Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 vs the Super Shoe Field: Six Marathon Racers Compared

Introduction

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 has become the shoe people ask to see compared against everything else in the racing lineup, and for good reason. It sits in the thick of the super shoe conversation: tall heel stacks, plate-loaded midsoles, and race-day pace built in.

This comparison looks at how it measures up against five of the biggest names released over the past year: the Asics Metaspeed Sky Plus, Nike Vaporfly Next% 2, Nike Alphafly Next% 2, Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 and Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite. Measured figures here reflect a UK 10.5 fit unless noted otherwise, so treat weights and stack heights as indicative rather than exact.

Adizero Adios Pro 3 vs Asics Metaspeed Sky Plus

The Metaspeed Sky Plus is probably the closest thing in the current range to an old school race flat. That comes with a pinch of salt, since there is plenty of midsole foam, but it is very much a racer. It has a noticeably narrower heel than the Adios Pro 3 and the lowest heel stack measured here at roughly 39mm. The heel-to-toe drop is similar, around 5mm on the Asics versus about 6.5mm on the Adidas.

The Asics is firmer and more rigid underfoot, and it is lighter too: about 25 grams less than the Adios Pro 3, accounting for the half size difference, which could matter over a marathon. In practice it reads as a half marathon shoe, with 10K and 5K racing well within its comfort zone.

The Adios Pro 3 is wider in the midfoot and heel, offers a touch more stability, and has a better toe box in both height and width. If versatility is high on your list, the Adidas wins: it feels good enough that many runners use it in daily rotation, not just for fast sessions. For dedicated racing and speed work, though, the Metaspeed Sky Plus is the sharper tool.

Adizero Adios Pro 3 vs Nike Vaporfly Next% 2

The Vaporfly Next% 2 remains the benchmark for many runners, and even in a half size up it still comes in about 15 grams lighter than the Adios Pro 3. Stack heights are similar, but the Nike is narrower in both the midfoot and heel.

Fit is where the divide opens up. The Adios Pro 3 has no pinch in the arch area and more underfoot support, which should appeal to a wider range of runners. The Vaporfly has a well-known arch irritation issue for some wearers, and it is one to be cautious about if you have a flatter arch. There are hints that Nike is addressing this in the next Vaporfly iteration by shifting foam and widening the platform.

If you run on the mid to forefoot, which most people do when racing fast, the Vaporfly Next% 2 may still work well. The Adios Pro 3, however, is more forgiving across a range of foot strikes. Pricing sits at the same level between the two, so it comes down to fit and preference. On outsole durability, the Adidas pulls clear: the Continental rubber is simply more durable, and it shades the toe box on width and height too.

Adizero Adios Pro 3 vs Nike Alphafly Next% 2

The Alphafly Next% 2 is the closest match for the Adios Pro 3 in heel stack and midsole surface area, but it comes in about 22 grams heavier, which alone may put some runners off. The Adios Pro 3 reads as a more conventional shoe in the best sense: your foot simply slides in, where the Alphafly can be an absolute struggle to get on without a shoe horn. Its rigid Atomknit upper is less flexible than the mesh on the Adidas.

The Nike carries a large extra volume of midsole foam, which some runners will find unnecessary ballast. It is very much a marathon-aimed shoe, and if you want maximum surface area and stability over 26.2 miles, it may be the right call.

The Adios Pro 3 is the more versatile of the pair, feeling great at pretty much any pace, and it is a good deal cheaper as well. If you want one shoe for marathon day and everything else, the Adidas is the more sensible pick; if you want maximum marathon-day cushioning and can live with the fit quirks and price, the Alphafly earns its place.

Adizero Adios Pro 3 vs Saucony Endorphin Pro 3

The Endorphin Pro 3 matches the Adios Pro 3 exactly on heel stack and holds a 17 gram weight advantage. Its upper is exceptionally light and flexible, almost invisible on foot, though the tongue can slip down and spoil the fit. Underfoot, the Power Run PB midsole and PWRRAB insole deliver an insanely cushioned, ultra-compressive ride that feels like the least present shoe of the six.

Grip is comparable to other super shoes, but the Adios Pro 3 still edges the outsole battle thanks to the Continental rubber, which offers more coverage to protect the midsole foam. The Endorphin Pro 3’s midsole takes a bit of a beating over time.

This one is close to a dead heat. You can hardly lose with either shoe; both score right at the top of the class.

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite vs Adizero Adios Pro 3

The Puma versus Adidas rivalry ends the lineup. Both weigh in at exactly 260 grams in a UK 11, though the Puma sits a few millimetres lower in heel stack, a small difference that matters to some runners. The Fast-R Nitro Elite is also narrower through the midfoot to the toe box.

The narrower toe box makes the Puma a shorter-range shoe: ideal for 5K and 10K racing and fast training, with the half marathon as its upper limit. The Adios Pro 3 is the longer-range contender with a more conventional, comfortable upper fit.

The Puma has a concentrated, controlled feel with a little EVA in the heel rather than pure squish, a character all of its own. Grip is about equal, but the flatter rubber on the Adidas is slightly more road-ready. As a half marathon specialist, the Puma edges ahead on aggression and design flair, while the Adios Pro 3 remains the more durable, versatile all-rounder you can take out at any pace without worrying about wear.

Buying Advice

Across all six comparisons, a pattern holds. If you want one racing shoe that covers marathon day, fast training and everything between, the Adizero Adios Pro 3 is the most versatile and the easiest fit, with the best outsole durability of the group thanks to Continental rubber. If you chase pure speed over shorter distances, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Plus or Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite are more focused and lighter feeling. For maximum marathon-day cushioning, the Alphafly Next% 2 leads, at a price, while the Vaporfly Next% 2 and Endorphin Pro 3 remain excellent all-round racers with their own fit quirks to weigh.

Conclusion

The Adizero Adios Pro 3 proves itself against a very strong field: not the lightest or the most aggressive, but the most versatile, stable and durable of the six. Match your choice to your race distance and foot shape, and any of these super shoes can carry you to a personal best.