Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
N/A
Breathability
6/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Thin, abrasion-resistant rubber outsole• EVA foam midsole with Boost technology• High-end upper made from pigskin and leather• Estimated heel drop of 9-12 mm• Internal heel insert for extra rearfoot cushioning
Upper
Ordinarily, a running shoe would be designed with an upper material that stresses breathability and a lighter overall weight. This has led to many models similar to the NMD_C2, including other models from Adidas, utilizing a ventilated synthetic mesh or a knit fabric design to accomplish this feat. For this shoe, none of these materials were used, instead, Adidas covered the entirety of this shoe’s upper with nubuck pigskin and some leather accents. While this does mean that breathability is diminished, the benefits this adds to style, comfort, and durability are second to none. This one design element above all others makes these shoes into a fashion statement while still providing tangible benefits to the running experience.
Midsole
While the outsole of the Adidas NMD_C2 isn’t very impressive, the midsole of this running shoe is where the manufacturers make a bold statement. In a running shoe, this middle portion of its construction is the most important and can make or break the entire experience. To ensure that the wearer’s experience is made rather than broken, Adidas added their proprietary Boost cushioning to this integral middle component. In addition to providing the benefits of standard EVA midsole cushioning, the Boost technology improves its responsiveness in an explosive and exponential manner. This means that these shoes will absorb all energy from a common foot strike and then immediately release it to drive the next step forward, rebounding like a spring.
Outsole
To provide the ideal running experience, Adidas implemented a thin but sturdy outsole design to the underfoot of their NMD_C2 shoe. This material is abrasion resistant but also surprisingly pliable, allowing runners to feel comfortably in control of their every step for hundreds of miles on the track or sidewalk. Many small trenches serve as a sort of reverse treading, providing similar benefits in terms of traction without adding a great deal of weight to the final product. It isn’t an outsole that will impress trail runners or roadrunners, but it does a fantastic job providing the appropriate level of traction, durability, and stability needed for casual runners and joggers.
Breathability
While the weight of these shoes is around average, something that is below average for these running shoes is their breathability. This is important for a pair of running shoes since any strenuous activity conducted while wearing them is going to result in a great deal of heat and sweat. While most running shoes have attempted to remedy this phenomenon by implementing ventilated mesh material or a thinner fabric for their uppers, the use of leather and pigskin severely diminishes this aspect of the Adidas NMD C2’s design. Runners in colder weather may not encounter an issue with this aspect of its design, but anyone running in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit will likely feel very swampy very fast.
Comfort
There are a few caveats that need to be addressed in regards to the Adidas NMD C2’s comfort. The first is that these shoes should probably be ordered a half or full size larger than the customer’s true size due to how tightly they fit on the wearer’s shoe. The other important factor worth mentioning is that these shoes will need to be broken in due to their leather construction. If the wearer takes note of these two factors, they will likely find these shoes to be appropriately comfortable for casual use as well as some running. However, many customers seem to have been disappointed by the comfort level of the NMD C2 because of these aspects of their design.
Style
Take one of the most stylish and fashionable footwear manufacturers working today, have them use one of their most popular modern designs, and use only premium materials for its construction. The result of this powerful combination is a pair of shoes that can stand with the best of them as supremely stylish and fantastically aesthetically appealing. Both the look and feel of the Adidas NMD C2 is beautiful and will definitely turn heads when taken on the town. The only thing that may disappoint some style-focused sneakerheads is the fact that this shoe only comes in two colorways.
Durability
Although it isn’t as important in the design of casual running shoes, it’s still a good thing for these forms of footwear to have the resilience to handle multiple running sessions without suffering from wear and tear. Ordinarily, a pair of running shoes will have the build quality to provide a lifespan of 250 to 300 miles before they need to be replaced. While the bottom half of the Adidas NMD_C2 is made from mostly the same materials as the typical running shoe, the use of high-end leather and pigskin for its upper makes it significantly more durable. This means that the average runner should be able to squeeze up to a hundred more miles out of this product, provided that they properly clean and maintain these shoes.
