In this product guide:
- 1. Best for everyday training: adidas Ultraboost 5X
- 2. Best half and full marathon racer: adidas Adios Pro 3
- 3. Best marathon racer for heavy runners: adidas PrimeX 2 Strung
- 4. Best for tempo training: adidas Boston 12
- 5. Best for 10K races: adidas Adizero SL 2
- 6. Best for 5K races and intervals: adidas Takumi Sen 10
- 7. Best for trail running: adidas Terrex Agravic Speed
- 8. Best affordable trainer: adidas Duramo Speed
- How we selected
Inquiring minds may want to know – why recommend the Ultraboost 5X instead of the Supernova Rise? There are three valid reasons.
The first is the Boost midsole. This is a midsole material with a proven track record of comfort, durability, and weather resistance.
Also, the Ultraboost 5X’s midsole is nothing like the Ultraboost Light or Ultraboost 22. This time, there’s a lot more cushioning under the forefoot, so the UB 5X now works for forefoot strikers as well as heel strikers – which wasn’t the case before.
Unlike the Supernova Rise, the outsole is made entirely of Continental rubber. The traction is excellent, and the compound can endure hundreds of miles of training.
The third vote goes to the upper fit. While very snug, the stretchy Primeknit exterior will accommodate most foot shapes. Adidas usually doesn’t offer a wide width, so an expandable fit helps.
Speedwork (tempo, intervals, mile repeats) is the only area where the Ultraboost 5X underperforms. Barring those types of runs, the UB 5X will take care of the rest – be it long runs, everyday training, and recovery runs.
- adidas’s marketing pitch: Delivers continual energy return across the miles.
- Upper: Stretchy Primeknit upper with a bootie construction.
- Midsole: Full-length ‘Light Boost’ foam, Torsion midfoot shank. 10 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Single piece Continental rubber.
- Weight: 275 gms/ 9.7 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8.5/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 38 mm (heel), 28 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Single, D – regular (reviewed)
- Previous model: adidas Ultraboost Light.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Daily cruiser, half-marathons, marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Orthotic compatibility: Low.
- Median lifespan: 500 miles.
- Recommended paces: Slower than 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Soft and bouncy comfort
- Very secure fit
- Outsole traction
- Long term durability
- Highly reflective upper
Cons
- Lower stability than before
- Shallow toe box
- No optional width(s)
- Short Torsion piece affects transitions
We’ve said it elsewhere on this site – the adidas Adios Pro 3 is the most versatile marathon racer. This model is due for a design update soon, but we hope its versatile nature doesn’t change.
Instead of a full-length Carbon plate with a flat profile, the Adios Pro 3 uses parallel Carbon tubes under the midfoot and forefoot. The Pro 3’s midsole is made of two layers of Lightstrike Pro foam that houses the Energyrods tubes.
This setup delivers a comfortable yet snappy ride that’s now become a hallmark of cushioned high-end racers. The Carbon tubes work as intended to produce a speed-friendly ride that’s also comfortable enough for marathons.
The rearfoot stability is one area where the Adios Pro 3 outperforms comparable shoes like the Asics Metaspeed Sky, Nike Vaporfly 3, and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4.
While the ‘brushed’ rubber outsole is similar to the previous model, the newest model has a TPU film under the inner rearfoot for a higher level of support. Continental rubber outsole is applied selectively in high-wear areas.
We stand by what we said in our review – the adidas Prime X 2 Strung isn’t meant for everybody. It’s nowhere as light and bouncy as other super-shoes, and its 50 mm and 43 mm stack heights pay no heed to the WTA stack height regulations.
But what makes the Prime X2 different also makes it ideal for heavier runners – or anyone who wants a super-shoe with a tractor-like torque and stability to match.
The Prime X2 Strung is the only commercially available shoe with two Carbon plates stacked on top of each other. The two-plate configuration compensates for the tall midsole by adding rigidity. The extremely stiff forefoot rocker makes the loading and transition process efficient – even for higher body weight.
