Home Guides Best Adidas Running Shoes 2023
Updated: February 17th, 2024
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DAILY TRAINING

DAILY TRAINING

DAILY TRAINING

Adidas Ultraboost Light

Adidas Ultraboost Light
Since its release, the Ultraboost continues to be an icon of style, together with its highly cushioned full length Boost midsole.
Since its release, the Ultraboost continues to be an icon of style, together with its highly cushioned full length Boost midsole. Read full review
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert

DAILY SUPPORT

DAILY SUPPORT

DAILY SUPPORT

Adidas Solar Glide 3 ST

Adidas Solar Glide 3 ST
If you want a shoe that will last as long as the sun and prefer a little stability added on, then the Solar Glide ST is for you.
If you want a shoe that will last as long as the sun and prefer a little stability added on, then the Solar Glide ST is for you. Read full review
TJ Jones
Road and trail runner, stability shoes expert.

TEMPO TRAINING

TEMPO TRAINING

TEMPO TRAINING

Adidas AdiZero Boston 12

Adidas AdiZero Boston 12
The Boston 12 is a solid racing, up-tempo, or daily training shoe with a superb fit and faster, smooth transition.
The Boston 12 is a solid racing, up-tempo, or daily training shoe with a superb fit and faster, smooth transition. Read full review
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert

BEST VALUE

BEST VALUE

BEST VALUE

Adidas Duramo 10

Adidas Duramo 10
The Duramo 10 is a great shoe for those who want to test the waters of running without dropping a lot of cash on expensive running shoes.
The Duramo 10 is a great shoe for those who want to test the waters of running without dropping a lot of cash on expensive running shoes. Read full review
Kristin Lassen
Experienced Runner and Stability Shoe Expert

RACING

RACING

RACING

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
The speedy Adios Pro is designed to launch you off the starting line with its EnergyRods and bouncy Lightstrike Pro foam.
The speedy Adios Pro is designed to launch you off the starting line with its EnergyRods and bouncy Lightstrike Pro foam. Read full review
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert

In the last several years Adidas running shoes have come back to the forefront of state of the art of running shoe design, and this guide aims to highlight the line and what sets Adidas running shoes apart.

Skip to the bottom of this article if you want an overview of adidas' running shoe technologies and shoe families.

adidas UltraBoost Series

adidas introduced their Boost material in 2013 as a bouncy, responsive and durable compound to revolutionise running shoe cushioning.

The UltraBoost line was the first one to feature the new technology and the shoes have quickly become an icon of street fashion. Here are the currently available models.

First choice
Weight
12.20 oz.
Drop
8 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Noticeable springiness from the Boost midsole
  • Thin, yet durable outsole
  • Smooth fitting cloth upper
“The Adidas Ultra Boost ST is a daily stability trainer with a very springy midsole and a comfortable cloth upper. It’s heavier than most trainers, but offers a comfortable and stable ride.”
Recommended for
This shoe is for runners looking for a daily trainer with moderate support for road running in a stylish package.
Frank May
Fast Runner, Triathlete and Engineer
Read the full review of Ultra Boost ST
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
10.3 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Lighter than the Ultraboost 22
  • Improved heel lockdown
  • Smooth ride transitions
  • Better stability
“The Adidas Ultraboost Light is a firm-riding, cushioned trainer which has smooth transitions and very good stability. It’s better suited to moderately-paced runs rather than easy runs due to its firm ride but its weight and upper prevent it from being a proper performance daily trainer. ”
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Ultraboost Light
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Battery life
hrs.
List price
US$
Reasons to buy
  • Snug wrap-around arch design-love this!
  • Cushioned midsole with hints of stability and responsiveness
  • Solid heel counter with Achilles groove, best fit for med-wide heels
“The Adidas Ultraboost X combines customized arch support in their experimental design, with plenty of their stellar Boost foam to create a "hugged by supportive clouds" feel, in this breakthrough women's-only model.”
Recommended for
Those who want midfoot support all around the foot yet don’t mind a flexible midsole, will find the low-moderate structure that they need, in Untraboost X.
The close, minimal upper whispers “pick up the pace,” while the cushion is more suited to comfortable miles, thereby making it an...
Kristin Lassen
Experienced Runner and Stability Shoe Expert
Read the full review of UltraBoost X
or buy them here: Men / Women

adidas AdiZero Series

adidas groups their hyper popular competition running shoes under the "adizero" umbrella.

