Adidas AE 2

10 - Amazing

2

9 - Great

8

8 - Good

4

7 - Average

0

6 - Subpar

1

5 - Poor

0

The herringbone traction is reliable. It did not let me down.

The traction is elite. The performance is excellent.

I have almost zero complaints. The traction performance is perfect.

The traction is grippy right off the bat. Make sure to wipe the outsole on dirtier courts.

I didn't have any issues with the support. Make sure to wipe if you're playing on dirtier courts.

I like the outsole. The performance is impressive, and the wide base felt stable.

This outsole has one of the best bites I've tested. It's a top-tier traction performance.

The tread was initially very sticky, but the dust pickup caused me to slip. You have to keep the dust off.

The overall traction performance is pretty good. Make sure to wipe on dustier courts.

The traction performance is strong and consistent. This is a welcome surprise.

Traction is solid in clean gyms. It grips well but picks up dust like a magnet. You'll need to wipe it often.

The traction is a major disappointment. The performance is atrocious on dust, and the outsole collects a lot of it.

10 - Amazing

2

9 - Great

1

8 - Good

10

7 - Average

2

6 - Subpar

0

5 - Poor

0

I did lots of training sessions that involved dunks, and I never bottomed out or felt discomfort.

The cushioning is firm and responsive rather than plush. I wish the impact protection were better.

The cushioning setup is similar, but it feels less Boost-like. It's slightly firmer with similar impact protection.

I felt responsive and agile during play. The cushioning is low to the ground. It caters to shiftier players. The impact protection is lacking.

The cushioning feels subtle. The impact protection is decent but nothing crazy. It's not a bad setup. I enjoyed it.

I like the stability and responsiveness from the midsole setup. It's less bouncy, but I get plenty of court feel.

Cushioning is the only category that doesn't improve much. It's nice and soft with good impact protection.

The cushioning feels slightly bouncy. It's not squishy and is a bit stiffer.

I like how the cushioning setup feels. It caters to responsiveness with a bit of bounce.

The cushioning feels average. There's no soft or plush feeling. It's subtle cushioning.

The cushioning feels like full‑length Boost. It's low to the ground and bouncy, but it is not plush, especially compared to some recent shoes.

The cushioning feels muted and not too bouncy. It’s low to the ground, and the impact protection is decent. It feels like a downgrade.

10 - Amazing

0

9 - Great

8

8 - Good

6

7 - Average

1

6 - Subpar

0

5 - Poor

0

The materials are basic, but I have no complaints about the build quality. Ventilation could be better.

The materials are noticeably lighter and are more breathable.

The materials are the best upgrade. The upper moves well, and it feels like it contours to my feet. I like the flexibility and malleability.

Adidas cut a lot of weight with the updated materials. I like the direction they went with this upper.

I prefer the materials on the AE 1, but this pair is comfy. I like that the shoe is lighter with the same performance.

The upper materials take a step up. The weight is lighter, and the shoe still feels comfortable.

The material setup on the AE 2 is a major upgrade. I love the shoe being lighter and not as stiff. The ventilation is also better than expected.

The padding is insane. The upper materials are much lighter, but the breathability is not as good as expected.

The materials deviate from the AE 1. It feels better on my feet, and it's lighter.

The materials make this shoe a lot lighter. It feels lighter, faster, and more flexible. The quality is cheaper, but the performance is better.

The upper kept a lot of the AE 1 DNA. The materials don't feel very high-quality. I like the comfort.

The materials are lighter and more comfortable. Textile side panels replace TPU. This lowers the shoe's weight and adds padding on the inner heel.

10 - Amazing

6

9 - Great

6

8 - Good

3

7 - Average

0

6 - Subpar

0

5 - Poor

0

After tightening my laces, the lockdown is impressive. I also like the solid, sturdy heel counter.

The heel lockdown is exceptional, and the torsional plate feels supportive.

The materials and fit help the support keep you contained. The heel is extra sturdy, which I like.

Lateral support remains solid despite the updated materials. This is a very supportive shoe.

The shoe has fantastic lockdown, especially around the heel. I like the wide and stable base, too.

Lockdown around the ankle feels tight and secure out of the box. I love the stability plate too.

The shoe is not as stiff but is still very supportive. I think this is an upgrade. I didn't have any issues with the support.

The heel counter is sturdy, and it cups your ankle nicely. The lockdown and containment are out of this world.

I thought the support felt great. The heel containment feels better with time, and the materials keep you planted on the footbed.

I didn't have any issues with support once I got the correct size. No heel slippage issues either.

The propulsion plate runs nearly the full length of the shoe. It gives it a stiff, responsive feel. The wide forefoot and TPU containment provide good lateral stability.

Lockdown is solid at first, but the laces can loosen over time, requiring occasional retightening. The support is excellent. The shank plate and a sturdy heel counter keep the foot stable. I had no issues with lateral stability or heel slippage.

10 - Amazing

1

9 - Great

6

8 - Good

7

7 - Average

1

6 - Subpar

0

5 - Poor

0

I needed one full session to break in the fit, but it felt nice afterwards.

The fit is very snug because of the extra padding in the shoe.

The fit also feels a lot better. It breaks in nicely.

The fit is one of the best features. It hugs your feet nicely.

The fit feels snug and secure. There's no extra volume, which I much prefer.

The fit feels similar to the AE 1.

The rubber sections take some time to break in, but the fit feels decent.

The shoe is slightly long, but the rest of the fit is fairly accommodating.

The fit feels almost the same as the AE 1. I didn't have any extra space in the toe box.

The fit feels slightly roomy and long.

The fit is comfortable for my wide, flat feet, but I noticed some heel slippage even when laced to the top.

The shoe hugs the foot and provides good containment, but I thought there was too much room in the toe box.

10 - Amazing

0

9 - Great

0

8 - Good

1

7 - Average

1

6 - Subpar

0

5 - Poor

1

Good (100%)

0

Fair (50%)

0

Bad (0%)

7

The durability may not hold up well outdoors.

The outsole rubber is not durable.

This outsole won't last on outdoor courts.

I would not take this pair outdoors.

I think this pair will wear down quickly outdoors.

It's probably not a good idea to take this pair outdoors.

Outdoor hoopers should avoid these. The outsole started fraying after indoor use and won’t hold up outdoors.

very narrow

0

slightly narrow

3

regular

8

slightly wide

0

very wide

0

The AE 2 are fine for wide feet.

The toe box is tapered and narrow.

The width feels wider.

The toe box is slightly narrow.

2E feet can go true to size.

The width is decent.

I have wide, stubby feet and didn't experience any pain. The shoe accommodated my wider foot.

These have a standard width compared to the AE1, which were snug and narrow.

very small

0

slightly small

1

true to size

10

slightly long

3

very long

0

This pair runs true to size.

Go true to size for a snug fit.

Go true to size.

I went true to size.

I went down half a size.

I recommend going true to size.

Narrow feet can go true to size for a roomy fit or down half a size for a performance fit. Medium feet can go true to size.

I think the shoe runs true to size.

I recommend going half a size down.

I stuck true to size.

You should definitely go true to size, but try them on in store if you can.