Adidas Adizero Prime X3 Strung Red Black

Step into the Prime X3 Strung in red and black and the first impression is height. There is a great deal of Lightstrike Pro foam between the foot and the pavement, and at easy pace it compresses slowly and gives the energy back without feeling vague. The red upper over a black midsole keeps the proportions looking sharper than the stack height suggests.

Energyrods run through the foam to stop the platform folding under load, which is what lets a shoe this soft still feel organised when the pace lifts. It is a trainer, not a race shoe, and its best work happens on long steady runs and on the day after a hard session. The Strung woven upper holds the midfoot without pressure points or added overlays.

Good to know

• Fits true to size for most runners; consider a half size up if you want extra toe room on longer runs.
• Brand new, shipped in its original Adidas box.