Adidas Adizero Adios 9 vs Nike Zoom Fly 6
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 4 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
Adidas Adizero Adios 9 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: low cushion , neutral stability .
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A brilliant, lightweight daily shoe that EDDBUD loves for its Lightstrike Pro propulsion and super durable traction rubber, though sadly overlooked by runners chasing max-stack models.
In their words: "super durable" · "sadly overlooked in a world of max cushion models" · "great propulsion of the Light Strike Pro foam" · "so cheap as well for what you get"
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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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Ed Bud sees the Zoom Fly 6 as a decent but aging shoe — denser and about 1.5oz heavier than the SC Rebel, with a rigid carbon plate and a ride that reads more trainer than racer, though he still rates the outsole grip highly and says it's not a bad buy at a discount.
Ride:Denser underfoot with a ZoomX-and-SR02 foam combination and a comparatively rigid carbon plate; feels more like a trainer than a racer and some may find the ride a little dense.
Fit:Similar forefoot and heel width to the SC Rebel.
In their words: "beginning to kind of show its age" · "ready for an upgrade" · "one of my favorites"
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Ben still rates the Zoom Fly 6 highly, especially at a discounted price, though he now considers the SC Rebel the slightly better all-round pick for its more stable, nimble ride.
Ride:Much softer and less stable than the SC Rebel, with excellent outsole durability and better wet-weather grip thanks to its thicker waffle outsole.
In their words: "a real classic in the sector" · "fantastic shoe for that price"
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A versatile, forgiving super trainer that's a good entry point into carbon-plated shoes for training and racing.
In their words: "a bit of a bargain" · "really nice versatile running shoe"
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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"
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
- 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
- Runners wanting more road feel and less foam; track and shorter fast sessions — 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
- 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-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
- Versatile do-everything carbon-plate trainer for runners on a budget vs the Speed 5. — EDDBUD
- Versatile plated super trainer at an aggressive price point; from 10K through marathon distances; great winter shoe due to outsole grip — 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
- Runners wanting a Nike trainer with strong outsole grip, particularly at a discount. — EDDBUD
- Tempo and race-day work for runners who want a toned-down Nike racer — FORDY RUNS
- Marathon training — long runs, tempos, and intervals; great value plated trainer that can also race a marathon — EDDBUD
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. EDDBUD on the Nike Zoom Fly 6: Versatile do-everything carbon-plate trainer for runners on a budget vs the Speed 5.
Per EDDBUD.
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.