In this product guide:
- 1. Comfortable trainer for daily runs: adidas Ultraboost 5X
- 2. Comfortable racer for marathons: adidas adios Pro 3
- 3. Comfortable marathon racer for heavy runners: adidas PrimeX2 Strung
- 4. Comfortable tempo trainer: adidas Adizero SL V2
- 5. Comfortable trainer for 10K runs: adidas Boston 12
- 6. Comfortable racer for 5K runs: adidas Takumi Sen 10
- 7. Most comfortable for 5K runs: adidas adios 8
- 8. Most comfortable for trail running: adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra
- How we selected
This version of the Ultraboost is unlike any other. Until now, all the variants had heel-focused cushioning. Most of the Boost foam was crammed into the back, so the thinner forefoot was relatively uncomfortable. That’s no longer the case.
The new Boost midsole has gained significant thickness over the last year. The difference is stark – the 5X’s forefoot is nearly as tall as the Ultraboost Light’s heel. The rearfoot is now 38 mm tall; that’s a lot of cushioned comfort under the heel.
With these updates, the Ultraboost 5X is a comfortable daily trainer for heel and forefoot strikers. The tight fit of the Primeknit upper also enhances comfort by locking the foot down over the midsole.
By ‘tight’, we refer to the stretchy fit that conforms to the foot shape. The heel is plush, and removing the plastic cage (from the UB Light) enhances comfort.
We recommend the Ultraboost as an everyday trainer for less aggressive workouts; the soft ride works best for speeds slower than 5:00 min/km (8 min/mile).
And why did we not recommend the Supernova Rise? It’s an average running shoe, and there’s nothing that the Supernova Rise can do that the Ultraboost 5X can’t.
- 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
While adidas sells other cushioned hyper-shoes like the Prime Strung X2, the adios Pro 3 is the cornerstone of its high-end racing shoe catalog. The Pro 3’s user-friendly character also makes it the most versatile marathon racer.
Adidas differentiates the Adios Pro 3 by combining a cushioned ‘Lightstrike Pro’ foam core with a set of Carbon tubes that act as a transition device. This is the reason why the Pro 3 is so versatile. It feels home even during slower runs and heel strikes; that’s not something not many shoes of this class can do.
The Adios Pro 3’s 39 mm heel and 31.5 mm forefoot stacks add a lot of ride comfort. The soft and bouncy ride of the LS Pro midsole keeps the feet comforted during a half-marathon or a full 26.2-mile race.
Though the Adios Pro lacks the springy responsiveness of Carbon-plated shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Pro, the ‘Energy Rods’ infuse the comfortable midsole with an element of quickness.
The lightweight upper is breathable and secure. The seam under the first eyelet row might be a concern for wide-footed runners, but besides that, the interiors are comfortable.
On paper, the whole idea of the Prime X Strung sounds utterly ridiculous. Sample this: the Lightstrike Pro midsole has stack heights of 50 mm (heel) and 43 mm (forefoot). To put things in perspective, just the forefoot alone exceeds the 40 mm regulation stack heights by 3 mm.
But wait, there’s more. The PrimeX Strung has not one, but two Carbon plates stacked on top of each other. As one might expect, this midsole behaves differently than most Carbon-plated racers.
The PrimeX2’s tall midsole adds a generous amount of ride comfort during a marathon or half.
At the same time, the twin plate adds quickness by adding rigidity to the midsole rocker. And we say ‘quick’, we refer to an upper-speed limit of 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile). It’s too bulky to go any faster.
This is an excellent Carbon-plated racer for heavier runners. The stiffness of the dual plates and the inherent firmness of the Lightstrike Pro foam add relatively high levels of support when fully loaded.
The upper is a mixed bag. The forefoot is much roomier than the midfoot, and the stiff eyelet near the heel opening can turn into a pressure hotspot if laced too tight.
The adizero SL V2 is an under-rated speed trainer. It’s comfortable, quick, and reasonably priced because it’s missing a few bells and whistles. But the lower spec level doesn’t get in the way of the shoe’s performance.
Unlike the Takumi Sen or Boston 12, the adizero SL2 doesn’t have a stiff component inside the shoe. The all-foam midsole has just two ingredients.
There’s a full-length Lightstrike Pro core nestled inside a firmer EVA blend core that adidas calls Lightstrike. You can see the LS Pro foam through the ‘windows’ on the outsole.
The dual-density foam stack creates a healthy separation between the foot and the ground, thus preventing the feet from getting beat down during sub-4:30 min/km (7 min/mile) runs. The softer Lightstrike Pro core inside the firm EVA foam carrier adds bounciness to the ride quality.
The lightweight racing upper keeps the interior ventilated and locks the foot down during speed runs and races. We also love that the adizero SL has a similar rib-like outsole that we loved on the Boston 11 and adios 7, even if it isn’t Continental-branded – the outsole is made of adiwear rubber.
The adizero Boston isn’t what it used to be. The Boston 12 is considerably softer than the Boston 10 and 11; it’s almost as if the Boston 12 is a regular trainer now.
