How's the Barricade Boost (or Energy Boost) feel?

[DrewRafter8]

I have a pair of Ultra Boost's and they're the best thing since sliced bread. The Boost technology runs the entire length of the shoe and I know that's not the case in the Barricade (I don't think it goes all the way in the Energy Boost either). That technology is ridiculously comfortable in the Ultra Boost. Is the heel of the Barricade remotely close to the plushness of the cushioning in the Ultra Boost? I know I won't get anything as plush, I'm just curious how close it is. I've tried to find a pair locally to try on, but no one is carrying them.

 

[scotus]

I have not tried the Energy Boost mainly because of the lack of 6-month warranty, but I really like the heel cushioning of the Barricade Boost.

I have had chronic plantar fasciitis for over a decade, having to always stretch, exercise, ice, use nighttime PF boots, medication, etc.

But with the added shock absorption from BB (I also use a Dr Scholl's arch support, but that I've always used even with previous Barricades), I no longer suffer from PF.

Forefoot cushioning on Barricade Boost is more than adequate for me. My only knock on BB is the flimsy tongue, which does not do a good job evenly distributing the pressure from the shoe laces.

 

[erroljr]

I have a pair of 2015 Barricade Boost. Although I haven't worn Ultra Boosts (they are so gorgeous), this is probably the most comfortable tennis shoe that I've ever tried. Fit works well with my foot, no heel slippage, heel does have that plushy feel, and has that same Barricade durability. That being said, as sweet as they feel, I have trouble being connected to the court. Perhaps it's too much cushion for my feet, but I personally struggle moving at full speed with the shoes.

Though, if it helps, I feel like I'm stepping on clouds!

 

[DrewRafter8]

I have a pair of 2015 Barricade Boost. Although I haven't worn Ultra Boosts (they are so gorgeous), this is probably the most comfortable tennis shoe that I've ever tried. Fit works well with my foot, no heel slippage, heel does have that plushy feel, and has that same Barricade durability. That being said, as sweet as they feel, I have trouble being connected to the court. Perhaps it's too much cushion for my feet, but I personally struggle moving at full speed with the shoes.

Though, if it helps, I feel like I'm stepping on clouds!

That cloud feel is how I describe the Ultra Boost. I was able to score a set for $100 so I figured I'd see what all the noise was about. Boost technology is insane! It's the best shoe tech I've ever used. I've worn Brooks running shoes for years and I'm throwing them out!

Heel cushioning is one of the things I've become more aware of. I'm with @scotus, I've had pf for years along with achilles tendinitis and a stress fracture. My left heel is a wreck. The Ultra Boost's are magical! I've had really good luck with a pair of Babolat Jet shoes. No pain there, but I can tell the cushioning is starting to fade. Boost cushioning feels great, but it is also one of the most durable.

 

[Noveson]

I'm a NIke guy, but am THOROUGHLY convinced by boost technology. I got the Lillard 2's for basketball, and ultra boosts walking around and the comfort is insane.

 

[MillMaj10s]

I bought a pair of the Barricade Boosts last year, and have since bought 3 more pairs since. The only shoes I will wear now are Lunar Ballistecs and the Barricade Boosts.

 

[Ramon]

The 2015 Barricade Boost cushioning in the heel is one of the best I've tried in a tennis shoe. What I like is that it offers a high level of shock protection without feeling mushy. It's a responsive type of cushioning, not a pillowy cushioning. The forefoot cushioning could be better. It's more harsh than some other shoes, but I can live with that.

 

[Cyclone]

The 2015 Barricade Boost cushioning in the heel is one of the best I've tried in a tennis shoe. What I like is that it offers a high level of shock protection without feeling mushy. It's a responsive type of cushioning, not a pillowy cushioning. The forefoot cushioning could be better. It's more harsh than some other shoes, but I can live with that.

I have a pair of 2015 Barricade Boost. Although I haven't worn Ultra Boosts (they are so gorgeous), this is probably the most comfortable tennis shoe that I've ever tried. Fit works well with my foot, no heel slippage, heel does have that plushy feel, and has that same Barricade durability. That being said, as sweet as they feel, I have trouble being connected to the court. Perhaps it's too much cushion for my feet, but I personally struggle moving at full speed with the shoes.

Though, if it helps, I feel like I'm stepping on clouds!

So I'm thinking of switching to the Barricade Boost, though am concerned with the idea of losing courtfeel... I value a responsive ride. I've been playing with the Asics Gel Solution Speed 2, which is decently low to the ground though does have a good amount of cushioning leading to a slightly mushy sensation. Is the Barricade going to be significantly more disconnected / ride higher off the court? For me part of stability is being able to know where my foot is.