These shoes are lightweight, very responsive and usually with a lower heel drop. They all currently feature Boost technology, although not for the full lenght of the sole unit.

First choice
Weight
7.60 oz.
Drop
6 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Increased forefoot cushioning
  • More aggressive toe-spring
  • Fit is now true to size
  • More stability
“The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is a long-distance specialist. Its highly cushioned midsole and its efficient, energy saving ride make it perfect for marathons and beyond. Version 3 has more foam in the forefoot, a wider net base and a more aggressive toe-spring which makes it softer, more stable and more propulsive than the previous version. ”
Recommended for
If you're a runner looking for a marathon super shoe with a forward-tipping sensation that's softer than most, the Adios Pro 3 is an excellent choice. It excels at long-distance runs and at target marathon pace.
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Adizero Adios Pro 3
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
10.85 oz.
Drop
7 mm.
Category
Racing
Reasons to buy
  • More stable than previous versions
  • High level of speed assistance
  • Slightly softer ride
  • Deep cushioning
  • Great grip
“The Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung is a superb but heavy multi-purpose racer/trainer which can handle intervals, tempo, long runs & races. It has a very high toe-spring with an effective rocker that helps you increase your pace. Version 2 has a wider base which results in much better stability. It also has a softer forefoot with more stack height in the front but it has gained 1.4 oz (40 g) in weight. ”
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Adizero Prime X 2 Strung
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
6.6 oz.
Drop
6 mm.
Category
Racing
Reasons to buy
  • Extremely light
  • Responsive cushion with protection and spring
  • Breathable, sheds water
“The adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 9 is a light and snappy 5k/10k racer with an efficient ride despite a decent amount of midsole. A breathable and basic mesh upper is coupled with an exceptional midsole and a strategically-placed rubber outsole pad on the medial forefoot for propulsion but little covering the rest, prioritizing low weight over durability, as one would expect in a racer.”
Kristin Lassen
Experienced Runner and Stability Shoe Expert
Read the full review of adizero Takumi Sen 9
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
8.3 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Racing
Reasons to buy
  • Cushioned, springy feel underfoot
  • Breathable
  • Fabulous in rain: great grip & holds no water!
  • Lightweight
“The adidas Adizero Pro is a top of the line racing shoe which screams “technology” with its firm yet extremely breathable upper; springy, cushioned ride and quick transition due to its carbon plated dual-foam midsole;  and lacing options which allow runners to customize their fit—like a Pro. This shoe is best at race paces, and its benefits are enhanced when running long.”
Recommended for
The Pro is a long-distance racing shoe made for runners who want a supported upper fit without weight or bulk, and a cushioned feel with low-mid stack height.
A light to medium weight runner or heavier runner with an efficient stride will find this shoe to be supportive enough for half marathon...
Kristin Lassen
Experienced Runner and Stability Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Adizero Pro
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
9.4 oz.
Drop
6.5 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Softer ride
  • Stable ride
  • Sleeker design
  • Weight reduction
“The Adidas Adizero Boston 12 is a shoe which feels more like a daily trainer than a speed trainer. It has an updated midsole which is softer than the previous versions and it has more flexible Energyrods resulting in a less rockered ride. Its outsole is excellent but it suffers from some upper issues. ”
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Read the full review of AdiZero Boston 12
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
8.5 oz.
Drop
8 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Lightweight (for its degree of stability)
  • Stable shoe with quality build
  • Comfortable, no break-in
  • Excellent grip
“The adidas Adizero SL brings the quality build, comfortable fit, and light ride of other Adizero models to this highly cushioned mid to long distance shoe. This model packs a big bang for its buck successfully combining moderate breathability and lightweight support with purposeful grip for a reasonable price.”
Kristin Lassen
Experienced Runner and Stability Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Adizero SL
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
7.4 oz.
Drop
8 mm.
Category
Lightweight
Reasons to buy
  • Lightweight
  • Smooth, fast ride
  • Great outsole grip
  • Very breathable upper
“The Adidas Adizero Adios 8 is a lightweight shoe that can be used for fast workouts and racing. While it doesn’t have the same energy return as the Adidas Adios Pro 3, the brand’s carbon-plated shoes, they do a great job of disappearing on your feet while giving you a great ride on your fast run. ”
Larry Lam
Runner with decades of experience
Read the full review of adizero Adios 8
or buy them here: Men / Women

