adidas Adizero Adios 7 Running Shoe Review

Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS

Motor behavior was, hands down, my least favorite college course that I took during my undergraduate exercise physiology studies (sorry Dr. Darden). I didn’t retain nearly as much about this particular topic as I probably could (or should) have. But what I do recall is that movement patterns that are repeated over and over eventually become habits, recalled and performed with very little conscious thought.

A perfect example in this case would be my running form.

You see, after years and years of wearing highly cushioned shoes while ultrarunning – specifically on the grassy, flat fields of coastal South Carolina – I developed what I call the “Lowcountry shuffle”. Picture a hip and quad driven shuffle of the feet paired with a painfully low cadence / slow foot turnover. It is great for avoiding a turned ankle in all of those hidden ruts. It’s HORRIBLE for glute strength.

Anyway, this running form would cause a breakdown along my kinetic chain that extended well beyond “just running” (hello, pelvic floor health!) that eventually forced me to “fix” my running gait. And the first thing that had to go? Those highly cushioned, marshmallowy soft running shoes.

Sorry Hoka, it’s not you, it’s me.

While on the hunt for a firmer, more responsive shoe, I discovered the adidas adizero Adios 7 (say that three times fast) running shoe. I had had decent luck with the Adidas Adizero Boston 11, but was on the hunt for something slightly more minimal.

About the adidas Adizero Adios 7:

According to adidas, the Adios 7 is a lightweight, fast fast shoe designed to chase PR’s, yet durable enough for both longer distances and withstanding every day training.

adidas Adizero Adios 7 Specs:

For my fellow running shoe nerds (aficionados, take your pick), here are the technical specs you need to know about the latest adidas Adizero Adios 7:

• Shoe type: Neutral, road running
• Weight: Weight: 7.6 ounces (Men’s size 9)
• Offset (drop): 8 mm (heel: 27 mm / forefoot: 19 mm)
• Upper: Lightweight mesh, containing a minimum of 50% recycled content 
• Midsole: Lightstrike + Lightstrike Pro cushioning
  • TORSIONRODS: increase force transfer
• Outsole: Continental™ Rubber 
• MSRP: $130*

adidas Adizero Adios 7 – My Review:

Fit:

First things first, this shoe is seemingly made for my bunions.

I didn’t choose this shoe solely based on this fact, as I couldn’t even tell from the photos on the adidas website that the shoe would be shaped this way. But lo and behold, when I took them out of the box, I noticed the almost triangle shape to the forefoot of the shoe.

The adizero Adios 7 gives me plenty of room for my slightly-claustrophobic forefeet, which was much appreciated.

I found the length of the Adios 7 to fit true to size. I normally wear a size women’s 10.5, and I found the 10.5 to fit with the ideal amount of room to spare (about a half an inch between the end of my big toe and the end of the shoe).

The Run:

If you’ve read any of my product reviews before, you know that one of the most positive aspects of a running item – whether it’s apparel, shoes, or accessories – is if I forget I’m wearing them while I’m running.

Because if you constantly notice something about that product – it’s likely not a good fit.

While sitting down to write this review, I had to actually physically put the shoes back on in order to really stop and remember how these shoes feel…because when running, I hardly feel them.

But that description isn’t very helpful for the rest of you, so let’s get into some more specific details.

Firm – but Not Stiff

Both walking and running in the Adios 7 provides a firm – but not stiff – feel underfoot. There is nothing about this shoe that provides that squishy, marshmallow feeling underfoot that accompanies so many other running shoes.

But don’t get me wrong – this is not a bad thing.

Rather, this firm and lightweight feel results in an incredibly responsive run, leaving foot turnover feeling effortless and not bogged down. Which, if you’re following along, has really helped me work on my running form, and ditch that ultra-shuffle I’ve been bogged down by.

Compared to the adidas Adizero Boston 11, the Adios 7 feels like a lot “less” shoe, while still being enough to easily log a double digit training run.

Lightweight Upper

The upper of the Adios 7 is comprised of a mesh that contributes to the overall lightweight feeling of this shoe. If you are a person who needs a thick, secure feeling upper for stability purposes – the Adios 7 is probably not the shoe for you.

That’s not to say that the shoe felt insecure, but rather that it really feels like you aren’t wearing much at all – perfect for the hot, humid summers of South Carolina. I give the breathability of this shoe a 10 out of 10.

(And for what it’s worth, I ran in the pouring rain in the Adios 7, and the shoes drained incredibly well).

adidas Adizero Adios 7 Final Thoughts:

Typically with lightweight training or racing shoes come at the price of a significantly lower heel to toe differential (heel drop), and a shoe that almost feels like a slipper. This can be problematic for those who prefer a higher drop, but do not wanted to be limited to a heavier, supportive shoe.

In my opinion, adidas has nailed the combo of a lightweight racing and training shoe with a higher drop and firmer feel for those who who want to avoid both highly cushioned OR barefoot feeling shoes.