It has been five years since adidas introduced its 4D cushioning tech with the Futurecraft 4D back in 2017. Initially sold in limited quantities, using 4D printing on the midsole was something unheard of back then, and it was considered cutting-edge since only adidas was brave enough to try out this tech on sneakers.
Fast forward to 2022, adidas continues its push for this cutting-edge tech with the 4DFWD 2. As its flagship running sneaker, the 4DFWD 2 has adidas further refining its futuristic lattice midsole design to make it optimal for all types of users–whether they are professional runners or those who want a futuristic sneaker that’s comfortable at the same time.
I have tried older iterations of adidas 4D sneakers, and I often could not justify their rather high price tag when Boost would be more comfortable and have a lower price tag at that. To further see if the 4DFWD 2 is worth it for its Php 12,000 asking price, adidas invited This is Hype PH to the 4DFWD Kick-Off Run last September 17 at Pretty Huge SM Aura to give the sneakers a try with various workouts.
Some of the activities I did during the event were meant to put the 4DFWD 2 to the test. These include running drills, relay runs, obstacle courses, and a blind rope race. It was a fun activity, with around 100 of us taking part in the event–and with some of us (yours truly included) given the opportunity to try the 4DFWD on feet.
What were my impressions of the 4DFWD 2 during the activities? While I’m not a total believer of the tech, I appreciate the improvements adidas made on this current iteration of 4D. Noticeable improvements include adequate support on the heel area when running and good energy return with every heel strike. The overall cushioning is not as bouncy as Boost, but the firmness of the 4DFWD 2’s cushioning is just right to keep my feet comfortable throughout all the activities.
While the intense activities adidas prepared for us was around 3 hours long, I thought of something: why not wear the 4DFWD 2 for a couple of days, and see how they feel overall? That being said, I clocked in around 15000 steps from Saturday (September 17) to Monday (September 19), using the 4DFWD 2 as my go-to sneaker for all of my errands and event coverages that involve a lot of walking.
Through the three straight days I was using the 4DFWD 2, I noticed that, unlike UltraBoosts, they need a little breaking in to get the most optimal cushioning on them. When it comes to foot support, the 4DFWD 2 does a great job with heel support–thanks to the oversized, slightly exaggerated lattice structure on the heel area. The forefoot area has decent energy return, though it’s not as bouncy as that of Boost.
One of the things I really like with the 4DFWD 2 is the fit of its upper. While it’s no Primeknit (adidas uses engineered mesh instead), the 4DFWD 2 does not feel as snug as an UltraBoost, making it suitable even for wide and flat-footed individuals. The engineered mesh upper is not as stretchy as Primeknit, but it provides a good fit and breathability for my feet while I undergo long walks throughout the day.
Final thoughts on the 4DFWD 2
While they may be a bit on the pricey side at Php 12,000 (the original 4DFWD used to cost under Php 10k, but now retail for Php 11k), adidas did a good job in refining its cutting-edge 4D tech with the 4DFWD 2, making it closer to being a more premium version of what Boost has to offer. There’s still debate on the long-term durability of the material used on the 4D lattice structure, but I’m confident with their durability as someone who has used UltraBoosts since 2019.
If you want something that’s better than the UltraBoost AND is willing to shell out a few more thousand Pesos, the 4DFWD 2 is a sneaker that’s great for both performance and lifestyle purposes.