adidas Solar Series

The Solar line was introduced in 2018 and quietly replaced the very popular Supernova collection.

The shoes in the Solar line are very similar to the ones in the Ultra Boost collection, but with uppers that focus more on performance rather than street-style looks.

First choice
Weight
10.75 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Full length Boost midsole roam provides excellent cushioning and energy return with good durability.
  • Improved stability over past Boost models, and Adidas returns to the feel of the Energy Boost.
  • Upper is locked down through an elasticized fit, especially in the forefoot.
  • Flexibility throughout heel to toe transition gives the Solar Boost a natural feel.
“The Adidas Solar Boost is a highly cushioned daily trainer with a accommodating fit for most foot types. While this isn't a shoe for faster paced running, most runners will appreciate its plush ride and fit for recreational runners to high mileage hogs.”
Recommended for
The Adidas Solar Boost is a shoe that will accommodate all types of runners, from beginners to experienced runners. What it is not recommended for is faster paced running due to its heavier weight (10.6 ounces) and a rather unstructured fit.
Thomas Caughlan
Ultrarunner and 10-Year Running Shoe Tester
Read the full review of Solarboost
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
12.1 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Secure heal that doesn't slip
  • Comfort
  • Price point
  • Very cushioned
  • Decent traction on the road
“The Adidas Solar Glide 6 is a great everyday trainer for those mid-week miles ranging from 3-10 miles. It's a versatile shoe that can also be used on the treadmill or even just for lifting weights at the gym. ”
Jennifer Wilkins
Competitive trail ultra-runner
Read the full review of Solar Glide 6
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
10.6 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Stability
Reasons to buy
  • Solar Propulsion Rails
  • Boost Foam
  • Durable
“The Adidas Solar Glide 3 ST is a solid moderate stability trainer built to provide a smooth and stable ride. Using both conventional and unconventional technologies makes for a unique experience which will be loved by some but not all.”
Recommended for
A runner who is looking for an unconventional stability trainer built for miles while training for their next race.
TJ Jones
Road and trail runner, stability shoes expert.
Read the full review of Solar Glide 3 ST
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
11.3 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Low Price Point
  • Durable for the shoes value
  • Good stability provided by the upper in the midfoot
“The Adidas Solar Ride is a budget-friendly option to the Solar line up of trainers. The Solar Ride is a neutral shoe that replaces more premium materials in the sole unit such as Boost foam and Continental rubber, and replaces them with Bounce and Adiwear rubber.”
Recommended for
The Solar Ride is a neutral shoe for runners looking for an every day trainer at a low price point. The trainer makes for a good entry level shoe and will last for many miles.
Andrew Leibowitz
Running Expert
Read the full review of Solar Ride
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
10.8 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Looks Great
  • Tongue Design
“The Solar Drive was a slight disappointment. The shoe looks great but misses the mark in terms of ride quality and comfort.”
Recommended for
This shoe is designed for everyday daily training.
Sean Felty
Long Distance Runner, Neutral Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Solar Drive
or buy them here: Men / Women

adidas AeroBounce Series

Bounce is the name of the second tier midsole material from the German company.

