adidas delivers a Masterpiece that is accessible to the masses, but is it too “fashion forward” for the everyday Joe?

by Professor K, posted September 29, 2001

This is actually the second shoe named “Masterpiece” that we’ve reviewed this year. The other, the Jumpman Team Masterpiece, was also somewhat “unconventional” in its design, but unlike that shoe, the adidas Masterpiece does not allow its design to get in the way of its performance.

The adidas Masterpiece is a very well made shoe. Just based on the quality of its materials and construction I probably would have guessed that the Masterpiece cost somewhere in the range of $95 – $100, so I was very impressed when I learned that it actually costs a very reasonable $85. And after putting the Masterpiece through its paces on the court, I was even more impressed. Read on to find out why…

figure 1. Visible here is the X-flex design of the adidas Masterpiece’s outsole, which provides excellent traction. Also visible at the midfoot area of the shoe is the TORSION system, which contributes to the lateral stability of the shoe.

The first thing I noticed about the adidas Masterpiece was the excellent traction it provides. The rubber compound used on the outsole and adidas’ X-flex outsole design combine to provide traction that is truly confidence inspiring. One strange thing I noticed is that the outsole squeaks a lot more than any other shoe I’ve tested. Perhaps this is due to the rubber compound being particularly sticky or just something in the design of the outsole, but I actually liked it because the squeaks told me that the outsole was doing its job.

Also contributing to the confidence factor was the overall stability of the Masterpiece. The TORSION system, midsole design and internalized heel-counter all combine to provide very good stability, even on hard drives to the basket involving quick, sharp cuts. The midsole of the adidas Masterpiece is relatively thick, but any loss of court-feel due to this is mitigated by the excellent traction and stability that the shoe provides. I never found myself thinking about my feet, which is always a good thing.

figure 2. Note the lace cover closure visible at the medial (i.e. inner) side of the adidas Masterpiece. Once closed, it stays closed. Also visible here is the deep groove molded into the heel portion of the midsole.

The thick midsole does a very good job of cushioning the impact of big take-offs and landings and the adiPRENE+ at the forefoot provides a bit of “spring” in your step that feels good. The design of the midsole at the heel is actually quite interesting. A fairly thick groove is molded into the heel-portion of the midsole (see figure 2), which allows the heel to compress more readily than it otherwise could. This should allow the Masterpiece to better absorb severe impact forces such as those that a center or power forward would create when landing with his weight back on his heels. In theory, it should also result in less fatigue over time for the wearer since it gives the body more time to absorb and react to each heel impact. The reality for me was that I felt very good on the court and did not develop shin splints or any other problems related to inadequate cushioning.

On the upper, the adidas Masterpiece is equally effective. The inner is well lined and thin, but dense cushioning surrounds the ankle. A traditional lacing system keeps your feet locked in place and minimal stitching in the inner makes chafing a non-issue. The Masterpiece’s moderately wide last should accomodate a wide range of foot widths, which is essential for any team-oriented shoe. The one element of the upper that is “non-standard” is the lace cover that wraps over the laces and is secured with a velcro strip on the medial side of the shoe. In my opinion the lace cover is functionally unnecessary, but it does give the upper a clean, uncluttered look. The only criticism I have of the upper, and really of the entire shoe, is that the ankle support could be better. Faster players may like the less restrictive fit at the ankle, but bigger, heavier players will probably wish that the shoe provided a bit more support at that area.

figure 3. The perforations in the leather visible here seem to do a very good job of providing ventilation as the adidas Masterpiece, while appearing to be a “hot” shoe, did not feel any hotter than average.

While performance is our primary focus, the design of the adidas Masterpiece is worth briefly noting. Based on its performance profile and the number of colors in which adidas is offering the Masterpiece, I would consider it to be a team shoe. Generally speaking, team shoes tend towards more conventional designs so that they can appeal to as broad an audience as possible, but the adidas Masterpiece is a decidedly unconventional looking shoe, particularly in the blue/bone/punjab and maroc(aka red)/bone/punjab colorways. I hope that this doesn’t prevent teams from considering this shoe as it is a very good team shoe.

So, to sum up, the adidas Masterpiece is a very good all-around basketball shoe and is a very good choice for any team in need of a high-quality, versatile shoe. While the long-term durability of EVA-based midsoles is always a question mark, the thickness of the midsole and the adiPRENE+ element in the forefoot should allow the Masterpiece to last through an entire season for all but the heaviest of players. What isn’t a question mark is the durability of the upper, which is very well contructed and made of durable natural and synthetic leathers. All told, the adidas Masterpiece is a tremendous value and deserves a place on any team’s short list of shoes being considered for the upcoming season.