Adidas adiPure 11Pro Review

Seen as one of the more traditional ranges on the market, the adiPure has been a top choice for many players through its short life. With a high level of consistency and a high performing upper, they offer one of the best value for money options on the market. This latest version to hit the market, the adiPure 11Pro, comes with a variety of modernized upgrades, some of which have players questioning how it all impacts the boot in-game. For example, Adidas are transitioning to using a Taurus leather upper rather than a K-Leather. This allows then to drop the weight to a pretty awesome 8.2oz, but removing the staple k-leather upper has caused some debate.

For testing, we grabbed a pair in the initial release Black/White/Slime colorway.

Check out the full line-up of adiPure 11Pro.

Breaking-In

Out of the box, the adiPure 11Pro offers a comfortable feel with plenty of flexibility right through the boot. The upper does feel slightly more rigid than previous adiPure releases, but once you get them moving on the field they gently loosen up. I took them out expecting a simple jogging session, but since they felt pretty good I actually wore them right through a full practice with no problems. Adidas incorporate new flex zones through the soleplate, with the intention of creating a more dynamic outsole and an easier toe-off action. You can definitely feel an added level of flexibility that allows for a more comfortable and natural feel. Flexing the boots in your hands, they easily bend right along the intended region without any fear of them snapping. Overall, an easy boot to break in with plenty of comfort as you would expect from a heritage release.

The Great Debate – Taurus Leather Upper

You know there is always going to be concern when a company changes the material used in the upper of a boot. Feedback right after the details of the adiPure 11Pro were released was very mixed and many fans were confused about why Adidas would choose to remove a K-leather upper – something that has been a staple of the range. Its replacement, Taurus, has been used on the adiPower Predator range with little negative feedback and this plays in Adidas favor. They obviously feel confident in the material as they introduce it on a second range. I have personally found that Taurus is slightly less durable, but it is lighter, offers better weatherproof characteristics and I am sure a cheaper material for Adidas to produce!

miCoach Technology

As with recent Adidas releases, you now get the benefit of a SprintFrame soleplate with miCoach technology included. This really doesn’t come as a shock and I expect to see all future Adidas releases featuring the performance tracking technology. If you want to take advantage, you need to purchase a SPEED_CELL chip separately.

Mixing Lightweight With Comfort

Producing a lightweight heritage release comes with a dilemma – how do you ensure comfort is not effected? When you buy a heritage boot, you expect it will give you plenty of consistency and an easy to wear end result. Adidas drops this release to 8.2oz, which is by far the lightest adiPure release we have seen. They have achieved this by introducing a Taurus upper and a hybrid SprintFrame soleplate. But, has comfort been compensated as a rsult? The answer is a resounding “No”. I don’t expect many players will encounter problems with these boots. There is still plenty of padding throughout and they offer  snug, well protected fit. One area I like is the tongue, which actually has more padding than on previous releases – it allows for a confident feel as you strike shots.

In-Game Performance

Cutting to the chase, these are a solid performer in-game – but in my opinion they are not the top performing adiPure release we have seen. Why? Well, you just don’t get that unique feel on the ball that you get from using a k-leather upper, and the stitching on this version really doesn’t compare to what we saw on both the adiPure III and adiPure IV. Durability is also a factor to consider, although you do get an ultra thin layer of protection, called Duracoat, to areas of high abrasion. Adidas has obviously found key areas that benefit from a little extra protection and an added layer. Through wear, I actually found that the area it covers (lime stripe along the joining of the upper and soleplate) got some scuffing – so it definitely serves a very valid purpose.

Next up, the introduction of a new conical shaped stud. This replaces the blades we have seen on previous adiPure releases. Adidas has re-engineered its traction by including dual cushioning conical studs that feature internal anti-shock tubes. They are designed to be more abrasion resistant, while improving surface penetration – thus improving traction and speed. On a natural grass surface they are great and you definitely benefit from a high level of traction. The result is slightly different on turf/artificial surfaces, where I found they seemed to drag a little, especially at times when you need to change directions quickly. The conical studs are almost too effective, and they stick firmly in the surface! I am sure that is why they have also released an AG version of the adiPure 11Pro – worth noting!

How do they fit?

Size wise, there is not too much variance compared to previous adiPure releases. The boot is built on a new soleplate, but it offers the same shape and length. They are true to size, with a medium-wide fit through the forefoot.

Critics Notes

Note that nowhere in this review (other than here) did I use the term “classic” – something that has been a staple for all prior adiPure reviews! Traction on artificial surfaces is also a slight concern, for which Adidas has released a specific AG version. But, for most players they want one boot that works on both surfaces. Just note that they are not the most suitable for artificial. The other point lies in the use of a Taurus over K-leather upper. I can understand what Adidas are trying to do, but ultimately, I would take a 9.2oz boot with a traditional K-leather upper over an 8.2oz Taurus.

Check out the full line-up of adiPure 11Pro.

The Skinny Summary

Highlight: A modernized and updated version of the adiPure that offers players something just a little different in the heritage range – especially its 8.2oz final weight! Includes the ability to use miCoach Technology.
Category: This is an easy one – a lightweight, heritage release. You get a traditional look and aura surrounding these boots with a modern twist.
Weight: At 8.2oz, they are a full 1.6oz lighter than the adiPure IV. That is what you call a weight reduction!
Would I Buy Them: For the sake of finding out what they had to offer, I would buy a pair. They stay at a pretty decent price point ($150), which is important and they offer something different to market.
Player Position: In general, the midfield general is the type of players that usually benefits most from the adiPure range – but as a heritage release, they will match the needs of pretty much any player position on the field, from outside backs right through to strikers. The lightweight nature opens them up to other positions like outside mids.