Starbury One Review

By Craig Kwasniewski

The Starbury One's have been out for two weeks and while I'm not copping a pair (I prefer to ball in the Crazy-8's.), a few of our regular contributors took a spin in the $14.95 kicks. Here's what they thought:

WB posted on August 27th:

I bought a pair of Starbury One's based in part on this blog. What do I think of them?

Well..... When I got them I had to try them on myself because no one works the Dept. where they're for sale. They were on the shelves with a couple of open boxes filled with shoes that had'nt been stocked yet. I got a size 11, one size larger than I usually wear. They fit, but it was hard to get past the tight lacing. The Sneaks look the part of BBall shoes, but are thinly made. There's clear plastic in parts that provide the Bling, but the odd inner-lined lacing at the top by the ankle makes them hard to slip on and off. I also noticed the inner sole padding came up when I forced my foot in the shoe.

I got the All-Black Starbury's hoping they'd look like anyone else's shoe should these sneaks become a joke. That way from a distance no one will know I have them on. The Pleather that makes up the shoe is smooth across the foot with delineated plastic linings where your foot will move - joints to the part of the show that give way when you run and jump. It felt thin. The shoe isnt heavily lined ( that's where the cutback in price is found). When you have them on, you feel locked in at the ankle. The upper half of the shoe tightens up pretty solidly around the high ankle. It has the odd laces though, laces that line the inner lining of the shoe at the high ankle. It makes it harder to tighten up. Biggest notable is the sole. It's thin. Real thin. It's like walking in a padded slipper. Here's where they also cut costs. Running in these sneaks , you could tell they would'nt last a summer of Hooping it up on the court. With weak padding ( no sole/soul- kinda like Starbury's Game) you'll burn thru these shoes in no time. Either your feet will hurt or you'll be Gellin to keep them going. I guess that's the plan though. They're so cheap you can afford to go out and get a new pair.

Basketbawful posted on August 25th:

...the tongue of the shoes looks like it's held in by cheap medical gauze. The leather is extremely thin, which means that the sole actually slips around when you walk. And the insole almost fell out when I pulled out the paper that they stuff into the shoe so it holds its shape.

Well obviously you get what you pay for. The Starbury's are all over ebay in case you don't want to drop by a Steve & Barry's. Anyways, thanks guys for your posts on the Starbury's. And if anyone else copped a pair of the Starbury's, feel free to let us know. Now I'm going to run down the UPS trunk for my delivery of the $250 Jordan IV Lightning Set... yeah right!!!

Editor's Note: Basketbawful just posted a very comprehensive review of the Starbury One's. (The Official Starbury One Shoe Review)

Comments

[Dan]

Thanks, Stephon. I have been a basketball coach for 38 years and I have watched our kids change from solid basketball players to performers more concerned about what they're wearing and how fancy their moves are. Bringing down the price of sportswear, I hope, will show the kids that the cost of what they're wearing has little to do with their game.

I am just wondering when the Starbury line will be available here in Asia or even online. And, please, please, do not jack up the prices when Starbury becomes a world-renown brand. Please don't do this.

[Tymiles]

The cool thing about these shoes is instead of buying your kid one pair of Jordans I can take the same money an buy my kid every single style of Starburys they make. Shoot he will be able to change shoes every day of the week and look fresh. LOL! AND with the left over money I can get my son a couple Starbury sweatsuits. (I know, I am over stating how much I would save. But I would be able to get at least 5 pair that is for sure)

Also the funny thing here is Shaq has a low cost line of shoes too. BUT they sell at Target which is not cool. Because Starburys sell in a MALL retailer they not only look cool but feel cool!

Anyway I doubt he will see this but thanks Stephon! I and my family really apreciate it.

[neeraj]

Thanks to all for supporting the program and today we feel that we have achieved some part of the objective which we collectively aimed to achieve.

God Bless.

