Adidas is one of the world’s premier sports equipment developers. Leaning on their deep experience Adidas is also one of the premium field hockey stick manufacturers. Their latest range of 2023 sticks has been made in partnership with British tech start-up Hypetex and design house Marque Makers. Using Formula 1 technology, Adidas field hockey sticks are powerful, light, and durable.
How do I choose my Adidas Field Hockey Stick?
The naming of Adidas Field Hockey sticks can be quite confusing.
To summarize –
The name of the stick determines the Bow Type
Next is the number as a decimal – .1 having the most carbon % and therefore power. Right through to .8
.1 to .3 are Kromaskin sticks
There are two head types – Pure Control and 3D
For the current range of sticks, Adidas no longer specifies the exact Carbon content of each stick. However, you can assume the level graduates down from about 95% in .1 sticks.
Adidas has created some handy tables which help you decipher their catalog of Field Hockey Sticks.
Firstly decide which Bow Shape?
Adidas has a full range of Field Hockey sticks in all bow shapes. From the Ultra-Low to an almost straight Mid Bow. This needs to be your first decision, as this determines the name of your stick. Deciding what bow shape works best for your game is very subjective.
Think of it this way – An ultra-low bow makes it easier to lift the ball off the ground like a spoon. Whereas a higher bow is a straighter stick that is easier to hit hard and low. As a rule, forwards tend to like a lower bow than defenders.
People often ask me ‘is a low bow or a mid bow the best field hockey stick to play with?’ I’ve written a detailed explanation of the differences here..
Source : HFS Sport
Select a Number - Power vs Control
Life is full of compromises. Choosing an Adidas stick is no different. Looking for the most power you can find? Go for a .1. However, this comes at the compromise of forgiveness. Your hitting will be ace but at the expense of first touch and dribbling. Whereas a .3 is not quite as stiff, so it’ll offer more control with a slight reduction in power.
That being said, .1 to .3 are all fantastic Kromaskin sticks. So it’s a matter of choosing the best power vs. control for your position and playing style.
How about Head Shape?
There are only two hockey stick head shapes used by Adidas in their current range. Being the 3D Head and the Pure Control Head.
Source: Adidas Field Hockey
As the name suggests, the 3D Head is designed to help with 3D play and enhanced ball control. We found the opened-up toe helps the ball to tuck into the hook, perfect for spin moves!
Source: Adidas Field Hockey
While the Pure Control Head is a more traditional head shape, allowing for the best all-round performance.
Below is the Adidas Field Hockey Stick range and their head shapes.
Source: Adidas Field Hockey
So let’s have a look at my pick for the Best Adidas range of Field Hockey Sticks for 2023. Let me know your favorites in the comments below.
The Adidas Shosa Kromaskin .3is a field hockey stick designed for advanced players, ideally forwards looking for a reliable and high-performing drag-flicking stick. With its standout design, this stick is sure to catch the eye of all hockey enthusiasts. But, is it worth the investment? Let’s take a closer look.
Designed to be the ultimate drag-flicking stick, the Shosa Kromaskin .3 features a grind rail specifically created to keep the ball connected as long as possible during the drag-flick.
Using Formula 1 technology, the stick is made using a pre-molded epoxy core in the head which produces superior layer compaction. The Shosa uses a higher strength-to-weight ratio than a standard carbon lay-up, to increase the power generation and durability of the stick.
In terms of performance, the Shosa Kromaskin .3 lives up to expectations. While not quite as powerful as the Shosa Kromaskin .1 or .2, I found for my playing style the touch was noticeably better. The stick’s Ultra Low Bow design allows for increased ball control and precision, making it ideal for advanced forwards who need to make quick movements and passes. The stick’s stiffness still provides a powerful hit, while the surface area of the reverse edge has been increased to make reverse hitting more powerful and accurate.
The high carbon content creates a seriously powerful stick. I found the Pure Control Head provides ample surface area for excellent ball control, probably in part due to the Epoxy Core in the center. A great compromise between power and control.
Don’t forget that ultimately, this is a drag flicking stick!It really does have quite a dramatic bend. bend.
While this premium stick does not come cheap, you get what you pay for with this agile leader.
