The combination of these and Tom Platz squat guides on TikTok and then using Mike Mentzers high intensity method 1 set done at a slow 4 seconds negative 2 seconds pause 4 seconds positive execution of rep on a reduced weight has been amazing. After years of bad squatting technique, excessive reps that produced of course some growth but nothing special and making the squat something to be endured rather than enjoyed, the combination of the change of method and of course these shoes has made the squat my favourite exercise. The shoes themselves are sturdy, feel great and make you feel stuck to the floor. The fact that all you can use these for is squats/deadlifts show me how specialised they are. There’s no way I could walk down the road in them for example. The best purchase I have made in years.

I've owned two pairs of the original Adipowers when they first came out and decided to get a new pair since they were falling apart. Unfortunately it seems like these Adipower IIIs just aren't as good as the OGs. The shoe is much narrower now and longer. I ordered the same size and the shoe is too tight in the midfoot and too long in the toebox such that there is an extra inch or so from the tip of my foot. Sizing down isn't an option since the midfoot section would then be far too tight. Compared to the OGs there is less of a flair at the solid sole. As the shoe is also longer and slimmer, I feel there is much less stability side-to-side compared to the OG Adipowers, and I feel less planted on the whole. Furthermore, the shoe is now made of this soft sock-like material which is comfortable but there is much less stability in the forefoot compared to the OGs. The OG had a stiffer toebox but it wasn't uncomfortable, and meant the forefoot remained planted when actively trying to stabilise during lifts. The only stiffer part of the new Adipower IIIs is a small ridge right at the tip of the toebox which doesn't help much. Another irksome feature is the tongue. It is much shorter compared to the OGs, presumably to get out of the way during ankle dorsiflexion. However it means whenever you put the shoe on it gets up slipping inside the shoe and it's difficult to pull back up again. This gets annoying if it happens everytime and you need to loosen everything and get your foot out again. The tongue on the OGs were a bit longer so you could grab them and get some purchase. They were are also soft and I didn't feel they got in the way. A positive with these new Adipowers 3 would be their attractive colour schemes. The material for the 3 stripes at the side are also more flexible and i doubt they will end up cracking over time like with the OGs. Overall these new Adipower IIIs look nice, but they're now too narrow and long. The main issue is the lack of stability during side-to-side and dynamic movements as the upper is just too soft. It's like wearing a lightweight sock with a hard sole.