adidas Adizero Dropset Pro review

The adidas Adizero Dropset Pro is not a traditional training shoe, but it is a strong match for athletes who:

• combine running intervals with functional strength exercises in HYROX-style workouts
• prioritise a well-cushioned and springy ride for sprints, jumps, and fast-paced conditioning
• need excellent ventilation for sweaty indoor sessions
• have narrow-to-medium feet and prefer a snug, performance-oriented fit

We wouldn’t choose the Dropset Pro if heavy lifting or aggressive lateral drills dominate your workouts. Instead, the adidas Dropset 4 offers a firmer, more grounded alternative for strength-focused gym sessions.

Heel strikers and hybrid athletes who prefer more substance in the rearfoot for added stability may find the Dropset Pro’s rearfoot platform too narrow. Our measurements showed that the PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 provide a more generous landing area.

Adidas challenges the traditional divide between running and training shoes by introducing its advanced Lightstrike Pro foam in the Adizero Dropset Pro.

Showing unprecedented shock absorption of 133 SA in the heel and 92 SA in the forefoot, this hybrid trainer takes race-shoe cushioning to the gym, levelling up those running intervals, cardio sessions, and HYROX training.

Already renowned for its exceptional responsiveness, the Lightstrike Pro is reinforced with EnergyRods (five stiff separate rods that enhance propulsion), making the Dropset Pro's cushioning setup similar to that of the Adizero Adios Pro 4 race shoe.

Although we don't know the exact Lightstrike Pro formulation in the Dropset Pro, the shoe's energy return registered a mind-blowing 80.3% in the forefoot and 73.1% in the heel. If you are after a dynamic experience during treadmill intervals and sprints, you will be pleased with this Adizero shoe's explosive character.

After cutting the Dropset Pro in half, we used a digital calliper to measure its heel stack at 29.2 mm, which is exactly in line with the official specs (29 mm). That's more elevated than the average cross-training shoe platform but still quite moderate compared to running shoes (35.6 mm on average).

It delivers generous cushioning without raising the foot too high off the ground to compromise stability.

Our calliper also confirmed that the shoe's forefoot stack is on par with the promised 22 mm, falling in the middle ground between gym trainers and running shoes.

The shoe's heel-to-toe drop of 6.8 mm is also true to the stated 7 mm. It is the most neutral and versatile offset that accommodates various footstriking patterns as well as gym work.

Pressing a Shore A durometer against the shoe's Lightstrike Pro foam in the heel area, we recorded a balanced reading of 37.5 AC.

It is notably softer than the average training shoe but not as compressible as most max-cushioned running shoes.

Adidas might be using the same last for the Dropset Pro and its race running shoes like the Adios Pro 5, as the fit is clearly more form-fitting than average.

Once we took a solid gel cast out of the shoe, we measured its widest point at 93.9 mm. Not too tight to mark it as narrow but still snugger than average.

A tapered toebox adds to the close-fitting experience, with another below-average measurement of just 71.5 mm around the big toe. This makes the Dropset Pro less accommodating for wide-footed athletes.

Fortunately, vertical space is not limited in this adidas trainer, despite the protective TPU cap on the toebox.

We measured its toebox height at a standard 27.0 mm. 

Designed with hybrid training and HYROX in mind, the Adizero Dropset Pro does not skimp on outsole traction. The Continental rubber in its forefoot proved its grippy nature in our traction test, showing a high friction coefficient of 0.47.

That's an impressive 57% higher than average, offering plenty of stopping power for sled pushes, sprints, and explosive cardio.

Examining the bottom of the shoe, we can see that the Continental rubber is only limited to the shoe's forefoot, while the rest of the surface is covered with a translucent Lighttraxion compound.

The entire outsole features a diamond-shaped traction pattern that helps maintain multi-directional grip and has proven effective on artificial turf.

Designing a well-cushioned, snappy shoe while maintaining sufficient forefoot pliability for gym workouts is no easy task, but we think adidas has found a sweet spot with the Dropset Pro.

Even though its flexibility is limited by an above-average forefoot stack and EnergyRods, we were still able to bend our feet comfortably for lunges and burpees.

Measuring the force required to bend this adidas trainer to a 30-degree angle, we recorded 11.9N. Slightly more than it takes to bend an average training shoe, yet notably less compared to an average running shoe.

