Adizero Adios Pro 5

Softer and bouncier than the Pro 4 is the common verdict. The new foam and the carbon rim give a smoother roll from midfoot to toes, and it asks less of your form than the old rods did. That suits marathon effort, where the cushioning keeps your legs protected late in the race. At 5k and 10k pace, Doctors of Running and RTINGS both wanted a bit more snap, and Believe in the Run warns that anyone after a hard, plate-like feel underfoot may be disappointed.

There's a lot of it, and it sits where a marathoner needs it. RTINGS rated the cushioning among the shoe's strongest traits and found it stayed protective on longer efforts. Heel strikers get less out of it, though. The heel rocker is modest and most of the good stuff is in the forefoot.

This is where reviewers split. Believe in the Run found the carbon rim adds real stability under the soft foam, and Run To The Finish called it more stable than the Pro 4. RTINGS scored stability as its weakest area and blamed a narrow heel, and Doctors of Running described the soft foam as overpowering the rim's guidance. Our reading: fine if you're efficient, less forgiving if your form falls apart in the last 10k.

A light, close-fitting race upper, with more heel padding than before. Most testers found it comfortable over long distances. The sockliner is the one recurring gripe.