Two world records were broken in Adidas super shoes last weekend, and the public can soon get their hands on a limited release. Our writer took a pair for a spin to see if they could help get his running back on track.
Sabastian Sawe wore the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 when he became the first person to run an official marathon in less than two hours in London on Sunday. Tigst Assefa also wore them when she beat the women-only marathon record on the same day.
Adidas says this shoe is the result of three years of intensive research in collaboration with world-class athletes. It is 30% lighter than the previous version and the first sub-100g marathon super shoe, weighing just 99g, lighter than a banana or a bar of soap.
The shoes have attracted some criticism and accusations they give athletes an unfair mechanical advantage. Nike's Vaporfly Elite shoes, with their controversial carbon-fibre-plated soles, caused a stir a few years ago. Some have argued these types of shoes create an unequal playing field.
The limited release goes live to the public at 9am on Thursday, with a price tag of £450. Previous super trainers have been criticised for essentially being 'one-marathon' shoes that lose their bounce quickly.
Our writer tested the shoes and completed a 5km run in 34 minutes, one minute faster than his previous time. He noted they were comfier than any shoe he had worn before, with a cushioned base that felt like walking on air and a forefoot rocker that propels you forward.
