Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 review: lighter, faster, and finally stable heel to toe
ENERGYRIM replaces the rods, my pair is 14% lighter on the scale, and the one thing I didn't trust about the Pro 4 is gone. My early verdict on adidas's new flagship racer.
When I reviewed the Adios Pro 4, I called the heel the part I trusted least; Adidas apparently agreed.
The Adios Pro 4 was one of the most complete racing shoes adidas had made, but it had a preferred way of being run in: stay forward, stay committed, and don't sit back into that narrow, soft rearfoot.
The Adizero Adios Pro 5 reimagines every major component, borrowing directly from the Adios Pro Evo 3 that carried Sabastian Sawe to the first sub-two-hour marathon this April.
ENERGYRIM carbon technology replaces the ENERGYRODS, the latest Lightstrike Pro sits in greater volume directly under your foot, and the whole package drops 14% of its weight.
I have been running in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 ahead of today's launch, and I have really enjoyed it; super fast, incredibly lightweight, very fun, and, crucially, stable from the heel right through to the forefoot. I rate these very highly, and here's my full review.
If you purchase gear through links in this article, I may earn a small affiliate commission. For my training tools, exclusive content, newsletter, and more perks become a member, (it's free!). -Alastair ✌🏼
The Best Running Shoe Finder 2026
Answer 5 quick questions and get matched to the best running shoe for your training style, ride preference, and foot shape. Updated to v5.5 May 2026
Alastair Dixon
Key specifications
- Price: $275 at adidas.com
- Weight: 6.0 oz (170 g) in my tested men's US 9, a full 28 g (14%) lighter than my Adios Pro 4 pair (7.0 oz / 198 g)
- Drop: 4mm | Stack height: 39mm heel / 35mm forefoot (race legal, and 2mm more forefoot foam than the Pro 4)
- Upper: LIGHTLOCK 2.0, a completely redesigned upper with engineered ventilation zones, internal support bands, an updated heel construction, and heel foam pods
- Midsole: Latest-generation Lightstrike Pro with carbon-infused ENERGYRIM technology (replacing ENERGYRODS), a first for the Pro series
- Outsole: Re-engineered maximum grip design combining data-driven LIGHTTRAXION with Continental rubber
- Extra attributes: Evo 3 design language with a reflective zone in the heel; the most extensively tested shoe in Adizero history per adidas, developed with 25+ athletes including Sawe
Sizing and fit
True to size in US sizing works for me again, with the race-snug character this line is known for.
The LIGHTLOCK 2.0 upper holds the midfoot and heel securely at speed, exactly what you want from a racer, while the updated heel construction and foam pods do a noticeably better job of cradling the rearfoot than the Pro 4's did.
The tongue is slightly longer now too, which quietly fixes one of my Pro 4 complaints; there's finally enough of it to run a racer's loop heel lock comfortably, and doing so gave me a great heel lockdown without any discomfort.
There's good padding in the collars where needed and the upper has okay breathability.
great heel lock down (left), collar padding (right)
If you're between sizes or racing a marathon, the half-size-up logic from my Pro 4 review still applies; otherwise stick with your usual for the best lockdown.
Performance review
This generation's story is simple; everything I loved about the Pro 4 survived, and the thing I didn't is gone.
The heel problem is gone
The Pro 4's rearfoot was narrower, softer, and less confident than its forefoot, which meant it rewarded midfoot strikers and quietly punished anyone who sat back into the heel, especially late in a race.
The Pro 5 runs well at the heel right through to the forefoot. The midsole cutout is gone now, and the ride simply feels more stable on the run; very planted across the whole platform, which changes who this shoe is for.
It's going to be super accessible to a lot of types of runners, not just the efficient-form crowd the Pro 4 favored.
Adidas built the shoe to help runners sustain speed deeper into the race through greater comfort and stability, and on my feet that claim holds up true. When form gets ragged in closing miles, this platform no longer cares where you land, and offers a helping nudge through your stride.
ENERGYRIM is why this generation feels different
The carbon-infused ENERGYRIM replaces the ENERGYRODS that defined the last several Adios Pros, and it's not a gimmick swap.
The rim construction runs around the midsole's perimeter, which lets adidas put a greater volume of Lightstrike Pro foam directly beneath your foot while tuning stiffness precisely where the stride needs it. Do your best not to slice your inner ankle with your opposite foot's ENERGYRIM; because it's very sharp on the edges!
Combined with the latest-generation foam, adidas claims a 9% increase in energy return over the Pro 4.
"On the run, it translates to a ride that's super fast and genuinely fun to experience."
It's energetic underfoot, smooth through transition, with that clean rolling propulsion the Adios Pro line does so well, now with more bounce serving it.
The rim's perimeter structure is also a big part of why the stability story above works.
