Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 Review

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 is a compelling marathon racer if you want a very light shoe with a smooth, energetic transition and can get a comfortable fit through the arch. It is less convincing if the narrow midfoot presses on your foot, the exposed rim catches your opposite ankle, or you need a shoe for most of your daily mileage.

The Pro 5 replaces the Adios Pro 4's ENERGYRODS with a carbon-infused ENERGYRIM around the midsole. Adidas says the new design makes room for more LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam beneath the foot, cuts 23g from the shoe in its stated sample size and increases measured energy return by 9% against the Pro 4. Those are changes to the construction and Adidas's test results, not a promise of a faster marathon for every runner.

How we assessed it: This is a research-based review using Adidas's specifications and the independent testing findings assembled in Verdosa's analyst notes. Verdosa has not independently wear-tested the Pro 5. Individual fit, long-term durability and race performance need to be judged with that limit in mind.

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 specifications

Weight, dimensions, construction, US/EU launch prices and launch date are Adidas figures. The UK price is the Adidas UK listing checked for this draft on 29 September 2026. Prices and stock can change.

What does ENERGYRIM change about the ride?

The main difference is where Adidas puts the carbon reinforcement. The Pro 4 uses ENERGYRODS beneath the foot; the Pro 5 moves to a carbon-infused structure around the perimeter. That allows more continuous foam directly underfoot while the rim supplies stiffness around it.

The practical appeal is a less segmented transition. The independent reports in our research generally describe a smoother, lighter-feeling shoe that responds when the pace rises without forcing a particularly aggressive toe-off. That is an observation from other testers, not a guarantee that the Pro 5 will feel soft or natural on every stride. Reports even differ on whether it feels firmer or softer than the Pro 4.

Adidas's 9% energy-return improvement compares the Pro 5 with the Pro 4 under its testing conditions. It does not mean 9% less effort or a 9% faster finishing time. For a marathon purchase, the more useful test is whether you can hold your planned pace comfortably as your legs tire.

Is the Pro 5 light enough to feel different late in a marathon?

Adidas lists an average of 177g in UK 8.5, about 23g or 12% less than the Pro 4 in its comparison. That is a meaningful reduction for a racing shoe, though the actual weight of your size will differ. Do not compare this figure directly with another brand's weight in US 9 or UK 9 and call the difference exact.

Less weight can make turnover feel easier, but it is only one part of the decision. A shoe that causes arch rubbing at 25km will not become the better marathon option because it saves a few grams. The Pro 5's case rests on the combination of low weight, cushioning and a transition that works with your stride.

Fit and arch comfort: who needs to be careful?

Start with your usual Adidas running size, then check the actual fit in race socks. The redesigned LIGHTLOCK 2.0 upper has ventilation zones, support bands and a revised heel. The analyst material reports a more secure heel and more accommodating forefoot than some runners experienced in the Pro 4, but sizing impressions are not unanimous.

The important distinction is forefoot room versus midfoot width. A little more space for your toes does not prevent pressure along a narrow arch area. Some independent testers in the supplied research reported medial arch irritation on longer runs. If you have flat feet, a broad midfoot or a history of arch blisters, treat this as a try-before-race warning rather than a certain fit failure.

Check heel hold without overtightening the laces. If your feet brush together when running, check whether the firm exposed perimeter edge contacts the opposite ankle. A short shop try-on cannot answer every question: use a substantial race-pace session before committing to a marathon.

Stability and grip when the race gets difficult

Adidas says ENERGYRIM tunes stiffness for stability and propulsion. Early reports in the analyst notes often describe a more controlled midfoot and heel than the Pro 4. That is a comparison with the older shoe, not a claim that the Pro 5 is a stability shoe or that it suits every runner who needs support.

The LIGHTTRAXION and Continental rubber outsole is designed for lightweight traction. Construction and early impressions are encouraging, but dependable performance on your wet race route and long-term wear cannot be established from a launch specification. Assess grip on the surfaces you actually race on, and check the outsole as mileage accumulates.

If your form changes markedly late in long runs, pay particular attention to heel control, arch pressure and how confidently you can turn corners when tired. These matter more than how lively the shoe feels during the first kilometre.

Is the Adios Pro 5 worth its launch price?

At $275 in the US, €275 in the EU and £220 in the UK as regional reference prices, this is a premium, specialist purchase. It is easiest to justify when you have a target race, know your fit and want a dedicated shoe for racing and key sessions. It is harder to justify as your only running shoe or as an automatic upgrade from a Pro 4 that already fits and performs well.

If you own the older model, our Adios Pro 5 vs Pro 4 comparison sets out the changes and the upgrade decision. If you are choosing between brands, read Alphafly 4 vs Adios Pro 5. Compare the actual local checkout prices, availability and fit before spending.

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Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 FAQ

Is the Adios Pro 5 a carbon-plated shoe?

It is a carbon-reinforced racing shoe, but its construction differs from a conventional full-length plate. Its carbon-infused ENERGYRIM runs around the midsole and replaces the Pro 4's separate ENERGYRODS.

Does the Adios Pro 5 run true to size?

Begin with your usual Adidas running size, then check toe clearance, heel hold and arch pressure. The upper has changed, and individual fit reports vary. Trying adjacent sizes is more useful than a universal half-size rule.

Is it suitable for a four-hour marathon?

There is no supported finishing-time cutoff. If the shoe is comfortable, stable enough for your stride and works at your planned pace, your target time alone does not rule it out. A race-pace long run is a better guide.

Is the Adios Pro 5 better than the Pro 4?

It is lighter in Adidas's stated comparison and has a substantially changed midsole structure, upper and outsole. Whether it is better for you depends on fit, ride preference and the price of both models. See our full Pro 5 vs Pro 4 comparison.

Can I use it for daily training?

You can run in it outside races, but its specialist construction and price make racing and selected race-preparation sessions its clearest use. Long-term durability remains an open question in this research-based assessment.