing.
There’s really not much to criticize when it comes to the M11. There were days I felt a bit more lace pressure that I’m comfortable with on the top of my foot, but it wasn’t an actual issue, and could have been easily remedied with some additional targeted padding, similar to the tongue of the original Hyperfuse.
For me, the real beauty of the Melo line has been the brand’s ability to get so much out of each model. What I mean by that is, the model may not be for everyone. For example, if you like low-tops, then this probably isn’t the right choice.
The M11 is an easy recommendation for anyone that can afford a $160 basketball shoe. It may not have off-court appeal (or maybe it does, based on differing tastes), but it was built for the court, and it succeeds in that goal with flying colors. If you want to try out Flight Plate, and can't cover the $225 Air Jordan XX9, it's my top pick for a more affordable version. It's not the cheapest point of entry to Flight Plate - that would be the $140 Super.Fly 3 - but you get a more complete package with the M11. Whether or not you're a fan of Melo, this is a signature line that deserves your consideration.
Grade Breakout
best for: players looking for a more traditional upper
key tech: Flight Plate, Zoom Air, webbed fit system
pros: cushioning, comfort, stability, transition
cons: lace pressure
improvements: add targeted padding to tongue
buying advice: If you’re looking for a sneaker that can do it all, the M11 is an outstanding option at a relatively decent price. It’s not exactly cheap, but you’re getting the best cushioning money can buy, along with a comfortable upper and the best heel-toe transition on any Flight Plate-equipped shoe this season. Melo may be having a forgettable season, but his 11th signature shoe is one of the most memorable in the history of the line.
