Adidas is a German sporting giant. They manufacture tracksuits, jackets, football kits, t-shirts, hats and gloves. However, their most famous products (and the items HotUKDeals customers will probably be most interested in) are their iconic trainers and football boots.
Whether you want a pair of designer trainers for urban living or you need some running shoes to train for a marathon, this buyer's guide will provide the ideal introduction to what Adidas have to offer.
The story of Adidas started in the ashes of war. After World War I, a German man named Adolf Dassler started making sports shoes from his mother's house in a small town called Herzogenaurach. Dassler (who also went by the nickname “Adi”) eventually started up a footwear factory with his brother Rudolf. The company took the name Adidas after Adi Dassler, an identity that has stuck ever since.
Famously, the two persuaded Jesse Owens to use their spiked shoes in 1936 as he swept the board at the Berlin Olympics, which set the firm up worldwide as a provider of goods to the globe's sporting elite.
After World War Two, Adidas went from strength to strength. However, things weren't always so smooth. In 1947, Rudolf left the firm to form Puma, which remains a major competitor. The two brothers never really got on after that, which was a shame for their family but led to healthy competition in the sporting goods field.
By the 1970s both Adidas and Puma were equipping football teams, boxers and runners all over the world. Since then, the company has solidified its reputation (albeit with a few corporate hiccups along the way). It has become the NBA's official equipment provider, continued to kit out leading footballers and even expanded into golf wear and equipment. Sports and Adidas are still inseparable, and the German giant helps millions of sports fans stay active every day.
Adidas have become one of the world's big three sportswear manufacturers for a reason. Well, a number of reasons actually, and all are to do with the way their footwear and clothing performs during sporting activities.
For example, Adidas running shoes feature mesh uppers which mould themselves to the position and shape of the wearer's foot and keep them cool during long runs, and their outer soles have excellent grip, reducing the risk of injury in icy or wet conditions.
This kind of attention to detail runs throughout their product range. The reason is simple. Adidas work very closely with elite athletes who provide feedback about their shoes' performance. And they also work with biomechanics specialists to ensure that their designs work in tune with the body. This research and feedback filters down to everyday Adidas products, resulting in shoes and clothes that perform brilliantly at the gym, on the football pitch or on the running track.
Adidas is most famous for its stylish high-performance footwear collection, which has provided World Cup winning footballers, Olympic gold medalists and Major winning golfers with the tools they need to succeed for over 50 years. Here are some of the most popular current brands. There are also plenty of older shoes that are collectable and still perfectly fine to wear, and we'll look at them later on. For now, let's get back to the current selection:
Running shoes – Adidas are one of the world's biggest manufacturers of elite running shoes, helping millions of runners around the world achieve their fitness goals. Ultra Boost is one of their most successful running brands, supplying plenty of support and flexibility as well as a relatively high heel drop which can help alleviate Achilles tendon or other heel complaints. Mana Bounce have the same bounce sole technology but come with a more smart-casual look so they could easily be used in social and fitness situations. Fluid Cloud offer something slightly different, with a foam injected midsole that increased the softness and responsiveness of the sole, making them even more cushioned than Ultra Boost. Edge Lux are more streamlined, feature dynamic multi-coloured designs and are much lighter, making them ideal for younger runners. They also come with a women-specific fit which female runners may appreciate. There are also more Adidas running shoes that were not mentioned in detail here, such as Deerupt, Iniki, Supernova, EQT, that ensure successful running experience with high-technology, so take a look at all the range and find a pair that meets your needs.
Football boots – With their diagonal striped motif, Adidas football boots are a ubiquitous sight on pitches all over the world. Their current selection includes plenty of exciting designs, including specialist boots for firm ground like the Ace or Nemeziz, designs that are optimised for astroturf surfaces like the PureControl, indoor football boots with rubber soles and classics like the Kaiser boot, which blends vintage aesthetics, comfort and a relatively low price level. Prices vary quite a lot for Adidas football boots, so be aware of this. However, even the cheapest tend to perform fairly well, lasting for a couple of years of weekly use in most cases. But with specialist models for different ground types, some regular footballers will find it essential to upgrade.
Golf shoes – The past twenty years have seen Adidas enter the world of golf in a big way. As the sport has been lit up by young stars, Adidas has capitalised, delivering streamlined golf spikes that appeal to younger players. Models like the Tour360 Boost deliver high-quality grip, plenty of flexibility, stability and manage to keep golfers' feet nice and cool while remaining waterproof. It's a delicate balancing act, but Adidas golf shoes manage it capably.
