Article by Sam Winebaum
adidas Adizero Prime X3 Strung ($300)
Introduction
The adizero Prime X Strung has been adidas' bold take on super max cushion trainers much as the Adios Pro EVO is their bold lightest possible marathon racer, pricing no object!
While the EVO clearly succeeded right out of the gate, the Prime X Strung has needed some tuning to become something other than a hard to tame “concept car”.
Version 3 completely changes the geometry, plating system (2), types of LightStrike foams (3) used, restrings the Strung upper, and changing the outsole material.
Its stack height remains the same at a giant 50mm heel / 43mm forefoot. It drops 17g in weight from v2 in my US 8.5 while broadening the mid and front platform. Is it still a concept car or is it now a practical super max trainer? Please read on for my initial take after 2 solid runs.
Pros:
3d time (X3) the charm: loose ends finally tied up: more stable, more practical, still a special experience
The most cushion depth of any shoe we have run (awaiting yet higher Vomero Premium) and it is felt as dynamic and highly forgiving
Very pace versatile, especially in comparison to prior: slower daily to long faster tempo paces
Worthy of the Adizero elite focus: now a long run faster paces shoe par excellence
Excellent geometry including new plate arrangement: despite giant stack height no longer awkward if you “miss” a strike v1 or over flattened v2.
Move back to EnergyRods as the bottom plate increases ability to roll forward and is more like X1
Smoother fitting upper that is more secure (especially heel and midfoot)
Cons:
High pricing now somewhat more justified by improved versatility
Most comparable shoes
Hoka Skyward X
Brooks Hyperion Max 3
Nike Pegasus Premium
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 10.25 oz / 290 g US9
Sample Weight:
men’s 10 oz / 283g US8.5
X2 Strung: 10.8 oz /300g US8.5, X1 Strung: X1:257g / 9.08 oz US8.5
Stack Height: 50 mm heel / 43mm forefoot
Platform Width
X3: 80 mm heel / 85 mm midfoot / 120 mm forefoot
X2: 80mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
The upper continues with Strung technology, a process which allows the precision placement of each thread as well as layering depending on location.
Here the Strung is smoother and denser in texture and less baggy and more foot conforming, and certainly so when compared to the Strung v1.
I particularly note more, denser and broader top layers at the heel which, while still a pliable heel area, help deliver excellent rear lockdown.
The ankle collar bolsters are now thicker, deeper and shorter.
The top knit edge is comfortable but short length socks are probably not advised given the un padded top edge at the achilles. The lace up overlay is streamlined which allows the upper to better wrap the foot without a stiff piece when tying tight.
The thin laces work well with the knit tongue (no gusset) but caution is advised not to overtighten the actual knot to prevent bite. I tightened from the front to the lace up but found that even if snugged up all the way the last eyelet area needs to be a touch more relaxed than the others.
The fit is true to size for my lower to medium size feet in all respects and back to front with plenty of toe box volume and height and with a solid but a bit slick hold due to the Strung construction. They are more breathable than I would expect given the dense upper construction but are a bit clammy and slick inside when wet as there is no liner.material
Midsole & Platform
While the giant stack height of 50mm heel and 43mm forefoot remains essentially unchanged, everything else (foams, geometry, plates) is changed.
We start with a platform that is the same 80mm width at the heel as before but which gains 15mm of width at the midfoot and 10mm at the front.
The platform is clearly more stable and consistent feeling, pretty much regardless of pace, as even slow paces (for me 10:15 miles )are now possible and pleasant without compromising the faster paces longer run focus of the shoe.
The X3 now has 3 flavors of Lightstrike Pro foam (as found in the Adios Pro 4). Each is a bit different in firmness to pressing. The top layer above the Lime pod (sort of reminds me of the Alphfly Air Zoom unit) is the softest and sits just above the full carbon plate. The Lime front pod is actually slightly firmer or denser than the lowest layer just above which we see a return of carbon infused Energy Rods. In the last Prime X we had a second plate.
One would think such an elaborate construction would lead to a mish mash of sensations on the run. Not so!
