Adidas Takumi Sen Review: A Lightweight Racer That Over-Delivers

Introduction

The Adidas Takumi Sen is the return of a racing line that Adidas had left dormant for a few years. It slots into a category that has been quietly evolving while most shoe development focused on marathon super shoes: the fast, lower-stack option for 5k to half marathon racing. I picked up a pair to test during a 5k interval session ahead of a short road race, and this review covers that first run in detail.

First Impressions on the Road

The session took place on park paths, with roughly four kilometres of easy jogging as a warm-up before changing into the Takumi Sen for the first time. Previous experience with another elite Adidas racing shoe had not gone well, so expectations were deliberately low. After around 200 steps, the shoe immediately felt noticeably more stable underfoot, which set a positive tone for the rest of the session.

Across the warm-up, the main session, and a three to four kilometre warm-down at varied paces, the shoe proved surprisingly versatile for something billed as a pure race day option.

Specs and Key Details

The Takumi Sen has a 33mm stack at the heel with a 6mm drop, giving roughly 27mm at the front. Weight comes in around 230g in the tested size, with around 210g in the smaller size. It sits well below the stack height of the Adios Pro, which reaches about 39.5mm at the legal limit, and that moderate amount of foam turned out to be a genuine sweet spot.

The shoe uses the same rods found across Adidas’s elite racing range, working alongside Lightstrike Pro foam and a Continental rubber outsole. Grip was solid throughout the session with no slipping issues, and the upper locked the foot down well with no heel issues, slipping, or hot spots.

How It Handled the Speed Session

The planned session was four to five 1k reps at target race effort with around two minutes recovery, followed by 200 metre repeats. The shoe was pleasant and quick from the first rep, and the cushioning felt softer than expected, noticeably softer than the Boston 10. Even on the tougher uphill reps, the shoe remained comfortable and responsive.

The standout quality is the weight. At around 230g, it is significantly lighter on the foot than marathon-focused versions, making it easy to raise cadence and run faster with less fatigue. The ride felt stable with no side-to-side rocking, and the foot landed naturally without forcing a change in running form.

Who This Shoe Is For

Adidas positions this as a 10k to half-marathon shoe, and that characterization holds up. It suits runners who want a fast, lower-stack racing option for 5k, 10k, and half marathon distances, and it also works as a training companion to a marathon shoe like the Adios Pro for faster workout days. Runners who prefer the very lightweight, natural feel of traditional racing flats may still find the rods and moderate stack a touch busy, but many will appreciate exactly that blend of protection and speed.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The price is the main consideration at around £170 in the UK and roughly $180 in the US. It sits below the cost of high-end super shoes but above some lighter racing options. Runners who found earlier elite Adidas racing shoes unstable may also want to try them first, though this shoe showed none of the instability issues reported with the Adios Pro in this test.

Buying Advice

If you race 5k to half marathon distances and want a shoe that feels soft, fast, and stable in one package, the Takumi Sen is an easy recommendation based on this first run. If your priority is absolute minimum weight and a flat, old-school racing feel, a lighter alternative may suit you better.

Either way, this shoe over-delivered against expectations and earned a strong early verdict, with a longer-term review planned after further mileage.

Conclusion

One run in, the Adidas Takumi Sen ticks nearly every box: soft Lightstrike Pro cushioning, a stable and confidence-inspiring ride, strong grip, and a low weight that makes turnover effortless. The price is the only real hesitation, but for runners targeting shorter race distances, this is a compelling option in a segment that is finally getting the attention it deserves.