Details
Brand
Adidas
Breathability
8/10
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• Boost Midsole technology• Continental outsole• Flexible Prime Knit Upper• Combination of cushioning and energetic return• AdiWear rubber for added durability• Lightweight construction
Upper
The upper features Prime Knit technology. Prime Knit obtains excellent amounts of airflow which help with the shoe’s breathable aspects. It’s also very stretchable material. The texture is smooth and soft and protects the skin against irritation. It adapts well to your foot’s movement so that you’re not missing any steps or being constricted as you’re powering through your run. On the back of the shoe, a heel counter plate is positioned in order to help keep this part of the foot in alignment with the rest of the foot.
Midsole
The midsole contains the brand’s renowned Boost technology. Boost midsoles are built from tiny pellets that are bonded together to create the entire platform. Adidas claims that it’s one of the most responsive technologies in the world. It also provides a generous amount of cushion. In fact, Adidas claims that it provides more cushion than any standard EVA platform. The boost foam runs from the back of the shoe and ends just short of the part where it slants near the forefoot.
Outsole
Adidas has had an ongoing relationship with Continental, the tire manufacturer, and many Adidas shoes feature Continental technology on their outsoles. The Adizero Prime happens to be one of them. You can verify the technology by the Continental brand logo imprinted on the outsole. Continental outsoles are some of the most durable and provide exceptional traction over road surfaces. The Adizero Prime also features AdiWear rubber which protects the outsole unit from abrasions. Located on the midfoot is the Torsion System which is a protective plate in the middle part of the underfoot. This component provides arch support and separates the rear foot from the midfoot.
Breathability
Adidas’ Prime Knit technology has drawn a lot of comparisons to Nike’s Fly Knit technology. In fact, so much are the similarities that Adidas was actually accused of patent infringement, though Adidas denied the allegations. Regardless, Prime Knit is very much like Nike’s technology in that it incorporates fabric filaments that are highly expandable and very receptive to airflow. In the Adizero Prime, for instance, sizable perforations are distributed through most of the surface of the upper, from the forefoot all the way through the back of the shoe. Prime Knit fabrics are also very effective at wicking moisture away.
Comfort
The Adizero Prime is lauded for its levels of comfort. There’s very little to pick on in this category as Adidas makes sure to keep its runners happy by providing all the essentials that make for a pleasant running experience. You have enough cushioning to keep you comfortable through your run as well as flexible and breathable material covering the top of your foot which adapts naturally to your foot’s gait. Generally speaking, Adidas focused on providing comfort in a few specific areas that really matter and did not deem it necessary to implement a long list of things that only would have added more bulk.
Style
As one of the iconic athletic brands, the style has always been a strong point for Adidas. They are not known for going all out with full bright colors on their shoes but much of their appeal has to do with their classically recognizable structural patterns. And we cannot forget their emblematic three stripe logo imprinted on the sides of their shoes.;The Adizero Prime is a representation of the modern Adidas shoe with its good looks and subdued color tones. In addition, Adidas is one of the few brands that has successfully mastered the art of designing neutral colored shoes.
Durability
If you see the Continental imprint on the outsole then you can be sure that you’re getting a shoe that’s going to be around for a while. Continental outsoles incorporate some of the highest quality rubber materials that are used on high-performance tires. This rubber material is resilient enough to withstand not just wet and dry surfaces but also wide temperature fluctuations. In addition, the Adizero Prime incorporates AdiWear technology which is a specialized form of rubber that is specifically intended to provide protection against abrasions. Adiwear material is also water resistant.
Protection
Competitive shoes do not generally offer much in terms of protection, offering only the bare essentials. The Adizero Prime is no exception to the rule either. But if we have to choose the most protective feature on this shoe then it would be the midsole unit for the reason that this is the part on the shoe that keeps your knees and joints padded and cushioned. You will not be doing much running if you are not protecting your joints and knees in one way or another. Another form of protection would be the fabric material on the upper in the way that it provides a structured fit as support as well as the heel counter plate which helps to minimize any unnatural swaying movements.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness is the energy generated from the bounce after your shoe makes contact with the ground. Adidas Boost technology is known for generating more energy than a standard midsole platform. Cushioning and responsiveness are usually opposing forces and very rarely can shoe manufacturers incorporate both elements together. When they do, it’s a very big deal because it involves a complex engineering process. This innovation also translates into a higher price tag for the consumer. However, it’s always much appreciated by the consumer and the Adidas Adizero Prime is an example of this winning combination.
