Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 review

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 stands out as an excellent pick for any race, from a short 5K to the marathon. We believe it's designed for:

• Midfoot or forefoot strikers looking for a reliable racing shoe for their upcoming races, spanning from the 5K to the marathon.
• Those on the hunt for a top-tier racing shoe that offers stability without the lateral wobble often found in racing models.
• Fans of the Adios Pro series with wide feet who need enhanced stability and felt the previous editions too narrow.

Oh, and this shoe is not just an excellent option for races; it also excels in interval training, thanks to its long-lasting outsole and durable midsole.

We strongly suggest that diehard fans of the Adizero Adios Pro 2.0 stick with their current model rather than upgrading to version 3. Why? If you're a lover of the v2, the shift to the new model could be a bit too much. The v3 is significantly wider, catering more to midfoot strikers, while the v2 suits heel strikers better due to its high drop.

Those with a preference for extremely plush racing shoes might also find the Adios Pro 3 disappointing.

Although it's not a firm shoe by any means, it does feel somewhat firmer than other racing competitors such as the Nike Alphafly 2 or the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3.

Finally, if you're in search of a top-tier upper that is exceptionally pliable and comfortable, and not the slightest bit rough, we recommend you check the ASICS Metaspeed Sky+ for exceptional comfort in a racing shoe.

Adidas crafted this shoe with a singular goal in mind—creating the fastest racing shoe while adhering to the World Athletics guidelines that cap the heel stack height at 40 mm. 

When we took precise measurements, we found that the stack height is a compliant 37.8 mm, which means it adheres to the WA rule.

However, this shoe isn't designed heel strikers. The medial cutout in the shoe favours smooth transitions for midfoot and forefoot strikers instead.

The forefoot measures up to only 29.8 mm, falling short of the 33 mm that Adidas originally stated. This discrepancy can be disappointing for forefoot strikers who were counting on that extra bit of cushioning.

Nonetheless, it remains one of the most cushioned forefoots on the market, but we would love that Adidas meets its numbers moving forward!

The shoe is supposed to have a 6.5-mm heel-to-toe drop, but our measurements showed an 8 mm drop. Still, this is a typical drop seen in racing shoes and should pose no issue whatsoever.

We would like to remind that we conduct all our measurements in accordance with World Athletics official rules. We've even discussed in a previous article why the drops stated by brands might differ from the actual ones.

The Adizero Adios Pro 3 features Adidas' premier foam, known as Lightstrike Pro. It uses a Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer (TPEE) compound, which provides world-class energy return but offers a firmer feel compared to Pebax-based shoes.

This results in improved stability and durability, and it's an ideal choice for runners who prefer not to feel their feet sinking into the shoe. Our durometer measurement of 20.9 HA confirms these observations.

For more insights about running shoe foams and a comparison of Lightstrike Pro with others, consider checking our advanced guide.

With a measurement of 22.8 HA, the midsole remains essentially unchanged in cold temperatures. This feature, typical of high-quality superfoams, is something we really appreciate.

This shows a 9% uptick following a 20-minute freezer test—an impressive outcome. It ensures top-notch performance from the foam, no matter the season.

Considering its design as a racing shoe with the need to minimise weight, we anticipated a slim insole. Indeed, the one we measured was only 2.7 mm, perfectly aligning with our expectations.

We found that Adidas has revamped the Adios Pro 3's rocker with a more pronounced toe spring, which makes sense given the reduced drop from the previous version.

In stiff shoes, a strong curvature in the forefoot is essential to aid turnover. In our opinion, it’s a clever move!

With its impressive width, it's evident that the AP3 aims to provide one of the most generous forefoot areas among racing shoes—and it indeed succeeds.

However, don't anticipate an excessively wide upper when compared to daily training shoes. Adidas implemented a clever design feature to enhance stability: coupling a broad midsole with an upper that's not quite as wide (96.9 mm).

As a result, while the upper's maximum width remains average compared to most shoes, it's still wider than most racing shoes. Therefore, for those with wide feet, the AP3 stands out as one of the top choices in the market.

This trend continues in the big toe area as well. We recorded its width at 76.8 mm, which is pretty average when compared to most shoes. But when put up against most racing shoes, it's the roomiest.

The Adidas AP3 could very well be the most stable supershoe on the market. We felt its stability as soon as we put it on.

However, remember it's a racing shoe, so don't look for stability at slower speeds. It's designed for fast running, and that's when it really demonstrates this feature.

The midsole of this shoe features two layers of Lightstrike Pro, separated by Energyrods. These are Adidas' answer to the carbon plate.

Naturally, this results in a very stiff shoe despite the big cutout in the outsole. In fact, when we tested the shoe for torsional rigidity, we gave it a perfect score of 5 out of 5.

The heel counter lacks stiffness or support, giving a typical race-fit feel. We rated it at 1/5.

While this approach does reduce the weight of the shoe, it can also create heel slippage for some runners. Thankfully, an alternative lacing technique can mitigate this problem.

