Adidas Men’s Response Running Sneaker

Budget running shoes usually promise comfort, deliver mediocrity, and fall apart within months. The Adidas Men’s Response Running Sneaker costs $40 and claims to handle daily training miles with premium-feeling cushioning. After 8 weeks and 150+ miles across various conditions, surfaces, and paces, the results challenge every assumption about what a budget trainer can actually deliver.

Out of Box: Lighter Than Expected

The first thing that registers when handling the Adidas Men’s Response Running Sneaker is the weight—or rather, the lack of it. At 10.2 ounces for a men’s size 9, this shoe sits noticeably lighter than many budget trainers in the same category. For context, the older Response Boost versions weighed over 11.28 ounces (320 grams), and the Response 3 came in at 12+ ounces. The difference becomes immediately apparent during the first few miles.

The engineered mesh upper contributes significantly to this weight reduction. Unlike some competitors that use heavier synthetic overlays throughout, the Response keeps reinforcement minimal—limited to the heel counter and outer midfoot. This creates a breathable, almost airy feel that works exceptionally well in warm conditions but reveals trade-offs in other scenarios.

The first 4-mile run confirmed what the specs suggested: this shoe prioritizes ventilation over weather protection. Air flows freely through the mesh, keeping feet cool during hot weather sessions. However, this same characteristic means zero water resistance. Light rain soaks through within minutes, and morning dew creates noticeably damp socks by mile two.

The Cushioning Sweet Spot

Full-length EVA foam creates a ride that feels substantially more premium than the price point suggests. The OrthoLite sockliner adds another layer of plushness that creates immediate comfort—no break-in period required. Right from the first run, the cushioning delivers a soft, forgiving sensation that makes easy-paced miles feel effortless.

This approach differs from Adidas’ pricier Response Boost models, which combine Boost foam with Cloudfoam in certain versions. The pure EVA construction in this model trades some responsiveness for exceptional initial comfort and a lower price point. After 60 days of use, the cushioning shows slight compression—the “cloud-like” sensation diminishes by about 15-20%—but maintains more than adequate comfort for continued training.

The 10mm heel-to-toe drop positions this shoe squarely in traditional trainer territory. Heel strikers find plenty of cushioning protection, while midfoot and forefoot runners encounter smooth transitions without interference. The stack height at 22mm in the heel provides substantial impact absorption for a budget model, comparing favorably to shoes costing twice as much.

Where Performance Meets Its Limits

Eight weeks of varied-pace running revealed clear performance boundaries. Easy runs at conversational pace (8:30-9:00 per mile) feel natural and comfortable. The cushioning absorbs impact efficiently, and the lightweight construction never creates fatigue. Recovery walks and casual daily wear work perfectly—the shoe transitions seamlessly from training to lifestyle use.

Tempo work tells a different story. Once pace drops below 7:30 per mile, the soft EVA foam starts feeling sluggish. Energy return becomes noticeably limited, and the cushioning that feels perfect at easy pace begins working against faster efforts. This isn’t surprising for a $40 trainer, but it’s worth understanding before purchase.

The rubber outsole delivers reliable traction across multiple surfaces—concrete sidewalks, asphalt roads, and even light trail sections all performed well. Early morning runs on dew-covered surfaces never created slipping concerns. The tread pattern provides adequate grip without the aggressive lugging found on dedicated trail shoes, making this a solid road-to-light-trail option.

One significant discovery after 100+ miles: the toe box design runs slightly more generous than many competing models. Compared to Nike’s typically narrow construction, the Adidas Men’s Response Running Sneaker offers about 5mm additional width in the forefoot. This creates more natural toe splay during longer runs, reducing pressure points that sometimes develop in tighter-fitting shoes.

How Does Sizing Compare Across Brands?

Sizing presents one of the more nuanced aspects of this shoe. Based on extensive fit testing, the Response runs true to most Adidas models but requires careful consideration when switching from other brands.

For runners coming from Nike, the width difference becomes immediately noticeable. Nike’s performance shoes typically feature narrower toe boxes and a more snug midfoot. The Response offers noticeably more room—about half a size more volume in the forefoot. If wearing a size 10 in Nike with a comfortable fit, the same size 10 in the Response will feel slightly roomier. Most runners can stick with their Nike size, but those preferring a snugger fit might consider going down half a size.

Brooks sizing presents a different comparison. Brooks running shoes typically run half to a full size smaller than standard measurements, with the brand officially recommending customers size up from their casual shoes. The Adidas Men’s Response Running Sneaker aligns closer to true-to-size measurements. If wearing a size 10.5 in Brooks, dropping to a size 10 in the Response often provides a comparable fit.

The general recommendation: stick with standard Adidas sizing unless coming from a brand with significantly different fit characteristics. The shoe offers enough toe box room that half-sizing up becomes unnecessary for most runners with normal-width feet.

Weather and Condition Testing Results

Hot, humid conditions reveal this shoe’s primary strength. Testing in 85°F+ temperatures with high humidity showed exceptional breathability. The aggressive mesh ventilation keeps air flowing continuously, preventing the heat buildup that plagues less breathable designs. After 90-minute runs in Miami summer weather, feet remained surprisingly cool compared to shoes with denser upper construction.

