Created by Adolf and Rudolph Dassler in 1924, Adidas was one of the first brands to make specialized running shoes for different events. In 1939, Jesse Owens wore a pair of custom Adidas spikes while competing in the Olympics — and ever since, Adidas was off to the races (literally).
One hundred years since its founding, Adidas has expanded into streetwear, specialized sporting shoes, and gear for other sports, most notably soccer. But it still has a stronghold in the running community: It’s the sponsor of one of the most celebrated running events of the year — the Boston Marathon — and the best Adidas running shoes can be found on the feet of pros and recreational runners alike.
If you’re considering whether you should switch over to the historic running brand, we’ve gathered what we consider to be the best Adidas running shoes of 2024.
The Best Adidas Running Shoes of 2024
- Best Overall: Ultraboost Light
- Best Stability: Supernova Solution
- Best Value: Adizero SL
- Best Daily Trainer: Supernova Rise
- Best for Speedwork: Adidas Adizero
- Best Racer Overall: Adizero Adios Pro
- Best High-Cushion Racer: Adizero Prime X 2.0
Adidas Technology at a Glance
Adidas’ shoes are full of proprietary materials with specific names. These are what make Adidas shoes great to run in and wear, so we reference it a lot. To help you better understand what we’re raving about, here’s a quick explainer for some of its most popular and innovative technology.
- Boost: Adidas signature foam, this makes up the midsole of the popular Ultraboost running shoes. It is a TPU foam known for its resilience, cushion, and energy return.
- Light Boost: A lighter version of the Boost foam, this still has a bouncy feel, but it’s about 30% lighter, and also reduced the carbon footprint by 10%.
- Lightstrike: A lightweight EVA based foam used in most Adidas mid-lightweight running shoes.
- Lightstrike Pro: Super lightweight PEBAX foam that is used in their racing shoes for the most responsive feel.
- Continental Rubber: A type of rubber used on outsoles; most present in racing and trail shoes, giving them extra grip when you need it.
- PrimeKnit: A slightly stretchy, knit upper material that gives the shoe a snug, sock-like fit.
- Energy Rods: Carbon rods placed in between the foam in racing shoes. These work similarly to a carbon plate to give you a responsive feel, but they are designed to move more like metatarsals, so you get a more flexible and natural feel with every step.
Best Adidas Running Shoe Overall: Ultraboost Light
Best for: Daily training | Weight: 9.2 oz | Drop: 10mm
Pros:
- Responsive feel
- Upper moves well with foot
- Lots of heel cushioning
- Great grip
- Durable
Cons:
- Feels a bit clunky
- Runs long
The Adidas Ultraboost was a favorite of high-cushion runners for decades. Based on that shoes blueprint, Adidas launched the Ultraboost Light which features much of the same beloved profile but with a a few upgrades:
Its foam, the Light Boost, is heavily inspired by the beloved Boost foam but is — as it sounds — a lighter, more eco-conscious version. The Ultraboost Light was able to drop some weight from its predecessor yet the Light Boost foam has retained the same amount of bounciness for that signature responsive ride. Some do say the Ultraboost Light is a bit firmer than the original, but in my opinion this just makes it great for both runners and walkers.
The Ultraboost Light shoe has a Prime-Knit upper, giving it a sock-like feel on your foot alongside great breathability. Unlike many knit uppers, this one retains its shape throughout the shoe’s lifespan and doesn’t loosen even after you break it in. This upper fits a bit closer to the foot than a mesh would, so if you have a higher-volume foot, this may not provide enough vertical space for you.
These — like many Adidas — are made on a unisex last, so they can feel a bit wide for narrow feet, especially in the heel. They also run a tad long.
But their responsive foam, light weight, and comfortable upper make them our top pick for the best Adidas running shoe for most people.
Best Adidas Stability Running Shoe: Supernova Solution
Best for: Daily training | Weight: 10.3 oz | Drop: 10mm
Pros:
- Soft but supportive
- Helps correct overpronation
- Reasonable price
- Great traction
Cons:
- Limited colors
- Rods may make it too stiff for some runners
If you overpronate, you want to opt for a running shoe with adequate stability. The Supernova Solution is a mid-weight, mid-cushion shoe that offers a soft but supportive ride. That makes this shoe great for everyday training.
