Adidas Barricade 2021

mb3182

Rookie
I think i get it. Stepanoe switched his shoes to another shoes for manarrino match. I think he blames his foot problems during the Murray match on this new barricade shoes. Not good news if that was the reason why he switched his shoes
In what it's not a good news?
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Tennis Spin just reviewed the Barricades...4 people tried them, 4 people said they were a miss.
As i ve said in the past if you want the speed of ubersonic, the cushion of SCB and sth that offers a little better stability than both of them then the overall best adidas shoe is solematch bounce. A sleeper….. Barricades are their F1 shoe….. it’s all about stability and it needs almost one month of break in.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Tennis Spin just reviewed the Barricades...4 people tried them, 4 people said they were a miss.

What does Miss mean ?? like Miss Universe ?? Why is it a miss? like its hurting their foot ? there is a break in period of at least 4-5 hours on this shoes. do they understand that ?
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
I have used Barricades for over 12 years, all versions. Some were great, some so-so, some flopped. My favorite were B2, B4 was great but a bit clunky although great for that time (2007?), B5 were great, B6 and B8 were total flops IMO.
I tried ASICS FF2, SCB after and both were good but different. FF2 hurt my knees and hips eventually.
In 2020 I tried the Head Sprint SF and they were awesome. But they discontinued them and Sprint PRO 3.0 SF are not for me.
Switched to Revolt Pro 3.5 and they are excellent (4.0 will be next level).
However, I was intrigued by the 2021 release of the Barricades and got me the Tokyo pair mainly to compare them to Revolt Pro (4.0 mainly).
I like the look of the 2021 Barricades except that ridiculous “adidas” writing (thinking of painting it white). The fit is recognizable and good and very snug in the heel area and fairly roomy up front. They feel light and fast and very stable. That was expected from the Barricades.
However, there are a few troublesome areas:
- they need the break in. Especially some areas that crease and the Achilles support in the back pushing too much on the Achilles actually. The next version of Revolts needs no beak in.
- the lacing is very secure however, the tongue does not support it and few extra ventilation holes actually cause problems rubbing on my feet as the tongue slowly rolls during the play. I feel bothered in a few places on my feet, hopefully will disappear after a few more sessions. I’ve had no issues with Revolts anywhere on my feet.
- still investigating, however in 42 years of playing tennis, I never had the foot/heel pain before. Given that I am 50 now, things break down however, it is interesting that I developed the right foot pain after 2 sessions with the Barricades.

Will keep you all updated…
So, I've put about 15 hours on these and...
+ very secure and stable
+ the foot is locked, not moving at all
+ they do not feel heavy at all
+ the durability is what is expected from the barricades
+ the sole is great -- sticky and stable enough but allows you to move freely and slide (on HC) if needed.

- the ventilation is not what I expected. Last few sessions were at 100F and 40% humidity and my socks were drenched. I have not seen that with the Head shoes
- I am still struggling with the blisters and issues back of my feet (left mainly)
- a few other "uncomfortable" spots popped up, however, OK for now -- no blisters
 

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
Just put them on an walked around the pro shop a bit. I am not in love with the fit of them but I will test them out on hard courts next week.

J
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Oh dear.. Felix is also wearing the solecourt Boost...........,, this barricade not doing so well

20210901160928-612fe2b3a7ec92b2871b02dajpeg.jpg
 

satchmo_d

Rookie
Bought a pair yesterday and did drills for an hour followed by match play with my men’s team. The only issue I noticed was some tenderness (not quite a blister) towards the top on the back of my left foot. Probably would have been the same on the right foot but I wear an ankle brace on that one. Overall, my feet were locked in and they felt great. It was hot here in the ATL and I didn’t notice any issue with ventilation. Just my $.02.
 

DJTaurus

Hall of Fame
Just noticed Tsitsipas has

Looks like Tsitsipas also dropped the Barricade and went back to his Parley SoleCourt Boosts. Not great for Adidas, he’s their top wearer without Thiem around.
And to be more correct he is using a custom sole court bounce.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Just noticed Tsitsipas has

Looks like Tsitsipas also dropped the Barricade and went back to his Parley SoleCourt Boosts. Not great for Adidas, he’s their top wearer without Thiem around.

I have a dilemma. I have the new Barricades, just walked around the basement of my house. Felt very comfy just doing that. But it's still in returnable condition. Should i just return it for refund and get something else ?
 

marslondon

New User
I’m sure there are also plenty of people that are happy with them too! I just find it interesting how choosy the pros are and how hard it is to get a tennis shoe right. I’m enjoying my Uber 4s and they don’t seem very popular with the pros either! Although I have to say my favourites are still my Uber 2s. It’s a shame they feel the need to constantly update them.
 

NothingButNet

Semi-Pro
Oh dear.. Felix is also wearing the solecourt Boost...........,, this barricade not doing so well

20210901160928-612fe2b3a7ec92b2871b02dajpeg.jpg

Eh? That means nothing...he is one of the adidas players that pretty much exclusively wear the Solecourt and Ubersonic line.