As you can see in our infographic, the lower plate (in red) supports the upper plate. Heavy runners will benefit from the springboard-like effect under the heel without the instability that is usually associated with super-shoes.
Runners get exceptional straight-line tracking from the PrimeX2’s midsole.
The rocker midsole keeps the transitions rolling, and the dual plates carry the foot over the midsole without letting it sink into the foam. That’s quite the achievement for a shoe with a 50 mm tall heel. The Prime X2 has the most cushioned ride of all; the stack heights do matter.
The upper fit is a bit strange and honestly, a bit of a hit or miss. The roomy forefoot feels disconnected from the tight midfoot and stiff eyelet panels. It’s not uncomfortable, but the upper design falls short of expectations.
Unlike the upcoming adizero EVO SL, the Boston 12’s midsole is part EVA foam and part Lightstrike Pro. Midsole stack heights of 39.5 mm and 31 mm make it cushioned yet speed-friendly.
Even though half of the midsole uses Lightstrike Pro foam, the ride has a firm character. The lower EVA section has a firm density, and even adidas’s premier foam – the Lightstrike Pro – isn’t as soft as say, Nike Zoom X.
The firm overtone makes the transitions efficient without punishing the feet.
The forefoot and midfoot have ‘Energy rods’ as well – a set of parallel rigid tubes that make transitions quicker. Multiple slabs of hard-wearing Continental rubber add traction and abrasion resistance.
The synthetic and mesh forefoot has a traditional design, whereas the large inner sleeve adds comfort while preventing tongue slide. The Boston 12 fits true to size.
Until the Adios 9 and adizero EVO SL arrive, the adizero SL 2 is our recommended 10K racer.
It lacks the 100% Lightstrike Pro midsole that the Takumi 10 does, nor does the midsole contain stiff Energy Rods. That being said, the adizero SL 2 is a cleverly designed compromise – and we say that in a good way.
The outer wrapper (or ‘carrier’) is made of the firm Lightstrike EVA foam. This part of the midsole creates a supportive base that is also speed-friendly. Bringing everything together is the soft Lightstrike Pro foam core that adds comfort to fast-paced runs.
The LS Pro foam is laid out in a full-length configuration, so both heel and forefoot strikers stand to benefit.
Even though the outsole doesn’t use Continental rubber (it’s adiwear), the ribbed geometry has an excellent road bite.
The upper is relatively comfortable for a speed trainer. The heel and tongue are padded (more than the Adios 8 and Boston 12), while the soft mesh secures the foot in a true-to-size fit.
The Takumi 10 isn’t a jack of all trades. It’s purposely designed to be a short-distance racer – think 10K and below. To us, the Takumi Sen 10 is the ideal 5K shoe. It’s also excellent for aggressive footwork like interval training.
Runners who are used to the roomy fit of everyday trainers and marathon racers would find the Takumi’s interiors breathable, but very cramped.
A narrow fit establishes a better connection between the foot and the midsole. The tight upper not only locks the foot down during quick turns and push-offs, but also enhances the cushioning feel of the Lightstrike Pro midsole.
The Takumi has come a long way since the days when it was a racing flat with a harsh ride. While ‘low profile’ by modern standards, the Lightstrike Pro midsole takes the harshness out of 5K runs. The stiff Lightstrike Pro tubes add an element of quickness by countering the soft midsole and creating a loading path.
The flat geometry of the Continental rubber outsole sticks to the road during quick touch-and-go.
- adidas’s marketing pitch: Race-day running shoes for a fast 10K
- Upper: Engineered mesh, collapsible heel.
- Midsole: Dual-layered Lightstrike Pro foam, Energy rods. 6 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Two-piece Continental + Textile rubber outsole.
- Weight: 201 gms/ 7.1 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8.5/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 33 mm (heel), 27 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Single, D – regular (reviewed)
- Previous model: adidas Takumi Sen 9.
