Header: Courtesy of adidas
adidas has just launched its most versatile training shoe to date, the Dropset 4. Engineered for the demands of multi-discipline workouts, the shoe delivers both controlled stability and explosiveness across a wide range of movement.
Shoe made for functional training
Based on the insight that 7 in 10 gym-goers are wearing the wrong footwear, the designers focused on developing a shoe that is everything they need for functional training. Dropset 4 was, therefore, born from the passion to help next-gen athletes cut through the noise and realise their strength.
The Dropset 4 is essentially an evolution of the Dropset 3, now hosting a blend of technology and features to provide both all-around stability and dynamic energy return across the demands of functional training. Now with enhanced versatility, the Dropset 4 delivers robust support across the entire spectrum of a functional workout, from foundational deadlifts to high-impact box jumps and up to 800 m sprints.
“We know our community has embraced functional training as an important part of their routine and needs a shoe that will support them with the demands of their entire workout, from warm-up to cool-down. We are proud to offer them an improved solution that truly meets their different needs during training: the Dropset 4 is built to be sturdy and stable enough for those big compound strength moves, while still delivering the cushioning and energy return essential for explosive actions like box jumps or even a warm-up run.”
Aimee Arana, adidas Global General Manager Sportswear & Training
Key features include:
- Full-length repetitor foam – Provides a consistent level of energy return and stability, supporting overall endurance throughout the toughest of workouts.
- Energyrods – Engineered for a balance of stiffness and flexibility, energyrods protect the foot through optimal force distribution, supporting the heel during heavy movements and providing a propulsive forefoot for exercises like box jumps and skipping.
- Continental & Adiwear rubber combination – Strategically placed to offer extra traction and durability for loaded movements like sled pushes and weighted lunges.
- Footadapt sockliner – FOOTADAPT technology increases foot awareness within the shoe, improving balance control of the body to maintain form and maximum muscle engagement.
- Haptic print – The upper 3D-printed layer of textured material provides increased durability against abrasion while maintaining breathability for even the sweatiest of workouts.
Backed by professionals and athletes
The launch is accompanied by a campaign that champions the Dropset 4 as “all you need” for functional training, demonstrating its capabilities across lift, jump, and run movements. adidas partners, including US basketball player Hailey Van Lith, Argentinian entrepreneur Antonela Roccuzzo, Brazilian fitness star Caio Cabral, and German actor Emilio Sakraya, put the footwear to the test.
“When I train, I’m always pushing my limits, whether on big compound moves or intense sprints, so I need a shoe that can handle it all without slowing me down. The Dropset 4 is made for intensity, which is exactly how I like to train, giving me the perfect mix of stability, grip and comfort, no matter what the workout looks like.”
Caio Cabral
Also featured is Hungarian competitive training athlete Laura Horvath, who recently wore Dropset 4 to victory, claiming first place at one of the world’s most elite fitness stages in Aberdeen in October 2025, demonstrating how the footwear supports athletes of all levels, from everyday gym-goers to elite athletes.
Speaking on the Dropset 4, Laura Horvath said: “The Dropset 4 is my favourite adidas strength shoe yet; the stability and confidence I feel when wearing them across all disciplines, especially now with running, is next level. When I’m competing, I want to trust my footwear and concentrate on my performance, and the Dropset 4 allows me to do that.”
WNBA player Hailey Van Lith added, “My training demands it all, from shuttle sprints to deadlifts; no session is ever the same, which is why I love it. So, having a shoe that can do it all means I feel confident that it will support every move so I can focus on my performance.”
