The Adidas Adios Pro 5 is a lighter, softer and far more marathon-friendly carbon racer than the Pro 4. At $380, it pairs a new Lightstrike Pro midsole with the carbon Energy Rim, weighs just 177g, and suits midfoot to forefoot strikers chasing roughly sub-3 to 3:30 marathons, as well as fast racing from 5km to the half.
| Price (AUS) | $380 |
| Weight | 177g (down from 200g in the Pro 4) |
| Stack Height | 39mm heel / 35mm forefoot |
| Drop | 4mm |
| Midsole | Lightstrike Pro (new formulation) |
| Plate | Carbon Energy Rim |
| Best For | Marathon racing, race-pace sessions, 5km to half marathon |
| Category | Carbon plated race shoe |
| Run Havoc Verdict | ★★★★★ 4.5/5 |
The Adios Pro 5 is a ground-up redesign, and it shows. Adidas has taken the carbon Energy Rim from the Adios Pro Evo 3, the shoe behind some of the fastest marathon performances in history, and built it into a race shoe that is lighter, softer and more forgiving over 42.2km than anything else in the Adios Pro line so far.
In this review we cover who the Adios Pro 5 is for, what kind of running it suits, what has changed from the Pro 4, and whether it earns its place on race day. We've had it on the treadmill and out on the road here at Run Havoc in Wollongong, and here's what you need to know before you buy.
Who Is the Adidas Adios Pro 5 For?
The Adios Pro 5 isn't designed for everybody, and that's a good thing. We're now in an era where the best race shoes are built for specific runners. There are shoes for 2:30 marathoners, shoes for 4:30 marathoners and everything in between, and the smartest thing you can do is find the one that matches how you actually run at race pace.
The Pro 5 sits firmly at the elite and sub-elite end of that spectrum. It's an aggressive shoe, and it rewards runners targeting roughly sub-3 to 3:30 for the marathon who land through the midfoot or forefoot. You can see it in the geometry, with the platform flaring out through the forefoot to support exactly that kind of landing.
Beyond race day, it's a brilliant tool for track sessions, longer threshold reps and marathon-pace work. It's equally at home over shorter races, so if you're lining up for a 5km, 10km or half marathon and want something light and explosive, the Pro 5 will deliver. If you're building toward your first half, our guide to half marathon training for beginners covers what most runners get wrong before they ever think about race shoes.
What's New in the Adidas Adios Pro 5 Compared to the Adios Pro 4?
The headline change is the carbon Energy Rim. Rather than the EnergyRods of the Pro 4, the carbon in the Pro 5 runs around the perimeter of the shoe, with a cutout through the middle of the forefoot where you're landing on straight foam. The rim provides the stiffness and rigidity you want from a race shoe, so you don't compress the whole midsole across the entire base, while the cutout gives the forefoot a noticeably softer feel.
That construction also takes a lot of weight out of the shoe. The Pro 5 comes in at around 177g compared to 200g for the Pro 4, and it's one of the rare updates where you genuinely feel the difference the moment you pick both shoes up.
The other big change is a new, softer Lightstrike Pro formulation. Put that together with the rim cutout and the Pro 5 is softer and plusher when you're landing on the forefoot, which makes it a far better marathon shoe. The Pro 4 was on the firm side for 42.2km and felt most at home over 5km and 10km. The Pro 5 is a shoe you can confidently run long in, and it's slightly less aggressive than its predecessor as a result.
How Does the Adidas Adios Pro 5 Feel Underfoot?
The stack sits at 39mm in the heel and 35mm in the forefoot for a 4mm drop, which is pretty standard for a modern race shoe and keeps it just under the 40mm World Athletics limit for road racing.
Underfoot, the Pro 5 is light, poppy and explosive. The softer Lightstrike Pro gives you a plush landing through the forefoot, and the Energy Rim snaps you back out of it without the harsh, brittle feel some carbon racers have. In RunRepeat's independent lab testing, the Adios Pro 5 returned 80.4% energy in the forefoot, well above the 61.4% average across the 410 running shoes they've measured, which lines up with how lively it feels at pace.
It's also slightly more stable than a lot of shoes in this category, which matters late in a marathon when your form starts to slip. If you're unsure whether your landing suits the Pro 5, come into Run Havoc in Wollongong and we'll put you on the treadmill at your goal pace before you decide.
Is the Adidas Adios Pro 5 Upper Comfortable for a Marathon?
The upper is seamless and sits really nicely on the foot. Adidas has made the forefoot more anatomical, with a slightly more rounded toe box, and it's a welcome change. Brands are finally realising runners don't want to finish a race feeling like their feet are about to fall off, and the Pro 5 is a good example of that shift.
It's also a seriously clean looking shoe. The Chicago colourway in blue and silver is a standout, and there's a nice detail on the back of the heel, where a printed graphic reflects into the mirrored surface underneath and reads "adiZERO" back to you. It's a small touch, but it shows the level of thought that has gone into this shoe.
How Does the Adidas Adios Pro 5 Compare to Its Competitors?
