Adidas releases lighter Adizero Adios Pro 5%

Adidas has launched the Adizero Adios Pro 5, the latest iteration of its flagship racing shoe, and it is already on store shelves worldwide.

Weight and Foam Changes

The new model trims its mass to 7.3 oz in a size 12, about an ounce lighter than the previous Adios Pro 4. That reduction places it alongside the Puma Fast-R 3 and Nike Vaporfly 4 in the ultra-light category.

Under the foot sits Lightstrike Pro foam, which the brand describes as slightly firmer once the shoe is in motion. Testers reported a blend of cushioning and a subtle “snap” that felt suitable for both long runs and faster intervals.

In a 9-mile jog straight from the box, runners noted the shoe felt as plush as a daily trainer. A subsequent session of 5 × 1-mile repeats at a 5:45 min/mile pace still left athletes feeling “dropped” by the shoe’s responsiveness.

Adidas also filled a former opening under the arch that previously exposed carbon rods. Adding foam to that area appears to improve mid-stance stability, according to early feedback.

Carbon Rim and Fit

Instead of the traditional carbon rods, the Pro 5 uses a carbon “rim” that runs around the shoe’s perimeter. The rim stiffens the edges while allowing the foam to compress fully under each footstrike.

Company data claim a 12.5% weight saving and a 9% boost in energy return compared with the Adios Pro 4. The rim is thicker beneath the arch to reduce the wobble some runners felt in earlier versions.

One practical downside noted by athletes is the increased risk of ankle “kick-back” when the rim contacts the medial edge. Some reviewers suggested strengthening drills to mitigate the sensation.

The shoe’s geometry remains narrow, and the fit stays snug. Testers said the length feels marginally longer, which may reduce toe-box pressure that previously caused blackened toenails in long runs.

A tester tried the Pro 5 on a 20-mile run with 4 × 2-mile pickups at a 5:10 pace and reported that the shoe felt great when they got up to speed. However, they switched to Nike Vomero for the final four easy miles after developing a hot spot on their arch, highlighting that the narrow waist can still cause discomfort for runners without a high arch.

The new upper incorporates pinholes for better ventilation while retaining a secure lockdown. The material feels softer and more flexible than the previous ripstop fabric, yet still offers a tight fit.

Performance Heritage and Pricing

When Sabastian Sawe shattered the two-hour marathon barrier, he did so wearing the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, a shoe the brand priced at five hundred dollars. The Pro 5 inherits the Evo 3’s carbon-rim concept and Lightstrike Pro foam, aiming to deliver comparable speed while being more accessible to a broader range of competitors.

Outsole Revision and Availability

During the recent RW Shoe Summit in New York, Adidas addressed durability concerns raised by a small group of runners who experienced premature degradation on the lateral forefoot after about 60 miles. In response, the company announced an extension of the polyurethane cast to fully protect the previously exposed area, a change that adds only a negligible amount of weight. Early testers who saw only minor scuffing reported that the modification should eliminate the premature wear noted by supinating runners.

Later, the brand surprised the market by releasing the Pro 5 on the same day it was announced, a rarity for the current year. The shoe appears on adidas.com and at select brick-and-mortar outlets worldwide, allowing racers to acquire a pair before the upcoming fall marathon season begins.