Skateboarding shoes and hi-tops – Adidas offers a massive range of shoes for urban activities and extreme sports. Low-heeled trainers like their Premiere are typical, with their skillfully blended suede uppers and rubber soles – as well as the instantly recognisable Adidas logo. If you are a committed boarder, the vulcanised soles will provide all the grip you need. Then there are basketball shoes like the Matchcourt hi-tops – visually attractive trainers with enough heel support to get you off the ground in safety. Just like Adidas' collections of tennis shoes, these hi-tops are a perfect blend of sporting technology and everyday style.
Sandals and flip-flops – If you are jetting off to the Mediterranean or you just need some casual sandals to get around the house, Adidas have the answers. Poolside options like their Durano slides will make getting around resorts simple and are just has handy for leaving the bathroom back home. There are sandals with heel supports like the Adilette slides as well as specialist swimming sandals with extra grip to prevent poolside accidents.
Boots – Adidas may not be famous for it, but they also offer a fantastic little collection of walking and work boots. Anyone who needs a rugged pair of boots with protective toecaps and unbeatable waterproofing should check out designs like the Terrex collection. There are also special designs for women like the eyecatching Superstar Primeknit boots which would fit seamlessly into any festival clothing collection.
Kids shoes – Adults aren't the only ones who can benefit from a new pair of cheap Adidas trainers. The German company also offers a collection of “cribs” - specially designed footwear for babies, toddlers and young children which are basically cute little versions of their adult designs.
That's a general look at some of the company's footwear products. However, some people might be more interested in specific brands. Here are some of the most famous:
Adidas by Stella McCartney – The British fashion designer has been drafted in to create a range of women's trainers which blend contemporary graphic design trends with the quality we expect from Adidas trainers. Have a look if you need to blend aesthetics and sporting performance.
Adidas Originals – Adidas Originals is basically their collection of everyday casual clothing and footwear. They tend to feature retro-flavoured designs and plenty of colour, and they are a bridge between the worlds of sport and social life. Examples include the Gazelle range of casual trainers, which never seem to go out of fashion, and the Campus range, which remains popular with its classic design.
Adidas Performance – By contrast, Adidas Performance shoes are explicitly for sport. They tend to be more expensive than Originals and don't always focus on the way they look. Instead, these shoes prioritise comfort and structure, helping sportsmen and women get the most out of their bodies.
Adidas Superstar – A wildly popular collection, the Superstar was initially designed as a professional basketball trainer and has been around since 1969 in one form or other. Made famous by its association with rap group Run DMC, they are often worn with custom laces and come in wildly inventive graphical styles as well as plain black or white options.
Adidas NMD – Possibly the company's most accomplished pair of trainers, the NMD was announced in 2015. Featuring a Primeknit chassis and Boost soles, NMD feel completely modern but also have a timeless look to them. As with all of Adidas' best trainers, they are equally at home on the track as at the bar.
Adidas Stan Smith – Originally designed as tennis shoes named after an American tennis player Stan Smith, Adidas Stan Smith is not more widely beloved as a casual footwear. Its design is distinguished by the tongue that features Stan Smith's face portrait, signature and name in green and by its green padding. Reacting to its popularity, various limited editions came out, which expanded its fan base.
Adidas Tubular – Released in 2014, the Tubular range has been described as a lifestyle trainer, which is probably code for being good-looking and comfortable to wear. Featuring plenty of padding and a soft sole, the Tubular range has been a huge hit with footwear fans across the UK.
Adidas Yeezy – Music fans will know from the start where the Adidas Yeezy range comes from. It was launched in 2013 as a collaboration between the German firm and rap artist Kanye West, and it reflects the singer's confident personality. Available in four iterations as of 2017, the Yeezy range is imaginative but practical at the same time. However, stocks tend to be limited, so hurry when they become available and shop around for cheap Adidas trainers: Yeezy shoes don't easily come cheap.
Adidas ZX Flux – The design of the ZX Flux trainers go back to the year of 1989, it's one of Adidas' most iconic shoe range and its loved by people around the world even if they're not the biggest sneakerheads.
Put simply, a lot. Adidas is an all-round sportswear manufacturer with an interest in almost every major sport, from rugby to ten-pin bowling. Here's a quick run down of the products you can expect to find at the Adidas HotUKDeals listings:
Tops – Adidas produce a huge variety of men's, women's and kid's tops, including t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, fitness tops, track tops, hoodies and jerseys.
