adidas has fired the starter’s pistol on a new era of functional training footwear with the launch of the Dropset 4, a shoe designed to keep pace with athletes whose workouts move at the speed of ambition.
Unveiled in South Africa on 8 January, the Dropset 4 is adidas’ most versatile training shoe to date. It’s built to transition seamlessly from heavy compound lifts to explosive jumps and even short sprints, without missing a stride.
The shoe’s arrival is grounded in a striking insight: seven in ten gym-goers are wearing the wrong footwear for their training demands. The Dropset 4 answers that problem with the precision of a perfectly timed baton handover, offering one shoe that can handle every leg of a functional workout.
Stability Meets Speed
An evolution of the Dropset 3, the Dropset 4 blends controlled stability with dynamic energy return, supporting athletes across the full arc of a training session, from deadlifts that demand rooted balance to box jumps that require explosive lift-off, and even 800m runs where responsiveness becomes key.
At its core is full-length Repetitor foam, delivering consistent energy return and stability, ensuring athletes can hold form even as fatigue sets in during long, grinding sessions.
The shoe’s Energyrods act like a well-calibrated stride pattern, balancing stiffness and flexibility to distribute force efficiently. They stabilise the heel under heavy loads while turning the forefoot into a springboard for high-impact movements such as skipping and box jumps.
Traction is handled by a Continental and Adiwear rubber outsole, strategically positioned for durability and grip during sled pushes, weighted lunges and aggressive changes of direction, ensuring athletes don’t lose traction when the pace quickens.
Inside the shoe, the Footadapt sockliner sharpens foot awareness, enhancing balance and body control to maintain technique and maximise muscle engagement, while the haptic-printed upper adds abrasion resistance without sacrificing breathability, built to withstand sweat-soaked, high-intensity sessions.
Built for the Entire Training Journey
adidas Global General Manager for Sportswear & Training, Aimee Arana, said the Dropset 4 was engineered to support athletes from start to finish.
“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,” Arana said.
“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.”
Tested at Every Level
The launch is backed by an adidas campaign positioning the Dropset 4 as “All You Need” for functional training — showcasing its lift, jump and run capabilities through a diverse lineup of athletes and creators.
Among those putting the shoe through its paces are US basketball player Hailey Van Lith, Argentinian entrepreneur Antonela Roccuzzo, Brazilian fitness star Caio Cabral, and German actor Emilio Sakraya.
The Dropset 4 has already proven its elite credentials too. Hungarian competitive training athlete Laura Horvath wore the shoe to victory at one of the world’s most prestigious fitness competitions in Aberdeen in October 2025, underscoring its ability to perform on the sport’s biggest stages.
Brazilian fitness influencer Caio Cabral said the shoe keeps up with his relentless training tempo.
“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,” Cabral said.
“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.”
Actor Emilio Sakraya echoed the sentiment, highlighting the shoe’s versatility.
“My training keeps me ready for any role, so I need footwear I can rely on,” Sakraya said.
“The Dropset 4 doesn’t force me to compromise, it’s light enough to accelerate, solid enough when I land and versatile enough to keep up on explosive moves.”
Availability
The adidas Dropset 4 will be available from 8 January 2025 at selected retail stores and online at adidas.co.za.
