Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
7.9/10
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Durable drawstring• Thick insole• Padded tongue• Padded ankle section• Stylish look• Good traction• Durable high-abrasion rubber
Upper
As you might expect, the upper on the Adidas Adistar Raven is composed of synthetic materials as well as a variety of textiles that are included for their durability. These materials are utilized to combine and provide complete coverage of the foot while you’re running, beyond even what the midsole alone can achieve. The overlays are actually connected to the shoelaces. As such, everything moves with each other when any part of the upper is adjusted. It uses breathable mesh to keep plenty of cool air flowing through the shoe so that your feet are comfortable.
Midsole
The midsole on the Adidas Adistar Raven utilizes ADIPRENE technology to provide cushioning for your feet during runs. It uses a foam material that primarily combats the shock of the impact you’ll have to deal with as you run. This foam is strategically used in the heel of the shoe, as that’s the area that’s going to be taking the brunt of the punishment, especially on more technical trails. They go one step further by putting ADIPRENE+ right in with the forefoot so that not only are you protected, but you can get more propulsion as you move forward as well.
Outsole
When it comes to a trail runner like the Adidas Adistar Raven, you need an outsole that can handle the often unpredictable terrain you plan to traverse. To combat these challenges, Adidas has employed what they call ADIWEAR technology, which is more of a durable material that can stand up to rocky, tough terrain. It stays on the shoe more than your average outsole, so you won’t have to worry about it peeling off easily. Adidas of course also produces road running shoes, but the outsole on this shoe was specifically designed to handle tough trail conditions.
Breathability
In terms of breathability, the Adidas Adistar Raven does just fine. This is thanks largely to the synthetic mesh material that comprises the upper, which keeps feet dry and cool. Even in the best uppers in running shoes, there are still some warm spots that will irritate your foot as you run. You simply don’t have that problem as you run in a pair of Adidas Adistar Ravens.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, the Adidas Adistar Raven boasts a great degree of comfort thanks to its insole that’s especially thick. It also uses a high level of padding in its tongue so that even the upper section of the shoe is comfortable. Something that’s very crucial for running on technical trails is to have good ankle support, as they can easily roll or go out on you during a particularly long run. To that end, the Adidas Adistar Raven does include padded ankle sections that will keep your ankle not only secure but comfortable as well.
Style
In terms of style, the Adidas Adistar Raven is definitely not lacking. Take note that those who go for minimalism should consider a different running shoe, as this particular offering from Adidas is deliberately styled to be as bold and vibrant as possible. As a result, the only thing that’s muted is the three lines comprising the Adidas logo.
Durability
When it comes to trail runners, durability is everything. The last thing you want is an outsole that’s been worn thin, exposing your foot to potential hazards. No, what you need is a shoe with an outsole that stands up to even the most punishing of conditions, because technical trails are not as smooth and even as paved surfaces are. To that effect, the Adidas Adistar Raven utilizes high-abrasion rubber to really ratchet up the durability of the shoe. Considering that the shoe is a little on the pricier side, this really helps to improve the longevity of the shoe.
Protection
When you think about protection in a running shoe, especially in a road running shoe, you’d be drawn to the outsole first. However, this running shoe’s midsole is just as protective of your foot as the outsole is. To that end, it makes use of ADIPRENE technology to make sure that your foot is protected from the jolting impact of the trail. It utilizes a foam material to accomplish this aim, allowing your heel strikes to be smooth and fluid without having to worry about running in a certain way to protect your foot from the ground.
Responsiveness
You might not initially think that a roomier toe box would be largely responsible for more responsiveness in a shoe, but that is exactly the case with the Adidas Adistar Raven. And when you think about it, this actually makes a great deal of sense. Having a roomier toe box will allow your foot to move in a more natural way, which allows you to respond to anything the trail might be throwing at you in a way that’s conducive to a better run.
Support
The arch support on the Adidas Adistar Raven is specifically designed to be neutral, so this will be ideal for the majority of runners, as it doesn’t cater to one specific subset of runners. This also means, though, that overpronators might not find as much support here as they would with another shoe. This is just something to consider, as the shoe itself is still quite supportive. It just might not suit overpronators as much as it would other shoes.
Terrain
The Adidas Adistar Raven was built specifically for trail running, as far as terrain considerations go. It’s nice to see a trail runner have the sort of considerations that this running shoe has, but it isn’t too surprising considering that Adidas is the company behind this shoe. We definitely review more road runners than trail runners, and part of that has to do with the fact that the market is filled more with road runners in general. So when a trail runner comes along that features all that the Adidas Adistar Raven features, we take notice.
Price
There are two main things that factor into this, but the Adidas Adistar Raven is, unfortunately, a bit pricier than your average trail runner, or even your average road runner, for that manner. Those things are that the shoe is definitely packed with many more features than your average shoe, including advanced technologies that give you an edge on the trail, and also the fact that this shoe is fairly rare to come across these days. For those reasons, you can expect to pay a little bit more for a brand new pair of Adidas Adistar Ravens.
Drop
The heel to toe drop on the Adidas Adistar Raven isn’t the best that we’ve seen in a running shoe, but it’s not the worst either. It sits at exactly 10mm for both the men’s and the women’s version, so it will be more substantial than you might be used to seeing in a running shoe, especially if you’re used to running in road running shoes. However, this heel to toe drop doesn’t immediately disqualify this shoe from consideration. It’s just something to think about when you find yourself finally sitting down to make that final decision.
Stability
The stability of the Adidas Adistar Raven is fair, but it should be noted that your stability with this running shoe can definitely take a hit if you should choose to run in the deep mud. This might not impact many runners, but those who might be planning to compete in a mud run should reconsider their purchase, as the last thing you want happening is for you to be in the middle of a race and fall flat on your face.
Flexibility
A lot of the flexibility in the Adidas Adistar Raven comes from the upper. This is because it utilizes the techfit technology to match the foot of the wearer so that the movements are matched with the shoe. As a result, this section is seamless and gives you the kind of fit that’s analogous to simply wearing a sock. It’s even been claimed by some reviewers that you can go ahead and run sockless and not even have to worry about irritation on your feet.
Traction
One of the things that are very important when you’re looking for a good trail runner is to consider that you need a shoe with good traction. All the bells and whistles in the world won’t help you if your shoe isn’t able to keep the contact with the ground as well as the Adidas Adistar Raven turns out to be able to do. Trail runners have to deal with treacherous conditions where footing can constantly change, and often does.
Bottom Line
The bottom line when it comes to this shoe is that it’s a dynamic trail runner that performs well under stress. It has proprietary technology in its upper that allows it to be breathable while simultaneously protecting your feet from the elements. It has a highly cushioned midsole that will keep your foot cushioned and protected from the trail. It does come at a cost, however. The shoe is a bit on the heavy side, even for a trailer. It’s also a bit pricey, but this shouldn’t dissuade you from your purchase.
