Adidas Adizero Adios 4

Adidas Adizero Adios 4: My choice for long distance racing

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As a regular road runner who participates in races ranging from 10km to Comrades Marathon (nearly 90km), after years of trying different shoe brands and models, Adizero Adios has become my favorite.

Starting from Adizero Adios 2, my current Adidas Adizero Adios 4 is the 6^th Adizero Adios Boost pair that I bought. I wore the current Adizero Adios Boost 4 for about 100km already and although much of the features seem identical to the previous (Adios 2 and 3) releases. 

There are at least one slight differences I can observe - the upper cushioning. The fabric feels a lot less cushioned, which seems to make a little difference in comfort and weight.

Initial feeling

Due to the fabric being a harder and thinner material, initially, it felt a little scratchy.  But more importantly, less cushioning for the same size meant bigger space.

So until I got used to it, I felt it was a bit spacious. Eventually, I forgot about it. I guess it would be the same feeling with most runners.

Lightweight

There are so many lighter weight shoe releases in different brands, but for the type of profile it offers, this is the lightest I could get. The last time I tried much lighter shoe pairs in another brand, over 30 grams less, I returned them within a week.

I believe the so much knee pain I felt was due to the much less heel-to-toe drop. From those shoes I tried, Adizero Adios is a model that offers the best trade-off between weight and comfort for the type of long-distance runner I am.

Sole thickness

The thickness is reasonable for a neutral and lightweight person. If you pronate, most probably you need specific pairs prescribed by shoe assessors. If you are overweight, you too might need a different shoe type with enough sole cushioning that can absorb the amount of shock.

But for the average to low BMI, medium to long distance runner who has neutral feet, I believe it provides the perfect cushioning. Although sometimes I train in more cushioned shoes such as Ultra Boost for the past 3 years, I raced all of my races from 10km to 90 km in Adizero Adios.

I find Adizero Adios 4 has soles that look and feel identical to the previous releases. I’m planning to race in them in my next 56km race.

Heel to toe drop

Long distance runner run at a lot slower pace than short distance runners and some even take walking breaks. That means we tend to use the heels more often. Therefore, the 10mm heel-to-toe drop is a comfortable drop for most long-distance runners.

Longevity

I was told that as racing shoes, Adizero Adios shoes last for about 700km. However, due to my low weight (60kg and 165cm height), I generally get over a thousand km without noticeable loss of comfort such as wear on the side or center of the sole.

However, I expect much less distance for a runner with much higher BMI.

Response

The spongy Boost material on the sole is meant to give the runner a slight advantage due to the response, and it might be the reason that many of the fastest marathon time has been using those shoes.

Bottom line

Adidas Adizero Adios 4 offers an excellent trade-off between weight and comfort for long distance racing. Compared to a lot more cushioned shoes, they last less because these are mainly racing shoes.

In addition, they are comfortable for the low to average weight, neutral runner. For the overweight runner, I recommend a more cushioned mode.

Adidas Adizero Adios 4: For speed with comfort

The Adios is a lightweight, reactive shoe that lends itself well to faster runs. It is the faster of the Adizero range, where the Bostons provide a bit more cushioning for those longer training runs and races.

Its main purpose is speed, and that is why it is a popular choice for elite runners and is often seen at races.

First impressions

If you love the adios, the look of the 4 seem quite foreign to you. It does not share the same features as the previous Adios. Gone are the old-fashioned stripes and old-style running shoe look (I personally prefer the old look).

The feel of the upper textile has a bit more integrity than the previous version which gives it a feel of firmness on foot and a little less give, which may make the wearing in a period a bit longer. Not quite the buy and go for a run kind of shoe.

Structurally, the outer sole still shares the same durability and support that you would expect in an Adizero. The inner sole boost technology provides slightly more cushion than its predecessor which will definitely make it more suitable for achieving those marathon PBs instead of just the 5km and 10km races.

The laces have been made more durable and longer (perhaps they listened to the few complaints about the laces in the previous models). Above you can see the difference in the overlay design, lacing and upper mesh between the 4 and 3, respectively.

First few runs

On the first inspection, the Adios 4 design looks quite different from the 3. The textiles used on the upper feel a bit firmer and thicker and with less overlays. I was quite aware of the rigidity when I went for my first run.

Although it was the same size I usually wear, it felt a bit more constructive in the forefoot than my 3. As a result, I got a few minor blisters on my little toe on both feet. The lace holes are also a bit different. They have been placed slightly narrower than the ones on the 3 due to the change in the overlay design.

This may be the reason for the more constrictive feeling that I felt during the run. The laces themselves are also different. This is definitely an improvement on the 3, as they are longer and stretchier.

The rest of the shoe is pretty much the same as the 3, and that’s the design that makes them one of the most popular speed/racer shoes. They are super lightweight, they have a grippy continental outer sole, and they have a very reactive inner sole boost foam.

These characteristics are why I love the Adios and are my first choice for marathons and shorter distance races. One thing I do struggle with on the outer sole is the hard plastic piece under the midfoot. If you climb up a curb or land on a rock at just the wrong angle, it can be quite slippery and leave you a little off balance.

Sizing & general feel

These are a small snug fit brand of shoe, as they are designed to be a fast-paced racer shoe. With this being said, I felt that I had to go one and a half sizes bigger. But, with the neat styling of the shoe, they still manage not to drown your feet.

They are super lightweight weighing around 8 ounces (US 9) and definitely give that barely-there feel. This is because there is a bit less boost foam in the midsole in comparison to the other Adidas shoes like the Ultraboost. The 10mm heel drop makes you feel quite connected to the ground, giving good feedback.

Durability

I have found these shoes to be very durable and quite long lasting. I have worn mine for runs past the recommended mileage of 600-800km, provided you don’t take them for too long of a run once they are past the recommended mileage, as this may lead to a few foot and knee complaints.

The upper mesh holds up quite well, and I have not had anywhere the mesh has torn or weathered. The continental rubber outer sole is very durable and resistant to wet and dry terrain with quite a reliable traction even on some tough trail routes.

This comes in handy if you are a fan of combining road and trail to your training (like me). The Continental rubber outer sole that is seen on the Adizero range.

The things I like

1. The continental rubber outer sole is durable and resistant to wet and dry terrain (I even run mine on a few rough trails)
2. They are very lightweight with that barely there feel on your feet
3. Neat and minimalistic styling with less overlays than previous versions
4. Breathable upper mesh (but not as breathable as previous versions)
5. Midsole boost technology/foam that offers enough cushioning

The things I don’t like

1. Limited styling/colors
2. The upper mesh is a bit too rigid compared to the Adios 3
3. Feels slightly narrower than the Adios 3

Conclusion

Overall, I am a fan of the Adizero range, and they are my preferred running shoe. They are not designed for everyone. If you are a bit heavy footed or pronate/supinate runner, then you are probably better off with a shoe that provides more cushioning and support.