Adidas’ Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 running shoes, priced at £450, are gaining attention after being worn by Sabastian Sawe when he became the first person to break the two-hour marathon barrier.

Breaking the Two-Hour Barrier

The recent London Marathon saw history made as Sabastian Sawe completed the race in an astonishing 1hr 59min 30sec. This groundbreaking achievement was partially attributed to the innovative Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoes.

Testing the Technology

A reporter tested the £450 ‘supershoes’ on the streets of east London, undertaking a progressive 5km run to assess their impact on performance. The experience proved to be transformative, exceeding expectations and showcasing the advanced technology integrated into the footwear.

Lightweight Design and Innovation

These shoes weigh only 97g – lighter than a Mars bar – and feature an ultralight upper inspired by kitesurfing sails, providing both support and a weightless feel. Adidas has moved away from traditional carbon plates, instead utilizing a carbon fibre-infused ‘energy rim’ within the midsole.

This new design aims to maintain, and potentially improve upon, the propulsion offered by plates while significantly reducing the shoe’s weight.

Performance Results

The reporter, a regular runner with a personal best marathon time of 3hr 13min and a 5km PB of 16min 30sec, initially aimed for a 19min 30sec 5km. However, the shoes enabled him to achieve a final time of 18min 33sec, with a final kilometer clocked at 3min 24sec.

He believes a full-effort run from the start could have resulted in a sub-18-minute time.

Value and Comparison

The reporter emphasized the significant difference in performance and quality between these high-end shoes and more affordable options, such as the £39.99 Lidl Crivit CarbonLite 1.0 trainers. He believes the £450 price tag is justified for serious runners seeking to improve their personal bests.

Exceptional Comfort and Energy Return

The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3s provide exceptional cushioning through their LIGHTSTRIKE PRO EVO foam and remarkable energy return, creating a running experience that feels both effortless and fast. The reporter described the sensation as ‘flying’, highlighting the transformative potential of this cutting-edge running technology.

Sawe’s request to have his record time written on the shoe after the marathon underscores the revolutionary impact of this footwear.