Cool weather performance proves adequate but not exceptional. The same breathability that excels in heat becomes a liability when temperatures drop below 60°F. Without any insulation or weather-resistant materials, feet cool quickly during autumn and winter runs. This positions the Response as an ideal spring-summer trainer but less suitable for year-round use in cooler climates.

Wet conditions expose the shoe’s most significant limitation. The mesh upper offers zero water protection. Light drizzle saturates the material within 5-10 minutes. Heavy rain creates thoroughly soaked shoes by the first mile. The rubber outsole maintains traction on wet pavement, but the upper provides no defense against moisture.

Morning dew presents similar challenges. Early runs across grass or wet sidewalks result in damp socks before reaching the second mile. For runners who frequently train in wet conditions or live in rainy climates, the lack of water resistance becomes a major consideration.

Against Pricier Response Models: Where Does $40 Land?

The Response line includes several models at different price points, making direct comparison valuable for understanding what the budget-friendly version sacrifices and what it retains.

The Response Boost variants, typically priced around $100-120, feature full-length Boost foam technology. This material provides superior energy return and maintains cushioning properties longer than EVA. However, the Boost models weigh 1-2 ounces more (11-12 ounces vs. 10.2 ounces), and some versions run half a size smaller than standard Adidas fits. The toe box in Boost models tends toward shallower construction, often requiring half-size increases for comfortable fit.

The current EVA-based Response delivers 80-85% of the cushioning comfort at 30% of the price. Energy return proves noticeably less responsive in the EVA version—the foam compresses more during push-off and doesn’t spring back as aggressively. For easy-paced training and casual wear, this difference rarely matters. For tempo work and faster efforts, the gap becomes more apparent.

Durability projections based on current wear patterns suggest 300-400 miles for the EVA Response compared to 400-500 miles typically seen in Boost versions. The cost-per-mile calculation still favors the budget model: at $0.10-0.13 per mile for the EVA Response versus $0.20-0.25 per mile for Boost variants, the value proposition remains strong even with shorter lifespan.

The Response Super, featuring Dreamstrike foam and positioned at mid-range pricing, targets heavier runners (over 85kg) with enhanced shock absorption. The current EVA Response works well for runners up to about 200 pounds but may compress faster for heavier athletes who would benefit from the Super’s more robust construction.

What About Long-Term Durability?

After 150 miles, wear patterns provide solid indicators for expected lifespan. The outsole shows minor wear concentrated in the heel strike area—predictable given the 10mm drop and typical heel-striking patterns. The wear remains superficial, with no exposed midsole or significant tread loss. At current degradation rates, the outsole should maintain adequate traction through 350-400 miles.

The upper construction presents more concern. The lightweight mesh, while excellent for breathability, shows signs of flexibility in high-stress areas. The material at the toe box has begun developing slight creasing, and the heel counter maintains structure but feels marginally less rigid than initially. These aren’t failures—just early indicators that the upper may show age before the outsole wears through.

The cushioning compression noted earlier stabilized around the 120-mile mark. After initial settling during the first 100 miles, the EVA foam maintains relatively consistent feel. The cushioning no longer delivers that initial “cloud-like” sensation but provides steady, reliable comfort that should continue through the projected 300-400 mile lifespan.

For comparison, premium trainers like the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 typically deliver 450-500 miles before requiring replacement, while budget options from other brands often show significant degradation by 250-300 miles. The Response positions itself in the middle of this range—respectable durability for the price point.

My Final Take

The Adidas Men’s Response Running Sneaker delivers a specific value proposition: exceptional comfort and versatility for recreational runners who don’t need cutting-edge performance features. The $40 price point makes this accessible to runners who can’t justify $120+ for daily trainers, while the comfort level rivals shoes costing significantly more.

The shoe excels for easy-paced training (8:30+ per mile), walking, and casual daily wear. The lightweight construction and soft cushioning create immediate comfort that makes logging 20-30 miles per week feel effortless. The versatile styling transitions seamlessly from training runs to casual outings, adding practical value beyond pure performance.

Performance limitations become clear for specific use cases. Tempo work and speed training reveal the cushioning’s lack of responsiveness. Wet weather exposes the mesh upper’s complete absence of water protection. Heavy runners (200+ pounds) may find the EVA foam compresses faster than desired. Cool climate runners should consider the aggressive breathability a potential liability during fall and winter months.

The ideal buyer: recreational runners logging 15-30 miles weekly who prioritize comfort over performance metrics, need a versatile shoe for both training and lifestyle use, and value exceptional cost-per-mile economics. First-time runners transitioning from walking to jogging will find the forgiving cushioning and easy-going nature particularly appealing.

Consider alternatives if training includes regular speed work (the Under Armour Charged Assert 9 offers more responsiveness at similar price), running in consistently wet conditions (look for shoes with water-resistant uppers), logging 50+ miles weekly with high durability requirements, or needing structured motion control for severe overpronation.

The verdict after 150+ miles: this shoe punches well above its $40 weight class for comfort and daily training use. The limitations exist and matter for certain runners, but for the target audience—recreational runners who value comfort, versatility, and value—the Adidas Men’s Response Running Sneaker delivers genuine quality at an accessible price point.