About a week ago, I was fortunate to get my new pair of the "most comfortable and most popular adidas running shoe", the adistar Cushion 6. As any runner who receives new running gear, I was giddy to test these babies out to the max. That means trashing them on a long run or going fast on a mid-week run. The best way to know if they're right for you is by running in them and noticing how it affects the parts of your feet, legs, body, and inevitably, mind.
Before I begin my review on the functioning aspect of this product, let's judge the asethetics of the shoe. What on God's earth? Ok, there are some shoes that look like a work of art that you want to delicately use them on your runs. But the adistar Cushion 6 looks like a pansy in dire need of a knockout. The color scheme on most adidas shoes are left to be desired. I wonder who's the artist who designs these shoes...but a major retouch needs to be in the works.
My first test was running 9 easy miles at the track. Immediately, I noticed that I was not at ease with these shoes as my other pair, the adidas Supernova Light 6, which remains my favorite adidas shoe ever.
The Supernova Light 6 is like the adistar Cushion 6 except that it is stripped of most supportive/cushioning properties that decrease running efficiency. It has just enough arch support and forefoot and heel cushioning that won't weigh you down. I have used them for training and racing, including past marathons and half marathons. They are durable, comfortable, fast, and have a relatively high mileage lifespan; the Supernova Light 6 should be used for faster runners with a neutral gait and medium-low arches, who don't need excessive cushioning.
The adistar Cushion 6 is a high stability shoe for runners with a neutral/light overpronation gait. The shoe is also heavier at more than 12 oz. than the Supernova Light 6 at 9 oz. It doesn't seem much but when you add speedwork, tempo runs, and long runs into the equation, it makes a world of a difference. The Cushion 6 has more cushioning in the forefoot with adiprene+ for increased propulsion and much more stability to absorb shock in the heel with adiprene. The shoe also features a decoupled heel; when you're running on off-camber surfaces the shoe will simulate running as if you're running on a flat surface for more comfort and less pronation. I guess the shoe was so soft that I didn't notice that one of my toes was bleeding from excessive chafing until I got home.
Because the adistar Cushion 6 was not made for speed, I decided to wear them again for my 5AM 14 mile run. My training plan called for an aerobic (easy) run so I was expecting a soft ride this morning. To the contrary, I was not used to being so slow. It's one thing when you're trying to control your speed, but it's another thing to have a shoe weigh you down to make you feel utterly useless. I am never one to give in to popular things, and the adidas Cushion 6 proves my point. That said, the adistar Cushion 6 is a great shoe only for my recovery runs when I'm thrashed from my other quality runs/races.
However, my review of the adistar Cushion 6 shouldn't deter you from trying this pair if your running style and gait matches. Many of our runners have this shoe at the Urban Run and they can attest that it is one of the best pairs they have run in. You can't beat their honest opinions! Long story short, if you're happy in the right adidas shoe, you'll come back. Case closed.
As you may have noticed from last week's run, we had Lauren give a demonstration and talk on adidas running shoes and the technology that goes in them. If you have any questions, she will answer any and all of them so that you can be extremely happy with the shoe that best meets your needs. To help her in this process, tell her how often you run and get analyzed on our footscan to see if you are a neutral, underpronator, or excessive pronator. I know the shoes that fit me the best. Be wise to stay consistent with your shoe model and follow future versions of it.
-Adrian
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