Adizero Adios Pro 3 First Run: How It Compares to Adios Pro 2, Endorphin Pro 3, Prime X, and Takumi Sen 8

Introduction

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is the latest legal carbon-fiber racing shoe from Adidas, built with carbon rods in the midsole and cleared for elite competition under World Athletics rules. After a first run in the shoe alongside the Adios Pro 2, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, the Adizero Prime X, and the Takumi Sen 8, there are some clear differences worth understanding before you pick a race-day shoe.

This is a first-impressions comparison rather than a long-term verdict, but the measurable details, including midsole firmness, weight, and midsole thickness, already tell an interesting story.

First-Run Impressions of the Adios Pro 3

The upper feels noticeably different from the previous generation. Out of the box there was some skepticism, but on foot it feels better and frankly significantly different from the Adios Pro 2. Lacing up one shoe at a time for comparison made the change obvious.

On the run itself, the Adios Pro 3 felt peppier. It felt snappier, easier to pick up the pace in, and better underfoot than the Adios Pro 2, which was a genuine surprise for a first run in a new version.

One thing to watch: the outsole falls off slightly on the lateral side just below the pinky toe. That edge was noticeable in the first couple of miles and initially created a feeling of collapsing toward the outside of the foot. It faded after about two miles, but it is worth keeping in mind if you land heavily on the lateral side.

Midsole Firmness Compared

Durometer readings put the numbers in perspective. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 measured around 32 on the scale, and it feels correspondingly soft underfoot.

The Adizero Adios Pro 3 measured roughly 36 to 37, matching the firmer feel on the run. The Adizero Adios Pro 2, tested on the medial side, measured around 37 on one reading, though on the lateral side it read 41 to 42. Keep in mind that midsole foam can change slightly with exposure to air, so readings on an older shoe are not perfectly comparable to a brand-new one.

In practice, the firmer Adios Pro 3 pairs with that snappy ride, while the softer Endorphin Pro 3 leans toward cushioned comfort. Neither approach is wrong; it comes down to how you want a race shoe to feel at pace.

Weight and Midsole Thickness

Weight readings tell a small but meaningful story. The Adizero Adios Pro 2 comes in at 7.2 ounces, while the Adizero Adios Pro 3 is slightly lighter at 7.0 ounces. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, for reference, sits at about 6.7 to 6.8 ounces in the same size, making it the lightest of the three.

The Adios Pro 3 also gained at least two millimeters of midsole thickness compared to the Adios Pro 2, which lines up with the industry trend of adding more midsole foam with each generation. More foam plus less weight is exactly the direction most runners want to see.

For completeness, the Adizero Prime X, the 50-millimeter stack experiment, measured 8.5 ounces in the heel. It is not a direct competitor in weight, but it shows how far the midsole-thickness conversation has gone.

The Supporting Cast: Prime X and Takumi Sen 8

The Adizero Prime X stands apart with its 50-millimeter heel stack and 8.5-ounce weight. It is a maximal experiment rather than a pure racer, best suited to runners who want maximum cushioning in a carbon-infused shoe and do not mind the bulk.

The Takumi Sen 8 sits at the other end of the lineup. It is the lighter, sharper tool in the Adidas range, aimed at shorter, faster efforts where a big midsole is more hindrance than help. Having it in the rotation alongside the Adios Pro 3 highlights the split in Adidas’s racing strategy: maximal race-day cushioning in the Pro line, lightweight speed in the Takumi Sen.

Which Shoe Fits Your Racing Goals

If you want the snappiest ride with slightly less weight and more foam than its predecessor, the Adizero Adios Pro 3 is the strongest first impression of this group, with the caveat about that lateral outsole edge under the pinky toe. If you prefer a softer, more cushioned feel and the lowest weight, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 measured softer at around 32 durometer and lighter at roughly 6.7 to 6.8 ounces. The Adios Pro 2 remains a proven option at 7.2 ounces, though the Pro 3 now trends in the right direction on both weight and midsole thickness.

Match the shoe to the effort: maximal cushioned racing in the Pro family, extreme stack experiments in the Prime X, and short-distance sharpness in the Takumi Sen 8.

Conclusion

The Adizero Adios Pro 3 makes a strong first impression: a different and better-feeling upper, a firmer and snappier ride, two millimeters of extra midsole foam, and a slightly lower weight than the Adios Pro 2. Combined with the softer, lighter Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, the maximal Prime X, and the nimble Takumi Sen 8, it gives runners a genuine choice depending on how they want their next race to feel. Early testing is promising, and longer-term miles will confirm whether the Pro 3 keeps that edge.