Adidas Takumi Sen 9 Review: A Lighter Racing Flat for Short Distances

Introduction

Adidas has updated its super light racing flat aimed squarely at shorter distances. While the Adidas Pro 3 is the brand’s shoe for longer races, the Takumi Sen line is built for 5K, 10K, and mile racing. The ninth version is mostly an upper update, but the changes add up to a shoe that is noticeably lighter while staying fun and snappy.

Who This Product Is For

This is a racing shoe for shorter distances, not an everyday trainer. It still carries a generous amount of stack height and a light foam compound underfoot, so it is not a bare-bones racing flat. Runners who want some cushioning but still crave a light, quick ride will find a lot to like here. It also suits people who find track spikes too aggressive but want something fast for track sessions and shorter races.

What Changed in This Version

The headline update is weight. The previous version weighed 6.8 ounces in a men’s size nine, and this version comes in at 6.4 ounces. That is a noticeable drop for a racing shoe, and it is one you can feel on the run.

Underfoot, the numbers stay the same: 33 millimetres in the heel, 27 millimetres in the forefoot, and a 6 millimetre drop. The shoe keeps light foam compound cushioning and a rod plate rather than a carbon fibre plate, which adds some snappiness without the rigid feel of a full carbon plate.

How It Rides

On a track workout, the shoe felt great warming up because there is still plenty of cushioning, and it felt equally good when picking up the pace. The ride stays snappy without being the stiffest option available, which makes it a strong pick for runners who are averse to super stiff carbon plates.

No matter where you land, the ride feels comfortable, so it is forgiving on footstrike. The weight saving does not come at the cost of cushioning, which is the key balance here.

Fit and Upper

The much lighter upper is the biggest single update, and it shows. There is less pressure along the top of the foot, and it feels like your toes have more room to spread out. Security does not suffer for it; there were no lockdown issues during testing.

Flexibility is also excellent, and heel counters are soft and low-profile. If you are sensitive to stiff or bulky heel counters, this is a genuinely good lightweight option.

Things to Consider Before Buying

This is a short-distance racing shoe, so it is not designed to replace a daily trainer. The ride is not the stiffest on the market, which is a plus for some runners and a drawback for anyone chasing maximum propulsion. And while cushioning is generous for the category, it is still a racing shoe at heart.

Buying Advice

If you want a light racing shoe with some cushioning and a snappy but not punishing ride, the Takumi Sen 9 is an easy recommendation. It is especially compelling for runners who find track spikes too aggressive and want one shoe for track sessions, 5Ks, and 10Ks.

Conclusion

The Adidas Takumi Sen 9 takes what already worked in a super light racing flat and makes it lighter through a redesigned upper, without giving up cushioning or snap. For short-distance racing and fast workouts, it is one of the more versatile speed shoes available.