Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 vs Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .

• 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"

  — The Run Testers , 68 mi tested , source

• 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"

  — Believe in the Run , source

• 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"

  — EDDBUD , source

• 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.

  — Ben Is Running , source

Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .

• A marathon-oriented carbon racer that the reviewer prefers to save for longer distances rather than 10k racing.

  Ride:Better used for longer runs and marathon-pace work rather than 10k distance

  In their words: "best utilized for longer runs" · "marathon pace runs"

  — The Run Testers , source

• A more consistent, stabilized marathon racer than the Adios Pro 4 — not better or worse, just more appropriate for runners who need stability or find the Adios too soft.

  Ride:Denser foam with less air than the Adios Pro 4; more consistent, stabilized ride over the footbed; feels a bit bulkier due to suede overlays

  In their words: "a denser foam" · "a more stabilized ride" · "simply too soft for them"

  — EDDBUD , source

• A super shoe that shines at the 5K end and the marathon end of the spectrum, but struggles at half-marathon pace — both reviewers ultimately agreed it suits fast 5K running and steady marathon efforts.

  Ride:After a track workout at 4:40/4:30 pace Matt concedes Andrea was right that the stiffer forefoot and aggressive plate work best at truly fast paces (5K or faster); at easy-to-marathon paces the softer heel rolls well; the shoe struggles in the middle (half marathon/tempo) for Matt

  In their words: "I really only like running fast in it" · "this is a little better for easier paces" · "doesn't feel as assistive"

  — Doctors of Running , source

• A smooth and approachable carbon racer that Kofuzi will still recommend widely, though he personally prefers the Pro 3's extra pop — the HG top layer mutes the beaded PEBA bounce he was hoping would shine through.

  Ride:Smoother and more efficient than Pro 3, but the Power Run HG top layer mutes the pop and bounce from the Power Run PB — energy dissipates rather than springs back

  Fit:Shoe extends/feels a bit longer than Pro 3 at the same size; knit tongue has an extended flap

  In their words: "less would have been more" · "want just a little bit more pop" · "rolling just a little bit more smoothly"

  — Kofuzi , source