The Best Road Running Shoes of 2021

It took a bit of time for Adidas (and other brands, by the way) to respond to Nike and its carbon propulsion plate shoes which really turned the world of running upside down by introducing an incredible joker. A technology that has proven to be able to significantly improve athlete performance by promoting better propulsion. 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. What differentiates it is its secret weapon: Carbitex, a carbon propulsion plate. This one is spoon-shaped and relatively soft compared to those of 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 being fairly 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 both great grip and durability. Also, the Quickstrike DSP nods provide 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!

The Adidas SolarBoost 3 is, along with the UltraBoost, one of Adidas's most popular models. This new version focuses on delivering a steady and cushioned ride without being a stability shoe.

Like its colleague, the UltraBoost, the SolarBoost is heavy, with over 10.6 oz/300 g on the scale. Its three-piece midsole can explain this: Boost (of course) for cushioning, Control Rail for stability, and Linear Energy Push (LEP) for propulsion. The stack height is high with 32 mm under the heel and 22 mm under the forefoot. The result is medium density cushioning. Its main advantage is to absorb shocks and to be stable. For the rest, the feel is not very responsive. It's a pity because, according to the testers, the cushioning is rather unimpressive at low speed. You have to increase the pace to start enjoying the ride, but at the same time, with its weight, the SolarBoost is not a shoe for tempo runs either.

The upper offers an effective lockdown but is a bit stiff. Ventilation is good, and overlays and reinforcements enhance the engineered mesh structure. Finally, the Stretchweb Continental outsole is sturdy and provides good grip: you'll even be able to stray onto easy dirt roads.

In short, the Adidas SolarBoost is a shoe for athletes looking for adequate cushioning that's neither too soft nor too firm and stable. The shoe doesn't exactly shine, but at the same time, it doesn't disappoint either, and its durability helps justify its somewhat high price tag.

Every year, the Adidas UltraBoost is much anticipated but eventually leads to plenty of mixed reviews. The UB21 is no exception and proposes the same formula: a model halfway between a sneaker and a running shoe that tries to combine style and performance.

The sleek design is an achievement on its own and will please runners who like good-looking shoes on their feet. The Primeknit upper and its bootie conception offer great comfort and impeccable foot lockdown, according to the testers. It's both breathable and stretchy for a precise and adaptive fit. Also, the Primeblue material uses 50% of recycled plastic from the oceans. The UB21 also marks the midfoot plastic cage's return that many runners decried in the past on previous versions. However, luckily it's barely noticeable this time.

Then, the cushioning shifts gear with a heel stack height of 31 mm instead of 27 mm the year before. Adidas announces 6% more Boost, and it shows: the small white TPU granules give a massive sole, especially in the heel area. Another significant change, the Linear Energy Push plastic plate, replaces the Torsion System of the previous models. It gives structure to the platform for better stability and a snappier toe-off. However, in practice, testers found the cushioning to be firm and clunky, with little bounce, although the shoe does provide a stable ride. The weight doesn't help with 12.3 oz (348 g) (even more than the previous model), limiting its speed ambitions.

Finally, the outsole also boasts a new design and succumbs to the exposed foam trend (only in the center) without limiting durability or grip, both of which are very good.

In summary, unless you're a fan of the UltraBoost collection, there's little reason to opt for the UB21 other than its comfortable lockdown, good shock absorption, and sleek design. Otherwise, the Ultraboost is too heavy and too stiff for an enjoyable ride, even for daily runs.