Mainstream media chatter and coverage on LeBron’s new $300 Nike shoe based on this Wall Street Journal story (more on that coming…) has been overwhelming. But what is adidas doing on their side? I’d say something similarly big, in their own context.
Last season’s Derrick Rose signature shoes, the adidas adiZero Rose 2 and adiZero Rose 2.5, both retailed for $110. A relatively modest footwear price point for a star basketball athlete. That’s no more.
The upcoming adidas Rose 3 gets a mammoth $50 price point raise, settling on shelves at $160. Currently recovering from injury and starring in adidas Basketball’s “The Return” web series, DRose will have the highest priced 3-Stripes signature product in recent memory. This price is for the baseline, standard model Rose 3, too…
CounterKicks has also learned that there will be other limited and special makeup versions of the adidas Rose 3 at even higher price points. They’ll feature more premium materials and market positioning.
So while Nike and LeBron are busy testing the $300 watermark, adidas and DRose will be attempting something simliar in their own right grasping toward the $200 barometer which has been an overhead ceiling in new basketball footwear product for years, only more recently being punctured to more mainstream success.
If Derrick Rose can get healthy and lightning quick again on NBA hardwood, might adidas break through the $200 level next year with the adidas Rose 4? Not even Michael Jordan could pull off that shoe feat as a Bull.
Images via Hupu
Like I said before.
this is one of the first Adidas Basketball shoes that doesn’t look like A MACHINE !! Bravo!
Good luck!
That grey colorway is hot as hell.
Agreed, the grey one is so fresh. All the colorways I’ve seen in the Rose 3 so far have been on point too. Great design, though the price point worries me especially with DRose still out at the moment, but hoping it works out for all involved as adidas is pushing some hot stuff lately.
Bad idea adidas. With nike going the $300+ route, this would be a good time to undercut them with great products for a more reasonable price. At least develop some kind of cushioning technology. I really wanted to get these too… guess I’ll be sticking with KD’s
I like the design. I’m struggling to see what I’m getting for $50 more than last years model. Though I like these shoes, there is absolutely no way I will buy them for full price. I will only buy these, the Lebron X, or any other shoe with a price greater than ~$130 on steep discount…
I don’t understand this move at all from a market share standpoint. None of the other adidas shoes are moving, unless it is a Kobe retro. D.Rose is their basketball market to the general shoe-buying public who want a name and not performance. They were making huge strides at the $110-$120 price point. To jump to $160? Not sure the adidas market can support that. Me personally? I would pay that over the Nike offerings lately. I love the way this shoe’s lines flow and the materials are back to basic (not much structured plastic or webs or wires). I think on the shelf it will draw attention not normally given to Three Stripes and it will look great for casual.
……. ? ………
That’s not clever at all, adidas was on the verge of breaking their OWN market(with PureMotion, and a naturalistic approach nobody dared to do, and couldn’t do effectively), and then all of a sudden, all decisions are geared to ‘beat Nike’, problem with that is, you can beat Nike on a performance level, you can beat Nike on Shoe level, but you’re not spending billions on marketing, so the brainwashed little hypebeasts won’t chase you, you need to brainwash ‘em first, by dropping billions of dollars on ads, and commercials, thing is, adidas won’t do that.
So WHY on Earth are you doing this?!?!?!?!
With Nike’s price-hike to INSANITY, this was THE opportunity to take a hold, you can’t lose, by delivering performance, and quality at a decent price.
…. I’m buying tennis-shoes until sanity returns to the basketball-market, half the price(or more if you buy smart), performance reminiscent of the good years of basketball, 10-15 years ago.(because they’re not obsessed with marketing ‘lightweight’).
I like Adidas but I don’t feel these are anywhere near the bigger brands level. I have never got that expensive feel from any Adidas shoe I have ever owned. My opinion is not biased so don’t even go there. I have a more diverse collection and rotation than most anyone. I am down right disgusted with this price point from Adidas. Hopefully wearing the shoe will change my mine.em
Only if I can get on a major discount
JR, I might have deferred to your diversity, but I bet I have you beat. I have a pair of HOPS and Ektios!!!!! J/K. I did get the lux feel from the Rose 2.0 – the materials, straps, gold trim just made it feel above the rest, especially the Gucci and L-Train. These, especially the grey Homes, could go that route.
Nene, long time man!!!! Good to see you still kicking. Miss you over “there” but I completely understand. Don’t go there much myself either. One word – try the Super.Fly’s out. Wait until the price drops, which it will, and try them. Yes there is Lunar and I know you are HUGE but they are working great for me so far.
imagine the pricing in the Philippines.. comparison
1.0 – Php 6300 – $149.6082
1.5 – Php 5500 – $130.6103
2.0 – Php 6000 – $142.4840
2.5 – Php 7000 – $166.2313
i bought the rose 1 and the rose 2. i WILL NOT be buying the rose 3 if they are 160. adidas should rethink this. this is not smart.
Well, guess that’s that then. If this is the Stripes’ “stand” then I guess I’m good. A USD50 jump is just unjustifiable, no matter how “premium” those leathers are. Thanks Adidas, but no thanks…
what?! usually shoe companies do a modest price increase but give you something for it…like a new technology or something.
any idea if these shoes have anything new to add besides what’s already been done on the previous Rose’s? I agree with Airsyd…the leathers could be ‘buttery’ but i’m not sure i could get over the $50 slap-upcharge.
there’s gotta be something more to this…i’m sure they will doll up the box and maybe it will come with some type of collector’s item but i think people would give that all back to save some coin.
I am incredibly disappointed if this is indeed true.
Sad just sad…
@ Duke, I saw the Superfly, and they’re really nice, like you said though, also very high in price.(150 over here)
My tennis-shoes are below 100, and they play, like basketball low-tops, have more ‘reserve’(to add to comfort, and durability), and are incredibly strong(Ambition VII Stripes(with PureMotion), and Courtballistec 4.3(almost identical to the mid-90s cross-trainers)).
I understand people being mad at the price increase but if your business rival is successfully selling almost 2 dozen pairs of garbage retro Jordans(quality wise) a year, why not test the waters at the same price point?
Like others have mentioned, I’m a bit perplexed as to the price raise.
Interesting point brought up by NeNe earlier about the “beat-Nike” mentality. I understand that there it’s a competition in the market, but I feel adidas should be blazing its own path. Instead of being reactive to what the Swoosh is doing by raising prices and trying to garner more hype from just marketing alone, adidas should continue to push quality performance at affordable prices. Get that well deserved hype from positive experiences on the court. Then word will spread. They can do this while also touting their marquee athletes like Rose, Dwight, and RGIII, as well as new additions.
If there was anything that could have possibly justified a price increase, it’d be the return of Puremotion or FYW, or even an evolution of the podular concept. Like NeNe said, other companies aren’t even touching down on this “naturalistic” approach to basketball. Yeah, adidas wants to go light, but why should they take a step backward. There must be a way to engineer the podular tooling to not only be lighter, but more responsive as well. While it’s true that different people exert different amounts of force of their shoes that may require different set ups, there should be options.
I’m not a marketing major, so this is just from my perspective. But I can’t lie, that grey colorway is really nice!
Grey is Hawt.
Destinty, I’ve said that before too. I would to add a return buyers benefit program. Similar to R.E.I. cut some deals reward loyalty. Think like Apple to continue a good seal on the glue with keeping folks in mind. america is becoming international. well lets benefit some folks in that community to have the entire community nationwide wearing adidas. Think Android. I’ve done spent atleast 4000 on ya through the last 15 years myself. Can I get a free plan? adiMack, Seattle WA