The arrival of super shoes heralded a new age in running shoe construction, proving significantly faster times could be achieved with this revolutionary technology. Initially, much of the running press and many runners focused on the shoes’ carbon plate; after all, carbon makes everything better. Right? If only things were that simple. While carbon stiffeners play a significant role in a super shoe’s performance, the real unsung hero is the highly specialized midsole foam, which adidas has mastered in their Adizero Adios Pro 4.
Traditional midsole foams provide cushioning, allowing runners to run longer and faster with less muscle and joint impact and, therefore, less fatigue. However, with these benefits, there tends to be a decrease in responsiveness and energy return as the soles compress. Thanks to the technology of the first super foam, PEBA (polyether block amide–PEBAX is the branded version), there is now a solution for cushioning that allows energy return for improved efficiency.
Unlike other shoe manufacturers who jumped on the PEBA bandwagon, adidas felt that there might be a better option. TPEE (Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer), a foam material that delivers increased performance compared to other super foams. The brand used this foam in the Adios Pro 3 midsole, which offered exceptional energy return, but some runners felt it lacked the plushness found in PEBA-foam midsoles. While the shoe was successful, adidas did not stop innovating there.
The brand strived to improve the TPEE formula, now integrated into the new Lightstrike Pro midsole, in the Adizero Adios Pro 4. The updated Lightstrike Pro midsole is lighter and significantly softer, giving it a bouncy feel.. Yet, even with this increase in plushness, the midsole retains a high level of energy return. While the new Lightstrike Pro midsole manages to merge two seemingly conflicting qualities (plushness and energy return) it likely will not be as durable as the denser version of the midsole found on the Pro 3. Nonetheless, the performance benefits outweigh any decrease in durability as the Pro 4 is intended to be a performance-oriented shoe for racing or pushing the pace.
While the new Lightstrike Pro foam is the highlight, additional features contribute to the Pro 4’s performance. Rather than using a traditional carbon plate to provide rigidity and pop, the Pro 4 uses a series of tuned carbon rods (Carbon Energy Rods 2.0), mimicking the foot’s anatomy while providing more flexibility than common carbon plates. The shoe’s rocker has also been updated with a 60 per cent rocker fulcrum-point measured from the back of the shoe, creating a propulsive ride while delivering almost unprecedented plushness.
The Adios Pro 4, compact with the Lightstrike Pro midsole, is a game-changer in the running shoe space. If you want to improve your performance during race day, get yourself a pair.
