Summary
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is a top-tier marathon racer which can compete with the fastest super shoes on the market. Equipped with an energetic Lightstrike Pro midsole and propulsive carbon EnergyRods, the Adios Pro 3 provides an extremely high level of speed assistance. The Adios Pro 3 has a narrow fit with very thin outsole rubber so it might not be suitable for runners with wide feet or for runners wanting a durable racer that they can also train in.
Price from £220 (UK)
Pros
- Great foot lockdown.
- Hydrophobic upper mesh.
- High versatility over a variety of distances.
- Aggressive forefoot rocker results in fast transitions.
- Lightstrike Pro foam is incredibly energetic and forgiving at the same time.
Cons
- Thin outsole rubber so it must be saved for races.
- Rough upper pulls at socks.
- Not suitable for wide feet.
Our review index:
- Introduction
- King of Versatility
- Lightstrike Pro: Super Light, Super Bouncy
- EnergyRods Provide the Punch
- More Toe Spring Please
- Mind the Gap
- Continental, the Gift that Keeps on Giving
- Rough and Tough Celermesh
- Narrow but Comfortable
- All in for Adidas
- Our Verdict
Introduction to the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
There used to be a time when the Nike super shoes far outnumbered the others. This is to be expected because Nike are the pioneers of the super shoe category. It’s taken the other brands a long time to catch up but over the past year, the competition has leveled and there’s been a shift. Nike’s dominance has decreased. The biggest threat to the Vaporfly and Alphafly comes from Germany in the form of the Adizero Adios Pro 3.
King of versatility
The Adios Pro 3 is designed for the marathon distance however it excels at a variety of runs. It’s firm enough and light enough for short distances like 5K’s or 10K’s. During fast paces, the shoe is propulsive and agile while during slow paces, it feels bouncy and protective. Stability might be an issue at very slow or recovery paces, so it’s better to use the Adios Pro 3 for mainly uptempo runs- that’s what it was built for.
Lightstrike Pro: super light, super bouncy
2 layers of Lightstrike Pro provide a turbocharged ride with an excellent cushioning to weight ratio. While Lightstrike Pro isn’t as soft as some of the other super foams on the market like ZoomX or ProFly X, it has very good resistance to creasing and provides decent stability. At 39.5 mm in the heel, 33 mm in the forefoot, the Adios Pro 3’s midsole is almost maxed out at the World Athletics limit so it gives you a cushioned ride which can go the marathon distance or beyond.
EnergyRods provide the punch
The main difference between the Adios Pro and other super shoes is that carbon Energy Rods instead of a plate keep the midsole stiff. The extremely rigid midsole helps the Adios Pro 3 launch you forward during toe-offs. Each rod can move vertically and independently so the ride feels more natural than a flat, wide carbon plate. There is no longer a plate in the heel like in previous versions so you get a more consistent ride from heel to toe.
More toe spring please
One of the biggest factors that make the Adios Pro 3 feel faster than previous versions is the toe spring which is higher. This results in forward-tipping sensations which make transitions easier and more energy efficient. The Adios Pro 3 has a strong forefoot rocker which not many super shoes have.
Mind the gap
In order to save weight, Adidas carved out a piece of the midsole under the arch so transitions are not as smooth as some of the competitors. For most neutral runners, stability will be fine but for severe overpronators the gap might cause instability issues on the medial side. The gap allows you to see the carbon Energy Rods which is an interesting feature.
Continental, the gift that keeps on giving
The Adidas-Continental partnership is one that just works. Adidas running shoes with Continental outsole rubber are some of the grippiest and most durable on the market. The Adios Pro 3 has no traction issues in dry or wet conditions. The type of Continental rubber on the Adios Pro 3 is designed to be lightweight so it’s thinner than normal and it has a lower level of durability. This is a racer that you should reserve for only racing.
Rough and tough Celermesh
While being very strong and breathable, the Celermesh upper of the Adios Pro 3 has a rough, hard texture and it doesn’t stretch at all. The insides are a bit scratchy so it’s not a good idea to wear expensive, soft socks with the Adios Pro 3 because they will get ruined. The mesh also repels water so if you sweat a lot, the upper won’t soak it up.
Narrow but comfortable
Like most racers, the Adios Pro 3 has a narrow fit and doesn’t come in a wide version but it should be comfortable for most runners. The midfoot is narrow, the forefoot is normal width but the toe box is also narrow so it’s not suitable for wide-footed runners. Runners who buy their shoes in UK sizing need to go up a half size to ensure they get the same size as in other brands.
All in for Adidas
In an all Adidas shoe rotation, the Adios Pro 3 naturally fills the role of the long-distance racer. You can use the Solar Glide or Supernova as your daily trainer and the Boston as your speed trainer for workouts. If you want a 4 shoe Adidas rotation, you can use the Takumi Sen as your short-distance racer.
Our verdict
9.5 out of 10
There aren’t a lot of cons when it comes to the Adios Pro 3. Its upper mesh could be a bit softer and it could be a bit wider but when it comes to speed assistance, the Adios Pro 3 is first in class. You can use it for every distance, from 5K’s to ultramarathons thanks to its versatile ride character. Compared to other popular super shoes like the Vaporfly 3 and Alphafly 2, the Adios Pro 3 is stiffer and has a higher toe-spring. This results in more efficiency over long distances. Its midsole foam is also more durable and less susceptible to scuffing and chipping.
About this review:
We purchased this shoe with our own money. Our review contains affiliate links, where we may earn a small fee from a purchase. All our reviews are honest and fair.
