7 Best Adidas Trainers in 2024

Jaydee
Jaydee on
7 Best Adidas Trainers in 2024
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us. Why trust us

If you want to start collecting Adidas kicks or perhaps just adding another Three Stripes model to your sneaker depot, we’ve made this user-friendly tip-off to help you pick which one is the best for you. 

After countless hours of pounding the streets and legions of product comparisons, we have made some recommendations under various categories. We have tested these Adidas trainers on our feet and in our lab just to find out which is really the finest pair. Check them all out and see which one resonates with your needs. 

How we test trainers

Choosing among the myriad of Adidas trainers is not an easy feat. That is why we painstakingly do all the dirty jobs to save you from opening multiple tabs. 

  • Not sponsored, but we buy shoes using our money, to avoid biased feedback. 
  • We subjected these trainers to actual indoor and outdoor tests to get authentic results. 
  • We go wild and slash the shoes open to see the interior parts more plainly. We also run tests on the shoes to identify how simple it is to clean the trainers, how durable they are, how it naturally flexes with the foot and other things.

Best Adidas trainers overall

What makes it the best?

After days of rocking the streets in these and testing them in our lab, we concluded that the Adidas Stan Smith is the best overall Adidas shoe. We decided this not just because of its looks and storied history but because we were blown away by 3 things: its plush comfort, resistance to the rain, and maintenance that's basically a piece of cake.

From properly testing the Stan Smith, we really felt how comfortable it is. Its plush interior was apparent from the moment we put them on. We found that it was lined with buttery-soft leather from heel to tip.

Next, we looked at how the Stan Smith deals with the rain. We tested how it would fare against wet conditions by pouring a stream of water over it. The result: the water ran down the sides of the sneaker and the interior was mostly dry! We found the sneaker to be water-tight except for the perforations - still proving to be a water-repellent shoe.

When it comes to maintenance, the results are very positive for the Stan Smith. We tested how well it deals with stains by applying dye to its upper. From this, we saw that the Stan Smith’s leather is great at avoiding stains. Additionally, we performed an abrasion test by pressing a power drill with a wire brush to its upper. While it did thin out its upper by a bit, it just gave the shoe a worn look that may even look appealing to some.

We issue a word of caution, however, to those looking for arch support in a sneaker. From our experience, there was very little of it in the Stan Smith.

Pros

  • Classic silhouette
  • Numerous colorways and collaborations
  • Easy to style
  • Durable
  • Weatherproof

Cons

  • Runs large
  • Lack of support
  • Takes some time to wear in
Full review of Adidas Stan Smith

Best handball inspired Adidas trainers

Adidas Spezial
93
Great!

What makes it the best?

Oozing classiness and handball heritage, the Adidas Spezial has a timeless silhouette that honors the sport. While this sneaker from the three-stripe brand exudes premium quality, we found that it only costs 100 bucks, 36.6% cheaper than most sneakers. In addition, this handball-inspired kick is the definitive characterization of comfort, ranking as the best out there.

One thing about this sneaker that reflects its handball heritage is its treaded outsole. With our durometer, the outsole measured 87 HC in hardness, which is near the average, exceeding it by only 3.4%. Through this, we confirmed that the outsole boasts both excellent grip and toughness. We further checked its durability with our Dremel tool, and the effect is almost negligible at 0.5 mm, which is 54.5% less than the usual mark caused by our Dremel.

The sneaker was also so light, we were able to move all around without a burden. It came in at 12.13 oz (344g), 14.5% lighter than the average. We kind of expected this because of its sleek profile, which by the way, also made us look forward to a tight toebox. Our caliper proved us to be right, measuring 97.9 mm at the widest part of the toebox. While this sits around the average, our toes felt cramped inside. We recommend getting this sneaker at a half or full-size larger if you wish for better toe comfort.

