Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• ClimaCool technology gives excellent breathability throughout the shoe• Rubber traction outsole has ventilation to keep feet cool and dry• AdiPrene midsole cushioning absorbs shock and protects joints against impact• Textile and synthetic upper provides ventilation and durability• Collar and tongue are lightly padded for protective cushioning• 10mm drop
Upper
The upper is made of textile and synthetic material. It provides ventilation and durability. The collar and tongue are lightly padded for additional protection and cushioning. The ClimaCool ventilation system gives excellent breathability, keeping the foot cool, dry, and free from irritation. The sock-like construction gives wearers a personalized fit, and the materials are smooth and soft. The laces help give a snug fit and the Adidas stripes provide some structure. There is a bit of rubber in front to protect the toe and some denser material in the heel for protection with holes for breathability. The upper protects against the heat, but it absorbs water in wet conditions.
Midsole
The midsole is made of AdiPrene, a lightweight foam that covers the entire length of the shoe. It provides cushioning and protects joints against the impact of hitting the ground. The foam is also flexible and responsive, bouncing the foot back into the air and allowing runners to pick up speed. The midsole gives a neutral amount of underfoot support, does not have arch support, and the drop is 10mm.
Outsole
The outsole is a mix of rubber and a durable yet lightweight EVA material. The outside uses rubber to protect against scraping and surface abrasion, and the part that touches the ground is highly durable EVA material. Rubber also surrounds the ventilation holes for structure, keeping the foot cool and dry. The EVA offers additional cushioning and responsiveness, yet is durable enough to not wear out after many uses. The bottom of the shoe has treads for traction on dirt or paved roads, and grooves for flexibility to allow the shoe to move with the runner’s foot. The outsole provides a small amount of support for neutral runners.
Breathability
The Climacool Fresh 2.0 was designed to have 360-degree cooling in order to keep feet cool, fresh, and dry. The outsole has six ventilation holes, three in the arch and three in the toe region, to allow air to flow around the foot. The AndiPrene foam is lightweight and breathable enough to allow air to flow around it. The upper is made of breathable material and uses ClimaCool technology to allow air to flow through the fabric and around the shoe. The only time the shoe isn’t breathable is in wet conditions, such as rain, high humidity, or going over puddles in the road, because the shoe will absorb the water.
Comfort
The Adidas Climacool Fresh 2.0 is a very comfortable shoe. The outsole uses EVA that gives a plush feel, as well as ventilation holes to keep the foot cool and dry. In the midsole, the AdiPrene foam absorbs shock and cushions landings. The upper gives a sock-like fit with its smooth and soft materials, and the laces make the shoe snug. The tongue and collar are lightly padded and the ClimaCool ventilation system allows users to go on long runs without worrying about overheating. The light weight makes the shoe comfortable to carry around, and the flexibility and responsiveness make it easy to comfortably pick up speed. It fits well for runners with medium-width feet, as the heel, midfoot, and forefoot all have a medium width. Features that take away from the comfort level are the water absorption in wet conditions, the drop level that some reviewers didn’t like, and the lack of arch support and stability for those who need it.
Style
The Climacool Fresh 2.0 has a simple design that is appealing and not too flashy. The upper uses a darker color while the sole has a lighter color, and some styles have a third color in the sole and/or laces. The Adidas logo stripes blend in with the main upper color of the shoe. Men can choose between Black/Green and Blue-Black/White. Women have five options: Grey/White, Black/White, Black /Pink/White, Blue/Green/White, and Dark Blue/White. Reviewers really liked the color choices, which were colorful enough for those who like color, but not too flashy for those who don’t like bright colors.
Durability
This shoe has good durability on all three levels. The outsole uses rubber on the outside to protect against surface abrasion and around the ventilation holes to maintain the structure. The midsole’s AdiPrene foam lasts for many miles without wearing down, allowing for long-lasting cushioning, shock absorption, or responsiveness. The textile and synthetic upper is also durable, having enough structure to maintain its shape and not wear down in the lighter and more breathable areas. The toe area has a bit of rubber for added durability to the front of the shoe, and the back uses thicker material for structure and durability in the heel.
