Adidas Adizero Adios Boost 3 Review
February 23, 2016
86 The Good
- Light and comfortable upper materials
- Smooth energy return in midsole
- Outsole is durable, versatile and responsive
The Bad
- Steep heel-toe drop for a low profile shoe
- Slight curvature of last may cause lateral toe friction for wide feet
The Adidas Adizero Boost 3 is a racing flat you can wear while training or as a minimalist shoe that’s durable enough for high mileage. You won’t find better durability and versatility in comparably lightweight shoes in our test group. The 9mm heel-toe drop is excessive for shoes in this category and won’t appeal to midfoot strikers, but otherwise the shoe is a strong option for speedwork or race days.
After tinkering with the midsole construction between versions 1 and 2, Adidas is leaving a good thing alone with the Adios 3. This is the second edition of the Adizero Adios to feature Boost midsole material, and the Continental rubber outsole provides durability for high mileage and versatility to venture off-road.
Fit
Fit through the rearfoot is moderately snug, with a low heel collar to stay away from the ankle bone. The midfoot uses a traditional lacing system with eight eyelets for extensive customization of tension. In front of the shoe, the toe box is gradually rounded, with slightly more tapering on the lateral side than on the medial. Length is true to size.
Comfort
The Adios Boost 3 keeps things simple, using an effectively breathable mesh upper along with minimal padding through the upper and tongue. For the relative lack of material holding it together, the Adios is a remarkably comfortable shoe. The overall construction doesn’t have full training comfort in mind, but it has racing comfort as the main target in this version, and hits it spot on.
Responsiveness
Adidas’s Boost construction combines traditional EVA midsole material with a compound consisting of thousands of small TPU granules that are more resistant to deformation and degradation than regular EVA. The TPU content also improves energy return and cushioning compared to standard EVA. Testers found the Adios 3 quite economical for leg fatigue considering how light and low to the ground it is. The Continental rubber outsole grips the road like a motorcycle tire and propels your push-off very efficiently.
Ride Quality
Our testers were impressed with the balance of road feel and smooth heel to toe transition, although some described the ride as having too much bounce (vertical motion) and not enough spring (forward motion). The 9mm drop makes this an ideal shoe for heel strikers to maximize propulsion from rearfoot to forefoot.
Speed
These shoes are designed with racing in mind—and with lightweight construction, super traction, comfortable uppers, and a nicely responsive midsole, Adidas hit the mark with the Adios Boost 3.
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