Price: $160 (Purchase now at TennisShop.com)
Weight: 14 oz. (men’s 10.5); 12 oz. (women’s 8.5)
Size Run: 6.5-15, 16 (men); 5-11 (women)
Outsole Warranty: Six-month
What’s New
For this latest Barricade in the storied franchise—its 13th iteration—subtle tweaks result in notable improvements. The upper has significantly more protection on the medial side to booster durability for toe-draggers and sliders. It’s also more breathable for greater comfort during hotter conditions. To create a more locked-in and responsive fit, the eyelets on the lacing system have been anchored more securely to the shoe. And from an aesthetics standpoint, the large Adidas callout on the medial side of the shoe has been replaced by a smaller classic three-stripe logo.
What Works
When the Barricade was relaunched in 2021 after a brief, three-year retirement, expectations were naturally high. After all, for nearly two decades the shoe was a favorite for its stability, durability and support. The retooled model looked to sustain and amplify those features, while creating a more comfortable, quick and streamlined shoe.
And for the most part, it was successful. Break-in time went from weeks to minimal, and the features gave the shoe a more modern appeal. The innovative Torsion System, which carries over to this shoe, provides a sturdy backbone to prevent twisting through the midfoot during explosive cuts and changes of direction. But it’s more flexible and forgiving than stabilizers of Barricades past, springing the foot back into action without an overly stiff feel. The shoe is an ace when it comes to side-to-side movement.
The asymmetric lacing system is another smart addition. The offset structure affords a more adaptive fit while preventing undue pressure to the top of the foot. This is particularly welcoming to players needing to bear down on the laces for a secure fit.
The previous model could be less than in this regard—couldn’t get it tight enough—which is why the updated outrigger eyelets are a definitive upgrade. The laces slide easily through the loops that are now more firmly fastened to upper so they cinch up more effectively. The sense of security and confidence when moving is much improved.
Another modification is a more robust piece of TPU that encapsulates much of the toe box and the medial side of the upper. This brings enhanced durability for sliders and toe-draggers. And in a clever piece of engineering, there’s actual tread on the TPU. So if you do roll off the outsole during a slide, there’s better grip on the court.
Even with this extra layer, the upper breathes better than the outgoing model. The mesh is more ventilated and the perforated gusseted tongue for better cooling. I tested the shoe on several sticky days with perspiration pouring out. Yet, the shoe allowed the sweat to escape to the outside of the shoe rather than saturate the foot.
Full-length Bounce 2.0 cushioning in the midsole does a respectable job of absorbing court impact. I tested these shoes on clay courts, so I didn’t put it to the challenge of a hard surface. It’s not overly plush, especially in the forefoot, but the upside is there’s better court connection. The ankle collar, however, does have excellent padding and the Geofit sense pods in the heel and shark skin lining helps lock in the back of the foot. I have narrower feet and heel slippage is always a concern, but not at all with this shoe.
Since clay would be the primary test surface, I opted to demo the outsole designed specifically for that court. It has the classic, full herringbone pattern that digs in and allows clay to move easily through the tread as you slide. The resulting traction is first-rate. There’s also an all-court model with a split herringbone pattern that is thicker in high wear zones for greater durability, and more forgiving in sliding areas. A six-month guarantee is a nice assurance.
