Round-up review: our score and verdict are based on published specs and reviews from across the web, not our own play-testing yet.
adidas’s stability flagship, now on a diet. The 14 is for baseliners who want Barricade-grade lockdown without Barricade-grade heft, and for anyone who has written off earlier versions as tanks. Tennis Warehouse’s playtest team scored it 7.8 out of 10 and called it the fastest-feeling Barricade any of them had worn.
A Barricade that moves like an Ubersonic
Weight was the standout score at 8.7 out of 10. Munish called it the lightest Barricade he had ever owned and his new favourite, and the break-in was the quickest any tester could remember from this line. Ventilation scored 8.6, with airflow over the toes singled out for praise.
Blindfolded, one tester said, he would have sworn he was wearing Ubersonics.
Stability, mostly intact
Foot support came in at 8.4. The new midfoot claw and an extra set of eyelets kept most testers planted through hard lateral cuts, though one felt the upper stretch on sideline sprints and another had the claw dig into the edge of his foot for the life of the shoe. Comfort was the mixed category at 7.7: the heel is plush, the forefoot cushioning is thin, and one tester’s foot slid forward on hard stops and jammed his toes.
Durability took the hit
Sole durability was the lowest score at 7.3, and the testers agreed this is the least durable Barricade so far. One wore a hole through the outsole in about 15 hours. Another put in 15 to 20 hours and found the softer, almost gummy Lighttraxion rubber held up decently but wore faster at the toe than older versions. The compound is also sticky: traction scored 7.2, and some testers felt it caught them mid-movement. Clay and Grass versions exist, including a Wimbledon colourway, and the Barricade 13 is still on sale for less.
Key specs
- Court versions All court, clay, grass
- Outsole Lighttraxion rubber
- Stability Midfoot claw, extra eyelets
- Ventilation 8.6 out of 10 (playtest)
Verdict
A faster, lighter Barricade that keeps most of its stability pedigree and loses some of its famous durability. If you drag your toes, look at the 13 instead.