Softer but less responsive than Boost, the AeroBounce shoes are a compromise between adidas engineering and product quality at a more affordable price.

First choice
Weight
9.1 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Cushioning
“The Adidas Aerobounce 2 provides a solid amount of comfort and cushioning which makes for a good daily training shoe. The shoe is firm, yet stable, to keep you from overpronating. It offers enough cushioning that the shoe doesn't feel stiff. ”
Recommended for
The Adidas Aerobounce 2 is a daily training shoe that offers cushioning while offering some stability. If you need a little extra protection for your feet but still want comfort, this is a good option. These shoes are versatile and can be used for running errands, the gym, or daily runs.
Andy Mac
Running Expert
Read the full review of Aerobounce 2
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
8 oz.
Drop
10 mm.
Category
Stability
“The Adidas Aerobounce ST2 is a stability shoe designed for those who overpronate. They are firmer than other Adidas shoes and are good for a variety of activities or just wearing around town. The shoe features an internal fit system that helps keep your feet in place as you run or walk. ”
Recommended for
The Adidas Aerobounce ST 2 are designed for overpronators. The shoes can handle daily training runs and can be used on the road, in the gym, or for everyday activities. These are entry level running shoes for those who need stability. The outsole is designed for more casual use, so if you want...
Andy Mac
Running Expert
Read the full review of Aerobounce ST2
or buy them here: Men / Women

Adidas Trail Series

First choice
Weight
11 oz.
Drop
8 mm.
Category
Trail
Reasons to buy
  • FIrm and responsive ride on a variety of terrain. Works as good on technical rocky trails as crushed gravel and roads.
  • Great traction. Zero issues in wet conditions.
  • Durable construction.
“The Adidas Terrex Agravic Flow 2 is a firm workhorse with ample traction. It excels on pretty much any terrain you step foot on. Besides some issues with the lacing unit, this is a great offering from Adidas' trail department.”
Jon Ober
Serial Marathoner and Stability Running Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Terrex Agravic Flow 2
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
“The Adidas Terrex Agravic Boa is a lightweight trail running shoe. ”
Recommended for
The Adidas Terrex Agravic Boa is perfect for well-packed trails that are either wet or dry. The Boost technology in the midsole provides good energy return while the Contintenal rubber outsole offers excellent traction. Combined, this shoe is a solid trail shoe.
Andy Mac
Running Expert
Read the full review of Terrex Agravic Boa
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
“Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed is designed for speed trail racing. It is a lightweight performance shoe that provides enough protection from the terrain, yet is low profile enough to keep your speed up. You can count on them to keep your feet securely on the trail because of their strong grip. The outsoles are durable with their lug design and Continetal Rubber. ”
Recommended for
The Terrex Agravic Speed is for those who race over rugged terrain and need secure traction.
Andy Mac
Running Expert
Read the full review of Terrex Agravic Speed
or buy them here: Men / Women

Adidas Running Shoes Technology

Adidas Boost

adidas-boost-midsole-material
Adidas first released its Boost technology in 2013 and its impact on running shoe technology was immediate. This TPU based technology made up of thousands of small foam pellets was first developed by a German chemical corporation. This technology led to a sea change in the way that running shoe companies conceptualized the capabilities of foam EVA, and directly led to the massive advances in EVA cushioning we see today.

Boost midsole cushioning is both soft and responsive, protective yet resilient, and highly durable. It works great in small amounts for firmer, faster feeling shoes, and the cushioning stays largely uncompressed throughout the life of the shoe.

In my own experience, I’ve been able to wear a single pair of Adizero Tempos for eight hundred miles and a Supernova Sequence for over one thousand miles due the properties of Boost foam. If you’re a regular runner and you haven’t tried out Boost cushioning I high recommend you do so. While the price may seem steeper than competing brands, the durability and resilience of this technology is worth every penny.

