Adidas Adizero Tempo 9

Will Adidas Help You Keep Up the Tempo in the Adizero Tempo 9?

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The Adidas Adizero Tempo 9, according to Running Warehouse, is a shoe offering “A responsive ride with a hint of support… best suited for tempo runs, but [it] has sufficient cushioning for daily runs as well.”

Do we agree?

See the verdict below, as well as a rewrite of this statement.

An Opening Comment

You don’t have to say it. I understand that this review is a bit late to the party due to factors and circumstances beyond our control. But sometimes there’s an advantage to not being an early adopter.

In this case, it’s that Adidas is currently offering the original colorway versions of the Tempo 9 at 40% off of the list price of $120. That’s just $72.00 and some online retailers are offering it for $71.88.

The Shoe

The Tempo 9 is a lightweight mild stability shoe. These shoes happen to be among my favorites. They don’t all work, but when they do it is certainly good news.

The Tempo 9 weighs 8.9 ounces in the men’s version, is semi-curved and slip lasted, and offers a 10mm drop. On the road, the drop feels like 6mm. The fit of the shoe is snug and tight, like a racing flat.

Most runners will want to go up a half-size over their walking shoe size. I went up a full size and was glad I did. But it should be noted that the upper on the Tempo 9, like a well-worn slipper, does expand over time.

The laces on the Tempo 9 are not elastic, but they stay tied. It takes some practice to perfect the proper lacing system. Tie the laces too tightly and you may feel some pressure on the top of your feet.

The supplied insole is attractive and relatively thin, but I decided that I wanted more space in this racing flat-performance trainer hybrid. So I substituted an extremely thin Ortholite sock liner which seemed to be a better match for the shoe’s true character.

The Tempo 9 sits on an ultra-responsive BOOST midsole, which is said to use “zones of deeper BOOST material to create added support.” Had I named the shoe, I would have labeled it the Adidas Adizero BOOST Tempo 9.

The Tempo 9 provides a modicum of stability for slight pronators by utilizing three engineered components: Dual-density BOOST on the medial side, a midfoot torsion brace on the sole, and a strip of applied reinforcement under the heel on the medial side.

These features work well in a non-obtrusive way. The Torsion System brace is quite effective in providing a welcome feel of the structure at the midfoot. (I’m not a fan of running shoes that feel formless; like there’s no there-there.)

You do not need to be a pronator to run in the Tempo 9. Because the support provided is minimal, it is unlikely that neutral runners will feel the anti-pronation mechanics built into the shoe.

And the Tempo 9 will accommodate forefoot and midfoot landers, as well as heel strikers.

The Grades

Stability: A

The Tempo 9 turns a mild pronator into a neutral runner but does not turn him/her into a supinator.

Cushioning: B- to B

The cushioning in the Tempo 9 is fine. However, it is not going to blow one away with pogo stick-like springiness. The shoe is not as springy as, for example, the Adidas Supernova or the Reebok Floatride.

Responsiveness/Speed: B+ to A-

The BOOST cushioning allows one to quickly put one’s feet down and pick them up on medium to fast-paced runs.

The bounce back on each foot fall is enough to propel you on to the next step. But there’s not so much bounce that it produces wasted energy.

The semi-firm ride may remind some of the Adidas Adios racing flat. Adidas has dialed in the midsole to the “just right” setting.

The Tempo 9 is not the fastest-feeling shoe on the market, but it offers the low-end torque of a roadster. And it definitely feels speedier than a mainstream trainer.

Flexibility: C-

The forefoot on the Tempo 9 is surprisingly inflexible.

This may enhance the responsiveness for faster runners, but I’m hopeful that Adidas will improve the shoe in future editions with one or more deep flex grooves up front.

Protection: A

My feel felt fully protected in this shoe as if I were wearing a more substantial model like the Brooks Adrenaline 15, the Mizuno Wave Sky, the New Balance 860 v7, or 880 v7.

Ride: B

The ride in the Tempo 9 is similar to that of the Brooks Asteria - another minimal support shoe but is firmer in nature.

The firmness present in the Tempo 9 means that it is not as smooth-riding as the Adidas PureBOOST DPR (deconstructed performance runner) trainer. I give an edge to the DPR in ride quality, but the Tempo 9 and DPR models together would make for a great two-shoe rotation.

Grip: A- to A

The Continental Rubber sole does an excellent job of holding on to and gripping anything on a running surface.

The downside is that the sole also picks up strange and unwanted items – like wild berries that will discolor the sole.

Durability: A to A+

The Tempo 9 shows virtually no wear on its sole after many weeks.

I have little doubt that this shoe’s sole and midsole will hold up for 700 or so miles; about twice the mileage expected out of an average trainer.

Style: A- to A

The grey-neon green-black upper on the Tempo 9 is sharp, and Adidas has been out front in producing “24/7” shoes that can be worn for sport, for work, and play.

The shoe definitely gets noticed by younger runner-consumers, perhaps because they relate to its retro 90s appearance. (It’s in the eye of the beholder; however, as some look at the Tempo 9 and see the look of running shoes from the 1970s and 80s.)

Verdict

I would rewrite the opening statement about the Adidas Adizero Tempo 9 as follows: “This is a responsive, light stability performance trainer. It can be used for daily tempo training runs and also as a protective yet fast-feeling race day shoe.”