Everything is super well integrated and consistent no matter the pace. To a fault maybe, as I might wish for a bit more “bounce” and flight sensation from the pod sandwiched between plates as the OG had. Especially so given the front platform is now wider and more stable and could potentially accommodate a softer bouncier foam without impacting front stability that much .
That said, there is plenty of very deep dynamic impulse off the front and the shoe remained stable and tracked well no matter the pace. No learners permit or total focus with every stride required as in some prior Prime X. So, the Prime X 3 makes it now easier to experience what is a gigantic amount of dynamic cushion under foot.
Outsole
The outsole material is now all Trraxxion with the exception of a “vestigial” piece of Continental up front for extra traction or just to say. Previous versions had all Continental forefoot coverage..
Traxxion is from what I can tell a CPU or cast polyurethane material which is lighter than rubber and in other shoes has proven very durable. There is some patterning to the outsole for grip on wet and sandy pavement including at the heel where there is a raised profile on the lateral side.
No wet pavement runs yet but a few meters of beach sand over pavement and grip there was fine.
Also notable underfoot, and I think affecting the ride positively, is the raised heel area ending at midfoot at the key transition point.
The X2 shown above had a much flatter (and also narrower) midfoot. As I noted in the X 2 review, the geometry there led to the need to strike midfoot to forefoot to get rebound, Here we have a much easier roll forward if heel striking. I think this is due to raised heel, then the compressing of the pod between plates. Not to worry if you strike further forward, with the now 10mm wider platform you too should get a big front rebound while others such as me will roll through the midfoot.
I also note that while walking there is a very distinct forward rocker point. Yet while running, this too smooths out as foam is compressed and Energy Rods kick in to a very smooth toe off no matter the pace. The toe off is not as dramatic as the earliest Prime X but more stable and more consistent mile after mile
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Sam: Prime X3 Strung, 3d time is the charm! No longer a sometimes awkward and hard to tame “concept car”, the giant is now a totally legit trainer for a variety of paces and distances.
My first run was a 10K progression ending at sub 8 minute miles in decent heat of 70 F / 22C and very high humidity, over 90%. I was surprised at my relatively low heart rate for the pace and conditions as shown below demonstrating their efficiency for me.
While not particularly agile given their stature, I rolled along all smiles with the deep deep cushion and effective plating and geometr leading to a very consistent, surprisingly stable ride and a super fun one.
The X3 is not as wildly exciting as the hard to tame OG was where concentration was required with every stride and for sure it is more fluid and rolling than the somewhat lumpy X2.
The 2nd run the next day was easier at around 10 min miles and here too the ride was smooth and consistent demonstrating the X3’s range of paces. And I was surprised no soreness from my relatively hard run in them the day before.
No other current road shoe (Vomero Premium to come) has as much cushion stack as the 50mm at the heel here. Now with its weight at the magic 10 oz / 283g in my US8.5 we are very light for such a big and complex shoe and lighter than v2 (10.8 oz / 300g) or the closely competing somewhat lower stack but still giant Hoka Skyward X (RTR Review) 10.44 oz / 296g US8.5.
Adidas stays with its Strung technology and, much as with the improvements in ride and versatility, the new upper is finally effective in holding the foot to the giant platform securely and comfortably. That said I question what a Matryx or Dyneema upper might do to lighten the shoe further and provide a yet more foot conforming non stretch fit which given the giant stack height is required here.
Bottom line: Given the sheer mass of dynamic top notch Lightstrike Pro, plating and geometry the X3 runs light and lively with notable neutral stability for such a giant and is a very successful update.. It has a very consistent ride feel at a much wider range of paces than before, helping justify their “giant” price point far better than previous versions.
In the Adizeoro line, adidas performance and elite focused silo, The Prime X now earns its place as the long run super max cushion option and with no compromises. Marathoners doing big mileage will be happy here. Their new versatility and practicality also could make them a solid daily trainer option for most runs expect intervals and fast tempo if you want the maximum in protection from their massive stack height and a rockered ride.
Initial Score: 9.5 /10
Wish for a touch softer and bouncier center foam pod, a potentially lighter non Strung upper, and a price closer to $250.
😊😊😊😊1/2
The review will be updated after more runs and with comparisons.
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Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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