- Country of origin: China.
- Recommended use: 5K and 10K races, intervals.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 300 miles.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than 0° C/32° F.
Pros
- Responsive ride
- Quick transitions
- Secure upper fit
- Outsole grip
- Ventilation
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- No widths
- Heel pull tab needs to be longer
Also consider:
- adidas adios 8
- Hoka Cielo Road
- Nike Streakfly
- New Balance SC Pacer
- Use the adidas Takumi 10 for intervals and 5K, 10K races
- Use the adidas adios Pro 4 for long runs and marathons
- Use the adidas Boston 12 for daily runs, including tempo workouts
The Terrex Agravic Speed reminds us of adidas running shoes from the 2014-17 period. Back then, Boost foam was usually paired with an EVA frame for stability. While the Agravic Speed doesn’t have Boost, it has a similar setup as the retro shoes from the past.
The midsole uses two foam materials – one for comfort, and another for support and transition assistance. The softer and bouncier Lightstrike Pro is placed closer to the ground for impact absorption, with the firmer EVA frame (Lightstrike) placed on top. Having a firmer base closer to the foot helps with the loading process and stability on the trails.
This 8 mm drop shoe has stack heights of 34 mm and 26 mm, so there’s lots of protective cushioning for off-road mileage as well as speed trail runs.
For off-road grip, the Agravic Speed relies on a single-piece Continental rubber outsole with widely spaced 4 mm lugs.
If the Duramo Speed looks familiar, that’s because it bears an uncanny resemblance with the Boston 12. However, this being a $90 shoe, it doesn’t have the bells and whistles that are on the more expensive adizero model.
For example, the midsole is made entirely of Lightstrike EVA foam; Lightstrike Pro and Energy Rods are conspicuous by their absence. The outsole coverage is generous and effective performance-wise, but the compound is ‘adiwear’ instead of Continental rubber.
But the Duramo Speed only appears inferior in comparison. When judged on its merits, it’s a versatile trainer that punches above its retail price.
The Lightstrike EVA foam midsole offers everyday comfort and versatility. Even though the outsole isn’t Continental, the full-contact layout ensures traction irrespective of the footstrike pattern.
The lightweight upper is strongly influenced by the adizero models. Though the heel has more padding than the Boston, the rest of the shoe is an exercise in design minimalism. The engineered mesh upper provides a true-to-size, secure, and ventilated environment.
HOW WE SELECTED
The adidas running lineup is changing – and fast.
The way how things are going, the adidas running shoe catalog is going to look a lot different in the coming months.
The adizero assortment is going through a complete refresh, courtesy of the trickle-down approach from the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. The upcoming Adios 9, Adios Pro 4, and the EVO SL is heavily influenced by the signature racing shoe.
The changes are more than skin deep. The midsoles are changing to a full-length Lightstrike Pro configuration for most of their models. Some of the shoes will lose the Energy Rods and get smaller midfoot shanks instead.
Earlier this year, the Takumi 10 – adidas’s short-distance racer – got updated with a 100% LS Pro midsole.
The adidas Ultraboost 5X also went through its most significant design change to date. The increased forefoot stack (and overall taller midsole) makes the new version a lot different than the last – one that is softer and more forgiving for forefoot strikers.
There is room for improvement in the everyday trainer category. Shoes like the Supernova Rise aren’t bad, but they don’t offer the same compelling value that competing shoes like the Asics Cumulus 26 and Saucony Ride 17 do.
For example, where’s the adidas’s version of the Asics GT-2000, New Balance 860, or the Saucony Guide?
There are a couple of excellent trail running shoes like the Terrex Agravic Speed and Terrex Agravic Ultra. More can be done in the trail category – adidas is missing a versatile trail runner (think Brooks Cascadia) and a road-trail hybrid like the New Balance Hierro and Nike Pegasus Trail 5.