Ahead of the Berlin Marathon this weekend, Adidas is presenting the two latest entries to its light and fast Adizero franchise.
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 will launch as the brand’s newest super shoe, borrowing learnings from the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 while introducing fresh technologies in the upper and outsole. Alongside the racer comes the Adizero Evo SL, a brand-new trainer that also adopts elements of the Evo 1 but foregoes any stiffening elements.
On top of the bold Three Stripes branding, the Adios Pro 4 takes on the same forefoot rocker geometry of the Evo 1 to bolster forward momentum and running economy. The placement moves from the 67 percent of the shoe’s length of the Adios Pro 3 to the Evo 1’s 60 percent. This change required a slight shift in the EnergyRods geometry as well, and the Lightstrike Pro foam features a new compound that’s lighter and boasts greater energy return but which Adidas declined to go into detail on further.
At 200 grams for a men’s size 9, the Adios Pro 4 comes in 23 grams lighter than its predecessor. The EVO 1, which is priced at $500 and was worn by Tigst Assefa as she broke the women’s marathon world record last year in Berlin, is still the lightest running shoe Adidas has ever made at just 138 grams.
“Overall, the Pro Evo 1 is a very specific model that we don’t really want to benchmark agains the Adios Pro 4,” Charlotte Heidmann, category director for Adidas Running, told Footwear News in a video call Tuesday. “This is an update from the Adios Pro 3 while bringing some insights from the Evo, but we do keep those models quite separate from each other.”
Replacing engineered mesh on the Adios Pro 4’s upper is LightLock, a first-of-its-kind system pairing a lightweight, one-way stretch woven mesh upper with internal locking bands made visible underneath in neon green. The one-way stretch keeps the foot in place for forward movements while shrinking or expanding to adjust to the size of the foot, which itself could change during the course of a run because of swelling.
“The creation process is quite long, and we constantly test with not only athletes, but also the consumer,” Heidmann said of developing LightLock. “Where we’re at now, we feel very confident that this is a big, big step forward for our racing.”
After receiving feedback on the lacing system that included reports of pressure points created by loops near the toe, the Adidas Running team simplified the Adios Pro 4’s lacing system. Stitching locks down the tongue like a gusset as well but without the wings.
At the bottom of the Adios Pro 4 is a thin LightTraxion outsole with Continental rubber placed at the forefoot and patterns that shift throughout the rest of the surface area for precise grip where it’s needed most.
A 39mm stack heigh with a 6mm drop remains from the Adios Pro 3, as does the SlingLaunch technology securing the heel.
Away from race day, Adidas is carving out a new space in the Adizero line with the Evo SL, which has elements of both a speed trainer and a daily trainer. It makes use of full-length and high-stack LightStrike Pro foam with the same compound found on the Adios Pro 3 and Boston 12 — but without any stiffening elements such as EnergyRods. It also uses the same last as the Boston 12 and SL2, giving it a more accommodating fit for a broader range of people.
The forefoot for the Evo SL sits higher up, allowing for more foam to fit underneath with a stack height of 38.5mm and drop of 6.5mm. Without EnergyRods, the feeling here is more forgiving and tailored to a wider range of workouts than the ultra fast. And at 224 grams, the Evo SL comes in right around the same weight as the Adios Pro 3.
“Around a year ago the team sat down and said, ‘What can we do differently? What can we add to the Adizero lineup to make it an even stronger proposition for all consumers?” Simon Lockett, category director for Adidas Running, said in the same video call. “Ultimately, the team landed on the Evo SL, which takes the name, high stack and branding from the [Pro Evo 1.]”
The Adidas Adizero Pro 4 will release in January 2024 through Adidas’ website, app and stores at a price of $250. Priced at $150, the Adizero Evo SL will first get a limited drop on October 15 through the Adidas app before wider availability comes in March 2025.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
