Our verdict

The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 is a bold revamp that channels the spirit of old-school racing flats while borrowing supershoe-grade elements from the Adios Pro 4—same upper, same foam, same outsole. What sets it apart from its cousin is the much lower stack height, the absence of a carbon plate, and a more affordable price. We loved that it offers an exciting ride, yet falls short in terms of stability and long-distance versatility.

Pros

  • Full Lightstrike Pro superfoam
  • Incredibly lightweight and fun
  • Great for tempo sessions
  • Works as a plateless 5K/10K racer
  • Durable, grippy outsole
  • Excellent value
  • Ideal for track workouts
  • Ideal for track workouts

Cons

  • Not stable at all
  • Tapered toebox
  • Not ideal for heel strikers
  • Upper lacks airflow

Audience verdict

88
Great!

Who should buy

After hitting the roads and pushing it to the limits in the lab, we think that the Adios 9 is the perfect shoe for:

  • Runners who miss old-school racing flats with low stacks and zero plates.
  • Those wanting a tempo-ready shoe that feels fast and natural.
  • Lightweight midfoot strikers seeking a shoe for fast-paced efforts with massive energy return.
  • Fans of the Adizero Adios 8—because version 9 is a huge upgrade.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9

Who should NOT buy

We think the Adios 9 isn’t the best choice for runners needing generous cushioning. It's low-stack build feels ultra-connected to the ground but may fall short for those wanting the ultimate leg-saving experience. From our perspective, the Adizero EVO SL is a better fit for those individuals, as it adds extra stability and a thicker Lightstrike Pro midsole for a similar price.

Additionally, we do not recommend the Adios 9 to runners who expect a supershoe-like experience. We discovered it lacks the rigid, carbon-plated snap that defines that category. For a more race-ready feel in a low-stack format, we suggest the Nike Streakfly 2 or the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 parts

Cushioning

Heel stack

Those chasing a connected ride will find a hidden gem in the Adios 9—its 25.0 mm stack delivers an agile-underfoot feel that’s perfect for runners who want control and close-to-the-ground feedback.

On the flip side, if you're used to maximalist shoes like the Hoka Clifton 10 or the ASICS Novablast 5, this low-profile setup may feel too raw. It’s clearly built for short or medium runs at fast paces, though we discovered it can cruise slow too thanks to its ultra-flexible design.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Heel stack
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 25.0 mm
Average 34.3 mm
Compared to 420 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

The forefoot dips under the 20 mm mark—an uncommon trait in today’s maximalist world. But that’s where the Adios 9 shines, delivering a race-flat-inspired ride that feels snappy, nimble, and seriously fun.

Of course, your muscles will do extra work with the Adios 9 compared to any supershoe like the Nike Vaporfly 4. We found it best suited for lightweight runners who want a stripped-down, speed-loaded experience. On the other hand, bigger runners may want to skip it—the thin slab of foam will definitely bottom out under heavier strides.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Forefoot stack
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 18.8 mm
Average 25.7 mm
Compared to 420 running shoes
Number of shoes
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

This “track-spikes-for-the-road” type of shoe usually sticks with a low heel-to-toe drop, yet the Adios 9 bucks that trend with a moderate one. We measured 6.2 mm—slightly below the stated 7 mm.

From our perspective, this drop makes the Adios 9 a midfoot-striker’s dream. Still, we discovered it remains very usable for everyone else, though heel strikers may feel a bit unstable on this one for reasons we’ll delve into in a minute.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Drop
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 6.2 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 420 running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.2 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The Adios 9 has many strengths, but the main one lies in its midsole—finally we get 100% Lightstrike Pro with crazy-high energy return. Previously it used some EVA foam in the heel that made the ride less fast and exciting, but now you get the same high-performance compound used in state-of-the-art Adidas’ supershoes—just at a more wallet-friendly price.

We were also surprised by how soft the Adios 9 felt underfoot, which felt like a bold move given the minimal stack. Later, we confirmed this plush sensation in the lab with our Shore A durometer, which read 16.0 HA.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 LSP forefoot

Do we think it’s a bad call? Not at all. Most runners—especially lightweight men and many women—will likely enjoy this soft and responsive feel. It just makes the shoe slightly less suitable for heavier individuals, but that’s already implied with this low-stack design.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Midsole softness
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 16.0 HA
Average 20.8 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 347 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.9 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.0 HA

Midsole softness in cold (%)

The Adios 9 midsole became 19% firmer after 20 minutes in the freezer—not awesome, but still a decent outcome.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Midsole softness in cold (%)
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 19%
Average 25%
Compared to 346 running shoes
Number of shoes
1%
Midsole softness in cold
63%

Insole thickness

Everything about this shoe is built for speed, and the insole follows suit. We measured just 2.6 mm with our callipers, which is a razor-thin result that prioritises shaving every gramme possible.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Insole thickness
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 2.6 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 416 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Rocker

We wouldn’t call the Adios 9 a supershoe as it skips the carbon plate, but for fans of old-school flats, it’s a dream. It brings that stripped-down, low-stack ride with just enough help from Adidas’ energetic Lightstrike Pro midsole. There’s a moderate rocker, but at the end of the day, it's just your legs doing the work.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 side

