Our verdict

The budget-friendly Adidas Sprintstar really shines in some key areas. Our lab testing revealed impressive durability, an exceptionally plush upper, and unbeatable value at just £70. However, this comes with tradeoffs like minimal cushioning, some bulkiness, and less premium materials. Yet, if cost is your primary concern, we think this spike really delivers.

Pros

  • Excellent track grip
  • Ultra-padded tongue
  • Unbeatable value
  • Removable pins
  • Ideal for novices
  • Exceptional ground sensation
  • Solid durability

Cons

  • Zero cushioning
  • Poor ventilation
  • Requires strong feet

Audience verdict

89
Good!

Who should buy

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.

Adidas Sprintstar

Who should NOT buy

The Sprintstar is a classic, no-frills spike where your feet do all the work. There's no energy-returning midsole, meaning faster leg fatigue and increased strain on your foot muscles.

If you crave that modern, super-cushioned feel underfoot, we strongly suggest exploring pricier options like the Nike Air Zoom Maxfly or Adidas Prime SP2.

Adidas Sprintstar

Furthermore, the Sprintstar won't be the best pick for versatility in the track. If you sometimes enjoy the long stuff, this spike will quickly reach its limits of comfort and support. For a more do-it-all spike, we recommend something like the Nike Zoom Rival D 10, a solid entry-level choice.

Breathability

We discovered subpar breathability in our initial assessment of the budget-friendly Speedstar, earning a disappointing 2/5 score.

The issue stems from design choices; the toebox features a dense, restrictive mesh, while thinner ventilation zones are placed in less crucial midfoot areas. This becomes obvious under our light test.

Microscopic analysis revealed the thick, airflow-resistant Celermesh in the toebox.

Adidas Sprintstar microscope

This construction presents a barrier, rather than promoting efficient ventilation.

Adidas Sprintstar microscope

We concluded this section with a hands-on upper assessment.

While surprisingly well-padded for a sprint spike, the Speedstar's materials do reflect its lower price point.

Test results
Sprintstar 2
Average 3.9
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Toebox durability
Test results
Sprintstar 5
Average 2.5
Compared to 11 running spikes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

We were seriously impressed by the heel padding! This spike boasts unbelievably plush cushioning for the Achilles tendon.

Durability also gets a thumbs up. The padding withstood our Dremel test admirably, earning a strong 4/5 score.

Adidas Sprintstar Heel padding durability
Test results
Sprintstar 4
Average 3.6
Compared to 11 running spikes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole thickness

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Outsole thickness
Test results
Sprintstar 3.3 mm
Average 2.8 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
1.6 mm
Outsole thickness
6.4 mm

Outsole hardness

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Outsole hardness
Test results
Sprintstar 88.0 HC
Average 73.3 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 5 running spikes
Number of shoes
55.0 HC
Outsole hardness
88.0 HC

Cushioning

Heel stack

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Heel stack
Test results
Sprintstar 10.4 mm
Average 15.2 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
10.4 mm
Heel stack
19.9 mm

Forefoot stack

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Forefoot stack
Test results
Sprintstar 8.6 mm
Average 14.4 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
8.6 mm
Forefoot stack
19.7 mm

Drop

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Drop
Test results
Sprintstar 1.8 mm
Average 0.8 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
-5.8 mm
Drop
4.1 mm

Insole thickness

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Insole thickness
Test results
Sprintstar 3.4 mm
Average 3.0 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
1.8 mm
Insole thickness
3.9 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

This is a plateless spike, making it ideal for those who prefer a flexible, natural feel in their sprint spikes. In fact, we only needed to apply 16.7N of force to bend it to 90 degrees!

Test results
Sprintstar 16.7N
Average 28.3N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
10.9N
Stiffness
66.6N

Stability

Torsional rigidity

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

Test results
Sprintstar 3
Average 3
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

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

Adidas Sprintstar heel counter

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.

Test results
Sprintstar 2
Average 1.6
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Sprintstar 90.1 mm
Average 93.9 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
87.6 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
100.5 mm

Midsole width in the heel

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Sprintstar 55.0 mm
Average 62.1 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
54.0 mm
Midsole width in the heel
73.3 mm

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

The Sprintstar boasts a surprisingly roomy toebox given its otherwise narrow design.

Adidas Sprintstar upper

Our precise measurements confirmed a width of 90.0 mm, practically mirroring the 90.1-mm midsole! This unexpected finding makes the Sprintstar slightly more accommodating than you might initially assume.

Adidas Sprintstar Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Sprintstar 90.0 mm
Average 88.9 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
81.9 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
96.4 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

The dramatic taper in the big toe area could be restrictive for wide-footed sprinters. Our precise measurement of 69.5 mm confirms this aggressive, streamlined design.

Adidas Sprintstar Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Sprintstar 69.5 mm
Average 73.4 mm
Compared to 11 running spikes
Number of shoes
68.3 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
77.1 mm

Removable pins

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Removable pins

Comfort

Tongue padding

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

Adidas Sprintstar tongue

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

Adidas Sprintstar Tongue padding
Test results
Sprintstar 7.5 mm
Average 2.5 mm
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
7.5 mm

Heel tab

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Heel tab
Test results
Sprintstar None

Weight

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.

Adidas Sprintstar Weight
Test results
Sprintstar 6.21 oz (176g)
Average 5.50 oz (156g)
Compared to 12 running spikes
Number of shoes
4.59 oz (130g)
Weight
6.46 oz (183g)