adidas Stella Barricade 2015 Women's Shoe Review

Comfort - Score: 4.3

The Stella Barricade 2015s not only look great, they also feature step-in comfort, which is made possible by the mesh upper. Our playtesters said, without hesitation, that the Stella Barricade 2015s are the most comfortable Barricades they have worn. "I would have never guessed the adidas Barricades could ever feel this soft," said Karly. "They're easily the most comfortable version of the Barricade so far. The uppers were made up almost entirely of a mesh, cloth-like fabric that was too soft to cause any pinching. The comfortable padding and lack of stiffness made it so I could wear them straight out of the box and onto the tennis court. The only minor issue I had with the comfort was how the shoes fit. They were long and slightly narrow for my wider feet, which left a bit of room in the toe box for my feet to move around. That roominess caused some slight rubbing, but it was very minimal. Overall, I was really impressed with how soft the Barricades felt right from the get-go."

Brittany said, "The first thing I noticed was the fit. The uni-tongue bootie was super-comfortable and formed around my feet, giving me a perfect fit. The toe box was too wide for me in the previous version, and I think that problem was fixed in this update. I experienced no rubbing on any part of my feet. While there wasn't a ton of cushioning, it was where I needed it to be; under the heel and around the ankle collar. My only comfort issue was with the arches, but I will explain that later."

Ventilation - Score: 4.3

With a full mesh upper, the Stella Barricade 2015s were more ventilated than ever. Brittany found the updated uppers left her feet cool and happy. She said, "While I did playtest these shoes in cooler months, our indoor court can get humid. I never had any issues with the ventilation of these shoes, and I found myself keeping them on after hitting."

Overheating was the least of Karly's worries with these breathable shoes. She said, "I thought the ventilation improved with this updated Barricade. All the mesh on the uppers helped keep my feet cool and my socks dry. It didn't matter if I forgot an extra pair of shoes or socks to change into after my hit, I was comfortable keeping these shoes on even when I was off the court."

Arch Support - Score: 3.2

Arch support is usually more of a personal preference, and our two playtesters had different opinions. Karly's flat feet were happy with the medium arch height. She offered, "I didn't experience any issues with the arch support. I have flat feet so the supports were more noticeable to me, but they also never caused any aching or soreness. The soles were cushioned enough to prevent any pain or discomfort, so I didn't mind the more pronounced feel at all."

The one feature that Brittany struggled with was the arch support. She had similar issues with the Barricade 7 (although she was OK with the Barricade 8). She explained, "I had issues with the arch support. For some reason it just did not hit my feet in the right spots. I was also feeling some support on my outer arches that was uncomfortable. As the playtest continued the arch support did compress a little bit, but I still was feeling the support. I think a quick insole switch would solve this problem for me."

Foot Support/Stability - Score: 3.5

The Barricade line of shoes is renowned for being stable and durable, and the Stella Barricade 2015s were no different. However, Brittany noted how different the Stella Barricade 2015s are from the tank-like versions of the first five Barricades. She commented, "These had above average stability, but in a lighter ride. As I mentioned in the comfort section, the uni-tongue/bootie kept my feet firmly in place, and I experienced no sliding in any direction. The ankle collar hit at a perfect height, and I was able to tighten my laces snugly, without pinching my feet, to get even more stability."

"These were the softest and most flexible Barricades to date, and I was still impressed with the stability and support they offered," stated Karly. "They moved and flexed with my feet while offering a secure fit when I moved in different directions. It was a different feel from the stiff, rigid support that I was used to with the previous generations, but I still had confidence making aggressive cuts on the court. This version of the Barricade traded in some of that rock-solid stability that Barricades have been known for for more comfort, but I think that compromise was worth it."

Overall Sole Durability - Score: 4.1

Our playtesters were amazed at the durability of the Stella Barricade 2015's outsole, especially since the Stella Barricade 2015s weigh less than any of the previous Barricades. Karly said, "Like the generations before it, I thought the durability was exceptional, especially when considering how light they feel. After 25-plus hours of play the outsoles look as though I've worn them for only an hour. The Barricades continue to be tennis shoes that are designed to last longer than most, and now they are easily one of the most durable and lightweight shoes out there."

Brittany agreed, adding, "With lighter weight shoes I expect less outsole durability. However, I thought the Stella Barricade 2015s had above average durability. I was experiencing some smoothing in the major wear areas, like I do with most lightweight shoes, but nothing out of the ordinary. These shoes have held up well over the 20-plus hours of court time that I've put on them."

Toe Durability - Score: 4.0

Our sole toe dragger, Brittany, said, "Like the Stella Barricade 8, the toe bumper is made of a colored translucent plastic. While it did hold up to my toe dragging I can see a good amount of scraping, but I still have plenty of hours left on them. The toe bumper did extend high enough on the upper to prevent damage to that part of the shoe from toe dragging."

Traction - Score: 4.3

Despite an exceptionally durable outsole, the Stella Barricade 2015s maintained a solid grip on the court throughout the playtest. "The outsoles offered enough tack to make it easy for me to change directions quickly," said Karly. "They also provided enough give so that I never felt stuck to the ground. Nor did I experience any slipping or sliding, which helped give me even more confidence to make aggressive movements on the court. The traction was another positive feature for me with these shoes."

Brittany noticed a low-to-the-ground feel and felt connected to the court in these shoes. She explained, "During my first session on the court I noticed the shoes giving a little more than I like. However, to my surprise and delight I found the traction got better after that. I was able to change directions without any slippage and could move forward without feeling stuck to the court."

Weight - Score: 4.6

We aren't sure how adidas does it, but the Stella Barricade 2015s felt light and quick, even with their durable outsoles. These shoes felt great on the court for Brittany, who prefers lighter shoes. She commented, "I was able to move around with speed, and it felt like I wasn't even wearing shoes. I tend to favor lighter weight shoes in general, and these definitely score high in my book. I have no complaints here."

"I'm sure I'm beginning to sound like a broken record every time a new Barricade is released, but I can't help it," Karly admitted. "adidas always finds a way to make the Barricades feel lighter than the previous version. This version, in particular, is very lightweight and plays fast compared to most shoes in general. All the mesh on the uppers make the shoes light, while the support and traction makes it easy to move aggressively and without hesitation. I loved how quickly and confidently I was moving on the court in these Barricades."

Overall - Score: 4.2

Playtester Foot Types:
Brittany - Narrow width, Medium arch
Karly - Medium width, Medium-low arch

Review date: December 2014. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.

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