Support
Shoes in the competitive category, like this one, will usually offer less support than more traditional types. Nevertheless, there are certain features on the Adizero Prime that help to prop up your foot and maintain its balance. The Boost midsole cushion is not particularly elevated and offers a mild amount of support. However, your foot receives reinforcement from the sides and from the top through the Prime Knit upper that shelters your foot safely and securely. Special attention is drawn to the back where a heel counter plate shields the rear of the foot in order for it to maintain proper alignment.
Terrain
The Adizero Prime is master of the road. The shoe’s Continental outsole provides more than enough durability and traction so that the shoe can perform continuously over many miles. It can perform effectively over both dry and wet surfaces, as well as over high temperatures. In addition, the outsole is strong enough to be able to handle other terrains like light trail or gravel paths. Continental outsoles are outfitted with a special mix of high-quality carbon rubber materials that are very resilient. On top of that, Adidas outfits some of its shoes with its own AdiWear rubber technology.
Price
The Adizero Prime doesn’t come cheap. It’s priced well above the $100 mark and ranges close to the mid $100 range. But every so often, a shoe has the right to claim how many dollar signs are attached to it based on how much value it can offer the consumer. It’s safe to say that the Adizero Prime can claim it’s worth every cent for many of the reasons that we have already discussed. Sure, you may spend more than what you’re used to, but at the same time, you’re getting a lot more shoe for the price.
Drop
Heel height measures 27mm and forefoot height measures 18mm. The resulting drop offset is 9mm. As previously mentioned, the heel area has more volume than the rest of the shoe. The shoe’s drop measurement probably constitutes the shoe’s greatest weakness, which there aren’t many to speak of. The midsole gradually thins out as it moves toward the front of the shoe. If the midsole were to be constructed with equal dimensions then the drop would be reduced and help runners land on their midfoot. While a 9 mm drop offset may not be overly done, it’s still enough to cause heel striking.
Stability
The Adizero Prime has neutral arch support with the heel being slightly higher than the rest of the shoe. The heel has more volume which makes a difference in the shoe’s drop offset. The midsole is not very thick and it’s closer to the ground than on other shoes that utilize thicker cushioning units. However, it’s quite remarkable at how Adidas is able to pack just enough cushioning and support into what looks like a fairly thin midsole.
Flexibility
In any type of competitive or racing shoes, flexibility is always going to be an important factor. You require a much greater level of movement in order to speed ahead. The shoe’s Prime Knit technology results in a shoe that’s highly expandable. It not only provides a comfortable snug fit around your foot but it adapts naturally to your foot’s gait cycle. In sum, what you obtain is a shoe that gives you plenty of freedom of movement and doesn’t restrict your speed by any factor.
Traction
Traction is defined as the adhesive friction of an object over a surface. The best example of this is a car’s tire maintaining ground over the road. If the car loses traction then it veers off the path and can spin out of control. Therefore, traction is the force that maintains control and prevents this type of scenario from occurring.;The same concept applies to a running shoe. The more grip and traction a shoe’s outsole contains, the better handling of the road it will have. The Adizero Prime with its Continental outsole delivers better than average traction which makes it suitable to handle a variety of road conditions, from wet and slippery to hot and dry.
Bottom Line
Despite its expensive price tag, the Adizero Prime could be worth it for the runner that appreciates comfort and quality, and it’s safe to say that that would be most of us. Adidas nails every category just right in this shoe: comfort, cushioning, energy return, and flexibility. In addition, it also has the luxury of being a highly durable shoe with its tough outsole construction. The shoe’s traction provides excellent grip over different surfaces, including wet roads and high temperatures. The fit is natural, secure, and feels smooth and comfortable against the skin.;If we have to pick on anything then that would be the shoe’s drop measurement. At 9mm it’s higher than we’d like it to be for a competition shoe. While it’s great that the midsole unit can provide many benefits, it would be preferable if the midsole platform were to be leveled out so that runners can enjoy the benefit of better landings to compliment the rest of the great things the shoe has to offer.
