Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 vs ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
| Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 | ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 39.0 / 33.0 mm | 40.0 / 35.0 mm |
| Drop | 6.0 mm | 5.0 mm |
| Weight (men's 9) | 7.1 oz (201g) | 5.6 oz (159g) |
| Midsole | Lightstrike Pro (PEBA) | FF TURBO PLUS (PEBA) + FF LEAP (PEBA) |
| Plate | Full-length carbon Energy Rods 2.0 | Flat carbon fiber plate (higher midsole placement) |
| Upper | Engineered mesh (Micro Fit one-way stretch) | MOTION WRAP 3.0 |
| MSRP | $220.00 | $270.00 |
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.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4
A soft, bouncy marathon racer that prioritizes cushioning and propulsion over snappiness, earning praise for its durable outsole and versatility across distances—though the toe box runs narrow and requires sizing up a half size, and the foam softens noticeably after 100 miles.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
A bouncy, lightweight carbon racer that excels from 5K to marathon, praised for its trampoline-like heel and responsive forefoot pop, though some testers flag reduced stability and note the soft foam may feel too cushy for heel strikers or those preferring firmer platforms.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Heavier and cushier with a more protective heel landing. Less forefoot pop and energy return. Better value at a lower MSRP and frequently discounted. May suit marathon runners wanting more comfort, but both reviewers preferred the ASICS overall.
Tokyo's softer direction mirrors the Adios Pro getting much softer between v3 and v4.
Mentioned as a viable alternative in a similar price category
Lighter with more forefoot pop and energy return. Slightly less cushy and protective at the heel but faster feeling overall. Preferred by both reviewers for race day across all distances.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro v4 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
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Both reviewers rated the Adios Pro 4 as an excellent carbon racer that is softer and cushier than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, with a more protective heel landing. However, both preferred the ASICS for its lighter weight, poppier forefoot, and faster overall feel. The Adios Pro 4 is a strong value pick, especially at its lower price point.
Ride:Updated Lightstrike Pro foam is softer and bouncier than the Pro 3, providing a cushier, more protective feel especially at the heel. Sharp rocker geometry delivers fast transition. Good energy return and springiness with no signs of foam degradation. Slightly more stable heel landing than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. The medial cutout may cause some instability concerns at slower paces. One reviewer noted it is improved over the Pro 3 but that the added softness comes with a slight stability trade-off.
Fit:Runs short — both reviewers recommend going up half a size. The upper design has a lip near the toes that can catch toenails. Even accounting for US/UK size differences, it feels smaller than other Adidas shoes in the same size. Check centimeter sizing carefully. Rest of the fit around heel and midfoot is comfortable and secure.
In their words: "a little bit softer" · "more comfortable for me and less aggressive" · "a great carbon shoe"
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BITR's preferred Adidas race shoe — beats the Pro Evo 2 at half the price.
Ride:First Adios Pro where BITR likes the foam — v3 was too dense and firm. Lighter and more responsive in v4 with a propulsive feel and distinct pop off the toe. Traction is fine on dry pavement. Knocks out the NB SC Elite V5 in Megan's bracket.
In their words: "almost feels blocky under foot" · "feels like slappy almost" · "more of a propulsive feeling"
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A light, soft and durable-outsoled racer that's aging well on price but suffers from a very soft ride, broken-rods durability issues, and an unstructured upper that makes it less reliable than the Pro 5 for marathons when form breaks down.
Ride:Softer than the Endorphin Pro 5 and dulls quicker over time. Outsole is insanely durable, among the best in the comparison, with versatility despite minimal ridges. Foam softness caused the reviewer knee trouble around the 15-16 mile mark. Plagued by broken energy rods, likely because the softer Lightstrike Pro allows the rods too much movement.
Fit:Minimal upper that lacks structure; some runners recommend sizing up half a size because the foot slides forward in the shoe, which can cause toe problems on a marathon.
In their words: "insanely durable" · "minimal, but it does lack structure" · "a bit of knee trouble"
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Ben's marathon pick. Prioritizes cushioning over snappiness.
