Update: we found two new reviews. Posted towards the bottom of review
Of all the reviews we have posted this has been the hardest. We have tried all our advanced search tricks, set up product alerts and still very few true reviews to be found. We found tons of sites talking about it but no real reviews. Needless to say this review round-up will be updated as soon as we find something worth posting. If you come across a review for the Adidas 1 please email us and we will gladly give you full credit for the find. Here is a short list( a very short list)of what we found. The Engadget review is the most complete review and has the best quote.
Engadget by Peter Rojas
“First off, these are quite possibly the ugliest shoes we’ve ever worn, no matter how fine they appear in the photos, know that they look far worse in person (we actually preferred the packaging to the shoes themselves).”
Josh Rubin
“So how did it feel running in these things? Great! The bottom line is that it’s a really comfortable, solid shoe. We played with the settings so I could feel the range available, but once I just let the shoe adapt to me, it just felt good. And that’s the point. You shouldn’t constantly feel the shoe adjusting, you should just be able to run comfortably over any terrain.”
update:
here are two more reviews to add to the list
AP by Frank Bajak via ABC News
“one particularly long run I hit that endorphin-juiced sweet spot where my legs seem to cycle like a flywheel, even as fatigue sets in, I felt the shoes assisting me.
I’d have to say that the harder the surface and the choppier your running style, the more a pair of Adidas 1 will help you.”
The Authour does make an interesting point:
“There’s a computer inside these shoes taking measurements. It can record how far I run, diagnose my style and perhaps provide advice. How to tap in for feedback?
With these shoes, there’s no way to extract the data.” Maybe Adidas 2.0?
Working Smarter (this site has two reviews: first impressions and The week after review. This link is for the week after review)
“My main gripe is the weight. This shoe is heavy, and after a long run of 2 hours on Sunday, I felt it towards the end of my run. It’s definitely not a shoe you want to run long hours in.”
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Tags: adidas, exercise, shoes
4 responses
Dave
Jun 27, 2005 at 3:21 am
I agree, there are very very few reviews, surpising as these sneakers have been out for 3 months now.
I think Adidas have got it well wrong by restricting sale of these to specialist outlets and targetting the serious running market.
If they made them available in mainstream sports shops and targetted fashion buyers like myself, they would sell more. Personally I think they look ace as a fashion accessory.
Anonymous
Aug 30, 2005 at 12:47 am
I purchased a pair of Adidas 1’s. I do a lot of running and thought it may be helpful for my sore knee. After receiving them the first day I discovered that they were defective. So I sent them back and now I have a new pair. I have to admit I did not expect a miracle from these shoes but I did at least expect them to seem like they adjust.
First off you are supposed to be able to put them into demo mode. I followed the directions to do so and the tiny motor makes a little noise but nothing really happens. To be honest I can’t even see or feel them adjust in demo mode all I hear is a little motor noise. I have for sure felt zero difference while in use.
I am considering calling the adidas store again to make sure they are really working but they said they tested them before they sent me a new pair so I can only assume I have a functioning pair.
So here is the deal. They are very comfortable but for 250.00 they should be. But I do not think they are really doing much while I use them.
I do think the concept is great if it works. I would not buy them again or recommend anyone else spend the extra money. A neat idea comfortable shoes, but they just don’t seem like they do much. I would wait a few years to see how the technology progresses.
Anonymous
Sep 7, 2005 at 9:34 pm
I am on my second pair of Adidas 1’s. The first pair was returned and replaced because they were DOA. After 15 minutes of running on my treadmill I noticed a noise coming from the left shoe. Each time I took a step it sounded like a quarter being shook inside a plastic Easter Egg. It was very noticeable and to say the least annoying. For a $250.00 pair of shoes they should not break after 15 minutes. They are now on their way back and I will request a refund. Comfortable shoes but not built to last. Do not buy these.
Apr 8, 2006 at 8:59 pm
People may want to try an understand what goes on in the minds of “early adopters” who are “crazy” enough to pay $400 Canadian (incl. tax) for a pair of running shoes. Well let me tell you in point form.
1. No matter what the cost of these shoes were, I was going to buy it and nothing would have stopped me.
2. As a “techie” and working in the technology and management consulting industry, having the lastest and greatest advantage over all my competitors is what is most important. Even though there are no “real” competitors, ensuring that all my actions are aligned with obtaining the newest tools I need to be successful, this is all that matters.
3. My goal is to maintain a physically active lifestyle and if a few hundred bucks will motivate me to keep to this goal, then it’s all worth it.
4. I was the first person in the entire MALL that has purchased this shoe. When I asked to try on a pair, all 7 of the sales staff dropped what they were doing to crowd around to have a look at this shoe. “When was the last time this ever happened for a freaking running shoe?”
5. When I tried on the shoes in the store for the first time, the first thing I started doing was jumping around and run/pivot/stop looking like an idiot. But for $400 I wanted to make sure and didn’t care what people thought of me looking like michael jackson in Foot Locker. I was looking for any reason to NOT LIKE the shoe by feeling for any discomfort or material that would blister my foot or contort it in any unnatural position. I could not find any flaw, it felt very comfortable, stable and supported. So I bought it.
6. When I first got home I played with the tight/loose setting and you can hear the little motors working as I went nutz jumping, rolling, stopping, pivoting etc… This is the coolest thing I have ever worn.
7. The cool factor is too high, so if you want to be superior amongst your friends in the arena of running shoes and gadgets, look no further because this is it. I can’t wait to tell all my IT friends and other gadget nerds that I have this shoe.
8. Let me tell you why this shoe is soo cool. It has merged the two worlds of NERDS and JOCKS in the same arena. All Jocks want to be nerds, and all Nerds want to be Jocks. This is the best of both worlds!!! This basically covers off any guy out there. How do you beat that?
Pros:
Newest Technology in Running, Looks wicked, Commands respect from everyone on “cool” factor, price, looks and techie vibe.
Show off to the Nerds.
Show off to the Jocks.
Cons:
Price.
Become a prime target to get rolled for your shoes. Like getting rolled for your “docks” in ‘88.
Get chased by neighbourhood gangs who want to steal your shoes.
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