Buying guide for Best men’s Adidas shoes
A new pair of Adidas shoes is a gift for your feet. Designed for comfort, ergonomics, and safety, you simply can’t go wrong with a good pair of these well-engineered shoes. The question is which pair should you buy? The company has placed more than 600 models on the market, and while having an abundance of choice is good, it can feel like a challenge to find the right pair.
In this buying guide, we examine three of the most common types of men’s Adidas shoes: sneakers, running shoes, and basketball shoes. But these are not the only types of men’s shoes Adidas offers. For example, Adidas makes comfortable slides using many of the same technologies found in its closed-toe shoes. If you’re interested in a pair of Adidas slides, we invite you to take a look at our buying guide for those shoes as well.
Regardless of what you select, Adidas shoes are not cheap. However, we think you’ll find the extra dollars you spend to be worth the comfort and durability you get. Here, we provide an overview of Adidas’s most popular closed-toe shoes and the technologies that make them great.
Key considerations
Adidas sneakers
Sneakers are casual shoes that can be worn while walking about town, running errands, and spending time with friends. Adidas sneakers tend to have an athletic look even if they aren’t designed specifically for a sport. Within the men’s sneaker space, Adidas offers many product collections. Two of our favorites are also two of the most popular: NMD and Stan Smith.
NMD: Adidas describes its NMD line as “modern lifestyle” shoes. The shoes have Primeknit uppers and Boost midsoles designed to keep you comfortable all day. Because they don’t have as much support and structure as shoes made specifically for running and sports, however, they aren’t recommended for athletic purposes.
Stan Smith: Some readers will remember wearing Stan Smith tennis shoes as kids. These classic leather sneakers have been around since 1963. Now you have a choice of wearing Stan Smiths with the original leather upper or a more eco-friendly and lightweight design with a synthetic upper made of at least 50% recycled materials. Most Stan Smiths have a white body with a hint of color, but a few solid-color iterations exist, including the Hulk Stan Smiths with a black body and green trim.
Adidas running shoes
These shoes are engineered specifically for running. Before you shop, determine if you need shoes for casual running or trail running. For the latter, Adidas makes a specific line of trail running shoes. For casual and street running, there are too many collections to name here, but two of the most popular are the vast Ultraboost collection and the much smaller offering of Supernova shoes.
Ultraboost: The Adidas Ultraboost collection, introduced in 2015, is quite possibly the most popular group of shoes from the company. Ultraboosts are marketed as sneakers as well as running shoes. The company’s Boost technology, which we cover in depth in our Features section, takes center stage in this collection with shoes that offer outstanding comfort and a far greater energy return than standard shoes. The enhanced energy return works courtesy of hundreds of interconnected “energy capsules” found in each sole.
Supernova: Although the Supernova group is far less diverse than the Ultraboost group, it has a strong following. Runners who prefer the Adidas Bounce technology over Boost technology tend to appreciate these shoes, which come in a lively bunch of colors and are marketed for men and women.
Adidas basketball shoes
Adidas basketball shoes are made for their namesake sport, but you can also wear them when playing volleyball and as casual footwear. You’ll need to decide if you want low-cut, mid-top, or high-top shoes. The latter provides the most ankle support, but some people don’t like how they feel.
The D.O.N. and Harden collections are two of Adidas’s most popular basketball shoe groupings. Here’s a look at each.
D.O.N.: These signature shoes are named for NBA player Donovan Mitchell, aka “Spider,” of the Utah Jazz. There are three issues of the D.O.N. basketball shoe: #3, #2, and #1. Issue #3 is the most recent. It was premiered by Mitchell in the 2020-2021 NBA playoffs and became available to the public in summer 2021. The look of these shoes has been described as “quirky” by some.
Harden: Another signature shoe, Adidas Hardens are named after NBA player James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets. Volume 5 is the most recent iteration of the colorful Harden shoe. Released in early 2021, it features a Boost midsole with proprietary Lightstrike cushioning and many fun and funky colorway combinations.
Did You Know?
Check out the weight of your selected Adidas shoes. Running shoes tend to be lighter than walking shoes, allowing you to move quickly in them. Walking shoes tend to be heavier so you feel more grounded and stable as you walk.
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Features
Technologies
If you’re new to Adidas shoes, you might feel like you need a glossary when shopping. The company has put forth many different technologies, all aimed at enhancing wearer comfort and ergonomics.
