Every runner, or anyone looking to shed a few pounds for that matter, dreams of finding the perfect shoe. While the new Adidas Springblade might not prove to be that shoe, it is definitely going to catch some eyes when it is released to the public on August 1st.
The shoe boasts an instantly recognizable feature that draws to mind a scene from ‘Back to the Future” more than a trip to the gym (via Adidas):
“Unlike standard EVA midsoles that deliver energy return in a vertical direction, Springblade features 16 forward angled blades made out of a high-tech polymer. The highly elastic blades instantaneously react to any environment, compressing and releasing energy to create an efficient push-off that feels like you have springs under your feet.”
Adidas claims the shoe will provide more return on the energy exerted by runners because it basically turns their feet into springs. It is a novel concept, and one that to this point had not been visited so literally by a shoe company.
However, that’s not the only thing the futuristic footwear has going for it. Adidas also claims that it is seven times more resistant than other athletic shoes produced by the company. When coupled with the innovative blades, that could make a recipe for high sells based on comfort as well as general curiosity.
While the Springblade will unlikely make a large impact with professional runners or those that subscribe to the popular barefoot running crowd, it is sure to draw plenty of interest from the casual runner whose main concern is often comfort. The $180 price tag may hurt sells with that demographic, but is low enough to be competitive against higher priced shoes.
At the end of the day, looks are going to be the shoe’s main draw, and it is sure to earn Adidas plenty of curious customers.
[Check out the video for a closer look and thanks to Nice Kicks]