Adidas Adizero Prime X 3 Strung 3 vs New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer 3

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• If it were World Athletics-legal for the marathon, Thomas would race in it. Megan would pick it over the Pro 4 if legal.

  Ride:Built to break the 100K world record (which it did). Highest stack Megan has ever run in. Surprisingly stable given build — plate is a rim around the shoe rather than underfoot, which means no plate harshness, just bouncy foam. Felt like a trampoline. Drops $500, Feb 17 2026.

  — Believe in the Run , source

• A heavier, narrower, more rigid shoe aimed at advanced runners who don't need the width offered by the Superblast 3 and want the control of a plate plus energy rods.

  Ride:Rigid with plate and energy rods; requires break-in to compress the foams; comes alive around 40 miles but is less lively at faster paces than expected

  Fit:Very narrow compared to the Superblast 3, with an 8.7 inch heel width

  In their words: "needs a bit of tenderizing" · "very much a different beast" · "better weapon for the more advanced runners"

  — EDDBUD , 40 mi tested , source

• #2 long-run shoe. Aggressive, tall, rule-breaking — excellent for marathon long runs.

  Ride:Double carbon layers, trampoline forefoot Lightstrike Pro section, strung upper. Rulebreaking and a little heavy — loves it for long runs but not for marathon racing.

  — Kofuzi , source

• Matt prefers v3 over v2 if he had to race in one because the bouncier foam, better rocker and faster transition give it real pace versatility, but it gives up some of v2's medial stability and the durability is still TBD.

  Ride:Softer and bouncier than v2 with a faster rocker and snappier transition; best when landing on the heel and rolling forward. Less stable through midfoot than v2 but still has a solid medial post and lateral-biased forefoot rocker.

  Fit:Wider forefoot than v2, less secure lockdown; one-piece strung upper has minimal tongue padding so laces can irritate top-of-foot extensors if over-tightened.

  — Doctors of Running , 30 mi tested , source

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

• A comparable tall-stack daily trainer to the Hyperion Max 4 using PEBA-blend FuelCell and a full carbon plate; feels a bit dense and sluggish to Kofuzi but is popular with heavier runners seeking marathon support, and offers slightly more flexibility than the Max 4.

  In their words: "a little bit denser than it needs to be"

  — Kofuzi , source

• A more stable, stiffer, less-bouncy super trainer than v2 — better suited for uptempo training and marathon racing for average runners than for easy days, with great durability and improved guidance, but a finicky tapered toebox.

  Ride:Carbon plate sits very high/close to the foot, making the ride feel oddly firm on landing with late-stage bounce. Took 20-30 miles to break in. Best for uptempo runs and uptempo long runs, not easy days.

  Fit:Toebox tapers quickly and feels short — Matt strongly recommends going half a size up; midfoot has classic New Balance extra volume; heel counter is fairly stiff but well-rounded.

  — Doctors of Running , 100 mi tested , source

• A fantastic long-run cruiser that loses some of v2's pop in exchange for stability — recommended at the US $180 price, but the UK £230 pricing makes it nearly impossible for Ben to recommend over a Vaporfly 3 or Endorphin Pro at the same number.

  Ride:Less pop than v2 but a lot more stability. Excellent dependable cruiser at easy through marathon paces; not responsive enough for 5K/10K paces.

  Fit:True to size — Ben mistakenly went half size down (UK 11.5) and regretted it; Phantom Fit upper is breathable, gusseted tongue, generous heel padding.

  — Ben Parkes , source

• Ed's pick of the four super-trainers compared if he had to race — softer and more propulsive than the Superblast 2 or Deviate Nitro 3, more fun and natural-rocking than the Cielo X1 at faster paces. UK pricing is the only major knock.

  Ride:Softest, most compressive midsole of the four super-trainers compared; getting better with each run; feels propulsive — Ed would race in this over a Superblast 2.

  — EDDBUD , source