Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
N/A
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• ADIWEAR outsole with herringbone tread pattern• Compressed EVA foam midsole• Air mesh upper fabric• ADITUFF toe guard• 3DTORSION midfoot cage and heel cradle• Lower heel drop
Upper
In a popular choice for lightweight running shoes and other forms of footwear intended for use in warmer climates, the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic has an upper with a mesh foundation. This base layer is highly breathable and allows for air to flow throughout the shoe and prevents the wearer’s foot from overheating or feeling swampy. While most running shoes would stop there and call it a day, these tennis shoes have additional components attached to their upper portion. This includes an ADITUFF toe plate that provides extra protection for the wearer’s forefoot and a 3DTORSION midfoot cage that wraps around the heel to form a supportive cradle.
Midsole
The midsole of the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic is made from compressed EVA foam in a manner that will feel familiar to most runners. This is because this dense and springy material is commonly found in popular running shoes, as it is able to provide the responsiveness and cushioning required in a typical running session. These tennis shoes offer similar benefits in these regards but feature a slightly different take on the traditional running shoe design. With a less significant heel drop, this shoe’s midsole provides a more even distribution of energy, helping to accentuate sideways and backward movement more than the forward push of most runners.
Outsole
Although the treading found on the outsole of this Adidas tennis shoe appears to be some kind of bizarre fashion statement, its design actually serves a functional purpose. The Adizero Ubersonic uses a herringbone pattern that has varying levels of thickness, toward the forefoot, the medial side is thicker with a thinner radial side, and the rear sees the reverse phenomenon. As a result of this style of treading, a high degree of traction is possible on the court whether it comprises hard or soft terrain. The ample coverage also ensures that weight is evenly distributed along the entirety of the underfoot in a manner that doesn’t exacerbate pronation issues.
Breathability
Although there are a few additional plates and protective cradles added to the upper half of this Adidas tennis shoe that could conceivably impede its breathability, the Adizero Ubersonic manages to ensure a comfortable level of ventilation. This can be attributed to its mesh foundation, which helps to prevent the accumulation of heat and moisture with the aid of its perforated design. Even though some portions of this breathable fabric are covered with extra structural accessories, this impressive amount of airflow is still present. Because of this, no complaints have been made about the wearer’s feet feeling uncomfortably warm or swampy while wearing these tennis shoes.
Comfort
These shoes were designed to accommodate a dedicated tennis player, with design features meant for excellent performance. This means that comfort, while present in its design, was not emphasized as a major feature. Fortunately, the ADIWEAR outsole and EVA midsole provide a comfortable underfoot cushion on top of protection from stress-related injuries. The same can be said for the rear cage and forefoot toe guard. Ultimately, all comfort-related amenities present in the design of the Adizero Ubersonic were intended to provide protection first and comfort second.
Style
Right off the bat, there is a major hurdle that impedes the visual appeal of the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic. That hurdle is the rearfoot cradle that is made of a transparent plastic. Regardless of what color a customer chooses, this part of the shoe sticks out like a sore thumb with its bright neon design. Aside from that, these shoes look very bulky and somewhat lumpy. It is painfully apparent that these shoes were designed for function over form, something that is sure to appeal to dedicated tennis players but likely to dissuade individuals who are more fashion-oriented in their footwear purchasing decisions.
Durability
These shoes were built to last. When looking at the bottom half of the Adizero Ubersonic, the use of large blocks of rubber and foam give the impression of a tank or armored truck. This abrasion and shock resistant material ensures that the wearer’s feet suffer no consequences from engaging in intense tennis matches while adorning these Adidas tennis shoes. The upper offers a slightly less intense level of resilience, but it is still quite impressive in this regard. The protective elements such as the ADITUFF toe plate ensure that this half of these shoes is also resilient enough to handle many high-intensity training sessions and matches.
Protection
Much of what was said about the comfort and durability of these shoes can apply to its protective capabilities. This is because any benefits offered by the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic in these areas are largely fringe benefits stemming from its protective features. The greater resilience on the upper is provided by the midfoot cage, heel cradle, and toe guard that are intended to protect the wearer from high-velocity tennis balls. The comfortable EVA midsole and durable ADIWEAR outsole are intended to protect the underside of the wearer’s feet from feeling the shock and stress that comes with hitting the hard ground on a tennis court repeatedly. As a result, these are excellent shoes for individuals with sensitive feet that need a lot of protection.
