Adidas Adios Pro 2 vs Asics MetaSpeed Sky: Two Flagship Carbon Racers Compared

Introduction

The Adidas Adios Pro 2 and the Asics MetaSpeed Sky are two of the big flagship carbon racing shoes released this year, and both are genuinely excellent. The Adios Pro 2 is Adidas’s second super shoe, but a considerable change compared to the original Adios Pro. The MetaSpeed Sky, meanwhile, can fairly be called Asics’s first real super shoe, following last year’s MetaRacer with its low stack and soft plate. This is a fully fledged carbon super shoe.

If you already own either of these, you can be a pretty happy runner. But the differences between them matter depending on the distances you race and what you’re willing to spend.

Key Specs and Pricing

The Asics is the lower-stack shoe of the pair, at 33 millimeters at the heel, while the Adidas sits at 39.5 millimeters, right up to the World Athletics limit, with an 8.5 millimeter drop. The Adios Pro 2 is the heavier shoe at 231 grams in a UK 9 (8.1 ounces), versus 207 grams (7.3 ounces) for the MetaSpeed Sky.

On price, the MetaSpeed Sky is the more expensive shoe at £225 in the UK and $250 in the US. The Adios Pro 2 is one of the cheaper carbon super shoes available at £180 in the UK and $220 in the US, which is a considerable saving for a shoe that performs very closely to its rival.

Up top, the Asics uses a nice engineered mesh upper while the Adidas has its own lightweight mesh. Both hold the foot well with no real concerns on either side. Both also offer decent cushioning around the heel collar, with nothing on the tongue as you’d expect from a racer.

Asics MetaSpeed Sky: Nimble and Versatile

The MetaSpeed Sky is very versatile, one of the more versatile lightweight carbon super shoes around right now. It is just as good over a 5K as it is over longer distances. One early run in it produced a 10K personal best, and it has also handled long hard sessions covering nearly 30K with 3K and 5K reps impressively well.

Despite the lower stack, there would be no concerns about using it for a marathon. It feels nimble, fast, and very light on the foot, almost disappearing under you, and while the ride is not super squishy, the FF Turbo foam delivers good give and propulsive bounce. The full-length carbon plate and nylon-based foam make for a lively package.

Adidas Adios Pro 2: Built for the Long Haul

The Adios Pro 2 really earned its keep in a half marathon on a hilly course, delivering huge protection and bounce, especially on descents, and leaving the legs feeling far less beat up than expected. It shines most over half marathon to marathon distances, rolling through beautifully and cruising comfortably at slightly slower race paces.

At 5K it feels fast, but it is not quite as nippy and agile as some lighter-feeling rivals. There are also stability considerations if you plan to run slowly in the shoe: the aggressive rear slant can feel less secure at easy paces, though it felt stable when running purposefully at speed, even on uneven pavement and potholed surfaces. That makes it a shoe best restricted to your fast runs rather than all-round training.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you are picking one racing shoe and like to race everything from 5K up to the marathon, the MetaSpeed Sky is the more versatile pick, feeling a little more explosive and nimble on the foot. If you are generally training for a big marathon, the two are very close, and the Adios Pro 2’s lower price makes it a smarter buy for longer-distance runners.

For a one-off race where money is no object, the MetaSpeed Sky edges it. But with £45 between the two at RRP, picking up the Adios Pro 2 and making that saving is an easy call if you lean towards longer races.

Conclusion

Both of these are standout carbon racing shoes. The MetaSpeed Sky is the more versatile option across 5K to marathon, while the Adios Pro 2 is a really strong long-distance racer at a notably lower price. If you already own either, there is no need to rush out and buy the other. They simply excel in slightly different areas.