Best adidas Running Shoes

adidas Adizero SL

The adidas Adizero SL is adidas’ new daily running shoe and comes through with great value and a smooth ride. The outsole rubber is plentiful and hardly showed any wear during our testing. The midsole is Lightstrike with a Lightstrike Pro puck in the forefoot. That setup offers just enough plushness up front to feel good for 8-10 miles. The midsole geometry and the upper mimic adidas’ race day Adios Pro 3 allowing the Adizero SL to be a great everyday complement to what you’re wearing on race day.

The upper is comfy and well padded, though the tongue is not gusseted and slippy. The fit is more accommodating than adidas’ other Adizero shoes but there’s also a wide version if you need it. For $120, the Adizero SL packs a solid value proposition for a shoe that can handle both daily runs or all day on your feet.

Fits: Up a half size from typical adidas, Drop: 8mm, Price: $120

adidas Boston 12

The adidas Boston 12 is complementary to our best adidas Marathon running shoe, the Adios Pro 3. It provides a similar feel on foot and can handle daily running and speed sessions. It does take some break in time to soften up the midsole, but once it’s broken in you’ll feel the bounce from the Lightstrike Pro and the spring from the Energy Rods. It’s stable but aggressive, so it’s not a good option for beginners but long-time runners and Boston model fans will enjoy the ride. See the full review.

Fits: Typical adidas, Drop: 6.5mm, Price: $160

adidas Ultraboost Light

With the latest Ultraboost model, adidas finally improved upon the Boost formula with Lightboost. It’s a version of Boost that’s 30% lighter than the original but feels the same underfoot. It makes the shoe significantly lighter than previous models though it’s still weighty for a running shoe.

The traction from the Continental outsole rubber is great though it can pick up pebbles and twigs. The LEP system (essentially a plastic plate to help stabilize the shoe and give it more pop) is much better than previous generations as it’s less stiff but still gives energy back. Finally, the best part of the Ultraboost Light is the upper. It’s got achilles pillows and the best lockdown since the Ultraboost 20 from three years ago. You still get that sock-like comfort and accommodating fit without worrying about sliding off the footbed.

The adidas Ultraboost Light is the ultimate hybrid of a casual and running shoe which makes it a solid option for beginners everywhere. See the full review.

Fits: Up a half size from typical adidas, Drop: 10mm, Price: $190

adidas Switch FWD

The adidas Switch FWD is a squishy, comfortable, fun shoe that’s best categorized as a casual shoe that you can run in. The midsole’s only EVA but it feels bouncier than normal and the geometry rolls across the ground nicely. If you’re running 3-6 miles a few times each week and want something that can run but look good casually, you’ll find it useful for your rotation. Read the full review.

Fits: Typical adidas, Drop: 10mm, Price: $140

adidas Adizero SL

The adidas Adizero SL is adidas’ new daily running shoe and comes through with great value and a smooth ride. The outsole rubber is plentiful and hardly showed any wear during our testing. The midsole is Lightstrike with a Lightstrike Pro puck in the forefoot. That setup offers just enough plushness up front to feel good for 8-10 miles. The midsole geometry and the upper mimic adidas’ race day Adios Pro 3 allowing the Adizero SL to be a great everyday complement to what you’re wearing on race day.

The upper is comfy and well padded, though the tongue is not gusseted and slippy. The fit is more accommodating than adidas’ other Adizero shoes but there’s also a wide version if you need it. For $120, the Adizero SL packs a solid value proposition for a shoe that can handle both daily runs or all day on your feet.

Fits: Up a half size from typical adidas, Drop: 8mm, Price: $120

adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra

The adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra’s name is a mouthful but it performs well on the trails. The upper is stiff and needs to be broken in. Wide footers should try them on to make sure they have enough room given the narrower fit. Once the upper forms to your foot, the Boost cushioning, Continental rubber outsole, and TPU rock plate all function well in various trail conditions.

Fit: Typical adidas, Drop: 8mm, Price $160

adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is a smooth-riding and bouncy long-distance or marathon race day shoe. The rocker is improved from previous versions with a sharper toe angle and improved carbon fiber energy rods that make the shoe feel faster and bouncier. Breathability is top-notch, the outsole grips everything, and, due to a widened base, stability is great for a race day shoe. You’ll want to wear thicker socks to avoid issues with the problematic Achilles stitching but that’s the only real issue in a shoe that’s the best adidas marathon shoe and one of the best marathon racing shoes on the market. See the full review.

Fit: Typical adidas, Drop: 6.5mm, Price $250

adidas Takumi Sen 9

The adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 9 is basically an upgraded adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2 with less foam underfoot. Why did adidas make this shoe? Because when you’re running shorter distances, you don’t need as much impact protection. The Takumi Sen 9 is a great shoe for 5k and 10k races along with interval training and tempo work. If you want a racing shoe (and one of the best adidas running shoes overall) built for shorter road races that also performs amazingly in speed workouts, this is likely the best option on the market. 

Fit: Up a half size from typical adidas, Drop: 6mm, Price: $180

adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung

Imagine taking the Adios Pro 3 and adding so much foam the shoe gets banned from international competition. That’s the story of the adidas Prime X 2. It’s taller, heavier, and bouncier than the Adios Pro 3. It’s probably the bounciest running shoe we’ve ever tested. If you need something that will give your legs ultimate protection on long runs, get the Prime X 2 Strung. It’s not for everyone though. The Prime X 2 is made for shoe geeks who love experimenting with fun new tech while running long distances. Read the full review.

Fit: Typical adidas, Drop: 6.5mm, Price $300

adidas Adistar CS

The running team at adidas took their most stylish running shoe and added an Energy Drive support frame. The result? A super stable shoe that prevents rolling and encourages more forward motion. And while we don’t like the upper quite as much as the Adistar (which you’ll find in this list’s honorable mentions), you get the same great traction, accommodating fit, and smooth rocker motion. The Adistar CS is a great stability shoe for slower easy runs. And it looks great for casual wear too.

Fit: Typical adidas, Drop: 6mm, Price $160

adidas Adistar

The adidas Adistar is the most stylish adidas running shoe available. It’s got the chunky look that’s extremely popular for casual wear these days but it’s also a very good recovery day shoe. It’s super stable, sports a comfortable upper, and features a good old Continental rubber outsole with great traction. The thing that drops it down to honorable mention is the Repetitor foam dual-density midsole. It needs to be a bit softer to get into the best cushioned running shoe discussion.

Fit: Typical adidas, Drop: 6mm, Price $130

adidas Ultraboost Made to be Remade

The adidas Ultraboost Made to be Remade (previously called the Futurecraft Loop) is a project adidas is attempting around the return and recycling of footwear. The shoe itself is made of 100% TPU. Once returned, the shoe can be shredded and repurposed into, you guessed it, more of these shoes. A shoe made of plastic significantly increases the break-in time but the sustainability aspect is noteworthy and admirable. Read our full review.

Fit: Up a half size from typical adidas, Drop: 10mm, Price $210