Adidas Racer TR21 review

Adidas Racer TR21 review

The Adidas Racer TR21 is a casual sneaker constructed with recycled materials. Adidas asserts, “This product is made with Primegreen, a series of high-performance recycled materials. 50% of the upper is recycled content. No virgin polyester.”

In contrast to its name, this is not a racing shoe, but the design does harken back to the early days of some of the first racing shoes decades ago. As it is, this is a comfortable everyday sneaker with enough attractive elements to be suitable for just about any occasion. 

Who should buy the shoe

The Adidas Racer TR21 is recommended for you if you are looking for:

• an environmentally friendly casual shoe 
• a comfortable shoe for everyday commute, getting around town or walking the dog around the neighborhood

Who should NOT buy it

The Racer TR21 is not for you if you:

• really want a racing shoe (the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2.0 is highly recommended)
• are looking for a shoe meant for long-distance runs (in this case, consider the Ultraboost 21)

Casual wear meets athletic cut

I’ll admit I was a little reticent when opening the box, wondering where and how I would be wearing these shoes. They’re not constructed well enough to actually run in. They’re not dressy enough for work. I found the sweet spot in those casual moments where I’m looking to wear something comfortable around town, still attractive, but nothing too formal. 

In fact, they are an ideal match for those occasions to get around town for just about any of those moments when you want something comfortable and at the same time fashionable to wear. Sure, I wish there was a bit more detail here and there, but overall, the Racer TR21 is a great shoe to wear just about anywhere.

Athletic comfy fit 

One thing I have come to love about the Racer TR21 is just how snug these shoes fit for all-day wear. As I mentioned previously, they embody a retro athletic design, which provides for comfort in today’s world with an attractive cut. 

I’ve worn these with all sorts of socks, pants, and shorts, and through it all, they fit nicely. I’m really pleased that using these for regular commuting through town, there still was minimal wear and plenty of comforts. They don’t fit as snug as some running shoes, but again, we’re not wearing these to run in, so you’ll be good to go.

All-day comfort in the Racer TR21

Even with a retro design, the Adidas Racer TR21 provides for all-day comfort. At first glance, one may not be impressed with the construction of the upper and midsole. The design is a bit basic with some of the cuts along with the laces and the midsole. But once you put these on, you realize just how comfortable these can be. 

I have worn these around the office, walking through town, long walks along gravel roads, and even out on the bike--through it all, these shoes are comfortable.  

The midsole boasts a CloudfoamSUPER cushioning, which allows for plenty of support throughout the day. I did notice my toes feeling a bit worn after a full day of walking around town in these, but overall, I’ve been impressed with these comfortable shoes.

Ready to use right out of the box

This running shoe is ready to be worn out of the box and only gets more comfortable the longer you wear them. The construction of the upper for the Racer TR21 is all about comfort. The tongue is easily adjustable and provides just enough cushion. The laces have an open, but allow for a great fit– ”squishy” is the first word that comes to mind when tightening the upper. 

Super breathable upper

The rest of the upper is constructed of a super breathable mesh. As mentioned previously, this may not be ideal for cold and wet weather but is really comfortable in the heat and mild weather.

Minimal arch support

Staying in form with the retro design, the rest of the midsole is pretty basic, with minimal arch support and moderate width. But let’s be honest, we’re not planning to wear these backpacking or running marathons, so they offer plenty of support for the average person.

Conclusion

Can a shoe be designed from recycled materials and still be constructed well enough for all-day comfort? Can that same shoe be attractive enough to draw out compliments from friends and strangers alike? The answer is yes for the Adidas Racer TR21. I was pleasantly surprised by the comfort and durability of these shoes that do not pretend to be anything they aren’t (besides the misleading “Racer” model name).