7 Best Adidas Running Shoes in 2023

Adidas is one of the top brands in the athletic gear scene and continues to be a popular choice for running shoes.
To help you navigate the brand’s extensive selection of running footwear, we have selected the best models in different categories. More than 100 pairs of Adidas shoes had gone through our lab and wear tests before we made our choice.
Do you want a stylish trainer to double for jogging and a fashion statement? Are you planning to hit a race and need a speedy horse? Or are you headed for the trails to crush the rocks and mud? We got you, as we have chosen our top picks for you to get only the best.
Best Adidas running shoes overall














































What makes it the best?
The Adizero Adios Pro 3 is a top-tier shoe from Adidas that combines insane speed with delightful cushioning, steadily gluing our feet to the ground along the way. Numbers double-checked, this is the #1 overall from Adidas' catalog.
The Lightstrike Pro foam steals the show, feeling bouncy and lovely on foot. Pushing our durometer against it put its softness levels 13.3% above average, ensuring a consistent feel underfoot without making comfort pay for it. Negative temperatures mean positive results for the AP3: after 20 minutes in the freezer, its foam hardened up by a mere 9.0% when the average sits at 28.4% extra rigidity. Oh, and racking up the miles feels awesome, as this marvelous foam gets only better with use!
The characteristic carbon rods provide a unique ride, overflowing explosive energy. This propulsive system ensured a 45.6N resistance force to our 90º bending test, a tremendous 51.5% above the average readings. Extra points for the Continental outsole, which emerged as an ultra-grippy 30.6% softer than average.
Runners seeking a comfy all-rounder might need to keep scrolling. After all, this is still a racing kick, and the 0.9 mm thick tongue embodies that.
Pros
- Supreme stability... in a supershoe!
- World-class energy return and cushioning
- Feather-light and agile
- A dream come true for marathoners
- Wonderful breathability
- Top-notch grip, even in wet conditions
- Outstanding outsole durability
- Accommodates wide feet
Cons
- Risk of heel slippage
- Lacing can be tricky
- Not suited for heel strikers
Best comfortable Adidas running shoes









































What makes it the best?
As the epitome of Adidas' slow run class, the Ultraboost Light exudes ridiculous amounts of comfy cushioning from all angles, ensuring a safe and sound ride no matter the conditions.
This lofty character boasts a 30.1 mm stack height at the heel and 18.2 mm at the forefoot, adding to an uncommonly vertiginous drop of 11.9 mm that heel strikers will appreciate—measurements with courtesy of our caliper. Our joints felt no impact whatsoever, as the ludicrous Boost midsole would gobble it all. And delightfully so, with our durometer ranking the foam as 35.7% softer than average.
There’s a shy spark to the Ultraboost experience. Locking the tip of the shoe to bend it 90º revealed an 18.6N resistance, which ranked it as 38.2% more flexible than the average, enhancing its overall comfort and liberating feel. Even after 20 minutes in our freezer, its charm didn’t go away, stiffing up by only 27.0% compared to the average shoe’s 46.3% increase.
However, this shoe is far from feather-light as its name might imply, with its 305 grams (10.76 oz) feeling rather cumbersome at faster paces.
Pros
- Cushy and responsive ride
- Good for easy runs and long distances
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Suitable for wide feet
- Effective stability elements for mild pronation
- Snug and secure lockdown
- Durable toebox and heel
- Outsole built to last
- Ready for winter runs
- Works as a comfy walking shoe
- Sustainably designed upper
Cons
- Thin forefoot cushioning
- Could be lighter
- Slippery on wet surfaces
- Not for speedwork
- Average at best breathability
Best Adidas shoes for speed training












































What makes it the best?
The Adizero Boston 12 is a towering speed demon, boasting a fresh and mighty ride to take on daunting reps with ease. As an entry-level supershoe, this is Adidas’ best kick for speed training.
At its 12th iteration, this Boston displays now fiber-glass Energyrods, the masterminds behind its powerful yet flexible feel—11.3% more flexible than average to be more precise. Bounce is delivered in spades here, with the premium layer of Lightsrike Pro taking the credit for it. Our durometer ranked this foam as 22.9% softer than average, and it’s the exceptional energy return that propels the Boston 12 into the top tier of speed trainers.
Not only underfoot is a speedster created; the Boston’s upper is equally up to the task. As one does, we pumped smoke into the shoe to assess its airflow. Through the tongue, sides, and toebox, the smoke ushed out with such ease that we awarded the Boston 12 a perfect 5/5 score for breathability.
During our usual stress test, four seconds of spinning 3.2N at 10K RPM were enough to completely tear the upper apart. In durability matters, the Boston’s toebox received the weakest possible score.
Pros
- Lightstrike 2.0 brings a remarkable upgrade
- Delivers a fun ride
- Lighter than versions 10 and 11
- Handles both slow and fast paces with ease
- Wide toebox
- Durable and grippy Continental outsole
- Even more Lightstrike Pro superfoam
- Improved stability due to a broader base
- Fantastic for midfoot-to-forefoot strikers
Cons
- Upper durability falls short
- Tongue and heel could benefit from extra padding
- Heel strikers might prefer v11
Best Adidas daily running shoes

































