Battling it out between the products of two different brands isn’t an easy thing, and you may spend a lot of time trying to decide which is the better buy and the best shoe.
When those two brands are Reebok and Adidas, the struggle gets even more challenging because the two make high-quality footwear, including the critical running shoes you desperately need.
In this article, we take you through a tour of the two companies, detailing their origins, current states, and the strengths of each company that would make you choose one over the other.
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1. Reebok
Since the late 1950s, Reebok has been a household name as a fitness brand with innovative products like running shoes.
The company started with a staunch dedication to fitness, making running, jogging, and walking shoes for both men and women.
Must read: Are Reebok Running Shoes Good? (My 5+ Years Experience)
History of the Brand
Reebok Official Website
Reebok began in Bolton in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1958 and aptly named after the Grey Rhebok antelope known for its speed and running prowess.
From its humble beginnings connected to Joseph William Foster of the “Running Pumps” fame, the company has had its share of ups and downs over the years.
In 1958, Foster’s grandsons, Jeff and Joe Foster formed Reebok, with its headquarters in Bolton.
In 1984, Paul Fireman, an American businessman, bought the company, upon which it officially became an American fitness company with its new headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts.
Adidas AG finally bought the company in 2005, which became the new owner up to early 2022, when Adidas will actualize its sale to Authentic Brands Group.
Despite the various changes in hands and low marketing efforts over the years that saw Reebok’s market share decline, the company has remained true to its cause with innovative footwear.
Don’t miss: Reebok vs Nike Running Shoes: A Comparison
Reebok logo on an old running shoe
Materials and Manufacturing
Reebok uses both natural and synthetic materials in making its running shoes. The company uses leather, polyester, and rubber.
Reebok also recycles various materials, with some of its product lines like REE made with some recycled materials such as plant-based materials, recycled plastic waste, and organic cotton.
Reebok’s unique footwear technologies include Reebok Pump, ZigTech Outsoles, and Zigzag Midsoles. These last two technologies are used in Reebok’s Zig shoe line and provide better traction and cushioning.
The Pump technology was released in 1989 and was a likable feature in basketball footwear.
Reebok’s Pump technology features inbuilt inflatable chambers that enable you to inflate or deflate the areas around the ankle and the entire foot to ensure optimum support and stability.
Read also: 8 European Running Shoes Brands You Should Try
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Our Favorite Reebok Pairs
There are so many Reebok running shoes to choose from, it’s easy to be spoiled for a choice. We think that you’ll love the two pairs highlighted below.
Reebok Women’s Driftium Ride 2.0 Shoes
Image Source: Reebok.com
Reebok Women’s Driftium Ride 2.0 running shoe may not be a standout in terms of looks, but it lives up to its purpose as a handy, lightweight running shoe ideal for women. The shoe is available in various sizes and colors.
Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pro Running Shoes
Image Source: Reebok.com
The Floatride shoe models are Reebok bestsellers for their affordability, speed, and sustainability. The Floatride Run Fast Pro running shoes live up to this promise.
The shoes feature a breathable, single-mesh upper, Floatride Foam lightweight cushioning that enhances comfort, and a thin outsole to provide optimum traction.
Reebok Running Shoes FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about Reebok shoes that might come in handy in evaluating the brand’s products.
Are Reebok Running Shoes Worth the Money?
Reebok running shoes aren’t expensive. You can find a good average shoe in the range of $80-$100. However, the low price doesn’t mean that they are of lower quality. Each shoe is worth your money.
Additionally, Reebok was founded as a fitness brand and has proposed returning to this focus by continuing with its innovation of handy running shoes that athletes love.
Where Are Reebok Running Shoes Made?
Reebok makes its athletic sneakers in Asia, specifically in Vietnam. Initially, the shoes were made in China, but Adidas moved production to Vietnam to reduce costs.
Some Reebok sneakers and shoes are made in the US in Michigan and at the Liquid Factory 3-D outlet in Rhode Island.
An old Reebok men’s running shoe
2. Adidas
Adidas has for the longest time been a household name in the professional play sector as a maker of high-quality athletic footwear and sports apparel.
Since its humble beginnings in the 1900s, Adidas has grown into the second-largest sportswear maker worldwide after Nike and the largest in Europe.
Read also: Adidas vs Nike Running Shoes: Which Brand to Choose?