And we liked that heel strikers aren’t left out. The moderately rockered heel, combined with Adidas’ signature inward-angled geometry, creates a natural-feeling entry point that guides the stride without being overbearing or intrusive.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Rocker

Plate

Slicing shoes in half has its perks—one being that we can uncover the unfiltered truth. In this case, there’s no plate inside the Adios 9, but a thin plastic insert like the one in the Adizero EVO SL or the Nike Streakfly that adds a touch of snap while keeping the ride ultra-flexible and natural.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Plate

Size and fit

Size

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 is slightly small (34 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 402 running shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Width / Fit

New

Before taking any measurements, we tested the Adios 9 on our feet. It clearly felt a bit snug—something we fully expect from a performance-driven shoe anyway.

Thanks to our 1:1 gel mould of the shoe's interiors, we then measured the widest part of the Adios 9 at 94.3 mm, which falls slightly below the average.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Width / Fit
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 94.3 mm
Average 95.3 mm
Compared to 175 running shoes
Number of shoes
88.5 mm
Width / Fit
102.4 mm

Toebox width

New

We discovered that the snug sensation mostly comes from the tapered toebox, which measured just 70.6 mm.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 pointy toebox

Its race-day shape limits toe splay—another reason the Adios 9 feels built for short distances.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Toebox width
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 70.6 mm
Average 73.5 mm
Compared to 175 running shoes
Number of shoes
66.7 mm
Toebox width
83.5 mm

Toebox height

New

We measured 27.5 mm of toebox height, which gives the toes plenty of breathing space.

It’s great for avoiding pressure-related issues, though it might feel too roomy for fans of a spike-like, locked-down fit.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Toebox height
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 27.5 mm
Average 27.2 mm
Compared to 174 running shoes
Number of shoes
22.4 mm
Toebox height
33.8 mm

Traction / Grip

Traction test

New

One of the standout features of the Adizero Adios 9 is that it shares the outsole with its premium cousin, the Adios Pro 4—yet comes at a much lower price. As a result, it delivers top-tier grip in both dry and wet conditions thanks to the blend of LIGHTTRAXXION and Continental rubbers, confirmed by its 0.55 score in our SATRA TM144 test.

Test results
Adizero Adios 9 0.55
Average 0.46
Compared to 214 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.11
Forefoot test result
0.83

Stability

Lateral stability test

After reviewing hundreds of shoes, we discovered that stability and fun rarely go hand in hand—and the Adios 9 proves it. This high-energy, featherweight shoe feels thrilling underfoot, but it demands solid form, especially if you're landing on its ultra-narrow heel.

Torsional rigidity

The small plastic insert in the midfoot adds only minimal stiffness, so when we tested the shoe, torsional rigidity came out quite low at just 2/5. That's why this shoe feels great at slower paces too.

Test results
Adizero Adios 9 2
Average 3.4
Compared to 399 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter screams racing vibes at 1/5, it has zero reinforcements or structured elements. As we mentioned before, if you land on the heel, stabilisation is all on you. 

On the bright side, the upper vanishes completely on foot and never gets in the way, delivering a natural-feeling ride.

Test results
Adizero Adios 9 1
Average 2.9
Compared to 383 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

The Adios 9 is a compact-sized running shoe—both in height and width. We noticed it right after unboxing it in the lab, and it was clear it wouldn’t hit the average on our measurements.

However, the forefoot reached 110.8 mm, which we believe is ideal for a speed-focused design like this. It’s certainly narrow, but it lands in that sweet spot—streamlined yet not foot-squeezing.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Midsole width - forefoot
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 110.8 mm
Average 114.2 mm
Compared to 421 running shoes
Number of shoes
102.2 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
126.9 mm

Midsole width - heel

The heel, at just 72.5 mm, is extreme. This is where the shoe most resembles a track spike—creating a barely-there feel that’s thrillingly agile but also wildly unstable for anyone loading the rearfoot.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Midsole width - heel
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 72.5 mm
Average 90.6 mm
Compared to 421 running shoes
Number of shoes
70.8 mm
Midsole width - heel
106.6 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

New

Anyone expecting a supershoe-like, stiff feel here will find exactly the opposite. We measured 5.2N in our lab—one of the lowest results we’ve ever recorded.

This level of flexibility turns the Adios 9 into a foot-strengthening, proprioception-boosting tool for runners and makes it one of the best 5K/10K racing shoes for those who don’t get along well with carbon plates, either due to their harsh feel or because of issues like Morton’s neuroma.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Flexibility / Stiffness
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 5.2N
Average 15.0N
Compared to 222 running shoes
Number of shoes
4.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
28.5N

Weight

The Adios 8 tipped our scale in the lab at 7.40 oz or 210g—a nice result already. But the Adios 9 took things further, dropping to just 6.20 oz or 176g. That’s a stunning improvement.

