Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3: First Thoughts

What You Need To Know

• Weighs 8.8 oz. (250 g) for a US M11
• Updated carbon-fiber Energyrods are now a single unit
• Dual-density Lighstrike Pro midsole for exceptional energy return
• Redesigned lightweight upper
• Releases June 23 in the U.S. for $250 (original press release had it at $220)

Supershoe season is upon us. Over the next few months, the forecast calls for carbon rain with the release of everything from the Asics Metaspeed Sky+ to (likely) the Nike Alphafly 2. It’s been hard for companies to stick to the release schedule with the ongoing supply chain delays, but Adidas has pulled through with the updated Adizero Adios Pro 3.

Last year’s version of the Adios Pro was a sleeper super shoe that quickly became a legend in both the novice and pro space, including Peres Jepchirchir’s historic feat in becoming the first athlete to win both Olympic gold and the New York Marathon in the same year.

Here at Believe in the Run, the Adios Pro 2 was an interesting shoe that felt different from the other super shoes out there. When you go, it goes. Lightstrike Pro is the real deal and the carbon energy rods provide a nice snap off the toe. Its shorter-distance counterpart, the Takumi Sen 8, is one of our favorite shoes of the last year.

What’s New

So what has changed since the last version?

The Adios Pro 3 still uses carbon-fiber Energyrods, but in a totally different way. Instead of separate rods (that were quite prone to snapping over time), the new design is a single structure for “harmonious stiffness.” They are embedded in the midsole and run parallel to the metatarsal for that same energy return found in the Pro 2.

Regarding the midsole, the Lightstrike Pro is two levels of different durometers, providing both cushion and energy return in an effort to preserve the legs and enhance performance over the course of the half marathon to marathon distance.

The upper is even lighter than before but provides support and heel lockdown with the inner pillows around the collar. Just like last year’s version, we also have a Continental rubber outsole, which may be the best grip in the racing game.

Finally, as with most shoes these days, the Adios Pro 3 is made in part with a series of recycled materials as part of Adidas’ ongoing goal of phasing out all virgin polyester and helping to end plastic waste.

Our Thoughts

We don’t have the official weight on it yet (our test pairs are in transit), but assuming it stays in the same range as the 2, this will be a shoe to reckon with. By all performance measures, it’s a shoe that can easily hold its own against the Alphafly, as evidenced by its ongoing top-of-the-podium appearances on some of the world’s largest stages. The Pro 3 should be no different.

We also love that they connected the Energyrods, as we’ve seen photos of breakage in last year’s version. The single unit should provide more durability and security, without sacrificing– and maybe even enhancing– performance.
And let’s talk about how the shoe comes in at that $250 price point. [Editor’s note: the original version of this post listed the shoe at $220 (the initial price of the shoe on the Adidas website and press release.)] For what the shoe provides, the $250 price tag is to be expected. It falls at or below the price of shoes of equal caliber like the Nike Vaporfly, Brooks Hyperion Elite 2, Asics Metaspeed Sky+ and Edge+, and Altra Vanish Carbon. The only one that beats it out is the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2, which is a firmer shoe anyway and, unless you’re super efficient, not the best option for the marathon.

Also, we dig the initial Core Black/Yellow colorway.

You can pick up the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 now  (June 23 in the United States) at adidas.com by using the shop link below.