The streets of London fell briefly, spectacularly silent — then erupted. Sabastian Sawe crossed the finish line of the 2026 London Marathon in under two hours, a feat once considered beyond human reach. And on his feet? A shoe that had gone on sale just two days earlier: the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3.
It’s the kind of story that makes sports and fashion collide so beautifully. A shoe weighing less than a banana just broke the marathon world record. A piece of kit so technically extraordinary it reads more like science fiction than sportswear. And — crucially for our readers — you can buy it right now.
Tigist Assefa, who took the women’s title, also laced up the Evo 3 and clocked a new women-only world record of 2:15:41. History, made in the same shoe. Twice. In one morning.
Meet the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3
When a shoe breaks a world record on its debut weekend, it earns the right to be called extraordinary. The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 is adidas’ lightest racing shoe ever made, tipping the scales at a barely-there average of 97 grams. That’s sub-100g. That’s the brand’s “moonshot” brief — made real.
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Three years of research, more than a dozen prototypes, and testing sessions in Herzogenaurach labs and high-altitude camps in Kenya and Ethiopia all produced a shoe that runs 30% lighter than its predecessor, delivers 11% greater forefoot energy return, and boosts running economy by 1.6%. Sawe himself said it the Friday before the race: this was the fastest his feet had ever felt.
“Our goal was two digits on the scale, with better performance than we’ve ever had.”
— Stephan Scholten, VP of Product, adidas
What makes it so different?
The Evo 3 is a radical rethink, not just a refinement. The biggest change? adidas completely overhauled the carbon technology. Out go the Energy Rods of previous models; in comes ENERGYRIM — a revolutionary carbon-integrated system that supports a maximum volume of the new Lightstrike Pro Evo foam while delivering precisely tuned stiffness for stability and propulsion.
And that foam? Next-generation Lightstrike Pro Evo runs nearly 50% lighter than previous foam versions, yet still delivers a 39mm stack that maximises cushioning and energy return with every stride. The midsole sits at 39mm heel, 36mm forefoot — a 3mm drop that keeps elite runners in their natural stride pattern.
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The upper draws inspiration from an unexpected place: kitesurfing sails. Weightless, precise, technically brilliant. adidas engineers obsessively refined every component — laces, stitching, every last detail — down to the nearest nanogram. Continental rubber in the forefoot delivers the grip you need when hurtling through Tower Bridge at world-record pace, without adding unnecessary weight.
Patrick Nava, GM of Running at adidas, explained the process: “We went through more than a dozen iterations, working closely with our athletes and testing everywhere from our labs in Herzogenaurach to high-altitude camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. At that level, every detail really matters — we were measuring things down to the nearest nanogram.”
Tech specs at a glance
- Weight: ~97g (UK 8.5 sample)
- Stack height: 39mm heel / 36mm forefoot
- Drop: 3mm
- Carbon tech: ENERGYRIM (replaces Energy Rods)
- Foam: Lightstrike Pro Evo (next-gen, ~50% lighter than previous)
- Outsole: Continental rubber (forefoot placement)
- Upper: Kitesurfing sail-inspired, ultra-lightweight
- Running economy improvement: +1.6% vs Evo 2
- Forefoot energy return improvement: +11% vs Evo 2
From Evo 1 to Evo 3: a brief history of the world’s fastest shoe
The Pro Evo story starts in 2023, when the original Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 made global headlines. Tigist Assefa laced them up and slashed almost two minutes off the women’s marathon world record. Retailers sold out instantly — pairs then climbed to £2,500 on resale sites. adidas followed up with the Evo 2, which Sawe and Assefa wore to win London 2025, adding foam around the midsole engine to push energy return even further.
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And now the Evo 3 — lighter still, faster still, more technically ambitious than anything adidas has ever attempted. Since launching the Pro Evo franchise in September 2023, adidas athletes have broken three world records and won over 30 key road races. This is not a shoe range that underdelivers.
Does it pass the fashion test?
Aesthetically, the Evo 3 is a study in restraint. A minimalist white finish, three black stripes, and a heel outsole with an exposed mirror showcasing the ENERGYRIM technology beneath. It’s sleek, it’s clean, it’s quietly confident — the kind of shoe that lets its performance do the talking.
It won’t suit every outfit, but pair it with a tonal white set or slim black running kit and it looks genuinely striking. And wearing the shoe that broke the two-hour marathon barrier? That’s the ultimate flex.
Where to buy the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 — and how much it costs
You can buy the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 right now. Shop the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 here — the link takes you directly to adidas and approved specialty retailers carrying the shoe.
adidas prices the shoe at $500 USD / €500 — approximately £433 at current exchange rates. Expect a wider release during the autumn 2026 marathon season, but remember: the Evo 1 sold out within hours and hit £2,500 on resale. Early movers always win with this range.
Our advice? Don’t overthink it. Check availability and grab the Evo 3 here.
FAQ: everything you need to know about the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3
What running shoes did Sabastian Sawe wear at the 2026 London Marathon?
Sabastian Sawe wore the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 to run sub-2 hours and set a new marathon world record at the 2026 London Marathon. Tigist Assefa, the women’s winner, also wore the same shoe and clocked a new women-only world record of 2:15:41.
What is the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3?
The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 is adidas’ lightest and fastest racing shoe ever — the world’s first sub-100-gram supershoe, averaging 97 grams. It packs ENERGYRIM carbon technology, next-generation Lightstrike Pro Evo foam, and a kitesurfing sail-inspired upper into a shoe that elite athletes now trust to break world records.
Where can I buy the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3?
Shop the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 here. adidas launched limited pairs on 25 April 2026 via adidas.com and specialty retailers. Expect a wider release during the autumn 2026 marathon season — but don’t count on stock lasting.
How much does the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 cost?
adidas prices the shoe at $500 USD / €500. UK buyers should budget approximately £433 at current exchange rates, though prices may vary by retailer.
How does the Evo 3 improve on the Evo 2?
The Evo 3 runs 30% lighter than the Evo 2 and brings entirely redesigned carbon technology — ENERGYRIM replaces the previous Energy Rods. The new Lightstrike Pro Evo foam cuts nearly 50% of the weight from previous foam versions while maintaining a 39mm stack. Runners gain 1.6% better running economy and 11% greater forefoot energy return over the Evo 2.
Can amateur runners buy the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3?
Absolutely. While the initial drop is limited, any runner can buy a pair — not just elites. Check current availability here. adidas plans a broader release for autumn 2026.
How heavy is the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3?
The Evo 3 averages 97 grams in a UK 8.5 — making it adidas’ first sub-100-gram race shoe and the lightest in the Adizero lineup. Ever.
Did Sabastian Sawe actually run a sub-2 hour marathon?
Yes. Sawe ran sub-2 hours at the 2026 London Marathon in the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 and set a new marathon world record. Yomif Kejelcha also dipped under the two-hour mark in the same shoe on his marathon debut.
