ADIDAS Adizero Prime X

Important clarification:

The ADIDAS Adizero Prime X are high-profile shoes. They are pure competition shoes for running and training at explosive paces. But they have a midsole with a height of 50 mm, which exceeds the maximum established by World Athletics for road races (40 mm thick).

So, if you participate in a road race and are authorized to enter the elite box, they will most likely not let you in. And if you finish in the top 10 running with them, you will be disqualified.

You will also not be allowed to compete with them in track events.

Features of the ADIDAS Adizero Prime X

First, we'll say that they are Adizero, which is the word that designates Adidas' most technical items. They are the lightest and will allow you to go as fast as possible.

The second characteristic that makes them stand out visually is their maximalist profile. The generous thickness of their midsole is immediately apparent. This thickness translates into the greatest cushioning in an Adidas running shoe. And this fact stands out even more because they are competition shoes.

The height of the midsole is simply due to the combination of three layers of highly durable Lightstrike Pro foam that give you superior energy return with every stride.

In addition, the midsole also contains ENERGYRODS along with a carbon plate in the heel.

All of this together means the combination of great cushioning with great responsiveness.

They weigh 264 gr. This is much more than the weight of classic, very minimalist competition flying shoes. This extra difference is due to the amount of Lightstrike Pro, the rods, and the plate.

Slinglaunch heel: a lightweight reinforcement piece that surrounds the heel, ensuring the foot stays in the correct position from start to finish of the race.

Classic last.

Celermesh 2.0 fabric upper with a plastic appearance but providing good foot support.

Very light technical Continental rubber outsole.

Discover the rest of adidas running shoes for competition

Who are the ADIDAS Adizero Prime X for?

The Prime X are radical shoes intended for runners with good running technique, who are very lightweight and who run at absolutely fast paces, under 4 minutes per kilometer.

They are shoes that only serve you when you run very, very fast.

A difference of a few seconds may seem unimportant, but it is. It can help you win a race or beat your personal best.

According to the Adidas brand, 20% of the components used to make the upper of these shoes are made with at least 50% recycled material.

News of the disqualification of the Vienna Marathon winner

In the last Vienna Marathon (September 12, 2021), the first to cross the finish line was Ethiopian Derara Hurisa, with a time of 2:09:22. He was later disqualified for wearing Adidas Adizero Prime X shoes, which exceed the maximum thickness allowed by World Athletics.

Apparently, one of the runners who finished later demanded a review of the winner's footwear.

After this incident, Leonard Langat, who had finished second with 2:09:25, was declared the winner.

Since January 2020, World Athletics has imposed stricter rules on competition shoes.

adidas prime x competition running shoes

One of the main changes is the requirement to limit the thickness of the sole, which is set at a maximum of 40 millimeters.

The rules were modified to "provide greater clarity to athletes and footwear manufacturers worldwide and to protect the integrity of the sport."

The disqualification in the Vienna Marathon is the global debut of sanctions imposed for the use of non-permitted shoes.

It is evident that technological evolution in shoe design and the materials that comprise them have marked the improvement of results in long-distance events in recent years, often in the form of records.

However, a limitation has been placed on this evolution, which has been very radical in the last three years. And thus, the debates that began about whether innovation should be left free or whether aid to runners should be limited a bit have also calmed down.

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