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Forefoot midsole tech
Forefoot Zoom Air + Phylon (cored-out)
Heel midsole tech
Heel Zoom Air + Phylon (cored-out)
Outsole tech
Translucent rubber with blade-pattern traction
Upper tech
Fuse + screen mesh + Flywire (regular); Flyknit on Elite
Cushioning feel
responsive and bouncy
Court feel
good
Bounce
very good
Stability
good to very good
Traction
good (needs occasional wiping)
Fit
true to size (regular); Flyknit runs long, size down half
Analysis
Performance profile
Cushioning Feel
86ExcellentCourt Feel
82Very GoodBounce
88ExcellentStability
81Very GoodTraction
72GoodFit
82Very GoodContext
Story & provenance
Rebound Year for the Line
After 2015's lukewarm reception, the Hyperdunk 2016 was a clear course correction 鈥 what WearTesters' Duke4005 called 'the rebound.' Three versions launched: a regular Hyperfuse-and-mesh build, a Low, and a $200 Flyknit Elite featuring full-length Zoom Air. The cored-out Phylon tooling meant Zoom units could compress more freely, restoring the responsive, springy ride that fans associated with earlier Hyperdunks like the 2011. Schwollo and Live for BBALL specifically praised the Flyknit version as 'true definition of versatility' suitable for any position. The blade traction pattern, similar to the Kyrie 2's, performed consistently indoors. The main caveats: the Flyknit toebox was glue-backed and didn't conform fully, the Flyknit version ran long and narrow, and the $200 Elite price was widely criticized. The 2016 is now remembered as one of the strongest Hyperdunks of the late-decade era.