The adidas Adizero Adios 9 is a low-stack speed shoe built for short races and fast training. It evolves from the adidas Adizero Adios 8 by shedding significant weight, switching to a full bed of Lightstrike Pro midsole foam tuned like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3, and adopting a softer, more comfortable upper modeled after the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. The midsole delivers lively rebound, paired with a low stack for extra ground feel. The outsole features adidas' new Lighttraxion with a small Continental patch up front for reliable grip. Together, these updates create a lighter, smoother, and quicker ride that remains stable, positioning the Adios 9 as adidas' most refined, modern take on the racing flat: ideal for 5K to 10K racing or lapping your friends at your local track.
Our Verdict
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 isn't well-suited for marathon distances. Its low stack and thin cushioning limit long-run comfort and protection, making it a tough shoe to run in for that event. While its lightweight and responsive foam help maintain speed, the lack of underfoot padding puts extra strain on the legs over time. Although earlier Adios iterations once held the marathon world record, today it feels far less forgiving than the higher-stacked racers now built for 26.2 miles and endurance.
TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro midsole is very bouncy.
Partial plastic shank adds some subtle stiffness to the construction.
Insufficient underfoot protection.
No full-length carbon plate.
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 shines in short races. Its featherlight build, firm forefoot, and snappy turnover make it an excellent tool for fast 5K and 10K efforts. The platform rewards quick mechanics and delivers direct ground contact that helps with speed and efficiency at these distances. It feels sharp and precise underfoot, though it lacks the protection for much beyond the 10K mark.
Low stack enhances ground feel.
TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro midsole is very bouncy.
Snappy forefoot encourages high turnover.
Partial plastic shank adds some subtle stiffness to the construction.
No full-length carbon plate.
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 feels very lively thanks to its Lightstrike Pro midsole, despite its minimal profile. Both heel and forefoot sections deliver consistent rebound, giving the shoe a snappy, energetic character when running at pace. While it doesn't quite match the energy return of top-of-the-line super shoes, it still offers a fast, efficient ride for short, hard efforts.
TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro midsole is very bouncy.
Snappy forefoot encourages high turnover.
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 has very poor cushioning. The low stack height and firm feel mean very little protection underfoot, especially in the forefoot, where the shoe feels thin and unforgiving. This design enhances ground feel but sacrifices comfort, making it less suitable for long runs or recovery days.
Insufficient underfoot protection.
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 is a very stable shoe. The firm forefoot and low profile keep the platform steady when cornering or picking up speed, and it feels secure for fast workouts on the road or track. However, the narrow heel and tapered fit may still feel unstable for heel strikers who aren't used to this type of geometry.
Low stack enhances ground feel.
Partial plastic shank adds some subtle stiffness to the construction.
Relatively narrow platform.
Performance Usages
Changelog
-
Updated Oct 23, 2025:
We updated the review to include text for the Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test, which was recently added to our test bench. To ensure accuracy, we also removed some information from the Forefoot Cushioning box to include it in the Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test box instead.
- Updated Oct 23, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our changelog.
-
Updated Oct 01, 2025:
We updated the Forefoot Energy Return box to align with the latest test bench to keep the review accurate.
- Updated Oct 01, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.2, which updates our methodology for the impact force range used in our compression tests to improve their accuracy. This also affects all usage and performance usage boxes using those compression tests as score components.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the adidas Adizero Adios 9 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The pair we purchased is the White/Black/Silver Metallic colorway, but you can also buy the shoe in other options, depending on the region. Another available men's colorway is Lucid Lemon/Black/Halo Silver. Unlike some other adidas models, the Adios 9 is only available in standard width. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 is a throwback-inspired racing flat reimagined with modern foam and upper technology. It's a featherweight, low-stack speed shoe designed for intervals, strides, track work, and racing up to about 10K. With a full Lightstrike Pro midsole, it delivers fast turnover, direct ground feel, and just enough protection for short, intense sessions. The ride isn't forgiving, and heel strikers and those used to max-stack shoes may find it harsh or calf-taxing at first. Overall, it offers excellent value as a specialized tool in your rotation, but it's not a versatile shoe, and it lacks the range of modern, higher-stack options. For comparison, the Nike Streakfly 2 offers an even lighter alternative in this niche, with a carbon plate and a lower drop. Overall, the Adios 9 is best suited to runners who want a traditional, minimalist racer feel with modern foam response, not those seeking plush cushioning or a versatile option. Runners simply looking for a relatively lightweight daily trainer but don't need the high-performance features for top efficiency can look towards the Brooks Hyperion 2.
Within adidas' Adizero range, the Adios 9 takes the role of a short-distance specialist without a full-length plate. Compared to the adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11, which uses EnergyRods and offers slightly more underfoot padding, the Adios 9 is even more stripped down and minimal. Another option for workouts is the adidas Adizero Evo SL, also unplated, which is heavier but noticeably more protective. The Adios 9 carries design cues from adidas' super shoes, such as the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and its previous iteration, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3.
