J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Did they just decide to take 2020 off?
Will there actually be shoes for sale in 2021?
J
Will there actually be shoes for sale in 2021?
J
What happened to Adidas shoes this year?
- Thread starter J011yroger
- Start date
StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
As a store manager, Adidas Men's shoes were a complete flop. The women's Stella Barricade, however, was one of our best selling shoes. Hopefully, the reintroduction of the Barricade this fall will revive the Brand for the Men. I always want to like Adidas but the fit of the Uber 3, Uber 4, and Solecourt Boost just didnt do it for me...
airchallenge2
Hall of Fame
It looks like asics stole their lunch, ha
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
I couldn't even get the 4!
The stuff they did release were in such limited quantities and almost no clay soles.
Sucks because it was a great year for clothes.
J
SinneGOAT
Hall of Fame
More like Adidas gave it to them, they released such a flop of a shoe(stycon) while Asics released the gel res 8, leagues superior to the stycon.
408tennisguy
Semi-Pro
Which adidas store location do you manage and when do you think the U4s will hit the outlets?
smboogie
Semi-Pro
I was able to try the SoleCourt Boost and found them amazing. Great cushioning & durability while not feeling too high off the court. Because of that toe wrap they do play hot, which I would say is the only downside.
Pros:
- Great fit
- Cushioning
- Support
- Court feel
- Durability
Cons:
- Ventilation/heat
Would like to get more but 2020 they seemed to just stop producing colorways and shoes in general because pricing for the Boosts was just crazy high all year.
Pros:
- Great fit
- Cushioning
- Support
- Court feel
- Durability
Cons:
- Ventilation/heat
Would like to get more but 2020 they seemed to just stop producing colorways and shoes in general because pricing for the Boosts was just crazy high all year.
Pandemonium135
New User
You must be kidding right? The Ubersonic 4 sold out like inmediatly its an amazing shoe. More like this thread is a flop and not Adidas shoes lol...
am1899
Legend
Selling out the first colorway doesn’t prove the shoe is “amazing.” All that can really be concluded is the shoe was hyped enough to ensure the first run sold out.
Really, so the Stycon wasn’t a flop? Retiring the Barricade wasn’t a flop? Right.
408tennisguy
Semi-Pro
I have seen U2s, stycons, solecourt boosts at the outlets. Even if it sold out in its first wave of distribution, doesn't mean that its never gonna hit the outlets at one point in time. Look at all of the Vapor X Foamposites that people are finding at marshall's/tj maxx/ross. Those were not even released to the tennis retailers but people are able to cop them at these discount stores. I even bet that once the U4s come out with other colorways, the black and white striped ones wont get as much recognition and adidas will be forced to bring them to the outlets. My questions are valid and would help us as part of the tennis consumer community, so I dont think you even need to be condescending about it.
airchallenge2
Hall of Fame
This reads like someone who works for adi. And your 8 posts so far don't help. It's okay to admit that the 3 stripes had a bad year.
Go to minute 6:45. "They haven't made a great shoe since Barricade 7"....
PaddyDutch
Semi-Pro
Completely agree that 2020 and 2019 were weak years. Stycon is a mess (no pro users, boa on/off, I have seen 0 of these on court), backtracking on Ubers when 2 was brought back (unless it was planned) and Solecourt not a huge favourite (while there are clear fans).
The video is a bit much though. Barricade 7 came out in early 2012. There have been plenty successful shoes since then.
Tennis_Hands
Banned
It is universally acknowledged that the Barricade Boosts were an absolutely great shoe, as are the Ü2 and Ü3, so this guy has no idea what he is talking about. His personal opinion is not worth the 30 seconds that one needs to hear it.
Tennis_Hands
Banned
Pro users don't make the shoe great or not great. I have seen plenty of Stycons throughout the summer here, in Europe, and most sizes of that shoe are sold out on all major tennis sites (and they hold their prices actually).
SCB has been a resounding success for the tennis population that wants a wide shoe (especially at the front) or needs a very good cushioning while maintaining relatively low to the ground feel: they are absolutely amazing, and it will be hard to replace them with something better.
Return_Ace
Hall of Fame
It is universally acknowledged that the Barricade Boosts were an absolutely great shoe, as are the Ü2 and Ü3, so this guy has no idea what he is talking about. His personal opinion is not worth the 30 seconds that one needs to hear it.
Unfortunately went downhill with the 2017 version, 2018 was better, but still not as good as 2016 or original.
U2 and U3 were fine, just catered to different demographics (i.e. wider vs. narrow foot).
Probably the same issue that people have with the current Adidas range in that they went completely to a wide design at the top of the stack (SCB & U3's) which alienated a lot of the traditional Adidas customers.
Tried to get the narrow foot people back with the Stycon, but it didn't take off enough.
Tennis_Hands
Banned
That is an accurate assessment of the situation.
SCB and Ü3s are wide (at least at the toe box) as opposed to the Barricades and the Ü2s, which I can see can be a bit confusing for some people that don't know the brand and don't like to read when the retailers describe the fit of the shoes (their fit has been correctly communicated).
