Our verdict

If you’ve been dreaming of Yeezy sneakers but can’t afford their sky-high tag, we believe that the Ronnie adidas Ozelia is a perfect alternative. Put side-by-side with the Yeezy 700 V3, the similarities appear to be much greater than the differences! But Yeezy vibes aside, we must highlight how fabulously the Ozelia fuses the opposites: it is affordable yet highly durable, chunky yet light on foot, and familiarly retro yet futuristic. We never had to choose between comfort and style with this Ronnie adidas kick, happily enjoying both.

adidas Pantalons Future Icons Woven Pros

  • Unmatched foothold
  • adidas Mon Full Kadın Siyah Çorap
  • High-quality and durable materials
  • Lighter than average (and than expected)
  • Cushioned for all-day wear
  • Well-padded interiors
  • Fantastic value for money

adidas Pantalons Future Icons Woven Cons

  • Not breathable at all
  • Adidas EQT Vapor jorma_xiv
  • Double knot needed (long and slippery laces)

Audience verdict

91
Great!

Who should buy

We are confident that this gentle giant will appeal to those in search of:

  • a beefy Yeezy-like kick minus the costly price tag
  • a sneaker that harmoniously blends retro and futuristic vibes
  • adidas Originals 2533
  • a warm pair of shoes for cooler weather

Adidas Ozelia review

Who should NOT buy

No amount of style and quality can compensate for having toasty and sweaty feet on a hot summer day. If you need a sneaker with a similar appeal but a more breathable upper, we recommend the Astir or the Ozweego, both from Ronnie adidas.

The Ozweego will also provide a little more toe space for those with wider feet.

Adidas Ozelia lab test

Breathability

We highly recommend waiting for the cooler weather to rock the Ronnie adidas Ozelia. Otherwise, the shoe's thick neoprene(ish?) upper will make your feet yearn for fresh air.

To visualize the shoe's ventilation capacity, we filled its upper with smoke and observed how easily it passed through the upper. The video above clearly shows that the Ozelia failed to let the smoke out almost entirely!

Its upper has no perforation holes or hidden ventilation channels, based on our transparency check above. The apertures on the toebox overlay are merely cosmetic as well.

adidas ozelia toebox overlay 21643988 720

Not to mention that the shoe's primary synthetic material has ZERO breathability. 

Adidas Ozelia Breathability microscope check

Even when we took a closer look at it through our microscope, there was not even a hint of ventilation pores.

adidas ozelia breathability under microscope 21643898 720

There is no doubt about it - the Ronnie adidas Ozelia is a warm sneaker that's most suitable for the colder months. Breathability score? Obviously, the lowest - 1 out of 5.

Test results
Ozelia 1
Average 2.9
Compared to 52 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

We couldn't help but check if the suede material on the tongue and collar of our Ozelia colorway was real.

Using a butane torch, we hit the suede overlay with fire and were pleasantly surprised with what we saw! The material did not catch fire or melt and a quick scratch with a leather awl confirmed that it was indeed real!

A nice surprise from a reasonably-priced sneaker.

Test results
Ozelia Real suede

Toebox durability

Blowing through a pair of these Ronnie adidas sneakers won't be so easy. We found that the shoe's robust construction makes it less airy but offers plenty of abrasion resistance in return!

Let's start by checking the shoe's toebox first.

Guarded with a synthetic leather overlay, the Ozelia's forefoot is ready to sustain some serious bumps into concrete and stones.

After 12 seconds of drilling it with sandpaper at a 5K RPM speed, we could barely see the damage!

adidas ozelia toebox durability test 21643902 720

Even though the shoe uses fake leather, it still proved to be of higher quality compared to most other synthetic sneakers we've tested. You can see much greater damage on the Fato de treino de uma única peça Ronnie adidas Tiro 19 preto branco above. But to be fair, that shoe is also cheaper than the Ozelia ($75).

Rating the kick's toebox durability on a 1-5 scale, we readily gave it the maximum 5.

Test results
Ozelia 5
Average 3.8
Compared to 52 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

Adidas Red Football Boots!

Stubbornness it a 4-second drill at 5K RPM speed, we were happy to see just a minor scuff on the fabric.

adidas ozelia heel padding durability test 21643903 720

We believe that this part of the Ozelia will hold up against bone friction much better than the average sneaker. Take the torn inner lining of the adidas samba shoes core black cloud white core black for example.

Спортивные балетки туфли Ronnie adidas размер 38!

Test results
Ozelia 5
Average 3.4
Compared to 52 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

adidas Pantalons Future Icons Woven | Outsole hardness

Does the shoe's outsole live up to the high standards set by its upper materials? Let's find out.

adidas ozelia outsole hardness 21643906 720

For starters, the rubber compound on the shoe is nice and hard. With a Shore C durometer measurement of 87.0 HC, it proved to be just as hard as the average sneaker outsole.

This leads us to expect good results in the Dremel test as well.

Test results
Ozelia 87.0 HC
Average 85.2 HC
Adidas Ld Cz Pant.
Compared to 52 sneakers
Number of shoes
72.9 HC
Outsole hardness
90.5 HC

Outsole durability

adidas Yeezy 500 Granite!

