Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 Review Analysis (2022)
Last update: April 2024
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 is a very good carbon-plated running shoe that offers a comfortable and versatile configuration for mid to long distances.
The Consensus
Check out the latest release: Adidas Adios Pro 3!
The German brand’s flagship carbon shoe returns with an ambitious second version featuring a new design. The sole is cut out on the medial side, which creates a segmentation between the forefoot and the heel. According to testers, it doesn’t change much; at worst, it can impact stability and the smoothness of the transitions.
The Adios Pro 2 midsole combines Lightstrike Pro foam with a carbon plate at the rear and Energy Rods at the front. The result is impressive and provides a smooth and bouncy ride. Adidas distinguishes itself from the competition with more classic propulsion, without the thunderous trampoline effect of the Nike Vaporfly or the Asics MetaSpeed Sky. It’s a matter of preference, but this configuration may be more accessible to novice runners looking to dabble with their first carbon-fiber plate shoe. Plus, it makes the Adios Pro 2 more versatile to be comfortable at any pace.
The new upper with its Celermesh 2.0 is snugger and less spacious than the first version. However, runners note that the Adizero Adios Pro 2 runs a bit long for some, and the laces are difficult to adjust. In some cases, combined with the new cut-out design of the sole, it can affect stability and comfort over long distances.
Overall, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 remains one of the best carbon ‘super shoes’ on the market with its accessible configuration combining comfort and performance. It will appeal to any Adidas fan looking for a cutting-edge race day shoe to set a new Personal Best.
Read our full review of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 for more information.
- Great comfort
- Cushioning is as effective and versatile as ever
- Smooth transitions
- Better fitting upper for a more targeted lockdown
- Good durability for this type of shoe
- Some testers note some stability and lockdown issues
- A little heavier than its direct competitors (about 1 oz/30 g)
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 Complete Review Analysis
Introduction
While most brands have preferred to rest on their laurels and only make small changes to their flagship carbon plate shoes (e.g., Nike Vaporfly 2, Saucony Endorphin Pro 2), Adidas dared to make significant changes to its Adizero Adios Pro!
What strikes you right away is the segmented medial side that is reminiscent of Nike’s Alphafly. This ambitious design comes with a wider platform to address the slight stability issues of the original version.
It was a risky move as the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro has established itself as one of the leaders in this highly competitive category once entirely dominated by Nike. Of course, the performance of Kibiwott Kandie and Peres Jepchirchir at the half marathon (both set new world records, for the male and female categories, respectively) has helped to demonstrate the tremendous potential of this shoe.
Moreover, if you watched the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, it was impossible to miss these Adidas running shoes on the feet of the best athletes, including new Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir.
So what did the runners who tested version 2 of this Formula 1 think? We’ve analyzed the reviews from runners of different levels to help you decide if this carbon-fiber plate shoe is right for you. Let’s go!
Cushioning
Lightstrike Pro foam, carbon-fiber plate, Energy Rods (carbon rods), non-removable insole
As we mentioned, the new Adizero Adios Pro 2 midsole features a cut-out design on the medial side. Honestly, we’re not sure what it’s for, and it has confused many runners: they find it makes an awkward separation between the heel and the forefoot. However, this opinion can vary depending on your striking pattern. Runners with a midfoot/forefoot strike didn’t seem to complain about it.
Three of the five carbon-fiber rods (Energy Rods) are exposed under the midsole. Embedded in the two layers of Lightstrike Pro foam, they complement the plate in the rear. According to testers, this design offers a great flexible toe spring for an even smoother run compared to competing models that tend to favor a sudden forward motion, as we’ll see later.
The high stack of Adizero Adios Pro 2 reaches 39.5 mm under the heel. The increased 10 mm drop gives a height of 29.5 mm under the toes. This configuration is in line with official regulations from World Athletics (formerly IAAF), the international athletics federation, which limits the height of the platform so as not to give an unfair advantage to some athletes.
Runners have found the underfoot feel to be soft but with a touch of firmness. Thus, shock absorption is effective without the platform feeling overly soft. Lightstrike Pro is a low-density foam, the opposite of competing technologies that rely on Pebax (such as ZoomX).
The weight remains stable at 227 g/8 oz. We had hoped that this new Adizero Adios Pro 2 would be lighter and align with its competitors (all under the 7 oz mark), but we’ll have to wait another year.
On the other hand, note that the platform is wider both under the heel and forefoot. Indeed, the heel was particularly narrow on the first version, which gave an impression of instability to some runners. This new configuration is an improvement on this front, even if the foot lockdown may seem a little imprecise, as we will see in the next section.
Foot lockdown (upper)
Celermesh 2.0 with internal reinforcements
The upper and the foot lockdown it offers is the main point of contention among testers. The reviews differ.
Already, the Adizero Adios Pro 2 runs a bit long for some people, which is not ideal for finding a snug lockdown. This varies from athlete to athlete, so it’s really best to try the Adios Pro 2 to be sure.
