Adidas traces its running roots to Adi Dassler's early performance footwear, before the brand was officially founded in Germany in 1949. Since then, it has grown into one of the most influential names in running shoes, with a well-organized current lineup and few notable misses among its recent models. The brand covers everything from daily trainers to race-day shoes, plus versatile models that have redefined those categories. More recently, the Three Stripes have become synonymous with innovation, especially in midsole compounds through the use of lightweight, energetic TPEE-based foams like Lightstrike Pro.
We've tested more than 200 running shoes; below are our recommendations for the best adidas running shoes you can buy. Whether you want a dependable shoe for daily mileage, a faster option for workouts, or a serious racing shoe, adidas has something for your needs.
Updates
- 04/24/2026adidas Supernova Rise 3 reviewed
- 04/16/2026adidas Hyperboost Edge reviewed
- 12/11/2025adidas Supernova Prima 2 reviewed
- 11/27/2025adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11 reviewed
- 11/24/2025adidas Adizero SL2 reviewed
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
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Best adidas Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.65K/10K Racing5.8Energy Return8.1Cushioning9.3Lateral Stability6.7True To Size8.9Weight:245.5 g (8.66 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:7.5 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe best adidas running shoes we've tested are the adidas Hyperboost Edge. This high-stack, unplated trainer introduces adidas' new E-PEBA foam in a premium package built for easy miles, recovery runs, and longer efforts. It's the brand's most complete comfort-focused trainer, with outstanding impact protection, a plush forefoot, and a lively ride that feels fun and consistently bouncy without the stiff, aggressive feel of a plated super trainer. It isn't the lightest or most aggressive shoe for faster workouts, and the upper sits fairly high around the ankle, which can be bothersome and could lead to rubbing depending on your foot shape. Still, this doesn't take away from its main appeal: it's a forgiving, energetic shoe with the deep cushioning and bounce needed for big-mileage weeks.
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Best High-End adidas Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.75K/10K Racing6.3Responsiveness8.8Cushioning9.2Lateral Stability6.3True To Size7.7Weight:291.6 g (10.29 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:10.3 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon FiberThe adidas Adizero Prime X3 STRUNG is the shoe to get if you want the brand's most maximalist super trainer, built for runners who want as much responsiveness as possible. This towering shoe sits at the high end of the brand's lineup, with a massive Lightstrike Pro midsole and a carbon plate plus carbon rods that work together to create a very cushioned yet exceptionally responsive ride. The tradeoff is that it's quite heavy and doesn't feel very stable or natural underfoot, so it's not a great option for easy runs compared to the adidas Hyperboost Edge. Therefore, it feels best during steady long runs, progression runs, and marathon-pace efforts, especially if you land toward the forefoot and can load the front of the shoe properly. It can also take on races, even though it doesn't comply with World Athletics super shoe regulations, which won't matter for most runners who aren't competing at the elite level.
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Best Upper-Mid Range adidas Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.25K/10K Racing7.9Responsiveness7.7Cushioning6.3Lateral Stability8.1True To Size9.1Weight:252.2 g (8.90 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:6.8 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon Fiber RodsThe adidas Adizero Boston 13 is a responsive plated trainer built as a dedicated tool for workouts and faster mileage. This shoe is lighter and more controlled than the adidas Adizero Prime X3 STRUNG, so it feels easier to use for tempo runs, intervals, and structured training sessions, but it doesn't offer the same deep cushioning as the Prime X3 or the adidas Hyperboost Edge. The full-length carbon rods and dual-density midsole create a very responsive ride with some ground feel, though not an effortlessly bouncy one: you need to put quite a bit of force into the shoe to get the most out of it. That makes this shoe a strong option if you want a firm, snappy trainer that rewards faster running, but it's less forgiving for easy days or runners who want soft, protective cushioning underfoot.
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Best Mid-Range adidas Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.75K/10K Racing7.4Energy Return8.3Cushioning8.1Lateral Stability7.2True To Size8.9Weight:220.0 g (7.76 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:6.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Plastic ShankThe adidas Adizero Evo SL is a lightweight performance trainer that has quickly become one of adidas' most popular shoes and one of the most talked-about running shoes on the market. It has a reputation for versatility, and that lines up with how it performs: it can handle daily training, uptempo runs, intervals, and even some racing while still feeling less stiff than the adidas Adizero Boston 13. That said, it's still performance-oriented, so its lively platform can feel a bit chaotic at slower paces and less forgiving than the adidas Hyperboost Edge for recovery days. Its full Lightstrike Pro midsole delivers a very energetic, bouncy ride without the stiffness of a full carbon-plated super shoe.
If you want a simpler, more traditional daily trainer, consider the adidas Supernova Rise 3. It isn't as lively or light as the Evo SL, but it feels calmer and more approachable for easy miles. Its broad, planted platform feels very stable and predictable underfoot, though its limited cushioning makes it better suited to shorter daily runs than outings much beyond 10K (6 miles).
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Best Budget adidas Running Shoes
Marathon Racing6.35K/10K Racing6.3Energy Return7.0Cushioning6.7Lateral Stability8.0Weight:278.7 g (9.83 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:7.6 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe best budget adidas running shoes are the adidas Supernova Prima 2. This dependable daily trainer makes sense if you want something stable, straightforward, and slightly higher-stacked than the adidas Supernova Rise 3. Its broad base keeps the ride very planted and predictable, while the added stack gives it adequate impact protection for regular runs. It also has a light sense of bounce, which helps it feel less dull than many other basic daily trainers, though it doesn't come close to the livelier ride of the adidas Adizero Evo SL. Still, it's not especially plush or lively, and the ride is quite firm compared to softer, more cushioned options like the adidas Hyperboost Edge. Still, it's a good choice for easy daily mileage if you value stability and dependability over a plush, premium underfoot feel.
