When you think of speed, rebound, and energy, adidas shoes are nearly always top of mind. The brand has made a huge splash in the racing world, offering some of the fastest, most exciting distance racing shoes on the market. And one of the best, most renowned super shoes in the brand’s lineup? The Adios Pro.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro is the brand’s first carbon-infused racing shoe. The shoe debuted in 2020, showcasing some of adidas’s most modern technology. Now in its 5th iteration, the shoe continues to incorporate the brand’s lightest, fastest, and most innovative elements to deliver more speed and propulsion with every step.
Ready to learn more about how the Adios Pro 5 can bring energy return and efficiency to your next race day? You’re in the right place.
In this adidas Adios Pro 5 review, we’ll take a closer look at this newest carbon racing shoe. We’ll highlight all the specs and key features, and summarize our in-depth road test findings. By the end, we hope you’ll have a better understanding of whether this new adidas model is the right choice for your next go-to racing shoe.
Adizero Adios Pro 5: Specs and Highlights
With so many innovative, exciting features, our review team couldn’t wait to dive in and take a closer look. But before we get started, here’s a quick summary of the specs, technology, and main highlights you can expect to find in adidas’s newest carbon-infused racing shoe.
- Advertised as a high-performance road racer built to help you achieve PRs over long distances
- Stack height: 39 mm in the heel, 35 mm in the toe
- 4 mm heel-to-toe offset
- Weight: 6.7 oz (M), 6.1 oz (W)
- Midsole is composed of lightweight and responsive LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam
- New carbon-infused ENERGYRIM wraps the midsole for optimal, uninterrupted energy return and stability
- Upper is designed from LIGHTLOCK 2.0, a recycled polyester material that’s light, breathable, and secure
- Outsole is made from LIGHTTRAXION and Continental rubber for grip and security through every toe-off
- Price: $275
A Closer Look at the Adios Pro 5
In a super shoe like the Adios Pro 5, the devil’s in the details. Every minor element comes together to deliver a light, fast shoe that can propel you to the finish line in record time. Here are all the key features that make up this newest adidas racing shoe model.
LIGHTSTRIKE PRO Midsole
LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam – adidas’s bouncy, high-performance superfoam – is the driving force behind the Adios Pro 5’s responsive, energetic ride. This propulsive foam is meant to maximize energy return, shock absorption, and efficiency. The dynamic ride helps keep you moving mile after mile as you cruise towards the finish line on race day.
The foam itself plays a crucial role in this springy and protective underfoot feel, but it works alongside the high stack height to keep your strides feeling smooth and your feet and legs feeling fresh.
With 39 mm of foam in the heel, each landing is well-cushioned. As you roll forward towards the toes, the 35 mm of cushioning ensures you have plenty of energy for propulsive, explosive toe-offs.
New ENERGYRIM Technology
One of the biggest updates from the Adios Pro 4 to the Adios Pro 5 is in the carbon technology embedded in the midsole. Previous iterations of the shoe used carbon-infused ENERGY RODS, stiff rods that ran underfoot throughout the midsole. The new Adios Pro 5 incorporates a new carbon-infused ENERGYRIM for added stability and energy return.
This new technology incorporates a carbon-infused structure along the perimeter of the shoe. Without the rods underfoot, the shoe is a bit softer, with uninterrupted energy return through each stride. The structure around the foam also enhances stability, maximizing your confidence and energy through each landing.
ADIZERO LIGHTLOCK 2.0 Upper
In racing shoes, the midsole construction is responsible for delivering a speedy, energetic ride. But the upper also plays a key role in overall comfort and performance. And in the Adios Pro 5, the LIGHTLOCK 2.0 upper delivers on performance with a breathable, ultra-light design.
The recycled polyester upper delivers superior airflow, keeping your feet cool and comfortable no matter the race day weather conditions. It also uses a contoured design, locking your feet in place so you can focus on the road ahead, not any distracting movement around the heel and midfoot.
The shoe fits true to size, but with this contoured, performance-ready fit, it may feel a bit too narrow for those who need more width or volume in their shoes. Consider sizing up for a more accommodating fit around the toe box.
Shoe Geometry and Overall Construction
It’s easy for racing shoes to veer into feeling wobbly or unstable due to the high stack height and bouncy foam. However, the Adios Pro 5 avoids this downfall with its smooth and stable geometry.
The aggressive rocker geometry not only makes the shoe feel fast and propulsive, but also provides smooth forward guidance that prevents landings from feeling unnatural and blocky. The ENERGYRIM technology around the outer edge of the shoe also offers some additional stability and structure underfoot.
Finally, the low 4 mm stack height ensures your feet are in a natural position while running. It keeps you feeling relatively grounded, even with the high platform of springy foam.
Value and Durability
As with any super shoe, the Adios Pro 5 isn’t going to be the most durable on the market. They’re primarily meant for uptempo runs and training, and won’t hold up as well with everyday mileage.
However, the Adios Pro 5 does take some steps to mitigate early wear while improving overall grip. The LIGHTTRAXION outsole, paired with Continental rubber in the forefoot, ensures the shoe bites into the ground and delivers plenty of grip, especially as you pick up the pace.
