Companies often get so caught up in chasing the “next big thing,” pouring time and resources into creating something packed with cutting edge technology, intricate design details, and eye catching aesthetics, that they lose sight of what people actually want.
In adidas’ case, they’ve released no shortage of technically advanced silhouettes over the years. But with the new Glenburn, they’ve come full circle, returning to the basics. True to adidas’ DNA, the shoe draws inspiration football, reworked into a silhouette that is clean, simple, and low profile. There are no flashy gimmicks or over the top features, just a shoe that looks purpose built for skateboarding.
Some of skateboarding’s most iconic shoes were not signature models at all. They were team shoes. In the ’90s, silhouettes like the éS Accel set the standard. The 2000s were defined by staples like the DC Lynx and Etnies Calicut, while the 2010s saw the Lakai Manchester, Nike SB Blazer, and adidas’ own Adi Ease become modern classics. Rather than belonging to a single rider, these shoes became synonymous with entire teams and helped define the look of their respective eras.
Could the Glenburn become Adidas’ next legendary team shoe? We got our hands on a pair and put them to the test to find out if they skate as well as they look.
The Adidas Glenburn fits true to size.
The Adidas Glenburn showed impressive durability throughout our 10 hour test. Despite multiple stitched panels, the upper held up with minimal wear. The double stitched toe cap sits outside the main ollie zone, helping it avoid heavy abrasion. A few seams began to lift slightly, but nothing compromised the structure.
The thicker forefoot outsole showed the first signs of wear, yet still held up well against grip tape. The three stripes are also placed intelligently, staying clear of high abrasion areas and helping the shoe keep a clean look for longer.
The adidas Glenburn delivers average cushioning with a simple, no nonsense setup. It uses a thin cupsole, a foam wedge, and a foam insole. The foam wedge does most of the heavy lifting, providing the main impact protection through the midfoot and heel. In testing, the setup handled medium impact landings well while still keeping solid board feel. Overall, it’s a balanced system that leans slightly more toward board feel than heavy impact protection.
The Glenburn keeps things sleek and low profile. It has a clean, minimalist shape with a low cut that sits just below the ankle. The midfoot and toe box run narrow and lock the foot in snug, giving solid flick and precise board control. That tight fit also reinforces the slim look and adds to the shoe’s responsive feel on the board.
The thin sole design boosts boardfeel immediately. There is no break in period, it feels ready to skate straight out of the box thanks to its flexibility.
The connection to the board is very direct, something rarely found in cupsole models. With minimal material between the forefoot and the deck, boardfeel is excellent. In many ways, the adidas Glenburn competes with, and at times even rivals, vulcanized shoes, offering a distinct and refined feel underfoot.
Grip is also supported by the sole’s flexibility, which adapts well to the concave and maintains strong contact with the board. Overall, it delivers a moderate, well balanced level of grip.
The Glenburn stands out for its comfort thanks to a few thoughtful design choices. The lightly padded tongue and collar provide a snug but comfortable fit, keeping foot movement to a minimum without feeling restrictive. It is also fairly lightweight for a cupsole, and the minimal internal layering helps reduce pressure points.
Stability sits around average overall. The heel lock is excellent, and in our 10 hour wear test it made a strong impression. The upper is relatively thin and, paired with the low profile cupsole, keeps the foot secure without feeling overly bulky or protected. On the plus side, multiple structural layers help the shoe maintain its shape over time.
The adidas Glenburn is a strong thin cupsole model, delivering excellent boardfeel, solid durability, and above average comfort. Stability and cushioning sit at a more average level for its category, keeping things balanced but not overly protective.
