This week we’ll have a closer look and review the Adidas VL Court 3.0, one of the latest budget options from the German brand. The “Court” theme is one that we’ve come across quite a bit lately, with both Adidas and Nike having their own models such as the Grand Court 2.0 , Court Block and the Court Royale 2 and the Court Legacy, respectively. All these sneakers have a design inspired from the 70’s -80’s trainers and all have a more affordable price point than the original retros. The VL Court, now at its third edition draws inspiration from the Gazelle model which now retails at over $100. The pair we got is the one in white, blue and red, by far our favorite from this 2023 release.
First Impressions
At first look you cannot ignore its strong resemblance with its retro counterpart and it’s hard not to notice the differences in materials used. But with the adidas VL Court 3.0 being about $25 cheaper, we can only appreciate it as a cheaper option. They look and feel very solid, not too heavy (given the vulcanized sole). They feel very comfortable on feet but they need a bit of break in period, especially because of its flat sole.
How they fit
The Adidas VL Court 3.0 runs large. For medium width you may want to go a half size down, especially if you like a snug feel. They are very accommodating for those like me with wider feet so there is no need to go half a size up as I would normally do for this type of shoes. If you want to double check your Adidas sizing it is always a good idea to check the size chart.
Upper Design
The upper design of the Adidas VL Court 3.0 is almost identical with the adidas originals Gazelle. Unlike the retro model the materials are all synthetic. The version we got features a tumbled synthetic leather with suede on the toe box and heel tab. There are no perforations to let air in and out so I cannot recommend wearing them in the summer. As you’d expect from such a model the heel tab and tongue are lightly padded for enhanced comfort. They also have a non removable EVA insert which provides most of the cushioning.
Sole Unit Technology
The sole unit of the Adidas VL Court 3.0 stays true to the original in shape and technology (or rather lack of). They feature a vulcanized sole that is pretty flat, with no noticeable heel to toe drop. As mentioned above the EVA insole does most of the work in terms of cushioning and usually wears out after a while. If you have owned a pair of Converse or Vans before then you are familiar with this type of sole. For this Adidas VL Court 3.0 review I tested them outdoors but also in the gym where they felt like a good option for weightlifting. While not great for running or long walks this flat sole offers excellent stability that even skateboarders would appreciate.
Are Adidas VL Court 3.0 good for walking?
The Adidas VL Court 3.0 , while having its roots in a retro soccer shoe, is now primarily a lifestyle sneaker. That means that it is versatile to some extent but it does not excel at any athletic activities. That includes long walks which I cannot recommend it for as it does not provide any support given its lack of any modern cushioning technology and flat sole.
Who are they for?
This model is for those looking for an affordable sneaker that they can wear casually every day when looking for a retro look. You can take them with you pretty much anywhere but you must keep in mind that they do not provide much support for standing long hours. This is however, the case with most retros from the 80’s so it’s not particular to this model.
Bottom Line
This model is a welcomed addition for the brand’s budget trainers lineup, I am not surprised that they are at their 3rd edition after doing this review. They feel very solid and they offer good value. They are very comfortable and they can be a beater shoe that you can wear everywhere, whether you’re running errands, in gym or in school. They are available for both men and women in various colorways that are easy to match with any attire.
