Summary

We spent 8.7 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what tennis players think:

9 reasons to buy

  • A considerable sum of playtesters said the Adidas Barricade 2018 has a solid structure.
  • Many cited that the chassis offers stability during lunges and twists regardless of the court's surface.
  • As noted by several athletes, the seamless mesh upper stretches well providing optimal comfort during movements.
  • Users were satisfied with the modified herringbone tread pattern that grants excellent traction, especially on hard courts.
  • According to some commenters, the medium arch support prevented foot discomfort.
  • With a price that's less than $200, several buyers found this Barricade edition good value for their money.
  • Athletes lauded the responsive Adiprene cushioning unit on the heel.
  • Sports enthusiasts looking for tennis shoes with an abrasion-resistant toe bumper that offers protection during foot drag ended up purchasing the Adidas Barricade 2018.
  • This footgear stretches well after giving it a couple of hours of break-in time, as mentioned by a handful.

3 reasons not to buy

  • Compared to the Barricade 2016 and Barricade 2017 that lasted for several months, this shoe wore out in weeks, according to some unsatisfied Adidas tennis shoe loyalists.
  • It requires a lot of time to break this in, more than a few wearers say. 
  • It would have been better if this has more forefoot cushioning, according to few users.

Bottom line

The 2018 edition of the Adidas Barricade delivers exceptional comfort, support, and flexibility to aide pro players in chasing after the ball on varying court surfaces. Stability tendered by its midfoot chassis prevented sudden ankle twists during extreme directional movements, making it the trademark feature of the shoe. The Barricade 2018 also granted a snug and comfy fit with its modified no-sew mesh upper.

Tip: see the best tennis shoes.

Facts

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Video reviews and unboxing

Built on the success of the market-leading Adidas Barricade tennis shoe franchise is the modified, all-court Adidas Barricade 2018. The Adidas Barricade was once supported by court wizard Novak Djokovic before his transition to Asics. Like the earlier versions from the same hood, the 2018 edition of the Adidas Barricade allows pro athletes and court enthusiasts to move on the hard, grass, or clay court with the assurance that they can get the needed support and stability during quick, side-to-side movements.

A step away from the knitted 2017 version, this 2018 edition features a seamless mesh upper that’s stretchy enough, allowing ample room for the foot to flex during court matches. Players can get better control of the game since this shoe is built with the Barricade chassis that grants stability in the midfoot and flexibility on the forefoot.

Material. Durability is one of the selling points of the Barricade 2018 as its bottom part, which is suitable for different court surfaces, is made of Adiwear 6. This proprietary rubber outsole unit by Adidas is wear-resistant and exceptionally durable. Adidas is offering a six-month durability guarantee for this shoe.

Traction. The modified herringbone tread pattern on the Adiwear 6 provides traction and prevents athletes from sudden slips.

Support. Darting around the court consists of a lot of quick stops and twists. Adidas utilized the 3D triangular Barricade chassis in the midfoot for stability. The main purpose of this feature is to prevent the foot arch from falling, especially for those who are prone to overpronate. The chassis also limits the chances of athletes developing muscle and tendon soreness during long and rigorous matches.

This same feature which is found on the earlier versions of the Barricade is placed in the midfoot, stretching towards the rear side to keep the heel stable while allowing freedom of movement in the forefoot.

Arch support. Its slightly low arch support is fitted for those who tend to have their feet tilted inwards. It particularly addresses the shoe requirement of flat-footed wearers.

Cushioning. The midsole is also built with an elastic Adiprene cushioning to keep the feet, especially the heel, protected against impact. Those who prefer a more cushioned sole may try the Adidas Barricade 2018 Boost.

Covering. Unlike the previous profile, the knitted Adidas Barricade 2017, the Barricade 18 is covered with a flexible and breathable forged mesh that grants a custom, glove-like fit. 

Padding. This seamless upper makeup is complemented by a GEOFIT feature on the collar, a Memory Foam-resembling component that molds to the anatomical shape of the ankle area for in-shoe comfort.

Layering. The Adituff abrasion-resistant compound is another element integrated on the upper of the 2018 Barricade iteration that offers protection to the foot. It acts as a shield for the toes as the foot drags across abrasive surfaces like concrete courts.

  • Other variations of the Barricade 2018 are the Adidas Barricade 2018 Boost and the Adidas Barricade 2018 LTD.
  • Some of the athletes who sported this shoe at the US Open 2018 were Dominic Thiem, Sascha Zverev, Jelena Ostapenko, Angelique Kerber, and Garbine Muguruza.