Only time he ever wore Barricades since moving to adidas was on grass (limited options there with SCBs and UBs).

Fact that he isn't wearing Barricades doesn't say much, if anything, IMO.
 

NothingButNet

Semi-Pro
And to be more correct he is using a custom sole court bounce.

Having watched the entire match and his gestures involving the shoe (the smirk on his face while testing the traction) I would assume that he wasn't feeling that secure with the grip he was getting on those fast courts.

If the Parley SoleCourt Boosts he dug out from his locker had custom soles AND better traction, then that could be the reason/s.

Fully expecting him to switch back to the new Barricades post-USO. We'll see :cool:
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
It literally means nothing. What a pro wears should have no effect on whether it’s a good shoe for you. YOU HAVE TO WEAR IT. It’s not about whether some guy on the tv wears a shoe.

Dislike this comment. What shoes pro wear mean Everything because pros movement is crazy hard and they demand perfection in their shoes. if the shoe is Perfect for the pros, it is good for amateurs too. This applies to only shoes not rackets
 

SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
Dislike this comment. What shoes pro wear mean Everything because pros movement is crazy hard and they demand perfection in their shoes.
Do you have the same movement as auger Aliaseme? Or Djokovic? Or Nadal? No, you don’t. Do you have the same foot shape and length as Tsitsipas or Felix? No, and maybe because of their foot type they need the solecourt over the barricade. Wear what works for you, it’s like using rpm blast 15 at 57 just because Nadal uses it. Racquets don’t count I agree, because majority of pros don’t use the racquet they have painted on, which in most cases can’t be done with shoes.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Do you have the same movement as auger Aliaseme? Or Djokovic? Or Nadal? No, you don’t. Do you have the same foot shape and length as Tsitsipas or Felix? No, and maybe because of their foot type they need the solecourt over the barricade. Wear what works for you, it’s like using rpm blast 15 at 57 just because Nadal uses it. Racquets don’t count I agree, because majority of pros don’t use the racquet they have painted on, which in most cases can’t be done with shoes.
Yea but they are the only ones that hate the new barricade. many many posters in here and other players say it causes Blisters. that is horrible shoes
 

SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
Yea but they are the only ones that hate the new barricade. many many posters in here and other players say it causes Blisters. that is horrible shoes
How do you know they hate it? Just because Zverev wears the ubersonic 4 doesn’t mean he hates the barricade. And what causes blisters for others doesn’t mean it will for you. Badmouthing a shoe just because you think others don’t like it is a horrible reason to dislike a shoe. It’s like saying babolats are terrible yet you’ve never played one.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
How do you know they hate it? Just because Zverev wears the ubersonic 4 doesn’t mean he hates the barricade. And what causes blisters for others doesn’t mean it will for you. Badmouthing a shoe just because you think others don’t like it is a horrible reason to dislike a shoe.
you are saying you wore it for 3 month and you have no blisters or Pain in your foot ?
 

SinneGOAT

Hall of Fame
you are saying you wore it for 3 month and you have no blisters or Pain in your foot ?
I’ve worn it for 10-12 hours. No pain, no blisters, in fact it has better cushioning than my gel resolutions. The shoe has only been out for 4-5 weeks. Of course nobody has done a long term playtest, but from my experience it is foolish to make assumptions based on whatever the pros are wearing or what one person says on a forum.
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
I have a dilemma. I have the new Barricades, just walked around the basement of my house. Felt very comfy just doing that. But it's still in returnable condition. Should i just return it for refund and get something else ?
I have used them for over 15 hours now and they are still not “broken in” in the same areas as initial issues - back at the Achilles, still causing blisters, some weird areas where internal rubs against the foot.
I would not get another pair however, will ride these longer and see how it goes and any improvements.
 

fundrazer

G.O.A.T.
Really says a lot when the tops pro wore them and then quickly ditched them. Hope Adidas keeps making the solecourt boost.
It's even more noticeable with the girls, I think all of the women I've seen have been playing the solecourts. Maybe saw one wearing the new barricades, Sakkari I think.
 

ajspurs

Rookie
Funny thing is for me I wouldn't even take the jump to still give them a try (amongst the 'controversy') as they don't even look very nice IMO. If they looked really nice I'd be more inclined to just try them for myself.

In terms of marketing, whether it affects you personally or not, it's certainly not good that pros have worn and then ditched them.
 

Mwr1234

New User
I’ve worn it for 10-12 hours. No pain, no blisters, in fact it has better cushioning than my gel resolutions. The shoe has only been out for 4-5 weeks. Of course nobody has done a long term playtest, but from my experience it is foolish to make assumptions based on whatever the pros are wearing or what one person says on a forum.

I completely agree with you. once the shoe softens up it is extremely comfortable and I prefer the comfort to the gel 8s. There is a lengthy break in period that has to be dealt with but I think that is a necessary evil that allows the shoe to be as stable as it is. At the end of the day everyone's foot isn't going to fit every shoe, just because it doesn't fit one particular person doesn't make it a bad shoe. Plus I think it complements the solecourt boost well as they both have a different fit.
 

