What is the difference between 'Adidas' and 'Adizero' shoes in terms of running distance and quality?
Last Updated: 21.06.2025 12:24
TPEE foam like Lightstrike Pro sacrifices durability for its low weight. Most shoes in the line are not designed to last more than 150mi/250km, with some (the exorbitantly-priced Adios Pro Evo) even lasting as few as 50mi/80km. Some Adizero shoes, like the Boston models, will last a little longer - up to 300mi/500km - but the true racers aren’t built for the abuse of daily training.
The quality of these shoes is incredibly high. They have been engineered and re-engineered for the express purpose of feeling as good as they can at race speeds, and the materials they use are some of the best on the market. When it comes to cutting-edge racing shoe technology, Adidas is right up front with the best in the field. However, the materials used to make the shoe light come at a cost.
With all this in mind, make sure you do careful research before purchasing expensive running shoes. Go to a sports store - or even a specialized running-goods store - and ask for help. Look on the internet for shoes that may be good for you. Look for good deals on Amazon or RunningWarehouse - and above all, make sure that your shoes are actually a good fit for you - not just what someone says should be good for everyone.
The Adizero line is a subset of Adidas’ running shoes, designed to be extremely light and incredibly responsive for use during races and fast workout runs.
On the other hand, Adidas-line running shoes like the Ultraboost or Runfalcon will last longer - sometimes up to 500mi/800km. However, these shoes will be heavier, less responsive, and less likely to actively benefit your running economy. These shoes will be high quality as well, but are not built to be tip-top fast like the Adizero line.
Most of them include a midsole plate of some kind - some made of a plastic compound and some of carbon fiber - to benefit the runner’s form and running economy, and all of them feature Adidas’ proprietary lightweight Lightstrike Pro TPEE foam in the midsole in some capacity. The line features shoes made for everything from everyday training, to fast workouts, to track and road races short and long.