Barricade 6 Initial Impression

[Orion]

Got em a few minutes ago and put them on right out of the box. Here's my impression.....

Design: I was not a huge fan of the looks when I first saw them but the pictures don't do the B6 justice. It looks alot better in person. After having it on foot, Adidas went for function over form. One element I noticed that did not carry over from the BV are the two lace pass-throughs on the tongue. There is only one on the B6. I expect alot of tongue slip. I suspect durability to be less than the BV. The leather is really supple and overall composition doesn't seem as durable as the BV. Looks like a trade-off for weight compared to the BV.

Materials: I was skeptical of the use of the rubber/leather combination, a ala Beathe Cage. The leather is a supple grade... reminds me of the Kangaroo Leather Asics uses on the GR2. It will definitely aid the break-in period. The rubber over mesh adds support and breathability for the inner forefoot.

Fit: Slightly narrower than the BV. I wore an 11.5 in the BV and it was a tad roomy(replaced the insole and found thinner socks), but the 11.5 B6 is golden.

Comfort: The B6 feels more cushioned than he BV. I suspect this is attributed to the shoe being lighter. The Achilles notch is taller than on the BV. The lining of the Achilles Notch is a micro-suedish material that seems like it will grab socks and keep ankle and mid sock wearers (like me) from having to dig and pull socks up every other game.

Support: Arch support is great coming from a guy with a low arch. The Vapor VI had some of the best arch support I have seen in a tennis shoe. The arch support on the B6 doesn't jump out at you as the leather covers the midsole and there is no visible shank. The signature Adidas Torsion Bar runs through the middle of the sole. Lateral support is good and is aided by the claws on the outside of the forefoot. My heel and ankle feel planted. The plastic support cups the heel and there is substantial cushioning in the ankle collar topped off by the high Achilles notch. You're not rolling your ankle in this baby. Feels like the foot is seated lower in the shoe than the BV.

I'll update after my first hit in them.

 

[*Val*]

Thanks, a really good review on your impressions, I'll definitely be grabbing a pair this summer. I criticized the looks a lot (initial impressions very 'futuristic' and the black/silver colourway is like a space shoe), but they've grown a bit on me, though I also question the decision not to carry over the lacing system on the BV.

Does sound like an improvement in function, nice if they're lighter and a bit less clunky/stiff, though durability will obv. take a knock.

 

[EcoRick]

Good review. I received my pair today and I agree that they feel much narrower in the toe area. I have the BV's in the same size (11) and they fit great. I have a narrow foot, so I'm not sure how I'd size for a wide foot. I'm debating if I should return them because I'm concerned that a half size larger might be too long.

 

[Orion]

Didn't get to hit in them today but wore them out and around the house for the evening. The fit is really snug, not in a bad way, but in a cradle the foot way. Although I like the BV, I find the rear of the shoe to fit kinda lose. The B6 fits tighter due to the taller Achilles notch. I think the shoe would benefit from leather in the inside of the forefoot. I suspect the rubber is there to pull double duty as a toe guard.

EcoRick seems like the rubber gives a little as the forefoot area breaks in. You're right I think the larger size may be a little too long.

 

[*Val*]

Didn't get to hit in them today but wore them out and around the house for the evening. The fit is really snug, not in a bad way, but in a cradle the foot way. Although I like the BV, I find the rear of the shoe to fit kinda lose. The B6 fits tighter due to the taller Achilles notch.

I do agree, particularly If I add an insole to my BVs, it's because of this I've gone back to the regular sockliner.

 

[The_Question]

My heel and ankle feel planted. The plastic support cups the heel and there is substantial cushioning in the ankle collar topped off by the high Achilles notch. You're not rolling your ankle in this baby.

Often people roll their ankles from their forefoot, not their heel area. Therefore, how's the forefoot stability?

Honestly, as a Nike person, I like the colors and design on this Adidas, much less...well...ugly as the current Nike line...

 

[Orion]

Often people roll their ankles from their forefoot, not their heel area. Therefore, how's the forefoot stability?

Honestly, as a Nike person, I like the colors and design on this Adidas, much less...well...ugly as the current Nike line...

