KICKZ Performance Review: adidas Trae Young 1

Welcome back to another KICKZ Performance Review! This time we are taking a look at Trae YOUNG’s first signature shoe. As you might know, YOUNG has been with adidas for quite some time and was one of the first athletes to vividly introduce the futuristic N3XT L3V3L line to the broad audience. Things have changed since then and the German sports giant equipped the newly named 2022 NBA All-Star starter with his very own signature sneaker. So here we go. Up next: the adidas Trae Young 1.

Design

Designwise adidas went with a low top silhouette, which differs drastically from the models YOUNG has worn in recent seasons. What kind of stayed the same though, is the bootie build that somehow translated from the high top N3XT L3V3L to the low top Trae Young 1. We may be seeing a pattern here 🤔. What makes this shoe even more interesting from a visual standpoint (and also from a performance standpoint) is the lacing system. adidas describes this as a “laceless construction with tongue and heel pull tabs”. I will talk about this in a later section. Checking out the available options, you will definitely not be disappointed as this has already been released in quite a number of colorways. If you are interested in the one shown in this review, this one is called "So So Def ATL". Looking at the weight, the Trae Young 1 checks in at 400 g, which makes this a middleweight among its peers.

Materials

The upper is predominantly made of mesh with some additional leather overlays. Really nothing too special, which is also a trend that we have seen with many first time signature shoes in the recent past. Also not too surprising: the selection of materials works quite well and feels comfortable on foot. adidas did not take too many risks here and the materials basically do what they are supposed to do. Additionally, the mesh feels quite rigid and gives the whole setup good structure without stretching out too much. Another plus in this category: adidas made use of recycled content ♻️.

Traction

The traction was somewhat inconsistent but also quite predictable. The Trae Young 1 showed decent grip on clean courts but would perform noticeably worse on dirtier surfaces as the outsole picks up dust quite easily. So under clean conditions, the shoe did quite well but did not necessarily offer the hardest bite. However, be assured that the setup is still good enough and enjoyable to play in. Outdoor use should not be a problem as well and the outsole should hold its ground against the wear and tear of the blacktop.

Cushion

Interesting setup to be honest and in my opinion the best part of this shoe. The Trae Young 1 features full-length Lightstrike and Boost in the heel. adidas went all out on this one and that certainly paid off. The shoe provides a very comfortable step-in experience and offers a good amount of compression. Impact protection is mostly being taken care of by the Boost part in the rear, while the front is low to the ground and offers good court feel and responsiveness. I felt quick on my feet while playing in these and really did not have any complaints in terms of cushioning. Well done.

Fit

As mentioned above, adidas went with a “laceless construction”. While that may seem like an innovative move, it can be challenging in terms of finding the right fit as well. You definitely need to make sure to choose the right size. I went with my regular size and that worked quite okay for me but there was definitely a little bit of extra room in the toe box. If you don’t like that, try going down half a size to get a snugger fit. Keep in mind that the lacing system only offers two eyelets per side. So there is not a lot of room to adjust. Bottom line, if you don’t get your sizing right, you can end up having problems with lockdown and that will affect your wearing experience and support as well. Apart from that, the shoe feels comfortable but you may want to allow the materials to break in a little bit as it can feel somewhat stiff in certain areas in the beginning.

Support

If you get your sizing right, lockdown will be fine and you will be able to enjoy this shoe quite a lot. The rigid upper and the outsole that comes up quite a bit on both sides provide good support on lateral movements and will keep you centered on top of that footbed. Additionally, the base is quite wide and offers good stability. Pretty solid setup. However, if you are somebody that needs ankle restrictions or feedback around that area, you will not find this here.

Bottom Line

adidas came out with an innovative approach on this one, which however may still be a little bit of a work in progress. The laceless construction requires you to nail your sizing, as this could otherwise lead to problems with the fit and support. Apart from that, for around EUR 130,- you get a pretty solid shoe that shows some edges with highlights and lowlights. The absolute best part of the Trae Young 1 is the cushioning. The combination of Lightstrike and Boost makes this a very enjoyable ride. The only real concern is the traction. But if you can avoid dusty courts, you should be good to go.

Feedback

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