From a basketball footwear perspective, 2025 just keeps getting better. The adidas Anthony Edwards 2 is Anthony Edwards’ second signature sneaker, and it’s a refreshing change in the market. This shoe, along with the Nike Ja 3 and Reebok Angel Reese 1, really feels like a genuine signature shoe. Unlike many other sneakers, they don’t look like generic templates; they have a distinct visual identity, which is exciting to see.
The adidas Anthony Edwards 2 is not just a simple upgrade from the first model; it’s a true evolution. I appreciate when a signature line carries over and refines elements from the previous model. The AE 2 feels like a significant step forward from the AE 1, especially with its lighter weight and tweaked features. This is surprising, as signature lines often experience a “sophomore slump,” but the AE 2 is an awesome evolution.
adidas Anthony Edwards 2
The adidas Anthony Edwards 2 is a true evolution from the first model. It’s lighter, more flexible, and features a refined upper and support system.
Release Date: October 4, 2025
Price: $130
Pros
- More flexible than the AE 1
- Significantly lighter than the AE 1
- Elite ground feel
- Grippy outsole
- Price point brings value
Cons
- Outsole durability
- Not much cushion underfoot
Visually, the shoe maintains the same color scheme as the original’s launch colorway, which I personally love. It’s nice to see that kind of consistency in a signature line. In an age where consistency is often missing, it’s reassuring to have a shoe that you can look forward to year after year, just like with the early LeBron, Kobe, and Jordan lines.
The adidas Anthony Edwards 2 is a bit lower in collar height than the original, but higher than a low-top, making it a hybrid mid. It’s also significantly lighter than the AE 1, which isn’t surprising because the AE 1 was a hefty shoe.
Even though the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 is lighter, it’s still on the heavier side compared to other models on the market, but it doesn’t feel that way on foot. The box is also really cool, featuring “Believe” on the inside.
Traction
The traction is similar to the first model but with some key differences. It still uses a herringbone pattern, but it’s broken up into “blades” that allow for more flexibility.
The traction is just perfect and top-tier. I have almost zero complaints about its performance. My only complaint is regarding its durability. Looking at the heel of the outsole, there are already small chunks of rubber missing. This is a main concern for me, and I probably wouldn’t buy this shoe for outdoor use unless I had no other option, though this kind of wear isn’t unheard of with other brands (like the Kobe Protros). Despite the durability concern, the traction is beastly and performs exceptionally well on the court. The main question is how long it will last.
Cushion
The cushion still features full-length Lightboost, but the feel is a bit lower to the ground and thinner. This might be due to the upper construction, as the midsole isn’t double-lasted like the original, which could also contribute to the increased flexibility. According to adidas, the midsole also features Lightstrike which may be playing the role of a carrier in some fashion.
The adidas Anthony Edwards 2 comes with a very basic insole, so you’re free to swap it out for something you prefer (like the Move Gameday or Move Baseline). It also comes with extra laces in the accent color, a nice touch carried over from the original.
The cushioning is where user preference might vary. Both the AE 1 and AE 2 utilize a full-length Boost setup, but the AE 2 feels slightly firmer—less “boosty.” While the original had a slight bounce and give, the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 offers a slightly firmer ride while still providing the impact protection expected from the ETPU material. It feels somewhat “dead” compared to other Boost systems, and I’m not sure why.
This firmness, however, is not a bad thing; I felt a lot quicker in the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 than in the originals, which I found a little sluggish and cumbersome due to the restrictive shell upper. The AE 2 was a breeze to play in, despite being on the heavier side for a performance basketball shoe. You get a lot of cushion, but you won’t necessarily notice it in the form of extreme bounce.
Materials
The upper is where the adidas Anthony Edwards 2’s evolution is most apparent. While it has a similar shape to the AE 1 from a top-down view, it has shed its rubberized TPU shell. It now features exposed textiles and breathable mesh that were previously hidden underneath the shell. This new design looks great and adds to the shoe’s flexibility.
The materials are probably the best upgrade. My main concern with the shoe’s striped design was how it would flex and move with the foot without working against it or causing awkward pinching. There was no concern once I started playing; the material moves well. The stripes (called Articulated Fangs), are very thin and contour with the foot instead of restricting it.
This feels like a full-on evolution from the first shoe. The materials do a great job of staying flexible and malleable while still providing enough strength to support the foot. They are super durable, extra breathable, break in quickly, and are supportive—checking every box for a performance shoe.
The lacing system, with its internal nylon strands, also provides ultimate lockdown, feeling much like an Air Jordan 14. My only critique is that the laces are too long and look ridiculous flopping around (though we grabbed the Blue Fusion colorway of the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 and it didn’t have the long lace issue).
Fit
The fit also feels much better. The initial toe pressure from the AE 1 is alleviated quickly here because the rubber doesn’t extend as high. The shoe is less tapered, and the pinching I felt on my big toe in the original was non-existent after the first wear. I recommend going true to size—the same size you wore in the AE 1—as the last feels very similar. The lockdown is excellent, with sculpted heel notches and a well-designed upper.
Support
The support system is where the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 feels stripped down compared to the AE 1, but I think it’s a positive change. It still has an X-shaped propulsion plate, but it has been hollowed out, which greatly improves the forefoot flexibility. The shoe also features two heel panels instead of a single heel cup. These panels are incredibly sturdy and prevent any heel flop or slip.
The support ties into all the other features: the materials, the fit, and the lockdown are all top-notch. The shoe has a wide, stable base. Additionally, the large torsion plate also acts as a spring plate. The heel is extra sturdy, which is a huge upgrade from the original, and they managed to reduce the weight while making the heel more structured. This is a really sleek design.
adidas Anthony Edwards 2 Summary
The Adidas Anthony Edwards 2 is a true evolution from the first model. It’s lighter, more flexible, and features a refined upper and support system. The herringbone traction and full-length Lightboost cushioning are carried over, but with slight tweaks that improve the overall on-court feel. This makes the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 a significant and surprising improvement over the original AE 1, avoiding the typical sophomore slump.
While it may still be a bit on the heavier side, its performance-focused evolution makes it a very exciting release. I am personally a huge fan of this shoe and it will land on our list of Best Basketball Shoes as it is one of the best basketball shoes currently available.
Disclosure
We purchased the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 for this review. Adidas had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