Pros

  • Premium materials
  • Easy to slip on
  • Great all-rounder
  • Extremely flexible and comfy
  • Pleasantly lightweight
  • Solid lockdown
  • Good for gym days
  • Signature old-school look
  • Easy on the wallet
  • Dozens of colorways

Cons

  • Slim profile
  • Not ideal or wide feet
  • Dirt and dust magnet
Full review of Adidas Spezial

Best Adidas skate trainers

Adidas Busenitz
92
Great!

What makes it the best?

Adidas Busenitz outperforms all other skating sneakers from Adidas, not just because of its scene-stealing giant tongue but also due to its top-tier durability and traction. Moreover, the Busenitz is weatherproof too!

We took the sneakers to the park and skated hard in them for weeks. The gum soles showed utmost resilience, staying as grippy as ever even after days of footbraking. The suede upper was also unfazed after several days of skating. These kicks are built like a tank!

To further test the sneakers' durability, we subjected them to a Dremel test, where we deliberately scuffed the upper with a metallic brush attached to a power drill. Apart from powder residue, the suede upper was practically unscathed.

In the lab, we also performed a stain test on the shoes' toebox and found the material to be quite stain-resistant. Plus, only a bit of soap and scrubbing is enough to make the kicks sparkly clean.

We also poured water directly onto the upper and found the Busenitz to be watertight. The interior remained dry as the suede kept water from entering. Consequently, the Busenitz is not very breathable. For skaters who prioritize breathability, it's advisable to explore other options.

Pros

  • Incredibly durable
  • Fits true to size
  • Grippy as anything
  • Technical shoe for responsive skating
  • Surprisingly weatherproof
  • Classic silhouette
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Takes a long time to break it
  • Narrow in the toe box
  • The big tongue isn't for everyone
  • Not very breathable
Full review of Adidas Busenitz

Best running-inspired Adidas trainers

What makes it the best?

After pounding the pavement in these sneakers and crunching the numbers in the lab, we concluded that the Adidas Puremotion is the best running-inspired sneaker from Adidas. With its excellent traction and foot lockdown, running in them felt very secure and enjoyable. And to top it off, they are extremely light!

During our initial wear test, we loved the excellent fit and security that Puremotion provided. It performed even better during our test runs, keeping our feet in place the entire time. The extra eyelets aren't just for show; we found that using them further provides excellent heel lock.

What surprised us the most, though, is how grippy the EVA outsoles are. We discovered that the wide surface area of the foam grips well onto roads and tarmacs. Weighing in at 8 oz or 228g, the Adidas Puremotion is 14% lighter compared to the average road running shoe (9.3 oz or 265g).

However, we did notice that the midsoles are quite firm, and the stack height is minimal. As a result, we experienced very little impact protection during longer runs. In the lab, we used a durometer to measure the hardness of the midsole, and it showed a reading of 49.5 HA. The midsoles of Adidas Puremotion are 98.8% stiffer compared to the average (24.9 HA)!

Furthermore, the measured 23.7mm heel and 15.2mm forefoot heights of the Puremotion are 27.5% and 36.4% below average (32.7mm and 23.9mm). This explains the increased ground impact and discomfort in the ball of our feet during test runs. We recommend that people prioritizing softer and more protective midsoles should explore other options.

Pros

  • Fits true to size
  • Comfy for leisurewear
  • Modern looking upper
  • Great grip
  • Lots of lacing options
  • Super flexible
  • Good lockdown

Cons

  • Durability issues
  • Midsole is really firm
  • No energy return
Full review of Adidas Puremotion

Best football inspired Adidas trainers

Adidas Samba
90
Great!

What makes it the best?

The soccer-inspired kick that solidified its place at the top of all the Adidas sneakers we have tested is the Adidas Samba. On top of being an unquestionably legendary piece in the name of soccer, this sneaker delivers terrific adaptability that can take us to both indoor and outdoor affairs without a hitch. 

