The Best Adidas Shoes For Every Run: Super Shoes To Daily Trainers

By Sportitude

Published on Dec 23, 2024

11 min read

The innovation and reliability of Adidas running shoes stands the test of time - from topping the podium with the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 to gearing up recreational runners in the max cushioned comfort of the Adidas Supernova Prima.

The German born brand Adidas proves that performance shouldn’t be reserved for the pros, with affordable favourites showcasing the bold 3-Stripes with uncompromising quality. Many Adidas running shoes are also making the move towards using more sustainable materials with a partly recycled content.

This thriving running shoe brand completes your shoe rotation – whether you need a stand-alone daily trainer, speedwork shoe or race day speedster.

The Adidas Adizero family has a running shoe to cover every goal and every distance from your next 5K parkrun to your fifth marathon. They focus on the joy of running at speed, with PB-friendly tech, most notably the bouncy Lightstrike foam, race-ready Lightstrike Pro foam and propulsive ENERGYRODS.

But this isn’t the only reason Adidas should be on your radar. Beyond the Adizero lineup is a comfort-oriented range including the Adidas Supernova Prima with luxurious and shock-absorbing Dreamstrike+ cushioning for your everyday training. There's also Adidas recovery slides to kick back and relax after every run.

If you’re wondering how good are Adidas running shoes, discover what sets them apart from the pack with Sportitude's overview on our top 5 favourites for the road and a bonus look at the Adidas Adissage slides, an essential ride to support your recovery.

Which Adidas running shoes have a carbon plate?

For speed seekers, a carbon plate can improve your running efficiency, preserving energy. The Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung features 2 carbon infused plates to reduce fatigue while enhancing propulsion.

ENERGYRODS are Adidas' key solution to support runners seeking the stabilising, spring-loaded feel of carbon fibre plates or glass-infused rods in their performance running shoes.

Embedded in the midsole, ENERGYRODS deliver sustainable speed to unlock a new PB in fast Adidas shoes like the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 and Adidas Adizero Boston 12. The rigid structure of ENERGYRODS follows the skeletal anatomy of your feet, boosting energy return by working with your biomechanics and performance foams like Lightstrike Pro. The result is a fun and potentially record-breaking ride.

1. Best Adidas Super Shoe For Marathon & Race Day: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

For a bouncy feel and soft compression on race day, it’s hard to look past the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 racing shoes. This marathon-ready ride fits the criteria of a super shoe with its carbon-infused ENERGYRODS 2.0, thick protection and speed-driven engineering.

The Celermesh upper stays honest to its predecessor – providing the airy, lightweight and secure wrap that helps the race day shoe ‘disappear’ off your feet, allowing you to focus on the kilometres ahead.

With full-length ENERGYRODS 2.0 – Adidas’ alternative to a carbon plate – it provides a consistent, propulsive feel to make easier work of longer distances and a snappy sensation on toe-off. Again and again, it’s proven to be a podium-topping design on the marathon scene.

In the third evolution Adidas bolstered the forefoot foam, Lightstrike Pro, for an ultra-springy ride. The midsole cutouts shed non-essential weight to complement the fast feel and efficient ride.

Of course, at speeds like this you need reliable, distraction-free traction. Adidas doesn’t disappoint with their Continental and Textile Rubber outsole that boosts durability so you can run confidently knowing it can handle marathon distances without a concern.

With a 39.5mm stack height, it sits just under the 40mm stack height limit set by World Athletics, making it race-legal. Any PB or world records for that matter that are made in this Adidas running shoe are official.

With the launch of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, it’s an ideal time to snap up a bargain of the popular, record-breaking Adidas Adios Pro 3 at a reduced price point.

