Adidas Adizero Pro Review Analysis (2021)
Last update: March 2023
The first shoe of the brand to feature a carbon plate, the Adidas Adizero Pro, is a very good, comfortable, and solid model to run fast.
The Consensus
Adidas’ answer is called the Adizero Pro, and the wait was worthwhile. It’s lightweight and at the same time a little heavier than its direct competitors, with 235 g (8.3 oz) for men and 218 g (7.7 oz) for women. At first glance, the shoe looks a lot like the Adizero Adios 5 but much more streamlined. The cushioning configuration is very similar as it uses the Boost and Lightstrike foams.
Its secret weapon is differentiating it: Carbitex, a carbon propulsion plate. This one is spoon-shaped and relatively soft compared to its competitors (like the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% or the Saucony Endorphin Pro). This allows a greater range of motion, especially in the forefoot area, for a more springy ride during toe-off. Testers were impressed with the effectiveness of this configuration. According to them, the shoe is great for any distance by allowing for a more fluid ride, as long as you pick up the pace. Furthermore, the sole has a generous stack height while reasonably firm, which gives better stability.
Next, the one-piece Celermesh upper is elegant and very comfortable. It’s very similar to the Adizero Adios’ upper but thinner. The lockdown is well adjusted while providing enough room for the toes.
Finally, let’s take a moment to appreciate the effectiveness of the outsole. It is an element that goes a little unnoticed on road shoes (unlike trail shoes), but here, the Continental and Adiwear rubbers provide excellent grip and durability. Also, the Quickstrike DSP nods offer better traction on slippery surfaces such as athletic tracks. The result is impressive and should allow you to keep the Adizero Pro longer than a traditional carbon plate competition shoe.
In summary, the Adidas Adizero Pro is a very good running shoe with a carbon plate for speed. Its cushioning and sturdy construction makes it suitable for all types of training – as long as you go fast!
- Great comfort
- The firm, springy and stable cushioning
- Efficient Carbitex carbon plate to facilitate better propulsion at faster paces
- A robust shoe for this type of shoe (racing with carbon plate)
- Great upper that offers a discreet and effective foot lockdown
- A shoe designed primarily for speed and therefore not very suitable for slow runs (e.g., easy training, recovery sessions)
- Slightly high weight for a shoe of this type (the Nike Vaporfly Next% is less than 200 g / 7 oz in comparison)
Technologies
Outsole
- First of all, the Continental technology equips the outsole of the Adidas Adizero Pro. This is a highly abrasion-resistant rubber used in bicycle and car tires. This configuration ensures effective grip on city and country roads even in rainy weather to prevent accidental slipping.
- In addition, Quickstripe DSP consists of stripes under the heel to heighten traction, especially if you plan to run on tracks. These grooves also allow greater flexibility of movement.
- Finally, there is also Adiwear under the heel, a hard rubber that aims to increase the durability of the shoe.
Midsole
- The midsole uses the Boost cushioning technology. It consists of a multitude of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) pellets welded together to support the foot during running. Its purpose is to provide maximum impact absorption during the run for optimal comfort. Besides, this configuration promises a springy ride thanks to its natural bounce.
- Also, Lightstrike is a lightweight foam that completes Boost to improve cushioning responsiveness.
- Last but not least, the Adidas Adizero Pro is the first shoe of the German brand to feature a carbon propulsion plate. The one created for the occasion is named Carbitex and translates into a multidirectional and flexible carbon plate to guide the runner to a smooth and stable run. This technology aims to maximize the running economy to run as fast as possible with less efforts. First imagined by Nike, this type of technology is so effective that for a while there were talks of banning it from official competitions.
Upper
- The upper of the Adidas Adizero Pro features the Celermesh technology, Adidas’ thinnest mesh to date, which offers a strict foot lockdown designed specifically for speed.
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Heel stack height | 32 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 22 mm |
| Features | Carbon plate |
| Weight (men) | 235 g/8.3 oz |
| Weight (women) | 218 g/7.7 oz |
| Release year | 2020 |
Technologies
| Outsole | Continental, Quickstripe DSP, Adiwear |
| Midsole | Boost, Lightstrike, Carbitex |
| Upper | Celermesh |
Reference: Adidas
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Comparisons – Adidas Adizero Pro vs.:
Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT%
This Nike model has a much more generous cushioning with a 4 cm thick sole under the heel (!) and is more forgiving due to the soft ZoomX foam. The result is, therefore, less stable while offering incredible comfort. Also, the design of the Vaporfly is more ambitious and much lighter. The cushioning of the Adizero Pro is less impressive but more stable because it is firmer and closer to the ground. Moreover, the durability seems better on the Adidas model. So it’s up to you to decide mainly depending on your preferences.
Saucony Endorphin Pro
Both shoes have about the same weight, but the Saucony Endorphin Pro has a thicker sole and softer cushioning. It’s a matter of preference here. Runners who like a firm, responsive cushioning will turn to the Adizero Pro, while runners who prefer a softer sole will choose the Saucony Endorphin Pro.
Adidas Adizero Adios 5
Simply put, the Adizero Pro is the Adios 5 with a thicker sole, a carbon plate, and a thinner upper. The first one is mainly made for racing, while the second is more versatile and thus better adapted to easier runs. The price difference is not negligible either: count $50 more for the Adizero Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This running shoe follows a regular sizing chart. Runners who have tried it on confirm that it is true to size. So you can order your usual size for running sneakers. However, if this is your first pair of Adidas, it is advisable to go to the store to make sure you choose the most comfortable size.
This model is a neutral running shoe. It’s designed to suit all runners regardless of their pronation type. It doesn’t feature stability features to correct the stride and prevent overpronation. In any case, let’s note that models for overpronation are no more effective than neutral shoes in avoiding injury. We, therefore, recommend that you choose your running shoes according to their comfort, the most critical criterion. In other words, you can use this model independently from your pronation, as long as it is comfortable.
Only one study so far has looked at the correlation between weight, risk of injury, and shoe stack height. According to the findings of this study, minimalist footwear can increase the risk of injury for athletes weighing more than 71 kilograms (157 pounds). Other than that, there is no advice for different categories of running shoes. Stores often recommend highly cushioning shoes for heavy runners, but that doesn’t mean they are necessarily more comfortable. Besides, a sole can be thick and firm at the same time. In the case of the Adizero Pro, the shoe offers a moderately thick sole and should, therefore, be suitable for all athletes regardless of their weight.
This Adidas road shoe is versatile and robust enough to suit all distances, whether 5K, half marathon or marathon. However, its carbon plate makes it suitable above all for relatively fast paces for optimal comfort. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use it for quiet runs, but you’ll get the most out of it by going fast.
