So last week the found the DON Issue 7 All-Stars on sale for 7,999 yen on Rakuten here in Japan, and after applying 2,000 of my own points on I was able to nab these at 4,999 yen ($32 USD) with tax and shipping included.

Figured at that price even if they are terrible I can just use them casually and not feel bad about it at all.

After getting two hour session in on Saturday and a two hour weights and skills session on Sunday, here are my quick and dirty initial impressions: 

**\* Materials - 7.2 / 10 :** Entirely synthetic but fairly well put together and solid in hand but with some noticeable skimps by Adidas. The glue quality of my pair is pretty bad which is a fairly noticeable mar against a beautiful silhouette. The shroud and zipper is also made in a way that I pretty much couldn’t tuck my tied laces inside, either, making me question what the point of the shroud is. I can stuff them in there and force the zipper up but they quickly become undone. If I leave my bow outside and just under the lace flap on the tongue the zipper stays up perfectly. The rubber is \*really\* soft so while they made it through the weekend perfect I don’t have too much confidence how long they’ll last knowing how other outsoles survive how I use my shoes. They also creased \*immediately\* and the creases stayed.

**\* Cushioning - 7.5 / 10 :** I know it says Lightstrike Pro on the side, itbcertainly doesn’t feel like it under foot. They feel nice, no mistake, but I have a pair of LS Pro runners and they are like three levels more comfortable and bouncy. So watching online reviews, especially Zach’s teardown, revealed it’s mainly just the regular Lightstrike through most of the midsole and only a thin layer of Pro in the forefoot. Disappointing for sure, but the cushioning there is still pretty decent. It’s like a slightly firmer Cushlon with a less responsive Zoom bag in the forefoot. Decent, just not as good as a full LS Pro midsole would’ve been. But a plus side about the lower cushioning is they made for \*amazing\* weight lifting shoes.

**\* Fit and Traction - 9.2 / 10 :** Certainly lived up to its reputation. I didn’t once feel unsafe, unsound, or unstable. Stopped on a dime, foot had no heel slippage. They started off a bit tight but broke in real quick, faster than I expected them to. Only reason these dropped a bit is they eventually did need me to start wiping after the first hour of perfection. Only a wipe or two for five to ten minutes of elite play, but it did need me to keep up the wiping which was a bummer.

\* **Weight and Intangibles - 8.5 / 10 :** 377 grams at a US Size 8.5, Japan 26.5 cm means they’re just below average for the shoes I use. About the on par with the my Ja 3’s, Kobe 6’s, and Sabrina 1. As for the looks right off the bat the colours really pop. Surprisingly it doesn’t look bulky in feet like other Adidas shoes and they’re just altogether a nice aesthetic. Also, and I know this doesn’t matter, but the box is nicely made. I know the box doesn’t matter but it’s nice nice first impression.

**Final first impression: 8.1 / 10**

DON Issue 7 All-Star $31 USD, unboxing and first session impression