Nike Ispa Universal review

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The Nike Ispa Universal is perfect for:

• Those who are looking for eco-friendly slip-on-easy kicks. 
• Sneakerheads shopping for lightweight summer-ready sneakers. 
• People who are on the lookout for weird-looking Nike shoes. 

Who should not buy it

Merrell Hydro Moc eliminates the worry of having a tight midfoot with its tapered design. For a responsive and supportive sole, check out the Ds nike air force 1 low jewel home & away grey ck4392-002. 

Ispa Universal is true to size

Several reviewers attested that the EVA foam clogs are true to size. One tester noted that people with normal feet should go true to size while wide-footed individuals need to go a size up. “They fit perfectly,” reported one sneaker fan. “The toe box has good space for your toes to not feel smashed!” they added. They are easy to put on and off too as stated by several testers. 

Some sneakerheads also compared the fit of Nike Ispa Universal with the Ds nike air force 1 low jewel home & away grey ck4392-002s. According to a sneaker nerd, the kicks fit better compared to the Yeezys. However, they warned that the Ispa Universal might be tight if worn with thick socks. 

Yes, they are comfy!

Good news: Nike Ispa Universal is surprisingly comfy. Many testers confessed that they initially doubted if the clogs are comfy but much to their surprise, the kicks are actually pretty comfy. “This one is quite comfortable,” said one reviewer. “I personally find them more comfortable than Foam Runners,” they added. Some sneakerheads, however, offer a word of caution saying that the kicks have a little stretch, making them quite confining, especially to those with high bridges.

The EVA foam is everything — literally

Nike Ispa Universal is part of the “Improvise, Scavenge, Protect, and Adapt” team that gears toward sustainable design and manufacturing. The initiative is linked with the Move to Zero campaign of Nike. For this reason, Ispa released the Universal which is a one-piece Bio-EVA clog made from bio-based sugarcane. One Youtube reviewer even remarked that the eco-friendly sneaker is “absolutely insane!” According to an expert, the foam is actually durable, thanks to it being “quite dense and thick.”

But the soles are not supportive

One issue that an expert sneaker reviewer raised about the clogs is the lack of support and responsiveness from the soles. They noted that the EVA-based midsoles are “not as good as other foam runners out there” because they “felt a little bit flat and dead under the feet.” 

Yey for the extra insoles!

However, sneakerheads love the addition of the 40% cork midsole on the Ispa Universal. One tester even said that the insole is “a nice touch” to the all-white EVA clogs. Plus, they come with an extra pair of insoles too! The second pair of cork insoles is “a really great initiative,” according to an expert reviewer. This is something that the company “should think about doing more,” they emphasized. Another expert, on the other hand, highlighted that the removable insoles are also hyper-absorbent and allow the sneaker to be worn with or without socks.  

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Weighing only 269g, the foam sneakers are described as “incredibly lightweight” by an expert reviewer. Many testers also agreed that the clogs are virtually weightless. One user even commented: “After the shuttle makes it to orbit and you take your suit off, you chill in these.”

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One tester noted that the kicks are “great summertime shoes.” They noted that the silhouette of the kicks is “more of a sandal because there’s no lacing system.” Another tester also pointed out that the visible perforations that dotted the sneaker from the toebox to the soles make the kicks breathable. With the large cutaway in the midfoot, a sneaker expert also said that Ispa Universal is “really good if worn in water-based areas because water is just going to drain out.” However, they also warned that the clogs are not great for everyday use. 

Not everyone’s cup of tea

There are mixed opinions about the silhouette of the foam sneaker. Some say the kicks are “slightly odd-looking” and they don’t feel it while others enjoy the weird aesthetic noting that it is “quite interesting.”

Nike Ispa Universal dons a single-piece EVA-based silhouette that is characterized by its dimpled and perforated toebox. The side panels have ribbed pivot patterns that add a “very cool different texture,” said one tester. Another sneakerhead mentioned that the unique patterns on the clogs may not be as sleek as other kicks but they “definitely give more scavenger-esque, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi vibes.”

Some testers also gave their two cents, saying that the opening in the middle kind of ruined the look. “The hole should have been removed,” advised one tester. “Then they'd go from nurse slippers to foam sneakers.” Another reviewer advised that for those who find the midfoot gap strange, “wear them with a white pair of socks of cream, you won't notice the big hole.