In a rather saturated court-shoe market with decades of advancements and iconic brands, a new entry to the market needs to stand out to be noticed and compete. The Diadem Court Burst does just that. While its durability hasn’t been put to the test yet, it has the right stuff.
And that says a lot for this American company which hasn’t even reached its 10th anniversary and has just released its first shoe. For my initial fit and wear test, it gets a 5 out of 5 balls, even with a price tag of $150.
- Fast, agile movement with a sleek design.
- Secure fit, breathable, and sweat-wicking.
- TPU overlays and roll guard for solid support.
- High abrasion outsole with excellent grip.
By The Numbers
| Model Year | 2024 |
| True to size | Yes |
| Width | Medium |
| Break in | Slight |
| Heel to drop | 8mm |
Nuts and Bolts
As Tested: Size 12, medium width (the only available width), weighing 16.1 oz. Heel drop is 8.0mm.
Upper: Made from 360 Performance knit, the upper is breathable with 4-way stretch. It features a Max Shield toe guard of abrasion-resistant TPU wrapping over the toe box. The insole is a cupped, removable, form-fitted Ortholite.
Midsole: Rigid yet flexible with TPU support, featuring ReboundX roll guard and Impact EVA Foam in the heel counter for cushioning and stability. The Pro Stance X shank provides rigidity and arch support for maximum stability.
Outsole: Composed of dense carbon rubber with wrap-around molded edges for wear resistance. Herringbone tread ensures excellent traction.
Game On… Play Testing
First Impressions: Style and Fit
Out of the box, the shoe felt solid, but light enough and had a very appealing style with the cool patterned woven upper, color scheme, and Diadem logo. The shoe comes in four color styles but I stuck with the white with black trim. I immediately liked the slim styling of the shoe and the apparent quality.
Getting the Right Fit: A Perfect Size 12
I usually wear a size 12 with an athletic shoe so I ordered that size. It fit well, and adjusting the fit was easy with the lacing system, but I learned right away I didn’t need my usual cushioned, running shoe sock; rather, thin low-show socks. The shoes fit like a dream, and after a quick walk around the block, I recognized some break-in was needed like most shoes do. Diadem said break-in time was minimal, and they were right.
Toe Issues? Not Here: A Runner’s Perspective
I have thinner feet and found the shoes to be a comfortable, snug fit around the heel and midsole, without being constricting or binding. There was ample room for toe movement.
High performing and well-fitting shoes are critically important to this 62-year old who was a distance runner for over 40 years with toe issues. So, my first concern was how the shoes would feel around the toes. No issues, but the true test was to come.
Indoor Vs. Outdoor Court Play
On both outdoor and indoor court play, the shoes were excellent. The cushioning was just enough and the lateral stability and responsiveness was superior regardless of the court surface. Toe and heel push off was effortless.
Consistent Performance and No Wear
The big test was moving from side to side with quick responsive movements. The result? My feet didn’t slide around in the shoe and the ortholite insole was cradling my foot well – the arch support was excellent.
I felt my energy transfer seamlessly to the shoe, delivering optimal responsiveness. After nearly 2 hours of straight play time, I had no foot pain, no rubbing issues, and certainly no toe soreness. That says a lot.
Two days later, I performed 45 min of intense drills and then one hour of play. The fit was still just as comfortable. No wear or tear was evident. After two more sessions of drills and play, the result is the same – excellent comfort and no wear and tear.
The Final Score
From my initial test, this shoe does a tremendous job in delivering what you need. It snuggly cradles your foot without being too tight. Comfort, stability support and a fast response is what this shoe delivers.
Again, the durability test will come with time so check back here for that review. While it is on the higher end in terms of pricing, you get what you pay for and most of the best shoes are in the $130-160 range anyway.
Pickle on my friends, pickle on…
