Our verdict

If only two words could be associated with this sneaker, it is ‘great comfort.’ Wear testing the Adidas Campus 00S, we couldn't help but include it in our lists of must-haves. Apart from its badass retro skater look, we love taking it for long walks as it is supremely padded, delivering additional comfort every stride.

Pros

  • Extremely padded tongue and collar
  • Astounding comfort
  • Awesome for daily and casual wear
  • Spot-on fit
  • Soft leather upper
  • Worth the price
  • Old-school vibes
  • Stylish for casual fits
  • Comes with two extra sets of laces

Cons

  • Slightly heavier than usual
  • Its midsole’s a tad firm
  • Difficult to clean and maintain

Audience verdict

93
Great!

Who should buy

Based on our lab tests and actual experience while wearing the sneaker, we conclude that the Adidas Campus 00S is suitable for the following:

  • wearers who appreciate insanely thick tongues
  • sneakerheads who have medium-sized feet
  • people who do not mind wearing footwear that is made from genuine leather

Adidas Campus 00S buy

Who shoud NOT buy

This Adidas sneaker is definitely on the firmer side. It is more for ground feel than impact protection. This was a non-issue for us, but there might be others who would want their shoes to be softer. They are better off with trainers like the PUMA RS-X and the Adidas Alphaboost V1.

Though the Adidas Campus 00S is definitely not the heaviest sneaker out there, there are other options that are lighter and more comfortable than it is. One of such trainers is the ASICS Gel Lyte III.

Adidas Campus 00S spread out

Cushioning

Heel stack

It's not difficult to see that the midsole of this Adidas sneaker is on the thinner side. 

Adidas Campus 00S heel stack

True enough, the heel's thickness is only 24.6 mm, a figure that is significantly lower than average.

Adidas Campus 00S Heel stack
Test results
Campus 00S 24.6 mm
Average 29.6 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
16.9 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

Just like the heel, the forefoot is also thinner at only 14.5 mm. 

Adidas Campus 00S forefoot stack

Now, is this a reason to complain? For us, it isn't. The thinness of the midsole allowed us to feel the ground more and gain more control over our movements. The lower profile also contributed to the stability that we enjoyed during our walks.

Adidas Campus 00S Forefoot stack
Test results
Campus 00S 14.5 mm
Average 18.7 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
9.7 mm
Forefoot stack
28.3 mm

Drop

Even with the reduction in the thickness of the midsole, the drop of this Adidas sneaker remained similar to the average. 

Based on our calculations, the heel-to-toe drop is 10.1 mm. Based on the video above, this resulted in a relatively smooth heel-to-toe transition.

Adidas Campus 00S Drop
Test results
Campus 00S 10.1 mm
Average 10.9 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
3.5 mm
Drop
22.6 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Aside from its lower profile, the shoe's firm midsole was also good news when it came to stability. We did not even have second thoughts about running as fast as we could while wearing the Campus 00S!

In the video above, it can be seen just how resistant the midsole is even when purposely pressed against a hard surface. Our HA durometer in the lab measured the midsole's firmness to be 37.1, which is way higher (therefore firmer) than average.

We understand that some people may want trainers that offer more cushioning. They are going to be happier with shoes like the Alphaboost V1, which is still from Adidas.

Adidas Campus 00S Midsole softness
Test results
Campus 00S 37.1 HA
Average 29.3 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 63 trainers
Number of shoes
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
60.0 HA

Insole thickness

Just like the midsole, the insole is also thinner at only 3.1 mm. Still, this removable part still delivered comfort as it should.

Adidas Campus 00S Insole thickness
Test results
Campus 00S 3.1 mm
Average 5.1 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
14.2 mm

Size and fit

Size

Adidas Campus 00S is slightly large (216 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

Small True to size Large
Compared to 96 trainers
Number of shoes
Small
True to size
Large

Toebox width - widest part

When it comes to size, the Adidas Campus 00S was just like any other shoe that we tried. The widest part of its toebox was 98.2 mm wide.

Adidas Campus 00S Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Campus 00S 98.2 mm
Average 98.8 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
91.3 mm
Toebox width - widest part
107.7 mm

Toebox width - big toe

At the big toe, the toebox is 73.6 mm wide based on the readings made by our in-lab calliper.

Adidas Campus 00S Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Campus 00S 73.6 mm
Average 74.9 mm
Compared to 79 trainers
Number of shoes
63.7 mm
Toebox width - big toe
83.0 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Lateral stability was a bit of a challenge, especially on the medial side. The sidewalls weren't as stiff as expected. It's just a good thing that the midsole wasn't that high and was not at all wobbly.

Torsional rigidity

When we were wear-testing the Adidas Campus 00S, we noticed just how resistant it was to twisting. Even when we accidentally stepped on debris, the base never gave in.

We brought the shoe to the lab, gave it a good twist, and we were so impressed that we gave it a 4 out of 5 for torsional rigidity. We had to exert so much effort before we could twist the sneaker!

Test results
Campus 00S 4
Average 3.5
Compared to 79 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

We had reservations with the sidewalls, but the heel counter was definitely fire! The back of our feet just felt so secure. 

The heel counter showed so much resistance even when we were manually squeezing it inside the lab. It held its own so well that we had to give it a 4 over 5 for stiffness.

Test results
Campus 00S 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 79 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

The platform was a little narrower than average in the forefoot area. Our calliper measured it to be only 106.3 mm wide. 

We have to take note, though, that this slight reduction in width fortunately did not result in a significant decrease in stability. We were still able to walk or even run with confidence when the situation called for such actions.