[Toph The Earthbender]

I think the shoes are great. They last just as long as other shoes made by And1, Nike, Reebok..ect, and they're durable. They had a comparison on 20/20 and they took the shoes apart and found that they're made the same way. It's pretty sad when a company takes a shoe, which the raw materials cost less than $1 and charge 300% more just to make a buck. I know you are in the business to make money, but don't milk it. The shoes feel fine to me, I have 4 pair and i like them so far. I can't wait for the Starbury II. I think Steph has done a great thing for the children, parents, and the community by lending his name to these shoes.

[dj coleman]

u need to your shoe in more places

[Mitch]

Some people can't afford shoes at all; most will be able to afford these. I have been paying about $40 for a decent pair of shoes that last a year or so. I don't play ball but I like to wear shoes. I will try a pair of these, if they fit, I'll buy em'. All you ballers out there remember, people need to wear shoes to protect their feet, not just for B-ball and they shouldn't have to re-mortgage the house to get them. I never buy clothing or shoes because of the logo; I don't get paid to promote other people's stuff. Screw commercialism, buy what you need, buy what you can afford, U.S. made or foreign. If you can find it cheaper buy it. If you piss your money away on logos you only make the rich richer. Keep the money and put food on the table!

[EAshley]

Both of my sons,one is five and the other is twelve, as well as I each own a pair of the Starbury 1 tennis shoes and have not had any problems with them. Neither one of my kids have had any complaints regarding these tennis shoes as they are not really caught up in the peer pressure nonsense and I don't buy them $100 pairs of shoes of any kind.Both of my sons wore these shoes for their respective youth basketball leagues this past year for the entire season and still wear them to play in today.One gets great joy when one sees a youth in $15.00 tennis shoes outplaying youth at every practice and game who are wearing $100 dollar tennis shoes.I wear mine for an adult basketball league and I also wear them when I do my weight training which on leg day I often lift weights that exceed well over 300 pounds and good shoes are important.Also in regards to the structure of the shoe 20/20 did a segment when the Starbury shoes were coming out and did a comparison of different tennis shoes and it showed that the Starburys were similar in structure and materials to the higher priced tennis shoes.Also if one looks at the quality of tennis shoes the majority of individuals that I come in contact with are wearing knockoff Jordans anyway so where does the quality issue come in? It seems as if most of the individuals who are commenting on many of these boards in regards to the Starbury shoes are talking about the "guys" making fun of this or the "guys" making fun of that. One really never hears about "feminine" ladies worried about what tennis shoes a man wears. The only people who seem to be impressed by expensive tennis shoes are guys trying to impress other guys.Are you trying to look pretty for the guys or are you trying to find something that suits a purpose and keeps money in your pocket for other things?

P.S. Neither one of them, nor have I been laughed at.Just the opposite.

[derek fox]

yall liers this shoe is tight it fells great it fits u right and its not as hard as the hurtful jordans and the heave air force 1 s i love this sneaker and i love wat starbury is doin keep up the good work and craifg is a damn lie he just want gossip he had them hard ass jordans on too long

[Weaver]

To the person up there who said that kids with staryburys wont sit at the popular table at school, let me give you my two cents. I am 13 years old, and I go to a middle school. I am not sure how it works in states other than minnesota but at my school, one: starburys are cool, and people with them are not looked down upon, and two: it doesnt matter what shoes you were, you could wear the crappiest pair of shoes or not wear shoes at all and your friends would not care. A persons personality decides how popular they are not wether or not they have cool jordans that cost $190 or cool starburys that cost $15. As a matter of fact I own a pair of converse wade 1.0's that are colored on in pen and are beat up and dirty, and I am still one of the more known and liked kids in my school.

[Leo]

This is for Weaver: we need more kids like you who know what they are worth based on their inner strength, soul and self-esteem and not on any piece of clothing. If the Starburys work for you great, if $200 shoes for you great too but don't base what you are worth on how expensive your wardrobe is.

