Adizero Adios Pro 3

Super shoes have been on the lips of every runner for a few years now, and adidas’ Adizero Adios Pro 3 is right up there. Designed to break records and take you to new heights, this revolutionary road running shoe is packed with the latest technology to make a runner's heart beat faster. But how does the carbon-infused shoe perform? And does it tick all the right boxes regarding comfort, stability, and energy return? To find out, we invited two professional runners, Biel and Elia, to test the third edition of the adidas Pro.

“ When you land on your forefoot, you can feel the energy bouncing back immediately. ”

- Biel

adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

ADIDAS ADIZERO ADIOS PRO 3 — QUICK FACTS

Let’s start with the hard facts. Here are all the key features of adidas’ record-breaking running shoe at a glance:

Energyrods 2.0: The third edition of the Adizero Adios Pro features carbon energy rods embedded in the midsole. Where previously the rods were separate, they now form a cohesive unit for harmonious stiffness and energy return.

Lightstrike Pro foam: The Pro 3 features two layers of the Lightstrike Pro foam, which adidas describes as its “most resilient foam”. It provides runners with cushioning and energy return to support them on longer races.

Continental rubber outsole: The Pro 3 has a premium rubber outsole that provides traction even when cornering at high speeds.

New upper: The new lightweight Celermesh upper is designed to be race-ready.

2 PRO RUNNERS PUT THE REVOLUTIONARY SHOE TO THE TEST

Meet Biel: Last April, the Brazilian ultrarunner qualified for the 2024 100km World Championships in India. When buying a new pair of running shoes, Biel looks for comfort and speed, but above all, for something that will allow him to “enjoy races and training without getting injured.”

Meet Elia: Since she started competing in international championships, Spanish middle and long-distance runner Elia has noticed that running shoes have become increasingly important in elite racing. “There are very few differences between athletes, so now it’s important to have the right shoes to help you perform at your best,” she says. For her, a great pair of running shoes has both cushioning and responsiveness.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS — DESIGN, WEIGHT, UPPER AND SOLE

Biel: These shoes are very light, but the first thing I noticed was the design. As always, adidas has done a great job. I particularly like the black version with the pop of pink on the side. I also noticed that the upper is very thin and breathable but still has some structure, which helps the foot stabilise. The stack height is nice too. It's neither too high nor too low.

Elia: The design is great, especially with the colour gradients on the sides. The next thing I noticed was the lightness of the shoes. And finally, the soles. You can see the carbon rods in the shoe’s front part and the cushioning in the back. For me, that’s the best way to make a shoe because both features help you run fast without getting injured.

DESIGNED TO BREAK RECORDS

From carbon energy rods to adidas’ Lightstrike Pro foam, the Adizero Adios Pro 3 is packed with the latest technology to help you reach a new PB.

DESIGNED TO BREAK RECORDS

From carbon energy rods to adidas’ Lightstrike Pro foam, the Adizero Adios Pro 3 is packed with the latest technology to help you reach a new PB.

THE TEST — PERFORMANCE, STABILITY, GRIP AND COMFORT

PERFORMANCE

Biel: This shoe feels like an elite race shoe: fast and comfortable. The Lightstrike Pro foam is the perfect balance between cushioning and responsiveness, and it has a certain firmness, which I like. The foam may need a break-in period however, as I found it felt better the more I ran. The feel of the energy rods is definitely noticeable — when you land on your forefoot, you can feel the energy bouncing back immediately. Compared to running shoes with carbon-fibre plates, these rods are less stiff and offer a more natural running experience.

Elia: The energy return is fantastic. As soon as your forefoot touches the ground, you can almost feel it bouncing back. It's very responsive, and you can feel the energy rods right away. On the other hand, the heel has a nice softness. I like that you can feel the difference between the shoe’s front and back, which you don’t get with running shoes with carbon fibre plates.

GRIP

Biel: The Continental rubber outsole is amazing. It’s so sticky that cornering is a dream. If I had to choose shoes for a rainy race day, these would be my choice. I don’t think there’s anything better on the racing market right now than these outsoles.

Elia: Compared to other carbon shoes for road running, the grip of these outsoles is one of the best I’ve tried so far. Cornering is great. Even though they’re made for road running, they felt safe when I did some jumps and on the training track.

STABILITY

Biel: The shoes feel firm and secure. I can trust them. Some super shoes are really high-stacked or super low-stacked, but these are somewhere in the middle, which I like because they offer more stability. The wider base of the shoe also helps.

Elia: I found them to be very stable. We did a few jumps and quick changes of direction, and it didn’t feel wobbly or like I was going to fall. Compared to the Pro 2, which I’ve tried and liked in the past, this version feels like an improvement in stability.

FIT AND COMFORT

Biel: There’s a lot of cushioning in the forefoot, which makes it super comfortable. The wider base also adds comfort. If you have an efficient stride, the shoe works great for you because you get that energy back without hurting your feet. In terms of fit, I’d say they do a good job of locking in your feet, but they’re still relatively easy to put on and off.

Elia: The shoes are pretty tight, and putting them on and off isn’t the easiest part, but it adds to the stability, and they adapt to your feet once they’re on. Despite the tightness, the upper breathes well, preventing that burning sensation you sometimes get with other shoes. The cushioning in the forefoot makes them super comfortable, and it feels like you can run long distances without getting sore.

“ The grip of these outsoles is one of the best I’ve tried so far. ”

- Elia

WHO IS THE SHOE FOR?

Biel: If you’re trying to hit a PR, break a record or just want to keep up with a fast pace, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is for you. It’s an amazing long-distance shoe and a great option for race days or hard training sessions.

Elia: I recommend the shoe to elite athletes and amateur road runners. But I’d say you’d need to run at a fast pace to feel the full effect of the shoes.

THE FINAL VERDICT

CONCLUSION

Biel: The shoe has many strengths. It’s secure, bouncy, and super comfortable but still firm. And it’s amazing for cornering. My personal favourite is the combination of comfort and speed. I can maintain my natural running style and pace over long distances. I think the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is the kind of shoe that can save your legs for the next day because you can make hard efforts with a little less energy. And at the end of a race, when you start to feel tired, these shoes can help you. I would definitely use them for races, whether half marathons, marathons or 50km races. I was even thinking about using them for my next 100km race. But they are also great for hard training sessions like tempo runs. And let's not forget the amazing design.

Elia: The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 has the perfect balance of cushioning, and responsiveness and that’s the most important thing to me when buying a new pair of running shoes. It helps you maintain good technique when running long distances. Not only physically but also mentally, because when you feel you’re running well, it directly affects your performance. I would reserve the shoes for race days and important training sessions. Also, the design is great, and I think both colours are beautiful.