Forefoot stability is excellent. The Adi-claws on the outside of the shoe give the shoe a camber effect in the front. The rubber outer grips the inside of the foot and works in tandem with the claws on the outside, although I would prefer a leather toebox with a rubber toe guard.

If you think about forefoot stability, the ankle rolls because the heel sits too high in the shoe. The Asics GR2 is notorious for this. You're speaking of making a quick stop or stab and having the heel roll over on you. If the heel is seated low enough in a shoe it lessens the chance of your ankle basically rolling out of the shoe. The B6 cups the heel and the ankle collar rises high to prevent the typical heel roll.

 

[Ambivalent]

Your "first impression" basically repeated the TW description.

 

[Chezbeeno]

can you post pics? you said the ones on TW didn't do them justice

 

[Orion]

Your "first impression" basically repeated the TW description.

Sorry to rain on your parade but I haven't even read the TW description Why does there ALWAYS have to be ONE ASS?? At 38, I'm more than capable of formulating my own opinion and impressions of a tennis shoe seeing as though I've been buying and researching tennis shoes for close to 25 years now.

My impression is intended as feedback for anyone contemplating making the jump from the B5 to the B6. I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the B5 after not liking the B4 at all. The 6 is not perfect but a step in the right direction, unlike the B3 to B4. Go troll another site, or better yet go pull the stick out of your arse idiot.

 

[Gasolina]

can you post pics? you said the ones on TW didn't do them justice

Posted some in the other thread

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=322935&page=4

 

[Orion]

On Foot Pics...

 

[Gasolina]

Does anybody have the signal blue response shirts back in the AO this year? Do they go with the blue?

 

[Orion]

Does anybody have the signal blue response shirts back in the AO this year? Do they go with the blue?

I have them. They're just off color, but passable. I'll post a pic of them with the shoe.

 

[Chezbeeno]

they look pretty sweet, once Adidas comes out with a slightly less bold colorway I'll look into getting a pair, I'm just not a guy who gos for bright colors, the boldest tennis shoes I've ever gotten were the White/Purple/Green Ballistecs from Wimby last year

 

[Gasolina]

I have them. They're just off color, but passable. I'll post a pic of them with the shoe.

Please do. The Blue/Lime crews that Verdasco use are way off

 

[hcb0804]

On Foot Pics...

They look rather roomy around the tongue/ankle on you. Do all your shoes fit like that....you look to have a narrow foot? Mine don't fit me like that, but I do have a wider, high arch, high instep foot

 

[athiker]

Got em a few minutes ago and put them on right out of the box. Here's my impression.....

Fit: Slightly narrower than the BV. I wore an 11.5 in the BV and it was a tad roomy(replaced the insole and found thinner socks), but the 11.5 B6 is golden.

I'm a little confused. Why did you need thinner socks for the BV if the BV was wider? I just want to be clear about whether the V or the 6 is wider/narrower. Thanks.

If the 6 is narrower than the V then unfortunately I'm out on the new version as I can barely squeeze in the V. I do have a wide foot but am always kind of surprised to hear the Vs described as wide...though many do.

I'm asking b/c I don't have anywhere to try the 6s on.

Do you use an aftermarket insole for the 6s too?

 

[David123]

hmm sounds interesting i dont really like the design tho.

 

[Orion]

They look rather roomy around the tongue/ankle on you. Do all your shoes fit like that....you look to have a narrow foot? Mine don't fit me like that, but I do have a wider, high arch, high instep foot

Skinny legs LOL. Pretty much the way all my shoes fit. The B5 has even more room. I wear low cut, thin socks so it makes my ankles look even smaller, oddy enough the shoes don't look like skis on me. Go figure???

I'm a little confused. Why did you need thinner socks for the BV if the BV was wider? I just want to be clear about whether the V or the 6 is wider/narrower. Thanks.

If the 6 is narrower than the V then unfortunately I'm out on the new version as I can barely squeeze in the V. I do have a wide foot but am always kind of surprised to hear the Vs described as wide...though many do.

