Details
Brand
Adidas
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• AdiPrene midsole for added protection• EVA foam midsole• Mesh upper with synthetic overlays• Low priced• Stylish design
Upper
The upper refers to the part of the shoe that secures the foot from the top and contains the laces. The upper is composed of mesh with synthetic overlays. This is a very popular choice for shoes, as mesh is inherently breathable and flexible due to the intentional weaving of holes. This is the case for the Adidas Falcon Elite 4 as well, and the upper is pretty breathable and flexible overall. It is also fairly light which is an added bonus. The synthetic overlays are another common choice for uppers, as they add some stability and security to the mesh, while still not restricting the movement too much. The upper also features an insole with some padding, which adds some comfort to the inside of the shoe. The upper of the Falcon Elite 4 is very solid, though not super cutting edge by any stretch. It definitely does its job of securing the foot and providing decent durability and flexibility.
Midsole
The area responsible for protecting and cushioning the foot, while also returning energy is known as the midsole. This is because of its positioning, sandwiched in the upper and outer sole. The midsole of the Falcon Elite 4 is made of EVA foam, which is another very standard choice for midsoles. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, or EVA, is lightweight, springy, and durable. All these features are useful for making a midsole that is responsive, light, and resistant to wear and tear. The midsole also features some AdiPrene technology. This is a special blend of EVA that is supposed to reduce shocks and impacts while being lighter and not adding much to the overall weight of the shoe. Overall, the midsole of the Falcon Elite 4 is pretty good, and utilizes effective materials to make the shoe cushioning and responsive.
Outsole
The piece on the outside directly on the bottom of the shoe is called the outsole. Because this piece is what consistently makes contact with the ground, it has the responsibility of providing good traction and also being durable. The Falcon Elite 4’s outer sole is made of a fairly standard carbon rubber. Carbon rubber is a very standard choice for outsoles due to the fact that it is generally very durable and has good grip as well. Usually companies will advertise their own special rubber compound, but this rubber seems to just be a standard carbon rubber, which makes sense when you consider the price of the Falcon Elite 4. The outsole also features a concave heel counter, which is pretty common on Adidas shoes. This piece helps add a bit of support and traction to the shoe. Apart from these main features, the outsole of the Falcon Elite 4 does not offer too much. Overall it is decently durable and gripping.
Breathability
Breathability is very important in a shoe, especially a running shoe. This is because bad breathability leads to sweaty feet, which can cause odor or even blisters. No runner wants to deal with this, so breathability is a must. Ventilation is usually very dependent on the construction of the upper, as the upper is the part that conceals the foot. The upper of the Adidas Falcon Elite 4 is made with a mesh design, which is great in terms of breathability. Again, this is due to the fact that mesh has holes intentionally woven into it, which allows air to freely flow in and out of the shoe. Apart from this, the shoe doesn’t do too much for breathability. The mesh upper definitely does enough to make the shoe adequately breathable, however.
Comfort
Another factor of running shoes that should always be considered is comfort. Uncomfortable shoes are definitely not fun to run in, especially when running long distances. The Falcon Elite 4 is pretty solid in the comfort department, mainly thanks to its upper and its midsole. The upper of the Falcon Elite 4 does a nice job of providing comfort thanks to its mesh design and synthetic overlays. The mesh provides good flexibility and breathability, which are two key components in the comfort of a shoe. The synthetic overlays then add some extra security and snugness to the upper. In tandem, they make the upper allow for good movement, while still being secure, which is a very comfortable feeling. The midsole contributes to comfort with its EVA foam and AdiPrene technology. These both offer good cushioning, and help reduce overall impacts on the foot. This makes for a much smoother ride overall. The comfort of the Adidas Falcon Elite 4 is pretty good altogether.
Style
When it comes to style, Adidas is very popular. This is not just limited to running shoes either, as they are very popular among non-runners as well. The Adidas Falcon Elite 4 has a very simplistic and clean design. Offered in mostly darker colors, the Falcon Elite 4 is a very minimalist looking shoe. As a result, this shoe would probably fare pretty well as a shoe for everyday use, since its design is pretty casual and clean. This is one area Adidas tends to excel in, as other brands like Asics or Brooks generally don’t make shoes that are as easy to use everyday.
Durability
Durability is important in a running shoe for pretty obvious reasons. Replacing a shoe after a short time is not a good feeling. The main proponents of durability in the Falcon Elite 4 are its midsole, outsole, and upper. The midsole is pretty durable thanks to its use of EVA foam. EVA foam is a pretty durable material, that retains its shape very well, regardless of repeated use or impacts. This makes the midsole fairly long-lasting. The upper is durable thanks to the synthetic overlays that cover the mesh. These overlays not only secure the foot but also make the mesh more durable and resistant to tears. Finally, the outsole is a big part of the overall durability thanks to its carbon rubber. Carbon rubber is quite durable, and is heavily resistant to impacts, even on harder surfaces like road and concrete. The durability of the Falcon Elite 4 is pretty solid overall.
