Adidas Sprintstar review

We think the Adidas Sprintstar is a smart pick for:

• Track beginners eager to test their raw speed in short sprints from 60 to 400 metres.
• Runners on a tight budget looking for a low-priced sprint spike that still offers top-notch comfort.
• Road runners keen on adding a spike to their gear for occasional quick sprints at the track.

In the heel, we discovered a paper-thin stack height of 10.4 mm. Right from our first run in these spikes, it was evident they were all about ground feel—this measurement absolutely confirms it.

The forefoot is slightly thinner than the heel at just 8.6 mm.

With such a low stack height, you'll need to push hard with your legs—don't expect any energy return from the midsole.

The drop isn't negative like in many other sprint spikes, making this one a bit friendlier for those with recurrent calf or Achilles tendon issues. We measured it at 1.8 mm.

We found that the Adidas Sprintstar offers a pretty snug intimate fit for a medium-width foot. To check if this is indeed true, we created a mould of the spike's interiors using proprietary gel.

The calliper measurement confirmed our initial impression with a standard reading of 88.5 mm in the widest part of the shoe.

However, it's mostly the shoe's dramatic taper angle that makes it so close-fitting. Our precise calliper measurement of 69.5 mm in the big toe area confirms the spike's aggressive, streamlined design.

We also founed the Sprintstar's vertical space to be quite limited with a toebox height of only 24.8 mm.

This is a plateless spike, making it ideal for those who prefer a flexible, natural feel. In fact, we only needed to apply 14.5N of force to bend it to 30 degrees, which is around the average track spike, far away from the sky-high stiffness of carbon-plated options.

Weighing in at a noticeable 6.2 oz (176g), the Sprintstar clearly isn't striving for a featherweight title. This bulk becomes even more glaring considering its complete lack of foam in the midsole.

However, we should remember the budget price point—lightweight performance materials tend to drastically drive up cost.

Though the rest of the shoe feels surprisingly unstructured and flexible, our twist-and-bend test exposed notable, 3-out-of-5 rigidity.

The heel counter in this spike is exactly what you'd expect for its category, earning a 2/5 stiffness rating.

We observed that it lacks any rigid structure, offering flexibility that makes it gentler on the foot shape. This could be an excellent choice for sprinters who experience Achilles issues such as Haglund's deformity.

Using our precision digital callipers, we measured the thickest part of the midsole, discovering a width of just 90.1 mm. As expected in a spike designed for speed and agility, this translates to a narrow, streamlined fit.

The heel design pushes the limits of a narrow fit, clocking in at only 55.0 mm. We think that this makes it a risky choice for sprinters who rely on some heel stability.

Most shoes with disappointing breathability tests excel when it comes to durability. Why? Well, we found in the lab that thicker, denser mesh means those materials have greater toughness and resistance to breakdown.

It was no surprise then when the Sprintstar earned a phenomenal 5/5 durability score! Our Dremel barely scratched the surface of that super-tough toebox. This shoe is simply built to withstand the demands of explosive, sockless training sessions.

The outsole features a Pebax plate and stands out with its thickness at 3.3 mm—unusual for a track spike. It seems to us that Adidas prioritized durability above all else in this design.

We also found that they opted for a very hard outsole, once again focusing heavily on durability. We clocked its hardness at an impressive 88.0 HC using our Shore C durometer.

We discovered that nearly all the cushioning you'll get from the Sprintstar comes from the 3.4 mm insole, since there's absolutely no foam in its midsole.

The tongue boasts an unexpected 7.5mm of plush padding, rarely seen in sprint spikes.

Those who love a tightly-laced, locked-down fit will appreciate the Sprintstar's exceptional comfort.

Don't hunt for a heel pull tab, you won't find one! While convenient for road running shoes, these are unheard of in sprint spikes.

The Sprintstar features a familiar 6-pin configuration with fully removable pins. This standard setup mirrors other Adidas spikes, making it easy for experienced sprinters to adapt.