Performance Review: Adidas Top Ten 2000 Retro

The Feet-You-Wear Mascot

Traction: The traction setup works in conjunction with the cushion, and takes the form of pods that are set underneath the primary pressure areas of the foot. Herringbone is found on all of the pods, and the grooves in the rubber are pretty deep. This is indicative of an outdoor-friendly shoe, and it played like exactly that. Movement was covered well from both a lateral and front-to-back  standpoint on blacktop. Despite a flat traction pattern, grip was also good on indoor courts because  of the relatively pliable rubber. I experienced minor lateral slipping on dusty courts, but the gaps in  the herringbone were wide enough that debris couldn't clog up the traction. It is versatile and gets the  job done just fine.

Cushion: An injected EVA midsole is used, and the cushioning provided is fairly minimal. The shoe was not particularly forgiving on hard landings, and I can't even jump. As mentioned in the First Take, the Feet-You-Wear technology is no longer used, but what is used still resembles playing barefooted. The court feel this shoe offered is due in part to the cushioning setup, which I did not personally mind despite experiencing some soreness during play. It is difficult to describe exactly how the shoe feels on foot, so I can't provide any additional feedback other than to try it on for yourself. However, I do recommend an insole purchase for those who need good cushioning.

Materials: The upper consists of synthetic nubuck and mesh, with synthetic overlays that wrap around the bottom section of the upper [Note: There appears to be variation in materials and texture between the different colorways of the shoe]. There is plush padding on the tongue, and a nice fabric liner is used on the collar interior. Overall, the shoe feels built to last and doesn't look cheap. No complaints here.

Ventilation: If your feet needed to breathe they would probably die in this shoe. There is some mesh present on the upper, but the interior fabric lining prevents any substantial airflow. As a result, heat builds up pretty quickly. I am fortunate that ventilation is not a priority for me, because my feet were nice and toasty after playing in this shoe.

Fit: The eyelets are placed so that the laces cross in a non-uniform pattern. While unusual, this system allowed me to achieve solid lockdown from the heel to the forefoot. It also helped that there were three elastic straps at the midfoot to limit internal lateral movement. As for sizing, go true, as I got an 8.5 (my size) and it fit me just right.

Support: Solid lockdown is complemented by generous tongue and collar padding, and an internal heel counter helps keep  your foot well-contained. Ample support without unwanted restriction of your feet.

Overall
I really enjoyed playing in this shoe. It has a versatile traction pattern and solid construction, and a court feel that distinguishes itself from any other shoe I have tried. However, some may be unwilling to pay retail price due to the lack of cushioning. If you can look past that and the absence of ventilation, then this is a solid performer both indoors and outdoors.

Shoe Stats
Weight: 15.0 oz
MSRP (USA): $124.99

Traction: 9/10

Cushion: 6/10

Materials: 8.5/10
Ventilation: 0/10
Fit: 9/10

Support: 9/10

Overall: 6.9/10