Pros

• Excellent energy return at the forefoot.

• Strong energy return at the heel.

Cons

The forefoot provides excellent energy return, supporting an energetic rebound as you load the front of the shoe. Its return percentage is lower than that of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, which feels like a step backward, but it's still a lively shoe that gives you a lot of response, which is great for racing scenarios.

Heel energy return is great, with the midsole returning a large share of the energy put into it during compression. This contributes to a lively rebound for runners who load the rearfoot. It's less efficient than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, although it's still a very energetic shoe overall.

Pros

• Wide forefoot provides a substantial landing platform.

Cons

• Narrow heel limits stability when landing.

• Soft forefoot limits support and direct toe-offs.

The heel is relatively soft, allowing some give as you load the rearfoot. It's slightly firmer than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 under lighter and moderate forces, while the difference becomes negligible under heavier loading. This modest increase in firmness doesn't fully offset the limited support from the narrow heel platform.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 has a soft forefoot that remains compliant across the tested force range. It's softer than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 throughout. The trade-off is less support and a less immediate toe-off than a firmer racing platform can provide.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 replaces the individual carbon-fiber rods used in the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 with a rim that wraps around the outer edge of the midsole. Although it's not visible in this image, the rim is present and adds a bit of bending stiffness, helping limit side-to-side movement of the soft foam and providing some support during landings and toe-off. However, overall stability remains limited.

Pros

• Feels very protective underfoot.

• Cushioning remains protective over longer efforts.

Cons

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 provides great heel cushioning, with particularly strong protection under lighter impacts. Cushioning remains very good under heavier loading, making the rearfoot protective for both lighter and heavier runners of all paces.

Forefoot cushioning is excellent, providing substantial protection when you land or load your weight toward the front of the shoe. It absorbs more energy than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 across all tested forces, despite the lower stack. Protection is strongest under lighter loading but remains very good under heavier impacts.

Cushioning holds up well during our 50km simulated test, remaining protective as the distance increases. Most of the initial decline happens early, followed by a more gradual reduction. The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 retains more cushioning than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 throughout the test, making it slightly better suited for long-distance racing.

Pros

• Excellent energy return at the forefoot.

• Strong energy return at the heel.

Cons

• Moderate compression limits the depth of the bounce.

The heel compresses a moderate amount, providing some underfoot give without an especially deep sinking sensation. It compresses less than more plush super shoes, such as the ASICS METASPEED RAY, so it feels less bouncy overall.

The forefoot offers a decent amount of compression and sinks more under load than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. Paired with excellent energy return, that extra travel contributes to a springy sensation beneath the front of the foot. Compression is still moderate overall, so the bounce isn't especially deep or trampoline-like.

Pros

• Stiff forefoot supports toe-off and forward roll.

• Forefoot springs back efficiently after bending.

Cons

• Soft forefoot limits support and direct toe-offs.

Forefoot bending energy return is excellent. The shoe returns a high proportion of the energy stored when the forefoot bends, supporting an efficient spring-back through toe-off. That said, a few shoes like the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 return more energy when they unbend, making for an even snappier feel.

The forefoot strongly resists bending, giving the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 a stiff platform for toe-off. Despite not having full carbon rods in the midsole like its predecessor, it's a bit harder to bend than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, so it feels a bit less flexible underfoot.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 has a pronounced forefoot rocker that starts early, helping guide your foot toward toe-off. Compared with the previous adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, the curve begins farther back but rises at a gentler angle. This creates a contrast with the brand's other racing shoe, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, which has a super steep and aggressive rocker that leaves it best reserved for elite runners with efficient form.

Pros

• Stiff forefoot supports toe-off and forward roll.

• Pronounced forefoot rocker encourages rolling transitions.

Cons

• Mild heel rocker provides limited assistance during rearfoot transitions.

The rocker has decent resistance to flattening, helping preserve some of its curved shape as you load the forefoot. If you apply a lot of force when you land, it will still flatten quite a bit, so its rolling assistance can diminish.

This model has a high stack, which places substantial foam beneath your feet and the ground. The platform sits slightly lower than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, while the moderate heel-to-toe drop maintains a familiar feel. This might be a strategy to shave a few extra grams of weight. Despite the reduced height, cushioning remains very protective.

This shoe has a modest heel rocker that provides limited assistance when transitioning from heel strike to midstance. Compared with the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, the heel is less raised, and the rocker starts closer to the back of the shoe. Heel strikers, therefore, get less of an extended rolling transition.

Pros

• Length fits true to size.

• Enough width at the forefoot.

Cons

• Narrow arch and shallow toe box restrict internal space.

This shoe is very narrow through the arch. This makes sense for a racing shoe which prioritizes lockdown, but it can be more restraining if you have wide arches.

The toe box is very shallow, leaving limited space above your toes. This could create pressure if you have a higher-volume forefoot or your feet swell during longer efforts.

Pros

• Absorbs very little water.

• Dries quickly after getting wet.

Cons

• Mediocre breathability limits ventilation.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 has mediocre breathability. Air passes through the upper less easily than in more ventilated racing shoes like the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3, which can leave your feet feeling warmer during hard efforts or hot-weather runs.

This shoe dries exceptionally quickly in our test, helping reduce downtime after wet runs. It takes a little longer to shed moisture than the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, but drying remains a major strength. Actual drying time will depend on the surrounding temperature, humidity, and airflow.

Water absorption is exceptionally low, so the shoe picks up relatively little extra weight when saturated. This helps preserve its lightweight feel during rainy runs.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 is very lightweight, even by racing shoes' standards. It's noticeably lighter than the previous adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, which makes it more efficient. The brand makes an even lighter shoe, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, but this comes at a much higher price.

The midsole uses Lightstrike Pro, adidas' premium TPEE-based foam, also found in the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. It combines protective cushioning with efficient rebound, helping keep the ride energetic without adding much weight. The exact formulation and tuning can vary between models, so the shared foam name doesn't guarantee an identical feel.

Sawtooth laces replace the flat laces used in the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. Their textured edges can help knots stay secure, while the limited stretch allows a firm adjustment.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 and adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 are both capable long-distance racing shoes, but the newer model isn't an upgrade in every respect. Choose the Pro 5 for its lighter, more nimble build and softer forefoot cushioning that stays more protective over long efforts. The Pro 4 remains worth considering if you prefer stronger energy return and a firmer, snappier forefoot, especially if you find it discounted. Neither offers much stability, but the fifth version will be easier to trust for most runners because it gets rid of the medial cutout that made the Pro 4 feel notoriously wobbly.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 and Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 are both strong long-distance racing options. Choose the adidas if you prioritize lower weight and forefoot cushioning that remains more protective late in a race. The Brooks is heavier but delivers stronger energy return, particularly at the heel, making it more appealing if you prioritize an energetic rebound.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 and adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 are two super shoes from the same brand, both designed for long-distance racing but aimed at different buyers. The Pro 5 is the more practical choice for most runners seeking serious race-day performance. The Evo 3 is dramatically lighter, more deeply cushioned, and bouncier, making it compelling for elite runners chasing every marginal gain. However, its much higher price and limited durability make those advantages difficult to justify for most runners.