There is no doubt that in recent years we have seen many shoes dedicated exclusively to racing appear on store shelves. Shoes conceived, designed and made with one purpose in mind: to break our personal records.
It is mainly the shoes that, inserted into the midsole, have the famous carbon fiber plate.
And then adidas comes along with the
Adizero Adios Pro 2.0
and changes the (technological) rules of the game.
When you design a product, you always have two options in front of you: to give your own key to existing technologies or to go down a new path, all your own. And, as you may have guessed, adidas chose this second option. Specifically, the three-stripes brand replaced the full-length carbon plate with five composite rods, the Energy Rods, combined with an insert-also made of carbon-positioned at the heel for the purpose of making the roll of the foot more elastic and fluid. Basically, to make it simple for you, the mechanical structure of the shoe goes to recreate the structure of the foot, almost repeating and indulging the metatarsal bones.
Energy Rods that are embedded within a midsole made entirely of Lightstrike Pro, the German brand’s new fast compound that we have already found in the new Boston 10 and on the Continental sole, which-to make an automotive comparison that we will also find later-as soon as you touch it makes you think of Formula 1 slicks.
This is coupled with the ultra-lightweight CelerMesh 2.0 upper that helps keep the weight down to 215 grams overall.
A great feeling right away
As soon as they are put on, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2.0 immediately give a feeling of convenience and comfort, which is never taken for granted in this category of shoes, indeed. The upper accommodates well, is comfortable, very light and soft; it has no friction points or annoying seams. It goes without saying that it is extremely breathable. You hardly feel it, in short.
You feel the softness of the Lightstrike Pro compound immediately, even from a static position. And just think about getting your shorts on, getting out, and starting to run!
Born for speed
That the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2.0 are not “normal” running shoes you can tell from the first step, the first push.
They are race shoes, created to put you in a position to express your full athletic potential and exceed your limits. Not coincidentally, they are the same ones used by Kibiwott Kandie to make the half-marathon world record in 57’32” (average pace 2’43″/Km) last December 6 in Valencia.
They are missiles: light, responsive, very fast. With each thrust, the Adios Pro’s dynamically accommodate the thrust of your foot and give you the sensation of flying. Even if you don’t go 2’43″/Km.
What’s interesting is that the Energy Rods pairing with the Lightstrike Pro midsole creates the perfect balance of responsiveness, response and cushioning. Yes, I am talking about cushioning even in a racing shoe because you can feel it so clearly. It is not “dry” to the stance and puts you in a position to be able to tackle even the queen distance-the marathon-without coming out with feet ravaged by impacts with asphalt. Long-distance vocation also accentuated by the great breathability of the CelerMesh 2.0 upper: lighter is probably only the lace – but it would not be suitable for a running shoe. ;)
As I told you, the road use experience of the Adios Pro 2.0s made me think of a Formula 1 car, even in grip with asphalt. And, for that very reason, it is right to approach them with respect and precaution. After all, to keep with the automotive metaphor, you would never show up at the Ferrari garage and say, “I have a B license so I am able to drive your car,” would you!
The stance also deserves a little elaboration, which, in pace-race, is always shifted toward the midfoot area but the 10-mm drop allows an almost full roll to accentuate the push phase. Even from these details we can see the design attention given to these Adios.
Adios Pros perform best especially at faster paces and with athletes who have perfect technique. And you certainly can’t use them for long, slow Sunday workouts-they would be out of their element.
On the other hand, when you buy them, you do so for a specific purpose: to use them in competition to disintegrate your personal best, and for that, I assure you they are perfect.
Ultimately
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2.0, in no uncertain terms, are perfect for their specific use and, available from Cisalfa with a price tag of 220 euros, are less expensive than other similar models. Value justified, in my opinion, by an all-new and certainly very efficient technology.
Aesthetically, they do not betray their character: they are aggressive and let all their speed shine through. Nice and fast, even in the coloring dedicated to games.
If you want a “quieter” model instead, you can go for Boston 10 or UltraBoost 21, also available at Cisalfa.