For additional options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best long-distance running shoes and the best shoes for running a marathon.
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 and the adidas Adizero Evo SL sit in the same family but cater to different styles of runners. The Adios 9 is the more traditional option, very low to the ground with a razor-sharp feel and fast turnover that mimics the classic racing-flat experience. It shines in intervals, short races, and any workout where ground feel and efficiency matter most. The Evo SL, by contrast, offers more protection and cushioning from its higher stack of Lightstrike Pro foam, making it a more versatile choice that can double as a lightweight daily trainer while still excelling in workouts and even longer races. While it still has some harshness compared to true max-cushioned options, it provides a way more forgiving platform than the Adios 9.
The Nike Streakfly 2 and the adidas Adizero Adios 9 are both stripped-down speed shoes built for short, fast efforts, but they take different approaches. The Streakfly 2 is much lighter, with a carbon plate and a sharply angled forefoot geometry that gives it a snappy feel reminiscent of track spikes. The Adios 9, while still very light, uses a partial plastic shank instead of a full plate, and its ride is firmer in the forefoot and more grounded with a more traditional flat-racer sensation. Both shoes are firm and snappy underfoot, though the Streakfly 2 feels a bit firmer in the heel.
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 and the Brooks Hyperion 2 are both lightweight trainers that embrace the low-stack heritage, but they differ in execution. The Adios 9 is the lighter and more stripped-down option, sitting closer to the ground with a firmer, more energetic Lightstrike Pro midsole that makes it feel sharper and more responsive when picking up the pace. It's an all-in, well-executed speed tool that excels for intervals and short races. The Hyperion 2, on the other hand, is more of a traditional lightweight daily trainer. It's heavier, not as energetic underfoot, and prioritizes durability over raw performance.
We've recently started buying and testing 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 for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with 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.
Test Results
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 is impressively light, one of its biggest strengths. It's a true featherweight in daily use, though still not as minimal as direct competitors like the Nike Streakfly 2. Within adidas' lineup, it's the most well-tuned option for weight-to-performance balance if you appreciate pure ground feel. That said, runners who don't mind carrying some extra grams can turn to the adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11 or the adidas Adizero Evo SL, which add more cushioning and versatility for uptempo runs, intervals, and short races.
This shoe rides very close to the ground, echoing the feel of old-school racing flats while packaging it in a modern midsole construction. The low stack provides direct ground contact and sharp responsiveness but sacrifices underfoot protection compared to more cushioned options.
The outsole design, visible on the 3D scan, features adidas' new Lighttraxion with a small Continental patch up front for added grip, similar to other adidas race shoes like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 has a snug, tapered toebox that feels narrow on foot. Our team of testers experienced pressure points during real-world usage of the shoes, and runners with wider forefeet may notice discomfort over longer runs. It's a secure performance fit, but keep this in mind when picking up your size.
There's a partial plastic shank running through the midfoot, similar to what adidas uses in the adidas Adizero Evo SL and reminiscent of the OG Nike Streakfly. It doesn't deliver the same feel as a carbon plate, but it adds a subtle touch of stiffness to the shoe.
The heel feels very energetic for such a thin platform. The Lightstrike Pro midsole returns a lot of energy upon landing, making the Adios 9 feel quick when transitioning towards the forefoot and shifting gears. While not as energetic as top-plated super shoes like the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3, it's consistent and efficient for shorter runs.
The forefoot is a bit more lively, giving off a sharpness that's reminiscent of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 in character. This Lightstrike Pro formulation synergizes well with the overall geometry, helping the shoe feel reactive under load and rewarding runners who maintain a higher cadence and forefoot strike pattern.
Heel cushioning is very limited in the adidas Adizero Adios 9. The Lightstrike Pro midsole absorbs shock reasonably well, but the very small amount of foam underfoot restricts comfort and protection. Specifically, heel strikers will find it harsh for long efforts, as there just isn't enough stack to buffer repeated impacts.
The forefoot has very little foam to absorb impact, so every step feels direct and close to the ground.
The heel is firm across all force levels. While this helps keep the platform stable and predictable, it also makes the ride feel harsher than softer alternatives, such as the adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 11.
The forefoot is extremely firm, among the stiffest in its class. It can feel harsh, but it adds a lot of snap to each step, favoring a high cadence and efficient stride. This firmness also contributes to the shoe’s stability, making it feel planted despite its narrow build.
The adidas Adizero Adios 9 delivers very minimal cushioning from the start and keeps that same feel as the distance builds. There's no sudden drop in absorption, but protection stays low throughout, making it quite harsh on longer efforts. One of our staff members regularly runs 25 km or more in it without issue, though he's an old-school runner who enjoys that stripped-down, no-nonsense feel. For most runners, it's better suited to short races or hard sessions where that raw, minimal ride can actually work to your advantage.