Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
6 mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• Boost Technology• Continental Rubber and Quickstrike improve traction• Stretchy upper• Durable• Japanese mesh is very breathable• Tirennina overlays provide extra support
Upper
The Teijin Japanese mesh used in the upper does an excellent job in adapting to the shape of the runner’s foot. Being a thin, sock-like material, this mesh also promotes extraordinary breathability. This stretchy material will keep you comfortable during any race or physical activity, primarily because it won’t make your feet feel restricted. The upper also sports the Tirennina suede, which you can clearly see when observing this sneaker.
Midsole
The midsole of the Adidas Adizero Takumi-Sen 3 is where most of the cushioning and lightweight features are located. The forefoot contains the Adidas exclusive Boost technology. Boost is made up of energy capsules that work collectively in order to create quality cushioning. The midsole also has the Lightstrike EVA, as well as the adiLite technology for enhanced cushioning. The midsole is basically the heart of the shoe. It provides responsiveness, durability, and cushioning properties all within the one part of the sneaker.
Outsole
The outsole of this sneaker is made up of Continental rubber, Quickstrike rubber, and carbon rubber. Adidas made sure that the Takumi-Sen 3 was equipped with an extremely durable carbon rubber in the heel. This high-end rubber is primarily expected to delay the normal wear and tear that occurs from frequent use. The Adiwear material used towards the back of the foot also contributes to the preservation of the outsole. In addition to this material, there are Adidas’ Quickstrike rubber nubs that are found from the middle of the heel, all the way to the forefoot. These lugs are used to provide superior traction for the runner. Continental rubber also helps with this part of the running process.
Breathability
If you’re going to running long distances during a marathon, you’re going to want a running sneaker that helps your feet feel cool and dry. The upper of the Takumi-Sen 3 was engineered to be extensively breathable. The Teijin Japanese mesh contains larger and rounder holes in comparison to the previous sneaker. This surplus of openings allows air to easily enter the interior of the sneaker so that your feet don’t feel damp and sweaty. Having superior breathable has its downsides as well. Testers have claimed that while the Takumi-Sen 3 offers top of the line breathability, it is sacrificing protection from water. Runners that are participating in events where there is rain or large puddles may be disappointed to find their feet soaking wet after the event. To summarize, breathability in the Adidas Adizero Takumi-Sen 3 is a key feature of this sneaker, as long as you are active in the right weather elements.
Comfort
Comfort is absolutely imperative for a long distance marathon runner. The Takumi-Sen 3 is equipped with an ample amount of cushioning that convinces testers that this is a fairly comfortable sneaker. The midsole unit is essentially the heart of the comfortable features in this sneaker. Both the adiLite and Lightstrike EVA in the midsole provide a base of cushioning for the underfoot. This cushioning is extremely lightweight and rugged, so it won’t bring you down during your long runs where you need to feel as light as physically possible. The forefoot is naturally shaped like a foot, so there’s plenty of wiggle room in that area.
Style
When you think of a racing flat from Adidas, the Takumi-Sen should be the first thing to come to your mind. The flat nature of the sole makes the entire sneaker look a lot closer to the ground and narrow. The Boost technology under the forefoot is clearly visible on the midsole, as it looks very similar to styrofoam. The color schemes for this sneaker also look very calm. The most commonly viewed color combinations are Shock Green/Blue/Black, and Ray Pink/Core Black/Solar Red. These colors will work great for runners who appreciate mellow schemes that don’t stand out too much but are distinguishable.
Durability
Starting with the high quality synthetic upper, the Takumi-Sen 3 has a thorough sense of durability. This part of the shoe undoubtedly lasts longer than other parts. The Japanese mesh used in this part of the shoe holds up incredibly well, with no interference from seams or other material. After significant use, wearers have stated that the upper has easily adapted to their feet without any signs of wear or damage. The Continental rubber on the outsole apparently holds up very well after vigorous running, so you won’t need to worry about losing traction after using these sneakers for a high volume of miles. AdiWear also protects the outsole from becoming easily damaged by casual wear. This carbon rubber resists abrasion and preserves the heel from looking worn down after normal wear and tear.
Protection
The spread out cushioning throughout the Takumi-Sen 3 will ensure that the underfoot is protected. Lightstrike EVA and adiLite cushioning are able to protect the foot from the hard ground. Adidas’ Boost technology in the midsole takes the shock from the ground and turns it into energy needed to keep moving. This not only protects the forefoot, but also the shins and knees from the vibration that occurs when running on a callous surface. On the upper, there is a toe guard-like layer right in front of the toes. This will likely protect the toes from jamming on a curb or random items in your specific terrain. This is a major plus, as no one likes the feeling of their toes jamming.
