Article by Sam Winebaum
adidas Adizero Adios Pro EVO 2 ($500)
In relatively rapid succession to the ground breaking ultralight EVO 1, and with significant changes, adidas launched the adios Pro EVO 2 at the 2024 Boston Marathon securing 2nd and 3d places in fast times.
Also in rapid fashion I received a pair for testing the week after Boston. I have taken them out for an initial uptempo pace 5K at my pedestrian paces and share my first very early impressions.
Details and Specs
The Pro EVO is the adidas pinnacle marathon racer. It is amazingly light at 135g / 4.76 oz in my US US8.5 sample.
It is lighter than its most direct competitors such as the 6.93 oz / 196g US8.5 Nike Alphafly 3 and with 4mm more foam stack height at the forefoot than the Nike with the Metaspeed Sky Paris closer at 6.0 oz / 171 g US 8.5 for a 39 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot stack height.
Compared to the Adios Pro 4, the EVO 2 has 3mm more forefoot stack height whereas before they were the same stack height, although of course EVO 1 was much lighter as Pro 4 weighs 7.05 oz / 200g US 8.5.
With a stack height of 39mm heel / 36mm forefoot, EVO 2 has 3mm (10%) more forefoot cushion than the Pro EVO 1 yet, in my samples it weighs only 3g more than the EVO 1. I have raced the EVO 1 and this additional cushion was clearly felt during my first test run.
Adidas claims 5 % more energy as a result of the changes with what feels to me like a very slightly firmer foam to pressing, and it sure looked like it at Boston in the finish stretch for 🥈 🥉. Your results (and mine) may vary!
Lateral Sides: EVO 2 (top) EVO 1 (bottom)
The geometry clearly changes on the lateral side of the shoe as we see a long flat profile from the heel almost all the way to the front of the shoe where a far more angular rocker is seen upfront.
Medial Sides: EVO 2 (top) EVO 1 (bottom)
In the EVO 1, the start of the 60% from rear of the shoe rocker extended on both sides. In the EVO 2 the rocker is only on the medial side as shown above and stays at 60% in both versions.
What does the change in geometry (and maybe foam) feel like on the run?
There is an unmistakable sense that the flat lateral side is like a “rail”, a stable rail, guiding you in line with the stride and much more so than the EVO 1 or other supershoes. It is not prescriptive or rigid but it is certainly felt. A bit strange as we usually associate stability elements with the medial side where one pronates. Yet is a very stable super shoe.
I was worried about the combination of flat lateral side and very angular front rocker given I tend to heel strike and my paces are way slower than those Boston elites.
The EVO 2 does favor a mid foot strike to rapidly get to that angular toe off and medial rocker but I found that by leaning in I was able to activate the front rocker toe off but maybe less so than with a longer rocker such as in the original EVO or older Vaporfly. At 3mm the drop is low but I never felt back on the heels low although I do wish for a bit more drop to help get to the toe off. At the front of the shoe the sensation of cushioning is very very deep with a very quick reaction to the foam and while still rigid less of a sensation of the Energy Rods standing but one of their being more seamlessly integrated.
The 3mm more stack height upfront is clearly felt. While the EVO 1 was for sure cushioned at 33mm the Energy Rods were more present and harsh. Here the sensation is more connected and all of a piece in feel, very smooth and consistent in feel and not as aggressively harsh.
The upper is similar in design and fit to version one. True to size for me. There are some subtle changes.
The grid mesh now appears to be a tiny bit more open than before and has a wild sliver shine when light hits it just right.
The vertical part of the heel counter is now somewhat more rigid, the inner collars padding is slightly firmer and the toe bumper very slightly more substantial.
Lock down particularly at the rear of the shoe is improved.
The outsole remains a liquid type rubber with a more grid like forefoot design. I hope this helps with wet grip which was sketchy for me to the point I added a velcro strip upfront to version 1. While new and compared to my worn EVO 1, the rubber feels tackier and stickier running my finger over the rubber but I am not sure it is in fact different.
Initial Ride and Best Uses Impressions and Conclusions
The EVO 2 is clearly now the most marathon focused ride of the various Adizero racers. Increasing only 3g in weight, while increasing forefoot cushion 3mm, I clearly felt more cushion and dynamic rebound up front, essential for the later miles of a marathon. I was amazed at how light such a giant shoe felt and with no inertia of weight or despite appearances from the "bulk" of the shoe.
Compared to the EVO 1, the EVO 2 feels much more substantial and stable if somewhat less agile but should be easier overall to race long in for me, including marathons. The EVO 1 was not a shoe I personally would consider for a marathon at my paces although it was great for 10K races.
Note: the different (than v1) texture and color is added and not the midsole color
My sense is that in addition to the new geometry, the foam is slightly different, a touch firmer and more vibration and shock absorbing, That is a good thing given the marathon focus of the shoe.
There is no question the Adizero Adios Pro EVO 2 represents the current pinnacle of super shoe technology. It is the highest or put in another way has the most foam on board for a “legal” stack height super shoe at by far the lightest weight. At $500, it comes at a price that for sure gives pause but if you are looking for the ultimate they are for sure worth consideration.
Limited release April 29, 2025 11:00 am EDT at Adidas US HERE
Wider releases later in 2025
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
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