What You Want To Know
- Weighs 9.6 oz. (275 g.) for a US M10.5 / 7.7 oz. (218 g.) for a US W7.5
- Spiderman’s avante garde artwork challenge made it onto the Strung higher
- Similar thick-ass stack of Lightstrike Professional and EnergyRods because the OG Prime X
- Actually, it appears like carrying trampolines in your ft and we’re very okay with that
- Accessible 10/1 for $300 (not a typo)
MEAGHAN: I missed out on the unique Adizero Prime X, so I used to be pumped to check out the Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung, a model of the shoe that includes a (you guessed it) strung higher.
What precisely is “strung?” It’s the newest tech-meets-shoe initiative from Adidas. Utilizing athlete information, they’ve mapped out and programmed totally different fiber properties thread by thread so that you just get an higher that’s designed for help, flex, and breathability, multi functional piece of fabric. Principally, the higher acts like a cocoon that hugs the foot with out feeling overly comfortable. I completely adore it.
Sufficient in regards to the higher. You’ve most likely heard in regards to the authentic Prime X due to its very aggressive stack peak (49.5mm heel/ 41mm forefoot), which far exceeds the authorized restrict for elite athletes on race day. Nothing has modified in that division. It’s nonetheless probably the most cushioned midsole of any Adidas shoe ever, with three layers of Lightstrike Professional and carbon-infused EnergyRods. This mixture gives one heck of a bouncy journey.
Whereas this shoe’s stack peak makes it unlawful for racing, it’s ‘primed’ for these speedy lengthy runs. However is it definitely worth the $300 price ticket? Let’s get into it.
THOMAS: The primary Prime X was a miss for me. I hardly ever cease a run resulting from a shoe subject, however I needed to pull the plug eight miles right into a 10-mile run in that first model of the shoe. Earlier than I signaled the coach to throw within the towel, I folded my ankle 3 times. Anytime I encountered uneven pavement, my ankles wobbled and trembled on high of the 49mm stack. 3 times was a attraction, 4 occasions was hurt, so I gave it up and didn’t come again.
A while later, I used to be speaking to Kofuzi about my points. He had quite a lot of love for the Prime X, so I made a decision to provide the shoe one other strive on flat, even floor. This time I didn’t hate it, however it nonetheless felt like I needed to work arduous to remain on high of the stilts. I wasn’t anticipating a lot from an upper-only replace, however I remembered how an higher replace on the Saucony Endorphin Professional+ completely modified my ideas on that shoe, so I used to be keen to provide this another go. And boy, am I glad I did.
The Good
MEAGHAN: After I first picked up the Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung, I assumed it was simply an try to make the footwear extra eco-friendly. It jogged my memory quite a lot of the Alphafly Nature (a shoe that I didn’t precisely love). Nonetheless, regardless of the rugged wanting higher, I discovered the footwear to be extraordinarily snug. The higher is breathable and supportive with a beneficiant becoming toebox, excellent for my wider foot form. Whereas there isn’t a lot padding by way of the collar and tongue, the footwear really feel nice upon step in. Perhaps it’s all of the stack underfoot? Both manner, there’s a plushness about this shoe that’s felt instantly.
Talking of stack, three layers of Lightstrike Professional paired with carbon EnergyRods present all of the bounce and 0 floor really feel. It’s simply considered one of my favourite qualities in a shoe. It’s like working on mini-trampolines and feels nice from mile 1 to mile 20. The Continental rubber outsole provides loads of traction and sturdiness — my pair nonetheless look model new after greater than 50 miles within the shoe.
THOMAS: I took the Prime X Strung out for a simple six-mile run to strive it out. Apart from the birdnest-looking higher, I didn’t see a lot of a distinction on this model, however holy smoke, this shoe was an enormous enchancment. My foot locked into the higher and stayed securely over the huge Lightstrike Professional midsole. With my foot safe, the advantages of the platform sang. I bounced my strategy to a joyous six-mile exercise and adopted it up with a 20-mile coaching run and a 12-mile race sandwiched within the center. My legs felt so good after the lengthy exercise, it felt like dishonest.
I attempted to see what the distinction was between the primary model and the brand new Strung higher. I took the Prime X out for an additional run and produced a speculation. Within the authentic Prime X, the higher building had my proper foot coming over the lateral edge. This created a situation the place I used to be always battling to maintain my foot squarely over the midsole. On the medial facet, every little thing was positive. I’m not certain if the sloppy proper shoe was an anomaly or if it was simply the way in which that the higher labored with my foot. Irrespective of, I don’t have any points with that drawback within the Prime X Strung.
One other shocking side of this shoe is the load. My US M10.5 weighs 9.6 oz. (275 g.), which was shocking with this a lot cush.
The Dangerous
MEAGHAN: To me, Adidas foams all the time really feel denser than different manufacturers. I typically discover their footwear really feel bottom-heavy, and the Prime X Strung fell in that class. I didn’t discover it almost as a lot as I’d in a race-day atmosphere, however positively one thing to notice.
THOMAS: Adidas has the toughest to lace footwear within the business. You might want to do micro changes versus yanking from the highest of the throat to tighten the match. Both use fewer holes or discover laces that glide higher.
Despite the fact that the Adizero Prime X Strung match higher and solved my main subject with the Prime X, I want that the midsole got here up and cradled the foot to create extra stability. Proper now, you’re sitting on high of all 49mm, so having the facet of the midsole prolong up would assist safe the foot and provides runners extra confidence, particularly in turns.
Additionally, $300 for a pair of trainers is gonna put the shoe out of attain for almost all of runners. If you happen to can half with that form of coin, you then received’t be disenchanted, however I can perceive if runners select to get two or three trainers as an alternative of only one.
Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung Conclusion
MEAGHAN: The Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung wins for “most enjoyable shoe” in 2022. It’s like carrying bouncy castles in your ft. I really like the aesthetics, I really like the general match and really feel, and naturally, I really like the almost 50mm of stack underfoot. If you happen to’re not into “floor really feel” or simply desire a sooner long-run shoe, go forward and drop the coin for this one.
THOMAS: I’m in love with the Adizero Prime X Strung. It bounces by way of the miles, and after the massive mileage, your legs nonetheless really feel recent. It doesn’t damage that the shoe seems stunning. Actually, it could be the best-looking shoe I examined this 12 months. I hope to see the Strung higher on extra Adidas trainers. The Prime X Strung is by far my favourite Adidas working shoe proper now, adopted by the Takumi Sen 8 after which the Adizero Adios Professional 3.
You’ll be able to decide up the at Adidas Prime X Strung on October 1 by utilizing the store hyperlink beneath.
Meaghan is the co-founder of Large Run Media and Imagine within the Run. She’s typically discovered tearing up the promenade on Baltimore’s waterfront early within the morning.