Features

Support: Neutral
Running Pace: Competition/Race
Sustainability: At least 50% recycled content in upper
Upper: Celermesh - Mesh
Midsole: Adidas Lightstrike Pro, ENERGYRODS 2.0
Outsole: Continental+ Textile rubber
Heel Height: 39.5mm
Forefoot Height: 33mm
Drop: 6.5mm
Weight (Women's): 195g / 6.9oz (US 8)
Weight (Men's): 215g / 7.6 oz (US 9)

2. Best Adidas Max Cushioned Super Trainers: Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung

With a 50mm stack height, the Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung are smooth, max cushioned super trainers with the versatility for long distances and speed training. This ultra-thick, ultra-luxurious cushioning puts it out of the running to be race legal for elite runners (with a 40mm stack height the limit according to World Athletics regulations) - but that doesn't stop the rest of us.

This isn’t a shoe that conforms to limits. Instead, it breaks boundaries. Referring to it as “illegally fast”, Adidas lean into the fact that this running shoe is a rule breaker.

It provides pure comfort at racing speeds while offering a fun, energy-returning ride for training. If you’re a runner that loves to push for more distance, supported by a slab of innovative tech, it’s not one to miss.

The Strung upper lives true to this philosophy of comfort, with an intuitive layering system that offers key zones of support, stretch and reinforcement around the high-stress zones of the heel and forefoot. A performance fit provides that race-ready feel and the breathable materials allow cool air to flow. The feel around the heel counter and collar is plush and protected for comfort that is marathon-ready. The risk of heel slippage is also reduced with lace eyelets at the very top allowing for a secure lockdown.

What sets it apart from the pack is the three layers of Lightstrike Pro foam in the midsole, ensuring it surpasses all other Adidas running shoes in height. Wedged between two foam layers is the bouncy Energy Core that creates a snappy, propulsive feel through the midfoot and forefoot. Two full-length carbon infused plates ensure responsiveness despite the robust nature of this Adidas running shoe – and again, reinforce it as being proudly race illegal, with only one carbon plate allowed by World Athletics for elite runners.

With a super trainer this incredibly plush, stability must be considered in all aspects of the engineering. Adidas’ choice to put the Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung on a broad platform is a non-negotiable feature. As you shift the pace up a gear in this running shoe, this towering above-the-world feeling dissipates as you float smoothly into your stride, accompanied by the forefoot rocker geometry for an effortless feel.

The tacky Continental rubber provides trustworthy road traction, even as the weather changes, and boosts the durability to ensure you enjoy a long-term partnership.

You’ll feel like you can do everything in this shoe – marathon, speedwork, long training runs – with the trade-off for this level of protection, being a weight only fractionally under the 300 gram mark. Obviously, lightweight isn’t what Adidas are going for, with no compromises to comfort as the key criteria of the Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung.

Features

Support: Neutral
Running Pace: Competition/Race
Sustainability: At least 50% recycled content in upper
Upper: Strung - Mesh
Midsole: 3 layers of Adidas Lightstrike Pro, Energy Core, 2 carbon infused plates
Outsole: Continental rubber
Heel Height: 50mm
Forefoot Height: 43.5mm
Drop: 6.5mm
Weight: 295g / 10.4oz

3. Best Adidas Speed Shoe With A Racing Feel: Adidas Adizero Boston 12

The Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is a daily trainer with a lively spirit, bringing a racing feel to everyday runs. For runners inspired by the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 but seeking a more affordable ride, the Adizero Boston 12 is a worthy option. It has the longevity for half marathon and marathon training - a running shoe that allows you to chase your goals while packing in value from heel-to-toe.

It’d be understandable if you confused the Adidas Boston 12 and the Adidas Adios Pro 3 from a visual inspection. At a glance the silhouette is near-identical, with the latter offering some slightly more aggressive angles at the toe spring and heel bevel.

The Adidas Boston 12 has come a long way from where it was on the higher stacked Adidas Boston 10, which was in its element during high mileage/recovery runs as opposed to speedwork.

While the Adidas Boston 11 offered a new upper, the Adidas Boston 12 gave this running shoe a complete overhaul and with it, fans loyal to the Boston 9 will feel like this running shoe family is back on track of its ‘true’ identity as an uptempo trainer.

