Adidas Anthony Edwards 2 review

Having analysed the AE 2's advantages and drawbacks, we believe that this shoe is likely to match players who:

• want a moderately priced signature shoe with solid performance
• need reliable ankle support and stability without sacrificing rebound and responsiveness
• expect the best durability for money

While its above-average energy return encourages speed and propulsion, we found that the AE 2's heavy build holds it back from being a true speedster for guards and wings. If you want equally high energy return in a notably lighter setup, try the Nike Sabrina 3 or the Nike A'One.

And if you want the AE 1-level traction, you may have to turn to the Adidas D.O.N. Issue 7 instead.

The AE 2 inherits the BOOST and Lightstrike combo of its predecessor, but it now features the Light BOOST version as the primary cushioning foam.

Our lab tests showed that this change resulted in a minor decrease in shock absorption. At 99 SA in the heel and 66 SA in the forefoot, the AE 2's impact protection reduced slightly compared to the v1 and the category average.

While it's not ideal for bigger players seeking max-cushioned shoes, the AE 2 balances impact protection and court feel for high-speed players like Edwards himself.

However, we did see a significant improvement in the AE 2's charged and responsive ride, which launched us off the court with notably less effort.

The new foam combo and the Propulsion Plate helped to increase the shoe's forefoot energy return by as much as 10.4%, reaching 65.3% in the AE 2! Meanwhile, its heel's rebound remained above-average at 60.8%.

Sure, it's not the most explosive hoop shoe we've tested in our lab, but this Adidas offering delivers great bounce for its moderate price point.

Slicing the Adidas AE 2 in half and measuring its stack height with a digital calliper confirmed that its platform doesn't deviate from the v1 or from the category average.

Our tool showed a standard reading of 28.0 mm at the heel of the shoe.

The same proved to be true for the shoe's forefoot stack. We recorded 20.6 mm of platform thickness in the ball-of-foot area.

The heel-to-toe drop, therefore, came in at a standard 7.4 mm. Neither too low, nor too high, it sits in the 'do-not-think-about-it' zone for most players, placing the foot in a comfortably ergonomic position.

Thoroughly examining the shoe's midsole anatomy, we found that the Light BOOST clearly dominates its cushioning scene. And just like in the original AE 1, it's not the softest compound.

Based on our durometer measurements, the BOOST has a moderately soft nature at 25.5 HA, which is on par with the average basketball shoe foam.

This edition of the Anthony Edwards shoe offers a more predictable medium fit with no aggressive tapering or pressure points.

Relying on a one-to-one gel mould of its interiors, we measured the shoe's widest area at 92.1 mm. This is exactly what you would expect from a basketball shoe in a D-width (men's US size 9).

Even the narrower part of the shoe's toebox brought no surprises, with a regular width of 71.6 mm at the big toe.

Thus, we expect this Adidas shoe to fit most players' foot shapes comfortably.

Even the shoes' sturdy upper panels didn't cause any trouble, and our toes enjoyed sufficient vertical wiggle room.

The AE 2 offers a decent toebox height of 25.2 mm, which is optimal for a basketball shoe.

The original AE shoe's gripping capacity was truly unmatched, keeping us surefooted on the most aggressive cuts and abrupt stops.

So we genuinely couldn't understand why Adidas would mess things up in the AE 2, reducing its friction coefficient from the whopping 0.85 to the moderate 0.61! After testing both shoes in the same setup on the same slab of professional hardwood flooring, we were disappointed by the results.

While the AE 2's traction isn't bad per se, it doesn't cling to the court as effectively as the v1 did.

Visually assessing the differences between the two shoes' outsole designs, we found that the AE 2's tread lines grew thicker and more closely packed.

The original AE shoe was moderately stiff to begin with, but the update got even stiffer, most likely due to the modifications to the shoe's plate and new upper overlays.

The amount of force it takes to bend the shoe by 30 degrees increased from 20.9N in the AE 1 to 24.2N in the AE 2, placing the latter into the stiffer side of the spectrum.