Ride:Much softer than Pro 3 but plenty of cushion still. Carbon rods (not a plate) run under metatarsals, providing a softer ride ideal for the marathon distance. 200g men's 9 — heavier than his 5K/10K picks but weight matters less over 26.2. Ben ran 2:24 marathon PBs in both Pro 3 (Boston) and v4-style shoe (Valencia 2024). Very soft — ran 14:46 5K in it but felt it sink too much at that pace.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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Both reviewers consider the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo one of the top two to three carbon plate racing shoes currently available, praising the improved FF Leap foam for delivering a lighter, bouncier, and more responsive ride than the already-excellent Sky Paris predecessor. Minor downsides include reduced stability compared to the Paris and typical ASICS outsole durability concerns.
Ride:Dual-layer FF Leap and FF Turbo Plus midsole provides a soft, bouncy, and highly responsive ride with excellent energy return. Lighter and bouncier than the Metaspeed Sky Paris predecessor. Plate engagement is easy and provides strong propulsion off the toes. Not the most stable shoe due to the soft foam wedge at the heel, but not a major concern for most runners.
Fit:True to size for both reviewers. Good room around the toes and forefoot, slightly more snug than ASICS training shoes like the Nimbus. Comfortable lightweight Motion Wrap upper with good heel and midfoot lockdown. Midfoot has a bit more give than typical race shoes.
In their words: "great compact race shoe" · "really fast, really fun" · "not a particularly stable shoe"
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Kofuzi considers the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo an excellent marathon racer that combines cushion and speed effectively, holding up well through 100 miles with consistent ride quality and plenty of life remaining.
Ride:Two-foam setup (FF Turbo Plus on top, aliphatic TPU on bottom) delivers excellent impact absorption with strong snapback. Good balance of softness and bounciness that has remained consistent through 100 miles. Feels light and fast without sacrificing cushion.
Fit:Upper feels comfortable for long durations while maintaining a snug, locked-in feel. Most comfortable racing upper from ASICS yet. Slight curling of heel collar edge material but no functional wear.
In their words: "lightweight and fast yet cushioned racing shoe" · "great combination of cushion and speed" · "balance of softness and bounciness"
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An ultralight, wildly bouncy racer best suited to lighter runners with good form retention; the reviewer personally would pick it over the Pro 5 given his light build and the shoe's dramatic weight savings.
Ride:Wild, exciting trampoline-like bounce from compressive, squashy Flight Foam Leap under a flatter plate; bounce engages more with harder foot strikes. Ride is unpredictable and not all that consistent across the foot.
Fit:Very minimal upper with thin materials, especially on the tongue; no sidewalls and no overlays in the toe box. Narrow shoe, especially in the heel. Serrated laces come as stock and are needed to dial in lockdown. No heel slip.
In their words: "wild and exciting bounce" · "It's almost like a trampoline" · "much narrower shoe from AS6"
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The faster of the two Metaspeed shoes for the reviewer — a genuinely racy, responsive shoe best suited to shorter race distances from 5K up to half marathon.
Ride:Massive slab of the new ATPU Leap Foam makes it feel extremely bouncy, responsive, light, and fast — designed for stride runners with a flat plate situated higher in the midsole. The more aggressively the reviewer ran, the more the shoe responded.
In their words: "felt a lot more racy than the Edge" · "faster shoe out of these two"
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 Pro v4 if
- Race day, biggest workouts, and marathon racing for non-elite runners as well as pros. — Kofuzi
- Faster runners with long strides who can open up hips and toe off hard; workouts and race paces at 5K-marathon effort — Doctors of Running
- Runners targeting marathon or longer who want cushioned protection and are comfortable with the fit; recommended for those running slower than sub-3 marathon pace — The Run Testers
- Racers who want a soft, light shoe at a discounted price — EDDBUD
- Carbon-plated racing across multiple distances from 5K to marathon, especially for runners who want bounce and energy return — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a brilliant, versatile race shoe across common distances and prioritize value; those who prefer wider fit — EDDBUD
Consider the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo if
- Half marathon to marathon racing for stride-oriented runners wanting late-race impact protection — EDDBUD
- Half marathon effort for mid/forefoot strikers wanting soft cushioning — EDDBUD
- Lighter runners who can maintain form over long races — EDDBUD
- Race day shoe for 5K through marathon distances. Suits stride-lengthening runners especially but works well for all neutral runners seeking a top-tier carbon plate racer. — The Run Testers
- Marathon racing on flatter courses when not chasing an outright time; reviewer already PB'd a half marathon in it and rates it slightly better than the Sky Paris — The Run Testers
- 10K racing and potentially marathon distance — The Run Testers