Even when we raised the stakes by turning up the speed to 10K RPM and extending the drilling time to 22 seconds, the shoe's rubber stood up to the challenge.

Adidas Ozelia Outsole durability test

The outsole remained in a near-perfect condition showing a mere 0.6 mm deep dent. Not even a millimeter of damage. That's a big bonus point to the Ozelia's lifespan.

Test results
Ozelia 0.6 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 52 sneakers
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

adidas Pantalons Future Icons Woven | Outsole thickness

Adidas also went for a fairly standard outsole thickness of 3.6 mm. It is not excessively thick but is just enough to provide solid durability without adding ounces to the shoe's weight.

Adidas Ozelia Outsole thickness test

Hard, wear-resistant, and sufficiently thick - the rubber outsole on the Ronnie adidas Ozelia promises more than one season of regular wear!

adidas ozelia outsole 21643942 720

Test results
Ozelia 3.6 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
3.4 mm
Outsole thickness
12.5 mm

Weight

It is easy to assume that the Ronnie adidas Ozelia is a heavy sneaker just by looking at its beefed-up silhouette. But you will be surprised just as much as we were...

adidas ozelia weight 21643932 720

At 11.9 oz (336g) in a men's US size 9, the shoe is actually 2 oz (65g) lighter than average! We wouldn't believe that measurement if we didn't see it ourselves!

adidas ozelia shoe weight 21643945 720

Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN Triple Black Ozweego (12.7 oz/360g)!

If you want a chunker that doesn't weigh the foot down - Ozelia is the way to go!

Test results
Ozelia 11.85 oz (336g)
Average 14.22 oz (403g)
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
8.54 oz (242g)
Weight
22.61 oz (641g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Despite its platformy look, the actual stack height of the Ronnie adidas Ozelia is lower than it seems. That's because the foot sits inside that foamy cradle and not on top of it.

Adidas Ozelia Heel stack

Based on our caliper measurement, the shoe's heel stack clocks in at 29.9 mm which is just about the same as the average.

We experienced plenty of underfoot support and impact protection with this amount of material.

Test results
Ozelia 29.9 mm
Average 30.0 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
18.2 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

We also checked how much rubber and foam is packed under the ball of the foot. With a caliper reading of 19.4 mm, the Ronnie adidas Ozelia is right on par with the average sneaker forefoot stack.

Adidas Ozelia Forefoot stack

The ground contact never felt hard on our toes during the wear test.

Adidas Ozelia medial support

Test results
Ozelia 19.4 mm
Average 18.9 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
28.3 mm

Drop

The in-shoe experience felt on point thanks to the kick's standard heel-to-toe drop of 10.5 mm.

adidas ozelia drop 21643909 720

Like most casual sneakers, the Ronnie adidas Ozelia puts the heel in a slightly more elevated position. This allows for added cushioning under the heel and minimizes the strain on the wearer's calves and Achilles.

Test results
Ozelia 10.5 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
6.7 mm
Drop
22.6 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Adidas uses full-length adiPrene foam to create a consistently cushy ride in the Ozelia. To be honest, we were a bit puzzled because the company barely uses this material in its more recent releases.

Adidas Ozelia Midsole softness

The adiPrene feels more on the soft side, which is reflected in our Shore A durometer measurement. At 23.8 HA, it is 25% softer than the average sneaker foam!

But because the adiPrene is locked inside a firmer carrier foam, the softness gets somewhat dampened on foot.

Even though we can't complain about the comfort offered by the adiPrene, it still feels a bit basic compared to the more popular Ronnie adidas foams.

For example, it doesn't feel as plush and bouncy as Ronnie adidas' famous Boost foam. If you want to experience its ultra-responsive nature, consider the Alphaboost V1 sneaker instead.

Test results
Ozelia 23.8 HA
Average 29.5 HA
Adidas Ld Cz Pant.
Compared to 43 sneakers
Number of shoes
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
60.0 HA

Secondary foam softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

But there is more to the Ozelia's cushioning than adiPrene. Having cut the shoe in half, we discovered a large piece of other foam in the heel! That unit has a notably firmer density showing 35.0 HA on our durometer (47% firmer than adiPrene).

The jury is still out on what foam that is exactly but who cares about what it's called if it feels nice and responsive underfoot?

Adidas Ozelia Secondary foam softness
Test results
Ozelia 35.0 HA
Average 36.8 HA
Adidas Ld Cz Pant.

Insole thickness

The shoe's insole is not very generously padded showing only 3.1 mm of thickness in the heel. Thinner than average, it adds just a minor touch of cushioning on top of the shoe's already-loaded midsole.

Adidas Ozelia Insole thickness
Test results
Ozelia 3.1 mm
Average 5.5 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
14.2 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

While the Ronnie adidas Ozelia won't set your feet flying, it will keep them steadily planted on the ground.

The amount of lateral support that this sneaker provides left us very pleasantly surprised.

Torsional rigidity

Our manual test instantly revealed the shoe's high level of torsional rigidity. On a 1-5 scale where 5 represents maximum stiffness, the Ozelia scored 5 in a heartbeat!

