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Adidas Adizero Distancestar 1 track running shoe

Photo shows one example colourway

Adidas

Adizero Distancestar 1

★ 90d low Tracked daily👁 50 people tracking this

Versatile distance spike with glassfibre plate

Best price todayLowest tracked · 90d
£35.00£90.0061%
at AchillesHeel · 47% under 30d avg
90D Low£38.50
30D Avg£65.48
RRP£90.00
Go to AchillesHeel
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Expert review

Our verdict

The Adizero Distancestar is a track distance spike built to cover everything from the 1500m up to the 10,000m, which makes it one of the more versatile racing spikes you can buy. It sits below the specialist end of the Adizero range, so if you want a single spike for a whole season of track efforts rather than one event, this is the honest pick. A glassfibre plate underfoot gives you a firm, snappy platform without the aggressive geometry of a pure middle distance spike, so it stays comfortable across longer reps. At £90 it is one of the more accessible spikes on the market, which matters if you are a club runner buying your own kit. If you want something sharper for pure 1500m to 3000m work, the Adizero Avanti is the more aggressive sibling. For most distance track athletes, though, the Distancestar does the lot.

Key features

  • Glassfibre plateGives you a firm, snappy platform that helps you turn over quickly without the exaggerated feel of a road super shoe
  • Versatile distance rangeCovers 1500m up to 10,000m from one shoe, so you are not buying a spike for every event
  • Spike tractionRemovable pins bite into the track so you stay planted through the drive phase and round the bends
  • Lightweight race buildKeeps the shoe light and low so it feels sharp the moment you shift to race pace
  • Accessible priceAt £90 it is one of the cheaper spikes out there, which helps if you are buying your own track kit

Who it suits

Who should buy it

  • Club and distance track runners who want one spike for the whole 1500m to 10,000m range
  • Athletes on a budget who need a capable spike without paying elite prices
  • Track sessions where you want a firm, fast platform for hard reps
  • Newer track racers stepping up from trainers who want a forgiving, versatile spike

Who should not buy it

  • You only race short and want a specialist 1500m spike, where a sharper middle distance model suits better
  • You have a wide forefoot and struggle with snug, tapered spike uppers
  • You need cushioning for long road racing rather than the track
  • You expect the soft, propulsive feel of a carbon road super shoe

Best uses

  • 1500m
  • 3000m
  • 5000m
  • 10000m
  • track racing
  • track intervals
At a glance

Ratings

8.0Greatout of 10
Lightness9.0
Cushioning3.0
Flexibility6.0
Responsive8.5
Stability6.5
Grip9.0

Pros

  • Genuinely versatile across 1500m to 10,000m
  • Light, firm and snappy at race pace
  • Strong grip on the track through the pins
  • One of the more affordable racing spikes
  • Composed enough for the longer reps

Cons

  • Firm and minimal, as all spikes are
  • Snug, tapered fit is tight for wide feet
  • Not a specialist for pure short distance speed
  • Little cushioning for very long track efforts
Good to know

Extra information

Fit & sizing

Like most track spikes, the Distancestar fits snug and race ready, and you should expect it to feel tighter than your everyday trainers. We would order your true running size for a locked in fit, and only size up half if you race in socks and like a little room at the toes. The upper wraps the midfoot closely with very little dead space, which is what you want when you are driving hard into a bend. The toe box is low and tapered in the way spikes tend to be, so if you have a wide forefoot you may find it firm across the top. Heel hold is secure once the laces are set. This is a race day fit, not a comfort fit, so try them on before a key race rather than debuting them cold. If you are between sizes and race the longer track events, lean to the larger size.

Performance breakdown

Ride & feel

On the track the Distancestar feels firm, direct and quick, which is exactly the brief for a distance spike. The glassfibre plate gives you a clean, snappy toe off without the exaggerated rocker of a road super shoe, so the transition feels natural and you stay in control on the bends. There is enough shoe here to hold form over 5000m and 10,000m reps, yet it is light and low enough to feel sharp over shorter efforts. Hold your race pace and it comes alive. Jog in them and they feel stiff and purposeful, which is the point. This is a tool for fast running, not for warming up.

Cushioning

Do not expect plush. This is a track spike, so the stack underfoot is minimal by design and the ride is firm and close to the ground. That is a feature, not a fault, because it keeps you connected to the track and helps you feel your foot strike at speed. Over 1500m and 3000m the firmness is a non issue. Across a 10,000m it asks a little more of your legs than a padded road racer would, so it rewards runners with reasonable track mileage in their legs. If you want cushioning for longer road racing, a plated road shoe is the better home. For track distance work, the firm platform is the right call.

Stability

Spikes are inherently low to the ground, and that low platform is what gives the Distancestar its stability at pace. There is no medial post or stability structure here, because a track spike does not need one, and the firm plated midsole resists twisting when you lean into a bend. The snug upper plays a big part too, holding your foot square over the plate so nothing shifts under load. This is neutral footwear built for a smooth, controlled track surface, so the usual caveats about uneven ground do not apply. On the track it feels planted and predictable, which is all you can ask of a racing spike.

Upper & comfort

The upper is thin, light and built for lockdown rather than lounging. It wraps close around the midfoot with minimal padding, which keeps weight down and holds your foot firmly over the plate. Breathability is good, as you would expect from a race spike, so your feet will not cook over a hard session. There is not much cushioning around the collar or tongue, so most athletes race these in thin socks, and you should break them in over a couple of sessions before a target race. It is a functional, no frills upper that does its job without drawing attention to itself, which is exactly what you want when your focus is the finish line.

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Common questions

FAQ

Broadly, yes. Order your normal running shoe size for a snug, race ready fit that locks your foot over the plate. Spikes are meant to feel tighter than trainers, so do not size up out of habit. If you race the 10,000m in socks or have a wider foot, going half a size up adds a little comfort without losing security. Try them before a key race rather than on the day.

It is one of the better first spikes you can choose. The versatility means you can use it across every track distance while you work out your strengths, and the £90 price is friendly for a first pair. The firm, minimal platform will feel alien at first if you are used to cushioned trainers, so introduce it over a few short sessions. Build up gradually and let your calves and feet adapt before you race in it.

Yes. That is exactly what its versatile design is for, and it is one of the reasons to pick it over a pure short distance spike. The plate and platform hold up over the longer reps of a 10,000m, though the firm ride does ask more of your legs than a cushioned road racer would. If most of your racing sits at 5000m and 10,000m, this is a sensible, honest choice.

The Adizero Avanti is the sharper, more aggressive middle distance spike, best if you race short and fast from 800m to 3000m. The Distancestar is the more versatile all rounder that stretches comfortably up to the 10,000m. If you race one event, pick the specialist. If you want a single spike for a whole season across distances, the Distancestar makes more sense, and it undercuts pricier options like the Nike Air Zoom Victory on cost too.

Track spikes are race and session tools, not everyday trainers, so judge their life in sessions rather than miles. Used for their intended job of hard reps and races on the track, the Distancestar upper and plate will see you through plenty of seasons. The removable pins wear and can be swapped cheaply, which extends the life of the shoe. Keep them for the track, avoid road and concrete, and they will last well.

The numbers

Specifications

Technical specifications for the Adidas Adizero Distancestar 1
CategoryRace
SurfaceTrack
Drop1mm
Heel Stack19mm
Forefoot Stack18mm
Weight177g
Carbon PlatedNo
StabilityNo
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