Two days ago adidas Basketball unveiled in Los Angeles the adizero Crazy Light 2. Weighing 9.5 ounces, it replaces its predecessor – the adizero Crazy Light – as the lightest shoe in basketball. The adizero Crazy Light 2 is nearly 10 percent lighter than the nearest competitor’s basketball shoe. You might wonder how it is possible to always improve sequels by making them for example even lighter. Well, I just came across a very insightful interview on complex.com. In this interview Robbie Fuller, the adizero Crazy Light 2’s designer at adidas, explains amongst other things how a design gameplan helps him to refine the status quo of products. Check out our today’s click tip.
I hope the redesign of the Basketball shoe was more successful than the redesign of the Tennis Shoe.
I was a firm advocate for the Adizero Feather tennis shoe. I have worn it for the last 5 years.
However, the last redesign completely altered the shoes.
No more mesh panels to keep the feet cool – this was the coolest (temperature) shoe I have ever worn.
No more mesh panel in the mid sole either.
The upper material of the new design is a silvery plastic material that looks cheap and is rigid and uncomfortable in cold air temperatures.
PAIN
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Worse however was the plastic bumper toe guard. This prevents the upper from adjusting to the contours of the feet. I have a big toe that requires the upper to be flexible and mould intself to my foot contours, this was never a problem with the previous design.
I have only played twice wearing the new design shoes – my big toe nail is completely back as a result of the punishment handed out by the shoe.
I have had to switch to a pair of Barricade shoes but I much prefer the low profile, lightweight feel of the OLD feather design.
Why do designers insist on fixing something that ain’t broke?
Please respond and tell me the Feather will be redesigned for comfort as well as lightweight feel.
Hi Martin,
thank you for your open and honest feedback. We absolutely appreciate it and I forwarded it already to the responsible department. Furthermore we are very sorry that we couldn’t come up to your expectations with the latest version of the adizero feather. Regarding your question if the adizero feather will be redesigned: Yes, there will be a new version as of June and I am very confident that it will satisfy your expectations towards both, adidas in general and comfort/lightweight in particular. Best, Frank