Adidas Adizero Adios 9

The Adidas Adizero Adios 9 is a minimalist racing shoe that inherits the best technologies of the Adizero Pro range without the carbon plate. Built with highly responsive LightStrike PRO foam throughout the midsole, it offers a close-to-the-ground feel that is ideal for fast paces in short and mid-length races, the closest thing to an "old-school" racer you can find on the market today. With 28 mm at the heel and 21 mm at the forefoot (7 mm drop, in short), it remains a traditional option for runners who prefer less cushioning but maximum ground feel. Its weight of 176 g (men's) makes it one of the lightest racers on the market. It is not exactly an entry-level bargain, but it can be an interesting offer for those looking for a racing shoe without the complexity of super shoes.

The key evolution compared with earlier versions is the outsole. The Adios 9 has full rubber coverage with the new Light-traxion GCPU compound, an ultralight material that replaces the strategic Continental patches of earlier versions and which, indeed, looks like it will wear out just from looking at it. This upgrade provides better traction and greater durability without adding weight. The lightweight mesh upper offers adequate ventilation and a snug fit, although it can feel narrow for wide feet.

On the run, the Adios 9 shines in controlled workouts, track intervals and races from 5K to 10K. Without a carbon plate it is more versatile and accessible than super shoes, allowing natural transitions without the stiffness typical of plated options, although with less bounce, of course. Compared with rivals such as the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5, it is lighter but gives up cushioning for longer distances. As for the Adizero Takumi Sen 11, the Adios 9 has less cushioning and lacks the EnergyRods 2.0. It is certainly one of the few shoes left on the market for those who do not want to make the leap (pun intended) to "super shoes".