Imagine a featherlight running shoe which has the propulsion of a super shoe with enough cushioning for a full marathon. Adidas has just launched their newest running concept: a stripped down marathon racer with only the bare essentials. The main headline feature is its mind-boggling 138 g (4.9 oz) weight.

An Evolution of the Adios Pro 3

Prototypes of the Adios Pro Evo 1

The Adios Pro Evo 1 was inspired by Adidas’ flagship legal long-distance racer, the Adios Pro 3 and it shares similar technologies like carbon EnergyRods, a forefoot rocker and a Lightstrike Pro midsole. The Adios Pro Evo 1 however gets a modified lighter Lightstrike Pro foam which is not compression moulded, a different rocker geometry as well as a wafer thin outsole rubber layer.

The New Lightweight Standard

The different components of the Adios Pro Evo 1

Adidas has always had an obsession with lightweight running shoes. Many years ago, they launched the Adizero Sub 2, which weighed only 5.5 oz (156 g) but the Sub 2 was a racing flat.

This year’s Adios Pro Evo 1 has an unbelievable weight of only 4.9 oz (138 g), making it the lightest marathon racer on the market. The most remarkable thing is that it has tall stack heights of 39 mm/33 mm. The Nike Vaporfly 3 in comparison weighs 6.5 oz (184 g).

$500 Price Tag with a Shorter Lifespan than a Mayfly

Adios Pro Evo 1 outsole

For the average runner (who isn’t an Adidas sponsored athlete and doesn’t get the shoe for free), its astronomical price tag makes it simply unaffordable. It costs double the price of the average super shoe and is only designed to last 1 marathon. Even the Nike Mayfly had a longer lifespan of 100 kilometres.

The New Vaporfly Killer

Close up of the upper

After the Nike Vaporfly 4% was launched, it was a race for every brand to try to come as close as they could to the original super shoe. The template was a simple one: a stiff carbon plate paired with a thick, energetic midsole. We have no doubt that some brands will now also try to also create their own featherlight, stripped down marathon racer with a cheaper price and wider availability.

The Future of Racing?

Right now, no. But if Adidas can lower the price, increase the durability (or both), they might be onto something. As it stands, not many can afford a racing shoe which will only last around 50 kilometres. The shoe is also currently almost impossible to buy.

Availability

Lateral side of the Adios Pro Evo 1

The Adios Pro Evo 1 is extremely exclusive and you’ll have to sell your soul to get your hands on a pair. Runners were able to sign up for a chance to purchase one of only 521 pairs on 14 September 2023. There will be additional pairs made available for purchase in November 2023.

Check the adidas website for more info!