Adidas Adizero Adios 9 running shoes

The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 running shoe is a very lightweight running shoe for fast and shorter runs of up to 10-15 km. It is suitable for races as well as for fast runs, but mainly for training for 5-10 km races and interval running. It borrows several solutions from Adidas’ top racing shoe, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 running shoe, and still costs half the price, even though it is designed for much shorter runs. The specs and character of the Adizero Adios 9 are very similar to the Adizero Takumi Sen 10, which is also designed for 5-10km fast running and racing, but the Adizero Adios 9 has a much more comfortable upper and a less rigid midsole. The Adizero Adios 9 has changed a lot from its predecessor, the Adizero Adios 8 running shoe, being lighter, more comfortable and faster.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 upper

The upper of the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 running shoe is made with Lightlock technology, just like the upper of the Adios Pro 4, which means that the very thin soft mesh upper has no lateral flex, only forward flex, which Adidas achieves with the pattern and direction of the weave and the stiffer 3 side Adidas stripes. The upper fits true to size and is narrower than average. Very lightweight and breathable. The tongue is thin but has minimal cushioning, as does the heel collar which is lined with a very soft material. The heel collar is soft but has a minimum of stiffness. As with many of its performance-optimized running shoes, Adidas uses the Slinglaunch heel solution, a thin plastic strap on the heel that runs diagonally from the center of the heel to the top of the heel to improve secure foot support. The upper is optimized for performance but comfortable, holding the foot well and is more comfortable than its predecessor.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 midsole

The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Running Shoe Midsole is made entirely of LightStrike Pro foam, which Adidas uses in its most advanced, raceday running shoes. LightStrike Pro is a very soft, flexible foam with good energy return. In addition to LightStrike Pro, the previous version also featured LightStrike 2.0 foam in the midsole, which is a harder, more rigid foam, completely changing the running experience of the Adizero Adios 9. The midsole is more flexible, softer and more comfortable, but still just as fast. The midsole is very low, only 27mm at the heel and 20mm at the front of the shoe. This gives a very good ground feel but little cushioning, so although Adidas recommends this shoe for up to a half marathon distance, this distance is only recommended for experienced runners in this shoes. The midsole is also great for fast runs, it almost flies, but at slower speeds the low midsole can be a bit distracting. Since the midsole of the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 running shoe has been stripped of the ENERGYTORSION ROD 2.0 from previous versions, the midsole is less rigid, but the dynamics have not been compromised. There is also a stiffening in the midsole of the version 9, but Adidas did not specify this technology. The removal of the ENERGYTORSION ROD 2.0 has made the shoe less stable, but this is not a major factor for the shorter runs for which the shoe is intended. The midsole is narrow at the heel but not high, so it has average stability, but the forefoot is wide enough to provide adequate stability.

Adidas Adizero Adios 9 outsole

The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Running Shoe Outsole is made up of two different rubber materials. On the inside of the front of the shoe, where the outsole is exposed to the most wear and tear during a run, there is a piece of Continental rubber, which has very good grip and, as you know, wear resistance. The rest of the outsole is made of Adidas’ own LIGHTTRAXION rubber, which is lightweight and has a good grip thanks to its pattern. To keep the weight down, the outsole is very thin and soft for good traction, so expect it to wear out faster than average. At first glance, the outsole looks exactly like the outsole of the Adios Pro 4, Adidas’ top marathon shoe.

Who are the Adidas Adizero Adios 9 running shoes for and what kind of running? Summary

The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 Running Shoe is a fast running shoe for shorter training runs or races up to 10km. It has changed a lot from the previous version, becoming more comfortable and forgiving. The upper is very supportive, lightweight and optimized for performance, but it has been given a minimal amount of cushioning, making it comfortable especially for shorter distances, which is what Adidas intended the shoe for. The midsole is made of Adidas’ top-of-the-line LightStrike Pro foam, which is soft, flexible and dynamic, but has little shock absorption, so it’s not suitable for longer distances. The outsole is very grippy, but the durability is below average.