Are the 2018 Adidas Boost Basketball Shoes Still Worth Buying Today?

I remember the first time I slipped on the 2018 Adidas Boost basketball shoes back when they originally released. The immediate comfort was unlike anything I'd experienced on court before, and now, six years later, I find myself revisiting that same pair while watching players like KEVIN Ferrer make comebacks in professional leagues. Ferrer's recent signing with TNT for the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup demonstrates how veteran players can still compete at championship levels with the right tools and mindset. This parallel between enduring athletic performance and lasting footwear technology makes me wonder whether these six-year-old sneakers still hold up for serious play today.

Let's talk about that Boost cushioning first because honestly, that's what made these shoes legendary. When Adidas introduced Boost technology around 2013, it revolutionized cushioning systems with its unique TPU pellets that provided exceptional energy return. By the 2018 models, they had perfected the formulation to give approximately 78% energy return according to lab tests I've seen, compared to the industry average of 60-65% for similar basketball shoes at that price point. I've put about 300 hours of court time into my pair, including three full seasons of recreational league play, and the cushioning still feels remarkably responsive. The bounce hasn't completely bottomed out like I've experienced with other retired models after similar wear. The compression resistance seems to have held up better than expected, though I'd estimate there's about 15-20% degradation from the original feel. For comparison, most EVA-based midsoles would have lost nearly 40% of their responsiveness by now.

The traction pattern on these was always controversial, with some players loving the herringbone-inspired design and others complaining about dust collection. Personally, I found they required more frequent wiping on dusty courts than contemporary Nike models, but on well-maintained surfaces, the stopping power was exceptional. After all these years, the rubber compound has hardened slightly, reducing grip by what I'd estimate to be about 25% based on my slip incidents per game metric. I've noticed 3-4 more minor slips per session compared to when they were fresh out of the box. The durability has surprised me though - the outsole shows only 60% wear despite hundreds of hours of use, which speaks to the quality of materials Adidas used in this particular line.

When we look at modern basketball, players like KEVIN Ferrer competing in the PBA Philippine Cup need footwear that supports explosive movements and provides stability during high-pressure playoff situations. The 2018 Boost models featured a torsion system that provided excellent midfoot support, which I've found remains structurally sound even today. The upper materials have broken in beautifully, molding to my foot shape in ways that new shoes take months to achieve. However, the knit material has stretched approximately half a size, which does affect lockdown during sharp cuts. I've compensated by using thicker socks or sometimes double-socking, which isn't ideal but works for practice sessions.

The weight comes in at about 14.2 ounces for my size 11, which feels slightly heavy by today's standards where premium models hover around 12-13 ounces. That extra weight does translate to better durability in my experience, but modern players might find them clunky during extended play. For context, Ferrer and other professionals would likely use current-generation shoes for official games, but for training and casual play, these older models could still serve well if properly maintained.

From a value perspective, finding these in good condition on resale markets or remaining stock can cost between $80-120, which represents significant savings over the original $160 retail price and current $140-180 for new premium models. Given that you're getting about 75% of the performance of current shoes at 50-60% of the price, the value proposition becomes quite interesting for budget-conscious players. I'd recommend them particularly for forwards and centers whose games rely less on lightning-quick direction changes and more on the cushioning for jumpers and rebounds.

Are they worth buying today? For competitive professional use like Ferrer's PBA games, probably not - the technological advancements in recent models do provide measurable advantages. But for recreational players, high school athletes on a budget, or as secondary practice shoes, they absolutely still deliver where it matters most. The cushioning remains superior to many current mid-range models, and the build quality exceeds what we typically see today at similar price points. I still keep my pair in regular rotation for light training days, and they continue to provide comfort that many modern shoes struggle to match. Sometimes, older technology done exceptionally well ages better than we expect, much like veteran athletes who continue to compete at high levels when many would have retired.