When it comes to athletic gear, Adidas remains one of the leading names in the industry, renowned for its innovative designs and reliable performance. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a casual jogger, Adidas offers a variety of running shoes to suit every need.
In this article, we highlight the 7 best Adidas running shoes in 2024, categorized by different uses. Each model has been rigorously tested in our independent lab and through real-world running trials to ensure it earns its spot on this list.
How We Test Running Shoes
At our independent shoe-testing lab, we put every running shoe through a rigorous evaluation process. Here’s how:
- Wear Test: Each shoe is worn for a minimum of 30 miles to assess its real-world performance.
- Lab Analysis: We dedicate 9-13 hours to examining the shoe, performing tests on flexibility, midsole softness, upper durability, and breathability. We even use a custom-built smoke machine to measure airflow!
- Independent Reviews: All shoes are purchased at retail to ensure unbiased results. We do not accept free samples from Adidas or any other brand.
This detailed process ensures our reviews are accurate, reliable, and completely impartial.
Best Overall Adidas Running Shoe: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
stands out as the ultimate running shoe, combining speed, comfort, and durability in one sleek package. Whether you’re chasing a new marathon PR or tackling long training runs, this shoe delivers on every front.
Why It’s the Best:
- Exceptional Cushioning:
- The Lightstrike Pro foam is the heart of this shoe, providing a bouncy yet consistent feel. Lab tests showed it’s 13.3% softer than the average, ensuring comfort without compromising performance.
- Remarkably resilient to temperature changes, the foam hardens only by 9.0% when frozen, compared to the average of 28.4%.
- Explosive Energy Return:
- The carbon rods integrated into the sole create a propulsive ride. These rods outperformed expectations in our bending test, offering 51.5% more resistance than the average shoe.
- Unmatched Grip and Durability:
- Featuring a Continental outsole, this shoe excels in both grip and durability, with tests revealing it is 30.6% softer than standard outsoles, providing better traction even on wet surfaces.
Who Should Avoid It:
Runners looking for a plush, everyday trainer may find this racing-focused shoe less suitable due to its thin 0.9 mm tongue and performance-oriented design.
Pros:
- Supreme stability, even in a racing shoe
- Outstanding energy return and cushioning
- Lightweight and highly responsive
- Excellent for marathon distances
- Impressive breathability
- Superior grip on all surfaces
- Durable outsole, even with extensive use
- Great fit for wide feet
Cons:
- Not ideal for casual, all-purpose running
Are you looking for…
- A versatile trainer for both jogging and style?
- A race-day shoe to maximize your speed?
- A rugged trail shoe for conquering rough terrain?
Stay tuned as we dive into more categories of the best Adidas running shoes to help you find your perfect pair!
Optimized for Performance, Designed for Runners
Every Adidas shoe on this list is built with precision engineering to cater to specific needs. Whether you’re hitting the streets, tracks, or trails, Adidas ensures you’ll have the confidence to perform at your best.
Ready to explore the rest of our top picks? Let us know if you want detailed reviews for other Adidas running shoes tailored to your goals!
Best Adidas daily running shoes
What makes it the best?
In the Supernova Rise, comfort takes center stage, supporting our feet with ample cushioning and ventilation. Plus, it delivers such a stable ride in both our lab tests and runs, earning the top spot as Adidas’ best daily trainer.
Mile after mile, the Dreamstrike+ cushioning consistently delivers a balanced ride. While not the tallest, its 32.5 mm heel dampens impact and gives comfort for long runs. Our durometer reveals a reading of 20.1 HA, around the average, which feels soft yet not overly plush. The platform is protected by Support Rods underneath, to further enhance stability and durability. Together with the undeniable heel bevel and balanced foam, it was easy for us to find our footing and avoid wobbles.
The upper’s design includes abundant ventilation holes, which keep our feet fresh and free from hotspots. Serving their purpose, the shoe earned a remarkable 4/5 rating in our breathability tests, perfect for all-day wear.
However, the forefoot rises to a modest 22.8 mm, which may feel lacking and too steep for mid-to-forefoot strikers, especially during longer distances. Those who prefer a more balanced ride should explore other trainers.
Pros
- Stable ride
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Smooth heel bevel
- Plush, cozy upper
- Breathable and durable
- Finally new PEBA foam
- Excellent value at $140
Cons
- No Continental rubber
- Tongue lacks gusset
- Limited energy return
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 running shoes for 5K/10K races
What makes it the best?
In our runs, the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10 exhibited pure racer energy with its light build, insanely responsive midsole, and extra grippy Continental outsole. It’s designed around saving weight, satisfying our goal to shave off seconds from our PBs. Solid lab results make it our top Adidas shoe for 5-10K races.
TS10 feels undeniably featherweight and our scales confirm a mere 7.1 oz (200g), 32.0% lighter than the average Adidas shoe in our lab. For shorter races, every gram counts and TS10 ensures we’re unburdened. Adding to its lightness is the seamless airflow, which our smoke test confirmed with a perfect breathability rating.
We’re reminded of TS10’s presence on foot through its massive energy return, propelling us forward effortlessly. Diving into the midsole, we discovered Energy Rods 2.0 nestled between two Lightstrike Pro foam layers—the top a plush 13.4 HA for comfort and the bottom a firmer 20.4 HA for stability. We found that the fiberglass rods aren’t as stiff as carbon-plated shoes.
