Converse All Star BB Trilliant CX OX Basketball shoes review

What's good! As always, it's Daumantas from the www.Baller.lt squad. Today, we're doing a performance review on the latest offering from the Converse basketball division - Converse BB Trilliant CX. Could these be yet another solid alternative to the Kobe signature line? There's only one way to find out. Let's get it! MATERIALS The Converse Trilliant CX uses a one-piece polyester upper construction, which is stretch-resistant and offers solid durability while still being adaptive. Also, there are no dedicated air holes in the upper or the tongue, yet it doesn't go too hot inside. No doubt, one of the brightest highlights of the Converse Trilliant CX design must be the removable lace cover. This piece doesn't have any functional purpose and adds extra weight. On the flip side, you can alternate between two looks or create a mismatched pair with just a few hooks and a velcro. CUSHION Being the evolution of the BB Shift, the Trilliant CX introduces the Converse CX foam into the low-top silhouette for the first time, which debuted in the Converse BB Prototype model last year. Despite having a much softer foam, the midsole stays true to an ultra-low and responsive ride. Since the forefoot is completely caged in on the lateral side, you don't get any action from the foam. However, a standard top-loaded Zoom Air unit placed under the ball of the foot provides the forefoot with a sufficient energy recoil, especially when putting more force to it. Surprisingly, this setup felt more responsive than the Zoom Air Turbo in the BB Shift model. The offset is pretty minimal as the heel stays low to the ground, though a pretty massive cut-out at the bottoms heavily exposes the CX foam to unlock a decent amount of impact protection. TRACTION Like all the recent Converse basketball offerings, the Trilliant CX features a slightly updated radial traction pattern, along with a small herringbone section in the forefoot area that covers the most vital zone of the outsole. On well-maintained indoor courts, the Trilliant CX displays a phenomenal grip and stop on a dime performance, followed by a high-pitch squeak with every step. Now moving on to the dustier courts, some of the aggressiveness goes away, yet the outsole maintains reliable contact with the floor without the need for frequent wiping. Since the pattern partly consists of shallow numbs and the rubber compound seems to be rather soft, we recommend avoiding outdoor courts. FIT An ultra-lightweight framework of the Trilliant CX combined with a deep ankle cutout gives Kobe shoe vibes, whether we're talking looks or on-foot experience. These aspects allow for a wide range of motion and unlimited freedom from top to bottom. The entire inner structure of the upper is covered by a thin padding underlay, which transforms into fairly plush ankle pillows, ensuring a cozy and comfortable step-in experience. Also, a nice midsole curvature creates a smooth heel-to-toe transition. At first glance, the Trilliant CX makes you think they run narrow, but they are actually pretty specious in the forefoot. So when it comes to sizing, true to size will fit most of the players, while for wide footers - half a size up is what we recommend. SUPPORT While the Converse Trilliant upper doesn't pack a wide variety of stability features, it still remains solid in this category. As with many low-cut silhouettes like this one, all of the support and containment come from the base and lacing system itself. The extremely low foot position, combined with a wider forefoot base and minimal compression from the cushion setup, allows for precise and stable foot planting. The foam caging on the sides doesn't add much side containment since it's too pliable, however, the upper itself does a solid job of controlling your lateral movements. And if there's a need for more lockdown, an extra lace loop on top should do the trick. VERDICT Represented by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the NBA court, the Converse Trilliant CX is another solid piece to their basketball lineup that will not only draw attention with its unique looks but also provide a great platform to showcase your game. This shoe is specifically made for players whose play style is based on sharp movements, acrobatic shots, and fancy footwork. If that sounds like your game, the Converse Trilliant CX is definitely worth a look, especially in this price range.