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Adidas is the place for cute, of-the-moment sneakers (will Sambas ever be fully in stock again?). But the best Adidas running shoes are just as noteworthy as its lifestyle options. “In the last few years, Adidas has upped their game to compete in the running shoe world,” Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist based in North Carolina, tells SELF. Its Ultraboost and Supernova lines are beloved for their bouncy cushioning, while the Adizero range is built for performance. In other words, whatever type of runner you are, there’s more than likely an Adidas shoe worth trying.
But, as the brand builds its cred in the running world, its offerings only increase. So with help from experts and SELF editors, we narrowed your options down to the top Adidas shoes. Shop our favorites for running, walking, and classic sport style below.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Adidas Ultraboost 5X, $180
- Best for Beginners: Adidas Supernova Rise 2, $140
- Best Cross Trainer: Adidas Dropset 3, $130
- Best for Support: Adidas Supernova Prima, $160
- Best for Speed Work: Adidas Adizero Evo SL, $150
- Best for Walking: Adidas SL 72, $110
- Best for Style: Adidas Gazelle, $120
Let’s see how the Three Stripes can help you set your pace.
Best Overall: Adidas Ultraboost 5X
Whether you’re looking for a daily trainer or an athleisure staple, you can find both in the Ultraboost 5X. Christa Sgobba, SELF’s director of fitness and food, tested it when it first released and immediately loved it for running everyday miles. “I definitely noticed the cushion (which helped blunt impact) with each step, but they still allowed me to maintain good connection with the ground,” she wrote in her review. “The light weight felt nice during my easy pace, but I really appreciated it when I tried to pick it up for a few strides at the end.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 8.36 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters
Best for Beginners: Adidas Supernova Rise 2
The first iteration of the Supernova Rise took home a SELF Sneaker Award last year for its comfort and near-universal appeal—we deemed it a solid daily trainer for seasoned runners and a great first pair for newbies. It helped ease one tester’s lower-leg soreness and, in her review, Sgobba noted how cushy (but not overly squishy) it felt on her recovery runs.
This updated model takes what we loved about the original and adds an even more breathable mesh upper, a secure yet comfy heel cup, and a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), which means experts consider it a good pick for healthy, happy feet.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 8.11 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 9 millimeters
Best Cross Trainer: Adidas Dropset 3
Adidas
Dropset 3 Strength Training Shoes
A good cross training shoe should support you while lifting and move with you during HIIT and cardio workouts. Few sneakers can do both as easily as the Dropset 3. It’s designed to wrap and cradle the midfoot, help you feel grounded with a grippy outsole, and keep the air a-flowing up top.
(Even more great news if you run hot: The brand designed these shoes to accommodate swollen, sweaty, post-workout feet, so their upper is stretchy and plenty breathable.)
Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 11 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: N/A
Best for Support: Adidas Supernova Prima
Dr. Daughtry recommends the Supernova Prima to runners who like a little more support in their sneakers. It features an internal rod system that prevents overpronation (a.k.a. when your feet and ankles roll inward), a well-padded forefoot, and a newly designed rubber outsole that increases the shoe’s traction.
We also love that the outsole is wider than the rest of the shoe, especially in the rear foot. As SELF has previously reported, a wider base helps the shoe feel more stable overall, which makes it a great choice for walking workouts and long periods spent on your feet.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 8.54 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 7 millimeters
Best for Speed Work: Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Multiple running shoe experts previously recommended the race day-ready Adizero Evo SL to SELF for its ultra-light, bouncy feel underfoot. That level of energy return comes from the high stack of lightweight, responsive Lightstrike Pro foam in the shoe’s midsole. Adidas made this material for speed and durability, so you can really put this sneaker through the wringer.
Plus, there’s a Continental rubber patch built into the forefoot sole, for a little extra grip right where you need it.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 6.63 ounces | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters
More great options
If you came here for Adidas’s classic, clean aesthetic, we’ve got you covered. The options below won’t help you set a PR, but they will go with everything in your closet and keep your feet happy on casual outings.
Best for Walking: Adidas SL 72
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Pick up a pair of the Adidas SL 72 before they sell out. They’re a favorite of Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, and SELF’s own shopping director, Shanna Shipin, who loves her pair for everyday walks. That’s because their sleek silhouette is balanced out by running shoe-style comfort. The midsole is made with reliable ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, and the leather upper only gets comfier and more supple with wear.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Weight: N/A | Heel-to-toe drop: N/A
Best for Style: Adidas Gazelle
For a Samba-adjacent style that’s a little more accessible (read: they only sell out sometimes), you can’t go wrong with the Adidas Gazelle. Sarah Felbin, SELF’s senior commerce editor, wears hers around town, to the office, and whenever she wants to look and feel good. “I feel like the suede elevates them and makes them dressier than your average sneakers,” she says. “They have a perfect little pod of support right under my arch that helps me walk longer and farther pain-free.”
Sizes: US 5 to 15 | Widths: Medium | Weight: N/A | Heel-to-toe drop: N/A
Frequently asked questions about Adidas
What makes Adidas running shoes special?
Simply put, it’s all in the cushioning. Dr. Daughtry points to the brand’s Dreamstrike+ and Boost foam technologies as especially helpful for runners. Where the former is made with major shock absorption in mind, the latter feels bouncy and responsive (thus its name).
It’s also worth noting how the brand sources its materials. “Many of their products are made with a blend of recycled and renewable materials to help prevent waste,” Dr. Daughtry says. Adidas is also working to make its shoes last longer, so you don’t have to replace your pairs as frequently. It’s still a global brand that makes a large impact on the environment, but we’re happy to see these sustainability efforts all the same.
Who should try Adidas before other running brands?
“Generally, Adidas running shoes fit best for runners with medium-to-narrow feet and a neutral-to-slightly-pronated foot type,” Dr. Daughry says. They might not suit the shape of your foot if it skews wide or has a higher arch, she explains. (Podiatrists previously told SELF that New Balance is a great brand to consider if you’re shopping for running shoes for wide feet.)
Dr. Daughtry also points out that a lot of Adidas styles don’t have removable insoles. So if you use custom orthotics or an over-the-counter insole to help with conditions like plantar fasciitis, this might not be the best brand for you.
Ultimately, you won’t know if Adidas sneaks work for you until you try on a few pairs, which is always a good idea when you’re shopping for a new pair of running shoes (and luckily, the brand has a 30-day return policy). If you have relatively low-maintenance feet, Adidas should make a great addition to your collection, whether you’re a road runner or in the sneaker game for the style points.
Related:
- The Best Saucony Sneaker for Every Type of Runner
- The Best Asics Running Shoes That Experts and Editors Swear By
- Podiatrists Love Hokas—Here Are the Best Pairs for Every Activity
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