Protection
In terms of protection, the Falcon Elite 4 is decent. The main factors that affect this are the midsole and the upper. The upper protects the foot from debris that can get in by simply covering the foot. The upper also offers protection by stabilizing the foot well. This makes each stride less dangerous and can help prevent twists and sprains. The midsole adds protection once again through its foam and AdiPrene material. These two materials protect the foot by reducing the impact of shocks, which makes for a more safe and comfortable stride.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness can be thought of as how well a shoe gives back energy from every step. More simply put, it basically describes how natural a stride feels with the shoe on. The midsole usually plays the biggest role in determining responsiveness. This is due to the fact that the midsole is positioned in such a way that it influences the energy of each step heavily. The EVA foam is pretty solid at returning energy thanks to its inherently springy nature. Each step is pretty natural and the shoe does not require too much energy to step and push off. Overall, the midsole is the main determining factor for the responsiveness within the Falcon Elite 4, and it does a pretty good, if not amazing, job.
Support
The main sources of support in the Adidas Falcon Elite 4 are the midsole and upper. The upper plays a role again through the synthetic overlays it has. The mesh of the upper is the piece that allows for good movement, while the overlays are what secure and support the foot with it. The combined effect of these components is to offer a great deal of support from above. The midsole adds support once again through its cushioning and shock absorption from its EVA and AdiPrene foam. These support the foot while running by reducing impacts, which makes the stride more smooth and stable. Overall, the Falcon Elite 4 is a pretty well-supported shoe.
Terrain
In terms of terrain, the Adidas Falcon Elite 4 should fare well on most commonly ran terrains. The shoe will probably fare best on city like terrains, namely concrete and asphalt, though other terrains like dirt or grass should not be much of an issue for the Falcon Elite 4. More extreme terrains should probably be avoided, however. The shoes can be used in the rain, though care should definitely be taken as they are not waterproof.
Price
The Adidas Falcon Elite 4 shines when it comes to the price department. This shoe is significantly cheaper than most of Adidas’ shoes, which tend to run on the higher side in terms of price. The Falcon Elite 4 is also much cheaper than most popular trainers on the market, partly because it is an older model, and partly because it is a more casual shoe comparatively. Though the features of the Elite 4 are somewhat minimal, for the price the shoe is sold at, it is definitely a good value.
Drop
The drop, or heel measurement, of the Falcon Elite 4 is around 10 mm. This is a very standard drop for a shoe of this type, and shouldn’t present any major issues for most. This might be too high for those who prefer very minimalist shoes, but apart from that, it is not really a plus or a minus for the shoe overall.
Stability
The Falcon Elite 4 is a fairly stable shoe, mostly because of the midsole and also the upper. The upper’s mesh and synthetic overlays come in again. Together, as mentioned before, they provide much stability to the foot by simultaneously securing it while running, and allowing for good range of movement. The midsole comes in again as well with its foam cushioning and AdiPrene material. These adds stability by reducing impacts while running, which makes for an overall less disruptive, and more cohesive stride. The stability of the Falcon Elite 4 is pretty good thanks to its midsole and upper.
Flexibility
Flexibility can help prevent common twists and sprains by allowing the foot to move more naturally, and is a useful trait as such. The upper plays a big part in the flexibility in the Falcon Elite 4, thanks again to its mesh design. Mesh is a flexible material because of the way it is woven, with intentional holes. Another factor that contributes to the flexibility of the Falcon Elite 4 is its midsole. The midsole’s EVA foam adds some flexibility, as EVA is inherently a very flexible material. Overall, the flexibility of this shoe is definitely adequate, though, once again, not particularly outstanding.
Traction
Traction is the ability of a shoe to grip onto various surfaces. Falcon Elite 4 has traction that is fairly good, though definitely not exceptional. The main proponent of this is the carbon rubber outsole. Carbon rubber generally does a good job at gripping surfaces, though for less tractioned surfaces like trail, there may be a bit less grip. Overall, traction shouldn’t be a problem in most cases for the Falcon Elite 4. It may suffer a bit, but should definitely still be usable in non-city terrains.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Adidas Falcon Elite 4 is a pretty solid shoe, despite being on the lower end in terms of features and technology. It’s midsole, upper, and outsole are all fairly standard, and a good value overall for the price. The Falcon Elite 4 might not be the best choice for more intense or seasoned runners, but for light running, they are definitely a great choice.