Responsiveness
Making a shoe that feels responsive while also providing adequate protection is difficult since every ounce of added material can inhibit the wearer’s response time. This is a bit of a problem in the design of the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic but it’s not nearly as bad as it could have been. When considering how much effort has been put into protecting the wearer’s feet, it’s a marvel that these tennis shoes feel as light and quick as they do. This can be attributed to the power of EVA cushioning in the midsole, which has the ability to absorb and then explosively reflect energy from the impact with the ground. However, this shoe does ultimately fail to live up to its full potential in this regard.
Support
As footwear intended for use in a sport that requires omnidirectional movement, tennis shoes need to emphasize different aspects of foot support than casual running shoes. Considerable stress is placed on the sides of a runner’s feet in addition to their heel and forefoot, which can be disastrous for players who suffer from overpronation. To address this, the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic features extra support around the midfoot of the shoe so players don’t experience pain on the sides of their feet. This feature works well in conjunction with a highly protective midsole and outsole that work to evenly spread the weight across the entirety of the wearer’s underfoot.
Terrain
The treading on this shoe’s outsole is unique in that it has a mostly flat surface area, much like the style you would find on a common running shoe, but features an intricate design as found in trail runners. This allows for some functionality on trails but can lead to problems with small pebbles and assorted debris becoming lodged in between the treads. For the most part, these shoes are designed to be used on a tennis court. Since tennis courts come in a variety of styles, the Adizero Ubersonic was designed to work on both soft and hard terrains, so long as they are flat. Whether it’s made from clay or something harder, these shoes will work on the wearer’s tennis court of choice.
Price
These shoes come at a fairly hefty price tag. This is to be expected for specialty shoes for the most part, however, the higher price tag for the Adizero Ubersonic is less easily explained. While they are perfectly serviceable tennis shoes with adequate functionality on the court, the release of newer models in the Ubersonic line should have caused these shoes to have a reduced price. It seems that the likely culprit for this shoe’s higher price despite its obsolescence is scarcity. It can be difficult to find specific sizes and colors of this exact model, so the price is inflated as a result. Unfortunately, these higher prices are difficult to justify due to the fact that newer Ubersonic models are available at similar or cheaper rates.
Drop
Little information is available from the manufacturer regarding the specific drop of the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic. However, it appears that this shoe is largely neutral in terms of heel elevation, meaning that wearers will feel a more even weight distribution at the expense of heel cushioning. This design philosophy is more in line with a training shoe or trail shoe than it is with a running shoe.
Stability
As previously stated multiple times, these Adidas tennis shoes have placed considerable emphasis on providing a stable fit and feel. From the sturdy outsole to the numerous accouterments on the upper, this is a shoe that will keep the wearer’s feet secure and prevent the potential of a plethora of injuries. Fortunately, enough flexibility is guaranteed through the midsole and mesh upper that this stability doesn’t cross the threshold into uncomfortable rigidity.
Flexibility
For the most part, a tennis shoe doesn’t need to offer a great deal of flexibility. Due to the particular demands of tennis as a physical activity, it’s much more important to provide excellent stability than a pliable fit. However, enough flexibility is guaranteed through the EVA midsole and mesh upper that a lack of it won’t impede the wearer’s comfort and control. However, by no means should prospective customers seek out the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic in the pursuit of a flexible shoe.
Traction
The secret to any shoe’s traction lies in its outsole. This same rule applies to the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic and its impressive underfoot covering. Using an unconventional design, the herringbone tread pattern increases and decreases its thickness from side to side. This fascinating feature is the secret to this tennis shoe’s ability to provide excellent omnidirectional traction on the court. However, since it was designed to be used in these environments, wearers shouldn’t expect this same level of grip and control on any surfaces other than those with a similar flatness and firmness of a traditional tennis court.
Bottom Line
This is an excellent tennis shoe, a decent training shoe, and a poor trail or track running shoe. High stability and amazing protection underscore a lack of flexibility and a somewhat appalling sense of style. Newer versions of this shoe are available to buy, but this specific product remains a competent and viable option for tennis enthusiasts.