Orion

Semi-Pro
Originally ordered an 11.5 and after break in the shoe is too roomy. Just got the electric blue in an 11 and it's a much better fit. Bunions make me err on the size up and find a sock to compensate. The flex of the material and normal sized your box provides enough room. They're noisy, but not in the same uncomfortable way the GR8 clicked and buckled during break in.

They're firm but not substantial like the VC4. Wore VC4 to hit singles and could appreciate the cushioning but I prefer the Barricades low-profile and lighter weight. I imagine a mid year refresh sees the Adidas inside branding disappear and be replaced by 3 stripes that could pull double duty as medial support..like an extension of Torsion (Adidas are you listening?).

BTW The electric blue looks incredibly good !!!
 

The Big Kahuna

Hall of Fame
The big flaw in the Barricade 12 IMO is the elastic lacing system and the thin laces. You just cannot get the shoe to cinch down on your foot and wrap itself around it. As a result, while they are a stable shoe. they are a sloppy and unresponsive one. The cushioning is also an issue. Who would think that a shoe with a BOUNCE midsole would have so little "bounce" - the forefoot is low to the ground for good court feel, but didn't really feel any cushion. The heel is cushioned, but bulky. I was very disappointed. Did anyone playlets this shoe at Adidas before they released it?
 

The Big Kahuna

Hall of Fame
BTW FAA and Time are NOT wearing a true SoleCourt Boost. They are custom Adidas shoes on the SCB platform with BOUNCE midsoles instead of the BOOST. Watch this video:
 

Evobacsi

New User
played with it for the first time today and i loved it. not much break in time, good cushioning, comfort and stability for me
 

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
Ended up going back to the old faithful cage 4. Remind me a lot of the ballistec 4.3
Having worn both this week... I can confidently say that looks aside... the ZC4 is far and away a better shoe. I don't regret scooping 4.3s on the bay but I will probably not get them again. It was fun to wear them again but the ZC4 is just so damn fast compared to these 4.3s.
 

El Boris18

New User
Lighter than previous barricades, i practiced and played a tourney match on clay, they were great. I started to like them after around 6 hours of play. Downsides thin laces man, it worries me they will break soon, no forefoot cushioning, which i really need a lot.
 

bertrevert

Legend
no forefoot cushioning, which i really need a lot.
Oh holy crud, really, how bad exactly?
I could see from the design it's a much lwr to the ground speed shoe. Darn. Can you compare that forefoot area to any other current shoe? I expecetd this just by looking at it....
 

Evobacsi

New User
Oh holy crud, really, how bad exactly?
I could see from the design it's a much lwr to the ground speed shoe. Darn. Can you compare that forefoot area to any other current shoe? I expecetd this just by looking at it....
I don't realise this, but maybe because its because I've been using the same pair of vapor x for 2 years haha
 

El Boris18

New User
I don't realise this, but maybe because its because I've been using the same pair of vapor x for 2 years haha
Oh holy crud, really, how bad exactly?
I could see from the design it's a much lwr to the ground speed shoe. Darn. Can you compare that forefoot area to any other current shoe? I expecetd this just by looking at it....
I think it has less cushioning un the forefoot and lower to the ground than the Adidas adizero ubersonic 2, its the tennis show lowest to the ground as far as i remember playing with, play on clay,
 

alexg

Rookie
The Tongue is quite frankly the most atrocious thing they ever could have done with this shoe

That was my thought initially, but discovered that the webbing loop that runs longitudinally on top, with the word "barricade" on it, is actually a handle to pull the tongue up. Make sure your laces run through the inner three smaller loops, and not on top. Now I can get a glove-like fit just by pulling the tongues up and wiggling my foot before I tie the shoes.

Thought I would share, since it was not obvious to me the first time I wore these.

Cheers
 

curtstead

Professional
I’m still a fan of my Barricades as I await my pair of Le Coq shoes to arrive, but elastic eyelets SUCK. They need to fix that. Major con with this shoe. Although I just had major success for glove like fit with the post above! ^
 

Return_Ace

Hall of Fame
That was my thought initially, but discovered that the webbing loop that runs longitudinally on top, with the word "barricade" on it, is actually a handle to pull the tongue up. Make sure your laces run through the inner three smaller loops, and not on top. Now I can get a glove-like fit just by pulling the tongues up and wiggling my foot before I tie the shoes.

Thought I would share, since it was not obvious to me the first time I wore these.

Cheers

Yeah, I've done that, and the other tip i have is that if you pull the tongue up, you can cinch the laces down just below the top "pad" on the tongue to prevent the tongue from sliding down.

I still hate how flimsy and thin it is (in parts) though.

I still don't think I'm getting on particularly well with the Bounce... maybe I'm too used to Boost, but i end up really slapping my heel when suddebly changing direction.

I actually put my Ubersonic 2 insoles in my 2017 Boosts which opened them up a bit more, and actually seem to be getting along with them.
 
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