The best Adidas running shoes to suit every type of runner
Adidas have long been producing some of the best running shoes on the market. From the inception of Boost foam, the performance driven Adizero models, the forward thinking 4D models and everything in between, the German brand, known for its three-stripes, makes all sorts of shoes that will suit your running.
Adidas earned its place in the footwear and athletic apparel industries by staying true to what motivated its founder, Adi Dassler, nearly a century ago: listen to athletes, and make products that address their needs. Dassler started a shoe company in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 1924, and he scored his first running shoe successes very soon afterward; Lina Radke won a gold medal at the 1928 Olympics while wearing his shoes, as did Jesse Owens in 1936.
Adidas popularised now ubiquitous footwear and apparel items, like the track suit and Stan Smith sneakers, and cooked up notable running innovations, like the first tracking computer implanted in a running shoe.
Over the years, it has seen a number of releases, including Boost foam in 2013, cushioning material delivering responsive support that is more durable and provides greater energy return than traditional EVA foam. Tailored Fiber Placement debuted in 2018 with the Solar Boost, and this new design technique, which involves individually placing each fiber of the upper, creates an extra snug fit.
Regardless of what shoe you pick, you can rest assured that runners around the world lace up in Adidas shoes to perform at their best.
What are the main features of Adidas running shoes?
Foam
In 2020, Adidas released the Adizero Pro shoe, which featured the brand’s Lightstrike cushioning. There are now two versions of this foam. Lightstrike, as found in the Adizero Boston 12, is a lightweight, snappy EVA-based foam designed for training. Lightstrike Pro is made from thermoplastic polyester elastomers (abbreviated TPEE or TPE), and it offers high energy return and good shock absorption. It’s designed for race day, and helps give the Adizero Adios Pro 3 its propulsive, highly cushioned ride.
The newest addition to the Adidas cushioning family is Dreamstrike+, a training-focused cushion that absorbs shocks and maximises energy return, similar to Lightstrike. The brand won’t say exactly what it’s made from, but we suspect it’s PEBA-based after taking it for several test runs. Whatever the formula might be, Dreamstrike+ gives the Supernova a comfortable and bouncy ride that’s ideal for shorter and mid-distance training runs.
Energyrods
Some Adidas running shoes also feature Energyrods, a stabilising technique in shoes like the Adizero Adios Pro. These designs have carbon-infused or glass fiber rods embedded in the midsole to line up with the metatarsal bones in the forefoot. Like carbon fibre plates found in other brands’ shoes, the Energyrods help create a snappy, propulsive feel and increase running efficiency for sustained speed. In addition to the Adios Pro, Energyrods are also found in the Boston 12 and Takumi Sen 10.
How we choose the best Adidas running shoes
Our team of editors and expert testers have been clocking up the miles in a number of the brand's shoes, with the options below showcasing the best of Adidas' foams, midsole tech, and other innovations. This guide features a variety of shoes to meet the needs of different runners and running disciplines. For a deeper insight into individual models, check out full-length RW reviews where available.
The best Adidas running shoes for 2024, tested and reviewed
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
> Read our full Adios Pro 3 review <
If major races won is a barometer of how good a shoe is, since it first appeared, the Adizero Adios Pro has helped a number of elites to the top step of the podium.
The latest version is as fast as ever, but the full length carbon plate in the midsole has been replaced with five energy rods (mimicking the five metatarsal bones of the foot). These make the shoe lighter and less 'slappy' and also provide some stabilisation to counterbalance the super-bouncy Lightstrike foam.
There is zero give in the upper, which will appeal to some, but there were a few issues with this, especially with the lacing. Across the top the foot, the thinness of the upper and tongue offers little padding and some testers found that tightening the laces to a 'normal' level produced hotspots on the top of the foot. After some adjustment and loosening, these hotspots were not a problem, but if you like the feeling of really tying your foot down into a shoe, then you'll need to have a play about with what feels right.
We found the minor fit issues didn't impact on performance once accustomed to how the shoe behaves on the move and if you are a fan of the brand or prefer a shoe that feels positively firm and responsive (rather than squishy and bouncy), then the Adios Pro 3 is a shoe to rival the best out there.
Adidas Supernova Rise 2
> Read our full Adidas Supernova Rise 2 review <
Until last year, Adidas had been missing a do-it-all daily training shoe for some years, but with the Supernova Rise that changed. The second iteration offers up the same comfort and consistency as the original when tackling a variety of training runs, with the brand’s Dreamstrike+ foam creating neither a very soft nor hard ride. Instead, it’s a nicely balanced sensation of cushioning and responsiveness that offers up feedback and a sense of ground feel whilst keeping things smooth and supple.
