The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is an ultralight marathon racing super shoe built with elite-level performance in mind. Weighing just 132g, it strips away anything non-essential to achieve an impressively lightweight package in a carbon-plated marathon super shoe. While it carries the same Lightstrike Pro name as other adidas models, the foam here is different—it's non-compression molded, which makes it lighter but also impairs durability. In fact, adidas advertises this shoe as a one-and-done shoe optimized for a single marathon effort. This makes it a highly impractical option for most runners, especially given its limited availability. That said, it offers a rare glimpse at what the future of race-day shoes could look like when achieving peak performance is the only objective.
Our Verdict
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is purpose-built for the marathon distance, delivering a well-balanced package of responsiveness, cushioning, and featherweight construction. It pairs great energy return with superb weight optimization, helping runners conserve energy deep into the race. While its lateral stability is less strong than some other super shoes, the trade-off results in a maximally efficient ride for those who stay locked into a forward-moving stride. This shoe rewards elite runners with efficient mechanics and race-focused intentions looking to maximize every ounce offered by the midsole.
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Incredibly lightweight.
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Carbon ENERGY RODS for added stiffness.
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Premium Lightstrike Pro midsole is very bouncy.
The adidas Adios Pro Evo 1 performs well over shorter race distances. Its exceptionally low weight gives it a nimble, agile feel that works well when picking up the pace. The ride is complemented by carbon rods that add stiffness for faster efforts. However, the forefoot isn't quite as firm as that of the most specialized short-distance super shoes, which might make it less ideal for runners who rely on a quick cadence and sharp toe-off to maximize speed.
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Incredibly lightweight.
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Carbon ENERGY RODS for added stiffness.
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Premium Lightstrike Pro midsole is very bouncy.
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Forefoot could be firmer for extra snappiness.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 delivers a consistently energetic ride regardless of footstrike. The forefoot offers great rebound on toe-off without being overly harsh. The use of lightweight non-compression-molded Lightstrike Pro foam makes the shoe feel springy underfoot—even though it's not the absolute most explosive shoe on the market.
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Premium Lightstrike Pro midsole is very bouncy.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 offers great cushioning that protects without dulling the ride. While the heel provides very good shock absorption, the forefoot feels a touch more cushioned. It's also not as cushioned as some other long-distance super shoes. This balanced setup works well for midfoot and forefoot strikers, offering leg protection over long distances without feeling overly mushy.
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Premium Lightstrike Pro midsole offers great cushioning.
Lateral stability in the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is mediocre, reflecting a clear compromise in its performance-oriented design. Its narrow platform, high stack, and soft foam at the heel all contribute to a ride that can feel wobbly if your form starts to break down. This isn’t a shoe for runners who need extra stability—it's built for clean, straight-line efficiency, not structured control.
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Carbon ENERGY RODS for added stiffness.
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Foam can feel wobbly at the heel.
- 8.6 Marathon Racing
- 8.6 5K/10K Racing
Performance Usages
- 8.1 Energy Return
- 8.0 Cushioning
- 6.2 Lateral Stability
Changelog
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 in men's US size 9, as stated on the label. This model isn't available in wide sizing. The only official variant is a collaboration with Pharrell Williams, featuring an Earth-toned colorway. Due to its exclusive nature, availability is very limited and may vary by region. In addition to this, custom and prototype versions have occasionally been seen on elite athletes—including pairs with a Continental rubber outsole not available to the public—for which our results do not apply.
Most of our review results are valid for all variants, but the design section applies only to the model we tested. We expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Compared To Other Running Shoes
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is an ultralight super shoe engineered for one purpose: delivering absolute peak performance over a single marathon effort. With its radically low weight, it's best suited for elite-level runners with near-perfect form who are chasing serious personal bests. For these athletes, the reduced weight may provide marginal gains in running economy that outweigh the benefits of the added cushioning and responsiveness found in top alternatives like the Nike Alphafly 3 or the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. However, for most runners, the shoe's extremely low durability makes it a far less practical option. Those looking for a more accessible, wider-fitting super shoe should consider something like the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, though it won't offer the same level of innovation or weight savings.
