Our verdict

Upon testing the Adidas Dropset Trainer, we can conclude that it's a well-rounded option for both plyometric exercises and moderate weightlifting. We are happy that Adidas finally came up with a cross-trainer that doesn't feel like a running shoe, offering plenty of stability for various gym activities. If it wasn't for its bulky setup and frail upper, we believe that it could compete with the big-boy Crossfit shoes.

Pros

  • Balance of ground feel and cushioning
  • Very stable platform
  • OK for rope jumping
  • Comfortable in-shoe feel
  • Highly breathable
  • Super hard-wearing outsole
  • Fairly flexible
  • Good grip
  • Sustainable materials

Cons

  • Poor upper durability
  • Pretty heavy

Audience verdict

90
Great!

Who should buy

Based on our lab findings and workout sessions, we think that the Adidas Dropset Trainer will please the gymgoers who:

  • need an all-purpose training shoe
  • do moderate types of workouts
  • focus more on lifting than on running in their regimen

Adidas Dropset Trainer review

Who should NOT buy

It's a pretty dang heavy trainer! Especially if you are used to the more nimble kind of shoes. In that case, we recommend the Nike Free Metcon 5 instead.

This Adidas gym shoe also lacks wear resistance in the upper which shortens its lifespan significantly and makes it awful for rope climbs. Our top choices for durability are the Nike Metcon 8 or the Reebok Nano X3 instead.

Adidas Dropset Trainer lab test

Cushioning

Heel stack

The Dropset Trainer hits a sweet spot with its stack height.

We measured the heel at 24.5 mm, which is the average for training shoes. This is enough cushioning to keep the foot protected for plyometrics while making you feel connected to the ground.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Heel stack
Test results
Dropset Trainer 24.5 mm
Average 24.8 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Heel stack
36.2 mm

Forefoot stack

In the forefoot, the stack height also shows a pretty average result. Our calliper gives a reading of 16.8 mm.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Forefoot stack

This amount of stack height made us feel very much in control of the movements. It also created a nice buffer when skipping rope.

Test results
Dropset Trainer 16.8 mm
Average 18.4 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
27.7 mm

Drop

The brand states that the heel-to-toe drop in this Adidas shoe is 6 mm. However, according to our own measurements, it turned out to be 7.7 mm. This is a bit tall for a cross-training shoe as the typical offset hovers around 4-6 mm.

But we believe that for an average athlete, 8 mm of heel elevation is not going to cause any discomfort. On the contrary, it provides some extra cushioning and benefits the ankle when squatting with weight.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Drop
Test results
Dropset Trainer 7.7 mm
Average 6.4 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1.8 mm
Drop
13.4 mm

Midsole softness

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

As expected from a proper cross-trainer, the Adidas Dropset comes with a nice and firm heel. This is crucial for keeping the foot planted on the floor when lifting and is also important for overall stability.

Turning to our durometer, we found that it is as firm as 32.8 HA, which is a good 21% firmer than the average!

Adidas Dropset Trainer Midsole softness

Test results
Dropset Trainer 32.8 HA
Average 27.8 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
17.4 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
41.0 HA

Insole thickness

Extra underfoot padding is provided by an insole. We measured it at 4.3 mm which is a little thicker than the average.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Insole thickness
Test results
Dropset Trainer 4.3 mm
Average 3.9 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1.7 mm
Insole thickness
7.2 mm

Size and fit

Size

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Toebox width - widest part

We used a calliper to measure the shoe's toebox in its widest part. The tool shows 101.4 mm which is exactly the average for training shoes. We consider it a medium toebox.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Dropset Trainer 101.4 mm
Average 100.4 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
90.4 mm
Toebox width - widest part
108.5 mm

Toebox width - big toe

Repeating the measurement in the narrower part of the toebox (around the big toe), we made sure that the Dropset Trainer doesn't have a pointy shape. As it turns out, it does not.

At 77.1 mm, it is a little bit narrower than the average 79 mm but still within the medium-width range.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Toebox width at the big toe

We believe that the Adidas Dropset Trainer works best for people with average-sized feet. Wide footers may want to get half a size larger because the shoe's upper material has absolutely no give.