The Adios Pro 5 is up against some of the best race shoes ever made. Two worth considering if you're shopping in this space:
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo - Built for runners who lengthen their stride as they speed up, the Metaspeed Sky delivers a similarly light, bouncy ride. The Adios Pro 5 feels a touch more stable and planted by comparison, which some runners will appreciate in the back half of a marathon.
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo - Designed for runners who increase their cadence as they get faster, the Edge is another explosive option for fast road racing. Again, the Pro 5 holds its own on energy return and edges ahead on stability.
We stock the Adios Pro 5, Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and Metaspeed Edge Tokyo at Run Havoc in Wollongong, so if you want to try them side by side before committing, come in and we'll put you on the treadmill.
What Are the Downsides of the Adidas Adios Pro 5?
The main thing to consider is fit for purpose rather than any flaw in the shoe. The Pro 5 is designed around a midfoot to forefoot landing, so it isn't the best match for runners who land through the heel. It's also worth thinking about how your form holds up over a full marathon. Plenty of runners start out landing on the midfoot or forefoot and drift back to a heel strike as fatigue sets in, and those runners will often have a better day in a more forgiving race shoe.
There are so many great race shoes on the market right now that you can afford to be savvy and find the one that feels best at your goal marathon pace, whether that ends up being the Pro 5 or not.
Final Thoughts on the Adidas Adios Pro 5
The Adios Pro 5 is a great update. It's lighter, softer and much more marathon friendly than the Pro 4, while keeping the explosive, aggressive character that makes it so good over shorter races. For a sub-elite runner who wants a light, poppy, soft race shoe from 5km all the way to the marathon, this could be the one.
Adidas is on a roll at the moment, with its athletes winning major marathons around the world in both the Pro 5 and the Adios Pro Evo 3, and the Pro 5 brings that same race-winning technology to a much wider group of runners. It gives the Metaspeed Sky and Edge a genuine run for their money, and we expect to see plenty more records and race wins in it.
Shop the Men's Adidas Adios Pro 5 and Women's Adidas Adios Pro 5 at Run Havoc, or come into our Wollongong store and try it on the treadmill alongside other race shoes in the same category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Adidas Adios Pro 5 worth $380?
For runners chasing a marathon PB at sub-elite pace, yes. The Adios Pro 5 drops to 177g, adds a softer Lightstrike Pro midsole and the carbon Energy Rim from the Adios Pro Evo 3, and is far more marathon friendly than the Pro 4. Shop the Men's Adidas Adios Pro 5 and Women's Adidas Adios Pro 5 at Run Havoc.
What is the difference between the Adidas Adios Pro 4 and Adios Pro 5?
The Adios Pro 5 replaces the EnergyRods with a carbon Energy Rim that runs around the perimeter of the shoe, leaving a foam-only cutout through the forefoot. It also uses a softer Lightstrike Pro formulation and weighs 177g compared to 200g for the Pro 4. The result is a softer, plusher shoe that suits the marathon better than its predecessor, which was more at home over 5km and 10km.
Is the Adidas Adios Pro 5 good for the marathon?
Yes. The softer foam and Energy Rim cutout make the Adios Pro 5 a much better marathon shoe than the Pro 4. It's best suited to runners targeting roughly sub-3 to 3:30 marathons who land through the midfoot or forefoot. If you want to test it at your goal pace, come into Run Havoc in Wollongong and we'll put you on the treadmill.
Is the Adidas Adios Pro 5 good for heel strikers?
It isn't the ideal choice. The Adios Pro 5 is designed around a midfoot to forefoot landing, with most of its flare through the forefoot. Runners who land through the heel, or who drift back to a heel strike as they fatigue late in a marathon, will usually be more comfortable in a more forgiving race shoe from our Men's race shoes or Women's race shoes collection.
How does the Adidas Adios Pro 5 compare to the ASICS Metaspeed Sky and Edge?
All three are light, poppy carbon racers built for fast marathon running. The Adios Pro 5 feels slightly more stable than both Metaspeed models, while still delivering a soft, explosive ride through the forefoot. We stock all three at our Wollongong store if you want to compare them side by side.
Can you train in the Adidas Adios Pro 5?
Yes, for quality sessions. It works well for track sessions, longer threshold reps and marathon-pace workouts, as well as racing anything from 5km to the marathon. For easy and recovery running, a daily trainer is the better choice.
Where can I buy the Adidas Adios Pro 5 in Wollongong?
Run Havoc on Crown Street, Wollongong stocks the Adidas Adios Pro 5 in both men's and women's sizing. You can try it on our in-store treadmill alongside other race shoes, or shop online at runhavoc.com.au.
Watch the Full Video
Got questions? Drop them in the comments on our YouTube review or come in and chat to the team.
Riley Kilham
Riley is the General Manager at Run Havoc and brings hands-on experience from years of triathlon, running events, and coaching. He writes about training, performance, and finding the right gear, combining real-world insight with a passion for helping others get the most out of their movement.
