Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE NBK 2.0 Review: Lighter Comfort
By David Salas and Andrea Myers
Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE NBK 2.0Shop: $160 at Deckers X Lab
David Salas, Contributor The Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE series was a team favorite when it
came to standing around and recovering all day. The NBK 2.0 built upon the
previous model by taking some inspiration from newer generation racing
shoes and foam properties. The NBK 2.0 dropped 90g of weight and
maintained a very balanced profile of resilient cushioning. It is aimed at being a "Go To" shoe for lifestyle wear, recovery, and
even a little movement if you need to.
The fit
of the NBK 2.0 improved from the first version as well. The heel,
midfoot, and forefoot are all relatively spacious and held together by a
really well done lacing system. The eyelets are integrated with thicker
wrap like pieces of the upper that really pull everything together. The
laces themselves are a little long but I can look past this. The upper
uses a leather material that can run a tad warm but does does a good job
of holding the foot with decent comfort.
The
foam and performance of the shoe is quite nice. The reduction of weight
is certainly noticeable and the midsole resilience is appreciated. This
is a foam that has some give and cushioning to it, but retains its shape
really well. The shoe has some gentle sole flaring and a wide base that
feels good to stand and walk in. The heel cup has a more fortified
piece of foam that wraps around the the softer foam and integrates with
the heel counter. You certainly feel more connected to the shoe in this
second iteration. The outsole traction is pretty good and will serve
most of your daily needs. It isn't for technical terrain but if you need
to get into a little dirt it'll suffice. The firmer foam piece in the
heel does extend into a heel flare. I feel like it is nice for posterior
balance and weight shifting, but can catch on things from time to time.
Being in the clinic I have definitely caught the heel on the bottom of
the rolling stools a few times. I think the shoe would benefit from
making the heel flare a tad bit smaller, given the rest of the shoe is
constructed quite well. From a recovery performance standpoint I do feel
that this foam and construction does seem to feel nice for beat up
feet. The shoe has a supportive feel to it and the wide base makes you
feel like you aren't on stilts. The previous model was a favorite of
mine for clinic and theme parks. I have not had the opportunity to take
this newer model to a theme park but I imagine it would do just fine.
The Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE NBK 2.0 is definitely an upgrade from the first
version.
Andrea Myers, Senior Contributor: Like David, I loved the original Deckers X Lab X-SCAPE line and they remain some of my favorite casual sneakers. If I had any complaint about the original, it would be its weight, which definitely felt a little heavy at the end of a long day on my feet. The 2.0 has lost an incredible amount of weight - 90g as noted above, which is over 3 oz. Deckers has succeeded in making my favorite casual shoe even better.
The NBK continues to fit true to size, but the upper material feels a little thinner and the cutout panels around the eyelets feel like they help the shoe conform to my foot a little better. There is sufficient width in the toe box and it is easy to lock the laces down without any discomfort on the dorsum of my foot. The extremely padded heel collar is a little excessive, but is not as irritating as the even larger heel collar in v1. The thick Exponent HR midsole provides exceptional cushioning and strikes a nice balance between compliance and resilience. I do not like super soft casual shoes, and the NBK 2.0 cushioning is perfect for a day of being on my feet, even if my legs and feet are tired from training. I received the pink colorway, which is a neutral enough shade of pink that it goes with almost anything. This is a fantastic update from Deckers and I will definitely be getting plenty of use from the NBK 2.0.
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