Responsiveness
The energy-returning properties in the Takumi-Sen 3 will keep you charged with every step. There is a high chance that runners will mildly notice a “ground” feel when wearing this sneaker. Because of the cushioning placed throughout this sneaker, it is unlikely that runners will truly feel the ground underneath them. For the first time in the Sen line, Adidas has placed its Boost technology in the forefoot so that runners can gain a reasonable level of responsiveness. Upon being compressed, the Boost energy capsules essentially work together in order to create energy for runners to use for their next steps. The only downside to this is that the Boost technology is only visibly present in the forefoot, which isn’t the best scenario for heel strikers.
Support
Adidas has applied suede Tirennina overlays within the upper that are meant to provide support and structure within the shoe. These overlays have an external heel counter which is used to support the back end of the foot. In comparison to other minimalist sneakers, the heel counter on this shoe seems a lot stiffer. Neutral runners will get the most out of this sneakers, as there aren’t any special support features that will help those with arch issues.
Terrain
This racing shoe is primarily meant to be used on the road terrain. Whether it is the track, light gravel, or on the street, the Takumi-Sen 3 has the features that can help you focus on being on top of your game. While considered a road shoe, the Takumi-Sen 3 can be considered a versatile racing sneaker, as it has the traction needed to be balanced on unstable surfaces. According to multiple testers, this sneaker can transition very well from the road onto the dirt tracks and other trail surfaces.
Price
Let’s get into pricing. When the Adidas Adizero Takumi-Sen 3 was initially released, it was priced at over $140. For the average runner, this can easily be interpreted as expensive, but for someone looking for a high-quality racing sneaker, they may believe that they are making an investment, and ultimately go for it. The testers that tried this shoe have said that while the upper is made with incredibly high-quality mesh, the rest of the sneaker (the sole) could be made with better material based on the original price. The unique Japanese upper is essentially what makes the price of the Takumi-Sen 3 expensive. The average price of this racing sneaker is well over $100, and if you wear an obnoxiously small or large shoe size, you may have to pay top dollar in order to experience the quality of the Takumi-Sen 3.
Drop
The stack height of the Takumi-Sen 3 is listed at 23 millimeters/17 millimeters. As a result, the heel-to-toe drop for this sneaker is measured at 6 millimeters for both men and women versions. Despite this lower-than-average measurement, don’t be surprised if the Takumi-Sen 3 feels flatter than that. The Takumi-Sen 3 might arguably be one of the flattest sneakers released by the Adidas brand.
Stability
Having a solid sense of stability can only benefit a racing shoe. The midsole has the Torsion System, which is a TPU unit that lets the forefoot and heel move separately for a better sense of stability. Now in regards to the heel counter, it doesn’t feel as firm as one would expect. Testers have said that runners who typically enjoy having a heel counter that helped lock and stabilize their foot would not be satisfied with the counter in the Takumi-Sen 3.
Flexibility
The Quickstrike material on the outsole helps out with flexibility for the Takumi-Sen 3. This material is essentially small dots across the outsole that generally reduce the weight of the shoe while offering an effective grip. In addition to that, Quickstrike allows the sole to naturally flex, so runners will be able to bend their feet like they normally do, and won’t have to feel stiff or unnatural. The heel counter that adds on to the support of the shoe also contributes to its overall flexibility.
Traction
Being a racing shoe, the Takumi-Sen 3 has traction-enhancing material that is used to grip onto the surface while keeping you balanced at all times. There is more than one technology on the Takumi-Sen 3 that proves this to be true. First, there’s the sticky Continental Rubber on the outsole. The Continental Rubber was made to provide extraordinary grip in wet and dry conditions. So regardless of whether you are running a marathon in the rain, or just going out for your daily run, you can feel confident about racing past those puddles or icy surfaces. In addition to Continental Rubber, the outsole has the Quickstrike rubber nubs from the forefoot all the way to the middle of the heel. These nubs can easily grip onto the ground for better traction.
Bottom Line
Designed for runners looking for a lightweight, smooth racing flat, the Adidas Adizero Takumi-Sen 3 offers much more. While this sneaker has superior technology that is used for a high-speed racer, it also has the style and durability to be worn as a daily running shoe or even a casual shoe. Regardless of the high price, this Adidas sneaker is worth it. When it comes to a racing sneaker, you’re going to want something sleek, light, and durable. When considering this sneaker, you must keep in mind that it is equipped to handle multiple surfaces. The excellent traction on the bottom of these sneakers will allow runners to easily change terrain, so instead of purchasing two shoes for each terrain, you can buy one instead! The Takumi-Sen 3 offers a handful of features that keep it ahead of other models and brands.