We admired the construction of the Adidas Samba for its top-notch quality. We put its upper, both leather and suede, against our torch lighter and they didn’t ignite, proving that they are genuine. Additionally, we challenged the quality of the upper and heel padding through our Dremel test. Seeing that the materials were scarcely affected, we rated the upper and heel padding’s durability a 4/5. 

We are not surprised to find out that this shoe is close to being weightless, especially because of its slim and seamless profile. Using our digital scale, we recorded a weight of 12.06 oz (342g) for the Samba, which is 15.6% lighter than the usual weight of sneakers. We also found that it doesn’t oppose torsional forces. It actually scored a 1/5 on our manual torsional rigidity test. But, despite its lightness and flexibility, we found it to be stable because of its close-to-ground profile. We measured this sneaker’s heel and forefoot stack heights to be 19.3 mm and 11.9 mm, which are both 33% thinner than their respective averages. 

The downside is that the inadequate cushioning compromised comfort. We found that Adidas Samba only offers short-term pleasure. Due to this, we recommend switching to other Adidas sneakers for extended hours of use.

Pros

  • Clean and minimalist style
  • Unbelievably affordable
  • Real leather and suede
  • Comfortable in-shoe feel
  • Long-lasting construction
  • Lighter than average
  • Highly flexible build
  • Good grip for casual use

Cons

  • Poor breathability
  • Tongue slides to the side
  • Not for all-day wear
Full review of Adidas Samba

Best training inspired Adidas trainers

Adidas Gazelle
95
Superb!

What makes it the best?

Adidas Gazelle takes the crown as the best Adidas training-inspired sneaker because its versatility effortlessly bridges the gap between sporty and classy, accommodating our very different outfits. 

We are extremely pleased with the in-shoe pleasure that the Adidas Gazelle made us experience. The even better news than this is that the moment we put on the pair, right then and there, we felt incredible comfort. We discovered that one feature that promoted our unimpeded foot movements in this sneaker is the flexibility. 

We also confirmed during our day-outs that the Adidas Gazelle is lightweight on the feet. We appreciated this, as it is easier to get around without the weighing-down sensation.

Pros

  • Timeless elegant look
  • Excellent value for money
  • Real suede
  • More than 20 colorways
  • Promising durability
  • Flexible design
  • Supportive foothold

Cons

  • Poor breathability
  • Tongue is rough and squeaks
  • Not for all-day wear
Full review of Adidas Gazelle

Best basketball inspired Adidas trainers

Adidas Superstar
93
Great!

What makes it the best?

We discovered that the Adidas Superstar is the basketball-inspired phenom of all the Adidas sneakers we have tried on and used. We admire how it is unbeatable in the streets but it still has its basketball-heritage features that make all-day escapades euphoric.

Although we enjoyed abusing this pair on our daily outings, it didn’t look trashed or anything and we can attest to its incredible quality and permanence. This is even more amazing knowing that Superstar only costs £100, which is 23.3% cheaper than the average price of sneakers.

Our trips using the Adidas Superstar are super comfortable and we found that one key factor for this is the pronounced arch support that it offers. The plush cushioning and soft padding also made it so easy to walk in this pair for hours.

However, before experiencing all this overwhelming comfort, we had to go through quite a long break-in period with the shoe first because it was stiff. If you need a kick that is good to go right from the beginning, we suggest looking for other three-striped pairs.

Full review of Adidas Superstar
Author
Jaydee
Jaydee
Jaydee dispels the myth that women can't be experts when it comes to trainers. With hundreds of sneaker articles under her belt, she gained a surefire edge over others claiming to be experts. Since joining RunRepeat in 2017, she’s published formidable arrays of sneaker write-ups - some covered in lifestyle magazines. Interested in scrutinising a pair of trainers? Jaydee is the best person to talk to as she can intuitively chew it over with you even while doing her laundry. When she’s not writing, you can catch Jaydee playing with her two kids, online shopping, and spending far too much time on Instagram.