Stella McCartney1 reviews

Tried them on a mate’s recommendation — won’t buy from that shop again 6 March 2026

don’t expect help if these trainers give you trouble. I liked the look and had high hopes — I’ve worn Adidas for years — but the fit was a real miss and the aftercare even worse. I first spotted the Stella McCartney Barricades on a club mate’s feet and she swore by them, so I ordered a pair from Midwest Racquet Store. They arrived reasonably quickly and I was a bit excited to try them out. Classic story: the boots looked great but didn’t behave.
When I put them on for the first session they felt oddly rigid. I assumed they’d loosen after a run-in, so I kept playing. Big mistake. By the end of that practice I had nasty blisters in places I’ve never had them before — ankles and along the sides of both feet. And this matters: I’ve been playing competitively since I was tiny, used to different Adidas models, so this felt like an ergonomic problem rather than me doing something wrong. I gave them another go a few days later in better weather. No improvement. If anything it got worse. It’s frustrating because you don’t know a shoe will injure you without wearing it; you can’t prove a fit is poor until you’ve used it.
I contacted Midwest Racquet Store expecting them to at least inspect or swap. Instead the best they’d offer was a 15% voucher against a future purchase, on the grounds that the shoes had been used and couldn’t be resold. That felt like a non-answer. It just passes the problem along to the next buyer. I tried Adidas directly after that, thinking they’d have my back with their warranty. But because I didn’t buy straight from Adidas and the trainers weren’t ripped or visibly wrecked, they wouldn’t investigate the complaint either. So both retailer and brand washed their hands.
There’s a small silver lining: the shoe looks smart and the materials feel premium. I wanted to like them. I actually felt a bit of optimism at first. But that’s not worth the blisters and the hassle. A performance trainer shouldn’t need to be falling apart before someone takes a customer seriously. All told, I won’t order from Midwest Racquet Store again, and I’d be cautious about relying on the manufacturer’s warranty if you buy through a third party. If you’re thinking of these trainers, try them in-store first, or be prepared to fight for a proper resolution.