Adidas Adizero Adios 8 Review: A Traditional Fast Trainer in a Plated World

Introduction

The Adizero Adios line has a storied history, with early versions ranking among the very best racing shoes in the world. The carbon plate era changed that positioning, and the Adios 8 now sits as more of a fast trainer-slash-racer than a maxed-out carbon racing shoe. That is exactly what the Adios Pro 3 is for, and it costs considerably more.

At £120 in the UK and $130 in the US, the Adios 8 undercuts the premium racing tier while still packing a meaningful amount of Adidas technology. In a UK size 9 it weighs 217 grams (7.65 ounces), a notable drop from the 246 grams (8.6 ounces) of the Adios 6 in the same size. The result is a lighter, nimbler shoe with a more traditional underfoot feel.

What Changed in the Adizero 8

The headline update is the revamped midsole. The heel still uses Lightstrike EVA, but it is now Lightstrike 2.0, a softer and lighter foam than what appeared in the Adios 6 and 7. The forefoot gets more Lightstrike Pro, Adidas’s best foam, also found in the Takumi Sen and Adios Pro lines. It forms a deep wedge covering the entire forefoot, delivering a springy, bouncy sensation.

There is no carbon plate or carbon rods here, but a plastic shank runs from midfoot to forefoot. It is now a three-prong shank designed to offer some propulsive benefits in the same spirit as plates and rods. The stack is 28mm at the heel and 20mm at the forefoot for an 8mm drop.

The outsole uses Continental rubber with good coverage, extending back to the midfoot with two thick strips at the heel. Grip was strong in testing and durability should not be an issue, especially given how thick the rubber is for such a light shoe.

On the Run: Fit and Feel

The fit works well in your normal Adidas running shoe size, though be aware the sizing conversion differs slightly: a UK 9 here corresponds to a US 9.5 and EU 43.5. The forefoot is a little wider than previous Adios models, but not especially wide, and it still suited a narrow foot well. The upper is a lightweight, stripped-back mesh with almost no padding at the heel, a minimal heel counter, and only slight toe reinforcement.

One caveat sits at the heel. Adidas’s two-pad heel design with a gap at the back caused some rubbing in testing, even with a heel lock lacing. It was manageable, but for runs longer than about 20K it could become a concern. If you have had heel issues with other recent Adidas shoes, keep that in mind.

As an everyday experience, the Adios 8 is much softer and smoother than its predecessors thanks to the updated foams, and the weight reduction helps turnover at high cadence. It is, however, less versatile than plated trainers: it lacks the cushioning to make easy runs feel effortless, and it is best treated as a shoe for faster sessions rather than long, relaxed mileage.

Speed Sessions and Racing Potential

This is where the shoe shines. On a steady tempo run it felt comfortable and lively, with pleasant bounce from the Lightstrike Pro under the forefoot. A hill session with long three-minute reps highlighted its strengths: light shoes are excellent for hill work, and that deep forefoot foam wedge really comes into play when you are up on your toes.

A track workout with 800- and 300-meter repetitions confirmed the character. The Adios 8 gives a snappy transition forward rather than the booming bounce or smooth rocker of something like the Endorphin Speed. You have to stay engaged to hold pace, whereas plated shoes with big foam stacks let you slip into cruise control. That means more work on your legs during the session and a slightly slower bounce-back the next day.

That trade-off has two sides. If you want training to feel more like work and potentially build greater adaptations, a semi-flat like this is appealing. If you want sessions to feel easy and controlled so you can recover faster, a plated trainer remains the better tool.

Verdict: Who Should Buy the Adizero Adios 8

The Adios 8 is a genuinely good update and a compelling alternative to the high-stack plated shoes that dominate the fast trainer category. It suits runners who prefer a lower-profile ride, who find 40mm soft shoes unstable, or who simply do not like plates. The shank offers a hint of structure without the aggressive propulsion of carbon.

Racing is a realistic use case too. With adequate cushioning and an excellent outsole, it would rank highly as a non-carbon race option, including for slightly mixed-terrain events. Just know what you are getting: a more traditional, firmer, snappier ride rather than the super-shoe sensation. You will likely want a cushioned shoe alongside it in your rotation, and the price may drop below £100 fairly quickly in sales.

Conclusion

The Adidas Adizero Adios 8 does exactly what it needed to do: it makes the line relevant again by offering a lighter, softer, more stable take on the classic fast trainer. It is not the most versatile shoe, and it works your legs harder than a plated alternative, but for speed sessions, hill reps, and low-profile racing it is a genuinely enjoyable option.