Test results
Dropset Trainer 77.1 mm
Average 78.8 mm
Compared to 34 training shoes
Number of shoes
65.0 mm
Toebox width - big toe
89.4 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

We have absolutely no concerns about the Dropset Trainer's outsole grip. Based on our field tests, the shoe has a solid bite on various gym floorings and can even accompany you for an outdoor workout.

Adidas Dropset Trainer outsole

Torsional rigidity

You can probably tell how rigid the shoe feels in the midfoot by merely looking at its mighty TPU sidewalls.

Adidas Dropset Trainer support

But as a shoe lab, we must put a number on everything. So, in our manual test of the Dropset's torsional rigidity, we rated it as 4 out of 5. It is nearly the stiffest one on our list!

This means that the shoe feels marvellously stable and side-to-side movement of the ankle is nearly zero.

Test results
Dropset Trainer 4
Average 2.7
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

We also found some good stiffness in the shoe's heel counter. After squeezing and pushing this area, we gave it a rating of 3 out of 5. Because it is quite rare to see heel stiffness over 3 in training shoes, the heel clutch of the Dropset Trainer is indeed among the firmest.

This is yet another contributor to the shoe's arch and ankle support as it doesn't let the foot roll inwards uncontrollably. This is especially important for gymgoers with overpronation.

Test results
Dropset Trainer 3
Average 2.7
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

Adidas gave us a super wide base to lean on in the Dropset Trainer.

We measured the widest part of the forefoot at 115.3 mm, which is around 6 mm wider than the average!

Having a wider landing area under the toes creates a more planted experience but can make you feel less agile. That's why we recommend this Adidas shoe for workouts that focus more on weightlifting rather than quick and shifty exercises with a lot of footwork. If that's what you do, we recommend the Nike Zoom Metcon Turno 2 instead.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Dropset Trainer 115.3 mm
Average 110.6 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
101.0 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
117.9 mm

Midsole width - heel

Interestingly enough, the heel is not as wide in the Dropset Trainer. Even in the widest part, it comes in at 83.3 mm which is about 4 mm narrower than the average.

We must admit, we never noticed that! Nor was there any lack of stability in the heel because of that. But if you prefer a really wide heel with side flanges for extra support, the Nike Free Metcon 5 (95.1 mm) is hard to beat.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Dropset Trainer 83.3 mm
Average 87.3 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
76.5 mm
Midsole width - heel
97.4 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

We used a gauge to measure how much force it takes to bend the Dropset Trainer to a 90-degree angle. It required 19.3N, which is 17% less than the average. This means that the shoe is more flexible than many other training shoes.

It is not the most pliable one in our lab (think 8.8N of force needed to bend the Nike Free Metcon 5), but we can definitely classify it as flexible.

The shoe is quite forgiving when doing planks, lunges, and burpees, among other exercises where your foot needs to bend.

Adidas Dropset Trainer plank

Test results
Dropset Trainer 11.3N
Average 17.8N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
4.3N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
37.9N

Weight

For a workout shoe, the Adidas Dropset trainer is waaaay heavier than it should be.

Weighing the shoe in a men's US size 9 showed us 13.5 oz (383g) on the scales. That's A LOT compared to the average, which often hovers around 11 oz (312g).

If you mostly focus on weightlifting and strength training, it probably won't be too big of a deal. But for cardio and sprinting, this shoe is too bulky. There is plenty of high-performance trainers out there that are much lighter on the foot including the Nike Metcon 8 and the NOBULL Outwork, among others.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Weight
Test results
Dropset Trainer 13.51 oz (383g)
Average 10.76 oz (305g)
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
6.38 oz (181g)
Weight
13.83 oz (392g)

Breathability

The Dropset Trainer is a lifesaver in a hot gym!

Having tested its breathability with a smoke-pumping machine, we assessed its ventilation capacity as 5 out of 5. That's the highest score in our rating!

This was really surprising given that in our transparency test, we didn't find any visible ventilation pores.