The Dropset Pro's exceptional lightness is one of its most apparent features, especially if you're stepping out of a traditional gym shoe.

At only 8.1 oz (230g), it has an impressive cushioning-to-weight ratio and is clearly oriented towards high-speed movement.

Adidas relies on its proprietary Climacool technology to keep the Dropset Pro's interior cool, dry, and well-ventilated. Its porous mesh upper lived up to that promise in our breathability test, allowing all the pumped smoke to escape without obstruction.

A closer look under our microscope reveals just how much open space there is between the mesh fibers, allowing air to pass through with ease. Without hesitation, we rated this adidas shoe's breathability with a maximum score of 5 out of 5.

Bridging a gap between soft, high-stacked running shoes and firm, grounded gym trainers without compromising the performance of either has always been a challenge. Especially if you don't want to add a tonne of weight to such a hybrid shoe.

Adidas solves that puzzle by placing the Dropset Pro's midsole in a sturdy, firm foam cradle with raised sidewalls that add structure to the platform.

We found this setup supportive enough for strength training exercises including wall balls, dumbbells, and moderate barbell work up to 200-225 lb (90-100 kg). However, we wouldn't trust it with any serious lifting or aggressive side-to-side movements like skaters.

Its moderate lateral stability is also reflected in the Dropset Pro's middle-range torsional rigidity of 13.9 Nm. It's not as structured as the adidas Dropset 4 (16.3 Nm) but still rather difficult to twist in the midfoot.

Surprisingly, adidas kept the Dropset Pro's heel counter relatively pliable. Easily yielding under pressure in our manual stiffness test, it got a low stiffness score of 2 out of 5.

Most of the stabilising work is done by the raised midsole sidewalls at the bottom of the foot.

A prominent lateral flare extending along its midfoot and forefoot further enhances the Dropset Pro's stability. At the widest point of its forefoot, the shoe's midsole measured an exceptionally high 116.6 mm.

That midsole geometry clearly favours runners with midfoot and forefoot strike patterns because the shoe's heel width lags behind the average by almost 5 mm at 82.5 mm. It's not extremely narrow, as it still offers sufficient platform for strength exercises, but heel strikers are likely to find landings a little shaky.

For a broader heel base in a HYROX-ready shoe, try the PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 (91.3 mm) instead.

There's a good reason why the shoe's forefoot is reinforced with a TPU toe cap: the delicate mesh upper would otherwise be extremely vulnerable to damage.

As soon as our Dremel touched the material, it tore apart in virtually a second, bringing the toebox durability score down to 1 out of 5.

However, its silky interior textile was completely immune to sanding, earning the highest heel padding durability score of 5 out of 5.

Testing the abrasion resistance of both the Lighttraxion rubber (pink) and the Continental compound (red) at a high Dremel speed of 10K RPM, we found them equally hard-wearing.

With moderate dents of 1.1 mm in the heel and 1.3 mm in the forefoot, we don't expect one compound to wear out faster than the other.

As a hybrid trainer, the Dropset Pro can't afford to have the thick outsole of traditional gym shoes.

Prioritising speed for running, it keeps the rubber layer as thin as 1.6 mm. For that reason, we wouldn't recommend using this adidas shoe for outdoor training too often.

At 2.5 mm, the shoe's insole offers a minimal layer of padding to prevent an overly cushioned underfoot experience.

The insole is removable, but given the Dropset Pro's unconventional design and use case, we wouldn't risk swapping it for a custom orthotic, as it will alter the shoe's responsiveness and unique underfoot experience.

No reflective elements are to be found on the adidas Adizero Dropset Pro.

The shoe's tongue padding is also kept at a minimum. At only 5.0 mm, it offers just enough foam to buffer lace pressure without being too bulky.

Wide gussets connect the shoe's thin tongue with the rest of the upper, preventing any undesirable bunching or sliding.

There is no pull tab on this adidas trainer.

Hybrid shoes like the Dropset Pro are still a relatively new category in the footwear market, but it seems the price range has settled around £130-180. We believe that £140 is a fair price point for the adidas Adizero Dropset Pro, considering the use of advanced Lightstrike Pro foam, Energy Rods, Continental rubber, and unconventional design overall.