The upper has been entirely re-imagined, with a breathable mesh construction that saves weight and offers an adaptive fit. On first step-in, it feels race-ready with a minimal tongue and a fit that sheds non-essential padding, including at the heel which is more flexible than the previous generation. It may take you a few runs to really familiarise yourself with this minimalist feel until it becomes natural.

A bouncy dual-layered midsole features strategic placement of foam for a formula of both responsiveness and cushioning. Embedded between a top layer of Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike 2.0 bottom layer are glass-fibre ENERGYRODS 2.0 for a propulsive feel.

It’s a softer experience underfoot compared to the previous generation. However, it offers reliable stability with the midsole density of the Lightstrike 2.0 heading towards firm, complementing the 38mm stack height.

Following in the footsteps of other favourites in the Adizero family, Continental rubber takes its place on the outsole. The versatile tread pattern grips with confidence on the majority of grounds, despite the Adidas Boston 11 having a thicker outsole than the Boston 12. High-speed grip on the road for PB-friendly performance and smooth cornering is a standout feature of the Adidas Boston 12 that's ready for your race day training.

Features

Support: Neutral
Running Pace: Speed training/Tempo
Sustainability: At least 50% recycled content in upper
Upper: Mesh
Midsole: Adidas Lightstrike 2.0, Adidas Lightstrike Pro, ENERGYRODS 2.0
Outsole: Continental rubber
Heel Height: 38mm
Forefoot Height: 31mm
Drop: 7mm
Weight (Women's): 216g / 7.6oz
Weight (Men's): 270g / 9.5oz

4. Best Adidas Daily Trainer For Speed On a Budget: Adidas Adizero SL2

Re-engineered for 2024, the Adidas Adizero SL2 boosts the stack height while shedding the weight – staying true to modern trends in the running community for those seeking cushioning without being cumbersome. It sits in the Adizero family as the entry-level option, giving you a taste of what the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 and Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 have to offer.

Versatility has been a key word used to describe this neutral running shoe, with its performance-focused ride that feels natural at faster paces, like tempo runs and fartlek runs. However, it doesn’t mind taking the intensity down a notch.

The lightweight design and simplicity of the Adidas Adizero SL2, being free of carbon plates or rods, make it a solid choice to cater to a variety of running goals and runners that prefer a more traditional ride.

The engineered mesh upper provides just-right stretch and plushness, with the tapered toe box adding to the protected yet snug and fast feel. It is best suited to runners that prefer a low volume fit, adding to the speedy properties.

Lightstrike Pro superfoam, the same used in Adidas Adizero racing shoes, puts it on the radar for injecting the fun, agility and responsiveness into your daily training. Its energy-returning, elastic-like characteristics are impressive for any shoe, let alone one that comes in at this modest price point.

The Lightstrike Pro is encapsulated by Lightstrike 2.0 foam which is Adidas' more easy-going midsole tech. It's not as springy or plush compared to the premium, race-ready Lightstrike Pro. However, together they create a feel that sits on target for their purpose as a budget-friendly, uptempo daily trainer, while giving you a taste of the very best from Adidas.

The bouncy properties pair with just-right softness without being too soft to treat your feet at faster paces and speedwork. Yet, the Adidas Adizero SL2 doesn't do all the work for you. It doesn't have a pronounced forefoot rocker like the Adidas Supernova Prima or the Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung.

It does follow in the footsteps of the Adidas Adizero Prime X2 Strung in terms of featuring strategic forefoot cutouts to save weight. Without Continental rubber in the outsole, the Adidas Adizero SL2 can’t boast the same durability as Adidas’ more premium offerings.

Nevertheless, it is certainly durable enough for daily training and grippy enough in good conditions, when the road is dry. Paired with the plenty of benefits it has for runners seeking stable speed on a budget, it's a welcome addition to your shoe rotation.

