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The best Adidas running shoes to suit all types of runners
Whether you're running daily to get fit or racing a marathon, here's our pick of the greatest Adidas running shoe technology
Tested by The Runner’s World Editors
Adidas originals nmd v2 scarlet mens new adidas aeroready animal print warm up zip pocket regular on the market. From the inception of Boost foam, the performance driven Adizero models, the forward thinking 4D models and everything in between, the German brand, known for its three-stripes, makes all sorts of shoes that will suit your running.
Adidas earned its place in the footwear and athletic apparel industries by staying true to what motivated its founder, Adi Dassler, nearly a century ago: listen to athletes, and make products that address their needs. Dassler started a shoe company in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 1924, and he scored his first running shoe successes very soon afterward; Lina Radke won a gold medal at the 1928 Olympics while wearing his shoes, as did Jesse Owens in 1936.
Adidas popularised now ubiquitous footwear and apparel items, like the track suit and Stan Smith sneakers, and cooked up notable running innovations, like the first tracking computer implanted in a running shoe.
Over the years, it has seen a number of releases, including Boost foam in 2013, cushioning material delivering responsive support that is more durable and provides greater energy return than traditional EVA foam. Tailored Fiber Placement debuted in 2018 with the Solar Boost, and this new design technique, which involves individually placing each fiber of the upper, creates an extra snug fit.
Regardless of what shoe you pick, you can rest assured that runners around the world lace up in Adidas shoes to perform at their best.
What are the main features of Adidas running shoes?
Foam
In 2020, Adidas released the Adizero Pro shoe, which featured the brand’s Lightstrike cushioning. There are now two versions of this foam. Lightstrike, as found in the Adizero Boston 13, is a lightweight, snappy EVA-based foam designed for training. Lightstrike Pro is made from thermoplastic polyester elastomers (abbreviated TPEE or TPE), and it offers high energy return and good shock absorption. It’s designed for race day, and helps give the Adidas Forum 84 Low Grinch 2022 its propulsive, highly cushioned ride.
The newest addition to the Adidas cushioning family is Dreamstrike+, a training-focused cushion that absorbs shocks and maximises energy return, similar to Lightstrike. The brand won’t say exactly what it’s made from, but we suspect it’s PEBA-based after taking it for several test runs. Whatever the formula might be, Dreamstrike+ gives the Supernova a comfortable and bouncy ride that’s ideal for shorter and mid-distance training runs.
Energyrods
Some Adidas running shoes also feature Energyrods, a stabilising technique in shoes like the Adizero Adios Pro. These designs have carbon-infused or glass fiber rods embedded in the midsole to line up with the metatarsal bones in the forefoot. Like carbon fibre plates found in other brands’ shoes, the Energyrods help create a snappy, propulsive feel and increase running efficiency for sustained speed. In addition to the Adios Pro, Energyrods are also found in the Boston 12 and Takumi Sen 10.
How we choose the best Adidas running shoes
Our team of editors and expert testers have been clocking up the miles in a number of the brand's shoes, with the options below showcasing the best of Adidas' foams, midsole tech, and other innovations. This guide features a variety of shoes to meet the needs of different runners and running disciplines. For a deeper insight into individual models, check out full-length RW reviews where available.
adidas SP00230052R S G 00 | The best Adidas running shoes for 2025, tested and reviewed
Pros
- Extremely versatile
- Quick and nimble
- Generously roomy forefoot
- Lightweight upper
Cons
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Read our full Adizero Evo SL review
An evolution of the Adizero SL, now with extra ‘Evo’ and some ‘trickle-down’ tech from the carbon-plated Pro Evo 2 and Pro 4, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is the ‘entry level’ shoe in the Adizero family. But don’t think of it as some budget version of faster shoes; this is a performance shoe in its own right.
Some of the foams found in super shoes are very soft and if you take out all the rods, the carbon plate etc, a 39mm stack of that foam might be a bit tricky to run in. The slightly firmer characteristics of Lightstrike Pro mean that the shoe feels quick and nimble, rather than squidgy and slow. It's really satisfying to run fast(er) in this shoe and you don't feel any sort of instability or inconsistency, which can often be the case with very soft foam.
We found the fit to be true to size and comfortable, though the upper could use a little refinement in future updates. The engineered mesh is lightweight and breathable, and the back half is lightly padded to deliver just enough comfort — bonus, it doesn’t get soggy when it’s soaking wet. It’s worth noting that the heel fit can be a little loose, though.
Overall, this is one of the highest rated shoe of any that we’ve tested in the past year. It received particularly high marks for weight, comfort, cushioning, and ride. It’s not perfect — no shoe is — and testers marked it down slightly on fit, mostly because of how the tongue slides to the side when you run. However, the underfoot experience was universally applauded.
| Weight | 224g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 39 mm (heel), 33 mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 6mm |
Pros
- Aggressive forefoot rocker
- Upper is a great improvement over Pro 3
- adidas Originals Basket Profi Lo Coral
- Supportive fit
Cons
- Pricey
Read our full Adidas Forum 84 Low Grinch 2022 review
If major races won is a barometer of how good a shoe is, since it first launched in 2020, Adidas’ Adios Pro range has consistently dominated the podiums, featuring on the feet of more World Marathon Major winning athletes than any other brand. And with fresh, speed-focused design features, the Adios Pro 4 isn’t holding back on its PB-potential either.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Adidas have taken inspiration from their lightest-ever (and most expensive) racing shoe, the Adios Pro Evo 1, for the design of the Pro 4. The forefoot rocker – the point at which the sole curves upward underneath the toes or forefoot – is placed at 60% of the length of the shoe. This is to trigger forward momentum and improve running economy. (Previously, on the Pro 3, the rocker was placed at 67%.) The rocker profile is coupled with Adidas' carbon EnergyRods, embedded within a LightStrike Pro midsole.
