We were fortunate to review the newly designed and developed D Rose 3.5 Signature Basketball Shoe from adidas with input from Chicago Bulls superstar point guard Derrick Rose. The shoe has improved performance, bolder style and more personal details than its predecessor and launched just a few weeks ago. The D Rose 3.5 shoe is inspired by Derrick’s dedication and hard work to his game and features adidas’ most innovative performance technology, premium and rich style elements and personal details.

To exceed the performance needs for Derrick’s unique style of play, which includes extreme changes in direction, acceleration and explosiveness, adidas designers made the D Rose 3.5 more supportive, comfortable and responsive than its predecessor. The shoe fits even closer to the foot for faster cuts and features a SPRINTWEB upper engineered specifically for his style of play, which reduces weight with maximum support and breathability.

Additional performance features include an ergonomic ankle collar pocket to ensure maximum support during hard cuts and a breathable mesh tongue to improve comfort. SPRINTFRAME technology features an external heel counter to reduce weight and allow for energy return and motion control, giving Derrick his best performing signature shoe to date to improve his performance on court.

The bold spiral overlay pattern is inspired by Derrick’s goal to tighten his game, and functionally, it increases flexibility and provides optimum toe protection. The synthetic leather upper features the spiral protruding from the D Rose logo on the ankle to represent how his on and off-court success continues to grow from the support of his family, who inspired the logo. Chicago call-outs on the inside of the tongue showcase the essence of Rose, including a “Rooted in Chicago” graphic with lettering, colors and shapes inspired by Derrick’s tattoos and the Chicago flag. Each colorway of the D Rose 3.5 will feature special graphics, materials and colors that give details about Derrick’s life and style of play.

The three stripes are again featured on the back of the shoe to represent Rose’s speed, and now wrap around the outsole so opponents will see them not only when he drives past them, but also goes over them.

The D Rose 3.5 launched at retailers worldwide on January 31st for $160 in away (black/white/red) and home (gray/black/red) colorways. The shoe will launch in six additional editions through April.

The new D Rose 3.5 not only looks incredible, but the fit and finish of the new shoe from adidas hits new levels for comfort and stability. These new offerings are extremely lightweight but add to the strength of an already top-shelf shoe. The attention one gets from wearing the new D Rose 3.5’s might surprise you because everyone wants to check them out on and off the court.

Adidas is done playing games and has laid down the gauntlet with the recently launched the adizero Rose 2.5 basketball shoe. Dubbed “Brenda,” the bold red colorway of the shoe represents family for Derrick and is his mother Brenda’s favorite color. The texture of the shoe’s nubuck upper is embossed with detailed rose material and features a full-grain nubuck leather toe for a strong off-court look. The shoe’s February on-court debut was a direct nod to the “Big Apple.” Rose is obviously proud of his new offering and explains some of the finer points of the new adizero Rose 2.5 in this video clip.

Rose’s fourth signature adidas basketball shoes tip the scales at just 11 ounces, making it the lightest signature sneaker he has ever worn on the court. The reduction in weight gives Derrick next-level speed and support for the second half of the season and the Bulls’ playoff run. Design features of the adiZero Rose 2.5 are highlighted by a top down satellite view of Derrick’s Englewood, Chicago neighborhood embossed in the toebox and throughout the upper. The map view is a continuation of the “Cleared for Flight” theme introduced with the adiZero Rose 2 and represents a view from high above. Additional details include the name “ROSE” on the tongue and 3-Stripes branding on the heel of the shoe to emphasize Derrick’s on-court speed. Featured on the sockliner is an infrared color and Derrick’s signature, saluting his personal motivation and inspired performance. His jersey number “1″ appears on the toebox!

Bottom line is the new adizero Rose 2.5 show looks amazing and will get you noticed both on and off the basketball court. The incredible light weight should help even the most challenged in “lifting” their game a few notches. The adizero Rose 2.5 “Brenda” is available at Foot Locker, Eastbay and Shopadidas.com for MSRP $110. The shoe will roll out in three additional colorways through April so stay tuned to the adidas Basketball Facebook page for exclusive images and content.