Features

Support: Neutral
Running Pace: Speed Training/Tempo
Sustainability: Minimum of 20% recycled content
Upper: Mesh
Midsole: Adidas Lightstrike Pro, Adidas Lightstrike 2.0
Outsole: Rubber

Women:

Heel Height: 32mm
Forefoot Height: 23mm
Drop: 9mm
Weight (Women's): 206g / 7.3oz

Men:

Heel Height: 36mm
Forefoot Height: 27mm
Drop: 9mm
Weight: 238g / 8.4oz

5. Best Adidas Daily Trainer For Effortless & Stable Comfort: Adidas Supernova Prima

Max cushioned comfort for the everyday runner, the Adidas Supernova Prima is surprisingly versatile and stable for the thick slab of protection it offers. Taking inspiration from the ultra-comfy Adidas Supernova Rise that made an impact in the daily training space, the Supernova Prima follows suit while offering more softness and cushioning in this beginner-friendly ride.

Wrapping your feet with a pillowy-plush mesh upper without compromise to breathability, this running shoe moves in harmony with your feet, free of heel slippage. Some runners may find the toe box fractionally narrow during longer distances, when your feet naturally swell.

Equipped with Dreamstrike+ PEBA-based superfoam, the midsole cradles your feet in step-in comfort, shock-absorbing cushioning and an element of energy return. It’s smooth at recovery paces and with enough snap to shift up the intensity. Some runners feel it offers a more lively ride than fellow daily trainers like the Brooks Glycerin 21 and Saucony Triumph 22.

It isn’t marshmallow-soft, but that’s a good thing in terms of versatility and your running efficiency when you flow into your next stride, whereas other max cushioned daily trainers lean all-in to provide plushness underfoot, with a sensation like quicksand.

Landings are super forgiving, with a comparable feel to the Hoka Mach family. A lower drop compared to the Adidas Supernova Rise pairs with Support Rods that cater to mild overpronation. The forefoot rocker is complemented by the stiffness of the Support Rods, which also enhances the stability, helping you stay on track of proper running form even as your body fatigues during longer runs.

Despite having a generous stack height of 38mm in the men's model and 36mm in the women's model, you won’t be missing stability thanks to the just-right midsole density and broad platform.

The outsole offers relatively soft rubber sections to complement the cushioning characteristics and to give you more feedback from your running surface compared to rock-solid rubber. Even though this running shoe is high, you stay feeling connected to the world beneath your feet.

The Adidas Supernova Prima is best worn during dry conditions, as the relatively smooth Lighttraxion outsole isn’t ready for wet weather traction.

Support: Neutral
Running Pace: Jogging/Easy
Sustainability: Minimum of 20% total of recycled and renewable materials
Upper: Mesh
Midsole: Adidas Dreamstrike+
Outsole: Lighttraxion outsole

Women

Heel Height: 36mm
Forefoot Height: 29mm
Drop: 7mm
Weight: 255g / 9oz

Men

Heel Height: 38mm
Forefoot Height: 30mm
Drop: 8mm
Weight: 281g / 9.9oz (US 9)

Adidas Supernova Prima - Womens Running Shoes

$249.99

Best Adidas Recovery Shoes: Adidas Adissage Slides

Recovery slides are worth it, providing post-run rejuvenation to your tired or sore feet. The Adidas Adissage are unique within this category, cradling your feet in a bed of massaging nubs.

They offer gentle stimulation as you walk, increasing blood circulation to your feet to support recovery. It’s a feeling that takes a little getting used to, but after that initial break-in period all that remains is everyday luxury for home, beach or running errands.

The adjustable Velcro strap makes it easy to personalise the fit, so you don’t have to worry about the Adidas slides sliding off. Complete with Adidas 3-Stripes, they offer a sport-inspired look for off-duty days

If you prefer a more traditional Adidas slide with shock-absorbing cushioning and Cloudfoam Plus contoured footbed, check out the Adidas Adilette Comfort.