Also, any difference in the above regard between the Boost and non-Boost?

Thanks!

 

[Al Czervik]

The cushioning is fantastic. For some reason, the inside ankle part of the collar gouged me and I could not get past that.

 

[Ramon]

So I'm thinking of switching to the Barricade Boost, though am concerned with the idea of losing courtfeel... I value a responsive ride. I've been playing with the Asics Gel Solution Speed 2, which is decently low to the ground though does have a good amount of cushioning leading to a slightly mushy sensation. Is the Barricade going to be significantly more disconnected / ride higher off the court? For me part of stability is being able to know where my foot is.

Also, any difference in the above regard between the Boost and non-Boost?

Thanks!

I don't have experience with the GSS2 but I do have experience with the GR6. I think the GR6 has better court feel and feels lower to the ground than the Barricade 2015 Boost. I think the court feel of the Barricade 2015 Boost is somewhere between the GR6 and the Prince T22. I'm guessing the court feel of the GSS2 is probably pretty close to the GR6.

 

[erroljr]

So I'm thinking of switching to the Barricade Boost, though am concerned with the idea of losing courtfeel... I value a responsive ride. I've been playing with the Asics Gel Solution Speed 2, which is decently low to the ground though does have a good amount of cushioning leading to a slightly mushy sensation. Is the Barricade going to be significantly more disconnected / ride higher off the court? For me part of stability is being able to know where my foot is.

Also, any difference in the above regard between the Boost and non-Boost?

Thanks!

I hope you're not put off by my opinion of it! Quite honestly, my bright orange 2015 Barricade Boosts are my one and only. HELL, I'll probably buy the mint green pair! In my experience with it, I needed an adjustment period because of the crazy comfort that I'm not used to. It has the lateral stability, durability, great fit (I don't get any ankle pinching, slipping, toe jam with this one), etc. but the superior level of comfort is what my body didn't expect. My feet absolutely love this shoe! I'm used to the stiffness of the Barricade 8's which were great for me minus the toe jamming. All in all, the cushioning of the 2015 Boosts didn't give me the same court feel that I'm accustomed to, but it's not like you lose it completely. You should give it a try!

 

[TinTin 1]

I wear the boost shoe and love it . Very comfortable and stable

 

[vsbabolat]

The cushioning is fantastic. For some reason, the inside ankle part of the collar gouged me and I could not get past that.

There's a seem there that got me too

 

[Cyclone]

I hope you're not put off by my opinion of it! Quite honestly, my bright orange 2015 Barricade Boosts are my one and only. HELL, I'll probably buy the mint green pair! In my experience with it, I needed an adjustment period because of the crazy comfort that I'm not used to. It has the lateral stability, durability, great fit (I don't get any ankle pinching, slipping, toe jam with this one), etc. but the superior level of comfort is what my body didn't expect. My feet absolutely love this shoe! I'm used to the stiffness of the Barricade 8's which were great for me minus the toe jamming. All in all, the cushioning of the 2015 Boosts didn't give me the same court feel that I'm accustomed to, but it's not like you lose it completely. You should give it a try!

Thanks for the clarification! And I went ahead and ordered a pair since it sounded like there were a lot of "pros" and maybe just a few limited "cons". While I like the court feel of the Ubersonics, having recently strained my arches in the Solution Speed 2's I figured it was time to get something that would really support my foot!

 

[erroljr]

Thanks for the clarification! And I went ahead and ordered a pair since it sounded like there were a lot of "pros" and maybe just a few limited "cons". While I like the court feel of the Ubersonics, having recently strained my arches in the Solution Speed 2's I figured it was time to get something that would really support my foot!

I did snag a pair of cheap Ubersonics on the auction site and I like the low to the ground feel. My feet don't feel as snug and I have toe jamming. If my foot was locked in, this would be a keeper for sure. I do want to look into the Solution Speed 3's but I can't seem to put anything over Boosts <3

 

[Cyclone]

Ah yeah I had initially experienced some toe jamming with the Ubersonics, but wearing two pairs of cotton socks really did the trick, nice and snug with no more jamming! Try it, hopefully it works.

 

[lulzprime]

Been wearing the Barricade Boost 2015 since middle of last year. I came from a Nike Ballistec and have always been a Nike user before that. So coming into the Barricade definitely did take a month or so for me to get used to.

At first, like a few have mentioned; I didn't feel "connected" to the court. It's like, there's a fear of me rolling my ankles or slipping too much. But as time went on and I started to trust the shoe more, I finally understood why so many people love the Barricades; the mind blowing stability and grip it can offer when you give in to the shoe.