Carbon-plated shoes tend to have high price points, and the Adios Pro 5 is no exception. But at $275, it’s in line with most of the carbon-plated distance racing shoes on the market today. And with an ultra-light construction, stable platform, and unique carbon-infused technology, it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a dedicated racing shoe that delivers unmatched speed and energy return.
The Adios Pro 5 in Action: Road Test Results
We were happy to see that adidas didn’t make too many changes between the Adios Pro 4 and Adios Pro 5. Like its predecessor, the Adios Pro 5 has an ultra-light, propulsive feel designed to help you reach the finish line faster on race day. As expected, the LIGHTSTRIKE PRO midsole foam felt springy and energetic, and the LIGHTLOCK 2.0 upper felt secure and performance-ready.
However, with all the similarities, the Adios Pro 5 also has a few key details that set it apart, both from its predecessor and other popular racing shoes.
The first major upgrade is the new carbon-fiber-infused ENERGYRIMS. Previous adidas racing shoes have relied on Energy Rods to deliver energy return and responsiveness. These rods ran through the midsole, providing additional bounce and propulsion but also resulting in a firmer, more rigid feel underneath the foot.
The new carbon-infused structure around the midsole offers uninterrupted speed and propulsion. There’s less rigidity directly underfoot, so the shoe feels softer and more protective throughout any distance race, even up through 26.2 miles. The circular structure also creates more stability with every step, something that isn’t always easy to find in high-stack plated racing shoes.
The shoe’s geometry has also been refined, delivering a smooth and effortless ride. The lower 4 mm drop keeps feet in a natural position throughout runs, while the gradual rocker geometry provides forward guidance through each transition.
With a lighter design than ever before and a no-slip outsole, it’s clear the Adios Pro 5 is ready to help you pick up the pace. But what we really appreciated about this update is that it feels more versatile and natural than a lot of comparable racing shoes.
While a lot of carbon plated shoes are fantastic on race day, they can feel uncomfortable and unnatural during standard uptempo miles or at slower paces. The ENERGYRIMS technology and more stable platform make the Adios Pro 5 a bit more accessible. The model excels on race day, but it can easily carry over to other workouts and uptempo mileage without feeling uncomfortable.
Adios Pro 5 Pros and Cons
No shoes – even those with the most modern, innovative technology – are perfect for every athlete out there. The Adios Pro 5 has a lot of pros, but there are also a few downsides to consider when you’re shopping around for your next speed or race day shoe. Here are the pros and cons to keep in mind:
Pros
- Upgraded ENERGYRIMS provide exceptional rebound and stability without making the shoe feel overly rigid
- LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam delivers an energetic, dynamic ride, helping you effortlessly pick up the pace during workouts or races
- LIGHTLOCK 2.0 upper contours to your feet for a secure, race-ready fit
- Circular ENERGYRIM structure, low drop, and overall geometry result in more stability compared to other racing shoes
Cons
- LIGHTTRAXION outsole and Continental rubber provide effective grip, but the shoes still lack long-lasting durability
- May feel too narrow in the toe box for those who need a more accommodating fit
How Does the Adios Pro 5 Stack Up?
Carbon plated shoes haven’t been around as long as other running shoe categories, but in just a short time, the market has become saturated with fantastic options constructed to help you move faster and more efficiently. So how does the newest adidas offering compare?
If you value stability in your racing shoes, you can’t go wrong with the Adios Pro 5. The refined structure, cushioning, and geometry combine speed and stability for superior performance. However, as we mentioned, not every feature is going to work for every athlete, so you may want to compare your options before committing to your next racing shoe.
You can find similar stability and rebound in the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 from Puma. This model has a more traditional carbon fiber PWRPLATE that delivers spring and rebound through each stride. There’s a higher 8 mm offset, as opposed to the low 4 mm drop found in the Adios Pro 5. This extra heel protection is great for heel strikers, although anyone who prefers a more grounded, natural drop will likely prefer the Adios Pro.
And while there’s a lot to love about the Adios Pro 5, one of the downsides is the narrow fit and lack of stretch in the toe box to accommodate different foot shapes and sizes. The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 offers a more spacious fit that may suit a wider range of runners.
The SuperComp Elite is lighter than the Adios Pro 5, weighing in at just 6.4 oz for men’s shoes and 5.5 oz for women’s. This ultra-light construction stems from the nearly translucent upper and unique Energy Arc midsole cutouts. However, midsole cutouts and a soft foam, such as the Infinion foam used here, might feel more unstable during long runs compared to the Adios Pro.
The Finish Line: Final Thoughts on the Adios Pro 5
We can highlight some of the key elements of the Adios Pro, including the responsive foam, ENERGYRIM construction, and stable ride. But the truth is, every shoe feels different for every athlete. So if you’re looking for the best racing shoe for you, the best first step is to stop by your nearest Marathon Sports for a customized fitting.
When you stop by your local store, you can try out the Adios Pro 5, SuperComp Elite, Deviate Nitro Elite, and some of the other top racing shoes on the market today. Our dedicated footwear experts want to give you all the tools and information you need to thrive on race day, so swing by today, and we’ll get you off and running in comfort.
