Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 Review (2024)

Published on: 01/10/2022

The Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 is a carbon-fiber plate running shoe to go very fast over short/medium distances.

Consensus

Discover the latest version: Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 9

Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 Complete Review Analysis

Introduction

Adidas has decided to beef up its entire collection, and no shoe escapes a significant overhaul. After the Boston 10, which became a maximalist trainer, it’s the turn of the Takumi Sen 8 to see a boost in the stack height (no pun intended). And, with that, you probably guessed it: a carbon plate to make it pop during races!

The results speak for themselves: in 2021, Senbere Teferi crushed the women’s 5K record in 14 min 29 s! The Adidas running shoe was not at its first exploit. Rhonex Kipruto was wearing version 5 when he set the new 10K record with 26 min 43 s.

So ok, these shoes work very well for short distances, at least for elite athletes. But is the Adidas Takumi Sen 8 versatile enough to go beyond that and can it be suitable for amateur runners as well? Keep on reading to find out.

Cushioning

The design with a cut-out on the medial side of the sole is very reminiscent of the Adios Pro super shoe. However, while thick, the Takumi Sen 8’s sole is lower, with 33 mm under the heel and 27 mm under the forefoot.

This configuration is atypical for racing flats (or wanna-be) made for short distances. However, there’s inflation in stack height these days. Ultimately, 33mm is likely to become the new standard for this type of shoe.

The midsole uses Lightstrike Pro foam coupled with Energy Rods, carbon plates that equip the front part of the shoe (see photo below). Unlike the Adios Pro, the TS8 doesn’t have a plate under the heel.

According to the testers, the medial cut lightens the shoe and improves flexibility. The Lightstrike Pro foam provides a comfortable and rather soft cushioning. In terms of bounce, runners note that the plate does give a trampoline effect but it remains moderate.

Finally, let’s note that the platform is rather wide for a racer: these shoes tend to be narrow, but Adidas chose to widen the base, probably to compensate for the high stack.

Please read on below to find out what the ride feels like!

Foot lockdown (upper)

The ultra-thin mesh Celermesh is not unanimously appreciated by runners. Everyone enjoys its ultra-lightweight design (6.8 oz/193 g in size 42, unisex) with 50% recycled materials to reduce plastic waste, but some deplore a lack of structure.

Indeed, it seems that Adidas has preferred to sacrifice a little efficiency in terms of foot support to lighten the shoe to the maximum. The fit is still good (thanks in part to the midfoot reinforcements and snug yet minimal heel counter) but not as good as the Takumi Sen 7, which offered a thicker mesh with a more straightforward design.

Some testers see no problem running in this shoe for a half-marathon race, but several others recommend not going beyond 10 km because of this support issue.

Another problem highlighted during the tests is the thin laces that are difficult to adjust. Not only it’s not easy to put the shoe on (you have to open the upper well) but the laces are also not very practical. There are many holes and you have to tighten them to keep the foot in place. Unfortunately, such a tightening may not be very comfortable during long runs.

Finally, the shoe offers a good volume for a racing shoe, which should reassure runners with wide feet.

Grip and durability

Adidas has a reputation for providing impeccable outsoles, especially with the use of Continental rubber.

The Takumi Sen 8 comes with three types of rubber perfectly positioned to maximize durability and grip, even on wet surfaces.

The testers didn’t notice any wear issues, which is pretty rare for an ultra-lightweight running shoe like this one. So that’s a very good point, especially considering the “reasonable” price of the TS8 compared to other carbon shoes.

The Ride

As with the fit of the upper, the running feel received mixed reviews. Let’s start with the highlights: the Lightstrike Pro + EnergyRods combo delivers very comfortable, soft cushioning with a slight bounce.

The trampoline effect is not as dramatic as other carbon shoes like the Nike Vaporfly, but it may appeal to runners looking for a carbon shoe with a more traditional ride.

Testers note that the Energy Rods feel good under the forefoot and give a good boost when pushing off the ground. However, they note that you need faster speeds to activate them. The propulsion is not as effective at slow speeds (it can even feel pushy).

Finally, according to some runners, the thin, flexible upper combined with the high-stack cut platform can cause stability issues. This contributes to confine the TS8 to relatively short distances such as 5K or 10K.

Conclusion

With the decision to turn the Takumi Sen into a carbon plate racer, Adidas has turned this iconic model into a specialist shoe at the risk of losing versatility.

Let’s be clear: the TS8 is a very good shoe that offers excellent value for money given the ingenuity, style and quality of its design. However, its slight lack of stability and hard to adjust fit make it primarily relevant for short runs to allow it to reveal its full potential.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use

Reference: Adidas’ official site

Comparisons

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2

The Adios Pro 2 has a higher stack and has the half marathon and marathon in sight. Check out the full comparison side by side.

Adidas Adizero Adios 6

The Adios 6 is more of a daily trainer and as such is more versatile but not as responsive. Read our full comparison analysis to know more.

Nike ZoomX Streakfly

Both shoes are direct competitors for shorter races. However, the Streakfly is softer, more comfortable overall, but not as responsive. Read the full comparison here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)