Adidas Prime X 2.0 Strung: A Wilder, Heavier Sequel to a Modern Classic

Introduction

The Prime X 2.0 Strung has finally landed, and it arrives as one of the more experimental updates in recent memory. The original Prime X Strung earned a reputation as one of the most enjoyable high-stack shoes around, a shoe that simply made running feel good. The sequel keeps that spirit but changes the recipe in some very visible ways, most notably a double carbon plate setup that the brand describes as a leaf spring.

That leaf spring language has already divided opinion. The marketing leans hard into a concept car aesthetic, positioning the shoe as a rolling experiment rather than a conventional trainer. Whether that experiment lands depends on what you want from the shoe.

Who This Product Is For

The 2.0 appears aimed at a broader audience than the original. The first Prime X Strung was polarizing: some runners found it almost unrunnable due to its instability, while others found it effortless and leg-friendly on a daily basis. Adidas has clearly responded, softening the wilder edges to make the shoe more accessible to everyday runners rather than just enthusiasts with strong ankles.

What Has Changed in the 2.0

The headline change is the removal of the midsole cutouts and the addition of a split plate system: two carbon plates with a layer of new foam, called Energy Core, sandwiched between them. The placement of that foam, particularly toward the forefoot, is said to create something like a forefoot suspension system. It is an unusual approach, and the foam is likely a PEBA-based material, though the brand has not been explicit about its composition.

Lightstrike Pro remains the mainstay foam, with Energy Core used sporadically elsewhere, including the heel area, presumably to soften the initial step-in feel. Lightstrike Pro is known to need some break-in time, so the added heel foam may be about comfort out of the box. The removal of the large cutouts also makes practical sense: holes in a midsole let in water and debris, and durability concerns in the prototypes appear to have prompted a more conservative final design.

Stability: The Biggest Story

The wider heel and the removal of the arch cutout are the changes most likely to matter. The overall shape draws comparisons to the Adios Pro line, which was among the best-performing Adidas shoes, just a little narrower. The plates themselves will also dull some of the instability that made the original such a handful.

The trade-off is weight. The 2.0 comes in roughly 40 to 50 grams heavier than its predecessor, which was already featherweight for its stack. Heavier means more stable, and more stable means a shoe that will appeal to more people, but it also changes the character of the shoe entirely.

Is It Still a Race Day Shoe?

This is where things get interesting. The original, at a weight comparable to some dedicated racers, was ridiculous value as a start line shoe: light, bouncy, and propulsive. The added weight of the 2.0 arguably takes it out of that conversation, and it almost feels intentional, as if the shoe has been repositioned as a daily trainer or concept piece rather than a racing weapon.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The UK price has risen to 250 pounds, a 20 pound bump over the original. That puts it well above some strong competitors, around 60 pounds more than the Asics Superblast. Meanwhile, the original Prime X Strung is on sale in the UK for around 160 pounds, which says a lot about how the first version moved at retail.

There is one practical wrinkle for UK buyers: one version of the 2.0 was not removed from discount eligibility, so savvy shoppers may be able to pick up a pair at a meaningful discount. Worth checking before paying full price.

Buying Advice

If you loved the original, temper your expectations slightly: this is a beefier, heavier, more stable shoe, and sequels that chase mass appeal often lose some of what made the original special. If you found the original too unstable to enjoy, the 2.0 is likely the version for you, with the wider heel and filled-in midsole addressing the exact complaints that held the first shoe back.

For racing, the original at its discounted price remains one of the most compelling options available. For daily training in a high-stack shoe that no longer demands aggressive ankles, the 2.0 makes a stronger case than its predecessor ever did.

Conclusion

The Prime X 2.0 Strung is a concept shoe that has been toned down just enough to become genuinely usable. The split carbon plate and Energy Core foam are fascinating ideas, and the stability improvements should widen its appeal considerably. Whether it recaptures the magic of the original is the open question, but as an experiment in what a high-stack trainer can be, it is one of the more intriguing releases of the year.