The specs of each shoe indicate which technologies are featured. Here is a shortlist of common terms.
Primeknit upper: This is a seamless mesh upper found on numerous Adidas shoes. It wraps around the foot much like a knit sock. Breathability is a key feature here. Despite its woven appearance and inherent flexibility, Primeknit uppers are designed to provide the foot with targeted support.
Forgedmesh upper: This is another type of upper found on Adidas shoes. Like Primeknit, it’s a seamless mesh that allows the foot to breathe. Its ribbed design is meant to address pressure points and allow expansion and movement as needed.
Boost midsole: This is one of Adidas’s most celebrated technologies. It was introduced in 2013 and is found in the brand’s athletic shoes as well as its everyday shoes. The cellular structure of these midsoles creates a springy feel that helps maximize energy return. Users have described shoes with Boost technology as “plushy” with the ability to withstand high impacts.
Bounce midsole: Unlike Boost midsoles, Bounce midsoles have a good amount of bounce to them. This makes them great for running and sprinting. The technology is less “plush” and more reactive than Boost technology.
4D midsole: The Adidas 4D midsole is an airy, lattice-like midsole that is 3D printed by Adidas in partnership with Carbon, maker of 3D printers. Its design is similar to that of the Boost midsole in that it delivers a plushy feel and running economy. Shoes in the Alphaedge line have a 4D midsole.
Torsion System technology: Adidas shoes with Torsion System technology have a light thermoplastic arch support, sometimes called a Torsion Bridge, that supports the middle of the foot. The placement of the arch allows the ball and toe area (forefoot) and the rear part of the foot (rearfoot) greater independence, thereby creating more control and stability during movement. Adidas shoes with Torsion tech are suitable for a wide range of sports.
Did You Know?
Recycled beach and marine refuse are key components of Adidas Primeblue material. This material is part of the company’s initiative to use only recycled polyester materials by 2024.
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Pricing
Inexpensive: For under $40, there are a few pairs of clearance Adidas sneakers available as well as a handful of cleats. If you’re in the market for a pair of Adidas slides, it’s fairly easy to find them in this low price range. However, you are unlikely to find many (or any) sneakers, running shoes, or basketball shoes from Adidas in this price range.
Mid-range: Sneakers and running shoes are easier to find between $40 and $60. The higher the price, the more choices are available. However, some lines simply aren’t found in this middle range. If you see shoes in the D.O.N. or Harden line for under $60, they are probably on clearance in order to make way for the newest iterations.
Expensive: If you want the biggest and best Adidas has to offer, expect to spend a minimum of $60 and as much as $250. This includes some high-end soccer cleats, specialty shoes like the Adipower weightlifting shoes, and shoes with the aforementioned 4D technology.
Did You Know?
Whereas Primeblue consists of partially recycled materials, Adidas Primegreen material contains no virgin plastic, meaning all parts of the material have been recycled.
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Tips
- Check out the payment plans available for Adidas shoes and other merchandise. Look on the company website to find out how to pay for your shoes in interest-free installments through a service like Klarna.
- Beware of counterfeit Adidas shoes. You can check your shoes for authenticity by writing down the serial numbers on the shoe tags and entering those numbers on the Adidas website.
- Check the return policy. Most Adidas shoes run true to size. However, it has been said that the company’s basketball shoes are on the narrow side and that NMD shoes run on the large side. Note your seller’s return policy before purchasing just in case you need to make an exchange.
FAQ
Q. Are some Adidas shoes for men also available in women’s sizes?
A. Yes. Sizing equivalents are supplied by the company and are often provided by online retailers as well. For example, a men’s size 8 pair of these Ultra 4D running shoes is equivalent to a women’s size 9.
Q. Can I wear running shoes for walking?
A. The jury is divided on this one. Running shoes tend to have more cushioning than walking shoes, which you may appreciate. But when you walk, you need plenty of flexibility to accommodate your heel-toe movements, and due to their construction, running shoes are often less flexible than walking shoes.
Q. Can I wash my Adidas in the machine?
A. Some Adidas shoes can be laundered, but before you toss them in the washing machine, we encourage you to visit this page on the company’s website for detailed information about how to clean each type of Adidas shoe. For example, it provides step-by-step instructions on how to clean Adidas sneakers with a washcloth and a small amount of soapy water. Information is also provided on how to clean running shoes, basketball shoes, and cleats for soccer, football, and baseball.