Underfoot, the Continental rubber is aggressively grippy with a durometer reading 35.3% softer than average. We had no issues at all with traction on any surface, yet the soft and merely 1.8 mm thin rubber will disappoint runners who prioritize durability. Those who want long-lasting shoes should invest elsewhere.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Awesome for 5K/10K races
- Responsive Lightstrike Pro midsole
- Breathable engineered mesh
- Loves to go fast
- Awesome for track workouts
- Continental rubber
- Amazing at taking corners
- Recycled materials in the upper
Cons
- Not for heel strikers
- Durability concerns
- Extremely cramped fit
Best comfortable Adidas running shoes
What makes it the best?
Our lab numbers show what we experienced in our runs: the Ultraboost 5 provides the best comfort among Adidas running shoes. From its gentle foam, breathable build, and spacious fit, comfort is at the forefront and we found ourselves reaching for this pair for everyday wear. Plus, it includes the highly-rated Continental outsole!
The Light Boost foam felt pleasantly plush, confirmed by our durometer reading of 17.0 HA. Besides the relief we received underfoot, Ultraboost 5 feels easy to wear because of its fluid midsole. Our bend test proves it’s 34.6% more flexible than the average running shoe.
The soft and stretchy Primeknit upper embraces the top of our foot, which adds to its spacious feel. Checking the toebox reveals it’s wider than average, notably in the 81.8 mm big toe area, accommodating even those with broad feet. The seamless airflow boosts comfort, evidenced by its perfect breathability score in our smoke test.
Underfoot, the Continental outsole displays reliable performance in terms of durability and grip. Despite measuring a soft 69.1 HC, it proved its resistance to wear in our Dremel test by showing an insignificant 0.8 mm dent.
Unfortunately, the midsole lacks responsiveness and we find this shoe suits easy paces best.
Pros
- Enhanced midsole cushioning
- Roomy, comfortable knit upper
- Suitable for daily wear
- Excellent durability
- Optimized for heel strikers
- Superior Continental outsole
- More cushioned than ever before
- Can handle forefoot strikers
- Great for summer
Cons
- Could still be lighter
- Not suitable for fast paces
- Potential for heel slippage
Best Adidas super shoes
Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung
What makes it the best?
The Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung pushes the boundaries with our pace and its construction. Delving deeper into the lab was a true pleasure as we discovered the makings of this masterpiece—featuring a colossal stack height with four distinct densities, dual carbon plates, and a finely constructed outsole. Without a doubt, it’s Adidas’ prime super shoe.
On foot, we knew we had limitless cushioning beneath us that consisted of unique materials with its one-of-a-kind ride. Our caliper confirms a massive, race-illegal 45.7/36.9 mm, the tallest we’ve ever seen in the lab! We had zero ground feel and infinite responsiveness. The midsole features four distinct foams: a dense 24.3 HA for stability, a soft 14.9 HA, and two plush foams at 11.5 HA and 11.0 HA, all working together for exceptional comfort and energy return.
Prime X breaks the standard with two carbon plates: a flat piece for stability and a curved one for higher power output. The ride feels highly springy yet also amazingly stable. Further enhancing solid surefootedness is the grippy 60.4 HC outsole. Our jaws dropped again when it resisted our Dremel with only an insignificant 0.3 mm, truly a standout in our lab!
While Prime X adds so many unique features, it also adds weight. At 10.8 oz (305g), it’s too heavy for racing.
Pros
- Amazing Strung upper
- Impressive durability
- Rule-breaker cushioning
- Integrated dual carbon plates
- Exceptional Continental outsole
- Wonderful for long distance training
- Stability exceeds expectations
- Superior build quality
- Screams innovation
Cons
- Simply too heavy
- Exorbitantly priced at $300
- Less exhilarating than v1
Best budget Adidas running shoes
What makes it the best?
The Adidas Duramo Speed offers exceptional value as a well-cushioned, lightweight daily trainer delivering exceptional ventilation and unexpected durability in our lab and wear tests—rare features often reserved for pricier models. At $90, it’s on the cheaper end of the Adidas running lineup, which averages $139.
Duramo Speed feels much more exciting than other budget-friendly shoes thanks to its Lightstrike foam, with its airiness evidenced by our 21.0 HA durometer measurement. It’s well-cushioned among models in its price range, notably its 26.7 mm forefoot surpassing the 24.9 mm average. Together with the 32.7 mm heel, it matches the brand’s 6-mm drop advertisement, another rare occurrence in our lab!
Duramo Speed maintains a below-average 9.2 oz (261g) build. Its lightness is enhanced further by the excellent airflow delivered by the upper, which keeps our feet cool even in hot conditions. As our smoke test confirms, this shoe deserves a 5/5 breathability rating.
Adidas did not sacrifice durability with this shoe. Our durometer reveals the Adiwear compound is 86.9 HC, 8.1% tougher than average. Even against our Dremel test, Duramo Speed shows a minimal 0.6 mm dent vs. the 0.9 mm average, erasing any doubts about its longevity.
However, its 6-mm drop makes it more suitable for mid-to-forefoot strikers. Those who prefer higher drops because of lower leg issues and heel striking should explore alternatives.
Pros
- Awesome value
- Ideal for midfoot strikers
- Well-cushioned
- Excellent breathability
- Durable outsole
- Lightweight
- Spacious toebox
Cons
- Somewhat limited versatility
- Lacing system
- Suboptimal for heel strikers