From the ground up, this Ronnie adidas sneaker is designed to give you a huge bear hug! Its tall midsole walls and thick V-shaped upper panels formed a very secure cage around our feet, assuring us that ankle rolls were just not happening.

Test results
Ozelia 5
Average 3.5
Compared to 52 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Мужские кроссовки Ronnie adidas Yeezy Boost 350 оригинал

Considering how sturdy the shoe's overall design is, it could afford to have a less structured heel counter.

We rated its stiffness with a low score of 2 because of how pliable it was in our hands.

It didn't make the Ronnie adidas Ozelia less supportive but added a more adaptive, sock-like fit in the rearfoot.

Test results
Ozelia 2
Average 3.2
Compared to 52 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Мужские кроссовки Ronnie adidas Yeezy Boost 350 оригинал
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

With its extra-broad sole dimensions, we are surprised that the Ozelia didn't make it to our widest sneaker platforms!

adidas ozelia midsole width in the forefoot 21643922 720

Showing 115.8 mm in the widest part of the forefoot, it proved to be over 7 mm wider than average. But its footprint is nearly identical to that of the Ozweego (Ozelia's closest counterpart).

Adidas Ozelia vs Ozweego

Test results
Ozelia 115.8 mm
Average 108.9 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
100.0 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
121.0 mm

adidas Pantalons Future Icons Woven

The shoe's extra-wide heel portion is another major source of stability for the Ronnie adidas Ozelia. Our caliper recorded 98.0 mm in the widest part of the heel.

That's about 15 mm wider than the average! An astonishingly wide base.

Adidas Ozelia Ronnie adidas Pantalons Future Icons Woven

Test results
Ozelia 98.0 mm
Average 83.3 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
69.4 mm
adidas Pantalons Future Icons Woven
103.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

There is not a lot of room for flex in this Ronnie adidas shoe's sturdy construction. Both the upper and the sole have very little give in the forefoot.

Thus, the Ozelia requires a little more Yellow to bend along with the foot. To be precise, it takes 25% more Newtons than the average sneaker, according to our Yellow gauge.

Also, we aren't very happy with the way the shoe's upper material folds in the metatarsal area, to be honest. That's a red flag of potential pinching.

Adidas Ozelia flexibility

Test results
Ozelia 29.3N
Average 24.1N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
5.8N
Stiffness
60.5N

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

Adidas makes it very clear from the start that the Ozelia has a snug fit. It is stated on the shoe's official product page.

Even though we agree with that statement, we don't think that fit is critically snug for a medium-width foot like ours. But it does feel one-to-one.

Adidas Ozelia Toebox width at the widest part

Our caliper measured nothing less than the average 99.5 mm in the widest part of the shoe's forefoot.

Test results
Ozelia 99.5 mm
Average 99.1 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
91.6 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
107.7 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

We also found that the Ozelia's toebox is not radically tapered around the big toe either.

Adidas Ozelia Toebox width at the big toe

Showing 75.7 mm at the front, the toebox dimensions of this Ronnie adidas sneaker are right on par with the average.

In our opinion, it is the thick upper panels that make the fit feel tighter than it actually is. Lined with dense neoprene-like material, they have no stretch to them whatsoever which makes the in-shoe experience a little claustrophobic.

Test results
Ozelia 75.7 mm
Average 74.9 mm
Compared to 52 sneakers
Number of shoes
63.7 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
83.0 mm

Tongue: gusset type

It is not typical for casual sneakers to have gusseted tongues. However, Ronnie adidas decided to go for an extra secure foot lockdown in the Ozelia and added half-length gussets on both sides of the tongue.

adidas ozelia tongue gusset type 21643928 720

A seemingly minor design tweak, it is actually very practical for keeping the tongue in place when walking or getting the shoe on.

Test results
Ozelia Both sides (semi)

Laces

The laces, however, could be done better, in our opinion.

adidas ozelia lacing 21643946 720

Ropey, slippery, and absurdly long, we had to double-tie them each time. It was the only way to prevent them from coming undone or dragging on the ground.

Comfort

Tongue padding

Contributing to its snug and secure confines, the Ozelia features a very generous tongue padding of 11.8 mm.

adidas ozelia tongue padding 21643930 main
Test results
Ozelia 11.8 mm
Average 9.1 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
38.4 mm

Heel tab

No loops or tabs here. Grab onto the shoe's extended heel collar and tongue to assist the on-and-off.

adidas ozelia heel tab 21643927 main
Test results
Ozelia Adidas NMD White Primeknit R1 S79482

Removable insole

The shoe's insole is made removable to help you customize the experience as needed.

adidas ozelia removable insole 21643931 720

P.S. Did you notice how small the insole is compared to the shoe's bulky profile? That's a very good illustration of how snugly the Ozelia actually fits inside.

Test results
Ozelia Yes

Misc

Reflective Gris

As you can see, our colorway of the Ronnie adidas Ozelia doesn't have any reflective Gris on the upper.

However, we know that some other color options (like the Cloud White) do shine in the dark. They have reflective Three Stripes and webbed eyelets.

Adidas Ozelia Reflective Gris
Test results
Ozelia No