Best adidas running shoes

Best for daily runs

adidas Adizero EVO SL

The rocker-shaped Lightstrike Pro foam midsole offers a propulsive, yet versatile ride character.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Adizero EVO SL here.

In our other buyer’s guides, we described the EVO SL as an Energy Rod-free version of the Adios Pro 3. There’s some merit in that comparison. The midsole stack heights are similar to the Adios Pro; the Lightstrike Pro foam is almost identical. A rocker forefoot adds quickness by encouraging fast turnovers. The outsole gets the perforated Continental rubber that we last saw on the Adios Pro 3. The wide contact patch and flat texture provide reliable traction during landings and toe-offs.

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Without the Energy Rods, runners experience the unadulterated cushioning of the Lightstrike Pro midsole. The soft 39 mm and 32 mm stack midsole is quick to respond. Sure, the foot has to do more work pushing through the forefoot, but the rocker makes up for it. While the EVO SL’s cushioned and bouncy ride is ideal for 10K races and speed-oriented training, it’s also a good shoe for recovery runs and everyday miles. The upper fit goes easy on the forefoot without the tightness of the Takumi 10.

Best for half and full marathons

adidas adios Pro 4

This soft, bouncy, and speedy super shoe makes short work of marathons, be it a full or half.

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1. Read our detailed review of the adidas Adios Pro 4 here.

Some of the things we said about the Adios Pro 3 are no longer true for the Pro 4. It’s not as stable as before due to its softer foam and redesigned heel. The Lightstrike Pro foam is softer and springier than the Pro 3. The midsole rocker works better too; it’s easier to roll the foot forward for quicker turnovers. In short, the Adios Pro 4 is more fun to run in than the Pro 3, but loses its stable and inclusive ride quality.

This version replaces the Pro 3’s solid heel midsole with a less stable stable. There’s a deep cavity under the heel, so rearfoot strikers will miss the planted feel of the previous model. The Adios 4’s heel is a lot squishier. If we had to sum the shoe up, we’d say it’s a nicer Adios Pro. Even the smooth upper feels better too. Okay, maybe there’s a sense of mild heel slippage. The foot sinks lower in the softer midsole during landings, so the collar tends to move over the foot. But we’re nitpicking here; the true-to-size upper has a just-right forefoot fit. The tongue is tacked to the upper on the sides to prevent sliding.

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Some things stay the same. Instead of a full-length Carbon plate seen on the Nike Vaporfly and Saucony Endorphin Pro, the Adios Pro 4 uses parallel Carbon tubes under the midfoot and forefoot. The midsole uses two layers of Lightstrike Pro foam that house 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 road races between 10K to a marathon. The Lighttraxion outsole delivers reliable performance on both wet and dry surfaces. The thin and soft outsole grips well due to its wide spread; the small lugs do the rest.

Also consider: The adidas Prime X3 for heavy runners who prefer a more stable (double) carbon-plated ride.

Best for 5K, 10K, and tempo runs

adidas Boston 13

The Boston 13 returns with a bouncier and softer ride that still feels fast.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Adizero Boston 13 here.

There are other shoes in the adizero catalog that are better at speed workouts than the Boston 13. But neither the Adios 9 and Takumi 11 are widely available, and both have a very narrow upper. So we recommend either the adizero SL 2 or the Boston 13 for 5K/10K races and tempo runs. The midsole combines the soft and springy Lightstrike Pro foam with a firmer Lightstrike EVA base. Most of the Lightstrike Pro is available under the forefoot for cushioned landings and toe-offs, while heel strikers will appreciate the stability provided by the Lightstrike EVA foam. The Lighttraxion and Continental rubber outsole help with quick turnovers by creating a grippy platform.

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The upper fit isn’t too roomy, yet isn’t as narrow as the adizero Takumi. The true to size upper has a spacious toe-box with a soft interior that breathe well.

Best for trail running

adidas Terrex Agravic Speed

The soft Lightstrike Pro core and firm EVA midsole add supportive comfort to everyday trail runs.

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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.

Best on a budget

adidas Duramo Speed 2

The Duramo Speed offers the adizero aesthetics, but without the Energy Rods, Lightstrike Pro foam, or Continental rubber.

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If the Duramo Speed looks familiar, that’s because it bears an uncanny resemblance to the high-performance adizero line-up. However, this being a $90 shoe, it doesn’t have the bells and whistles that are on the premium adizero models. 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 TPU and rubber instead of Continental rubber. But the Duramo Speed 2 only looks inferior in comparison. When judged on its merits, it’s a versatile trainer that punches above its retail price.

The 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 midsole rocker isn’t merely decorative – it actually works as intended. The lightweight upper is strongly influenced by the adizero models. While the heel is well padded, the rest of the shoe is an exercise in design minimalism. The engineered mesh upper provides a true-to-size, secure, and ventilated environment.

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 recently released Adios 9, Adios Pro 4, and the adizero EVO SL are 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.

Last year, the Takumi 10 – adidas’s short-distance racer – got updated with a 100% LS Pro midsole. The Takumi 11, while scarcely available, is based on the same form factor. 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. We have excluded it from this guide as shoes like the EVO SL and Boston 13 work better as everyday trainers.

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 27 and Saucony Ride 18 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 9 and Nike Pegasus Trail 5.