adidas Stella McCartney Barricade Boost 2017 – Shoe Review
Let’s talk about one of my new favorite shoes: the adidas Stella Barricade Boost 2017 Tennis Shoe. I’ve worn this shoe for a couple of weeks and got the chance to practice and drill with my buddies and the ball machine. I play 2-3 times per week. I love to play singles so covering the court is my main job. Get a glimpse into how well the Boost did on court before you buy a pair of your own.
Upon first impression, anyone spotting me in this bright pair would know that I take my tennis game seriously. This high-performing shoe comes in three different colors: Solar Yellow, Night Navy with Red, and White with Universe. The Solar Yellow color comes off even brighter than a tennis ball and matches pretty well with my outfits! I’ve chosen to wear this color if my clothes are white, gray, black, or even other neons like pink! It’s pop of color to your feet! To match with anything you throw on, the White and Universe option is solid! I also love the thick reflective stripe that leads to the back of the sneaker making it look multi-textural and super athletic. The upper design is current and I give it two thumbs up.
Alright, now down to business. Let’s talk about what makes this shoe awesome for the tennis court. The Barricade Boost rates highly in all areas you care about: comfort, quickness, breathability, and durability. The comfort is amazing for such a uniform shoe. The ADIPRENE+ cushioning is obvious from the forefoot to the heel, but the heel’s where it feels like I’m on a trampoline! The boost heel responds to my every step with resilient cushion to protect my forefoot. So I felt less shock when I moved sharply. They don’t have as much stability as the original Barricade but the cushion is superior to some of the most expensive running shoes I’ve bought.
Often with other shoes, a high cushion will rate them low in quickness – but not the Boosts. They are responsive immediately with no break in time. The first time I wore them around it felt like I was more on my toes – like my calves were being used more. Both of these things are byproducts of how much cushion is in this heel. Unlike the Barricades that felt a half size too big, the Boosts size 7 feels great. By the time I wore them on the court, I was feeling plenty of room in the toe area. If too tight the inside of my toe nail actually hurts for days. So the gripping comfort was breathable!
If you’re not flashy and want a darker pair like the Night Navy one, but are worried your feet will feel hot, relax because the barricade’s material was a huge focus. From last year’s version to this years’, you can see adidas played with the mesh and 3D effects. Withstand the humid seasons in a knitted upper that forms naturally to the foot. It looks almost as soft as a sock. It’s going to provide you with just enough ventilation. They stand the heat of hard court well, as I’ve had to play in 80 degree heat here in Texas.
Adidas offers a 6-month outsole warranty on these shoes called adiwear 6. Feel great about your next court appearance knowing that you invested a just little more for an extremely durable, non marking rubber used for the outsoles. A replacement for excessive wear won’t be necessary, that’s for sure. Like I said, I used these on hard court and had great traction and flexibility.
If you’re looking for a shoe that stands out on cushion and quickness, the adidas Stella Barricade Boost Tennis Shoe is perfect for you! Click the ‘Shop Now’ button to get your new shoes today at TennisExpress.com!