BRANDON: THREE STRIPE LYFE IN DA HOUSE! I love it when an Adidas running shoe lands on my desk. I mean, c’mon, usually, we know it’s going to be a pretty quality trainer. I took the Solar Glide 5 out of the box, and the first thing I thought was… heavy. For a US M9, you can expect this shoe to weigh you down 335 grams, or 11.8 oz. This neutral daily trainer is built to be durable and flirts with the max cushion world.
Adidas claims the shoe is similar to the Nike Vomero, ASICS Cumulus, and Brooks Ghost. In some ways, I’d agree, but does the quality of the Adidas Solar Glide 5 meet the same standard as the shoes mentioned above? I’m not so sure that it does. For $130, the shoe certainly fits into a competitive price range for daily trainers. I ran easy miles in this shoe and only took it out for runs shorter than 90 minutes.
RENALDO: So I’ve got this friend, right?
We met through running (as you do), and believe me when I say that this man is brand loyal. You know the type — decked out head to toe in their favorite brand. Well, this guy’s brand was Adidas. He would speak the gospel of the three stripes to anyone that would listen and challenge anybody that didn’t. I knew I had to get a pair myself to see what all the fuss was about, but that day just never seemed to come.
But life, uh, finds a way.
My surprise when the Adidas Solar Glide 5 arrived at my doorstep was quickly replaced by curiosity and, just as quickly, excitement. The Solar Glide 5 is a pretty balanced daily trainer designed to crush any run at any time. And I can finally say, as my first Adidas running shoe EVER, I came away pleasantly surprised at what the brand has to offer.
Let’s see how I got there…
BRANDON: Off the bat, one of the best things about Adidas running is the grip. Continental outsole rubber appears on most of the brand’s running shoes, including the premium racers. The grip on the Solar Glide 5 doesn’t disappoint and provides more than enough steady traction for fast cornering and turnover.
This is also an incredibly versatile shoe, but maybe not in the way you think. I’m talking less about pace and more about where and what this shoe can actually do. For me, this is more of an athletic shoe than a running shoe. It’s a shoe I recommend running a few miles in at the gym, and it’s stylish enough that you can wear it to the bar or walk around the city. The Solarglide midsole stacked on top of the traditional boost foam and strong mesh makes it an extremely durable shoe that will be able to withstand hundreds of miles without a worry.
RENALDO: Starting with the upper, the Adidas Solar Glide 5 is made of Adidas’ Primeblue Circular Knit. It’s the same as the upper on the Ultraboost 22 for you other brand-loyal folks. Taking a more environmentally friendly approach, the upper includes 50% recycled Parley Ocean Plastics, easing the conscience of environmentalist runners everywhere. The tongue is satisfyingly thick (Oof, can I say that?), so your foot will feel comfortable and secure as the upper and tongue complement each other under the shoe’s minimal but secure lacing.
Below all that, we have the patented Boost foam that Adidas is known for with slight modifications. The midsole offers two new “Boost Pillows” for increased energy return, along with a rear crash pad for a softer landing and smoother ride. Nestled deep inside the shoe, almost like a power button, is the LEP 2.0. — a plastic plate with lateral and medial forks extending to the fore and rearfoot of the shoe, nudging runners towards a powerful transition and toe-off. The cherry on top is the Continental rubber on the outsole, which gives a good grip underfoot, especially while turning.
Did I mention the color? From what I understand, this bad boy also comes in black or Slate, but the way to go is the Flash Orange.
It’s called the SOLAR Glide 5 for a reason, people…
Shop Solar Glide 5 – Men Shop Solar Glide 5 – Women
BRANDON: A great fitting upper is essential to a comfortable ride. Unfortunately, Adidas missed the mark here. For my standard size M8.5, I found the shoe to be way too wide in the toe box and heel collar. Overall the shoe is just too long and too big. I advise going a size down when buying.
The lacing system doesn’t help with this problem either. I found myself struggling to find the right fit and untying and retying my shoes more times than I would like to count. Out on the run, the shoe felt somewhat brickish and not all that flexible.
RENALDO: As much as I’ve loved this shoe, it does have a few downsides.
It’s a bit on the heavier side at 11.8oz for a US M9, and I’m over here in the US M11.5. Not quite right for going through some challenging workouts. I thought it was all in my head until I took them to the track one day.
Despite the high-quality rubber on the bottom, Boost pads, and other bells and whistles, you’d be better off picking a lighter shoe for those tempo and track days.
Also, it took a few runs to really break this shoe in. February just ended here in Baltimore, so it took a few casual wears around the house to get comfortable. Not everyone’s cup of tea, I know.
Shop Solar Glide 5 – Men Shop Solar Glide 5 – Women
BRANDON: For $130, there are probably better running shoes on the market. I recommend checking out the Nike Air Zoom Vomero 16 for a better-lasting version of the Adidas Solar Glide 5. If you’re dedicated to the three stripes, then this is a great shoe for walking around in and going to the gym for a few miles. The shoe provides a pretty standard 10mm drop (36mm heel / 26 toe).
Honestly, I wasn’t all that impressed with this one. The midsole was too blocky, the weight was too heavy, and the fit never really sang for me. I finished three runs in the shoe, which will probably remain my final tally.
RENALDO: The Adidas Solar Glide 5 is a great shoe for the runner looking for the total package. Responsiveness, cushion, reliability, power. These will make nearly any runner’s day at almost any distance. But for the more seasoned runner that has paces to hit and kudos to earn on Strava, they may want to look elsewhere for more of a fine-tuned experience.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been eyeing a few Adidas headbands, shorts, and tech shirts that’ll go great with these shoes. Just a few things. No big deal.
You can pick up the Adidas Solar Glide 5 for $130 in April 2022 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.
Shop Solar Glide 5 – Men Shop Solar Glide 5 – Women
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