This is where the Adios Pro 3 truly shines. In response to some stability concerns with the Adios Pro 2, Adidas made a firm commitment to create the most stable racing shoe on the market. And they delivered. But how did they accomplish it?

The key lies in the width of the midsole. The landing platform in the forefoot is simply remarkable—it provides enhanced stability, particularly for midfoot and forefoot strikers.

For instance, let's compare the AP3 with the best racing shoes in the market.

In contrast, the heel is narrow, measuring at 84.0 mm.

A wider heel would simply add too much weight, so this design choice is deliberate. This makes the AP3 an excellent option for midfoot and forefoot strikers, but heel strikers might find it a bit uncomfortable.

The secret behind supershoes lies in merging a high-energy return foam with a stiff forefoot, and it's now time to check out the latter in our lab.

As we anticipated, the AP3 is hyper-stiff thanks to the carbon-infused Energyrods. To bend it to 90 degrees, we had to apply a force of 45.6N.

In cold temperatures, the shoe turns even stiffer. It now measures 56.9N in the same test we used before but after 20 minutes in the freezer.

This represents a 24.7% increase in stiffness—an impressive performance and just what we expect from one of the market's premier midsoles.

Weighing in at 7.70 oz (218g), the AP3 stays just below the 220g mark that scientific research indicate as the threshold for noticeable performance loss in races. However, it doesn't make the list of the lightest racing shoes.

If going ultra-light is a priority, we'd recommend considering the Nike Vaporfly 2.

While it's typical for racing shoes to boast incredible breathability, the Adidas Adios Pro 3 sparked our interest immediately. From our initial examination of the shoe in the lab, we all anticipated a flawless 5/5 score in our lab tests—and indeed, it lived up to the hype!

First, we put the shoe through our smoke-pumping machine to assess airflow, and then we passed the upper over the light. Why? To pinpoint the exact locations of airflow.

Some shoes may have splendid ventilation in the toebox but fall short in the medial part, leading to arch blisters during a marathon. But, the Adios Pro 3 outshone all those concerns—its design allows light to pass through the upper, revealing strategically placed ventilation holes on the lateral part.

However, nothing compares to the microscopic examination that reveals why this shoe breathes so exceptionally well. Crafted from a sleek, thin engineered mesh, the Adios Pro 3 is a spectacle to observe up close.

Air just flows effortlessly through it.

While the mesh Adidas uses in the Adios Pro 3 certainly offers amazing breathability, it falls short in the durability department and we rated it at 1/5 in our Dremel test. This lack of longevity is, unfortunately, a recurring issue with most running shoes, especially those designed for competition.

However, when brands expect us to shell out £250 for a shoe, we believe it's entirely reasonable for us to demand better durability in future releases. For instance, the Nike Alphafly 2 (right) did a great job in this regard.

In stark contrast, the heel demonstrated extraordinary performance during our heel durability test.

Our Dremel hardly left a mark on the heel collar, illustrating the remarkable resilience of this part of the shoe. Of course, the fact that is barely padded in that area was key.

Transitioning to the outsole, our measurements of the exceptionally-soft rubber confirmed a hardness of only 55.5 HC, verifying its astounding grip. It also features Continental rubber.

To grasp the design logic behind this outsole design, a useful comparison is an F1 race car. For the quickest lap, flat tyres made of soft rubber are key to gaining maximum grip. Well, that's precisely what the Adios Pro 3 offers.

Usually, a soft outsole measurement implies less durability. That's not the case here, fellas.

Adidas arguably leads the market when it comes to the grip-to-durability ratio of their outsoles, and the Adios Pro 3 only strengthens that claim.

Despite working hard, the Dremel only managed to cause a minuscule indentation of 0.26 mm in the outsole. It's one of the shallowest marks we've ever seen in the lab, and this is on a racing shoe!

If you're looking for a top-tier shoe with a resilient outsole, the Adios Pro 3 is THE ONE. 

The shoe's outsole, at 1.4 mm, is undeniably thin. It's designed this way intentionally to reduce weight and enhance performance. But don't let its slim profile worry you.

Sadly, following the current trend, the shoe lacks any reflective elements. However, we should note that it's unusual to require these feature during races or interval training sessions.

We also found that the tongue on the Adios Pro 3 measures a mere 0.9 mm—about five times thinner than an average shoe! Because of this, it's vital to be mindful of lace tension. Tying the laces too tight can lead to significant discomfort or lace bite during long-distance races.

Designers of racing shoes always feel the squeeze to keep weight as low as possible. One area they often look to trim down is the shoe's tongue.

In the Adios Pro 3, Adidas made the decision to not implement any gusset, all in an attempt to minimise weight. Despite this, we haven't found any issues with tongue discomfort or unwanted movement while running.

In line with recent Adidas shoes like the Boston 12, the AP3 now features a flap-style pull-tab at the heel.

We're big fans of this touch—it not only enhances the look, but it also simplifies the foot-entry process.

It's possible to replace the insole with one from a third-party, but you should be aware that not all will fit.

Since this shoe is specifically designed for race day, its unique shape might not accommodate some orthotics or custom insoles.