Not only is the midsole significantly thicker than before, but the softer layer of Lightstrike Pro makes the midsole less punishing on the feet than some of the earlier (V11, V10) Boston versions.
The Boston 12 is unlike any other adizero Boston.
It’s worth mentioning that the stack heights are only 4.5 mm lower than the Adios Pro 3 – and that makes the Boston 12 a very comfortable tempo trainer.
As a result, there’s ample cushioning under the foot for long runs like a half-marathon. Just like the Adios Pro, the stiff Energy rods help make the transitions and turnovers quick. The Boston 12 is also durable and cushioned enough to be an everyday trainer, and a fast one at that.
The adidas Takumi has changed quite a bit over the years, but its objective (or use case) hasn’t. This shoe is best suited for 5K, 10K, and intervals. For a lightweight racer, the Takumi is surprisingly comfortable. The entire midsole stack (33mm and 27 mm) uses the soft and bouncy Lightstrike Pro foam to absorb ground impact forces.
The Takumi Sen 10 is like a lighter and tighter-fitting version of the adidas Adios 8, and with a shorter heel drop of 6 mm.
The unique Energy rods are spread out for a more efficient power transfer to the ground. The Continental rubber outsole covers the midsole in high-wear areas for grip.
The lightweight yet snug-fitting upper disappears over the foot during runs; the soft and breathable meshes make the insides comfortable.
As with most speed shoes in the adizero line-up, the Adios 8 is now softer. The Adios 8 also has the roomiest upper to date, so it’s not wrong to say that this is the most easygoing adizero adios ever. It’s still a competent speed shoe and racer, except that it’s aligned itself with current trends.
Even though the Adios 8 excels as a short-distance racer, the 27 mm tall rear and 19 mm thick forefoot ensure sufficient comfort during high-cadence runs. It’s like the new Adios is the old adizero Boston.
The upper keeps the insides comfortable through its lightweight and distraction-free design. The thin mesh shell has excellent ventilation, whereas the fused underlays secure the foot during speed runs.
The Adios 8 swaps the rib-like outsole geometry of the adios 7 for a flatter design. Regardless, the Continental rubber outsole delivers reliable traction on the road.
In terms of specs and price, the Terrex Agravic Speed is one rung below the Ultra version. It’s $60 cheaper than the Ultra version, and it’s easy to see why. Unlike the Ultra version, the Agravic Speed has a dual-density midsole.
On top is a firmer Lightstrike EVA frame; the softer Lighstrike Pro foam is available only in the bottom half.
This setup is beneficial when trail running. The softer LS Pro base makes harsh trail runs comfortable, whereas the firmer EVA frame adds support on uneven terrain. adidas keeps the shoe’s weight low; the Terrex Agravic Speed weighs only 8.5 ounces (241 grams) for a size US 9.
The 8 mm drop midsole works well for speed trail runs. The Continental rubber outsole has widely spaced lugs that grip well without clogging, while also acting as a protective barrier. Think of it as a rock shield of sorts.
The minimally constructed keeps the foot locked over the midsole in secure comfort. The toe-box and forefoot are reinforced with fused overlay; the 7-row lacing has optional eyelets in the midfoot for a custom level of fit. A padding-free tongue keeps the interiors distraction-free.
How we selected
adidas’s running shoe catalog has improved in the last few years, but the next 6 months will make the line-up even better. The Adios Pro 4 and EVO SL are on their way, along with other updates.
At the time of publishing the guide, they have a decent assortment of speed-training shoes and racers. The revamped versions of the adios, Boston, and Takumi-sen are fun to run in. And while the Adios Pro 3 isn’t as fun as the Nike Alphafly 3 or Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, it does have a trick or two up its Lightstrike Pro midsole.
With two plate stacks and enormous stack heights, the Prime X2 Strung is in a league of its own, and it’s not everybody’s cup of tea.
The rest of adidas’s running shoe line-up is still a work-in-progress. The new Supernova line (the Stride, Rise) recently filled in the everyday trainer gap, but they still fall short of expectations. For example, the Saucony Ride 17 and Asics Cumulus 26 are more compelling.
We liked the new Ultraboost update. The 5X does a far better job of achieving parity between the forefoot and heel cushioning; the thin forefoot of the previous models excluded forefoot strikers. When compared to the past models, the Ultraboost 5X offers the most comfortable ride of all.
While the adizero assortment is excellent, none of the shoes are versatile enough to be everyday trainers. Okay, perhaps the Boston 12 qualifies, but it still feels a little aggressive to be a do-it-all shoe. The adizero products are best used in rotation with other shoes, rather than standalone, do-everything trainers.
adidas does have a few things differently, and that makes their shoes stand out from the rest. The Lightstrike Pro foam is a competent cushioning platform, and so is the tried-and-tested Boost foam. The Energy Rods system also offers something that the others do not. We did say that the Adios Pro 3 was the most versatile marathon racer.
The adidas Boost foam is a resilient and comfortable platform that’s based on expanded Polyurethane. While it’s not the lightest of all new-age foam, it’s extremely durable and weather-resistant. The Ultraboost 5X puts it to good use.
For example, unlike ordinary EVA foam-based midsoles, Boost doesn’t stiffen in freezing temperatures.