Article by Ryan Eiler
Adizero Takumi Sen 11 ($180 US)
Pros:
Improved comfort, friendlier upper mesh
Low inertia, snappy turnover
More approachable than previous version
Softer midsole means more cushion, more fun
Copious outsole coverage; great grip
Cons:
Softer midsole means less responsive/stable for hard efforts
Transitions slower than predecessors
Ventilation decreases
Slightly diminished foot containment
Ryan was the 3d American at the 2024 Boston Marathon in a 2:14:36 PR improving his PR to 2:13:23 at the 2024 New York Marathon. His full run bio is at the end of the article
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 6.5 oz / 184g US9 (pe
Sample Weights:
men’s 6.70oz / 190g US9.5
Stack Height: 32mm heel / 25mm forefoot. 7mm drop
Takumi Sen 10: 33 mm heel / 27mm forefoot, 6mm drop
Platform Width: 74mm heel / 63mm midfoot / 112mm forefoot
Most comparable shoes
Adidas Takumi Sen 10
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Ryan: This is probably the second most significant overhaul of the Takumi since I began testing it at version 7. It’s clear that this edition has taken almost all of its cues from the changes we saw in the Adios Pro 4. Gone is the fairly tenacious engineered mesh upper from version 10, replaced by a more comfortable and still sturdy, but softer, friendlier, and more pliable “Lightlock” fabric.
It makes the shoe more pleasant to slip on and lace up, but it doesn't feel quite as racy or allow for as much airflow as previous versions. If you’re familiar with the Adios 9, this is a very similar upper.
The tongue has a bit more structure, is tacked down nicely on either side, and is far easier to manage, making lace-up a breeze.
There’s also a pleasant, unimposing toe bumper that sculpts the fabric of the Lightlock upper, creating a toe box that should accommodate most feet without issue and feels slightly more spacious than its predecessor.
There aren’t many drastic changes at the rear of the Takumi. Its supporting structure remains a strong, rubbery overlay on both sides, stretching from the sole of the midfoot back to the top of the heel. The additional plasticky bits and overlays serve up adequate lockdown for the intense efforts for which this shoe is intended.
The inner heel cup again uses a set of pads straddling either side of the Achilles, made of a suede-like material, but they’re puffier and more prominent this time around.
It’s definitely worth noting that this one fits true to size, a welcome change from the Adios Pro 4 where I had to go up a solid half size.
For comparison, Takumi Sen 10:
Midsole & Platform
Ryan: Perhaps the most drastic change in this version is the midsole composition. As was the case in the transition from the Adios Pro 3 to 4, this Lightstrike Pro foam has become noticeably softer and more bouncy—but also less stable. Personally, I preferred the midsole firmness of the previous version, as it offered the right level of responsiveness for fast, hard efforts on the road.
This new formulation feels a little too mushy when you really dial up the paces and lacks the stability underfoot that I prefer when pushing 5k race pace, although it does feel much more cushioned. I find that it doesn’t encourage as quick of a turnover as previous versions and leads to longer ground contact times.
In testing the TS11 side-by-side with the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 for a session of 10 x 1k intervals at 10k effort, the difference was very notable. The Puma offered a quicker, sharper pop off the ground, making it feel easier to turn over despite not feeling as overtly bouncy and “fun”. The stability of the Puma was also easier to manage around the bends of the track. It’s also worth comparing this to the latest Vaporfly 4, which had its midsole stack slimmed down. I think I’d pick the latest Vaporfly over this Takumi because of its more controlled, but equally explosive, platform and lightning-fast turnover.
The geometry of the TS11 also feels slightly more rockered now, although not dramatically so, as the softness of the foam makes this change a bit less noticeable. The longitudinal stiffness from the EnergyRods 2.0 feels about the same to me, still providing plenty of stiffness worthy of chasing a PR. All said, the ride dynamics have become much livelier, which may be enjoyed by some, but I find it leads to a less responsive and slightly less powerful ride than before.
Outsole
Ryan: The outsole has been significantly redesigned with what feels like a gummier CPU (Cast Polyurethane) like material and is now more textured surrounding a smaller, smoother patch of Continental rubber toward the front.
The outsole’s surface area is very generous, especially for a gram-conscious shoe of this caliber, with the rubber protecting almost all of the midsole foam.
Because of its new texture and large surface area, it offers great grip all around. It doesn’t impede the ride characteristics at all, allowing the lively midsole atop it to dictate most of the shoe’s behavior.