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Best adidas Running Shoes For Racing
Marathon Racing8.75K/10K Racing8.6Responsiveness8.4Cushioning8.0Lateral Stability7.4True To Size8.8Weight:197.5 g (6.97 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:7.0 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon Fiber RodsThe best adidas running shoes for racing are the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. This is the brand's best race-day shoe for most runners, with a very responsive, cushioned ride that works well for racing. It's also suitable for a wide range of distances, strikes, and paces, making it the best pick for most runners who want a high-end adidas super shoe without going all-in on the brand's most exclusive model.
For an elite-focused racing option, check out the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2. It's adidas' top race-day shoe, designed primarily for elite runners who want the lightest, most efficient option possible. Its unbelievably low weight, pronounced rocker, and highly responsive ride make it one of the most advanced marathon racing shoes on the market. However, it's also highly impractical for most runners compared to the Adios Pro 4, as it's ultra-expensive and marketed as being durable for only a single marathon.
Compared To Other Brands
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Strong Adizero performance lineup.
Adidas has one of the most complete performance ranges on the market. These shoes are generally lightweight and energetic, with models that cover everything from fast daily training to serious marathon racing. The lineup also offers multiple racing options depending on your goal and distance. Compared to many brands that reserve their best foams and technologies for only their top race-day shoes, adidas spreads a lot of that DNA across the line, making the range feel more cohesive and useful for runners who want performance without jumping straight to a flagship super shoe.
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Advanced midsole compounds.
The German brand stands out for its use of lightweight, energetic foams, especially TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro. This gives many performance shoes a lively ride while keeping weight impressively low, which is a major reason the Adizero lineup feels so efficient. The brand has also started using expanded PEBA in models like the Hyperboost Edge, showing that it isn't a one-trick pony. It's also a clear step forward from the older, lackluster Ultraboost formula and shows adidas is still pushing its foam tech forward.
adidas doesn't always fully disclose the exact formulation behind its newest compounds, like Lightstrike Pro Evo in the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. Still, the results are hard to ignore: the shoe is the brand's first sub-100 g racing shoe and was worn for the first official sub-two-hour marathon.
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Limited availability for hyped models.
Some of adidas' most exciting shoes can be frustratingly hard to buy. The brand often builds significant hype around major releases, but limited drops, fast sellouts, and uneven restocks mean the shoes people want most aren't always easy to find. This is also noticeable with its top racing shoes. World Athletics requires super shoes to be available to the public; when a shoe is ultra-expensive and released in very limited quantities, it raises questions about how available it really is.
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Quality control issues.
Some adidas models can have fit or quality-control quirks, especially in high-demand shoes like the adidas Adizero Evo SL. Some runners have reported noticeable differences in fit and even slight differences in ride between pairs in the same size, which may partly come down to where each pair was manufactured. It doesn't affect every pair, but it can make the brand feel less predictable if you're replacing a favorite shoe or ordering online without trying it on first.
adidas vs Nike
Nike and adidas are two of the biggest names in running, and while adidas has recently gained ground with a more consistent and well-rounded lineup, Nike still has a long-standing reputation as a trendsetter thanks to its major innovations. While the Adizero and Hyperboost range offers high-performing options with very few missteps, their daily trainers are good but not as well-organized or streamlined as Nike's. Nike's lineup is more mixed by comparison: its top-tier models stand out for technological innovation and race-day performance, but some of its lower-end options feel less cohesive or carefully developed. Both brands use their own premium foams to great effect. Adidas' Lightstrike Pro is TPEE-based and feels highly responsive while maintaining its bounce well over time, though it performs best after a short break-in period. Nike's ZoomX is PEBA-based and both very light and energetic, with a bouncy feel right out of the box.
adidas vs PUMA
PUMA and adidas share a complicated origin story, with both brands emerging from the Dassler brothers' split in postwar Germany. PUMA was founded by Rudolf Dassler in 1948, while adidas was registered by Adi Dassler in 1949. Today, the comparison is less about that troubled shared history and more about two strong performance lineups with different strengths. PUMA has rebuilt its road-running credibility around fast, aggressive shoes with excellent grip, making it especially appealing if you want extra outsole confidence on wet roads, in corners, or in mixed conditions. It also has one of the most advanced foam platforms on the market, leaning into aliphatic TPU-based compounds in its top racing shoes. adidas has the deeper and more complete road-running lineup overall, with more options for daily training, workouts, and racing. The brand's best shoes lean more on TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro, which gives the lineup a lightweight, energetic, and efficient feel.
adidas is one of the strongest running shoe brands right now, especially if you want a performance-oriented rotation that still makes sense for regular training. For example, the adidas Adizero Evo SL brings the high-end Lightstrike Pro foam used in adidas' super shoes into a more practical, accessible training shoe. The brand's best shoes usually feel efficient and surprisingly versatile enough to cover more than a single use. That said, adidas currently puts less emphasis on everyday trainers than some competitors, offers fewer width options, and isn't the best brand if you don't care about performance. Some uppers, tongues, and laces also feel less polished than the midsoles, and the most hyped releases can be difficult to buy.
Conclusion
Adidas has one of the deepest lineups in the running shoe world, with shoes that cover everything from stable daily training to elite race-day models. The brand stands out for its advanced midsole compounds, efficient Adizero range, and ability to bring serious performance tech into shoes that are still designed for regular training. It isn't the best brand if you're looking for multiple width options, and some of its most exciting models can be hard to find. Still, adidas is an excellent choice if you want a running shoe lineup built around responsiveness and foam innovation.
If there's an adidas model you want us to test, you can vote for it to help decide what we buy next. To learn more about each model, check our full list of the best adidas running shoes in the table below.