Primeknit

adidas-primeknit

This is Adidas’ version of Nike’s Flyknit technology (sorry Adidas, Nike got there first) and there truly are very few differences in the fit, feel, and function of this upper technology.

Adidas’ promo materials state that “Primeknit is carefully engineered to naturally expand with your foot while you run to give you a more comfortable fit and help reduce irritation”.

While this technology is great in theory, there have been some issues with overall volume in the toe box of Adidas’ shoes using Primeknit, primarily the Ultra Boost. Think of Primeknit as a one piece upper of tightly knit synthetic material which flexes and comforms to the foot. The advantage here is that the fit feels customized to the wearers’ foot and it decreases the risk of blisters and hotspots.

Many runners find that Adidas’ excellent mesh used throughout their Adizero series shoes offer more than enough fit accommodations, breathability, and durability to justify the exorbitant prices of Primeknit shoes.

Adidas Torsion System

adidas-boost-sole-deconstruct-1

Since 1988 Adidas has employed their proprietary Torsion system on most of their performance running shoes.

The Torsion System involves “a thermoplastic arch support designed to allow the forefoot and rear of the foot to move independently and adapt to running surfaces without straining the foot through excess motion”.

This system works very well and I believe that it increases the durability of Adidas running shoes. Conversely, many of Adidas running shoes aimed at neutral wearers work very well for runners who experience a bit of pronation and need some structural support.

Continental Rubber Outsole

All of the Adidas running shoes featured here have rubber outsoles designed in cooperation with Continental Tires and actually feature Continental rubber compounds.

Adidas claims that their outsole rubber increases traction by 15-30% over competing models in both wet and dry conditions. These Continental rubber outsoles do wear very slowly and their durability over the life of the shoe is remarkable. They also seem to handle conditions well on easy to moderate trails despite being designed for the roads.

Adidas Running Shoes “Families”

Adidas Adizero

Adizero is Adidas’ designation for shoes that are more minimally designed for faster paced running. Often times Adidas pairs the Boost midsole foam with a firmer adiPRENE midsole material to give runners a snappier feel. The feel of these shoes is often a bit more firm and can take some getting used to for the uninitiated.

Many times the forefoot cushioning of Adizero shoes is a bit more firm which aids in a faster cadence and quicker toe-off during the running stride.

If you are a a runner that tends to enjoy faster paces or firmer cushioning, the Adizero line is definitely for you. Of special note is the fact that the Adidas Adizero Adios racing flat holds the world record and next three fastest times in the marathon.

Adidas Supernova

The Supernova line has been around since the late 1990s and it represents Adidas’ more protective everyday training shoes. As the aforementioned Adizero line is focused around racing and faster paced training, the Supernova line is built to handle high mileage and they tend to feature a bit softer and more extensive cushioning than the Adizero shoes.

Lifestyle vs Performance

One of the problems that Adidas has encountered over the last decade among serious runners is legitimacy.

For many years they attempted to combine performance running with fashionable lifestyle designs with shoes such as the “Yeezy” co-designed by Kanye West.

While these shoes were laughable at best, they also undermined the performance aspects of the Boost technology and scared many lifelong runners away. This also impacts the resale of many Adidas shoes with Boost technology.

Unfortunately, resale sites like Ebay over value serious running shoes with “designer sneakers” which causes significant price increases. It is always your best bet to buy Adidas running shoes from your local running speciality store.

While it seems that Adidas has realized the error of their ways, the running shoe offerings of the last two years seem to be on par with the true heritage of this great company.

I will start by explaining that there are a whole lot of models in the Adidas line that won’t be profiled in this guide.

Why? Because the aim here is to only profile Adidas’ true performance running shoe offerings.

Many big box sporting goods stores have all kinds of low quality models aimed at enticing the bargain shopper, or high-price models aimed at the fashion conscious – but these are not shoes you should be running decent mileage in.

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