History of the Brand
Adidas Official Website
Adidas traces its beginnings to the 1900s in Herzogenaurach in Bavaria, Germany, when the founder Adolf “Adi” Dassler started making spiked running shoes for athletes right in his mother’s kitchen.
Adolf’s brother, Rudolf Dassler, joined his brother in 1924 in the shoemaking business. However, the two split up in 1947 due to differences, each forming his own shoe company.
While Rudolf made Ruda, later rebranded to Puma, Adolf Dassler registered Adidas in August 1949. The two companies were based in Herzogenaurach and were major rivals.
Adidas is a portmanteau derived from Adolf Dassler’s name, “Adi” from his nickname Adi and “Das” from Dassler.
Adolf Dassler died on September 6, 1978, and his wife Kathe and son Horst took over. After the death of these two, Bernard Tapie, a French industrialist, bought the company.
The company changed hands again in 1994, with Robert Louis Dreyfus becoming the new CEO. Adidas bought Salomon in 1997 before selling it in 2006 and buying Reebok.
Adidas is currently led by Kasper Rorsted, the CEO since October 2016.
Adidas headquarters are still in Herzogenaurach, Germany. In the first quarter of 2022, the company will actualize its sale of Reebok to the Authentic Brands Group.
Read next: The 8 Types of Running Shoes for Serious Runners
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Materials and Manufacturing
Like Reebok, Adidas uses natural and synthetic materials to make its footwear, including leather, polyester, nylon, and polystyrene.
Adidas also supports using sustainable or recycled materials such as sustainable cotton, leather from humanely raised animals, and recycled polyester, polystyrene, nylon, and plastic waste.
Made To Be Remade is one of Adidas’s initiatives at sustainability and recycling, which calls for the return of worn-out shoes for remaking into new ones.
Adidas logo
In 2013, Adidas released its shoe-making technology known as Boost, a widely celebrated technology in athletic footwear circles.
Boost has since diversified into various versions, such as Energy Boost, Supernova Boost, adiZero adios Boost, Ultraboost, Ultraboost X, Ultraboost 19, and Pulseboost HD.
Generally, Boost improves the running experience with its energy return, extra comfort, flexibility, and durability.
Our Favorite Adidas Pairs
Need help finding some Adidas top running shoes? Be sure to check out the models below.
Adidas Men’s Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 Running Shoe
Image Source: Adidas.com
Check out Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 Shoe at Amazon.com | (#ad)
Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 running shoe is available in more than 25 colors and various sizes with both standard and wide versions.
The shoe features a rubber outsole for a firm grip, Cloudfoam midsole for comfortable cushioning, OrthoLite sockliner for added comfort, and a breathable textile upper.
Adidas Women’s SolarGlide 4 Running Shoes
Image Source: Adidas.com
The Adidas Women’s SolarGlide 4 running shoes are available in various sizes between 5 and 11 and in three colors, namely Ice Purple, Grey Five, and Signal Green.
The shoes feature a breathable, textile mesh upper, TPU bubble for midfoot lockdown, Boost cushioning, and a Torsion System to facilitate a smooth heel-to-toe transition.
Adidas Running Shoes FAQs
Check out some commonly asked questions about Adidas running shoes to help you in your decision process.
Are Adidas Shoes Worth the Money?
Every Adidas shoe you buy is worth your money in our opinion. The company has been in the shoe-making business for many years and has perfected both the art and science of shoemaking.
Where Are Adidas Shoes Made?
Adidas makes its shoes in various countries worldwide, such as China, Vietnam, India, etc.
3. Which Brand is Better?
The question of which brand is better between Reebok and Adidas isn’t easy to answer, seeing that the two brands have been companies of the same parent group for a while.
If you are looking for more practicality, you want to go with Reebok because of its dedication to the production of running shoes in particular.
Reebok also produces jogging and walking shoes. All the company’s shoes are lightweight and ideal for both men and women in the sports world.
On the other hand, Adidas might be your choice if you want the added benefit of prestige on top of high-quality utility running shoes.
Adidas is the second-largest sportswear maker worldwide after Nike, and the largest in Europe, so you can be sure that its shoes will give you prestige and the envy of your peers.
Additionally, Adidas shoes are known to be durable and long-lasting with bulkier soles that provide enhanced comfort, support, and energy return.
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