adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Performance Review

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is the next evolution of adidas’s high-end long-distance racing shoe line. I’ve liked the Adios Pro line since the original but most people jumped on the bandwagon starting with the second iteration. The Adios Pro 2 is so good it currently sits on our list of Best Marathon Running Shoes and our list of the best running shoes for high arches. That’s besides making it on our overall Best Running Shoes and Best adidas Running Shoes lists. Is the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 good enough to get a place on our best list?

Pros

Stability

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 widens the base in a significant way from the Adios Pro 2 and its ridiculously high stack brother, the adidas Adizero Prime X. The result? The most stable marathon-focused racing shoe on the market.

The extra stability is incredibly helpful on sharp turns (like the dreaded 180-degree turns that some race courses have), in wet conditions, or when you’re feeling tired and your feet are pronating more than usual. During a track workout, I felt myself increasing speed around the corners because I felt so secure. That’s not the norm with high-stack super shoes. Stability tends to be a negative on almost all of them.

So, if you’re hoping for a more stable race day option, it’s here.

Rocker and Bounce

In addition to getting wider, the midsole of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 gets a sharper toe angle and updated Energy Rods 2.0 (used instead of a one-piece carbon fiber plate).

The sharper toe angle makes a big difference in the rocker motion, I felt like my feet left the ground a little faster than in the Adios Pro 2. The smoother, quicker rocker made the shoe feel faster and bouncier. Mentally and physically, it was a nice boost.

The updated Energy Rods 2.0 play into both the stability and bounce. Previously, the rods were five completely separate, well…rods, floating within the foam. Now, though the rods can still move individually, they’re attached together in several places. This likely helped the fluidity of the rocker and the bounce as the rods worked together more than they did in the Adios Pro and Adios Pro 2.

So basically, I love all the changes to the midsole. The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 feels faster and more supportive without sacrificing anything.

Breathability

While I don’t love the textile mesh used for the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3’s upper, more on that later, it’s a lot more breathable than the recycled polyester upper on the Adios Pro 2. It’s not as see-through, but more air passes through the upper to hit the foot. Running on some particularly hot days leading up to writing this review, I appreciated the extra airflow. And you’ll appreciate it too when you’re grinding through the final miles of your next marathon.

Outsole

The Continental rubber used on the outsole of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 doesn’t feature any lugs and even has a bunch of cutouts to save weight. But the rubber used is like a race car tire. It just holds the ground extremely well. It combines with a more stable midsole to offer security in any condition. You won’t slip and slide no matter the conditions. That’s invaluable peace of mind when you’re focused on running a difficult race. It’s just one less thing on your mind.

Cons

Achilles Stitching

While it didn’t cause me any hotspots, the design of the Achilles pads and heel cup on the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 isn’t well thought out. I felt it rubbing slightly my first couple of runs but the heel tab of my Bombas Performance Running Socks saved the day.

The heel cup features an extra piece of fabric on the inside that integrates with the Achilles pillows and can flip upwards like an elfish spoiler. Due to both it, and the fuse supporting the heel, there’s hard stitching around the pillows and across the rear of the shoe right just a centimeter or two below the top edge of the heel collar.

Depending on your socks, it could dig in and cause a blister, especially as you break in the shoe. You might get lucky like me and avoid a blister, but there shouldn’t be exposed stitching of that nature around the Achilles on the heel collar. It’s asking for trouble.

Upper Materials

The textile mesh used on the upper of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is coarse. It’s more durable and breathable than the materials used on previous versions, but it’s not more comfortable. It really hurts step-in comfort as it’s the sort of material that takes a couple of runs to break in fully. I foresee a lot of specialty run store employees having to convince runners it won’t annoy them.

In addition, the synthetic suede tongue just feels cheap. It’s light and was likely done to provide crucial weight savings. It’s not bad, just meh. On the plus side, even though it’s not gusseted, adidas strings the laces through the tongue three times so it won’t slide around.

While the upper materials don’t inhibit performance, I wish they hadn’t taken a step back from previous versions. I mean, they’re ok, but I expected more. Luckily, the midsole changes are so good that I can overlook the upper’s issues.

adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Summary

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is one of the best marathon racing shoes on the market. It sits above the fray with the likes of the Nike Alphafly and a shoe I’m reviewing right now, the Asics Metaspeed Sky+.

The new midsole’s combination of bounciness and stability help it fill an unoccupied niche. And while it did take a small step back in terms of the upper, it’s an incredibly high-performing shoe that sits in the top tier of long-distance running shoes. Those runners needing stability, in addition to speed, should try the Adios Pro 3 as soon as they can.