Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung: 100-Mile Review

Introduction

Some shoes earn a follow-up write-up, and the Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung has absolutely earned one. Picked up with my own money roughly two months ago in a UK 11 (US 12), the shoe reached 100 miles remarkably quickly, largely because it is simply so much fun to run in. At 305 grams (about 10.8 ounces), it is a substantial shoe, but the experience on foot never feels heavy.

Sizing advice is straightforward: go true to size. Going half a size down is only worth considering if you have a very narrow foot. Heel stack in this larger size measures around 56 millimeters; a standard sample size lands at about 50 millimeters. Retail price in the UK is a considerable 230, though significant discounts have appeared in the US, with some buyers paying around 150 dollars, which is much easier to stomach.

Upper: Strung Construction Delivers

The Strung upper is superb and genuinely changes how the shoe feels. It improves on the mid zone outsole of the original Prime X, making the foam feel more stable and consistent, and locking the foot down better onto the midsole unit. Although the material looks stiff, in hand and on foot it is neither. It is very light, very strong, and after 100 miles shows no wear or degradation anywhere. There is minor discoloration in the toe box, which is expected given the winter weather it has run through in the UK.

Lockdown is easy to achieve with any old socks: tie them up and off you go. No rubbing, no pressure, no irritation. The layered nature of the material makes it inherently strong, and durability does not seem to be a concern at all. Lacing is on point throughout. The only adjustment worth mentioning is taking a moment to flatten down the tongue over the top of the foot. Would anything be changed? Absolutely not.

Midsole: A Bouncy, Controlled Ride

There is really nothing else quite like this midsole. Compared with other max-cushion options, the balance of squish and propulsion here is unusual: it compresses, but it also feels genuinely propulsive, with a rebound-like, bouncy character rather than a quicksand-like feel. Even the heavier alternatives in this category do not offer the same combination of control and cushioning. The foam took a short time to break in out of the box, but now it feels buttery and keeps feeling better after every run. Notably, the midsole has barely creased at all after this mileage.

The exposed blades in the outsole matter more than they first appear. Without them, the energy rods would not have enough control and the ride would feel wobbly; they are what allow the stack to be this high. A flat, rigid plate under the heel helps create a lovely transition from heel to midfoot to toe off, and stability has held up in wet, blustery, and even icy conditions.

Performance across paces is a genuine strength: easy recovery runs at 8 minutes per mile and slower, steady runs around 7:30 per mile, and half marathon reps around 6:50 per mile all work well. Marathon and half marathon pace is easily achievable. This is not a 5K or 10K shoe and is not intended to be one. Legs consistently feel superb afterwards. Compared with other aggressive racers, it feels more natural and less duck-like in the midfoot, closer to a standard running shoe in shape.

Two important restrictions. First, if you overpronate, this is not the shoe for you: the squash simply will not work, and the upper has limited control to keep you on top of the midsole, so you can slip off onto the lateral side. Neutral runners landing midfoot are good to go. Second, keep it on roads and paths; uneven camber and trails are asking for trouble.

Outsole: Almost No Wear

The outsole shows effectively zero wear after 100 miles, with only the tiniest scuffing in the exposed areas around the blades. In fact, the outsole feels a little better now than out of the box, slightly more tactile after some grinding. Grip is wonderful on the ground, and the grooves are not wide or deep enough to trap much debris; nothing has needed prying out so far.

Wet and dry conditions are both handled well, and it even passed an icy-paths test without any regret. The exposed midsole foam in the mid and forefoot shows only a little discoloration, and the rubber sections remain firmly attached. There is a small crevice that collects some questionable debris, but that is the only complaint.

Value and Verdict

Yes, the retail price is extremely expensive and there is no getting away from that. But with this level of performance, durability, and everyday usability, it becomes easier to justify, particularly with the heavy US discounts that have pushed prices down to around 150 dollars for some buyers. The outsole durability alone should convince a few more people to give it a try. The upper is also remarkably easy to clean; a baby wipe or cloth brings it right back, since the material does not absorb grit and grime the way some other uppers do. Build quality is faultless.

Factoring in the sheer enjoyment of every run, this scores 11.8 out of 12 after 100 miles. It is one of the best running shoes ever purchased and used here, and a training option rather than a race option, given the stack height and the uneven camber of UK roads.

Conclusion

The Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung earns its place as one of the most enjoyable max-cushion trainers available: a superbly strong upper, a uniquely propulsive and controlled midsole, and an outsole that barely wears. Buy it if you are a neutral runner who wants a fun daily trainer for roads and paths, size up your expectations on price, and check the discount market before paying full retail.