Love the "boost" on the heels though. It's really comfortable and it definitely helps absorb a lot of the pressure put on the ankles.

The only thing I do need to complain is the ventilation on the shoe though. It's pretty subpar to be honest. I do live in a hot and humid country (Malaysia), so my feet would always end up "burning" after 30 minutes of play.

 

[TinTin 1]

The boost is a very comfortable and stable shoe. I mostly play on clay so no foot jamming yet.

 

[DrewRafter8]

To follow up on my own thread...

I did buy a set of Barricade Boost's. They are not similar to the Ultra Boost in any sort of fashion, but I knew that going into the purchase. Strictly evaluating the level of cushioning, the Barricade Boost is superb in the heel. I would love to see Adidas figure out a way to integrate full length boost into a tennis shoe. The Energy Boost is a good attempt, but the Boost technology does not extend all the way. That being said, the stability in the Barricade Boost is phenomenal. It feels supportive and seems to meet the initial fit test. It is the best overall shoe I think I've ever had for hard court use. And it's not close...

I'd still like to see Adidas incorporate full length Boost and uni-tongue technology... That would be an absolute winner!

 

[parasailing]

The Tennis Energy boost were a let down. They were very stiff but I found something that works better and that is the basketball Adidas Crazy Light 2016 Boost.

 

[DrewRafter8]

The Tennis Energy boost were a let down. They were very stiff but I found something that works better and that is the basketball Adidas Crazy Light 2016 Boost.

I've heard very few positive comments about the Energy Boost. Adidas needs to take a Barricade and figure out how to do the full length Boost technology.

 

[Cyclone]

Did anyone find that the shoe needed to be played in a few times and broken in to experience the comfort? I guess coming from a "soft" Asics GSS2, the BB feels a fair bit firmer, and I don't get the plush feel that many have described. I've only walked around in them though (still injured)... don't get me wrong, not trying to complain at all, seems like a fantastic shoe, just curious that my experience has been a bit different so far...

 

[DrewRafter8]

Did anyone find that the shoe needed to be played in a few times and broken in to experience the comfort? I guess coming from a "soft" Asics GSS2, the BB feels a fair bit firmer, and I don't get the plush feel that many have described. I've only walked around in them though (still injured)... don't get me wrong, not trying to complain at all, seems like a fantastic shoe, just curious that my experience has been a bit different so far...

Absolutely. I'm still breaking my pair in before wearing them on court. They are a little stiff.

 

[Cyclone]

Absolutely. I'm still breaking my pair in before wearing them on court. They are a little stiff.

Okay that's great to know, I've been walking around in them a fair bit and the heel definitely still feels stiff, which detracts from the overall comfort. I'm going to try to hit around in them as soon as my feet feel up to it, and maybe a little bit of hitting will break them in further?

 

[Ramon]

Did anyone find that the shoe needed to be played in a few times and broken in to experience the comfort? I guess coming from a "soft" Asics GSS2, the BB feels a fair bit firmer, and I don't get the plush feel that many have described. I've only walked around in them though (still injured)... don't get me wrong, not trying to complain at all, seems like a fantastic shoe, just curious that my experience has been a bit different so far...

I came from wearing the Asics GR6 to the 2015 Barricade Boost. I also found that it's stiffer and needs a break-in. I was getting rubbing and soreness in my big toe and the lateral part of my foot where that piece of plastic is. I don't get that anymore. Even after break-in, I don't think the Barricade is as comfortable as the GR6, but it does have better cushioning (because my knees aren't sore), and the ankle support is better. Since I've had problems with my knees and ankles, I suppose the Barricade is a better shoe for me, but if you don't have those problems the GR6 is amazingly comfortable and feels lighter on the court.

 

[Cyclone]

I came from wearing the Asics GR6 to the 2015 Barricade Boost. I also found that it's stiffer and needs a break-in. I was getting rubbing and soreness in my big toe and the lateral part of my foot where that piece of plastic is. I don't get that anymore. Even after break-in, I don't think the Barricade is as comfortable as the GR6, but it does have better cushioning (because my knees aren't sore), and the ankle support is better. Since I've had problems with my knees and ankles, I suppose the Barricade is a better shoe for me, but if you don't have those problems the GR6 is amazingly comfortable and feels lighter on the court.

Thanks for sharing! After having walked around in them a fair amount, I've hit lightly with them a couple of times and they're already softened up! But still with a great locked-in feel. I think I'm going to like these shoes

 

[ArliHawk]

Thanks for sharing! After having walked around in them a fair amount, I've hit lightly with them a couple of times and they're already softened up! But still with a great locked-in feel. I think I'm going to like these shoes

You will. Adidas really on a roll with the ubers and boost barricade