AE1 & AJ39 by AMM 'Comparison Review'
First off, the AE1 really intrigued me when they first launched this model. I saw a lot of folks claiming that this was their personal SOTY, so I wanted to check it out for myself & form my own opinion. As for the AMM AJ39, the details & comfort is what genuinely sold me on this model in store & tbh this is my first pair of 39's that I've owned.
Performance š :
AE1: straight out of the box this pair has a pretty sturdy feel on foot, with a bit of squish due to the boost used near the back heel area. I feel like for impact, the boost adds a nice contrast to soften the blow of hard falls, specifically when landing on your heel. The boost used doesn't create an unstable feeling at all & your feet stay pretty locked in. The grip on the bottom, is good, but it isn't as grippy as the AJ39, however it is still good. The upper looks really nice & is pretty breathable, but like the AJ39, it also feels a tad snug in the top of your feet, but if you go up a half size, it essentially solves that issue.
AJ39: right off the rip, this shoe has a decent amount of grip which is perfect for quick cuts on the court. It's pretty comfortable straight out of the box as well, but it's a tad snug on the top of your toes, unless you go up a half size. The padding of the upper & support used felt really nice on foot & made for an enjoyable experience while playing ball. I wanna note that this pair was really light on foot & in hand compared to the AE1. Disclaimer- this is my first pair, so I'm not sure whether or not it's from premium materials used or bc the 39 model is genuinely this comfy lol.
Overall Opinion: aesthetically, the AE1 is more aesthetically pleasing, but given this is an AMM Collab, the design & subtle details t/o the upper really elevate this design & bring it to another level. Any other 39, I'd prolly go with the AE1 from an aesthetic standpoint. Regarding performance, I personally think the AJ39 takes the š due to the comfort & on court feel. This is just personal preference, but I honestly prefer more grippy shoes on court, so that & the comfort is really what made me favor the 39.