Adidas Adizero Adios 8 Review (2023): Good Fast Shoes?

Charlène Bertein

Published on 10/17/2023

Consensus

Introduction

The Adidas Adizero Adios is one of the brand’s flagship models with three stripes. It returns this year with its 8th version, still very responsive and even lighter.

Some significant changes have been made to the midsole, but it still retains several attributes that have made it successful. Find out more about the features of the Adios 8 in this review.

Cushioning

The midsole combines a variety of technologies. The forefoot features LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam, coupled with the new LIGHTSTRIKE 2.0 in the heel and midfoot. This is complemented by the optimized ENERGY TORSION ROD 2.0 system, featuring a third rod for an even more responsive bounce.

The shoe’s stack height is 28 mm at the heel and 20 mm at the forefoot. This gives a heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm, ensuring optimal toe-off.

The sole of Adios 8 features two important changes since the last version: the presence of the brand’s new Lightstrike 2.0 foam and an improvement in the Energy Torsion System.

The cushioning on this running shoe is well-balanced as it absorbs shocks perfectly over short and medium distances. However, it may not be comfortable enough for long runs such as marathons.

Adidas launched this model with supportive overlays in the midfoot to reduce lateral movement risk, making it an excellent option for individuals with a neutral gait.

Energy return

The sole of the Adidas Adizero Adios 8 is highly responsive and offers optimal bounce while running. And since it pushes the ground effectively, transitions from heel to toe are seamless.

Moreover, if you’re a runner looking for an alternative to carbon plates in your shoes, this could be a great option!

Foot Lockdown

The thin upper of Adios 8 is in Microfit mesh, with a lighter construction than before, making it fairly well-ventilated. Owing to the Microfit Mesh upper, these running shoes let your feet breathe during exercise, even in summer. Also, you can wear them while running in winter too.

The shape of this super shoe is rather snug; hence, it offers a secure lockdown. While this will suit the majority of runners, it may be a bit narrow and too tight for those with wide feet. Plus, the toe box doesn’t offer much space either.

Lastly, the size is standard compared to other running shoes on the market.

Men’s vs. women’s version

No notable differences exist between the men’s and women’s versions of the Adizero Adios 8, except for size and color.

For women, they are available only in black, while there are two options for men: variations of blue color.

Now, coming to the weight, the incorporation of new technologies in these running shoes has reduced the weight by a few grams compared with the previous versions. So, this new Adizero Adios weighs only 7.2 oz / 205 g in size 42 2/3 for men and 6.5 oz / 185 g in 38 2/3 for women.

Use

The Adidas Adios 8 are shoes designed for fast-paced sessions: with their great traction, energy return, and responsive bounce, they will be a delight to speed enthusiasts. This makes them the ideal choice for 5 km to half-marathon competitions.

Runners can also use Adidas Adios 8 for daily training, such as split or fartlek sessions.

However, this model is not the most comfortable if you simply want to jog every day at a slow pace.

Traction

These running shoes have a Continental rubber outsole, making them gripping on asphalt and even wet surfaces. So, rest assured, you can use them confidently in all weathers.

Moreover, they can also be used on easy trails, provided they are well-maintained and not too muddy.

Quality and Durability

The outsole rubber of this running shoe seems durable enough, as the testers noticed no signs of early wear after the first few miles. The footbed, on the other hand, is a little more fragile.

Overall, we assess that you should be able to run in these shoes for around 300 to 400 miles.

The official retail price is $130, which is pretty attractive for such a responsive model in today’s market.

These running shoes are vegan, and the upper is made from at least 50% recycled materials.

Conclusion

The Adidas Adizero Adios 8 are budget-friendly shoes for those looking for speed, whether in daily training or competition. Also, they are an exciting alternative to models with carbon plates.

Overall, they’re an excellent pick to spare your race shoes from speed training. Therefore, these lightweight trainer shoes are ideal for runners of small to medium stature with good technique to run fast.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use