Protection
Protection isn’t as important for casual running shoes like the Adidas NMD C2, since the environments these shoes are commonly worn in aren’t filled with hazards that would necessitate it. Normally, the kind of protection provided by these running shoes would be needed in a pair of heavy-duty trail runners, which is why many of these products feature a construction style of leather or imitation leather. By no means should these shoes be taken on a trail, since they lack the traction or stability on the bottom half to support a safe trail running session. However, it should provide some peace of mind for wearers of the NMD_C2 to know their feet are protected to such a significant degree.
Responsiveness
Something that should come as no surprise to individuals already acquainted with Adidas and their popular shoes is that the NMD C2 is extremely responsive. This can be attributed almost entirely to its midsole that takes advantage of the manufacturer’s proprietary Boost technology. While ordinary EVA material does an adequate job on its own responding quickly to feedback from the wearer, Adidas took it a step further with the aid of Boost. Thanks to this one feature, any extra weight added from the use of leather materials for the upper is mitigated, resulting in the same level of energy efficiency that could be found in a lighter option.
Support
When it comes to pronation support, Adidas offers little in the NME_C2 to meet the needs of sensitive runners. This means that a runner who suffers from overpronation may want to look for a different option. The use of an elevated midsole with greater heel drop provides beneficial support for the wearer’s rearfoot in a manner that favors heel striking during a run. Adidas even included a comfortable neoprene heel insert to further provide support to this area of the shoe. It isn’t a great pick for toe strikers or neutral-footed runners, but the average runner will experience above average support if they accentuate their heels during a session.
Terrain
Based on the hardy upper portion of these shoes, wearers may be led to believe that they can take the Adidas NMD_C2 on more treacherous running sessions, such as an off-road trail run. In actuality, the bottom half of these shoes is designed in a completely different way than the top. Although it is decently durable on particular surfaces, the outsoles of these shoes won’t be able to provide the defense or durability needed for any running terrain more intense than soft dirt. In all honesty, these shoes can best be thought of as more casual sneakers with the potential to handle low-intensity jogging sessions.
Price
When considering the benefits provided by the Adidas NMD C2 as a running shoe, it can be difficult to justify the higher price tag. While it isn’t unheard of to find a pair of running shoes sold at the same price range, the features present in these shoes don’t compare to other running shoes in that range. It’s only when considering this Adidas product as a luxury sneaker or high-end casual jogger that the premium price it’s listed at seems viable.
Drop
No specific measurement has been provided by Adidas regarding the heel drop of their NMD_C2 running shoe. However, a reasonable guess based on its appearance would place the difference in elevation between the heel and toes of these shoes to be significant. The benefit to this style of midsole design is most obvious for runners who prefer striking the ground with their heels when they run. Although frowned upon by some runners, this style of running is very popular among casual runners and is often catered to by most casual running shoe designers.
Stability
In addition to a very sturdy upper, the Adidas NMD C2 provides stability for the wearer by including a rigid heel insert that coordinates with a thicker midsole. Because of this, wearers of these shoes can feel enough support that they aren’t going to run the risk of injuring themselves by falling due to a lack of control.
Flexibility
There’s a delicate balance that needs to be struck between flexibility and stability when designing a quality running shoe. Different manufacturers have approached this design dilemma in different ways, with varying degrees of success. What Adidas did to accomplish this feat in the design of their NMD_C2 running shoe is to create a flexible bottom half that is supported by a more stable top half. This isn’t the most graceful way to strike this balance, but it is struck nonetheless. Thanks to a thinner outsole and responsive midsole, runners can feel a comfortable amount of giving that doesn’t go so far as to make them lose control on a typical run.
Traction
Thanks to the reverse tread pattern adopted by the Adidas NMD_C2’s outsole, a meager amount of traction is provided. This grip is enough to ensure that runners maintain a solid amount of control when striking the ground but it isn’t so significant as to affect their ability to reach faster speeds. This element, in particular, is the one most at odds with the design philosophy exhibited in the construction of this shoe’s upper portion.
Bottom Line
The best way to look at the Adidas NMD_C2 is to envision it as a fashionable sneaker first and a viable running shoe second. There are certain aspects of its design that make it possible to have some satisfying running sessions while wearing these shoes. However, the lack of significant breathability on top and serious durability on the bottom makes these less viable as a running tool and more appropriate as a fashion statement and status symbol.
