adidas Barricade 2018 Men's Shoe Review

Summary
Hunker down, aggressive movers. With a few minor updates, adidas' flagship shoe got a little lighter and a little more comfortable. But don't fret, our playtesters found the adidas Barricade 2018s to be just as stable and durable as loyal fans have come to expect. With a seamless, forged-mesh upper, the Barricade 2018s will conform to the natural shape of your feet and feel more organic than their lineage might suggest, though they still requires a break-in period to get the flex and traction just right. Although the updates may be subtle, they reflect careful consideration to longtime enthusiasts of the Barricade line; the 2018 model still plays like the Barricades that fans know and love, and according to our playtesters, they feel better than ever.
adidas Barricade 2018 Men's Shoe Scores
Comfort | 3.7 |
Ventilation | 3.8 |
Arch Support | 4.4 |
Foot Support/Stability | 4.8 |
Overall Sole Durability | 4.7 |
Toe Durability | 4.7 |
Traction | 4.5 |
Weight | 3.9 |
Overall | 4.3 |

Comfort - Score: 3.7
Although the Barricade line is not known to emphasize comfort, the updated Barricade 2018s feature more mesh in the uppers, which translates to a more pliable feel. Some issues with toes jamming into the ends of the shoes were experienced at times, but overall, our team enjoyed the new Barricade’s comfort level. "I really liked this subtle update to the Barricade," said Chris. "The uppers broke in faster for me, and I felt comfortable in them from my very first hit. I liked the way the uppers flexed and moved with my feet. The level of cushioning felt very good despite these not being the Boost version. The ventilation was adequate — not great, but my feet never got too overheated. I did have a couple of instances where my toes jammed into the ends of the shoes, but apart from that I was pleased with the Barricade 2018’s comfort."
Troy drew upon his experience with the Barricade line for this review. He offered, "Based on my time with the adidas Barricade 17 BOOST, I made sure to get the sizing right for my feet. I decided to go down a half size because I found that the Barricade 17 BOOSTs got too roomy as I broke them in. With my sizing adjusted, the fit was great, other than a bit of extra room in the toe box. Compared to the 2017 Barricade BOOSTs, these Barricade 2018s didn't quite have the same extremely soft feel when I landed on my heels. However, this wasn't necessarily an issue for me, since my biggest concern was the forefoot cushioning and the rigid toe guard. The main concern I have with these shoes, and the main problem I’ve had with most versions of the Barricades, is that the toe guard material is too rigid. I understand that the design caters toward a high level of toe durability, but for me it isn’t worth the comfort trade off. Every time I sprint forward and come to an aggressive stop my toes jam into the front of these shoes, which is something I’m never worried about with my Asics Gel Resolution 7s. On the upside, this is the first shoe playtest in quite some time that I was able to play without my Superfeet Premium Insoles. I felt confident that the arches of my feet were supported with these shoes. I found the ventilation to be average compared to other shoes in the same weight class, but I felt that the adidas Barricade 17’s knit upper allowed for better breathability compared to this 2018 version."
Sean had to get through a strenuous adjustment period with his pair before he started feeling comfortable. He said, "I think the biggest improvement was the ventilation in the uppers, which introduced more mesh into the shoes. Obviously, these shoes aren't as comfortably responsive as the Barricade Boosts, but that’s to be expected. The break-in period lasted a few days for me, and to be honest, it was like boot camp for my feet. I really had to push through those days because my feet were pretty sore on the medial side. After the break-in period the Barricade 2018s were much more responsive to the twisting of my feet. By the end of the playtest the only real lasting grievance I had was some persistent toe jamming when I was pushed on my movement because the toe box was pretty roomy."
Like the other playtesters, Jason needed a break-in period, but he was still left feeling like something was missing in the midsole. He added, "The fit felt a little long to me, but not enough for me to move down a half size. Like with all the other Barricades I've tested, this latest version needed a solid break-in. It took five or six hours of court time before these shoes felt comfortable. Initially, I experienced some arch soreness in my feet because the shoes were too stiff in the midsole and outsole to flex with my feet during play. The Barricade 2018’s cushioning was adequate; it had a slightly firmer ride, but coming from testing the Barricade 2017 Boost, I was spoiled by that plush cushioning system, which I prefer.”

Foot Support/Stability - Score: 4.8
The moniker "Barricade" evokes imagery of security, being locked down and safely sheltered. Even though this iteration trades some weight for maneuverability, our playtesters found the Barricade 2018 just as stable as ever. Troy said, "Barricade shoes have long held a reputation for providing the highest level of support and stability. This 2018 version lived up to the reputation. Throughout this playtest I found that these shoes locked my feet in and made me feel very secure in my lateral movements. The combination of a strong midfoot shank, a low-to-the-ground forefoot and a secure fit provided an elite level of support and stability. When I cinched the laces tightly the Barricade 2018s hugged my feet, especially around the heels and ankles. When I was moving side to side these shoes supplied a high level of stability. I never felt as if I were going to roll my ankles or lose my footing due to the shoes stretching or twisting."
