Guess What's Back?

The best shoes ever! Adidas Barricade V's are back!

The shoes are available in two color choices for men and two for the women. Most of the time, I don't bother ordering women's shoes because the color offerings tend to be a little cheesy, but I love the black and pink.

When I heard these shoes were returning to the shelves, the first thing I did was go to my local tennis retail shop, Tennis and Golf Company, in Royal Oak, Michigan and ask about them. Well, I wasn't the only one. The shoe salesman said there had been nonstop inquiries about when the shelves would be stocked and people were pre-ordering multiple pairs.

I have to admit, I too, ordered three pair and as I wear through these, I am considering buying more. As you all know, nothing frustrates me more than how quickly sports equipment/apparel manufactures will move on to something new.

The Barricade V's are a heavy shoe. Since then, Adidas has gone lighter, narrower, and less supportive, in an attempt to improve what already was a great shoe for those of us who needed to have something feel a little more solid on their feet. They are very supportive in all the lateral movements that this singles player encounters in the average match. Even though they don't feel very cushiony out of the box, they have not aggravated my plantar fasciitis like my pair of Adidas Barricade 8s. Still, the insoles are easily replaceable. I am only a month into these shoes, but I hope they have the durability that I remember from the last time they were on the shelves.

I am so grateful that Adidas has brought back the Barricade Vs!

Stay tuned,
KS

Adidas Barricade 6-month Outsole Guarantee

If you’re like me, you can wear through the outsoles of a pair of tennis shoes fairly fast.

My latest pair of Adidas Barricades were purchased in November and despite having a lighter training session because of my ankle injury, there is a grape-sized hole under my big toe in my left shoe and the soles are pretty bald on both shoes.

I’ve published a post about Adidas’ Six Month Outsole Guarantee for Barricades before but for those of you who need it; the address is:

Adidas 6-Month Guarantee

495 Cedar Crest Road

Spartanburg, SC 29301

Be advise the cost of shipping has gone up. It is now $13.25. So when you pack up your Barricades, include a check or money order for the shipping of your replacement shoes and your original receipt.

I have been in a three month long argument with the Adidas people about their replacement policy. After not receiving my last replacement pair, within the normal two to three week time period, I assumed they had been rejected as not eligible for a replacement pair. But then my check to cover the shipping as cashed.

I called customer service and spoke with a rude lady who assured me it was “not their policy to replace custom Barricades”. The shoes in question were my eighth pair of shoes submitted in three years that were customized.

Needless to say, I was confused.

She said they would be replaced by I should be advised that it is not their policy to replace custom shoes. She would not address the fact that my check was cashed as though the shoes were replaced or the fact that their website states, “Custom mi Barricades that qualify for the Adidas Six Month Outsole Guarantee are replaced with a current inline style and not with another customized pair.”

I am not sure what I am going to do aside from continuing to send the shoes and forcing their hands until they take that down from their website.

I have to say that I am annoyed to find that they would be so reluctant to replace a customized pair when they cost 50 dollars more than the inline style. And if someone is willing to pay as much as I do for the shoes and as often as I do, I would think they would be a little kinder and accommodating to a long-time, loyal customer.

Stay tuned,

KS

Adidas' 6-Month Outsole Guarantee

If you are as rough on your shoes as I am, you should totally take advantage of Adidas' 6-month outsole guarantee.

I happen to wear Adidas, so I am most familiar with their return policy, but other tennis shoes also offer a similar type of warranty.

My Adidas normally go from that great new shoe feel to holes in the soles in about four months. Because of my chronic foot problems, I have been more diligent about returning the shoes shortly after they began to break down rather than wait the full six months. By the time they get to the point that they have holes in them like the pictures above, I am able to feel the lack of support in my feet.

To take advantage of the Adidas guarantee, the wear on the shoe has to be on the outsole. You have to have the original receipt. And you have to pay the shipping costs for your replacement pair.

I have utilized this return policy for eight pairs of shoes so far and have received replacement pairs all eight times. There is some kind of evaluation process where Adidas could deny your claim, but I've never experienced a denial and my wear is very consistent with tennis movements.

Shoes have to be sent to:

Adidas 6-Month Outsole Guarantee

685 Cedar Crest Road

Spartansburg, SC 29304

This address is different from the address printed on the little card in some of the older Adidas tennis shoes. Evidently, the company changed warehouses and have yet to update some of their information.

Whenever I send my shoes back, I place them in the original box, with the original receipt and a check made out to "adidas" for $8.30. I usually receive my replacement pair in 2 to 3 weeks.

Stay tuned,

KS