[M.G.]

a fellow by the name of Robin left a comment on here that kids are gonna joke on someone that wears $15 starburys cuz their cheap. See, ur wrong and u probably dont play too much basketball and your comment shows it. I see kids at the Rec Center all the time wearing Starbury's and wearing them is actually a symbol of being a good ball player. You get respect for wearing these sneakers to go play ball because it means that you have enough skills where the shoes on your feet dont matter. Come out to brooklyn, jersey or anywhere in n.y. you'll see alot of ball players wearing starburys, especially coney island. Now im not saying that kids that wear expensive kicks cant play but im saying that kids that NEED to wear expensive kicks to play probably dont have too much talent. Now im not familiar with the status of Starburys in the white ballers community , but in the black basketball playing community these shoes are hot. I've been in gyms and playgrounds where the only white thing there is the net hangin off the rims and i cant count the number of kids i've seen wearing the starburys. Second of all, wearing these shoes gives street cred since the head of the company is a brooklyn born NBA superstar and to alot of inner city kids that is enough status to wear these kicks as a fashion statement. If you dont beleive me watch some nyc high school hoops games count the # of times u see starbury's, i guarantee you'll get tired of counting.

[pimpen]

hey yall i copped a pair of starbury sneakers i wore them once to school alot of people had them and they looked pretty cool i got a pair for myself and i wasnt happy with the way they looked after i bought them and actually wore them in public they look really wierd i would rather they make a better design that look more like the hot jays i got in my closet or just a plain better design

[young s]

hey i am 13 i go 2 jms i kno alot of people who wear starbury at school but at my school people are sometimes judged by the shoes they wear or their image not who they really are and alot of schools are like that some kids wear expensive shoes to be cool starbury are affordable shoes for some of the kids who cant afford the jays and reeboks addidas and stuff like that

[James]

As I read through these comments, I'm reminded of a scene in the movie Happy Feet where the tap-dancing penguin meets the small group of Latino penguins and asks them where they're rocks are. One of them simply replies, "We don't need no stinking rocks. We got personality!" My point: it's all about style and personality. It's not the shoe that makes the man, it's the man that makes the shoe. Own it!

[I AM A JORDAN AND NIKE WEARER]

THESE SHOES SUCCCCCCCC!!!!!! WHO WOULD WEAR SUCH A HIDEous THING

HIDE THOSE THINGS SERIOUSLY THEY`RE REALLYYYY UGLY !!! STUPID SHOES....

wordtoyourmotherpunk!

[papafern]

i have 4 pair, i got my mom a pair and my brother in law one too. the only complaint i have with the shoe is the running shoe. the rubber part of the sole wore out uneven way too quick. i only used them to walk and after a couple of days wearing them they were crooked. not the other ones are great. the ones i use the most are the uptown looking ones, i got them in brown and they go great with jeans and cargos. and i have 2 pair of ones. an all black just to wear and a white to ball in. yes the plastic is thin and the tongue is cheap but they are well made, and they should be difficult to get in, that is because they have great protection from sprains. now the new models came out, havent seen them in person but im thinking that i will end up getting another 4 pairs beside that i have a bunch of other starbury stuff. all is great

[J.D]

thaks a lot guys your really helping the foundation with this new concept. I think that these shoes i just got 2 pairs today you know to try out see if they last long and stuff. Even is they dont last as long as nike it dosnt matter $15.00 is the right price and i'll keep going back if their good hopefully this will start a new shoe revolution in the business so that every kid can buy a pair and play basketball you dont need to be the most expensive looking person in school to be cool im a freshman this year and looks are important but not the thing you wat to think of most thanks again guys

[Aurora Sky]

Wow, have some class, i admire what Marbury is trying to do for people, and the shoes, i have 5 pairs, support the movement, everything in life cant be about yourselves, as hes shown, and, ill walk on any court or surface with these shoes, their dope!!

F.y.i - I have jordans, the new lebrons white n green but i wear the starburys more ;), lovin the black starbury II's

[Salman]

Oh shnap, it's the attack of the 13 year old Socrates and Platos. Yeah, I'm going to wear these shoes just for some cheap style. Just walking around like the basketbawl guy was saying, who noticed him?

