Gear · analysis
Adidas Adios Pro 5: What the New Carbon Rim Changes
The Adios Pro 5 replaces carbon rods with a rim and weighs less than the Pro 4. Here is what Adidas verifies, what remains a claim, and what to check before buying.
Evidence note: This is a specification-based buying analysis, not a hands-on review. We have not run in, weighed, or measured the Adios Pro 5. The cover is a generic shoe concept, not a product photograph.
Adidas has made a real structural change to its flagship marathon racer. The Adios Pro 5 replaces the Pro 4’s carbon-infused ENERGYRODS with a carbon-infused ENERGYRIM around the midsole. Adidas says that leaves more LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam directly beneath the foot. It is a reason to try the new shoe, but it does not prove that your final six marathon miles will be faster.
The verified changes
In its September 2026 release, Adidas reports an average 177 g (6.2 oz) for UK 8.5 samples, about 23 g (0.8 oz) lighter than the Pro 4 samples it compared. That is a manufacturer comparison at a specified size, not a universal weight for every US size. Adidas lists a 39 mm heel, 35 mm forefoot, and 4 mm drop. It also identifies a revised LIGHTSTRIKE PRO midsole, LIGHTLOCK 2.0 upper, and LIGHTTRAXION outsole with Continental rubber in the toe-off area. The US product listing confirms those materials for the cited men’s colorway.
The $275 US price was on Adidas’ own listing when checked October 6, 2026. Stock, colorways, promotions, and prices can change. Adidas’ collection page still describes ENERGYRODS across the Adios Pro family, so the specific Pro 5 release and product page are the better sources for this model’s construction.
A carbon rim is not a race-time guarantee
Adidas says the new foam and carbon construction produced 9% more energy return than the Pro 4. Its public release does not give enough test protocol detail to turn that brand figure into a prediction about running economy, pace, or finish time. Energy returned by a shoe in a test is not the same measurement as oxygen cost in a runner. Nor does a lighter listed weight prove that this shoe will work better with your stride.
The rim changes where the stiffening material sits, but the resulting ride still depends on foam, geometry, fit, speed, and the runner. Adidas positions the Pro 5 for distance racing and says its design aims to sustain speed later in a race. That is a design claim. We have no independent, controlled race comparison establishing a late-marathon advantage for recreational runners.
If you liked a firm push from the Pro 4, do not assume the Pro 5 feels the same. If you disliked the older model, do not assume the rim fixes your specific issue. Our guide to plateless speed trainers explains why a carbon structure is only one part of a shoe’s ride.
What to check before spending $275
Editorial buying advice: Try the shoe with the socks you race in. Pay particular attention to midfoot pressure, heel hold, toe room, and whether the shoe feels predictable when you turn. If a store permits a short jog, use it. A narrower or unusual underfoot shape can matter more than the published weight. Do not infer from a spec sheet that a low arch, a particular foot strike, or a given body weight makes someone a good or bad candidate.
For a goal half marathon or marathon, test the pair on a meaningful workout before race day rather than making the race its first run. Compare it with a shoe you already know at the pace you expect to use. A shoe that feels impressive for a few strides can still create pressure over longer distances. If pressure becomes pain or changes your stride, stop testing it; do not treat a race shoe as a fix for an injury.
The Pro 4 remains a sensible option if it fits you well. The difference between Adidas’ current Pro 4 listing and the Pro 5 is a dated retail comparison, not evidence that either shoe is faster for you. The useful question is whether the new geometry and fit improve your race setup enough to justify the cost.
Sources
- Adidas, Adizero Adios Pro 5 launch release. Manufacturer source for the structural changes, UK 8.5 sample weight, midsole measurements, and attributed energy-return claim.
- Adidas US, Adios Pro 5 men’s product listing, KI8294. Manufacturer construction and $275 US list price, checked October 6, 2026.
- Adidas US, men’s Adios Pro collection. Context for the dated Pro 4 and Pro 5 listing comparison, checked October 6, 2026.