The upper is now an engineered mesh which holds the foot securely in place and allows just enough wiggle room in the toebox, though it is on the narrower side. Padding around the heel counter and tongue has been paired pack slightly, too, offering just enough comfort without being overkill.
While it might not be the cutting-edge of responsiveness or crème de la crème of bouncy cushioning, the Rise 2 is a solid and dependable trainer for those looking for a reliable workhorse that lets you get the job done, day in and day out.
Adidas Adizero SL2
It’s uncommon to find a sub-£150 running shoe equipped with its brand’s top-tier materials, so the Adizero SL2 feels like a steal. Its midsole features a layer of TPE-based Lightstrike Pro foam, which is sandwiched between two layers of a firmer cushioning to create a smooth, responsive ride that’s comfortable enough for daily training runs, but provides the power and speed you want for faster sessions.
Despite its generous stack height under the heel, the Adizero SL2 delivers a surprisingly responsive and connected feel. It strikes a perfect balance between cushioned comfort and a snappy, quick-footed responsiveness.
The upper is equally impressive, made from a durable mesh that fits and feels fantastic. Thick padding lines the heel counter, providing a comfortable feel while securely locking your heel in place for a snug fit. The SL2 costs far less than an elite super shoe, but delivers top-tier performance.
Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10
> Read our full Adizero Takumi Sen 10 review <
The Adidas Takumi Sen 10 willingly takes over from version nine, delivering a light, nimble and fast feeling shoe that will suit most runners for anything from track work up to 10k. Those used to running/racing in a thinner shoe could take this to the half marathon distance too.
There is a new approach to the upper and it features what's best described as a dual density structure, which is slightly more forgiving than version 9 as the more open weave allows the upper to flex ever so slightly. This improved the comfort of the shoe without losing any of the tautness needed for a race aligned shoe.
The major upgrade is the use of Adidas’ Energyrods 2.0. These are glass fibre infused rods that are sandwiched between two slices of Lightstrike Pro foam, which are thick enough to provide some cushioning, but also thin enough to give the shoe a real feeling of directness. When not on the gas, the shoe is just a thinner feeling running shoe and certainly isn't one we'd want to spend a long time pootling about in, but if you're dedicating time and training to running short and fast, these could be the shoes you need.
Adidas Adizero Boston 12
> Read our full Adizero Boston 12 review <
The Boston has been designed to give runners that 'race day' feeling on mid-to-long distance training runs, and while our testers weren't too impressed with the 10th and 11th iterations, the 12th was a different story.
It feels a lot softer underfoot in comparison, which is mainly thanks to the new lightweight 2.0 material in the heel section. It's still a firm ride, but you feel like you're getting a good amount of bounce back, and if you are currently training for a fast half-marathon or marathon then the performance-centred Boston 12 really shines at tempo-paced workouts.
The tongue of the Boston 12 has also been tweaked – our testers weren't 100% sure about it – so when you slide your foot in, it does take a little adjusting to get that locked-in feeling. The upper feels supportive, not restrictive, though, and your heels feel locked in.
Adizero Adios 8
> Read our full Adizero Adios 8 review <
The Adios 8 is essentially a lower-to-the-ground, lighter-on-the-wallet alternative to a carbon plate racing shoe.
The eight iteration is lighter and softer than its predecessor, with a slightly wider forefoot to provide more room for your toes. If you’re looking for a responsive shoe that clings more to the traditional racing flat template, you’ll love running in the Adidas Adios 8. It doesn't have a carbon plate, but it does have 'energy torsion rods' which provide some of the same propulsion.
The Lightstrike midsole is fairly soft, without feeling overly pillowy, and the shoe felt comfortably over a variety of speeds and distances. So if you’re looking for a shoe that can work for training and race day, the Adios 8 is a decent bet.
Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung
Sometimes it’s fun to break the rules. With a monstrous 50mm heel stack height, the Adizero Prime X 2 Strung blows past the World Athletics’ 40mm stack height limit. It features three layers of Lightstrike Pro cushioning foam in its midsole, creating an extremely plush ride with plenty of energy return.
'The thick layer of foam cushioned every step I took,' said one RW tester. 'Despite its softness however, it performed very well during tempos and I never felt like I was sacrificing speed for comfort.'
The downside? This tall midsole setup can feel unstable, so you’ll need to tread carefully through corners or uneven surfaces. Even with that caveat, it’s a must-try for anyone who truly loves the sky-high-stack, ultra-plush running shoe trend.
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