Detailed Review Peak Howard 1 Low

As Howard’s first shoe at the Peak, Howard 1 kicks off a new phase in his NBA after the Man Child of the East era (long gone, actually). I was sent by Peak Sport Vietnam to a pair of Howard 1 Low for testing and here are my impressions.

I. Design, Material

Turning Howard 1 from low neck to high neck was probably part of Peak’s intention from the start because the low design was quite complete. Howard 1 Low’s main material is Peak Surface, a combination of synthetic leather and mesh fabric. There is also an extremely thick synthetic leather layer and heel cup with a diamond-shaped design wrapped around the sole and both sides of the shoe body.

Midsole is made from Peak’s standard foam with Cushion-3 at the heel. The sole is advertised as carbon fiber but somewhat more like plastic. The sole is herringbone standard with a fairly stiff rubber material, a design that is lazy but ensures grip.

Evaluate:

• Right size
• The heels and midfoot are very hugging
• The nose is redundant at the top
• Synthetic leather is a bit thick, need break-in

The semi-sock design (the tongue goes down to the body) and the extremely smooth inner lining make it very comfortable to enter. However, it is easy to see that the nose has a little excess of the space above. Partly because Howard 1 doesn’t use an ice system like TP 4, partly because of the fuse (Dwight inscription) on the nose.

The rest is nothing to blame, the heel pad is quite thick, once tied the rope, it is not possible to slip the heel. The leather at the collar of the shoe acts like two pads when tightened. Add to that Peak’s standard PU padding for step-in comfort. (Smoothness at the time of entry – not known translation yet)

Compare between Peak Howard 1 and TP9 4, 5 to see the difference in the nose. Howard 1 almost purposely ran it out.

III. Adhesion

Evaluate:

• Good grip, need break-in
• Pretty durable

Standard herringbone finishes help Peak Howard 1 adhere well to any surface. However, the rubber material is hard but not really sticky, so the first few times playing did not leave a good impression for me. You should bring the outdoor a few sessions to achieve its best performance.

Similar to other high-end Peak lines, Howard 1 Low’s base is not super durable but enough to outdoor plow for several months to half a year depending on the pitch and gameplay.

IV. Buffer / Cushioning

Evaluate:

• The nose is moderately thick, supple, and has a decent amount of damping
• The heels are quite thick, smooth, with high damping
• Transition is a bit stiff, needs break-in
• Overall quite responsive but nothing special

With a thick foam material as the key and Cushion-3 in the heel, Howard 1 feels stable to move and quite smooth if you have to land on heels. The hard upper layer and the midsole cover the outer edge, making both shoes hard, reducing the smooth movement.

Overall, this is a decent set-up because of good damping but a bit stiff for a midfield shoe.

Cushion-3 technology in heels (Sorry for the T_T piece of paper)

V. Support

Evaluate:

• Nothing to say ?

If you notice the weaknesses mentioned above, you can see that most of them are due to the solid material. A layer of fuse, a layer of hard leather, and a layer of midsole support to create a “pot of stone” for the shoe. Although the nose is a bit open, the heels are tight so you don’t need to worry too much.

Details such as the edge of the base, the heel block or the midfoot shank are present, ensuring stability while moving.

I. Conclusion – Peak Howard 1 Low

Pros:

• Sure
• The heel cushion is very smooth
• Material is very good in price range
• Good grip, good durability

Cons:

• Laminated material is too stiff, need break-in time
• Slightly excess on the nose
• Nasal pad is slightly normal

Suitable for you to beat in or who weighs, needs certainty, stability. Fit the right size.

Howard 1 is a pretty breathtaking debut of Peak Howard but still scores points thanks to the rugged design and the solid design of the midfield shoes. This is a suitable shoe for big men as well as beginners. Reference price is under 2 million dong. Contact: KicksGeeks.