Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Review: A Modern Race Flat in a Max-Stack World

Introduction

The Adizero Adios line has long been the answer for runners who want something lean, quick and unapologetically minimal. The ninth edition continues that philosophy, arriving in a running world now dominated by tall, heavily cushioned super trainers. The question is simple: is there still room in the rotation for a shoe like this?

At a purchase price of £120, the Adios 9 is a self-purchased, honest look at what Adidas is offering this time around. In a UK 11 / US 11.5, it weighs in at a remarkable 203g (about 7.2 oz), which is genuinely staggering for a shoe with this level of construction.

Who This Shoe Is For

The short answer: lighter-framed runners who like going fast. The midsole measures around 27mm at the heel in sample sizing (this pair reads closer to 30mm with roughly a 7mm drop, so around 23mm in the forefoot). That is a low stack by modern standards, and you can feel it. There is a reasonable amount of cushion here if you are a lighter runner, but heavier-set runners will likely find it nowhere near enough.

The fit is narrow: about 11.5cm at the widest point of the forefoot and just 7.4cm in the heel. It is essentially a race spike that you can take out on the road. Adidas positions it for distances up to the half marathon, but realistically this is a 5K and 10K shoe for most people.

Main Strengths

The upper is the best part of this shoe. The glove-like fit recalls classic race flats of years gone by, something close to a football boot upper. The tongue is very thin, heel padding is kitten soft, and there is no traditional heel counter, just flexible structure. A new technology called Light Lock, a material inside the shoe that grips the upper around your foot, works well and makes lockdown easy to achieve. The slightly gusseted tongue will please fans of that design.

The midsole now uses a full-length Lightstrike Pro, whereas previous versions mixed Lightstrike 2.0 with a partial Lightstrike Pro layer. The foam reads around 30 Shore A, possibly slightly softer internally, and it should soften up a little with break-in. On foot, the shoe is responsive to the point of being picky: it only really likes going fast. During 400m reps on tired legs, turnover was excellent, though the recovery jogs felt bone shaking.

It also comes with a better-quality, slightly thicker insole than before, with a stiffening element on top of the midsole for torsional stability and a coarse texture that adds grip underfoot.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The outsole is the weak point. There is sticky Continental rubber in the forefoot for aggressive toe-off, around 60 Shore A, with Light Traction rubber elsewhere. But the forefoot and midfoot ridges give way to nearly smooth rubber in the heel, dropping from about 55 Shore A to 47. Aggressive heel strikers will wear through this quickly. Grip was fine on dry roads and concrete during faster sessions, but on grit-strewn, debris-covered roads this shoe will mulch up fast. The ridges are also extremely hard to clean, and the transparent rubber raises unknown durability questions.

Then there is the ride itself. Runners accustomed to bigger stacks may find the recovery portions of runs uncomfortable, and this is no longer a daily-miles recommendation. Compared to the previous Adios 8, which balanced a stable heel with a responsive forefoot, the Adios 9 is a much more niche shoe. It borrows ideas from the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 in miniature, chasing low weight above all else.

Buying Advice

If you want a nimble option for ultra-fast 5K or 10K racing, a track-adjacent speed session tool, or a spike substitute, the Adios 9 fits beautifully. Lighter-framed runners will get the most out of it. Heavier runners will likely be better served elsewhere in the Adidas lineup, and most people should probably look at other options for anything beyond 10K.

Is it better than the Evo SL? Arguably yes, in the sense that it is more refined and subtle. But heavier-set runners may get more long-term value from that shoe instead. Even at £120, this is a hard sell simply because it appeals to such a specific type of runner.

Conclusion

The Adizero Adios 9 is a beautifully made, strikingly light tempo shoe with a superb upper and genuine speed credentials. Its low stack, firm ride and questionable outsole durability make it a niche offering rather than an all-rounder. For the right runner chasing fast 5K and 10K times, it is spot on. For everyone else, the wider Adizero family probably has a better fit.