Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Review: The Full RunMorph Test

Launched in late 2022, the Adizero Adios Pro 3 lost its flagship status when the Pro 4 arrived. It's still on sale as clearance stock, though, for far less than its original 250 euros, and the independent reviews from back then agree on one thing: it's one of the most polished carbon plate shoes the Three Stripes brand has ever made. Is it still worth buying in 2026?

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3: the generation that fixed the line's biggest flaw

When Adidas launched the Adios Pro 3 in late 2022, the brand had to answer a recurring complaint about version 2: noticeable instability, especially in corners and when coming to a stop. The fix was a wider forefoot and heel on the outsole, redesigned Energy Rods and wedge-shaped cutouts in the foam borrowed from the Adizero Takumi Sen 8. Independent testers were won over right away. Stability, the line's historic weak spot, became decent, if not exceptional.

Today, the Pro 3 has handed its flagship role to the Adizero Adios Pro 4, which is lighter and even more responsive. But the Pro 3 is still a serious racing shoe, and clearance prices have nothing to do with its 250 euro launch price.

RunMorph's advice: if budget matters more than the latest tech, a last-season Adios Pro 3 is an excellent compromise next to a full-price Adios Pro 4. The real performance gap between the two generations is smaller than the price gap.

© Adidas, official photo used for editorial purposes

Objective technical data

Energy Rods 2.0 technology: Adidas corrects course

The principle is the same across the whole Adios Pro line: pretzel-shaped carbon rods that run parallel to the metatarsals, sandwiched between two layers of Lightstrike Pro foam. On the Pro 3, those rods are grouped into a stiffer structure that's better integrated into the midsole geometry. The 6.5 mm drop, slightly higher than on the Pro 4, gives a more pronounced forward roll as soon as you pick up the pace.

The real upgrade in this generation happens underfoot rather than in the plate. The wider base, front and back, genuinely changes how the shoe behaves at speed. The wedge-shaped foam cutouts, taken from the Takumi Sen 8 sprint shoe, improve flexibility at toe-off without sacrificing the stiffness needed for energy return.

© Adidas, official photo used for editorial purposes

Who is the Adizero Adios Pro 3 for?

Runners who want a premium carbon shoe without paying full price

This is the most obvious profile today. On clearance, the Pro 3 offers most of what a modern racing shoe delivers (thick cushioning, carbon plate, high responsiveness) for a fraction of the price of a brand-new model.

Half marathon and marathon runners looking for stability

Unlike earlier versions in the line, the Pro 3 handles long distances well. Several testers report foot lockdown and stability that hold up over 30 km with no noticeable drop-off in feel.

Beginners looking for their first pair

It's still not the right choice. Even with the fixes, the stability of a carbon plate shoe like this one requires solid running form. You're better off starting with a training shoe like the Nike Pegasus 42 before considering a carbon racer.

Field test: what independent reviews confirm

The independent reviews published at launch agree on several concrete points. One test covered three threshold sessions (3 x 10 minutes, then 12/10/8 minutes), a 10 km race and an uptempo long run of 1 hr 20 min. It gave the shoe 10/10 for comfort and responsiveness, 9/10 for cushioning (noting the foam could be a little less firm), and 8/10 for both lockdown and stability, adding that no serious issues came up, even in tight corners. Another tester, who wore the shoe on a 30 km long run, confirms that the foot stays locked in and the shoe provides reliable support even late in the run, with stability clearly improved over version 2.

On weight, the scale reads slightly higher than the official spec depending on the size tested: around 211 to 217 g in EU size 42-43, versus the 195 g the brand quoted in some of its communications. That matters for a shoe sold on lightness, even if the gap is in line with independent measurements for this type of product.

Against its direct rivals at the time, the field-test consensus puts the Pro 3 on par with the Nike Alphafly, with one nuance: the Alphafly's propulsion feels more pronounced and less natural, while the Pro 3 offers a smoother stride that adapts better to paces slower than race pace, and its durability is rated higher over time.

© Adidas, official photo used for editorial purposes

Adios Pro 3 vs Adios Pro 4: how to make the right choice

Compared with the Adios Pro 4, the difference comes down mainly to weight (roughly 15 to 20 g less on the v4) and a more aggressive rocker geometry on the newer version. In pure comfort and stability, the gap is smaller than the price difference suggests. That makes the Pro 3 especially relevant for runners trying carbon plate shoes for the first time who don't want to spend 250 euros right away.

© Adidas, official photo used for editorial purposes

How to fit the Adios Pro 3 into your RunMorph training plan

Like any carbon plate racing shoe, the Adios Pro 3 belongs on race day and in a few key goal-pace sessions in the weeks leading up to it. Keep the rest of your weekly mileage on a regular training shoe, to preserve the foam's lifespan and avoid loading your body on such a specialized shoe every run.

In your RunMorph training plan, mention that you own a last-season carbon pair: the plan can then schedule your marathon or half marathon pace sessions in that shoe, so you show up on race day with sensations you already know.

The RunMorph Coach's verdict

The Adios Pro 3 has aged well. It's no longer the benchmark of the Adizero line, and the Pro 4 does better on paper and on the road, but the real gap is modest given the price difference once you find it on clearance. Stability, long the weak spot of the Adios Pro line, is now decent without being flawless. It's not the most reassuring shoe in tight corners at high speed, but it's trouble-free in a straight line, even over long distances. For runners who want to get into carbon shoes without paying a premium, it's a solid choice. For those who want the best tech available, the Adios Pro 4 remains the current benchmark.

RunMorph score: 8.2/10

Key takeaways for your training

• Look for it on clearance: the performance-to-price ratio is excellent once you forget the launch price
• Save it for racing: despite decent durability, it's not a daily training shoe
• Check your size is available: since the model is discontinued, the size range keeps shrinking
• Don't count on flawless stability: stay careful in tight corners at high speed
• Compare it with the Pro 4 before buying: if your budget allows, the performance gap sometimes justifies the extra cost