The channel running down and splitting the heel is more pronounced here than previously, and adds to the more dynamic nature of the heel strike.
(left: TS10, right: TS11)
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Ryan: This version of the Takumi is certainly more fun, friendly, and easier to use, although I think it pays a small price in its sheer top-end performance. This one feels like a slimmed down and simpler version of the Adios Pro 4 in many ways. The ride is defined by the softer, bouncier midsole, which makes for a more cushioned and forgiving experience but sacrifices some of the raw responsiveness and stability I appreciated in the TS10.
The shoe’s transition is fairly smooth, despite the still-significant cutout under the medial side of the midfoot. However, this isn't a shoe for heel strikers; its underfoot dimensions make it clear that it’s meant to be run up on the forefoot, with its relatively skinny waist and heel.
Whether or not this update suits you depends a lot on personal preferences and if you enjoy a more dynamic, bouncier ride at the expense of some stability for your hard, shorter efforts. I still plan on reaching for this one for some of my speedier workouts, as it’s an excellent, powerful, and pleasant choice for 10k pace and faster. For any type of racing, however, I would probably reach for something more responsive to help me turn over more quickly. For anything longer than a 10k, I’d still grab the Adios Pro due to its equivalent stiffness but additional energy return.
The updates to the upper are commendable, as the shoe seems to have retained most of its impressive lockdown capabilities while improving comfort, and the outsole remains among the best compared to its direct competitors.
Ryan’s Score: 9.1/10
(Deductions for decreased responsiveness and stability at hard efforts, slower transition than predecessors)
Smiles Score: 😊😊😊😊
4 Comparisons
Takumi Sen 10 (RTR Review)
This isn’t an iterative update; the Takumi Sen 11 represents a significant philosophical shift from the 10, following the exact same evolutionary path that the Adios Pro took from version 3 to 4. While the stack height remains identical at 33/27mm, the execution and feel of nearly every component have been altered, and the shoe somehow sheds 11g of weight.
The upper is the most immediate and obvious change. The TS10 featured what I called a "fairly tenacious engineered mesh" that was all business, providing a locked-in, aggressive, race-day feel. The new "Lightlock" fabric on the TS11 is a complete departure, offering a much softer, more pliable, and friendlier fit that improves comfort and is more accommodating for a wider range of feet. The trade-off is that it feels less racy and isn't quite as breathable as the 10’s more performance-oriented mesh.
The most critical difference, however, is in the midsole and ride. I personally preferred the midsole firmness of V10 as it offered the right level of responsiveness for fast hard efforts on the road. The TS10 was sharp, stable, and encouraged the quick, snappy turnover necessary for 5k and 10k racing. The TS11’s new Lightstrike Pro foam is noticeably softer, bouncier, and more cushioned, but it comes at the expense of that raw responsiveness and stability. During hard efforts, the 11 can feel a little too mushy, whereas the 10 delivered a direct and powerful pop off the ground.
The choice between them comes down to what you prioritize for short-distance speed. The Takumi Sen 10 is a more purist racer: firmer, more responsive, and more stable, with a ride that feels dialed-in for all-out efforts. The Takumi Sen 11 is the more modern, "fun" interpretation: softer, bouncier, and more forgiving, but it sacrifices some of that aggressive, quick-turning nature. If you valued the sharp, connected feel of the older model, you’ll likely find the 11 to be a step back in sheer performance. If you wished the 10 had more cushion and a more forgiving personality for workouts, the 11 is exactly what you were looking for. Both fit me true to size.
Nike Streakfly 2 (RTR Review)
The Streakfly 2 is a significant improvement over its predecessor and leans even further into the hyper-specialized, short-distance category than the Takumi Sen 11. While the Takumi has softened its approach, the Streakfly 2 feels more like a comfortable track shoe without the spikes, boasting a lean, hyper-light, and tenacious feel. The biggest distinction is the ride underfoot. The Streakfly 2 has a drastically lower and narrower stack of ZoomX (27mm/23mm), which delivers lightning-fast turnover but a much harsher ride than the Takumi. In contrast, the Takumi’s new softer, deeper midsole (33mm/27mm) feels far more cushioned and forgiving, though it sacrifices some of that raw, connected-to-the-ground feeling.
