Hiring remote: Content writer / review specialist in 3 Best Adidas Gym Shoes in 2024
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With almost 100 years in the making, Adidas continues to be one of the trusted brands in the athletic footwear industry. As a frontrunner in innovative shoe technology, the Three Stripes keeps adjusting its footwear to fit the specific requirements of gymgoers.
If you’re out looking for a new pair of Adidas gym shoes, you’re definitely in for a treat. Whether you need a pair of versatile workout shoes or a reliable weightlifting training shoe, Adidas has you covered.
To narrow down your best choices, we’ve tested, evaluated, and reviewed all the best Adidas gym shoes available. We have invested all our resources—money, time, energy, and expertise—to ensure that no stone is left unturned in finding out which shoes are the finest. Based on our meticulous testing, we put together our number-one picks in different categories.
How we test Adidas gym shoes
To make our best selections, we've put the Adidas gym shoes through rigorous testing, both at the gym and in our lab. We carefully examined the materials used and wore the shoes during our workouts. We checkd their comfort level, stability, and overall performance while performing specific styles of exercise.
Here are the steps that we follow to ensure we deliver the most objective and valuable reviews and top picks out there:
- We use our own money to buy the Adidas gym shoes. This way, we remove any bias or brand influence.
- We test each pair of shoes in the gym, executing various workout routines. This is the best way to get a feel for the shoes’ comfort, breathability, cushioning, durability, support.
- We test shoes inside our lab. We collect more info by quantifying and assessing the different characteristics of the shoes, including stability, flexibility, and more. Plus, we open the shoes up using our band saw to get a full sight of what we are dealing with.
Best Adidas gym shoes overall
What makes it the best?
Through our gym sessions and lab analysis, we conclude the underrated Dropset 2 is Adidas’ best gym shoe. Our lifts feel surefooted and stable, while our dynamic movements are easy to control. It cleverly mixes rigid and flexible elements to enhance support and comfort. What’s even more amazing is its unmatched breathability — perfect for heated sessions.
What keeps us surefooted throughout is the wide and moderately firm cushion. Upon cutting the shoe open, we discovered a dual-density foam which we measured with our durometer. The forefoot registers a balanced 31.1 HA for impact protection during jump workouts. Whereas the heel is a solid 47.0 HA for stability — a whopping 68.5% firmer than average. We didn’t feel any wobbles while catching a loaded barbell.
When we moved to dynamic workouts and lateral movements, we felt in control. We could easily hit the brakes with the grippy outsole and push on the gas with the unresisting midsole. Our bend test confirms it’s 14.9% more flexible than average.
The upper is pure bliss — saving our feet from hot gyms and sweaty feet. Its 5/5 rating in our breathability test doesn’t justify how heavenly it is. It features a unique Airflow Window in the sole and does just that — provides immense airflow.
At 11.9 oz (336g), this trainer feels chunky and heavy for treadmill and aerobics sessions.
Pros
- Mindblowingly breathable
- Grounded and stable platform
- Flat base for weightlifting
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Reliable protection for rope climbs
- Surprisingly flexible forefoot
- Excellent grip on gym floors
- Gusseted tongue
Cons
- Mesh is easily destroyed
- Clunky for aerobics and treadmill
Best Adidas gym shoes for weightlifting
What makes it the best?
Among all gym shoes from Adidas, it’s the Powerlift 5 that we deem most suitable for deadlifts, squats, and bench presses–the three major components of weightlifting. The perfectly stiff heel counter kept our feet in place. The amazingly twist-resistant base kept us flat on the ground. And the shoe’s light structure allowed us to enjoy all the benefits without putting so much strain on our feet.
We gave the heel counter a pretty good squeeze in the lab, and our experience there only confirmed what we enjoyed in the gym. The heel counter successfully resisted our maneuvers, so it got a perfect 5 for stiffness.
The same can be said about the shoe’s base. No matter how hard we bent and twisted it, it put up a lot of resistance. We were right in trusting that this shoe could definitely protect us from twists. The Adidas Powerlift 5 truly deserves the 5 out of 5 rating that we gave for torsional resistance.
Weighing only 15.0 oz or 425g, this shoe is shockingly lighter by 3.7 oz or 105 grams than the average. Walking and warming up while wearing this shoe was such a breeze.
The width of the toebox did not get the approval of the wide-footers among us. Measuring only 95.2 mm at its widest, this part of the shoe is actually 3.7 mm narrower than average.