Adidas Campus 00S Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Campus 00S 106.3 mm
Average 108.5 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
95.1 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
121.0 mm

Midsole width - heel

In the heel area, the platform was just as wide as average. Based on our calliper measurements, this part of the shoe is 82.6 mm wide.

Adidas Campus 00S Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Campus 00S 82.6 mm
Average 83.1 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
67.7 mm
Midsole width - heel
103.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

During our walks around town, we noticed that the Adidas Campus 00S offered a moderate amount of flexibility. In the lab, we learned that this Adidas sneaker needed 19.9N of force to bend at 90 degrees. A typical sneaker would need just about the same amount of force.

Test results
Campus 00S 19.9N
Average 22.9N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
5.8N
Stiffness
60.5N

Weight

Admittedly, we felt a little bit more weight than usual when we wore the Adidas Campus 00S. True enough, our weighing scale pegged this sneaker at 14.9 ounces or 422 grammes.

Don't get us wrong, though; the additional weight was not and will never be a deal breaker. The difference from the average is not that great, anyway.

Adidas Campus 00S Weight
Test results
Campus 00S 14.89 oz (422g)
Average 13.86 oz (393g)
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
8.50 oz (241g)
Weight
22.61 oz (641g)

Breathability

We were so thankful that the Adidas Campus 00S was not as toasty as the Reebok Classic Leather. On the contrary, we could even say that this Adidas sneaker is among the most breathable that we have ever tried.

As seen in the video above, smoke easily escaped through the tongue and the strategically placed ventilation holes in the upper.

The video above also shows the ventilation holes completely working as they should: to allow air (and light) to pass through.

Adidas Campus 00S upper microscope

Under the microscope, it became clear to us that leather is indeed not the best material when it comes to ventilation. Our microscope shots do not show any pore where air could pass through. Fortunately, the Adidas Campus 00S features strategically placed ventilation holes, effectively saving us from any form of uncomfortable toastiness.

Adidas Campus 00S Breathability
Test results
Campus 00S 4
Average 3
Compared to 79 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

To see whether or not the Adidas Campus 00S is indeed made of real leather, we subjected various parts of the upper to our fire test. The video below shows the tongue area quickly melting the moment our flame touched it. This result indicates that the tongue is made of synthetic materials.

The larger part of the upper, on the other hand, is made of genuine leather. After torching a small part of the heel area for a few seconds, we probed the burnt area with our awl. As the video below shows, the material isn't easy to burn: an indicator of its being genuine.

Test results
Campus 00S Real leather

Toebox durability

Being made of leather, we had very little doubt about the durability of the upper. The moment we put it on, we already felt its overall resistance to many forms of abrasion.

Still, we subjected the toebox to our standard Dremel test. We were happy with how resistant the material was, and we gave it a solid 4 out of 5 for durability.

Adidas Campus 00S Toebox durability
Test results
Campus 00S 4
Average 3.8
Compared to 79 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

Just by looking at it, we were already so sure that the heel area was made of fabric. Upon wearing it, we were so pleased with its softness and overall comfort.

The heel area is expected to constantly rub against the rearfoot. Hence, it is right to expect it to at least be resistant to rubbing. True enough, this part of the shoe showed moderate resistance during our Dremel test, garnering a score of 3 out of 5. 

Adidas Campus 00S Heel padding durability
Test results
Campus 00S 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 79 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

The outsole of the Adidas Campus 00S was just as hard as any other sneaker that we tested before. True enough, our HC durometer pegged its hardness at 85.4, a figure that does not deviate much from the average.

Adidas Campus 00S Outsole hardness
Test results
Campus 00S 85.4 HC
Average 85.4 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 79 trainers
Number of shoes
72.9 HC
Outsole hardness
91.3 HC

Outsole durability

Given that the hardness rating of the outsole was just around the average, we also expected this part of the shoe to be just as durable as the average as well. Though outdoor use is OK with this one, using this shoe on rough surfaces shouldn't be done frequently.

True enough, our high-pressure Dremel test resulted in a dent that was 1.2 mm deep.

Adidas Campus 00S Outsole durability
Test results
Campus 00S 1.2 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 79 trainers
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Through our calliper measurements, we learned that the outsole was just as thick as the typical sneaker outsole. It's 5.3 mm thick.

Adidas Campus 00S Outsole thickness
Test results
Campus 00S 5.3 mm
Average 5.4 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Outsole thickness
12.5 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

Just as long as we didn't use these shoes for aggressive moves, its outsole performance was just great. The pattern engraved in it just worked as it should, and we were covered in multiple directions.

Adidas Campus 00S sole pattern

Tongue padding

The padding was just a bomb! It was thicker than anything that we tried. At 23.0 mm thick, the tongue of this Adidas sneaker was almost three times thicker than average!

How did it feel, you ask? C.O.M.F.O.R.T.A.B.L.E. The top of our feet felt like royalty!

Adidas Campus 00S Tongue padding
Test results
Campus 00S 23.0 mm
Average 9.1 mm
Compared to 80 trainers
Number of shoes
0.7 mm
Tongue padding
38.4 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The Campus 00S has a non-gusseted design just like many shoes that are structured the more traditional way.

Test results
Campus 00S None

Heel tab

This Adidas sneaker does not have a heel tab. Not that it needed it though since this shoe's opening was wide enough for our feet to easily slide in.

Adidas Campus 00S Heel tab
Test results
Campus 00S None

Removable insole

The insole was removable, and it was quite easy to take it out when there was a need to use inserts.

Adidas Campus 00S Removable insole
Test results
Campus 00S Yes