Sean found the Barricade 2018s to be almost too stable. He stated, "Whenever I think of premium stable shoes, the Barricade line comes to mind almost immediately. I thought the 2018 Barricades were stable, almost to a fault. They were very stiff out of the box, and although I never felt like these shoes were lacking in protection on sharp movements, I was left wishing they were a little lighter and less stable because I thought they overshot the stability needs of players a little bit. I do understand that these shoes fill a specific niche, and overall I thought the stability level was super impressive."
Jason, however, was elated with the secure response. He raved, "This is where the Barricades shine. I found the side-to-side stability to be exceptional. I could move aggressively from sideline to sideline, plant and change directions with zero fear of my ankles rolling over. When I was moving forward I did notice a little heel slippage on my initial step (likely from the fit being a little long), but when I was trying to stop I didn't have any toe jamming issues."
Chris also found it difficult to fault the Barricade 2018s in the stability department. He said, "The level of support and stability from Barricades is always top notch. The Barricade 2018s were no exception. My feet felt very locked in during lateral moves. The shoe’s chassis is quite stiff, so it resisted flexing well. My arches felt extremely well supported, and I loved the level of support in that area. I was able to get my feet locked in tight with the lace system, which meant I didn't have much sliding around inside the shoes."

Overall Sole Durability - Score: 4.7
Aside from the premium-level stability, many players return to the Barricade for its renowned durability. Our playtesters were unanimously impressed by how well the Barricade 2018s held up against the wear and tear of hard courts, as hour after hour of relentless friction could not break down the Barricade's defenses. Sean generally wears through his outsoles in a hurry, but he was no match for the durability of the Barricades. He said, "The outsoles were definitely far above average in durability, but the toe durability, which is where I wear out my shoes, was exceptional. These are among the most durable shoes I've worn, right next to my Gel Resolutions. I will never complain about more durable outsoles."
Durability was no concern for Jason, who said, "I was able to put about 15 hours of court time on these shoes and have yet to see any real signs of tread wear. Their durability is right on par with the rest of the Barricade line. I can see myself easily putting another 20 to 30 hours on these before they start to wear down.”
"I loved the durability of these shoes," said Chris. "The Barricades are usually in a class of their own when it comes to durability, and I found the 2018s to be top notch as well. Both outsole and toe durability proved to be excellent, so top marks from me here."
Troy was not surprised by the durability, but that didn't stop him from being impressed. He said, "As with previous iterations, the adidas Barricade 2018s proved to be some of the most durable shoes on the market. The ADIWEAR 6 rubber outsole held up well throughout this playtest. The toe region underneath the balls of my feet is where I typically wear down the outsoles of my shoes the most. At the conclusion of this playtest there was moderate wear to this region of the outsoles, whereas with most shoes it is completely bald. With these adidas Barricade 2018s, the outsole did not seem as substantial as some of the older versions of the Barricade, such as the 5, 6 and 7. Although the 2018’s outsoles felt less bulky, the ADIWEAR 6 rubber compound helped this shoe last like a Barricade should."
Traction - Score: 4.5
Although not all of our playtesters enjoyed how much traction the Barricade 2018s initially offered, everyone was satisfied once the outsoles had a little extra court time. Jason explained, "I felt like the traction was really good — almost too good because I actually would've preferred a little more give. The main thing I look for with traction is not slipping on the first explosive step toward the ball, and I didn’t have to worry about that at all in these shoes."
Chris enjoyed the level of traction from the first wear to the last. He continued to praise the Barricade's performance, saying, "The traction level was spot on. I was moving with the utmost confidence and found I could always trust the outsoles to provide the perfect amount of grip. There was just enough give from the outsoles to allow me to move easily, and I never felt the shoes hang up on the court surface. When I was looking to make a quick start or push off from an aggressive lateral move the outsoles offered enough grip to get me going quickly. Top marks from me again!"
Similar to his experience with the fit, Troy had to wait a little while for his shoes' traction to reach their full potential, but once they wore in they didn't disappoint. He said, "During the initial phase of testing these shoes I found the outsoles to feel a bit too sticky for my liking. I have noticed this to be consistent with previous versions of the Barricades. When I came to a halt from a full sprint, the stickiness of the outsoles caused a jarring stop. After a few hours on court, though, the outsoles seemed to break in. The level of grip started to feel just right, and coming to a stop felt much smoother and more controlled. I found the traction to be great anytime I needed to rapidly accelerate toward the ball. The high level of grip helped me take off with a powerful first step and convert that energy efficiently to retrieve the next ball."
Sean echoed Troy's initial gripes, but he also found that the shoes aged well. He recalled, "Part of the break-in period included a little wear down on the outsole to get the traction right. I thought they were pretty sticky and stiff out of the box, but they became more performance oriented as the playtest went on. I played on many different speeds of hard courts throughout the playtest, and I felt confident with my movement no matter where I was playing.”
Weight - Score: 3.9
Although the Barricade line’s weight has often been a point of contention, our playtesters had no real complaints this time around. Chris explained, "The Barricade 2018s are not the lightest shoes, but I still felt like I was moving very well in them. The traction, support and stability came together to give me what I needed to move at my best. These shoes offered all of that impressive performance without feeling overly heavy."