And this would pretty much sum up why this shoe gets an “A” grade and score overall.

The Tempo 9 gets the job done in almost every respect and is a very good option for someone who can train in a racing flat but prefers more cushioning underfoot.

It would work well for the majority of runners as a trainer, keeping in mind that attention should be paid to getting the proper fit in this somewhat snug and narrow model.

Well done, Adidas!

A track day hero: Adidas Adizero Tempo 9 review

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For runners who need mild stability for speedwork on the track or road races, the Adizero Tempo 9 is your feet’s hero.

Who the Tempo is perfect for

Anyone looking for a lightweight (9.5oz for a men’s size 9), responsive running shoe with a touch of stability for mitigating mild overpronation will find a perfect fit in the Tempo 9.

The shoe is a track-tuned sportscar for your feet, and everything about it is designed to help you go fast.

Starting from the bottom of the shoe, the outsole is a lightweight, grippy Continental rubber that performs perfectly on any smooth surface and has exceptional durability from a rubber infused with graphene that prevents wear and adds energy return. After a few hundred miles, the outsole showed no sign of wear.

Moving up, the midsole is light, springy, and responsive from a mix of Adidas Boost in the heel and midfoot, and a firmer foam in both the midfoot and forefoot to add stability.

Both materials maintain their springiness for hundreds of miles. The midsole is shaped with a nice curve to ease the heel-toe transition and facilitate quick turnover for rapid cadence running.

The shoe’s midsole positions you at a 10mm heel-toe ratio, raising you slightly up on to your toes, and encouraging a more aggressive running stance and faster turnover. This position feels great when doing short repeats on the track, or on a <10K race day, but may feel uncomfortable on longer runs where a more natural, lower heel-toe ratio may be preferable.

Finally, on the top of the shoe, the upper is a lightweight, breathable mesh that wraps your foot snug like the racing seat in a Formula 1 sports car. Adidas opted to also include a nice rigid heel shank, which adds a smidgen of weight, but helps lock the foot down and works well with the midsole to effectively manage mild overpronation.

The use of several overlays in the upper also adds a little bit of weight but adds to durability: the upper kept a comfortable, snug fit for hundreds of miles. For most foot shapes, the upper’s overlays will give a good snug fit without causing abrasion.

A look at the competition

The number of lightweight stability shoes available for speed work are countable on one hand, but there is still some tough competition for the Tempo.

The toughest competition is the New Balance 1500 v4: it has the same amount of arch support as the Tempo but is a full ounce lighter (8.4oz for a men’s size 9), has a more natural heel-toe ratio (6mm), and has a fully seamless upper that will accommodate a wider range of foot shapes.

The stats say the 1500 v4 is a better shoe, but I personally prefer the Tempo. Its more aggressive heel-toe ratio just feels more fun on the track, like bursting out of sprinter starting blocks with every stride.

Further, the springiness of the Adidas Boost midsole material has a liveliness that New Balance’s REVlite foam lacks, and the all mesh upper of the 1500 v4—while more comfortable when standing or walking around—starts to feel mushy and insecure during rapid turnover, high cadence running compared to the Tempo’s locked down upper.

I suggest trying both out at a local running store and seeing which one feels better for you.

Who the Tempo is Not good for

For all its deserved praise, the Tempo is built for a small niche of runners and a narrow band of running conditions: for many, there may be better options.

Neutral runners who do not need arch support should look for lighter options with the same feel, like the Adizero Adios. The extra stability features of the Tempo add a little bit of weight that you don’t need.

1. Runners with more than mild overpronation who need additional support should look for shoes with more robust arch support: it’ll be worth the extra bit of weight. The Asics 2000, for example, is a bit heavier but has similar responsiveness to the Tempo with much more arch support that’ll make you more efficient with your running and stave off injuries. If you have questions about how much support you need, head to your local specialty running store and talk with an expert.

2. Runners who intend to do long distance runs or looking for a high mileage trainer should look elsewhere. I personally find the Tempo jarring on the legs after about six miles: it’s just too snug in the upper, too aggressive a heel-toe ratio, and too firm in the midsole. Doing distance runs in the Tempo feels like going for a long-distance road trip in sport-tuned roadster.

On the track, sporty bucket seats and a stiff suspension are great, but on longer distances, that cushy sedan starts to feel pretty great. If you’ll be putting in long runs, a softer, more forgiving stability shoe like the Adidas Ultra Boost ST, Saucony Liberty ISO, or New Balance Vongo may be better options than the Tempo.

3. Anyone doing runs on surfaces any rougher than a track, treadmill, or smooth pavement should find a shoe with an outsole designed for a wider range of conditions. The Continental outsole on the Tempo is great on smooth, dry surfaces, but doesn’t perform well on even mild crushed gravel trails, much less dirt, mud, or other gritty terrains.

4. Runners that need a wide toe box will find the Tempo’s triangular, narrow forefoot to be too tight, and those with bunions or wide splay between the first and second metatarsals (the bones in your foot just before the start of the big toe and second toe) are likely to get blisters from the Tempo’s forefoot overlay placement, and will prefer a similar shoe with a wider, all mesh forefoot like the New Balance 1500 v4.