I think that the Stycon is a slightly misunderstood shoe: it is very low to the ground, while maintaining a great stability and a good cushioning. It sits in the middle between a speed and a very well cushioned shoe with better than most speed shoes cushioning and exceptional stability. The looks are what they are: some like them, some don't.
I do think that Adidas made a couple of mistakes, but IMO, they don't relate to the shoes they have made, but to the structuring of their lineup: they had the right idea to cater to the wide feet tennis customers with the creation of SCB and Ü3s, which are by all means great shoes. Then they proceeded to discontinue the Ü2s, which was a mistake (fortunately corrected probably until the release of the Ü4s and will get discontinued for good soon) as they then lacked a great speed shoes for narrow feet. The discontinuing of the Ü3 is also a mistake. It probably indicates that they don't sell enough of them, but the shoes are fantastic for a recreational player with wide feet that is looking for a light shoe with very good stability, so they should have kept them, even if in a supporting role. The only way they can make up for that is if they release a wide option for the Ü4s. The new Barricades will probably have the same fit as the Barricades always had.
I would like to see the lesser lines reduced at the expense of the above changes: I don't even know who buys the Defiant range, and the Game Courts and the CourtJams are fighting for a place on the market. In any event I have seen relatively few of those on court.
StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
A tennis shop in NC. The ubersonics did okay with the juniors but for players who value cushioning and support, they rarely got passed the initial "try on" phase. The solecourt boost fit was way off. They ran huge. And they just had too much going on. Every other customer commented on that bulky piece that sticks out. Those shoes just never moved the needle. But again, the women's stella barricade absolutely killed it. Great shoe.
I've tried the Uber 4 and it did not feel like anything special No cushioning and I still prefer the fit of the Uber 2. Will be interesting to see how they sell
.Tennis_Hands
Banned
A tennis shop in NC. The ubersonics did okay with the juniors but for players who value cushioning and support, they rarely got passed the initial "try on" phase. The solecourt boost fit was way off. They ran huge. And they just had too much going on. Every other customer commented on that bulky piece that sticks out. Those shoes just never moved the needle. But again, the women's stella barricade absolutely killed it. Great shoe.
I've tried the Uber 4 and it did not feel like anything special No cushioning and I still prefer the fit of the Uber 2. Will be interesting to see how they sell
Comparing apples to oranges?
SCB's fit is not "off". They fit perfectly for people with wide feet/forefoot. It would be like someone with wide feet calling the narrow fitting shoes "off shoes". They are just different, but in no way especially peculiar. In fact, I know a lot of people who play tennis to have constantly complained about the lack of wide options (myself included): perfectly happy with the SCBs now.
Also, speed shoes are generally not well cushioned, and not as stable as the heavily supported shoes that weight 20-30% more: it is just in the nature of the damping that it rarely (if ever) is light, and also because heavy cushioning almost always = slower reaction times of the material, which is not what speed shoes are about.
StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
Comparing apples to oranges?
SCB's fit is not "off". They fit perfectly for people with wide feet/forefoot. It would be like someone with wide feet calling the narrow fitting shoes "off shoes". They are just different, but in no way especially peculiar. In fact, I know a lot of people who play tennis to have constantly complained about the lack of wide options (myself included): perfectly happy with the SCBs now.
Also, speed shoes are generally not well cushioned, and not as stable as the heavily supported shoes that weight 20-30% more: it is just in the nature of the damping that it rarely (if ever) is light, and also because heavy cushioning almost always = slower reaction times of the material, which is not what speed shoes are about.
Sure, it’s all relative. Just comparing them to equivalent shoes from other brands.
Pandemonium135
New User
Adidas are taking a 2 year brake from Barricade. And thats something good to come out with something great and to not burn out. They gave people other options. Some of which in my opinion were pretty great. Ubersonic 2s I loved and still love. People just have to go bashing on Adidas and acting all weird.
Well, where I play there is no doubt about which tennis brand is superior. And no I dont work for Adidas I wish I did though. If you cant enjoy other shoes (Ubersonic 4) while new barricades come out you have a serious problem...
Well, where I play there is no doubt about which tennis brand is superior. And no I dont work for Adidas I wish I did though. If you cant enjoy other shoes (Ubersonic 4) while new barricades come out you have a serious problem...
Shankmeister-Chubs
Rookie
I've been really enjoying my Ubersonic 2s. However, they're a bit insubstantial and don't quite give me all of the support and lockdown I'm looking for in an athletic shoe. Hoping the solecourt boost helps me out more in that department.
RVAtennisaddict
Professional
It was not just shoes. And not just adidas. ASICS hard to find as was adidas in shoes. And very limited clothing production. So weird. Even now can’t find a shoe in 10.5 adidas or ASICS that I want. Hoping my current 2pair hold until a they start producing again.
Is it just a tw thing??
Is it just a tw thing??
