Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 Review

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 is a 177 g race-day shoe with a 39 mm heel, 35 mm forefoot and 4 mm drop, available now for $330. Its big departure is not another full carbon plate: Adidas uses what it calls a carbon-infused Energyrim alongside Lightstrike Pro foam, aiming for stiffness and rebound without the familiar hard, lever-like plated-shoe feel.

A softer kind of fast

According to Running Magazine, the Pro 5 feels light, soft and squishy, with more sink than the Adios Pro 4 before it rebounds. Adidas claims the revised foam delivers nine per cent more energy return while reducing weight. That is a brand claim, not an independent lab result, but the reviewer’s workout experience lines up with the intended result: the shoe made it easy to shift into a faster gear during long marathon-pace repetitions.

The important bit for runners is the character of that propulsion. Many marathon racers feel aggressive underfoot because a stiff plate dictates the roll forward. The Pro 5 is described as smoother, more stable and closer to a bouncy speed trainer, while still supplying enough stiffness for racing. That could make it a particularly appealing option for athletes who want a very light shoe but do not love the harsh sensation of a conventional carbon plate.

Upper details matter at race pace

The Lightlock 2.0 upper is another meaningful change. Running Magazine calls it a major improvement over previous Adidas racing uppers, reporting no heel lift and praising the two pads in the heel cup. For marathon runners prone to heel blisters, that is far more useful than a cosmetic update. The fit is not a blind-buy recommendation, though: the review found it slightly wide and short, with toes closer to the end than ideal and some movement in the toe box through tight corners. Try it on before committing.

At 177 g in men’s 9.5, this sits in the same lightweight conversation as Puma’s FastR-3 and Asics Metaspeed Sky and Edge, according to Running Magazine. Adidas has clearly taken lessons from the much less accessible Adios Pro Evo 3, which the source says carried a $650 Canadian retail price, and put them into a shoe built for regular race-day availability. We would still pair any shoe decision with sensible training, rather than assuming faster footwear fixes a rushed build. Our look at [Runna and Loughborough University’s injury-risk review](/en/articles/runna-and-loughborough-university-review-injury-risk-in-training-plans-2026-08-26) is a useful reminder of that bigger picture.

Durability is the compromise

The weak point is the outsole. There is substantial exposed midsole compound on the lateral side, and Running Magazine says the shoe’s best mileage is likely in its first 100 km. The reviewer saw no concerning wear after three speed sessions and about 35 km, despite online durability criticism, but this is still a featherweight race shoe with a clear durability trade-off. We would reserve it for key workouts and racing, not daily mileage.

The Adios Pro 5 looks like a strong marathon or half-marathon pick for runners chasing a light, energetic and less punishing carbon-assisted ride. Versus a traditional stiff plated racer, its appeal is the smoother bounce. Not perfect. But a compelling direction for Adidas.