Purchasing the next model in a shoe series is a mixed bag.

Many times shoe manufacturers leave things largely the same since the previous model did so well in the market. Most of the time however, changes are made to cater to the consumer. When I purchased my pair of Adidas NMD_R1 V2’s, I was expecting a pair of shoes that would closely resemble my NMD_R1’s. And while in many respects this was the case, there were a few tweaks Adidas made to this shoe that left my feet confused at the end of the day.

Here’s why I would reconsider purchasing the Adidas NMD_R1 V2 as my Disney parks shoe.

The Specs are Largely the Same as the NMD_R1

Let’s state the obvious: since this shoe bears the NMD_R1 name, many of its core elements are the same as the NMD_R1.

The NMD_R1 V2 has an identical Boost midsole that gives plenty of cushion while still providing support. The NMD_R1 V2 is vey lightweight and its advertised durability has yet to be proven with my feet. Even with its more eco-friendly upper made of 50% Parley Ocean Plastic and 50% recycled polyester, the NMD_R1 V2 has a similar upper construction that conforms to the individual’s foot. The NMD_R1 V2 also has a similar sole shape (ie. Not much extra arch support) and the recognizable EVA plug inserts that give the shoe its stability.

These specs alone already make for a great shoe to put the miles into your next Disney park trip.

While There are Some Design Changes, the Biggest Difference is the Offset

Adidas was compelled to make some changes to this shoe, and while some of those changes are obvious, others are more subtle.

The elastic heel pull tab is one of the most obvious design changes, which for me is a struggle to use. So much of a struggle that instead of using it, I put my fingers behind my heel. What makes it so much of a struggle is that the loop is too small to put even my skinny pianist fingers through.

However, the most drastic change in feel compared to the NMD_R1 is the offset (the height difference from the heel to the toes). The weird thing is, the change is actually pretty small. It’s probably 1-2 millimeters.

That’s the same size as the tip of a crayon.

The thing is, that difference almost makes me feel like I’m wearing heels. Initially, I thought it felt this way because switching to a new pair of shoes made the difference feel more pronounced. But even after a week of getting used to these shoes, I still feel like my weight is pushed forward and my feet slide forward with each step to the point where my toes are pushed toward the front of the shoe.

Don’t get me wrong, my toes still have a decent amount of wiggle room (thanks to the flexible knit upper) and I do still feel like I can walk in these shoes all day. But even tightening the laces to make the shoes feel more snug didn’t stop my feet from sliding forward.

These 2 design changes – the heel pull tab and the offset – can be a deal breaker for some.

The Style Variations Give EPCOT Vibes

Put the NMD_R1 V2 and the NMD_R1 side-by-side, and you have a difficult time telling how similar they are.

This is because the design of the outer part of the shoe underwent the most drastic change compared to the NMD_R1. In my eyes, the design of the EVA plug inserts that transition into the heel pull tab give a feel of movement, reminiscent of the support legs for Spaceship Earth. Paired with some of the louder colorways Adidas offers, and you’ve got a style that reminds us of EPCOT in the 1980s. Give a quick look on Amazon and you can see some of the different colorways, many that give off that retro-futuristic look. After all, designers at Adidas intentionally put a lot of 1980s style into the NMD line!

While not outright a Disney style, taking advantage of some of these colorways can certainly add flare to your Disney parks outfit!

The Final Verdict

Unfortunately, while I spent time testing out these shoes and writing up this review, Adidas went from selling plenty of pairs of this shoe to now only offering 2 colorways and a limited amount of sizes.

However, this shoe can still be found on Amazon, Finish Line, Footlocker, and Champs Sports. Yes, these shoes aren’t the most comfortable for my feet when it comes to walking all day at the Disney parks. However, after all is said and done, the Adidas NMD_R1 V2 still does its job in keeping my feet comfortable enough. I will still walk these shoes to the ground.

The next question then is: which shoe will you use?