Incredibly lightweight, and you feel it everywhere
My US 9 pair weighs 6.0 oz (170 g) on the scale; that's 28 g and a full 14% lighter than my Adios Pro 4 pair, beating even adidas's own claimed 12% cut, and my Pro 4 already felt exactly as light as I wanted a super shoe to feel.
That's an enormous drop for a single generation, and it lands the Adios Pro 5 among the very lightest full-stack racers you can buy.
You feel it in turnover, you feel it late in efforts, and it keeps the shoe nimble enough for 5K and 10K racing while the 39mm stack protects you through the marathon; so you have options...
Incredibly lightweight is the phrase I keep coming back to, and it's the least debatable thing about this shoe.
Altra Vanish Carbon 3 Review: The Most Stable Super Shoe?
Classic Altra fit meets full PEBA and a split-toe carbon plate. The result is the most planted 40mm racer I’ve tested, and one of my easiest race day recommendations this year.
Alastair Dixon
LIGHTLOCK 2.0 and the grip underneath
The redesigned upper addresses my other Adios Pro 4 nitpick on paper, which was breathability.
LIGHTLOCK 2.0 adds engineered ventilation zones alongside internal support bands, cutting weight while improving comfort, and the whole shoe has been easy to live with on my feet; even though it's not the most breathable.
Underneath, the re-engineered outsole pairs data-driven LIGHTTRAXION with Continental rubber for grip and improved durability over long distances.
Continental traction was already a Pro 4 strength, wet roads included, so building on it is exactly the right call for a shoe you'll commit to corners in at race pace.
As with every super shoe, treat it as a race-day and key-workout tool; I'll report back on long-term durability as my miles build because I'm definitely going to keep running in these.
Is the Adios Pro 5 better than the Adios Pro 4?
"Yes, and it's the bigger generational jump of the two I've reviewed."
The Pro 4 refined the formula: softer, lighter, more fluid than the Adios Pro 3. The Adios Pro 5 rebuilds it: ENERGYRIM instead of rods, more foam directly underfoot, a 14% weight cut, a redesigned upper, and a rearfoot you can finally trust.
If you own the Adios Pro 4 and it suits your stride, it remains excellent, and it's about to hit the best discount window of its life.
If its heel ever let you down, or you want the lighter, bouncier, more stable version of the same idea, the Pro 5 is the answer, and it's so easy for me to recommend.
My verdict
The Adios Pro 5 takes the racer I already rated highly and removes its only real flaw.
It's super fast, incredibly lightweight, very stable from heel to forefoot, and genuinely fun to run in.
This is a big improvement on an already excellent racer. The Evo 3 DNA is real, with more energy return, less weight, and a platform that's simply easier to run in, opening what used to be an efficient-striker's shoe to far more runners.
Easy to run in, easy to enjoy, easy to recommend. Big thumbs up from me.
At $275 it's $20 up on the Pro 4, and for a shoe this improved that's an easy ask by super-shoe standards.
If you're chasing a PB anywhere from 5K to the marathon this season, this is one of the very best tools you can buy, and I rate it very highly.
Who should skip it: Runners who want this Lightstrike Pro feel for daily training, which is the Adizero Evo SL's job at $150. For how it stacks against every racer I've tested, my best carbon plate running shoes roundup has the full field.
Best Carbon Plate Running Shoes 2026: 16 Tested Racers
The 15 best carbon plate running shoes of 2026, race-tested by me. Max-cushion marathon supershoes and snappy 5K-to-half racers, ranked.
Alastair Dixon
Adidas Adios Pro 5 FAQ
Does the Adios Pro 5 run true to size?
Yes, in US sizing, with the race-snug fit the Pro line is known for. Go up half a size only for marathon distance or wider feet.
Is the Adios Pro 5 good for heel strikers?
Much better than the Pro 4. The ENERGYRIM construction and updated heel make the rearfoot stable and confident, so the shoe now works across strike patterns rather than favoring midfoot runners.
Is the Adios Pro 5 race legal?
Yes. The 39mm heel stack sits under World Athletics' 40mm limit.
When is the Adios Pro 5 release date, and how much does it cost?
It's available globally from September 22, 2026 at adidas.com, the adidas app, and selected retailers for $275.
For my complete rankings across every category, see my guide to the best running shoes right now.
Best Running Shoes 2026: 10 Picks I Actually Train In
The 10 best running shoes of 2026, every one tested over real miles by me. Daily trainers, race-day picks, stability, and trail shoes that earn it.
Alastair Dixon
If you haven't already, signup for my free newsletter, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for all the latest running shoe reviews. 👉🏼 And for an inside look at what comes into my studio with unboxings, lace up reels, behind the scenes, and short form reviews, follow me on Instagram, and TikTok. -Alastair
Written by
Subscribe to new posts
reviews, training tips, and thoughtful stories for runners
Member discussion