11 Oct 24

Breaking Down the Differences: adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 vs Adizero Adios Pro 4

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adidas’ Adios Pro range has barely left the podium since its introduction in 2020, especially after Tigist Assefa propelled it into the spotlight after her victory at the Berlin marathon in 2023 while wearing the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. The model went on to cinch medal after medal, becoming the hero of the range; however, it isn’t built for every runner and adidas have more to offer. One such model is the more versatile iteration ready to catch runners’ attention ahead of the 2024 Berlin marathon: the Adizero Adios Pro 4. With both being designed for racing, the differences between the two pairs aren’t immediately clear, so here’s a breakdown of how they stack up against each other.

The Weight

Much like Nike’s Alphafly versus Vaporfly debate, both the Adios Pro Evo 1 and Adios Pro 4 have been designed for race day, but they’re geared up to suit different runners.

The Pro Evo 1 is less hard-wearing, and the model has even been criticised for its mileage-to-price ratio. That’s because it's so light that adidas had to skip out on some of the hardwearing stuff – a sample size US 9.5 weighs a crazy 140 grams. On the other hand, the Pro 4 has a thicker outsole (more on that later) and weighs in at 200 grams in the same size.

Ultimately, the Pro Evo 1 has been designed to suit elite racers, while the Pro 4 is a better all-rounder that has slightly more longevity.

The Visuals

With the launch of the Pro 4, adidas have also confirmed that they’re applying a more defined aesthetic to their race-day shoes. In fact, you’d be forgiven for mistaking one shoe for the other here, as the two look very similar. To start with, both shoes feature a similar shape, and both come in at a (just about) legal 39mm stack height. But the most defining detail is the bold Stripes that stretch across each pairs’ sidewalls, which will now be carried over on to the Three Stripes race day range.

The Upper

Given the Pro Evo 1’s position as one of the lightest shoes on the market, it’s hardly surprising that the two styles differ in their construction. One of the places where the Pro Evo sheds weight is its upper, which is made from an ultra-lightweight, semi-translucent mesh, whereas the Pro 4 features an all-new stretch woven mesh upper and is slightly heavier, as it’s weighed down by a locking system known as LightLock. The LightLock tech also features an alternative lacing system designed to prevent slippage, whereas the Pro Evo features a more traditional laced fit.

The Sole

The Pro Evo 1’s sole unit was game-changing for running thanks to its all-new forefoot rocker which was placed at 60 per cent of the length of the shoe. At its launch, this was the first time adidas had opted for that kind of geometry, which had been designed to improve running economy and encourage forefoot momentum. To keep things even more lightweight, adidas also kitted out the Pro Evo 1 with a new, non-compressed version of their Lightstrike foam that offered better energy return than its predecessors. The Trefoil took lessons from this and applied the same geometry to the Pro 4, but although the style also features a foam sole unit, it’s made up of a different, slightly heavier Lightstrike foam than that featured on the Pro Evo 1.

When it comes to shaving off the weight, there’s another defining detail between the two pairs. The Pro Evo 1 features an ultra-thin layer of what was essentially liquid rubber underfoot, but while it can help you save seconds on your marathon time, it’s also one of the reasons the shoe doesn’t last much more than one race. The Pro 4’s outsole is a little hardier in that it’s more akin to a traditional one. The tech is called Lightraxion, and it was developed alongside adidas athletes to ensure that the shoe wore better in high-traction areas, remedying some of the criticism for the Pro Evo 1.

The Price

Ultimately, the biggest difference comes down to the price. The Pro Evo 1 retails at a whopping $500, whereas the Pro 4 retails for half of that at $250. For that, you can expect the Pro 4 to be nuked in terms of tech, so consider it a filtered-down version of the Pro Evo 1. The Pro Evo 1 is the obvious go-to if you’ve got cash to burn, but if you’re looking to get your money’s worth out of your miles, the Pro 4 is a more budget-friendly banger that’ll still go the distance.