But the added rigidity only enhances the shoe's speed-oriented identity, making the power transfer more efficient.

All the tweaks and updates we observed in the second Anthony Edwards shoe had little effect on its weight. The shoe still belongs to the hefty bunch at 15.1 oz (428g) in a men's US size 9.

Although the shoe's robust upper doesn't suggest much breathability, our smoke-pumping test revealed that it offers decent ventilation!

Despite its thick textile, rubber, and plastic overlays, the gaps on the sides and tongue allow for some essential airflow.

Our microscope test also confirmed that the jersey fabric throughout its upper is sufficiently porous to let the air in and out of the shoe.

All in all, you can expect the same moderate breathability from the AE 2 as the AE 1 offered. Both shoes got a middle-ground score of 3 out of 5, which is good enough as far as basketball shoes are concerned.

The Adidas Anthony Edwards 2 feels a touch more forgiving than the previous version, but it harnessed our feet just as effectively and kept them planted just as securely as before.

Its side-to-side containment never allowed our feet to buckle or feel off-balance during intense shuffles or lateral slides.

The plastic shank (green) still runs the entire length of this Anthony Edwards shoe, but it is now enhanced with a Propulsion Plate in the midfoot (black).

We already saw how it contributed to the shoe's energy return, and now it has also proven to be an essential component of the shoe's torsional rigidity.

Even though the new upper offered a bit more give, the sturdy platform kept the shoe's overall stiffness high, earning a 4/5 score.

The heel counter also remains massively supportive in this Adidas shoe!

From generous collar padding and ankle pillows on the inside to sturdy plastic caging on the outside, we experienced the most powerful heel and ankle hold in the AE 2.

We didn't hesitate to rate its stiffness at 4/5 in our manual test.

The shoe's insurance policy against ankle twists is further enhanced by its nice and broad platform dimensions.

We couldn't complain about a lack of landing area in this Adidas shoe thanks to its pronounced outriggers. Measuring the widest part of its midsole at the forefoot, we got an impressive 120.4 mm.

The AE 2 didn't skimp on the rearfoot platform either, reaching 94.5 mm between the most extended points. This is well above the category average.

The Adidas AE 2 proves that you don't always have to shell out for a high-durability hoop shoe.

The top of its toebox stoically resisted the Dremel for 12 seconds, showing practically no signs of damage. What's more, the rubberized panels on its sides can withstand the tightest traffic.

Both earn the shoe a solid 4/5 score for toebox durability.

The textile inside the shoe's collar also resisted some serious in-shoe friction with flying colors. Having exposed it to sandpaper on our Dremel, the damage was minor enough to rate the AE 2's heel padding durability with a high score of 4/5.

Last but not least, the translucent rubber on the outsole of this Adidas hoop shoe also proved to be exceptionally hard-wearing. The blend didn't allow the Dremel to go anywhere deeper than 0.5 mm!

That's a fantastic result for a hoop shoe in this price range!

Our calliper measurements also revealed that the AE 2's outsole grew thicker, reaching an above-average 4.9 mm. This is yet another bonus point for the shoe's outsole durability.

But the question is, do we recommend this Adidas shoe for outdoor courts? Not exactly. While the outsole material itself is thick and wear-resistant, the tread pattern on it is not optimal for the rough blacktop.

A well-padded insole contributes to the AE 2's in-shoe comfort. We measured its thickness at 3.7 mm in the heel area.

You also have the option to remove the stock insole if you want to place a custom orthotic. Gladly, the shoe's internal space allows it.

The plastic piece on top of the shoe's toebox turned out to be reflective. We don't see that often on basketball shoes.

The AE 2's tongue is moderately padded compared to the heel collar. Our calliper recorded a below-average reading of 5.5 mm.

A semi-gusseted tongue contributes to the shoe's secure containment, minimising the unwanted shifting.

Anthony Edwards’s second shoe comes at a higher price—a typical jump for models that follow a successful signature debut. But although the AE 2 builds upon the first shoe's strong performance, it's not a major upgrade.

No pull tabs or finger loops are to be found on the AE 2.