[Pilipino Ako]

Hi there..I like collecting bball shoes...i haven't bought any Starbury Shoes yet..But I like the Vison of Steph...I'm gonna support you dude...I assure you, these shoes will be bring a lot of future basketball stars who would do the same vision as yours...this is helping the community...well. i gotta take off, I'm gonna buy plenty of pairs and send them over to my relatives in the Phiilippines...Mabuhay ang Starbury!!!Mabuhay ka Stephon!!!

[bhonjaze]

hey Pilipino Ako, im a filipino too.. we hope Starbury would reach our country. all the ballers here i'm sure are pretty achin' to rock em shoes. they look tight and sure fits the low budget of the common people. great goin' there Stephon! keep it comin'... please, send some here in the philippines..

[jwest]

Just used my starbury's in our summer league here. ASTIG tong sapatos na to. Meron akong 3 pairs, at magaan lahat at mganda gamitin. Panalo pa kagabi!

[Mattathias]

First of all, I love what Stephon Marbury is doing. I think it's such a selfless business move. Products for the people. Second, I want to cop a pair, but I want to know if they are comfortable enough to play in. I play basketball in the gym every now and then, and I used to play ball in high school. I'm ok. I've worn converse all star basketball shoes, and they sucked horribly. I have had Iversons since HS, and while those are damn great shoes, my feet have grown slightly since. The Questions are really worth the money, IMO.

Now, old school Chuck Taylors are flimsy and painful to wear. I want to know if these Starburys are actually comfortable and not just cheap shoes with cardboard for support. I want something that I can play in.

I think that the Starburys could have a huge impact on culture and basketball. For one thing, he's awesome for putting out a respectable $15 pair when kids are sacrificing their lunch money for $150 Airs. And by downplaying the whole hype around status symbol shoes, the emphasis will shift back to core skills of the game. These should help solve that issue. There's a reason why 1) European ball is better than American, and 2) I like college basketball more. The NBA is not about smart basketball. I want to see kids focusing on their dribbling, passing and shooting. Dunking is for later. And I'm sure that those courts that some of you describe where it's not about the shoes but serious ball are the breeding grounds for a new generation of smart basketball players.

Also, which Starburys are better and more comfortable? The Starbury II or the Starbury Team? Anyone know how the casual shoes are?

[bhonjaze]

hey jwest! where did ya get your Starbury's??? meron na ba dito sa pinas? may specialty shop din ba dito na nagdidistribute nyan?

[MZ LEAH]

LET ME TAKE A MONENT TO ENLIGHTEN THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE CONCEPT. ON AVERAGE, IT COSTS ABOUT $7 OR SO DOLLARS TO MAKE ONE PAIR OF DESIGNER TENNIS SHOES. NAME BRAND OR NOT!!!!!!!
THEREFORE, IF IT TAKES 7 TO MAKE ONE PAIR WHY ARE WE (THE CONSUMER) PAYING $100?

ILL TELL YOU WHY. BECAUSE THEY (THE PLAYERS, SHOE MAKERS, [email protected]# SOCIATY AS A WHOLE) KNOW THAT MANY OF US (ESPECIALLY KIDS) ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH BASIC FIRST YEAR COLLEGE ECON....

BASICALLY IN A NUT SHELL, THEY MAKE THE SHOE FOR $7 AND SELL IT TO YOU FOR 100. OUT THE BOX, THERE MAKING NINTY THREE DOLLARS OFF OUR NIAVE A%$. WAKE UP BLACK PEOPLE. BE SMARTER WITH YA MONEY. SUPPORT A BROTHER THAT HAS YOUR BLACK FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY IN HIS HEART AND MIND. WE CONSTANTLY COMPLAIN ABOUT LACK OF UNITY BETWEEN OUR RACE, BUT EVERYTIME WE GET A CHANCE WERE SLAPPIN A BROTHER DOWN. THEN UNBELIVIABLELY WE SIT BACK AND WONDER WHY THE ONE WE JUST SLAPPED WON’T HELP US. AT LEAST THIS BROTHER HE HAS THE DECENTCY TO TELL YOU THAT HIS SHOES COST LITTLE TO NOTHING TO MAKE. THE OTHERS JUST TAKE YA MONEY AND SMILE. WISE UP!!!!!!