Jackets – Outerwear is an Adidas speciality, with waterproof jackets, track jackets, padded vests, tech jackets, bomber jackets and windbreakers all there to choose from. If you need some serious protection from the wind and rain, the Terrex Multi 3-Layer GTX jacket is a great option to go for.
Trousers – Choose from running trousers, yoga pants, tracksuits, shorts, swimming shorts as well as some nifty skirts and dresses that are ideal for sports like tennis.
Accessories – Adidas has a massive accessories range. For men, there are options like shoulder bags, backpacks, training bags, socks, hats, gloves, scarves, swimming goggles, mobile phone cases and even boxing gloves. For women, there are plenty of bags, gloves, hats and scarves as well – everything you need to get active and store your possessions.
If you are looking for a pair of Adidas running shoes, you'll find no shortage of options. Their Adizero range tends to be ideal for explosive athletes where speed over short distances is really important. Their Adistar shoes, by contrast, are adapted for long distance running, with slightly less bulk and plenty of muscular support. There are Supernova shoes which are like a mixture of the two, while Response shoes are a slightly lower-cost running alternative that still outperforms most other brands.
When should you buy a new pair of Adidas running shoes? Well, it depends on when you last replaced your training footwear. A general rule of thumb is to replace your shoes every 500 miles or so. However, who really keeps count of their distance like that? Instead, carry out some basic checks.
First, put your trainers on their base and look at the rear end of the shoe (the heel). If it lists to one side, then the heel may have worn away, leaving your shoes unbalanced and increasing the dangers of injuries. The state of the sole is crucial. Side panels and laces don't matter so much, but when the sole starts to erode, you could have problems.
Adidas trainers have a reputation for coming up rather small, so before you make a purchase, carry out a quick size check and think about buying a size larger than you normally would. If it's not the right fit, don't worry. Most retailers operate 14 day free returns and you can request an exchange without any problems.
To measure your size, the best way is to trace around your foot with a pencil (with the foot placed flat on a piece of paper). Then, use a ruler or tape measure to gauge the distance from the tip of the toes to the heel and measure the widest part of the foot as well. To give an idea, feet that are 10 inches long are the equivalent of size 8s, and you can find more detailed information about UK and US shoes sizes on their website.
Let's quickly look at Adidas' vintage footwear, as this is an area that includes some classic designs. Shopping for vintage footwear can be a bit of a minefield, so here are some pointers.
Firstly, think about shoe size. Vintage shoes will probably be fine in terms of length, but things have changed over the years regarding width. Older shoes tend to come up slightly more narrow than today's designs, something all buyers should keep in mind.
Secondly, try to inspect the shoes if you can. If they are listed as “mint” then that's exactly what they should be. Don't accept worn patches of suede. However, for older varieties, some damage is probably inevitable (and can add character to their appearance). Just be on the lookout for things like loose soles and touched-up colour.
Finally, shop at the right places. HotUKDeals may have some Adidas vintage shoes available for time to time. If that fails, stores like Beyond Retro are great places to pick up classic Gazelles, while ASOS and eBay are also options.
Now, the crux of the matter: how can you buy the Adidas shoes you want at the lowest possible price?
Shopping in sales is a must when you need to keep costs down. Thankfully, there's no shortage of retailers offering Adidas footwear, so whatever time of year you shop, there will be offers available. Check the HotUKDeals Adidas listings to find out whether merchants like Sports Direct, JD Sports, Zalando and Wiggle have any deals on at the moment. These could be simple money-off deals, but check for discount coupons and codes as well.
Adidas also include an Outlet section at their UK website, where thousands of products are regularly discounted by up to 50%. Be sure to check it out, and sign up to their newsletter for news about upcoming promotions.
Shop at the right time of year as well. Just after Christmas is a good time to pick up running and gym shoes, while Black Friday in November tends to deliver plenty of massive reductions as well. You can find them all at the HotUKDeals Adidas listings, so there's no reason to miss any of them.
Adidas is a go-to brand for footballers, golfers, boxers, runners, tennis players, cricketers – pretty much any kind of sport you can care to mention. Whatever products you need, from waterproof jackets to the most sophisticated football boots, you can find footwear and sports clothing at rock bottom prices by checking out the Adidas HotUKDeals listings.
