Adidas Running Shoes Rated: 8 Models Graded From Daily Trainers to Race Day Weapons

Introduction

Adidas has one of the deepest running shoe lineups of any major brand, and the difference between the best and worst models in the range is dramatic. After extensive testing across the past year, eight models stand out enough to grade properly, from a heavy stability trainer best avoided by most runners to a carbon-plated racer that makes hard efforts genuinely fun. The grades below reflect how each shoe performed in real training and racing, not just on paper.

The Grades at a Glance

The eight shoes tested cover nearly every category: max-cushion daily trainers, tempo shoes, marathon racers and aggressive short-distance speed shoes. The spread runs from a D-minus up to a full A, and the pattern is clear: the lighter, more modern Adizero models consistently outclass the older, heavier platforms. If you are shopping in this range, the placement matters more than the brand name on the box.

Adidas AdiStar: D-Minus

The AdiStar is the mega clunker of the range. The ride is dialed into a very specific pace zone, and over time it never really gelled. It is not a total disaster, and some runners could rack up plenty of enjoyable miles in it, particularly if a more stable, rockered shoe is what you need. But it is far too heavy, coming in around 350 grams in a UK size 11 / US size 12, and 2022 has simply produced lighter and far more forgiving alternatives. It feels like a shoe from a few years ago, and not in a charming way.

Adidas Ultraboost 22: D

The Ultraboost 22 initially won points for its on-foot profile and good looks, but it drifted out of the running rotation and into the casual one. The Primeknit upper simply does not cope well with wet weather, which is a real problem in the UK. If you do get it soaked, be careful how you dry it: always air dry naturally, and never put running shoes anywhere near a heater. Underfoot, the heel-to-toe drop works nicely, but the mid-to-forefoot feel could be more forgiving. With a wet-weather version that is even heavier and heavy discounting across many colorways, the direction of travel is not encouraging.

Adidas Boston 10: C-Minus

The Boston 10 was hard to warm to. It improved over roughly 50 miles, becoming slightly less rigid, but it remains a very rigid slab of Lightstrike. The Lightstrike Pro seems to peter out well before the plate, and some owners have even removed the plate to make the shoe more forgiving. The return feels far less than you would expect from a shoe with energy rods and good foam. On the plus side, the outsole is genuinely excellent, especially in wet and moist conditions. The lockdown across the top of the foot, however, felt almost straightjacket-like, and the heel counter is aggressive. Compared with the competition in this category, it is hard to recommend over the newer Boston 11.

Adidas Adizero Adios 7: B

The Adios 7 is a genuinely pleasant surprise. Adidas has repositioned it as a pace and tempo shoe, but it works brilliantly for daily use too. It is essentially a refined version of the Adios 6, with unnecessary heel padding removed, and the same midsole and outsole setup. The result is a light, breezy shoe that almost pushes you into running faster than intended. The profile and design are lovely, and it retains the Adios 6’s midsole and outsole. The one major letdown is the outsole, which picks up debris like a road sweeper, so expect to pick grit out of the grooves after wet-weather runs.

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2: A-Minus

The Adios Pro 2 is a banger of a shoe. The upper fits like a glove, resists moisture brilliantly so it stays consistent in wet weather, and the outsole is a triumph of design in terms of materials and setup. Over extended testing it helped produce some genuinely fast 10K races, and it remains a superb short and mid-distance racer. It is a shame the test pair met an unfortunate end, because this is a shoe worth many more miles. For faster pace work, it still edges out its successor.

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3: B

The Adios Pro 3 would make a really good marathon shoe. It is a touch more rigid than the Pro 2 but more stable in the heel, with a generous mid-to-forefoot toe box area. The outsole has proven an absolute legend in nasty UK weather, and the shoe keeps improving with mileage, feeling better the more it is worn. The price increase is a sticking point, though it has already been discounted to around $180 in the US. At roughly 45 miles into testing, there is still room for the grade to climb; it seems more likely to go up than down. Right now it earns a strong B.

Adidas Takumi Sen 8: A

The Takumi Sen 8 earns the top grade. Think of it as a turbo-boosted version of the Adios 6 and 7, with even more excess weight removed and Lightstrike in the middle with all the restrictions lifted. It is fast, nimble and propulsive, and it helped deliver a very quick time in a road and trail race earlier in the year. The upper design shows real regard for craft in material placement, and like several Adidas models, it gets better the more you use it. For all distances up to the half marathon, it is one of the best shoes of the year from any manufacturer.

Adidas Adizero Prime X: A

Last but by no means least, the Adizero Prime X. Yes, it is very expensive, but at easy steady paces you may find it a little unstable; anything above steady speed and it is one of the best running shoes around. Long runs, easier-paced efforts, recoveries and even faster mile reps all worked, with excellent cushioning, a lovely mid-to-forefoot roll when engaged, and wonderful comfort in the new strung upper material. It makes the process of running fun and engaging, and it is hard not to find yourself beaming while out in it. This is the future in a shoe, and it fully deserves an A.

Which One Should You Buy?

Match the shoe to the job. If you want a daily trainer or tempo shoe with real versatility, the Adizero Adios 7 is the safest all-round pick. For short and fast racing up to the half marathon, the Takumi Sen 8 is the standout, and the Adios Pro 2 remains a superb option if you can still find it. Marathon-focused runners should look at the Adios Pro 3, which rewards mileage and is already seeing discounts in the US. For maximum fun across a wide range of paces and a premium budget, the Adizero Prime X is hard to beat. The AdiStar, Ultraboost 22 and Boston 10 all have specific merits, but in this competitive field they are the models to approach with caution.

Conclusion

The story of this Adidas range is a tale of two eras. The older platforms, the AdiStar, Ultraboost 22 and Boston 10, feel heavy, rigid or compromised in wet weather, while the modern Adizero line is genuinely excellent from the light Adios 7 through to the race day brilliance of the Takumi Sen 8 and Prime X. If you are buying into the three stripes for running, shop in the Adizero family first and let your target pace and distance narrow the choice from there.