These shoes have been in my cupboard since November waiting for the right moment to put them to a proper test. But you know what they say about not saving your best for best, otherwise you might never use them. 

I used them for a few workouts before testing them out at the Riga Half Marathon (watch my YouTube video here on run/walking Riga Half) and have probably run 40 miles in them at this point. 

To be clear, these are speedy race day shoes. They have a carbon plate, they look and feel fast and I’m just not there right now. So I’ve worn them for a speed workouts and runs where i just want a little boost under my feet but they would be best suited for PB chasing… 

And whilst the jury is still out on whether there is the same benefit from carbon plates for mid-pack/back of the pack runners, my feeling is, if you want them, get them. But get the pair that you’re going to get the most out of for your running pace and most importantly, running form. 

Adidas Pro 4 Review

I was invited on a press trip with adidas at the end of last year and I fell even more in love with the brand. We had the best time testing out new products on the roads, track and trails however there was definitely a skew towards the speedier runners just by nature of the runners on the trip. With that said, I truly never felt like I was judged for my speed and rather on my effort, which is something I really love about the running community. 

But back to the shoes. 

We were given a pair of the shoes as part of the trip and so whilst I wasn’t ripping the paces or distances that people like Ben and Adam, I took them for a little spin on the boardwalk in Quinta do Largo (coincidentally where I’ve run many times on family holidays). First impressions of the shoes were that they were seriously light, bouncy and made turnover quicker thanks to the forefoot rocker. And after loving the EVO SL, I had really high hopes for these shoes. I also knew a lot of much more serious runners than me that raved about them. 

Then as I mentioned, I put them away in the cupboard waiting to feel fast enough to warrant the super shoes. 

What are the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4’s have been pitched by Adidas as a shoe that enhances running efficiency. With  newly formulated Lightstrike Pro, the foam is softer than the foam in previous versions and is designed for races from 10K to marathon distances. 

The design of the Adidas Adizero range emulates the infamous single wear Adios Pro EVO but thankfully without the £500 price tag. 

The stack height of 39mm and toe drop of 6mm is in line with the previous version whilst the weight has dropped to 200g for a men’s sample size (the average running shoe is 265g). 

Whilst the benefits of carbon plated racing shoes are well publicised for those running at sub 3 hour pace, I wanted to test them as a slower runner to see if I felt any benefit and whether they were worth it 

Pros Of adidas Adios Pro 4

Responsiveness – the change in the material from TPEE to A-TPU in the Lightstrike Pro increases energy return thanks to the plush, airy update. Although this pop typically lasts about 100 miles before they are past their race day best as per other testers – I haven’t reached this mileage (or speed!) yet. 

Weight – Adidas have prioritised weight (or reducing weight) in this version of the Adios Pro. There is minimal padding around the heel counter and tongue, whilst the upper is woven mesh creating a lightweight, clean finish with the trademark three stripes. 

Decent grip – despite not featuring full continental rubber outsole, I had no issues over wet roads in Riga. The mixed rubber compound felt plenty grippy on the slick roads. 

The look – I know you’re not supposed to choose your shoes based on the look or colourway, but there’s no denying it, the adidas Adios Pro 4s look sleek, smart and fast. In fact the whole range from Adidas looks great (although I do draw the line when people try to say you   can wear them with jeans and look good on the go!) 

Tapered Toe Box – this could definitely fit into either pros or cons depending on your foot shape. As someone with a wider foot, I didn’t find it an issue but it may become more obvious on long runs. 

Cons Of Adidas Adios Pro 4

Funky sizing – I wore my usual adidas size in these and they came up a little small. I didn’t notice that on my shorter runs but running a half marathon in them made it clear. Luckily the race was cold and wet but on a hot, long run I think may cause some rubbing. (Maybe I would have been better off with some waterproof trainers as my feet were soaked from mile 1) I’d probably go up ½-1 size in these compared to your normal shoes and test them out on longer runs before race day to make sure you’re wearing the right size even after 13+ miles! 

Price – I mean I almost didn’t bring this up because all race day shoes come with a hefty  price tag these days it seems and I highly applaud adidas for their really affordable (and frankly fantastic) EVO SL (full review here) but not everyone will feel comfortable spending £220 on a pair of trainers (although some colour ranges seem to be on sale!). I’ve also heard other testers mention they don’t feel as durable as the Pro 3s however I can’t comment on that as I didn’t test v3! 

Not the best for heel strikers – due to the narrow heel it can feel a little unstable. I wonder whether this would get worse or improve at higher speeds? I didn’t have any issues during the half marathon however I can imagine for myself the form fatigue over a marathon may exacerbate this. The forefoot rocker enhances the experience for mid and forefoot runners but doesn’t add as much benefit for those with a different footstrike pattern. 

Are The adidas Adios Adizero Pro 4 Worth It

Personally, I think a race day shoe IS worth the price tag. When you think of the hours (and hours and hours) we put into training, the money you spend on race entry fees, on sports nutrition and I think if a pair of ‘fast’ shoes can help get that extra benefit, even if its in my head, then if you can afford it – why not? 

These shoes are definitely great shoes for fast runners. You just have to look around at the major races to see how many runners at the front of the pack have opted for them as their race day shoe. 

But would these be my fast shoe of choice. 

I don’t know. They feel slightly more stable than the Nike Alphafly however I don’t think they fully suit my heel strike running form – again which is why I probably enjoyed my speedwork in them. (I’ve actually since read that they are best at sub 7 min mile pace!) The half marathon I tested them in was far from my half or even marathon pace, and much slower than my goal speeds, so I will be trying these again at faster paces to see how they respond.