Adidas2025 Review
Adidas Adizero Counterblast
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Buy at WePlay Handball · €97.90 (opens in a new tab)We only have it in stock at WePlay Handball · Prices updated on 7 November
Adidas' lightest shoe for top-level handball.
5/5 from users · 1 real rating
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- WingCentre backBack
- For
- Men
- Player weight
- < 75 kg
- Level
- Advanced, Professional
We recommend it if…
- Advanced-to-professional wings and centre backs
- Players who prioritise extreme lightness (265 g) with first-class grip
- Those looking for the Adidas brand in a dedicated handball model
- Feet of normal shape that suit the snug Adizero fit
Pick another if…
- Pivots who need high cushioning and lateral stability
- Players with wide feet (fit too snug)
- Beginner-to-intermediate level where price is a deterrent
- Those who prefer protective cushioning over responsiveness
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- Extremely light (265g)
- Excellent grip on court
- Handball-specific
- Good value for money
Cons
- Basic cushioning for pivots
- Little heel padding
- Not ideal for wide feet
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Weight
- 265 g
- Drop
- 8 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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WePlay Handball
Lowest price
Atmosfera Sport
Out of stock
€130.00Basket-Center
Out of stock
€133.00
How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 9.0
- Cushioning
- 8.0
- Stability
- 8.5
- Durability
- 8.2
- Value for money
- 9.0
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Adizero Counterblast is the handball shoe Adidas should have launched years ago. 265 grams with Adiprene+ technology is a combination we've already seen work in tennis and volleyball shoes, but here Adidas applies it consistently to the needs of fast-paced handball.
What surprises me most is how consistent the grip is on wet or resin-covered parquet. In my tests, when I assessed the friction coefficient of the multidirectional non-marking outsole, the results were above the category average. For a wing who plays on courts in varying conditions, that has real practical value.
Price is the big debate with this model: it sits at the upper end of the range without quite having the top-of-the-range technology of the Stabil Next Gen. I recommend it for advanced players who prioritise speed and lightness over cushioning. If you need more joint support, the Stabil 16 is the more sensible choice.
Published on 5 November 2025 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The multidirectional non-marking rubber outsole of the Adidas Adizero Counterblast is one of its biggest strengths. With 9.0 for grip, it ranks among the best shoes in the catalogue for wings in terms of traction, on a par with high-end models. Adidas' non-marking handball compound has a specific pattern designed for the explosive movements of the outside positions: lateral take-offs, sudden stops and changes of direction at high speed. For an advanced-to-professional wing playing on top-flight parquet courts, the Counterblast's grip is comparable to that of the Stabil range. Technically, it's one of the best grip scores on the market for wings.
Cushioning and energy return
The Adiprene+ midsole of the Adidas Adizero Counterblast scores 8.0 for cushioning, a fitting result for a 265-gram shoe built for speed. Adiprene+ is Adidas' dedicated cushioning solution for high-speed shoes: firmer and more responsive than BOOST, but also less protective against high-energy impacts. For wings who prioritise feeling the court and pushing off fast, Adiprene+ is the right system. For pivots or players with high joint-protection needs, the limited heel padding — one of the cons we identified — can be a problem in the long run. The 8 mm drop, low for handball, favours an active stance and responsiveness.
Stability and support
With 8.5 for stability, the Adidas Adizero Counterblast offers more lateral support than you'd expect for its weight. The ultralight mesh upper with synthetic overlays provides moderate structural stiffness that holds the foot in place during changes of direction without adding unnecessary weight. For advanced wings and centre backs, this level of stability is perfectly adequate. The limitation for wide feet — one of the model's cons — is the most important factor to consider before buying: the Counterblast has a snug fit that doesn't adapt well to wide feet.
Who this shoe is for
The Adidas Adizero Counterblast is Adidas' lightest and most specialised handball shoe for speed positions. At 265 grams, with a 9.0 grip score and an ultralight Adizero construction, it competes head-on with the Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo (255 g, GUM7) and the Puma Accelerate Turbo 4 (270 g, NITRO Elite) at a mid-to-high-range price. For advanced-to-professional wings and centre backs in Spain, it's one of the most competitive options on the market. It's mainly available in specialist shops such as WePlayHandball, which may somewhat limit access compared with brands that have wider distribution.
Liftados verdict · 8.7/10
The Adidas Adizero Counterblast proves that Adidas can make dedicated handball shoes when it wants to: 265 grams, a 9.0 grip score and Adizero technology for extreme speed in a model explicitly designed for handball. For advanced-to-professional wings and centre backs with a mid-range budget, it's one of the best options on the market.
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Comparisons
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What you ask us about the Adidas Adizero Counterblast
What position is the Adidas Adizero Counterblast for?
How much does the Adidas Adizero Counterblast weigh and what cushioning does it have?
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