Sneak Peek: 2012 Adidas AdiPower Weightlifting Shoe
UPDATE: These are now available directly from Adidas at ShopAdidas.com. If you haven’t read my other article regarding Adidas shoes you should know I recommend buying directly from Adidas because they have free shipping (and it’s FAST) and returns/exchanges are super easy since they include a RMA label inside the box.
We just received word directly from an Adidas rep that in January 2012, Adidas will be launching the new AdiStar weightlifting shoe under the new name AdiPower Weightlifting. They have already started phasing out other AdiStar models and replacing them with the AdiPower line, such as the new AdiPower Predator Soccer Cleat (which features Adidas’s new Sharp Blue and Slime color combo that we first saw on the PowerLift Trainer models). As many of you know, the AdiStar WL shoe was launched in early 2008 in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games. It appears that the launch of the new AdiPower line is again going to coincide with a Summer Olympic game year.
The pictures we’ve found circulating of the 2012 Adidas AdiPower weightlifting shoe were taken at the Las Vegas NSCA Convention (National Strength & Conditioning Association). Although this exact shoe may only be a prototype, they do provide a good idea of the direction Adidas is going in with the new model. The AdiPower appears to be a complete departure from the previous design and is totally unrecognizable to the AdiStar.
Some of the more notable difference are the lightweight, almost foam-like material that the upper part of the shoes appears to be made of. This should allow for amazing flexibility in the forefoot, but I’m unsure how the lateral stability will be affected. Something else Adidas has done, and I personally think it is a good idea, they’ve made the interior of the tongue tacky so that it better grips your foot and holds you into the shoe.
Possibly one of the biggest and most noticeable differences (if you disregard the Halloween-like colors) is the departure from the traditional wood heel. The AdiPower has opted to go the polymer heel route using what appears to be TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) in the new “Torsion System” heel. This now makes the AdiPower very similar to the Romaleos, but the one big question is whether or not the heel height of the AdiPower model will be proportional to the shoe size as we see in the Romaleos.
Adidas has gone through a lot of effort to make this shoe more breathable, something any true weightlifter who spends hours a day in their shoes can appreciate. If you look inside the shoe you will notice several large holes in the heel. I’m wondering if they have included some type of air circulating system through the heel/sole much like what you’ll find in a nice pair of dress shoes (Clarks have this). You will also find large holes in the toe area, back of the heel and along the side of the shoe. This coupled with the lightweight material that the entire shoe appears to be made of should keep your feet dry as well as make the shoe lighter.
As soon as these are on the market, we’ll release a full review! We’d like to thank Natarem.com for providing us with some inside info and a few extra photos!