Troy found the weight to be directly connected to the feel of the break-in, which improved with time. He recounted, "During the break-in period the rigidity caused the Barricade 2018s to feel a bit sluggish for their weight. The feel was a little clunky when I was running, and I didn't have a smooth heel-to-toe transition. After these shoes broke in and started to flex more naturally with my gait, the weight started to feel much more similar to my go-to shoes. Compared to the previous versions of the Barricade that I have tried (6, 7, 8, 2017 Boost), this version felt the lightest and fastest. After about two weeks of wearing these shoes they were well broken in and made me feel fast. Furthermore, since I didn’t feel the need to wear my Superfeet Premium Insoles, which add some weight, I felt even lighter with these shoes on. The adidas Barricade 2018s impressed me with their relatively lightweight feel, while still packing that trademark Barricade durability and support."
Sean, who has grown accustomed to lighter shoes, ended up adjusting just fine to the Barricades. He said, "It was a little difficult going from the Vapor X playtest right into the Barricade review, mostly because of the weight disparity. However, this was an unfair comparison, and once I adjusted to the Barricade 2018s I thought the weight was fine. I liked that these were lighter than the last iteration, and I think that this is a step in the right direction for the Barricades if they want to stay relevant in the evolving footwear market."
Jason's sentiments were right in line with the rest of the crew. He said, "These are not lightweight shoes by any means, but I never felt like the weight was an issue. Considering all the durability and stability the Barricade 2018s provide, the weight is almost expected."
Overall - Score: 4.3
Sean's Scores | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overall Comfort | 3.8 | Overall Sole Durability | 4.7 |
Ventilation | 3.8 | Toe Durability | 5 |
Arch Support | 4.4 | Traction | 4.6 |
Foot support/Stability | 4.8 | Weight | 3.7 |
Overall | 4.3 |
Chris' Scores | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overall Comfort | 3.6 | Overall Sole Durability | 5 |
Ventilation | 4 | Toe Durability | 5 |
Arch Support | 5 | Traction | 5 |
Foot support/Stability | 5 | Weight | 4 |
Overall | 4.8 |
Jason's Scores | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overall Comfort | 3.9 | Overall Sole Durability | 4.9 |
Ventilation | 4 | Toe Durability | |
Arch Support | 4 | Traction | 4.6 |
Foot support/Stability | 4.8 | Weight | 3.9 |
Overall | 4.1 |
Troy's Scores | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overall Comfort | 3.5 | Overall Sole Durability | 4.2 |
Ventilation | 3.2 | Toe Durability | 4 |
Arch Support | 4 | Traction | 3.8 |
Foot support/Stability | 4.5 | Weight | 3.8 |
Overall | 3.9 |
Likes
Jason - "All the things we've come to associate with the Barricade line: superior stability, traction and durability. The Barricade 2018s feature a new upper material that feels softer and flexes better."
Chris - "More support than a hometown crowd, fantastic stability, loads of traction, class-leading durability, nice cushioning and redesigned uppers that offer a quicker break-in. It all came together to make this a great update for me."
Troy - "As with most versions of the adidas Barricade, I love the lateral stability, foot support and elite level of durability."
Sean - "The traction and durability are on point for me, and the stability isn't far behind."
Dislikes
Jason - "The length fits slightly long, so I have some heel slippage problems in these shoes. The break-in period seems to be a necessary evil with Barricades."
Chris - "The lateral part of the Trustic system feels pretty firm against the lateral edge of my feet. Other than that, no complaints."
Troy - "Although this issue has improved compared to previous iterations of the Barricade, I still experience painful toe jamming whenever I put on the brakes after sprinting forward. I would ask the design team for just a bit more midsole padding in the forefoot region."
Sean - “The toe box is too spacious, and the Barricade 2018s feel very stiff at first."
Comparing the shoe to others they've tried, our testers said:
Jason - "The Barricade 2018’s upper feels a little softer than the previous model. I prefer the models with Boost cushioning for the plusher, more cushioned ride."
Chris - "I found that the Barricade 2018s broke in a tad faster than my last Barricades, while offering the same excellent levels of support and stability. The only shoes that come close are the Asics Gel Resolutions, but they aren’t quite as durable."
Troy - "I found these 2018 Barricades to have many similarities to the 2017 version. After the break-in period the Barricade 2018s felt lighter than any Barricade I’ve playtested. I preferred the mesh uppers of the 2017 Barricades, which felt plusher on my feet. I enjoyed a nice and secure fit with the Barricade 2018s, although there was a bit too much room in the toe box. Even after I broke them in, these shoes didn’t contour to my feet quite as well as my Asics Gel Resolution 7s."
Sean - "To reiterate, I enjoyed the lighter ride of the Barricade 2018s compared to the past models, and I definitely thought these were an improvement overall. Personally, I would stick to my Gel Resolution 7s because they occupy that narrow space between being light enough to feel quick and having top-of-the-line stability. I would place these Barricades behind the Gel Resolutions, but not by much.”