What makes it the best?
Cushioning comes in colors in the Adistar 2.0, enveloping our feet in a cushy realm where landing impact becomes a mere afterthought. And with such a stable ride, lab and field agree on one thing: this is the best daily trainer from the Adidas running lineup.
Mile after mile, the Adistar kept its remarkable composure and stood tall (literally). Our caliper claws measured 33.8 mm heel stack and 25.8 mm at the forefoot, aligning with the current trend of max-cushioned daily trainers. The primary midsole foam sits right at the average when it comes to softness, adding a plush-ish leg-saving feel to our runs.
One in a million stability from the Adistar, featuring a wide platform that prevented excessive rolling on uneven terrain. Once again, our trusty caliper came into play, measuring a midsole width of 118.1 mm at the forefoot and 96.1 mm at the heel, surpassing the average by 5.0 mm and 5.9 mm respectively. Comfort all-around topped with the breathable upper and the ultra-padded tongue which we measured to be a whopping 8.7 mm, almost 3 mm above the average thickness.
Disappointingly, this is a really heavy shoe. Its 328 grams (11.57 oz) go over 2 ounces above the average weight, hurting the Adistar’s versatility when it comes to picking up the pace.
Pros
- Cushioned for long miles
- Supportive for a neutral shoe
- Wide platform
- Secure foothold
- Well-padded interiors
- Highly breathable
- Great for casual wear
- Value for money
- True to size
Cons
- Heavier than average
- Firm heel landings
Adidas running shoes with the best style



































What makes it the best?
With its eye-catching design, the Adidas 4DFWD 2 is the attention seeker to float through the streets with grace. Its comfort and top-tier lockdown game delighted us, but it's the shoe's ability to double as a stylish sneaker that truly sets the 4DFWD apart.
A first glance was enough to see the singular midsole as the star of the show, but we couldn’t stop there. It proved to be just as mesmerizing in action, propelling us in ways we’ve never felt before. The flexibility of this lofty Adidas left us in awe, nicely flowing with the foot. Throwback to our classic 90º bending test, this one proved to be 29.2% more flexible than the average. Twisting the shoe in all known directions was utterly satisfying, as it effortlessly scored 1 out of 5 on both longitudinal and torsional flexibility, being as bendable as it gets.
Sweetening the feel-good aura of the 4DFWD, the knit-mesh upper embraces the foot like a warm hug. Adding the remarkably padded heel counter, we got a divine snug lockdown. From our manual assessment, the heel counter scored 3 out of 5 on our stiffness scale, keeping the foot in place without feeling too harsh on the Achilles.
However, the shoe's stylish design does come at a cost in terms of performance. Sitting at 356 grams (12.6 oz), it falls on the heavier end of the running spectrum, feeling too clunky at faster efforts. For reference, the average running shoe weighs 267 grams (9.4 oz).
Pros
- Unique midsole construction
- Supportive fit
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Good grip on roads
- Extremely durable
- Plenty flexible
- Stunning design
- Environmental-friendly
Cons
- Not for the budget-minded
- Very heavy
- Not for wide feet
- Some breaking-in required
Best Adidas trail running shoes


















What makes it the best?
Its flashy aesthetics left the wild in awe, and its performance stood unbeatable. The Terrex Speed Ultra comes with a bang, ticking all boxes of a superb trail shoe by being protective, nimble, and lovely on foot.
Bridging our feet plants to the ground, a formidable dual-density midsole steals the show. While a fair portion of the silky Boost foam cushioned our heels, a thick layer of Lighstrike vibed to a different beat. The latest came out as a moderate 15.0% firmer than average from our durometer, adding a fairly reactive feel to our toe-off motion and sweetening this shoe's speedy facet.
While these two concepts don’t usually go hand in hand, the Speed Ultra is an ultra-light trail shoe. It quickly became a seamless complement to our feet, adding nothing more than a mere 258 grams (9.10 oz) to each of our legs. Given how the average trail shoe tips the scales at 296 grams (10.44 oz), that sure is something to behold.
Besides, there was no fighting against our natural stride during our testing ventures in the woods. By resisting with only 24.3N to our 90º bending test, this shoe emerged as 21.1% more flexible than the average trail shoe.
On the other hand, the mud is this Adidas’ nemesis. Its minimalist outsole and 0.9 mm shorter-than-average lugs are better off out of the swampy fields.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Nimble ride
- Grippy outsole
- Breathable
- Dries quickly
- Great lockdown
- Reflective elements
Cons
- Feels a touch minimalist
- No heel pull loop
Best budget Adidas running shoes

















