Supershoe Showdown: Nike Alphafly 4 vs adidas Adios Pro 5

From Nike’s ZoomX LT foam to adidas’ carbon-infused ENERGYRIM, we decode the technology behind two of the year’s most anticipated racing shoes.

In today’s supershoe jungle, the Alphafly 4 and adidas’ Adios Pro 5 are two of the biggest beasts on the prowl. Debuting this autumn as marathon season hits its most agonising stretch, the latest instalments in Nike and adidas’ flagship running series are set to dominate the running circuit for the remainder of 2026 and beyond. While halo models like the Adios Pro Evo 3 and yet-to-be-released Apex are pushing the category into sonic-boom territory, these are the more accessible alternatives: elite race-day shoes designed to reach far more feet.

The latest weapons in an increasingly absurd running arms race, both silhouettes share plenty in common, namely science fiction proportions and the kind of technological bells and whistles that would have NASA’s finest minds arching their brows in curiosity. Strip away the jargon, though, and they carry roughly the same price tag while promising to help you crush your PB with almost suspicious ease. That all sounds great, right? But with such staggering levels of research and development behind them, what is it that actually sets them apart?

Below, we run the rule over the two, breaking down their technology, design and performance to see where each predator ranks in the podium-chasing food chain.

Skin in the Game

When you pull up the Alphafly 4 on Nike's website, it's probably not the shoe that immediately catches your attention, but the ‘Available Soon’ sign indicating its sold-out status ahead of a wider October release. Cannily, adidas took advantage of its eternal rival's tardiness by rolling out the Adios Pro 5 prior to the Berlin Marathon on the last weekend of September, readying it in a Maranello Red colourway that looked straight out of Ferrari's pit lane. In the post-race photos, that devilish palette made it impossible to miss, no doubt earning the Three Stripes’ marketing and colour theory departments a company-funded night on the tiles.

Then there’s the matter of aesthetics. Each silhouette looks positively avant-garde, distinguished by foreboding profiles that make their high-performance intentions abundantly clear. The Alphafly 4 is the altogether wedgier of the two, with its towering midsole giving it an especially aggressive stance. Would you wear either one outside the running arena, like, say, with a sensible pair of jeans on the weekend? Absolutely not. These are serious shoes engineered for clocking serious miles, and nothing else – don’t even think you’d get away with wearing them down the pub.

Upper Crust

Now for the serious stuff. Trying to disentangle some of Nike and adidas' constantly evolving performance terminology is a bit like making sense of the Sunday Times crossword puzzle while hungover. But ultimately, when it comes to the upper, Herzogenaurach and Beaverton are chasing the same thing: a shoe that disappears around your foot while deploying arcane magic to keep it securely in place.

adidas keep things locked down with their Lightlock 2.0 upper, a stretchy textile designed to provide a snug, comfortable fit without restricting movement. Meanwhile, Nike's new Atomknit upper prioritises lightness and breathability, with a soft, seamless construction designed to minimise distraction. In simple terms, the former emphasises lockdown, the latter breathability. (There's a catch to the Adios Pro 5, though: although more perforated – i.e., breathable – than previous editions, it runs narrow through the midfoot, so wider-footed runners may find their arches feeling the squeeze.)

In the end, it's a case of different approaches, same brief. Like competing pizza purveyors with 5-star Google reviews, one serving a New York slice and the other a Neapolitan classic, it's simply a matter of preference.

Beneath the Hood

As the equivalent of a quantum computer's processor, the midsole is the beating heart of these pairs, and it’s where they take flight. With a matching heel stack height of 39mm, the real contest is what's under the bonnet: Nike bet on their spoon-shaped carbon flyplate, two Air Zoom elements in the forefoot and an all-new mix of ZoomX LT and ZoomX foam, whereas adidas pair LightstrikePro cushioning with an ENERGYRIM carbon ring, superseding the anatomically-inspired ENERGYRODS that stiffened the 5’s predecessors.

Notoriously, the Alphafly series has garnered a reputation as one of the noisiest shoes around, and the 4 remains about as discreet as a 4 AM hardcore techno set. There's been all manner of home remedies suggested throughout the running community to combat the incessant squeaking and clopping, from kitchen staples like cornstarch to more merciless solutions like WD-40. You could try those, or just suck it up: chances are, everyone else is too busy minding their own business to care anyway. Having said that – it’s not something you should have to worry about when splashing big money on a shoe.

Tread Carefully

When running (or moving in any capacity), it's kind of vital not to slip. Thankfully, both shoes incorporate grip-abetting properties that could make an ice rink feel like Velcro underfoot. adidas fit the Adios Pro 5 with their Lighttraxion outsole, which trims weight without compromising traction, adding a dollop of Germany’s finest Continental rubber in the toe box for smooth transitions.

Nike counter with a new Fast Shot outsole, a lightweight rubber layer designed to provide traction and grip, even when your quads begin to feel like overcooked linguine. Whether you're tackling a long run, dashing to work, or perhaps fleeing the cops, there's really no excuse to take a tumble when locked into these sure-footed thoroughbreds.

The Takeaway

If, like most people, you're a running dilettante with zero designs on breaking a world record any time soon, then both shoes are comically fit for purpose. The Nike Alphafly 4 leans into bouncy, explosive propulsion, while the adidas Adios Pro 5 combines lightweight cushioning with a snappy, efficient ride.

Neither is a radical reinvention of what came before – both are more like polished-up versions of their forerunners, tweaking the formula rather than revolutionising it. Like most new iPhone releases.

For bouncy-castle cushioning, a propulsive feel, and smooth transitions with every stride, get the Alphafly 4. If you prefer a versatile ride that balances comfort with responsiveness – whether you're cruising along the streets at a steady pace or pushing full throttle – consider the Adios Pro 5. Either way, you're in for a seriously fun ride.

To check out Nike and the Three Stripes’ marathon results across 2026, head to our rolling coverage here.