For 2023, Adidas has unveiled the updated version of the Shosa Kromaskin .3. The new model for 2023-24 maintains its ultra-low bow design but now features a refined drag flick groove. This enhancement provides players with improved playability without sacrificing the drag flick power that the stick offers.
Fancy a limited edition quality stick from Adidas? The FLX24 Compo 1 is the one! I love the design of this stick. The flouro yellow is certainly eye-catching. Crafted with 70% Carbon and 25% Glassfiber, there are some great features worth mentioning.
From the top, the FLX24 Compo 1 has an adigrip tape, which combines traditional PU with a chamois-like touch. Down the shaft, there is a DUALROD system, which comprises two carbon rods filled with foam. This aids in shock absorption while increasing the power.
Technically a low bow set at 250mm / AdiBow24 (24mm) is a great option for the ambitious forward. Following on to the head, the FLX24 Compo 1 has Touch Compound, which covers the hook to keep the ball under control and improve accuracy.
Evolving from a cult classic stick – the Adidas DF24 Kromaskin – left very big shoes to fill. In my opinion, although not better in all aspects, the Chaosfury is one of the best power sticks that Adidas produces.
Wrapped in a full Kromaskin carbon fiber layer adapted from Formula 1 technology, the Adidas Chaosfury Kromaskin .1 delivers powerful shots with ease.
New for 2023/24 is the striking dark blue chequered pattern, a change from the previous gold design.
Having spent some time testing this stick, I found it was great for tomahawk shots, strong reverse edge hits, and excellent support for 3D skills. However, I did find that the stick required some time to get used to, due to its initially muted first touch. Once I adjusted to it, the stick performed amazingly.
This has to be one of the most eye-catching ladies field hockey sticks produced by Adidas. Not only does the stick look great, but it’s also an excellent value all-rounder stick. Based on the LX shape, the Fabela .7 has a mid low bow shape set at 250mm/22mm. You can still hit the ball flat, while keeping the low bow advantages for 3D, whips, reverses and wrist passes.
Moving down to the head, the Adidas Fabela .7 features Pure Head Control as well as 3D Geometry, classic Adidas features which will improve your game.
This is an excellent stick, at a reasonable price that will serve you well, with a stunning fresh new design.
Some big names in field hockey use Adidas and are suitably impressed with their stick’s performance. 31 year old Scottsman Alan Forsyth, has been a long time star of Great Britain. Alan has played for Surbiton since 2014, and won the prestigious UK hockey player of the year award for 2018, following the annual poll by the Hockey Writers’ Club. When asked about Adidas field hockey sticks he said with admiration:
“The Kromaskin is the best stick I have played with. The new shape is great for control and the power you get when hitting is excellent.”
GB Men’s Hockey Star
As a rule, the lower the number is the better it is. Leading the range is the Kromaskin .1 to .3. It’s a shame Adidas dont link their models with their carbon components anymore. However, it does roughly correlate to the numbers of the models.
I hope this has helped narrow down which is the best Adidas Field Hockey stick for your playing style and position. As always, add your feedback below.
Eddie G, lives and breathes field hockey. In fact, he would go as far to say that he is a bit of a field hockey nut. He loves to research the latest trends and happenings in the game, so that he can stay ahead of the competition. While not so much on the pitch, these days Eddie enjoys reading up on the latest news and developments in the world of field hockey.
Eddie G, lives and breathes field hockey. In fact, he would go as far to say that he is a bit of a field hockey nut. He loves to research the latest trends and happenings in the game, so that he can stay ahead of the competition. While not so much on the pitch these days, Eddie enjoys reading up on the latest news and developments in the world of field hockey.
This stick has an eye-catching black and green finish. Its 3D geometry, ‘trapezoid stick’ shape enhances stick strength and creates a unique Adidas look and feel. Made from 50% Carbon, the stick is strong yet durable. The stick feels light, with the adigrip tape combining traditional PU to give a Chamois-like feel.
As with the FTX, this low bow stick is ideally suited to forwards and midfielders, due to its 3D head shape. Well priced as a mid-range stick All said, you will get a serious field hockey stick with Adidas.
I love the silver look. I want one ))
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