Adidas Vengeful

Pronator runners, weighing between 70 and 90 kilos, and who are taking their first steps in the running universe, this is the target to which the new Vengeful 2018 from adidas running are addressed. A model conceived as a basic training shoe, and that provides more support in the tread.

In the construction of the adidas Vengeful, stability and lateral support with asymmetrical design are the main features, but it also incorporates the revolutionary Boost foam to ensure optimal cushioning. However, unlike other top-of-the-line models from the German brand - UltraBoost, Supernova Glide Boost 8 or even the new UltraBoost Uncaged among others - the adidas Vengeful features a midsole made of 50% Boost foam and EVA. The combination maintains responsive and stable cushioning. That touch of midsole stability also comes from the StableFrame technology, which helps the pronator runner enjoy more stable transitions.

The adidas Vengeful is notable for the absence of the signature Torsion System, which seems to be reserved for high-end models like the Sequence Boost.

The upper of the adidas Vengenful features a perforated mesh that ensures good ventilation, and also incorporates an extra reinforcement in the lateral area. While its rubber outsole contributes to improve the shoe's grip and durability on asphalt.

This training shoe has a 10-millimeterdrop and weighs 334 grams. These features make it a good choice for running above 4:30 minutes per kilometer, and for training distances up to half marathon.

Why change what works very well?

Well that adidas presents this Vengeful 2018 model with small details over its initial model, in fact it still keeps the same name "revengeful" to continue being a benchmark in training shoe with great Boost cushioning. Responsive, flexible and stable thanks to the combination of Eva rubber in its medial area that contains and limits excessive pronation movement, features that will please a large number of runners.

This second Adidas Avenger model offers more versatile features than the first model by including:

• New, more ventilated upper
• Slightly narrower sole for a more dynamic ride
• A slightly thicker midsole at the heel for cushioning to satisfy a wider range of runners.

The combination of Boost and Eva seems to me to be a wise choice and in this model its performance is evident as it offers exquisite cushioning and at the same time stability and pronation control thanks to its simple Stable frame of Eva that extends to cover the entire plantar arch on the medial side. This greater containment of the denser EVA than Boost prevents the foot from sliding inward without sacrificing comfort.

This successful Eva stability frame is a simple system to stabilize the foot over a Boost midsole, maximum cushioning feel something that pronator runners will appreciate while providing good stability that won't be bothersome to neutral runners. In addition this new model for 2018 gains a bit of dynamism by reducing the width of the sole as a whole by 1 mm, achieving a better transition of the footprint without sacrificing stability.

A training shoe model that manages with that reduction in sole width to reduce its weight to 325 gr. and still feels very stable at any pace, but especially gains response at medium paces and defends itself at high paces as its flexibility allows to feel more that reactivity of the Boost. The Boost is only present in 50% and the rest is an Eva stability frame, which is housed in the medial side of the midsole, the upper is very ventilated thanks to its holes that are larger than in the previous model and have an exagonal shape n a very comfortable lined interior and some thermoseals that are placed only in the inner part and the instep, completely replacing the traditional stitching.

Midsole and Cushioning

It has the Stableframe, a simple chassis that provides stability through the arrangement of a denser EVA structure in the internal areas and especially in this model that extends along the plantar arch and allows to control pronation perfectly. Boost fills the rest of the midsole providing excellent cushioning at the heel and midfoot, excellent protection, comfort and reactivity in the forefoot thanks to the overall flexibility of the sole.

The drop is 10 mm even though it measures 35 mm heel height in its internal part counting the stable frame is 24 mm of boost and 14 mm in the forefoot; an arrangement of the amount of Boost that favors heel entry at slow paces, but at medium paces it feels reactive and stable without feeling penalties.

An ideal performance combination for neutral runners who want extra stability or/and for pronators who want to train with exquisite cushioning.

Upper

The upper is more ventilated thanks to its Air mesh based on miles large exagonal holes with a white lined interior with reinforcement lines of the inner layer that is very comfortable. It lets shine between the holes and has a heat-sealed with a very youthful design, a somewhat punk look, these seals are only on the inside and toe of the upper and replace the traditional stitching.

The tongue is attached to the inner lining of the upper as a sock, but it is too thin and with a hard edging finish.

The heat sealing reinforcing the eyelets is nicely finished and the fit has been improved for narrow feet and more support when extra instep containment is required such as on steep descents or changes of direction or pace. When you tighten the laces too much looking for a tighter fit, the instep fabric retracts as it does not adapt to the smaller circumference required.
Absence of reflective elements, not even on the tongue.

Heel

It has an asymmetrical heel support that rises more on the inner side than on the outer side. This structure is rather flimsy and does not contain the heel sufficiently. In my opinion a more solid heel support on the medial side would allow to contain and stabilize the rearfoot more, which would reduce the amount of eva of the stable frame at heel level, reducing containment in the midsole and overall weight.

This new model still lacks reflective elements.

Insole and last

It has a wide last, especially in the heel and midsole, which allows a substantial gain in stability and a simple heel-to-midfoot transition without torsion system, which allows a gain in flexibility and reactivity at midfoot level. The toe box is less tapered in the big toe area and more rounded towards the center, so the toes have enough room even if the toe tends to taper, it is a wide last that does not compromise. The insole is 6mm. normal, comfortable and simple, with a sufficient containment of the plantar arch and the truth is that it does not need more cushioning than the performance offered by the Boost.

Outsole

The outsole is not Continental but it imitates it very well, it is Strechweb, it is soft and offers very good grip on asphalt but not so much on wet surfaces. With a slight irregular and asymmetrical tread being more solid with flat and large lugs on the medial side, especially at the level of the plantar arch and heel which favors the overall stability of the shoe.

In the external rear part there is a small recess that facilitates the entry of the heel when the foot makes contact in supination, which favors a stable and controlled landing in which the generous amount of Boost in the heel helps to reduce the impact.

Strengths

• New mesh with wider exagonal holes favors breathability
• Slightly narrower sole allows for increased dynamism and reduced weight to satisfy a wider range of runners.
• The correction of the EVA Stableframe and its combination with the cushioning capacity of the Boost is very good, a successful combination.
• Correction without excesses that allows it to be used by neutral runners who want control for long runs in which fatigue detracts from the correct support.

Opportunities for improvement

• Absence of reflectors
• Although it has improved the weight is still somewhat high 325 gr in size 10
• Very thin tongue
• A more solid heel support in the medial part would reduce the amount of Stable frame under the heel, which would increase stability and reduce weight.

Conclusion and type of user

A successful model as a whole, halfway between a pronator and a neutral shoe, it provides excellent cushioning and the necessary stability for a large number of runners.
The combination of the Stable frame Eva chassis and the Boost seems to me to be very good and I love this model for its response and performance. A model that allows you to enjoy every stride without the pronator foot flaming over the exquisite cushioning offered by the Boost. A new model that will replace my worn out Vengefull 1, which I was still using until the arrival of this new model.

A model that is not light, but versatile with that improvement by gaining dynamism, feels stable and very cushioned, a training shoe for pronator and neutral runners up to 80 kg. of weight that will find in this Vengeful excellent cushioning and good stability that will ensure the enjoyment in long runs on asphalt. Adidas has achieved with this new model a cushioned, reactive, flexible and stable training shoe that will appeal to a larger number of runners with its modern look and color combination.

Alberto Cebollada's rating

• Lightweight 8
• Cushioning 9
• Flexibility 9
• Responsiveness 9
• Stability 9
• Grip 9