Within adidas' premium Adizero lineup, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 stands as their flagship marathon racing shoe for most runners, offering a more cushioned, responsive ride and greater durability while still coming in a relatively lightweight package. For those seeking a plated super trainer for daily use or race prep, the adidas Adizero Boston 12 is a strong pick, with added stability and durability that make it more training-friendly. Meanwhile, runners who prefer to avoid carbon plates altogether might consider the adidas Adizero Evo SL, a lightweight uptempo trainer with a similar shape and geometry to the Evo 1, also capable of handling some racing duties.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 and the Nike Alphafly 3 are both elite marathon racing shoes, but they represent two very different approaches to performance. The adidas is radically ultralight, built for one-time use, and designed to squeeze out every possible efficiency gain for elite runners chasing a personal best. In contrast, the Alphafly 3 is heavier but far more energetic, with its ZoomX foam. While the Evo 1 may be slightly more efficient in the right racing conditions, the Alphafly 3 is a much more practical choice for most runners.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 are both marathon-focused super shoes, but they're built for very different types of runners. The Adios Pro 4 offers a more cushioned, energetic, and durable ride, making it suitable for a wide range of runners aiming for fast times over long distances. It's also more forgiving and better suited for repeated use. The Evo 1, by contrast, is a one-use-only, ultralight shoe stripped down to the essentials for elite athletes chasing marginal gains. It sacrifices practicality for pure efficiency, saving weight where it counts. If you're looking for the most advanced, race-day-only tool and can handle the trade-offs, the Evo 1 delivers—but for nearly everyone else, the Adios Pro 4 is the smarter, more practical choice.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 and the Nike Vaporfly 3 are two of the lightest super shoes on the market, but they're optimized for very different types of racing. The adidas shoe is the lightest of the two by far. It's engineered for elite-level marathon performance, built for one-time use with extreme weight savings and minimal construction to maximize efficiency. The Nike shoe, while also ultralight, is better suited for shorter racing distances like 5Ks to half marathons, where its snappy ride and firmer feel shine. While both shoes deliver elite-tier performance, the adidas shoe leans into long-distance efficiency at all costs, whereas the Nike shoe offers more versatility and durability across race types.
Test Results
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is an exceptionally lightweight marathon super shoe. It sheds every gram possible by removing the sock liner, minimizing outsole coverage, and using a translucent upper. This ultralight build contributes to a more efficient running economy, especially over longer distances, by reducing the energetic cost of each stride. Although the exact method hasn't been disclosed by adidas, the midsole uses another technology than compression molding, which plays a major role in keeping the weight down.
The rocker on this shoe starts earlier than most racing shoes, beginning at around 60% of the shoe's internal length. This leads to a more gradual, less aggressive transition from midfoot to toe-off compared to models like the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, where the rocker starts closer to the toes.
As expected for a high-performance racing shoe, the internal shape is snug and built for speed. The fit is narrow, offering a locked-in feel that's best suited for runners accustomed to aggressive race-day shoes.
The heel returns an impressive amount of energy, especially for how light the shoe is, but it's less explosive than the heavier adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. The lighter foam rebounds less rapidly at marathon paces. For heel strikers who rely on strong back-end propulsion, there are more responsive options such as the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, though this still feels plenty enough for most runners.
The forefoot delivers great energy return, with a snappy sensation during toe-off. However, the trade-off for such a lightweight platform is clear—some of the rebound you'd expect in heavier shoes with denser foams just isn't here. It still feels very dynamic, particularly at threshold paces, but it doesn't reach the same energy peak as carbon shoes with more substantial midsoles like the Nike Alphafly 3.
The heel offers very good cushioning. The lighter, non-compression molded foam doesn't compress quite as much under load, especially compared to more traditional formulations of Lightstrike Pro. That said, it still delivers very good impact absorption at the heel, enough for marathon efforts, though more protective options exist, such as the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.
The forefoot cushioning is great, as the midsole manages to absorb a surprising amount of force. This helps your legs stay fresh and protected during long efforts, such as a full marathon.
The heel foam on the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 is soft. At higher forces, such as when picking up the pace, it feels softer than firmer racers like the Nike Vaporfly 3. Heavier runners or those with a pronounced heel strike may appreciate the extra give, though this also means slightly less stability.
The forefoot starts is fairly firm. It's not as firm as traditional short-course super shoes like the Nike Vaporfly 3 and offers a bit more squishiness that's appreciated over longer distances. Still, it maintains enough structure to feel responsive without being too harsh, making it a balanced setup for midfoot to forefoot strikers aiming for sustained race paces.
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