Trae Young plays basketball like he’s trying to start a fight at a wedding. He’s flashy, he’s loud, and he’s incredibly polarizing. So, it only makes sense that his second signature sneaker, the Trae Young 2.0 shoes, would follow that exact same energy. When Adidas first dropped these, people didn't know whether to wear them or try to use them as a scuba diving flipper. They look strange. There are no laces—well, mostly no laces. But honestly? Once you get past the initial "what am I looking at" phase, these might be some of the most technically interesting basketball shoes Adidas has put out in the last five years.
They aren't perfect. Far from it.
If you’re the kind of player who wants a traditional, stiff leather high-top, you’re going to hate these. But if you play like Trae—lots of shifting, deep range, and constant movement—there is a method to the madness.
The laceless gamble that actually works
Most "laceless" shoes are a gimmick. We’ve seen them before with the old Reebok Shrouds or even some of the newer Nike Adapt stuff that costs as much as a used Honda Civic. The Trae Young 2.0 shoes use a SCK360 knit upper. It’s basically a high-tech sock that’s been reinforced with some strategic padding.
You’ll notice there are laces, but they’re tiny. They only cover the midfoot. Why? Because the knit is doing 90% of the work. It’s meant to provide a one-to-one fit. When you slide your foot in—and trust me, you’ll need to use those pull tabs because the collar is tight—the shoe shrinks-wraps to your foot.
It feels weird at first.
You expect it to feel flimsy. You expect to roll your ankle the second you try a crossover. But Adidas designers like Robbie Fuller have been perfecting this "feet you wear" philosophy for a long time. The lockdown doesn't come from strings; it comes from the geometry of the heel counter and the way the knit is woven to resist stretching in specific directions. It’s a bit like a compression sleeve for your entire foot.
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That massive slab of Boost and Lightstrike
Let's talk about the bottom of the shoe. That’s where the real magic (and the weight) lives.
Adidas went with a "best of both worlds" approach here. You get Boost in the heel and Lightstrike in the forefoot. If you aren't a sneaker nerd, here is the breakdown: Boost is that bubbly stuff that feels like walking on clouds, while Lightstrike is a firmer, more responsive foam that’s built for speed.
- Heel Strike: When you land after a layup, the Boost absorbs the impact. Your knees will thank you.
- The Forefoot: It’s low to the ground. You want to feel the floor when you're blowing by a defender.
- The Transition: There is a Torsion system—a plastic shank—running through the middle. This keeps the shoe from folding in half like a piece of paper.
Actually, the weight is the one thing people complain about. These aren't the lightest shoes on the market. If you want something that feels like you're wearing nothing, go buy some Kobe protros or the newer Ja Morant line. The Trae 2.0 has some heft to it. But that heft comes with a level of stability that is rare for a low-profile guard shoe. It’s a trade-off. You get protection in exchange for a few extra grams.
Why people get the traction wrong
I’ve seen a lot of reviews saying the traction on the Trae Young 2.0 shoes is "mid." Those people are probably playing on dusty YMCA floors that haven't been mopped since 1998.
The outsole uses a multi-directional herringbone pattern mixed with some circular "pods." It’s designed specifically for Trae's signature move: the stop-and-pop floater. When you're running full tilt and need to plant your foot to change direction, these things bite. Hard. But—and this is a big but—the rubber compound is relatively soft.
If you take these to the blacktop, you’re going to cheese-grater the soles in about two weeks. Keep these indoors. Seriously. The grooves are deep enough to handle a little dust, but they thrive on a clean hardwood surface.
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The "Scuba" aesthetic and cultural impact
Look, we have to address the elephant in the room. These shoes look like something a space explorer would wear to a nightclub. The transition from the knit to the molded foam is jarring. It doesn't look like a "normal" basketball shoe.
But isn't that the point?
Trae Young is a villain in almost every arena except Atlanta. He leans into it. The shoe reflects that "love me or hate me" vibe. In an era where every basketball shoe is starting to look like a generic version of a Nike Hyperdunk, Adidas took a massive risk. They tried to build a performance silhouette that prioritizes ergonomics over "looking cool" in a traditional sense.
Interestingly, these have become a bit of a cult favorite among volleyball players too. The lateral stability and the heel cushioning make them great for the constant jumping and side-to-side shuffling involved in that sport. It’s a weird cross-over appeal that Adidas probably didn't plan for, but it speaks to how solid the actual construction is.
Real-world performance breakdown
- Sizing: Go true to size. Don't size up. If they feel a little tight at first, give them two hours of play. The knit breaks in. If you have a super wide foot, you might struggle with the entry point, but once you're in, the knit is forgiving.
- Durability: The upper is surprisingly tough. You won't see many rips in the SCK360 material. The weak point is the outsole if used outdoors.
- Breathability: It’s a knit shoe, so you’d think it’s airy. It’s actually kind of hot. The padding inside the heel and the thick knit hold onto heat.
- Court Feel: Excellent. You feel connected to the floor, which is vital for quick guards.
Correcting the "Lace" Misconception
You'll see people online saying you can't tighten these. That’s just wrong. The laces that are there are looped through internal cables. When you pull them, it pulls the entire midfoot cage down. It’s not just for show. It’s a secondary lockdown system. If you feel like your foot is sliding around, crank those laces down. It changes the entire experience.
Most people just leave them tied the way they came out of the box. Don't do that. Adjust them.
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Is it better than the Trae Young 1?
This is the big debate. The Trae 1 was a massive hit. It was lower, sleeker, and felt a bit more "minimal." The 2.0 is a complete departure.
The 1 felt like a running shoe you could play basketball in. The 2.0 feels like a piece of athletic equipment. If you want a casual shoe you can wear with jeans, the Trae 1 is better. If you want a shoe to actually play four quarters of high-intensity ball, the 2.0 is the superior technical achievement. It offers way more support. The 1 was notorious for having almost zero lateral containment if you really pushed it. The 2.0 fixes that with the raised foam sidewalls.
What to do if you're buying a pair now
Since we are a couple of years past the initial launch, you can usually find the Trae Young 2.0 shoes at a significant discount. They are a steal at the current clearance prices.
Pro Tip: Look for the "Core Black" or "Altered Blue" colorways. They tend to hold up better visually over time. The lighter knit colors (like the "Cloud White") tend to pick up floor scuffs that are almost impossible to get out because of the texture of the fabric.
If you’re on the fence, go to a store and just try to put them on. That’s the "filter." If you can get your foot through the collar comfortably, you’re golden. If you struggle for five minutes just to get the shoe on, your foot shape might not be a match for the SCK360 tech.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check your foot shape: High arches and narrow-to-medium widths work best with this knit structure.
- Keep them inside: Preserve the traction by avoiding concrete or asphalt surfaces.
- Don't skip the break-in: Play a couple of light pickup games before taking them into a competitive league game to let the Torsion plate soften up.
- Adjust the laces: Use the midfoot cables to lock your heel into the back of the shoe.
The Trae 2.0 isn't the "safe" choice. It’s the choice for someone who wants specific performance features and doesn't mind a few stares at the court. It’s a weird, bouncy, tight-fitting speed machine that deserves more credit than it gets.