The Supernova Solution uses Adidas’ Dreamstrike+ foam, which is an updated version of the Light Strike foam and is designed to be even lighter and more responsive.
To combat the softness of the foam, this shoe uses two different kinds of rods: bottom support, which is embedded in the outsole and helps to stabilize the gait, and fused medial rods which provide additional support along the inside of the shoe to help correct overpronation.
The Supernova Solution features a super durable outsole that provides excellent grip and helps protect the soft foam from damage via friction. It has a light and breathable mesh upper that keeps the feet dry and cool.
Lastly, the Supernova Solution also has a gender specific last — something not present in every Adidas model — which gives it a better fit for women with narrower feet and ankles.
If you don’t overpronate that severely, this may not be the shoe for you. Because it uses medial rods, it is a pretty aggressive form of arch support, and if you don’t necessarily need that much it could end up overcorrecting and pushing you further outside of the shoe.
Best Value Adidas Running Shoe: Adizero SL
Best for: Daily training | Weight: 7.2 oz | Drop: 8.5mm
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Breathable upper
- Continental rubber outsole
Cons:
- Not much support
- Limited sizes available
Light, springy, and surprisingly affordable, the Adizero SL is a great option for runners looking for a speedy trainer that can help you break records without breaking your bank account.
Coming in at under $120, the Adizero SL is more affordable than most running shoes and it has a surprising amount of cushioning for the price. The upper is light and breezy with an engineered mesh designed to keep the foot locked in place. The shoe has a full, continental rubber outsole for optimum grip and durability.
The Adizero SL uses a combination of the EVA-based foams Light Strike (light and firm) and Light Strike Pro (soft and responsive) to give it a stable-but-plush feel, even on hard and uneven surfaces. The Light Strike Pro foam is actually used in some of Adidas premium racing shoes costing up to $300, so to get a midsole with that foam at this price is a steal — hence why we find it to be the best value.
The Adizero SL won’t be as responsive as the carbon-plated racers due to, well, the lack of a carbon plate. But it still makes for an excellent trainer for runners who prefer something light, soft, and fast.
Best Adidas Daily Trainer: Supernova Rise
Best for: Daily training | Weight: 9.8 oz | Drop: 10 mm
Pros:
- Soft, plush feel
- Support rods give stabilization despite being a neutral shoe
- Mesh upper is supportive but breathable
- Durable outsole
Cons:
- Some colors have very limited sizes
- Boring design
If you want a do-it-all daily trainer, you can’t go wrong with the Adidas Supernova Rise. This shoe uses the Dreamstrike+ foam in the midsole for a slightly firm, snappy feel that will give you maximum energy return, even on easy runs.
Like the Solution, it uses the bottom-loaded support rods while forgoing the medial rods. This means it still runs like a neutral shoe and won’t affect your gait, but it offers an additional layer of support and stability that most neutral shoes do not. This makes it great for people with weaker ankles or running on slanted or uneven surfaces.
The Supernova Rise has a double-layered mesh that allows for breathability while still keeping the foot secure and locked in place. The heel counter is padded without being bulky. The outsole is made from Adiwear which gives decent grip, but it’s admittedly not as durable nor as slip-resistant as Continental Rubber.
Best Adidas Running Shoe for Speedwork: Adidas Adizero
Best for: Speedwork or races | Weight: 9.5 oz | Drop: 7 mm
Pros:
- Soft but responsive
- Energy Rods for maximum energy return
- Continental Rubber outsole
- Upper made with 50% recycled content
Cons:
- Not much ankle support
- Energy Rods may be too stiff for some to use for daily training
Carbon-plated shoes were originally only used for race day, but we’ve seen more and more of these super shoes falling into the category of a trainer. The Adidas Adizero is one of the best examples of this.
It sandwiches the Adidas Energy Rods between the Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro foams. This makes it both deliciously plush and impressively snappy. Because it uses both types of foam, the shoe is a bit more durable than most of the racing shoes that only use Pro foam.
