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If you are looking for a shoe with top-class pedigree, the Adidas Adizero Adios is it. The second edition of the shoe was worn by Dennis Kimetto when he set the marathon world record of 2hr 2 min 57sec in Berlin in 2014 (Eliud Kipchoge’s time of 2hr 25sec as part of Nike’s Breaking2 attempt was not achieved under eligible conditions for the record).
While it’s not necessarily the wisest move to copy what elite athletes wear when picking a running shoe, and slipping on a pair is clearly not going to turn you into Kimetto, the Adidas Adizero Adios Boost 3 is an excellent option for amateur athletes looking for improve their times across any distance – especially if you’re on the hunt for a new marathon or half marathon PB.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the Adios is that while it’s undoubtedly fast enough for race day even over 5K distances, the Boost midsole makes it comfortable enough to wear for all types of training. Other lightweight shoes can lack cushioning and aren’t ideal for easy efforts when comfort is king, but I had no such issues in the Adios. If you want to wear it all the time, knock yourself out.
That said, if you are able to use a couple of pairs of shoes in rotation for your running, the Adios is at its best for tempo runs and track sessions, as well as on race day. You’ll also extend the shoe’s life by wearing a different, plusher shoe for comfortable, easy runs, especially if you don’t have the whippet-thin build of the Kimettos and Kipchoges of the world.
When running fast, the Adios is a delight. It feels even lighter than its 226g (UK men’s 8.5) weight, and the Boost cushioning is an energy-returning dream – the faster you go, the more you seem to get out of the shoe. It’s also stable and firm-gripping thanks to the Continental rubber outsole, and the mesh upper is highly breathable – you can have zero concerns about your feet overheating in the Adios.
I found the fit on the Adios quite narrow and tight, and the right size for me was half a size up on my usual, so make sure you try on a pair before committing.
If you’re a complete beginner picking a shoe for your first marathon, the Adios might not be the best option – pace shouldn’t be a key concern and there are benefits to the comfort of a more cushioned, heavier shoe. But if you are working towards a PB for the marathon, or a 5K, 10K or half marathon for that matter, the Adios should be on your radar.
