Are you an opinionated sneaker collector? Do you love to advise your friends on the best athleisure products to buy? Maybe you like to test your sneakers to the limit? If this sounds like you, you’re an ideal candidate for the Adidas product tester program.
Like the Nike Voice of the Athlete testing program, product testers get access to new Adidas products before they hit the market while still in development.
The aim is for product testers to try new products and provide feedback that can be used to improve the product before it is released to the public.
Before they are put on the market, upcoming Adidas products are given to product testers for testing so they can offer input that can help improve the product (Credit: darksoul72 / Shutterstock)
Adidas operates a product testing program in both Europe and the United States. The information in this guide is specifically for the US product testing program. However, most information is the same between programs.
Our in-depth guide covers everything you need to know to become an Adidas product tester, including the perks and what products you might receive.
What is a Product Tester?
A product tester is an individual who conducts specific tests on a product or service on behalf of the company. These testers are usually normal members of the public and not company employees, who may be used as in-house testers.
Product testers are non-employees of Adidas who are provided with upcoming products to test before their introduction on the market (Credit: Nattawit Khomsanit / Shutterstock)
Product testers receive item(s) to test for a given time before providing detailed feedback to the company.
While some product testers may be paid or allowed to keep the product(s), Adidas product testers are unpaid and must return their items to Adidas for post-test assessments.
How to Become an Adidas Product Tester
You can become part of the Adidas product tester program by signing up through its official website. Applicants must complete a survey and provide basic information, including body measurements and postal address.
Applicants will be contacted by Adidas after completing a survey and providing information, such as their postal address and body measurements (Credit: Adidas)
Adidas will contact Successful applicants directly when spots open on the product testing program. Successful product testers may remain on the program on a rolling basis. Occasionally, Adidas will add new testers when working on new product categories.
Who Can Be an Adidas Product Tester?
Adidas has several basic requirements for joining its product testing program. The minimum requirements include:
- Be at least 18 years old and living in the US.
- Ability to read and write in English.
- A valid e-mail address and internet access.
- Provide body measurements
- Not a tester for competitors.
To qualify as a product tester, you’ll need to fit one of Adidas’ product sizes and meet the minimum weekly activity requirements for your sport. Adidas test products are only available in limited sizes.
You can apply to join the Adidas product testing program through this online form. Adidas is searching for product testers who are active in the sports they create products for. You’ll be asked about your sports and athletic activities as part of the online survey.
Why You Should Be an Adidas Product Tester
Becoming a product tester is a win-win for athletes and sports enthusiasts who lead an active lifestyle. You’ll get to trial upcoming products, including apparel and footwear before they’re released to the public.
Product testers become part of the development process, offering feedback that can improve the product before it hits the market.
Being a product tester allows you to wear and try upcoming Adidas products and become part of the development process by offering feedback (Credit: Nattawit Khomsanit / Shutterstock)
It’s worth noting that Adidas does not pay money to its product testers. Its product testing website now clearly states that claims on social media that testers are financially compensated are false.
You’re unable to keep the product at the end of your test period as it must be returned to Adidas for them to inspect and evaluate the wear and tear. Adidas will provide a return label with your product.
After the test period, product testers must return the product to Adidas for inspection and evaluation of the wear and tear (Credit: DedMityay / Shutterstock)
Why Adidas Uses Product Testers and Their Impact
Adidas started its product testing program in 2015 to improve the development process to boost customer retention. It allows the development team to get real-time feedback from everyday customers and for them to carry out tests and assessments after the trial period.
Testers are required to return their products to Adidas at the end of the trial period. The development team is then able to carry out tests on the wear and tear of the product to make improvements accordingly.
Products Available Through Adidas Product Testing
The Adidas product testing team will select participants based on their demographic profile, athletic/sports profile, and shoe/apparel size. Apparel and footwear items are available through the product testing program.
Product testers that meet the program’s requirements are offered unreleased clothing and footwear items that match their athletic profile for testing (Credit: Nattawit Khomsanit / Shutterstock)
The items available through the Adidas product testing program include unreleased sneakers, apparel, and athletic fitness products. You’ll be offered products that match the athletic profile created through your survey answers.
What Adidas Product Testers Do
The testing process with Adidas is relatively straightforward. You’ll receive an email if you’re successful as a product tester, allowing you to confirm your participation. Your testing products will then be shipped directly to you with detailed instructions of what Adidas would like you to test.
Product testers must test the product and keep detailed logs throughout their test period before returning the item to Adidas (Credit: Nattawit Khomsanit / Shutterstock)
The guidance from Adidas will include a required number of hours or mileage of use per week throughout the test period. Most Adidas product testers will test a product for 2 to 4 weeks.
Testers are expected to keep detailed logs throughout their test period. This information will help them complete an online questionnaire at the end of the trial period.
Your product must be returned to Adidas at the end of the trial period. The product development team will inspect and evaluate the product, checking the wear and tear.
What Product Testers Have to Say
There are only a limited number of testimonials online from Adidas product testers. Adidas does not allow testers to share any information relating to the products they’re testing on social media, with most testers avoiding sharing any information about the program by extension.
Product testers are prohibited from disclosing information about the test products (Credit: Ars98 / Shutterstock)
One product tester in an online forum talked about the time-consuming nature of being a product tester. They also confirmed that failing to send back products will result in removal from the program. Another comment suggested the product they tested took over a year to hit the market.
How to Be a Successful Adidas Product Tester
Joining the product testing program is a great option for fans of Adidas who want to help shape the future of the brand. You can be a successful product tester by meeting Adidas’ testing requirements, including their daily/weekly usage guidance, and returning your product at the end of the trial.
To become a successful product tester for Adidas, you should meet the requirements, including their daily and weekly usage guidance, and return the product at the end of the trial period (Credit: kovop / Shutterstock)
You can find out more about the Adidas product tester program through its official website.