Adidas Torsion Artillery Hi

Looks: 

These aren't the easiest shoes to wear. Standing over 2 1/2 inches higher than the Jordan 1 High. In many respects, it resembles a moonboot more than a sneaker. In terms of design, they are unabashedly 1990s. These are not Yeezys.

The toe begins with the traditional toe-guard/perforated toe panel found on many shoes from this era. Adidas opted to emphasize them here by wrapping the toe guard roughly a third of the way around the toe. The toe guard panel also extends about a third of the way down the shoe, concealing a non-locking lock-down strap. Returning to the three-stripes logo, it has a gleaming finish.

Moving up, the shoe, like the Jordan 5, has an outer covering to cushion your ankle bone, however, the padding extends above your bone. These panels also include articulating lace holes, providing you a variety of ways to lace them up as well as the flexibility to move if you lace them to the top.

For the first five inches or so, the tongue is made up of strips of grey leather, with a few of white panels rounding it off. A sewn-on grey fabric piece finishes the top of the tongue, matching the grey of the inside lining.

Green laces that are pre-installed halfway up the shoe and Adidas branding on the heel and top of the tongue complete the upper's appearance. If you want to go for a monochromatic appearance, white laces are included. I don't think you'll be able to locate any other laces that suit these shoes because they're so tall. These are the two alternatives available to you.

The lining is a silky, 90s-style cloth on the inside. In a light grey color scheme. This stands in stark contrast to the bright red insole, which has the same branding as the rest of the Adidas x Kid Cudi line.

Fit & Comfort: 

These sneakers are rather snug, especially for Adidas, which has a tendency to run a little larger than other sneaker brands. I'm wearing a size 13 and they're tight all over. For reference, I'm a 13 in a Jordan 1 with plenty of space in the front. These are roughly the same width as the previous ones, but they're a lot shorter. I wouldn't go up a size since there is a lot of padding that would loosen up, but I would go up a size.

Standing motionless, the Adidas Torsion Artillery Hi are surprisingly comfortable given such ancient technology. The shoes are fully cushioned throughout, which implies a lot of cushioning for a shoe this height. The tongue is big, and it can become bunched up, but it's also quite easy to place it in the desired position.

On the other hand, you can tell how tall things are once you start walking. When you walk, if you lace up any of the top three lace holes, it will rub your calf raw. If you don't lac them, your pants will be trapped within the shoe (unless you go full-on 90's with your attire and purchase some JNCOs). This can also bunch up and be unpleasant when wearing thick denim.

Materials: 

The material selections made by Adidas truly pleased me. Some of the panels, particularly the tongue, are a little plasticky, but the leather generally feels supple and high-end compared to other retros. With time, I expect these shoes to improve in appearance.

The strap over the ball of your foot on the top is made of cheap-feeling nylon. The three stripes are comprised of squishy soft rubbery plastic. They may scrape a little as they become older, but this will most likely add to the shoe's appearance rather than detract from it. With the exception of the very top, which is made of plastic, the eyelets are large metal. Finally, the black heel cushioning is made of a soft synthetic that feels like nubuck.

The midsole is constructed of EVA foam, which is fairly soft. Overall, it's rather comfy, although it reminds me of the Jordan retros that disintegrate after five years if you don't wear them. You'll want to break them out as soon as possible after they've been sitting for a while. They could have gone with a stronger, longer-wearing rubber outsole with the soft midsole. Regrettably, they chose an exceedingly delicate mix.

The shoe's lining will quickly become worn out on the inside. The ankle scrapes against your leg all the time, and this material isn't designed to withstand that. The cushioning surrounding the shoe, on the other hand, is fantastic. It should outlive the outsole and liner, in my opinion.

Ease Of Care: 

These sneakers should be pretty simple to maintain. While the leather's plastic covering is thinner than other retros, it's still present, which means 90% of dirt should be removed with water and a rag. The rest should be cleaned up with a little soap. If you keep up with washing them, the sneaker's somewhat off-white color should protect them from seeming worn over time.

The laces are the only element that concerns me. They feel good, but given how tall these shoes are and how limited their supply is, I doubt you'll be able to replace them if you shred one. I would make certain that they do not drag on the ground.