So, how did Adidas pull this off? While the Adios 8 relied on a heavier dual-foam setup, version 9 uses only Lightstrike Pro, and that's how Adidas shaved grammes while improving bounce.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Weight
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 6.2 oz (176g)
Average 9.3 oz (265g)
Compared to 421 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.6 oz (159g)
Weight
12.6 oz (357g)

Breathability

The Adios 9 features the same LIGHTLOCK upper as the Adios Pro 4, offering a significant upgrade over previous versions. However, as we observed with its supershoe counterpart, it faces challenges with ventilation. This is another reason we suggest limiting its use to short distances.

Our smoke test revealed that most air becomes trapped inside the shoe, leading us to assign it a 2/5 rating for breathability. While not ideal, issues may only arise on particularly hot days, especially if paired with thick socks.

On the plus side, the insole features oversized ventilation holes that boost airflow slightly—and it's always cool to discover a high-end touch in a reasonably-priced shoe.

Upon examining the upper under a microscope, we immediately understood the reason for its low score.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 microscope

The LIGHTLOCK technology creates a unidirectional fabric that stretches in only one direction to enhance stability. However, this design lacks ventilation holes, making the upper resemble a Gore-Tex material.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Microscope Upper

We found the upper to be exceptionally lightweight, prioritising weight reduction over comfort, with minimal foam padding in the tongue and heel.

Test results
Adizero Adios 9 2
Average 3.8
Compared to 350 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

The LIGHTLOCK upper is featherlight, but that comes at a cost: durability. We found it practically disintegrated under our Dremel test, scoring a disappointing 1 out of 5 in this tough evaluation.

Test results
Adizero Adios 9 1
Average 2.6
Compared to 284 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

On a positive note, the heel padding held up well thanks to its stripped build, earning a solid 4/5. Runners who often wear through this area can finally breathe easy.

Test results
Adizero Adios 9 4
Average 3.3
Compared to 279 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

One thing Adidas often does with lower-priced shoes is downgrade the outsole compound—like using Adiwear on the Pureboost 5 instead of Continental rubber on the Ultraboost 5. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the Adios 9, which makes this another bang-for-the-buck feature we love.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 outsole design

Here, we get almost the same outsole found on the Adios Pro 4—a combo of full-length LIGHTTRAXXION with a Continental patch in the forefoot to boost grip during toe-off.

This LIGHTTRAXXION material isn’t your average rubber. Made from translucent polyurethane, it aims to balance durability, grip, and a lightweight feel. Big promises—but with a softness of 51.0 HC, the traction definitely delivers.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Outsole hardness
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 51.0 HC
Average 79.4 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 401 running shoes
Number of shoes
54.9 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole durability

And durability holds strong in both the LIGHTTRAXXION material and the Continental patch. We measured just 0.6 mm of wear in the former and 0.54 mm in the latter—impressive for such lightweight-yet-grippy compounds.

These amazing results confirm that the Adios 9 can handle road miles and track intervals without durability concerns regarding the outsole.

Test results
Adizero Adios 9 0.6 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 262 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Given how durable it is, the outsole comes in at a really thin 1.0 mm. That definitely aligns with the featherlight build of this shoe.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 front

Still, we think there won't be signs of early wear likely for most runners—especially since the target audience is mostly lightweight, neutral runners who tend to be gentle on outsole rubber.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Outsole thickness
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 1.0 mm
Average 3.3 mm
Compared to 417 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Price

Getting a real superfoam in a feather-light build, with the same race-ready upper and ultra-grippy outsole as the Adios Pro 4, for nearly half the price, is wild. We expected a price hike for this version—but it never showed up.

Test results
Adizero Adios 9 $140
Compared to 421 running shoes
Number of shoes
£45
Price
£270

Reflective elements

No reflective elements at all on the Adios 9. Honestly, Adidas could’ve added the classic three-stripe shine like in other models, but for this price, we’re fine skipping it.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Reflective elements
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 No

Tongue padding

The tongue is really thin at 2.6 mm, though that measurement shows Adidas added a light touch of padding. In our view, it strikes a good balance for a tempo trainer—thicker tongues usually belong in slower, comfort-focused shoes.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 eyelet

The eyelet chain comes straight from the Adios Pro 4, and we found it works great. You can dial in the fit as tightly as you want without risking the tear-prone issues seen in the Adios Pro 3.

Still, we're waiting to see notched laces in an Adidas Adizero model—they’ve only shown up in the trail-focused Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Tongue padding
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 2.6 mm
Average 5.9 mm
Compared to 418 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Tongue: gusset type

One detail that makes the Adios 9 feel more like a tempo trainer than a pure racing shoe is the tongue. While racers often skip gussets, we found a semi-gusseted design here, and it's a welcome surprise at this price point.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 Both sides (semi)

Heel tab

The heel sports the same iconic pull tab seen on recent Adidas models—the one that first showed up on the Adizero Adios Pro 3!

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Heel tab
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 Pull tab

Removable insole

We were surprised to find that the Adios 9 comes with a removable insole, considering how stripped-down the rest of the shoe is. Still, replacing it isn’t simple—its thin build leaves almost no room for a thicker insert.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Removable insole
Test results
Adizero Adios 9 Yes