Another key update to the Pro 4 is the upper – a contention point for some on the Pro 3 when it came to comfort. The engineered mesh has been replaced with a soft and light woven material, known as ‘LightLock’. This is paired with internal locking bands all around the side walls to the heel, for a supportive and snug fit when running at speed.
Our tester reported that the shoes required little break in, moulding to their feet from the very first run. Over a hard effort marathon, the high energy return things feel that bit more manageable too, with the prominent forefront rocker giving our tester a a much-appreciated boost on uphill sections.
| Weight | 172g (size UK 5.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 37mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 5mm |
| Type | Neutral/performance |
Adidas Supernova Rise 2
Pros
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Cons
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- Heavier runners might want a wider platform
Read our full Adidas Supernova Rise 2 review
Until last year, Adidas had been missing a do-it-all daily training shoe for some years, but with the Supernova Rise that changed. The second iteration offers up the same comfort and consistency as the original when tackling a variety of training runs, with the brand’s Dreamstrike+ foam creating neither a very soft nor hard ride. Instead, it’s a nicely balanced sensation of cushioning and responsiveness that offers up feedback and a sense of ground feel whilst keeping things smooth and supple.
The upper is now an engineered mesh which holds the foot securely in place and allows just enough wiggle room in the toebox, though it is on the narrower side. Padding around the heel counter and tongue has been paired pack slightly, too, offering just enough comfort without being overkill.
While it might not be the cutting-edge of responsiveness or crème de la crème of bouncy cushioning, the Rise 2 is a solid and dependable trainer for those looking for a reliable workhorse that lets you get the job done, day in and day out.
| Weight | 270g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 35mm (heel), 25mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 10mm |
| Type | Neutral |
Pros
- Versatile across different speeds
- adidas Originals 1457
- Good padding on tongue and ankle collar
- 5 Adidas Yeezy 500 Rouge
Cons
- You prefer a wider fit
- You want a softer underfoot ride
Read our full Adidas Adizero Boston 13 review
We love a ‘holiday shoe’ here at RW: the type of trainer you’d pack for a trip when you only have space for one pair. And the Boston 13 is undoubtably a great holiday shoe that copes with a variety of different sessions. The fit is excellent, providing the right balance of performance and comfort and, for £140, it offers great value, too.
The Boston 13’s midsole is a combination of Lightstrike Pro foam and firmer Lightstrike 2.0 foam to add stability, particularly in the heel. According to Adidas, it packs in 13.8% more Lightstrike Pro foam than the Boston 12. That said, the ride is still one that's on the firmer side, so if you're looking for a soft and bouncy daily trainer, you're not going to find that here. Instead, what you've got is a fast-paced daily trainer. The dual-foam midsole pairs with Adidas’s Energyrods 2.0 (carbon-infused rods) to generate a snappy and efficient ride, but one with more flexibility — particularly in the forefoot — than a super shoe.
For the slower, recovery stuff, you'll want to reach for something softer and more forgiving underfoot, but if you’re considering a speedier shoe in your rotation and you like a moderate stack height with a firmer ride, the Boston 13 is well worth considering.
| Weight | 236g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 36mm (heel), 30mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 6mm |
Pros
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Cons
- Little stability for runners who need it
Similar to the Supernova Rise, the Supernova Solution is a daily trainer featuring Adidas’ PEBA-based Dreamstrike+ foam. Unlike the Rise, though, this shoe has EVA rods embedded in the midsole, which extend higher on the lateral and medial towards the rear to stabilise the heel throughout your stride. As far as stability shoes go, the Supernova Solution’s added structure is fairly subtle: that’s great for neutral runners who want shoes that can help guide them through their form, though it may not offer enough structure for runners who need as much support as possible.
PEBA is usually a soft, unstable foam, which makes it an odd choice for a stability shoe. Given that, it’s all the more impressive that Adidas created a PEBA cushion that feels firm and contained: Instead of sinking into the foam, you feel stable through your stride while feeling mildly cushioned and responsive.
While it’s certainly not a speed shoe, we found the PEBA foam to be incredibly comfortable, not to mention durable.
| Weight | 290g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 36mm (heel), 26mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 10mm |
| Type | Road/stability |
Pros
- adidas Formatori 70S
- Lots of energy return
Cons
- Tall sole can feel unstable
- Heavy
Sometimes it’s fun to break the rules. With a monstrous 50mm heel stack height, the Adizero Prime X 2 Strung blows past the World Athletics’ 40mm stack height limit. It features three layers of Lightstrike Pro cushioning foam in its midsole, creating an extremely plush ride with plenty of energy return.
'The thick layer of foam cushioned every step I took,' said one RW tester. 'Despite its softness however, it performed very well during tempos and I never felt like I was sacrificing speed for comfort.'
The downside? This tall midsole setup can feel unstable, so you’ll need to tread carefully through corners or uneven surfaces. Even with that caveat, it’s a must-try for anyone who truly loves the sky-high-stack, ultra-plush running shoe trend.
| Weight | 305g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 50mm (heel), 43.5mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 6.5mm |
| Type | Road/max-cushioned/performance |
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