Adidas NMD vs. Nike Air Force One: Which is the Better Shoe?

Both Adidas and Nike are very popular shoe brands that use different types of styling, cushioning technologies, and materials for their footwear. With there being so many different types of shoes from both companies, I decided to find out which company makes the better shoe.

I recently purchased shoes from both brands, the Adidas NMD and the Nike Air Force One, which are two of the most popular shoes from each brand due to their quality, comfort, and versatile colors and styles. They have very different looks to them, and of course feel very different compared to each other. 

After trying both shoes on, I realized how much of a difference there actually was. So, the question arises… which shoe should I pick?

Comfort

The main technology used in Adidas shoes is called Boost, which is a soft, rubbery foam that is made of small TPU pellets, which is used in the shoe’s sole. The Adidas NMD uses this Boost technology for comfort, which feels very soft but also bouncy due to the way the TPU pellets compress and expand in every step. The shoe’s upper is made of a durable mesh fabric, which is very breathable. 

I tried them on and noticed that walking feels very natural and running feels very smooth and soft on the heels. I was able to walk around for long hours with them straight out of the box without getting any blisters, and my feet still felt comfortable.

On the other hand, Nike uses Nike Air technology for their shoes, which implements pressured air inside the dense rubber sole of the shoe. The Nike Air Force One uses this technology, but after I tried them, I noticed that the sole feels stiff and slightly hard to bend without breaking them in. The upper of the shoe is made of synthetic leather, which is durable, but not very breathable. 

After walking in them for long hours, I noticed I got blisters on my feet, and my heel hurt, which means that the shoe needs to be broken in before wearing them comfortably. I tried running in the shoes, but every step was very clanky and harsh on the heel.

So, in terms of comfort, I would choose the Adidas NMD over the Nike Air Force One. This is because I was able to experience the full comfort of the NMD straight out of the box, and I did not need to break in the shoe. Walking and running was very comfortable and smooth, with no blisters being left on my feet. Due to the mesh fabric material, I was able to walk around without collecting much heat, which also prevented my feet from sweating and making the shoes stink. 

These benefits make the Adidas NMD a great summer shoe, and most importantly an all-around comfortable shoe.

Style

The Adidas NMD has a style focused around running, so it has a sporty and fast look to it. Featuring a slanted toe box and large heel, you can visually see that the shoe is directed towards the comfortable running approach. The mesh fabric shows a more flexible and active design aiming to prevent trapping heat, which is another feature that emphasizes the sporty look.

The Nike Air Force One focuses more on everyday casual wear. Both ends of the shoe have a balanced shape and height, making a straight sole good for relaxed short walks. The shoe’s upper is made of synthetic leather, which is durable and clean, suitable for most, if not all occasions.

In terms of style, the Adidas NMD is a good everyday shoe for those dressing like they are going to be active, but the Nike Air Force One is the most compatible shoe for most occasions, such as going out to eat, visiting someone, or just going for a stroll in the park. The Nike Air Force One also well with most outfits due to its clean and straightforward design, making it the easiest to style.

Quality

The Adidas NMD is well built and designed, but one minor imperfection is that it lacks structure, meaning it cannot keep its shape independently. Since the upper of the shoe is made of mesh fabric, it relies heavily on the foot of the wearer to provide its shape, and since everyone has different shaped and sized feet the structure of the shoe can vary. This may cause inconsistent looks depending on who is wearing the shoe, but fortunately, this will not cause extra wear on the shoe since this is purely a visual imperfection. Other than that, everything looks cleanly built with good materials and does not break down easily.

The Nike Air Force One is also built with little to no imperfections, but it keeps its structure consistent without being dependent on the wearer, unlike the NMD. Since the upper of the shoe is made with a sturdy material, it does not need to be supported by the wearer’s foot, giving it a consistent look. Although the synthetic leather material is not the best quality, it is cleanly sewn to the sole of the shoe, very durable, and very easy to clean, making up for its low-quality material.

So, in terms of quality, the Adidas NMD lacks structure, but is built cleanly. The way it is built prevents it from breaking down and coming apart easily, letting the wearer do activities that cause a lot of wear and tear. 

The Nike Air Force One on the other hand is built to last for a very long time, since it uses a synthetic leather material and strong rubber sole. Just like the NMD, the Nike Air Force One is built in a way that prevents them from coming apart easily.

Price

According to StockX, a shoe reselling website, most Adidas NMD shoes are priced at around $130.00. This price can vary depending on color, material pattern, and even size of the NMD. 

According to the Nike website, The Nike Air Force One is priced at about $115.00, but like the NMD, the price can vary depending on color, material, and size.

Conclusion

Now, the question still remains: which shoe is the best option? Both shoes are good for what they are made for, but it depends on what the user’s lifestyle is.

If you enjoy going out for activities such as running or jogging and spending a bit more on the shoe is not a problem, then the Adidas NMDs are the way to go. They are tailored for a comfortable and stylish running experience, which can greatly benefit someone who is very active but also wants to add a bit of character, perfectly suiting a sporty individual who wants to look good. 

If you are more of a casual walker rather than a daily runner or jogger and are most concerned with casual style, then the Nike Air Force Ones are the best option. They are very versatile when it comes to styling for almost every occasion, especially with the white version, making them the perfect everyday shoe. 

Both are great shoes with different benefits, tailored to serve your feet, but it really comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.