But taking a closer look at the fabric through a microscope, we found that the weave pattern has slightly larger loops in some places.

Adidas Dropset Trainer microscope

Because there are hundreds of these loops all throughout the fabric, the air has a way to pass through.

Adidas Dropset Trainer microscope upper

Test results
Dropset Trainer 5
Average 3.6
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

Sadly, this airy knit upper didn't hold up to our durability test. Our Dremel left a see-through hole in the toebox after only four seconds of drilling.

We had to rate the shoe's toebox durability with the lowest score of 1 out of 5. Rope climbs and other potentially abrasive exercises are a big no-no for this shoe.

For comparison, here is what the toebox on the Reebok Nano X3 looks like after the same test.

Adidas Dropset Trainer vs Reebok Nano X3 toebox durability comparison

Test results
Dropset Trainer 1
Average 2.5
Compared to 30 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The heel padding, on the other hand, did much better under the same Dremel test. In this part, the Dropset Trainer deserves a solid 5 out of 5.

For reference, here is what happened to the Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2 in the exact same conditions (4 seconds of drilling with a 3.2N force at 10K RPM speed).

Adidas Dropset Trainer heel padding durability comparison

Test results
Dropset Trainer 5
Average 2.5
Compared to 28 training shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

The shoe's outsole also showed phenomenal results in all three of our durability tests.

First of all, it is very hard. Pressing our durometer against the rubber returned a reading of 85.3 HC, which is a bit harder than the average. We anticipate that a harder rubber like that won't be quick to wear out.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Outsole hardness
Test results
Dropset Trainer 85.3 HC
Average 83.0 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
71.0 HC
Outsole hardness
94.5 HC

Outsole durability

Applying a Dremel against the shoe's outsole literally left us speechless.

Even 22 seconds of drilling couldn't damage the rubber that much!

Adidas Dropset Trainer outsole durability test

Measuring the depth of the dent, it was as little as 0.4 mm! This is nothing compared to the average 1 mm of damage received by training shoes on average.

Adidas Dropset Trainer outsole durability measurement

Test results
Dropset Trainer 0.4 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 26 training shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Having a thick layer of rubber also plays a part in the shoe's durability.

Our calliper shows that the outsole is 4.7 mm thick, which is almost a whole millimetre thicker than the average!

We must say, the outsole of this Adidas trainer will outlast its upper for sure.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Outsole thickness
Test results
Dropset Trainer 4.7 mm
Average 3.6 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
2.1 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

We have absolutely no concerns about the Dropset Trainer's outsole grip. Based on our field tests, the shoe has a solid bite on various gym floorings and can even accompany you for an outdoor workout.

Adidas Dropset Trainer outsole

Reflective elements

As a nice bonus, the overlay around the eyelets is made of reflective material.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Reflective elements
Test results
Dropset Trainer Yes

Tongue padding

The shoe has a rather generously padded tongue. At 7.2 mm, it is thicker than the average by more than a millimetre.

Combined with the equally padded collar, it created an amazing in-shoe feel for us.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Tongue padding
Test results
Dropset Trainer 7.2 mm
Average 5.4 mm
Compared to 41 training shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
10.4 mm

Tongue: gusset type

This Adidas shoe has a conventional tongue which is non-gusseted and is not attached on the sides.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Tongue: gusset type

We didn't experience any issues with tongue sliding as the lacing creates a pretty locked-in feel. This is probably due to the highly customizable lacing system of this trainer.

Adidas Dropset Trainer laces

Test results
Dropset Trainer None

Heel tab

There is no heel tab on the Adidas Dropset Trainer but putting it on doesn't require a lot of effort either.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Heel tab
Test results
Dropset Trainer None

Removable insole

The shoe's removable insole allows you to customise the underfoot experience as you wish. Whether it's for more cushioning, less cushioning, or extra arch support, it is up to you.

Adidas Dropset Trainer Removable insole
Test results
Dropset Trainer Yes

Sustainable materials

Adidas states that the Dropset Trainer is made in part with recycled content. According to the product description, 50% of the upper is made of responsibly sourced materials.