Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

Ben's marathon pick. Prioritizes cushioning over snappiness.

Best for: Marathon racing

A lighter, bouncier, more aggressive super shoe that comes alive at faster paces but loses some midfoot stability and versatility compared to v3.

Best for: Faster runners with long strides who can open up hips and toe off hard; workouts and race paces at 5K-marathon effort

Recommended as the Adidas race-day pick given strong current deals, praised for its durable, high-traction outsole and energy rods providing rigidity across everything from 5K to marathon distances.

Best for: A do-it-all race shoe spanning 5K to marathon distances, especially attractive at current discounted prices.

EDDBUD recommends the Adios Pro 4 as a versatile race shoe for any distance, frequently available at significant discounts making it exceptional value.

Best for: Any race distance from 5K through marathon at an accessible price point

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.

Best for: Racers who want a soft, light shoe at a discounted price

#5. Updated energy rods + softer energized midsole + near-indestructible outsole. Now on steep discounts since Jan 2025 release. One of the best race shoes Adidas have ever produced. Pro 5 coming with new plate arrangement.

#2 and most versatile racer at 40mm stack. Outsole never wears. Half-size up because the foam compresses and your foot moves forward. Big discounts make it a banger.

A great long-range racer with the softest Light Strike Pro in the Adizero lineup, but it compresses enough to warrant sizing up and the foam dulls relatively quickly around 100 miles.

Best for: Half marathon to full marathon racing where softness helps in the latter stages

EDDBUD found the Adios Pro 4 a brilliant and versatile super shoe enjoyed across 100 miles, though the foam energy return fades and it is less stable than the Puma; the lower price makes it a strong choice if buying only one pair.

Best for: Runners who want a brilliant, versatile race shoe across common distances and prioritize value; those who prefer wider fit

A true marathon racer that beats the Vaporfly 4 head-to-head — softer, wider, more cushioned, with vastly better outsole durability and GBP 20 cheaper.

Best for: Marathon racing, especially for heavier runners who want impact protection over 26.2.

Best for: The most versatile super shoe in the test — 5K through marathon. EDDBUD's overall winner at 19/25.

A highly enjoyable and exceptionally durable race shoe that scores 11.5/12 at 100 miles, with an outstanding polyurethane outsole and comfortable midsole, though the Light Strike Pro foam loses some of its initial bounce quicker than the previous version.

Best for: Half marathon and marathon racing, with versatility for daily training use

EDDBUD's clear pick among these racers — cheapest, lightest, excellent grip, and feels special at any pace, though the soft midsole may be too fragile for daily use and the medial cutouts make it unfriendly to newcomers and those with stability needs.

Best for: All-out racing at faster paces; the lightest racer in the comparison

A versatile, forgiving racer that EDDBUD sees as his likely marathon competition shoe — edges out the Metaspeed Sky Paris, Alphafly 3, and Deviate Nitro Elite 3 on overall versatility and marathon-distance stability.

Best for: Half and full marathon racing and marathon-pace long training runs, with enough versatility for some longer training sessions

EDDBUD considers the Adios Pro 4 close to pure brilliance and one of the best running shoes he has tested in a long time, praising the new soft midsole, superb wet-weather grip, and comfortable simplified upper, scoring it 11.6/12.

Best for: Half marathon and marathon racing; versatile enough to handle any common race distance including 5K/10K.

A bouncier, more responsive evolution of the Pro 3 that reviewer really enjoys running in, with the only meaningful concern being a slightly shorter fit that may require sizing up.

Best for: Marathon racing and fast workouts for runners who liked the Pro 3 but want a softer, bouncier ride closer to the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.

Flagged among softer foams to avoid for new marathoners prone to form breakdown late in the race.

A lighter, faster update that blends the best of the Adios Pro 3 and the Evo 1 into a great marathon racer Kofuzi thinks non-elites will especially gravitate toward.

Best for: Race day, biggest workouts, and marathon racing for non-elite runners as well as pros.

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.

Best for: Versatile race day shoe for all distances with a slightly cushier, more protective ride that may particularly suit marathon runners and heel strikers seeking comfort over long distances.

A top-tier pick with arguably more all-round comfort than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo or Fast-R 3 — preferable for longer events for some runners, and cheaper than some rivals.

Best for: Any distance from short reps to marathon racing

One of the best carbon-plated race shoes available, delivering bouncy energy return and versatility across distances, with the Pro 4 edging out the Vaporfly 4 for marathon racing.

Best for: Carbon-plated racing across multiple distances from 5K to marathon, especially for runners who want bounce and energy return

Best for: Marathon racers who want a bit more comfort in a carbon racer

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is the best Adidas racing shoe to date per the reviewers, delivering lively propulsion, good cushioning protection, and a fun ride, but its toe box fit issues require careful sizing and it sits just below the Puma Fast R3 on outright performance.

Best for: 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

A direct competitor to the Alphafly 3 — nimbler, springier and cheaper, slightly edging the Alphafly at shorter flat-out paces while remaining a strong marathon option.

Best for: All-distance racing with a nimble, springy feel, particularly strong at flat-out paces and for high-cadence runners