What makes it the best?
Everything at the price of nothing could very well be the motto of the Duramo 10. As a nicely cushioned and frankly capable daily trainer, it serves as the gateway to the world of running for beginners. Priced at £70, it’s on the cheapest end of the Adidas running lineup, which averages at £150.
While not the most exhilarating, the Duramo’s ride is in a league of its own within this price range. It belongs to the +30 mm class as our caliper came to confirm, measuring a heel stack of 31.6 mm. Pushing our durometer against the midsole revealed a score of 21.8 HA, meaning it’s 11.0% softer than the average. Pretty balanced numbers, which translated to a versatile and reliable experience out in the field.
With a delightfully soft upper, the lockdown game of the Duramo 10 is in no way dictatorial, feeling nice and easy on foot. Manually bending the heel counter was a breeze, scoring 1 out of 5 on our stiffness scale, with 1 being the most flexible. Plus, the upper promotes flawless airflow, managing to keep our feet fresh even in the scorching heat.
In the icy cold, the story is different. Putting the Duramo to our 90º bending test in our lab before and after 20 minutes in the freezer revealed an outrageous stiffness increase of 85%, while the average shoe stiffens up by 46.3%. This means the shoe might feel very different (much stiffer) when used in cold temperatures.
Pros
- Comfy for all-day wear
- Lightweight for its kind
- Stable even during sharp turns
- Breezy on warm days
- Perfect for beginners
- Can handle gym training
- Durable for the price
- Soft upper
- Affordable
- Eco-friendly upper
Cons
- Break-in period for wide feet
- Lacks spring for fast runs
Comparison of the 7 best Adidas running shoes
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Why choose Adidas running shoes?
Many users prefer to buy Adidas running shoes just because of the name alone. After all, the brand is reputable when it comes to producing high-quality shoes. But aside from this reason, we’ll give you 3 more that could get you interested:
- Adidas is an established brand. Since 1948, Adidas has been developing and evolving running shoes. If you want a running shoe from an “experienced” brand, Adidas is a good choice.
- Innovation in shoe technology. The Boost cushioning is popular in the running shoe industry. It remains highly recognised because of its effectiveness, consistency, and reliability.
- Reasonable pricing. They may not be the cheapest, but Adidas running shoes continue to sell because they meet users’ expectations in quality and performance (they are also usually available on discount!)
Top-rated Adidas running shoe series
Adidas offers many running shoe series and models, which may be confusing or overwhelming to new users. Here’s how to differentiate the most popular ones:
Adidas Ultraboost
The Ultraboost series is the most notable running line from Adidas. Known for their flexible yet durable cushioning, the Ultraboost models guarantee 20% more energy return than those with standard foam midsoles.
Adidas Alphabounce
The Alphabounce series aims for a more adaptive running experience through the use of Aramis motion sensor. Alphabounce shoes are characterised as “soft and bouncy,” and are emphasised on allocating comfort on every area of the foot.
Adidas Pureboost
Another Adidas shoe series that uses the Boost midsole tech is the Pureboost. It is intended for short-distance runs in urban settings. In contrast to Ultraboosts that are built for responsive runs, Pureboost shoes are more focused on providing comfort.
Adidas Duramo
With the Duramo series, beginners don’t have to settle for less. These cheap running shoes are aimed towards newbies who don’t want to splurge just yet, but still want to get the benefits of a decent running footwear.
Adidas Terrex
The Adidas Terrex is the brand’s special line for outdoor gear. Running shoes that are part of this series are meant for trail running, as they are equipped with features that perform best on technical terrains. The Terrex line also carries hiking shoes and hiking boots.
3 things to consider in your next Adidas shoe
Terrain: Pavement or trails
For your regular running pursuits on paved surfaces, smooth gravel, or other urban landscapes, consider getting an Adidas road running shoe.
If you are running on technical terrains that include rocks, mud, or puddles, the brand’s trail running shoes are suitable for you.
The graphic below summarises the key differences between each shoe category:
Use
Adidas daily running shoes are your best bet if you are looking for a go-to companion for your regular runs. These are also the most suitable for beginners.
For your speed workouts, training runs, or other athletic-level runs, the brand’s competition running shoes can help you achieve your goals. Adidas also offers several advanced racing flats with a carbon plate.
Here is a quick comparison between the two shoe categories:
Arch support
Runners with normal arches and neutral pronation can pick up a pair of Adidas neutral running shoes. These shoes are perfect if you have no issues with foot stability.
Conversely, if you feel there’s a need for additional arch support, or if you want to correct your overpronation (when the foot rolls inward excessively), Adidas stability running shoes are recommended.
If you are a beginner, or if your pronation does not interfere with your running at all, neutral shoes are always a good choice. You can also read more about pronation and running shoes in our arch support study.
How we test running shoes
We are a team of running shoe fanatics with an independent shoe-testing lab. We spend at least 7 hours per shoe, taking it on a series of runs, measuring over 30 different parameters, and even cutting it into pieces:
- Our inspection includes every imaginable aspect, from shoe flexibility and cushioning softness tests to grip and shoelace slip tests.
- We even built a custom smoke machine to demonstrate each shoe’s ventilation capacity.
- We receive no free shoes from Adidas and purchase them at retail with our own funds.