The Adidas Adizero has a breathable, engineered mesh upper that is light but still supportive, and made from 50% recycled materials. It features a continental rubber outsole for excellent grip and to help extend the longevity of the shoe.
Coming in at only 9.5 ounces, this shoe isn’t much heavier than a racer so it’s great for someone who likes super fast shoes for track workouts or wants a do-it-all model for both racing and training. Plus, it’s only $160 which is significantly cheaper than most carbon-plated racers.
Best Adidas Racer Overall: Adizero Adios Pro
Best for: Races 5k-marathon | Weight: 8.1 oz | Drop: 6.5 mm
Pros:
- Lightweight and responsive
- Super light, breathable upper
- Energy Rods give it a propulsive feel
- Comes in unisex and women’s sizing
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited colors and sizes
The Pro version of our top pick for speedword, the Adizero Adios Pro is not only the best racing shoe Adidas has to offer, but it’s also one of the best carbon racers — period.
The highly-popular Adizero Adios Pro can be worn for everything from a 5k to a marathon. It’s not uncommon to see these on the feet of amateurs and elites at big races.
The Adizero Adios Pro has a full Lightstrike Pro midsole which makes it both incredibly lightweight and super responsive. Like the Adizero, this model also uses the Energy Rods to give it a propulsive feel and help promote energy return and an efficient gait.
The upper is made from a lightweight mesh that is highly breathable to keep your feet ventilated and dry. It’s also reinforced in places of high friction and tension to make the shoe durable without adding weight.
Like all of Adidas’ racers, the Adizero Pro has a Continental Rubber sole for excellent grip. This is placed only where you need grip and durability the most — once again with the intention of keeping the weight down.
At $250, this racer is pricey. But considering it’s the cream of the crop, the value holds up to the price tag.
Best High-Cushion Adidas Racer: Adizero Prime X 2.0
Best for: Racing half to full marathon | Weight: 10.4 oz | Drop: 6.5 mm
Pros:
- Incredibly responsive
- Feels very soft underfoot
- Upper adapts to the shape of the foot
- Excellent grip
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Some may find it too bulky
Carbon-plated racers may be fast but many are notoriously uncomfortable. I can confidently say, however, that the Adizero Prime X 2.0 is the most comfortable racing shoe I have ever put on my feet.
Not only is it super plush, but it’s also incredibly fast. It is bulk and slightly heavier at 10.4 ounces. But this shoe combines three layers of Lightstrike Pro foam with an energy core (carbon plate) to give it an unparalleled energy return.
While the stack height is shocking at 50mm, in my experience, it feels as if you are floating more so than running.
This shoe, of course, has a Continental rubber outsole for premium grip. It also has a unique upper that is made from Strung material, a textile innovation that adapts to the shape and movement of an athlete’s foot as they run. This gives you a more custom-feeling fit and helps to prevent hot spots and blistering.
While the $300 price tag is a bit hard to swallow, it is worth the price for serious racers who want to up their game with some of the most innovative technology available in running shoes.
Buy It: Men’s
How We Selected the Best Adidas Running Shoes
In order to choose the best Adidas running shoes, I leaned on my own experience having tested a fair share of the brand’s running shoes, with my favorites being the Prime X and Ultra Boost Light. I also cross-referenced my own experiences with expert-tested articles from sources like Runner’s World, Marathon Handbook, and Believe in the Run and customer reviews from places like Amazon, Reddit, and retail sites. With all of this first-hand experience information, I used my knowledge as a gear tester, runner, and running store specialist of wearing, testing, and fitting shoes to determine which ones are truly the best.
We also considered the range of needs of runners when it comes to different comfort preference, support needs, and activities. This way, there is an option of which Adidas running shoe is truly the best for every type of runner and activity.
Why Trust Us
Gabrielle Hondorp began her writing career in 2019 with a fellowship for Runner’s World magazine and was commerce editor for the publication until 2023. She is now freelancing full-time and specializes in everything health, wellness and fitness. Gabrielle also ran on the track and cross country teams at Muhlenberg college, and has worked in running retail since 2017 so she is not only familiar with finding the right running shoes for herself, but also fitting runners in the best shoes to help them reach their goals.
