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The Brand with Three Stripes turned heads and tipped the scales with the adiZero Crazy Light. Its follow up, the adidas adiZero Ghost, did not create the same buzz but did carry over much of the key technology. Intended for a bigger player likely with a smaller budget, the $90 installment could be labeled ?next step? as easily as ?takedown?. Where did it land for us? Read our in-depth performance review to hear how the adiZero Ghost tested on court.
Lockdown: I?m a stickler for lockdown, and that is not the strength of this shoe. The fit is good, better than that of the Crazy Light, but the Sprintframe upper still feels more like a frame than a sock. The more I played in this shoe the more I felt comfortable with this aspect, but the upper still favors rigid over soft. Extra room is minimal and shouldn?t slow down your first step or cause slide when you jump stop. Still an area where improvements can be made.
Traction: Traction is sound. I never had any slips, problems cutting, or over-sticking for that matter. They performed fine indoors and definitely did the job during outdoor runs. Like the Crazy Light, the rubber outsole is grippy and fully functional.
Cushioning: Sliding on the adiZero Ghost from a comfort standpoint may not evoke any ?oohs? or ?ahhs?, but it also won?t lead to any aches, pains, or ?ouches? afterwards. The TORSION system and outsole design combine for a comfortable fit that?s flattering to most playing styles. Minimal padding strikes a balance between great court feel and sound cushioning. No complaints here.
Responsiveness: Here?s where adidas is really getting it done. The TORSION midfoot and rubber outsole may not look like much, or even feel like much, but it works. Performance is high and I think the fact that cushioning weight is in balance with upper weight plays a major role in this strength.
Support: All the issues with the Crazy Light feeling flimsy were pretty much addressed here. The Ghost certainly feels stronger than the aforementioned sneaker and evokes confidence on court. Padding in the ankle provides security while a wide base prevents rolling over.
Breathability: Mesh tongue, perforated toe box, and air mesh upper all point to a good score here. They deliver, too. Your shoes won?t stink and your socks won?t be sopping afterwards, which is just as nice in game as it is post game.
Durability: New school technology, patent accents, and relative absence of leather may lead to some concerns here. Nope. The adiZero Ghost held up in fast paced runs over numerous outings. Not only did they not give out in regard to support or cushion but appearance is good as new too. These will go on the backburner for a bit as I test other sneakers, but they?ve held up well enough to come back to.
Final Thought: Sure, the adiZero Ghost isn?t an oddity in looks, it doesn?t sport that signature sneaker swag, nor does it introduce new technology, but it is a solid basketball shoe. Reading through the review you can see a player searching for flaws and really not finding any. Plain and simple, the shoe gets it done on the court and it does so at a solid price point. Expect Josh Smith and a host of adidas athletes to lace these up in game this season. I see the shoe being liked most by swingmen, but it?s certainly wearable by a point guard or big man. If you need a no-nonsense shoe that will hold its own in the gym without drawing too much attention or costing you an arm or a leg than this is your shoe.
Purchase the adidas adiZero Ghost at Shop adidas.
Played in the adiZero Ghost? Give us your feedback in the comment section. Click next for a closer look at the shoe.