Protection
The Climacool Fresh 2.0 provides a light amount of protection for neutral runners. The outsole protects against feeling any unevenness in the ground. The midsole cushions landing and absorbs shock in order to protect joints. The upper has thicker material around the heel to protect the heel and a small bit of rubber in the front extending from the sole to protect the toe. The soft fabric protects against blisters and irritation. The shoe has great ventilation to protect against the heat. The shoe does not provide protection against wet weather.
Responsiveness
This shoe is responsive at every level. The outsole uses EVA material instead of standard rubber in order to add spring to the runner’s step. The midsole has AdiPrene foam that cushions and absorbs shock during landings, also pushes the user back into the air for takeoffs. The flexible upper fits like a sock and moves with the foot. The low weight allows runners to pick up speed, and the drop promotes forward momentum, especially in heel strikers.
Support
The Climacool Fresh 2.0 gives a level of support fit only for neutral runners. The outsole and midsole lightly support the foot from below. The midsole does not have arch support, so runners who need arch support will need to use an insole, or choose a different shoe. The upper gives a customized fit, with the logo adding some support on the sides and the thicker material in the heel, and light padding around the tongue and collar for extra support. As a shoe light enough to be considered a minimalist shoe, it does not offer support for over or underpronators.
Terrain
The Adidas Climacool Fresh 2.0 is a road running shoe. The shoe is designed to go on hard surfaces, such as dirt roads, paved roads, paths, or light trails. It is light enough to use in racing or competitions, allowing runners to really pick up speed while going around tracks. It does not have lugs or spikes that allow it to grip heavy trails, mud, snow, or icy terrain.
Price
This is an affordable shoe. As a lightweight/minimalist shoe, it lacks the stability features of other shoes that raise the price tag. At its initial full price, the shoe is about half the cost of the average road running shoe. However, due to being a discontinued older model, the Climacool Fresh 2.0 currently ranges in price from 33% off its original price to almost double the original price, depending on the retailer. Not all sizes and styles are available anymore.
Drop
The heel height is 24mm and the forefoot height is 14mm, giving the shoe a drop of 10mm, which is a standard drop. A 10mm drop has more cushioning in the heel and is said to promote forward momentum and take the strain off the Achilles tendon. It is good for heel strikers, but not as good for midfoot and forefoot strikers. The higher drop is also not ideal for runners who want a more natural running form given by barefoot shoes.
Stability
The Climacool Fresh 2.0 is a minimalist shoe and has only a small amount of stability, which is suitable for neutral runners. The outsole and midsole provide light stability to the bottom of the foot, and there is no arch support. The upper gives a customized fit and only gives a small amount of stability to the sides, heel, and collar. This shoe is fine for neutral runners who don’t need extra stability, but will not work for over or underpronators, heavier runners, or runners who are prone to injury because it does not stabilize the foot to prevent it from rolling.
Flexibility
The Adidas Climacool Fresh 2.0 is a flexible shoe. The outsole uses EVA material that is more flexible than standard rubber. The midsole has AdiPrene foam that bends with the foot and shoe. The synthetic and textile upper is also flexible, fitting lick a sock and moving with the foot. The flexibility is great for runners who want to pick up speed, but not so great for runners who need stability.
Traction
The Climacool Fresh 2.0 has shallow treads that provide traction on hard surfaces such as paved roads, paths, and light trails. The shoe’s solid traction allows for speed and can go up or down hills just fine. It does not have lugs to give traction on softer surfaces or heavy trails, nor does it have spikes to give traction on snow, ice, or slippery surfaces.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Adidas Climacool 2.0 is a great shoe for experienced neutral runners looking to pick up speed or go long distances, who do not need any extra support or stability. It is durable, flexible, responsive, very light, and very breathable. It has a simple design with popular color options. It is not suitable for entry-level runners because it does not have the support or stability to promote good running form, nor does it protect against possible injuries for new runners who aren’t sure yet if they over or underpronate or need arch support. Possible areas for improvement include making the shoe water resistant instead of absorbing water, a lower drop for a more natural running form, and a light amount of arch support for runners with medium or high arches. In short, the Climacool 2.0 is a good shoe choice for racing or everyday road runs.
