On the outside, the Barricade 7 is reminiscent of its predecessor with the color contrasting pseudo-wrap around sides that extend to the outside of the relatively generous sole. Color combinations vary, but always include the very neutral black/white/silver for those of us who continue to rely on Garanimals for matching.
You may forget you've put on a pair of Barricade 7's—they're that light. This is, by far, the lightest-weight version of this model and you can maintain your agility on the court with ample support. The sides of your foot tend to take the most wear when you're playing tennis, because you move quickly from side to side, putting a significant amount of force on the outer part of the shoe. Instead of giving way to this pressure and collapsing to the side, i'm happy to report that the Adidas Barricade 7 holds its stability.
Arch support is moderate, but adequate and as with previous versions, the Barricade 7 has a divided sole, separating your heel from the ball of your foot. This allows my foot to move naturally and the shoe follows like a champion. Adidas' version of neoprene is loaded into the heel for more shock absorption and also gently cups the heel to keep it in place and minimize blisters from friction.
Adidas emphasizes traction in the Barricade, and uses their proprietary formula in the abrasion-resistant outer sole and the sides that wrap around the front part of your foot. This shoe is durable and maintains its stability, even after long term use that would have worn out my old tennies.
It's hard not to enjoy wearing the Adidas Barricade 7, even if you don't play tennis. For everyday use or light recreation, this shoe provides comfort, durability and style. In fact, taking a pair of Barricades on a test run may even bring out the hidden tennis mogul in you.