StefanosWillSaveTheWorld
Rookie
No , it is every retailer. It’s just a weird time right now.
smboogie
Semi-Pro
I don't get the big deal with the SoleBoosts and that stability element on the side? I see it as a way to not roll over and provide further support, but seriously if you are looking down that much, maybe paying more attention to the game on court would be better.
Overall the shoe cushioning is fantastic and the sole durability is really good. I have yet to try to new Nike Turbo's or Vapor Cage 4's.
Overall the shoe cushioning is fantastic and the sole durability is really good. I have yet to try to new Nike Turbo's or Vapor Cage 4's.
I like the “adidas is taking a two year break to avoid burnout” bit. The Barricade is by far their most popular shoe and something that Adidas tennis has been built around. Even their clothes had the barricade insignia. It’s comparable to Babolat taking a two-year break from the Pure Aero to avoid “burnout”...not a savvy business decision imo.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
I will say I am concerned about the climbing cost of Adidas shoes. Their TAKEDOWN shoe of the Solecourt line is still $120. That is flagship Barricade money from only a few years ago. Premium price and no durability guarantee... its an alarming pattern.
www.tennis-warehouse.com
adidas SoleMatch Bounce White/Black/Blue Men's Shoe
www.tennis-warehouse.com
mark b.
Rookie
Adidas seems to have forgotten tennis. If you go to their website it's obvious they prefer selling fashion/casual shoes.
I wear their BOOST low basketball shoes ('Marquee Boost'.) and they are simply fantastic for tennis, however, I play on clay so durablity is not an issue for me.
The molded, padded ankle collar offers enhanced comfort over ANY tennis shoe. BOOST never breaks down like EVA and other technologies. Just the laces alone are better than any shoe from recent memory amd remind me of laces for hockey skates.
Herringbone pattern is excellent for clay. Put in a pair of aftermarket footbeds and VOILA!
What's that STUPID Stycon anyway?
I wear their BOOST low basketball shoes ('Marquee Boost'.) and they are simply fantastic for tennis, however, I play on clay so durablity is not an issue for me.
The molded, padded ankle collar offers enhanced comfort over ANY tennis shoe. BOOST never breaks down like EVA and other technologies. Just the laces alone are better than any shoe from recent memory amd remind me of laces for hockey skates.
Herringbone pattern is excellent for clay. Put in a pair of aftermarket footbeds and VOILA!
What's that STUPID Stycon anyway?
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Just had a look at these out of curiosity and they look great but that herringbone doesn't seem so thick - does it really grab enough to give you sure footing on clay? How's the width?
mark b.
Rookie
Traction is good. The herrigbone picks up lots of clay but that's nothing new. I think the shoe runs a bit wide and that's why my feel love them. I don't think a narrow foot would do well. At around $50/pair right now on A*A*zon, they are a bargain that won't be around long. I just bought another pair.
Backhanded Compliment
Legend
Yup I went to K swiss... stoopid decision. Looks like the cades are back if they dont suck Ill try em.
Pandemonium135
New User
If in 2021 you expect 6 year warranties on shoes, when its the era of sliding, soft rubbers and grity courts you are just living in 2000. Plus, if you are any kind of serious tennis player you change shoes every month or so...
Well, most all companies are still in the warranty game with a warrantied shoe or two. And those are the companies getting my $. I go through a shoe every 6 weeks. Once my sock gets exposed it’s time to shut er down
. Since Adidas dropped their warranty I have went the cage 3 route and after that, cage 4’s (I’ve already had 4 pairs of cage 4’s), not to mention tons of ASICS. It’s too bad cause I had used the barricade from 7 on up (maybe 12 pair?). I still like Adidas but other companies have a better buy right now.I assume you mean 6 MONTH warranty? The idea of a 6 year warranty sounds great to me, but I don’t think the stockholders will go for it.
SinneGOAT
Hall of Fame
While I personally don’t use the 6 month warranty, I know multiple people who do use them and are thankful for them. Removing them definitely took those customers away, as well as people on here reflecting the same thing. Hopefully with the barricade they bring back the outsole warranty, I can imagine they will but you can’t be sure with them getting rid of it for the solecourt boost.
mark b.
Rookie
I was a dedicated Barricade guy. Then they got bad. I tend to be skeptical of new footwear technologies but I have to say this....BOOST IS BEST. If you wear your shoes out before the 6 month mark, I sympathize, but for my knees, I want the best technology available and if I need to replace my shoes, then so be it. To the wary consumers on this Forum, any new tennis technology can seem gimmicky, as brands come up with air units, special LAV foams, and such for performance. Boost is far from a gimmick and its uses continue to expand throughout Adidas' line of product. I play mostly on clay and my shoes last a year but the boost never goes hard or flat.
Tennis_Hands
Banned
Yes, that is one distinctive characteristic of Boost: that it keeps its properties from the beginning till the end of the life of the shoe, unlike any other cushioning I have tried.
ryushen21
Legend
I've had no luck finding shoes from just about any brand in a colorway that I like in the correct size for the last 6 months. I'm still riding it out in my Gel Resolution 7.