The full-length carbon Flyplate in the Streakfly 2 is a massive step up from the original’s flimsy shank and gives it an aggressive, powerful toe-off. However, the Takumi’s EnergyRods, paired with a more substantial midsole, provide a bouncier and more protective experience. If you’re a forefoot striker looking for the closest thing to a track spike for road or track intervals and prioritize low inertia above all else, the Streakfly 2 is a potent, if unforgiving, tool. For runners who want a more cushioned, versatile, and pleasant ride for their 5k/10k workouts and races, the Takumi Sen 11’s softer, bouncier platform is the more approachable choice. Both fit true to size, with a snug, race-day feel.
Nike Vaporfly 4 (RTR Review)
With Nike surprisingly slimming down the Vaporfly 4’s stack height, it enters the conversation as a much more direct competitor to the Takumi Sen for shorter distance races. Both shoes are exceptionally light and built for speed, but they achieve their performance in different ways. The most notable difference is in the ride. The Vaporfly 4’s ZoomX midsole and plate combination deliver a more controlled, straightforward, and explosive platform with what I’d call lightning-fast turnover. While the Takumi’s new Lightstrike Pro foam is impressively bouncy and fun, it feels mushier and less stable when you really start pushing the pace. I’d pick the Vaporfly over this Takumi because of its more refined and powerful ride. The upper on the Vaporfly is also more of a pure race fit—it’s characteristically narrow and locks the foot down tenaciously, whereas the Takumi’s new upper is a bit more accommodating and comfort-focused. The choice comes down to ride preference: the Vaporfly 4 for a sharp, incredibly responsive, and efficient ride, or the Takumi Sen 11 for a softer, more cushioned, and bouncier feel that sacrifices some of that race-day sharpness.
Hoka Cielo Road (RTR Review)
The Cielo Road was Hoka’s take on a “modernized old-school racing flat”, blending a soft, playful PEBA midsole with a plateless design. Like the new Takumi Sen 11, it delivers an approachable, low-inertia ride that’s a ton of fun. However, the Cielo’s completely unstructured and flexible forefoot led to a ride that I felt was “underpowered given the lack of structure up front”. The Takumi’s EnergyRods make all the difference here, creating a propulsive snap that the Cielo Road simply can’t match. While both shoes now feature softer, more dynamic midsoles, the Takumi’s architecture is far better suited for translating that bounce into speed.
On the upper, I found the Cielo Road’s toe box to be “overly spacious” and lacking the lockdown desired for quicker efforts. The Takumi’s new upper, while more accommodating than before, still provides a much more secure, race-worthy fit. The choice here is clear: the Cielo Road is a bouncy and enjoyable speed trainer for those who prefer a more natural, plateless feel for workouts. The Takumi Sen 11 is the more serious weapon, pairing a similarly fun and bouncy foam with a far more effective propulsive system for race day. The Cielo Road ran about a half size long for me, while the Takumi 11 fits true to size.
Adidas Adios Pro 4 (RTR Review)
The influence of the Adios Pro 4 here is impossible to miss; this new Takumi Sen 11 feels like a very slimmed-down and simpler version of its marathon-focused big brother . Both shoes underwent the exact same evolution from their predecessors. The tenacious, plasticky mesh of the AP3 and TS10 was replaced in both new versions by a softer, more supple fabric upper that prioritizes comfort over raw, aggressive lockdown. Likewise, the key change is in the midsole. Just as the AP4’s Lightstrike Pro foam became noticeably softer and bouncier than the AP3’s, so has the Takumi’s.
The result is a shared family feeling. My chief complaint about the AP4 was that the move to a softer foam degraded its stability and responsiveness, making the turnover suffer slightly. I have the exact same critique of the Takumi Sen 11. The AP4 is the max-stack marathon shoe, and the TS11 is its lower-stack, short-distance counterpart, but they share the same ride philosophy. If you love the mellower, more playful, and dynamic ride of the Adios Pro 4 for your long races, you will almost certainly enjoy the TS11 for your 5k/10k efforts. Conversely, if you, like me, preferred the more responsive and stable platform of the Adios Pro 3, you’ll find the Takumi Sen 11 has made a similar trade-off in the name of fun and bounce.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Tester Profiles
Ryan Eller A hopeless soccer career led Ryan to take up running, and after taking a decade-long break from competing, he is back racking up mileage whenever he can. He calls the 2018 Boston Marathon the hardest race of his life, where he finished in 2:40, barely remembering his name at the finish line. Ryan more recently has a PR of 2:13:36 at the 2024 NYC Marathon and ran 2:14:23 at the 2024 Boston Marathon, finishing 3d American and 15th overall.
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! We also welcome comments in French. See our page with links to all shoe and gear reviews HERE. You can also follow RoadTrailRun on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews. Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated