Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Review (2023: Top Pick for Racing?

Published on: 08/15/2022

The new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is still an elite shoe for marathon paces but it's become more accessible with softer, more stable cushioning.

The Consensus

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Complete Review Analysis

Introduction

And already 3! The years go by, and so do the versions of running shoes. After the rush on carbon-fiber plate shoes, it seems like we’re entering a more moderate era with more versatile configurations.

In the Adios Pro case, runners welcomed the first two versions while lamenting a lack of stability and excessive firmness under the foot compared to the competition.

What does this new version have in store for us? Is it more accessible? Does it improve performance? Read on to find out!

Cushioning

Let’s start with the significant change in the midsole: the forefoot stack height. The German brand increased it to 32.5 mm compared to 31 mm before.

Official race regulations oblige; the stack is the same under the heel with 39 mm. Side note: Athletes who don’t care about racing will turn to the Prime X, and its extremely fun, highly cushioned sole.

A little calculation tells us that, as a result, the heel-to-toe drop of the shoe decreases from 8mm to 6.5 mm. This is not insignificant, and it may surprise some people. Without going to ‘low drop,’ we’re not far either!

Then, we find two layers of the excellent Lightstrike Pro foam that continues to prove its reputation as one of the most technically advanced materials by perfectly combining lightness, bounce, and shock absorption.

Testers note that the underfoot feel is softer but still on the firmer side. They say the shoe is more comfortable for longer distances it’s designed for.

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 also gets a new carbon rods. Adidas has redesigned the EnergyRods upper system to better distribute the pressure of the runner’s weight.

The result is a more homogeneous underfoot feel with less firmness under the heel.

Finally, let’s appreciate the unique design of the sole with its clean cut outs to lighten the shoe without compromising the structure and, therefore, the stability and durability.

Foot lockdown (upper)

The new Adios Pro 3 has a new engineered mesh upper: Celermesh. The Adios Pro 2 had stability issues with the foot rolling, which could lead to ankle fatigue (not ideal for a long distance racing shoe meant to offer a more efficient ride).

To remedy this, the three-stripe brand has made the following changes:

• The medial side now has a layer to stabilize the foot while running. This is a nice touch for people who are a little afraid of this type of super shoe
• The platform is wider

Overall, runners praised a secure lockdown. However, there are still things to improve.

First, the lockdown is less rigid but not to everyone’s taste. Some runners found that it was a bit too soft for their taste. To complicate matters, the Adizero Adios Pro 3 runs a bit long in terms of sizing (you may need to go for half a size lower).

Additionally, the laces are not easy to adjust. Testers complain that finding the correct pressure for a secure and comfortable lockdown is tricky. It’s an important concern as several runners reported blisters because of the stitching in the heel collar, even wearing socks.

As for the rest, this Adidas running shoe is well ventilated and offers enough room in the toe box despite the rigid toe bumber that helps to lock in the foot.

Finally, a little bonus: the shoe uses partly recycled materials to fight against pollution and global warming. However, we don’t know the exact proportion. Moreover, unfortunately, this shoe is not vegan.

Grip and durability

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3’s outsole is almost entirely covered with Continental rubber. This gives optimal grip for safety and stability, even on a wet sidewalk or turns.

It’s one of the highlights of most Adidas shoes, so it’s good to see it here once again.

In addition, this configuration has the merit of being more durable by offering good protection for the rest of the platform. Everything suggests that the Adios Pro 3 is in the upper middle range in terms of durability for carbon plate shoes. However, it’s not as robust as a classic daily trainer.

The ride

The Adios Pro 2 has proven to be a record-breaking competition shoe for Peres Jepchirchir and Kibiwott Kandie, both former world record holders in the women’s and men’s half marathon, respectively.

Athletes who have tried the shoe unanimously note that the Adizero Adios Pro 3 fits the same bill and continues to deliver an impressive energy return. While it leaves the short and medium distances to its sister shoe, the Takumi Sen 8, the Adios Pro 3 is the marathon pace shoe in the Adidas collection.

However, it seems that Adidas has decided to slightly tame the Adios Pro. Indeed, according to the runners who tested the shoe, the ride feels smoother with snappy but less abrupt transitions. According to them, the shoe is more versatile and should appeal to a wider audience. It’s also more suitable than before for slower paces.

However, don’t worry: it still has its explosive bounce and aggressive toe spring!

Conclusion

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro continues to impress and remains neck and neck with the other super shoes of the category. Ultimately, the choice will depend primarily on your preferences.

This Adios Pro 3 is for runners looking for elite race day shoes for long distances that offer an explosive yet natural and relatively stable ride. The main downside remains the fit of the upper, but this will fade with mileage as you learn to master the laces.

Facts

Technical Specs

Terrain	Road
Pronation type	Neutral
Drop	6.5 mm
Heel height	39 mm
Forefoot height	32.5 mm
Weight (men)	223 g/7.9 oz
Weight (women)	223 g/7.9 oz
Features	Carbon-fiber plate, Wide feet, Recycled materials, Rocker, Unisex
Athletes	Peres Jepchirchir, Kibiwott Kandie
Release year	2022
Price	Check prices

Cushioning

Softness	Balanced
Responsiveness	High

Technologies

Outsole	Continental
Midsole	Lightstrike Pro, Energy Rods
Upper	Celermesh

Use

Speed	Moderate, Fast
Distance	Mid, Half marathon, Long, Marathon
Workout	Racing

Reference: Adidas's official site

Comparisons – Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 vs.:

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2

The new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is about the same weight/slightly lighter than the previous model (Adios Pro 2). However, its platform is wider, and the stack is higher under the forefoot. So it’s mainly an improvement in terms of technology and smoother transition over the prior version.

Overall, the Adios Pro 3 is more versatile while remaining an incredibly fast shoe.

The other comparisons:

• Adidas Adizero Adios Pro vs. Asics MetaSpeed Sky
• Adidas Adizero Adios Pro vs. Nike Vaporfly
• Adidas Adizero Adios Pro vs. Nike Alphafly
• Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen vs. Adios Pro
• Saucony Endorphin Pro vs. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro

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