Pros
- Stable base for moderate lifting
- Good for accessory exercises
- Solid bite on gym floors
- Secure foothold
- Supportive Velcro strap
- Reasonably priced
- Contains sustainable materials
Cons
- Lacks breathability
- Upper is not very durable
- Tongue shifts
Best Adidas gym shoes for deadlifting
What makes it the best?
We found the best Adidas trainer for deadlifting and it’s none other than The Total. Its firm platform, low-to-the-ground stance, wide base, and grippy outsole make it an ideal weightlifting shoe, giving us the confidence to power through intense strength sessions.
With a firm, low cushion, and no drop, ground contact feels very strong. Our lab confirms our observation as our caliper measurement is 12.5 mm in both the heel and forefoot, and our durometer reveals a 44.4% tougher-than-average cushion. All these elements lead to stability because we have better balance.
Further keeping us centered is the generous toebox that gives us more room for natural toe splay. It tapers gently towards the big toe area, which measures 8.7 mm wider than average. We remain planted to the ground with the strap and laces of the upper that firmly lock us down.We felt encouraged to dive into more challenging workouts thanks to the outsole that provides excellent grip on rough and smooth surfaces. This keeps us in control and activates the right muscle groups to prevent injuries.
Contrary to its name, The Total can’t handle all types of weightlifting. We found it too flimsy for very heavy weights as it emerged 44.8% more bendable than average in our flex test. We recommend serious lifters to use lifting-specific shoes.
Pros
- Ideal for deadlifting
- Great traction
- A lot of ground feel
- Plenty of toebox space
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Fairly priced
- Streamlined look
Cons
- Not so much breathability
- Not for heavy squats
A buyer’s guide on Adidas gym shoes
Adidas gym shoes are renowned for their premium materials and robust design, which make them perfect for demanding workouts and sporting activities. In addition to its cutting-edge technology and materials, Adidas is known for its creative designs that give athletes and fitness enthusiasts the finest support, cushioning, and stability possible.
But in the end, what determines the best Adidas shoe for you is its match with your workout needs.
What to look for in your future gym shoes from Adidas
When choosing Adidas gym shoes, there are various factors to consider to ensure that you get a pair that matches your demands and delivers comfort, support, and durability.
We recommend paying attention to the following:
Activity
Take into account the kind of activity you'll be performing in the shoes. Adidas offers gym shoes for a variety of activities, like jogging, cross-training, weightlifting, and more, so it's crucial to pick a pair that is made for that activity.
Here is a brief overview of the popular Adidas gym shoes:
| Shoe | Best for |
| Adidas Dropset Trainer | HIIT, weightlifting (light to moderate) |
| Adidas Adipower | weightlifting (heavy) |
| Adidas Power Perfect | weightlifting (moderate to heavy) |
| Adidas Powerlift | weightlifting (light to moderate) |
Quality
Look for gym shoes composed of strong yet breathable materials. They will keep your feet cool and cozy while still giving you the support you need.
In our lab, every Adidas shoe is tested for durability in its toebox, heel collar, outsole, etc. We press a Dremel against the materials to find out their abrasion resistance.
We assess and compare the damage caused by the Dremel and rate each shoe on a 1-5 scale.
We also check how breathable each shoe's upper is by pumping smoke through its upper.
Fit
Make sure that the shoes are snugly and comfortably fitting. To check that the toe box has enough room, the heel is snug but not too tight, and the shoes offer enough support, try them on and take a few steps around the room.
We measure the toebox of each Adidas shoe in both the widest part and around the big toe to help you understand how spacious it is.
FAQs about Adidas gym shoes
Do Adidas Gym shoes fit true to size?
Although Adidas gym shoes often run true to size, it's always a good idea to consult the sizing chart for the particular style of shoe you're considering buying. It's important to remember that different
Adidas shoe models may fit somewhat differently, so read reviews and, if feasible, try on various sizes to achieve a comfortable fit. Also, some people may choose a tighter or looser fit depending on their preference and the activities they'll be wearing the shoes for.
Can I run in Adidas gym shoes?
If you imply short-distance or warm-up runs on a treadmill, then the Dropset Trainer is going to work just fine for 2-3 miles.
But if you are talking about daily runs of longer distances, then you should definitely turn to the Ultraboost running shoes. They have a more suitable design for running and are significantly better cushioned for the job.
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