
AdidasAdios Pro Evo 3
The first sub-100 gram racing shoe ever made, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 is the shoe that broke the 2-hour marathon barrier at the 2026 London Marathon. Adidas didn't just push the limit — they rewrote it entirely. If you want every possible advantage on race day, this is as close to cheating as the rules allow.
Details
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 is the most technically advanced racing shoe Adidas has ever built, and arguably the most significant super shoe release in the history of the sport. Debuting on the feet of Sabastian Sawe at the 2026 London Marathon — where he became the first person to break two hours in an official race — the Evo 3 arrives at a jaw-dropping 97 grams, a full 30% lighter than its predecessor and the first production racing shoe to dip under 100 grams. The secret weapon is a next-generation Lightstrike Pro Evo superfoam that is nearly 50% lighter than previous formulations, yet somehow delivers 11% greater forefoot energy return than the Evo 2.
Rather than a traditional carbon plate or Energy Rods, the Evo 3 introduces the ENERGYRIM — a carbon-infused U-shaped perimeter stiffening element that runs the length of the shoe. This design keeps the center of the forefoot completely free of rigid structure, meaning you get the full benefit of pure, uninterrupted foam underfoot with the propulsive snap of carbon at the edges. The result is a 1.6% improvement in running economy over the Evo 2, with a ride that feels both impossibly cushioned and relentlessly fast at the same time.
A redesigned Continental rubber outsole now covers the full forefoot for dramatically improved grip and power transfer at race pace. The featherweight kitesurf-sail-inspired engineered mesh upper disappears on foot, adding virtually nothing to the overall weight while keeping the fit locked in from start to finish. At a 39mm heel stack and 3mm drop, the geometry rewards midfoot and forefoot strikers pushing sub-3-hour pace. For runners who appreciate the finest tools the sport has to offer, there is nothing else like it.
MIDSOLE
- Lightstrike Pro Evo superfoam is uncompressed supercritical foam that's sculpted into shape, not molded. This latest formulation delivers 11% greater energy return than version 2.
- Carbon-infused ENERGYRIM is a full-length, U-shaped, perimeter stiffening element, eliminating the need for rods or a broad plate. Unlike other carbon-plated running shoes, this allows a full stack of pure foam underfoot and helps deliver a 1.6% improvement in running efficiency.
OUTSOLE
- Continental rubber is now used for the first time in a Pro Evo, generously covering the entire forefoot area for its best-ever traction.
UPPER
- Ultralight mesh creates a barely-there weightless feel that secures your foot with precise support.
Researched and compiled by Mark Shannon
Specifications may be manufacturer-reported. Learn how Cadence verifies shoe data.
Specifications
Cadence Database Analysis
How the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 3 compares with 28 current Super Shoes / Race shoes tracked by Cadence.
Comparisons use listed specifications tracked by Cadence. Manufacturer reference sizes and measurement methods can vary. Learn about our data methodology.
Where It Fits
- Cushioning
- High
- Listed weight
- Notably light for category
- Stack
- Slightly low for category
- Price
- Higher-priced for category
- Drop
- Notably low for category
- Plate
- Yes
- Group
- Super Shoes / Race
Compared With Super Shoes / Race
| Metric | Adios Pro Evo 3 | Group median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed weight | 3.4oz | 6.75oz | Lighter (2nd percentile) |
| Heel stack | 39mm | 40mm | Lower (36th percentile) |
| Forefoot stack | 36mm | 33.5mm | Higher (68th percentile) |
| Drop | 3mm | 6mm | Lower (2nd percentile) |
| Price | $500 | $270 | Higher range (96th percentile) |
What Stands Out
- At $500, its price sits $230 above the median of the 28 current Super Shoes / Race shoes in the Cadence database ($270).
- At 3.4 oz, its listed weight is 3.4 oz below the median of the 28 current Super Shoes / Race shoes in the Cadence database (6.75 oz).
- Its 3mm midsole drop is 3.0mm below the current Super Shoes / Race median of 6mm (n=28).


