Adidas adiPure IV Review

Take one look at the Adidas adiPure IV and you know they are a boot designed around the ideals of class. I have had them in testing for the past 3 weeks and everything about them oozes quality. The adiPure range has a reputation of being a boot designed for the hard working everyday player, and these are no exception. I have some reservations about the actual design, but Adidas have again placed huge emphasis on comfort and performance – both of which excel as expected. For testing, I wore a size 9US FGs in the Black/White/Light Scarlet colorway.

Breaking In
I took these boots right out of the box and into my first training session with ease! Seeing as this is the fourth release in the adiPure range, and the other three release have been super comfortable, I took a chance and decided not to spend time slowly breaking them in. And it was well worth it as they performed exceptionally well straight away! Adidas have mastered the art of creating a boot that is game ready right off the bat. I recommend that you at least get one jogging session in them, but if you can’t before a game I wouldn’t be too concerned. Thus far I have got them out in 3 training sessions and 3 games with only positive results. If you can get the right size they will fit like a glove and mold to your feet just like previous adiPure releases.

Comfort and Performance
These boots are a top class performer on the field. In fact, I am not sure if there are actually better boots in terms of performance out there, especially when you factor in comfort. This has always been a main staple of the adiPure range and is what sets this boot apart from others. In this version, Adidas have included a new neoprene pad system around the heel area. This is very noticeable when you feel inside the boot (almost like a spongy lining) and offers great benefits to those who suffer from heel injuries. I love the feel of it on your foot, as it allows the boot to mimic the shape of your heel giving a great fit. All positives in this category!

Whats with the design?
Well, the first thing you will notice about the adiPure IV is that Adidas have moved to centered lacing. This, of course, gives the boot a more old school look and plays off the whole design. Off centered lacing was used on prior adiPure releases – I am not sure why Adidas have changed it up! The second thing, when looking at the front of the boot you will notice the strange stitching that creates a very unusual look to the boot. Personally, I don’t like how it looks but it does serve a purpose. Adidas have strategically placed the stitching so that the leather shapes and contours to your foot in the most effective way.

New Tongue
It seems that with each adiPure release, Adidas choose to modify the tongue. On the adiPURE II, the tongue was attached to the cleat on the inside, while the outside was detached. On the adiPURE III the tongue was detached on both sides. On this latest version it is again detached, but Adidas have added a nice layer of neoprene padding to the underside. It is a pretty thin layer, but for those players looking for some added protection it does a good job! The only negative I have about it is how it actually looks, as I feel like Adidas would have benefited from leaving it all black (what would have been a heritage look in my opinion)

Versus the adiPure range
Overall, the adiPure range has not varied too much. It still holds a classic look and performance has always been at the forefront of each release. The difference with this version lies in the aesthetic changes, centered lacing and the addition of the neoprene lining for extra comfort. If you are a fan of the adiPure range then you are ultimately going to like these. It is extremely difficult to say which boot in the range is “best”, but I do like the new additions to this release and rate them very highly. In terms of which pair to get, it comes down to budget and personal preference. If I could get the adiPure III at a good deal I would take them, but ultimately my advice would be to take a chance and test out the newest boot in the range!

Negatives
Realistically, there are no major negatives about this boot! They perform well, offer great comfort and are designed with durability in mind. But if there was an area I had to pick on it would be the design. I was actually a big fan of how the adiPure III looked and feel that Adidas should have stuck with a similar design (especially in terms of the stitching).

Summary
Anytime I wear a pair of Adidas adiPure boots, I feel like I am playing in the 60’s or something! They just have an old school heritage feel about them, similar to the Copa Mundial. I absolutely love wearing them and recommend them to anyone looking but a general all around, high performing boot. Adidas already have their speed range of boots covered, but that has not stopped them lowering the weight of the adiPure down to 9.8oz (from 10.6oz in the adiPure III), giving them a slightly lightweight feel. And to finish, the highlight of the boot is the price. Again Adidas have kept the price down (around $139 right now), adding to the absolute value you get if you buy a pair!

(*boots supplied for review by soccer.com)