Everything You Need To Know About The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

For our latest installment of “Run, Don’t Walk”, where we review the best performance running shoes on the market, we’re taking a look at one of adidas’ best selling runners.

We’re putting the new adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 through thorough testing, logging over 100km in various conditions to see how it performs and where it may lack. This £220 super shoe has been one of the most requested in this series, so we’ve put together a complete guide of everything you need to know before you buy.

The Adios Pro 4 is adidas’ latest marathon super shoe, a carbon-plated racer designed with podiums in mind. With an ultralight build weighing in at just 200g, and offering a 39mm stack height, it's engineered for speed, endurance, and efficiency. The upgraded Lightstrike Pro foam and ENERGYRODS 2.0 bring a softer, bouncier feel than the Adios Pro 3, giving you explosive propulsion with every stride.

Notably, the forefoot rocker is more prominent this time around, rolling you forward effortlessly, especially at tempo or race pace. This isn’t just a training shoe with flair; this is a purpose-built race-day weapon. During this wear test, I actually managed to break my 5k PB while also setting great times when running longer distances over 20k.

Right out of the box, the Adios Pro 4 feels race-ready but definitely snug. The narrow toe box and sculpted fit make this model best suited for runners with a narrow foot. For those with wider feet or between sizes, we would recommend going half a size up to get the most out of this shoe.

Once laced up, the sensation is unmistakably high-performance. The shoe’s fit encourages a midfoot or forefoot strike, and rewards runners who can maintain a fast cadence with a smoother, more efficient turnover.

This may vary depending on your running style and intensity, but after putting in some significant miles in our wear test, I’d say 400-500km in is when you might start to notice some performance decreases. The outsole is incredibly durable and while the cushioned midsole may seem like it would not offer longevity, it actually remained extremely responsive throughout our test. Whether you’re saving these for race day or adding them to your weekly rotation, expect to get some serious wear out of the Adios Pro 4.

At £220, this is the most premium running shoe we’ve tested in the Run, Don’t Walk series, but it’s also one of the most impressive. Compared to other carbon-plated super shoes, it actually offers strong value for money, with alternatives such as Nike’s Alphafly coming in at a higher price of around £285.

The outsole, made with Continental™ rubber and LIGHTTRAXION elements, holds up impressively well in both dry and wet conditions. After 100km there’s minimal wear, and the grip remains razor-sharp. Sustainability-minded runners will also appreciate the use of at least 20% recycled content in the construction.

If you’re looking for a running shoe that will help you push your boundaries and shave an extra few seconds off your PBs, the adidas Adios Pro 4 is definitely worth checking out.

If you’re a serious runner chasing new Pbs, the Adios Pro 4 is a no-brainer. It’s lighter, softer, and more responsive than its predecessor whilst also being more affordable than many competitors in the carbon plate space.

That said, this shoe is more of a specialist. Don’t reach for it on recovery days or easy miles, it’s actually tricky to not run as fast as you can when they’re on foot. When it's time to go fast, the Adios Pro 4 delivers comfort, bounce, and performance that genuinely pushes the pace.

Final Score: 9/10

Let us know what super shoe you want us to put to the test next—and don’t forget to set those release reminders on The Sole Supplier App so you don’t miss your size.

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