Adidas Adizero Adios 9 vs Nike Zoom Fly 6
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Nike Zoom Fly 6
A versatile plated trainer that balances soft ZoomX cushioning with a responsive carbon plate, handling everything from easy runs to marathon pace at a competitive price; most testers praise its durability and value, though some find it slightly firm for a daily trainer.
Adidas Adizero Adios 9 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: low cushion , neutral stability .
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EDDBUD has been running and wearing the Adios 9 since late 2024 and rates it as a superb-value, lightweight, lower-stack do-it-all option held back only by Adidas's strange decision not to release it properly in the US.
Ride:Despite a 27mm heel stack, energy return is among the highest of any shoe per RunRepeat; a small midfoot torsion plate adds support without taking flexion away. Doesn't feel hard to run in despite the lower stack thanks to the Lightstrike Pro foam.
Fit:Simple upper similar in quality to the Takumi Sen 11; fits narrow.
In their words: "low-weight, lower stack, responsive option" · "incredible amount of energy return" · "a nice nimble racer"
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A cheaper, flatter 'knockdown' of the Takumi Sen with no energy rods — a neutral race-flat option Kofuzi rates highly enough to have bought one for his daughter to race in.
Ride:Very neutral, sock-like, race-flat feel that sits low to the ground; no energy rods but keeps the Lightlock upper and Continental/Lighttraxion outsole of the Takumi silo. Feels fast and flat with lots of ground feel — a good option for 5K road races or track workouts when you don't want to be in spikes.
Fit:A bit more padding in the tongue and heel cup than the Takumi Sen, making it slightly more comfortable and daily-trainer-adjacent
In their words: "lowest stack height shoe" · "flatter road flat" · "racing feel"
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An excellent old-school racing flat brought up to date with full-length Lightstrike Pro — best for 5K/10K speed work, not a do-it-all shoe. Good value at GBP 120.
Ride:Supremely light with strong proprioception and ground feel; full-length Lightstrike Pro provides modern responsiveness without rods or plates, making it engaging at all speeds from jogging to 10K race pace.
Fit:True to size with a narrow forefoot toe box that won't suit wider feet. Stretch mesh upper with gusseted tongue gives a comfortable, slipper-like fit and very good lockdown.
In their words: "old school racing flat experience" · "really gives that slipper likee feel" · "a bit of a narrow toe box"
Nike Zoom Fly 6 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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#1 tempo shoe. Best Zoom Fly ever made — fun for daily training and excellent at going fast. Comfortable, peppy, lightweight.
In their words: "comfortable. it's peppy. it's lightweight" · "everything that i want in a tempo shoe"
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Fordy says the Zoom Fly 6 is a great shoe but skews toward race-day rather than versatile training; would like Nike to make it less firm and more exciting.
Ride:Reviewer calls it a great shoe but more towards a race-day shoe — a toned-down race-day shoe from Nike — and feels it's a bit firm; wishes Nike would inject more excitement and innovation into it
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An excellent versatile super-trainer that does every kind of run well; not quite as lively as the Megablast but a fantastic shoe at a much lower price, making it the value pick.
Ride:Comfortable at easy paces yet capable of fast running; slightly firmer at the heel than the Megablast which makes it feel more stable there for some runners; not as flat-out fast or as bouncy as the Megablast but still moves well at pace
Fit:Comfortable upper with thick dual-layer mesh, generous heel padding; true-to-size fit with secure heel and midfoot lockdown and adequate toe room
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A capable, versatile, better-priced alternative to the Endorphin Speed 5 — the easier overall pick on price and availability even though the Speed 5 is the more nimble shoe.
Ride:Dual-foam midsole (rubbery SR-02 base, ZoomX on top) with a slightly more flexible plate; firmer than the Speed 5 and very versatile for easy through faster running.
Fit:Similar forefoot/heel width to the Speed 5 but slightly less breathable upper.
In their words: "deceptively stacked" · "two different midsole foams here" · "use them for just about anything"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 if
- Lighter-built runners, track sessions and short intervals as a rotation shoe — EDDBUD
- Lightweight 5K/10K racing and speed sessions for runners who want ground feel and a traditional racing-flat experience without a plate. — Ben Parkes
- Lighter, more experienced runners wanting a nimble lower-stack do-it-all daily plus speed shoe at a budget price (often GBP 80-90 in the UK); strong training partner for the Takumi Sen 11 or Adios Pro 4. — EDDBUD
- 5K road races and shorter, and track workouts for runners who want a fast, low-to-the-ground race flat without spikes or energy rods — Kofuzi
- Lighter-frame runners doing 5K/10K racing, track sessions, and ultra-fast tempo work who want a near-spike feel without rods or plates. — EDDBUD
Consider the Nike Zoom Fly 6 if
- Mid-packers wanting one do-it-all carbon-plated shoe at a competitive price — workouts, tempo, long runs and even race day, especially good for heavier runners who need protection. — Ben Parkes
- Versatile do-everything carbon-plate trainer for runners on a budget vs the Speed 5. — EDDBUD
- A versatile, responsive plated daily trainer across all paces short of extreme long runs, at the cheapest price point in the group — EDDBUD
- Runners who want a versatile lightweight trainer that handles easy days well, with a wider anatomic toe box and neutral guidance — and an alternative to aggressive super shoes — Doctors of Running
- Marathon-block long runs and longer tempo efforts where a plush, rhythmic, road-mile-eating super-trainer is preferred — Doctors of Running
- Workout/tempo days plus daily training in a single shoe — pairs well with a race-day Vaporfly. — Kofuzi
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 and the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 is a speed trainer and the Nike Zoom Fly 6 is a speed trainer. By the numbers, the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 weighs 176g, has a 28mm heel stack and a 7mm drop, while the Nike Zoom Fly 6 weighs 244g, has a 40mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $140 for the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 and $170 for the Nike Zoom Fly 6.
Should I buy the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
EDDBUD on the Adidas Adizero Adios 9: Lighter-built runners, track sessions and short intervals as a rotation shoe. Ben Parkes on the Nike Zoom Fly 6: Mid-packers wanting one do-it-all carbon-plated shoe at a competitive price — workouts, tempo, long runs and even race day, especially good for heavier runners who need protection.
Per EDDBUD, Ben Parkes.
Which is lighter, the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 is lighter, at 176g versus 244g (men's 9) — about 68g less.
Which is more cushioned, the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
Measured by stack height, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 has more underfoot foam — 40mm at the heel versus 28mm.
Which is cheaper, the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 or the Nike Zoom Fly 6?
The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 is cheaper at $140 versus $170 MSRP — about $30 less.