Today adidas launches its most versatile training shoe to date, the Dropset 4. Engineered for the demands of multi-discipline workouts, the footwear delivers both controlled stability and explosiveness across a wide range of movement.
Based on the insight that 7 in 10 gym goers are wearing incorrect footwear, the Dropset 4 was born from a commitment to help its community of next-gen athletes cut through the noise and realise their strength by creating a shoe that is everything they need for functional training.
The Dropset 4, an evolution of Dropset 3, hosts a unique 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 800m sprints.
Key features include:
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Full-Length Repetitor foam: Provides a consistent level of energy return and stability, supporting overall endurance throughout the toughest of workouts.
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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.
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Continental & Adiwear rubber combination: Strategically placed to offer extra traction and durability for loaded movements like sled pushes and weighted lunges.
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Footadapt sockliner: FOOTADAPT technology increases foot awareness within the shoe, improving balance control of the body to maintain form and maximum muscle engagement.
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Haptic print: The upper 3D printed layer of textured material provides increased durability against abrasion, while maintaining
breathability for even the sweatiest of workouts. 
Aimee Arana, adidas Global General Manager Sportswear & Training, said:
“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.”
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, 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. Also featuring 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, Caio Cabral, said:
“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.”
Speaking on the Dropset 4, Emilio Sakraya, said:
“My training keeps me ready for any role, so I need footwear I can rely on. 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.”
The new Dropset 4 will be available from 8 January, 2025 via selected retail stores and online at adidas.co.za