I'm asking b/c I don't have anywhere to try the 6s on.

Do you use an aftermarket insole for the 6s too?

Good catch!! Forgot to mention, I replaced the insoles in the B5 with a thicker Adidas insole from an old basketball shoe. It caused the fit with my regular socks to be snug. I still find the B5 to be a little clunky but they force me to move my feet. I was a diehard Feather II guy but have been playing on hard courts and wanted something with a bit more stability and durability so I took a plunge on a pair of B5's at an Adidas outlet in TX for $52 back in Feb.

No aftermarket insole in the B6. The B6 is definitely more narrow but the thicker socks don't cause discomfort like they do in B5. I think the foot sits lower in the B6.

There is more room in the forefoot of the B5. The B6 flexes easier than the B5 it's by no means uncomfortable and makes the forefoot feel less narrow. Keep in mind the leather will give which will will probably make the B6 feel as wide as the B5.

The color of the shirt may be a closer match than I thought. Gonna post pics in the AM.

 

[JStar7]

I'm curious as to know how they feel on court. Do they feel softer and more comfortable than the BV? I feel like my orthotics that I wear fix the comfort level of the BV slighlty, but i'd like to see more comfort than that. And hopefully they're not too narrow, b/c I have a wide foot, and the BV's fit around my foot pretty snug, but with a tad bit of room.

 

[EcoRick]

And hopefully they're not too narrow, b/c I have a wide foot, and the BV's fit around my foot pretty snug, but with a tad bit of room.

I played with them today and they are very narrow. I rarely have any issues with shoes, but these seemed much tighter than the BV's and require a longer break in. I realize it's contrary to the TW review, but I have a narrow foot and I had a hard time for the first hour. They did loosen up, but if I had a wide foot, I'm not sure what size to get them in.

 

[hcb0804]

Does anybody have the signal blue response shirts back in the AO this year? Do they go with the blue?

Fred Perry Blue 2009 US Open Murray shirt is pretty darn close in color! That's what I will be rockin' today with my new B 6.0s!

 

[athiker]

Thanks for the follow-up info. Hope you enjoy the shoes...I'll have to graze wider fields for my next pair though.

 

[dr325i]

I played with them today and they are very narrow. I rarely have any issues with shoes, but these seemed much tighter than the BV's and require a longer break in. I realize it's contrary to the TW review, but I have a narrow foot and I had a hard time for the first hour. They did loosen up, but if I had a wide foot, I'm not sure what size to get them in.

Interesting...
I have a medium foot, and I ordered the same size 6's as the 5's. They felt EXACTLY the same when I put them on for the first time -- tight and narrow. The B5's when new feel the same way, then they loosen up after a few hours.

On the other hand, the B6s do feel lighter.

I believe someone has mentioned, but it feels that the B6's have a little higher arch support.

The blue color (the only one currently available) is much nicer in person than on pictures, the shoes definitely look nice even though I was not sure about the looks initially.

 

[brownbearfalling]

In many ways the "improvement" of the lower to the ground heel is better but I'm a little drawn back to it. I get bad heel splints every once in a while. The Air max on the cage 2 and breathe free 2 helped a lot. Now on my 2 pair of Barricade 5's I appreciate the cushion in the heel. If the cushion is all there with the lower ride, I'm all for it. But I am guessing it is just a realistic trade off, lower ride = loss of cushion.

 

[Orion]

In many ways the "improvement" of the lower to the ground heel is better but I'm a little drawn back to it. I get bad heel splints every once in a while. The Air max on the cage 2 and breathe free 2 helped a lot. Now on my 2 pair of Barricade 5's I appreciate the cushion in the heel. If the cushion is all there with the lower ride, I'm all for it. But I am guessing it is just a realistic trade off, lower ride = loss of cushion.

Not sure about the loss of cushion. I've played in the B6 for 2 days (2 hours each day) and I think they are more cushioned than the B5. I suspect Adidas used a higher density EVA for the midsole which allowed them to reduce the flare in the heel of the B5. It's noticeably lighter. The flex of the rubber has taken some getting used to, should be familiar to Beathe Cage wearers.