As for the rest, the Celermersh 2.0 with inner overlays is thin and translucent. However, despite these, the mesh has little structure and remains soft. Adidas also tweaked the upper volume to reduce space and improve the shoe’s fit around the foot. As a result, the heel fits more precisely to prevent heel slippage. The midfoot, and toe box are also better adjusted. Don’t worry though: the toe box is still ample enough for wide feet.
Bonus: without reaching the carbon neutrality of the Brooks Ghost 14, the upper of the Adios Pro 2 uses some partially recycled polyester.
Overall, the Adizero Adios Pro 2 is more comfortable: the extra perforations provide better airflow, and the semi-rigid heel counter (heel cup) is more cushioned.
So, as we mentioned, despite these improvements, some testers still found the foot lockdown a little imprecise, especially since the laces are not easy to adjust. The jury is still out…
Grip and durability
Continental Rubber
The Continental rubber outsole changes little, and that’s for the best: this configuration is very resistant, which gives the shoe good durability.
The rubber covers mainly the forefoot and the heel in the form of two strips. The central part consists of a flex groove with Lightstrike Pro exposed midsole foam.
Also, despite its smooth texture, this unique outsole offers a very good grip on the road, even in rainy weather.
The only exception is, like for many road shoes, trails: the Adizero Adios Pro 2 is really not meant to stray from the pavement. And at the same time, it’s not expected to: one would not take their hypothetical Lamborghini in the mud!
The Ride
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 is a racing shoe. Its relatively soft Lightstrike Pro foam and carbon plates provide comfortable and smooth cushioning at faster paces. The sole design features a rocker to promote quick heel-to-toe transitions.
Testers were very impressed with the energy-filled ride offered by the Adizero Adios Pro 2. Indeed, it provides a high and impressive bounce but without being as explosive and spectacular as, say, Nike’s Vaporfly or Asics’ MetaSpeed Sky. Thus, they note a more natural forward motion.
This more traditional ride makes this shoe more versatile. The testers noted that it’s possible to run at slower paces, even if it’s not its ideal cruising speed.
However, as mentioned above, a minority of people found that the shoe’s new cut-out design could come in the way of the smooth ride.
Overall, testers found the Adidas Adios Pro 2 ideal for medium to long distances. Comfort and performance are also there for the full marathon distance, as long as you can get the fit right for a flawless secure lockdown.
Conclusion
Trust us: analyzing shoe reviews is never easy, but a consensus emerges most of the time. In the Adizero Adios Pro 2, the reviews are not as unanimous as with the first. Sure, the better lockdown and the midsole cushioning perfectly combine comfort and energy return to improve performance. But the new almost segmented sole design and the difficulty to find the perfect lockdown may limit the potential of this shoe.
In any case, this v2 of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro remains a very good elite shoe. What’s more, its more natural ride makes it a more accessible carbon shoe than other shoes that are reserved exclusively for racing.
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Heel stack height | 39 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 31 mm |
| Features | Carbon plate, Rocker |
| Athletes | Kibiwott Kandie, Peres Jepchirchir |
| Weight (men) | 227 g/8 oz |
| Weight (women) | 227 g/8 oz |
| Release year | 2021 |
Cushioning
| Softness (1-5) | 4 – Soft |
| Bounce (1-5) | 5 – Very bouncy |
Technologies
| Outsole | Continental |
| Midsole | Energy Rods, Lightstrike Pro |
| Upper | Celermesh 2.0 |
Use
| Speed | Moderate, fast |
| Distance | 10K, mid, long, half marathon, marathon |
| Workout | Competition |
Did you know?
Since 2017, we have analyzed hundreds of road running shoes and every month thousands of runners trust us to find the perfect pair!
Discover our 2021 road selection here.
Comparisons – Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 vs.:
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro (v1)
Overall, this new version is an improvement with its snugger upper that offers a better lockdown. However, the new cut-out sole design and the shoe running a bit long (depending on the runners) may decrease stability in some cases.
Otherwise, the cushioning and the ride remain very similar: effective and comfortable. Also, runners who have tried the Adizero Adios Pro 2 note that it’s more versatile than before, making it better suited than last year’s model to run at slower speeds on a training run.
Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next 2
See the side-by-side comparison with our reviews.
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next
See the side-by-side comparison with our reviews.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 2
See the side-by-side comparison with our reviews.
Asics MetaSpeed Sky
See the side-by-side comparison with our reviews.
Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8
The Takumi Sen also has carbon plates but comes with a lower stack. It’s a specialist shoe to dominate shorter distances like the 5K. Check out the side-by-side comparison.
New Balance RC Elite 2
Coming soon!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It runs true to size overall. However, some testers note that it may fit a bit too long and call for a half size down. Ideally, it’s best to try it on in-store to avoid any surprises.
Testers note that the best distance for the Adios Pro 2 is the half marathon. However, the marathon is definitely within reach as long as you find the shoe comfortable and safe on your long runs. After all, Peres Jepchirchir became the marathon Olympic champion with these shoes!
