The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 builds on the success of the third edition with an extra polish. The midsole geometry has been slightly modified for even greater speed. The midsole has been slightly widened for added stability. The new upper is just as light as its predecessor’s. Finally, there is the new Lighttraxion outsole. Are they faster now? In my opinion, they’re just as fast but even better.
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is a technologically advanced racing shoe designed for long-distance running events like marathons and half marathons. Its excellent cushioning, combined with exceptional responsiveness, makes it ideal for fast running. Designed for athletes striving for maximum performance, this shoe is best suited for speeds of 4:00 min/km or faster. If you’re looking for a reliable partner to help you break records, the Adios Pro 4 will allow you to reach your full potential.
adidas Running Shoes – lineup
The Adizero line of racing and training shoes by adidas is designed for speed and performance. The adidas Adios Pro 4 is one of the fastest and most technologically advanced models in the series. Its direct rival in the maximum speed category is the Adios Pro Evo, an ultra-light shoe designed exclusively for breaking records. While the Adios Pro Evo is lighter and more exclusive, the price for this performance is a significantly higher price tag and much lower durability. The Adios Pro 4 strikes a better balance between performance and durability.
You can learn more about adidas running shoes in this shoe guide.
| RACING 42-21 KM | RACING 10-5 KM | TRAINING AND COMPETITION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| maximum dynamics |  Adios Evo 1  Adios Pro 4 |  Prime X 2 | |
| very high dynamics |  Takumi Sen 10 |  Boston 12 | |
| high dynamics |  Adios 8 |  Adizero SL |
adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 Alternatives
The Adios Pro 4 competes with models such as the Nike Alphafly and Vaporfly, which have set the standard for carbon racing shoes for years. Now, however, almost every leading running brand has launched its own equivalent — equally fast and lightweight models that use carbon fiber plates and advanced foam technologies.
To learn more about the top shoes designed to break records, check out my shoe guide.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 | 39/33 | 6 | 138 | 138 | 500 |
| adidas Adios Pro 4 | 39/33 | 6 | 200 | 175 | 250 |
| Asics Metaspeed Sky+ | 39/34 | 5 | 205 | 205 | 250 |
| Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 | 35/27 | 8 | 230 | 230 | 250 |
| Hoka Cielo X1 | 39/32 | 7 | 264 | 264 | 275 |
| Hoka Rocket X 2 | 36/31 | 5 | 236 | 236 | 250 |
| New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite v4 | 40/36 | 4 | 237 | 188 | 280 |
| Nike Alphafly 3 | 40/32 | 8 | 218 | 218 | 310 |
| Nike Vaporfly 3 | 40/32 | 8 | 190 | 150 | 250 |
| On Cloudboom Echo 3 | 37/28 | 9 | 215 | 188 | 310 |
| Salomon S/Lab Phantasm | 37,5/28,5 | 9 | 219 | 219 | 250 |
| Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 | 39/31 | 8 | 204 | 176 | 250 |
The Dynamics Hidden in EnergyRods
While the Adios Pro 4 retains the overall shape of the previous model, most elements have been subtly updated. These changes add up to make the shoe feel completely different from its predecessor.
The key carbon fiber element, the Carbon Rods, which act as a trampoline by returning energy and propelling the runner forward, remains unchanged. The faster and harder the runner impacts it, the more effective it becomes. In other words, the faster you run and the more energy you put into your stride, the more energy you get back. That’s why these shoes are best for runners who can run fast from the start. Once you’ve mastered that, the Adios Pro 4 will keep you going and make you faster.
The carbon element is fan-shaped. Under the heel, the strips converge and connect at a single point. Under the front of the foot, the strips spread out to the sides, mirroring the arrangement of the toes and midfoot bones. This construction allows each strip to adapt to the individual biomechanics of the foot, providing a better fit. The result? Even greater comfort and efficiency while running, especially on fast and long routes.
Lightstrike Pro in a Revised Edition
The carbon elements in the Adios Pro 4 are surrounded by two layers of Lightstrike Pro foam, which is a lighter and more responsive version of the standard Lightstrike foam. However, it’s worth noting that the Lightstrike Pro foam used here is slightly different from that in the Adios Pro 3: it’s lighter and more responsive at first touch. Nevertheless, it does not match the compression-free version of Lightstrike Pro found in the Adios Pro Evo, which provides an even more dynamic rebound.
The foam height of the Adios Pro 4 is the same as that of its predecessor. It measures 39 millimeters under the heel and 33 millimeters under the forefoot. This is nearly the maximum allowed by World Athletics for shoes used in street marathons and half marathons. This foam volume contributes to the shoe’s high cushioning and responsiveness.
The rear of the shoe has a slightly modified foam layout that makes it wider and more stable. For carbon racing shoes, this level of stability is decent, although it is not crucial given the shoe’s intended use for fast running. At high speeds, what happens under the front of the foot is more important. No one expects the highest stability under the heel in this type of shoe. The construction and technology focus on maximizing energy transfer and dynamics under the front of the foot.
Lightweight Lightstraction Outsole
The Adios Pro 4’s outsole has undergone many changes. The durable Continental rubber under the toe of the shoe remains. This nods to the area of the foot that pushes off during running.
The rest of the outsole has been completely redesigned. It is now made of a semi-transparent, ultra-lightweight material called Lighttraxion. Unlike the previous model, the outsole’s surface is no longer completely smooth. The subtle texture improves grip, giving you more confidence while running. At the same time, it remains quite flat and fast, in line with the classic philosophy of racing shoe construction. The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is a shoe designed primarily for maximum speed on hard street surfaces.
Lightweight and Minimalist Upper
The upper of the Adios Pro 4 is made of a lightweight, breathable, and partially elastic material that wraps comfortably around the foot. Additionally, it features Lightlock technology, which consists of a system of stabilizing foot straps. These straps act as a skeleton for the upper, over which an extremely breathable, semi-transparent mesh is stretched to improve ventilation and the shoe’s lightness.
Although the front of the shoe seems spacious, measurements indicate otherwise. At its widest point, the upper measures 103.7 millimeters, which is below average. In practice, however, the space seems larger. As with the Adios Pro Evo 1, I also get the impression that a half size larger would provide better comfort and extra space. Therefore, it is worth trying them on to see which size fits your foot better.
Like the predecessor, the heel counter is minimalistic and slim. It is externally reinforced by a semi-circular strip that stabilizes the foot. Inside, two cushions are placed on the outer edges of the upper to keep the heel in place. Opinions on the heel support of the previous model were mixed—some praised it, while others complained. This aspect has been improved in the Adios Pro 4, although it is worth trying the shoe on to see if it fits your foot well.
Average Weight for a Carbon Racer
As befits a racing shoe, the adidas Adios Pro 4 is exceptionally light. According to the manufacturer, it weighs only 200 grams—10 grams less than the previous model. Though the difference seems small, at this level, every gram can make a difference.
In size 12 US (46.5 EU), the shoe weighs 259 grams. It ranks among the 11% lightest running shoes. This result is impressive. However, compared to other carbon running shoes that I have tested on my blog, this result is average — slightly above the average weight of 248 grams.
Final Thoughts
The Adidas Adios Pro 4 is an improved version of the Adios Pro 3. It retains all the advantages of its predecessor while introducing subtle yet significant improvements. Better foam, an optimized upper, and minor outsole changes make the shoe more responsive, lightweight, and comfortable. This model is designed for experienced runners looking to maximize their potential over long distances.
