Run Hard With These Adidas Running Shoes for Women

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Adidas traces its history back to 1924, when founder Adi Dassler started a shoe company in Germany. Running shoes, specifically running shoes for women, are where the fledgling brand first found success: Lina Radke won a gold medal at the 1928 Olympics wearing a pair of Dassler’s shoes. Since adopting the Adidas name in 1949, the brand has expanded to produce shoes and apparel for all kinds of sports, but running is still an essential focus.

In recent years, especially, Adidas has invested heavily in designing shoes for women runners. The Ultraboost Light is the best example of this approach: The women’s version was designed using input from over a million foot scans of women’s feet. The result? A shoe that better aligns with the anatomy of women’s bodies. With that research in hand, the best Adidas running shoes for women include responsive everyday trainers, max-cushion shoes, and premium models for racing.

More Running Gear For Women: Best Running Shorts ● Best Running Jackets ● Best Sports Bras for Running

Best Women's Adidas Running Shoes

• Best Overall: Ultraboost Light

• Best Value: Supernova 3

• Best for Racing: Adizero Adios Pro 3

• Best Daily Trainer: Adizero SL

• Best for Long-Distance Running: Adizero Boston 12

Everything You Need to Know About Adidas’ Women’s Running Shoes

Adidas has an extensive running shoe lineup with models for all kinds of running, including training, trail running, and racing. Adidas shoes generally have a firm, responsive ride. Shoes like the Ultraboost Light and Boston 12 embody the brand’s bouncy, but not squishy step.

There are some exceptions, though: The ultra-plush Prime X 2 Strung offers a pillowy, well-cushioned experience for runners, which reflects the recent trend toward maximalist padding in shoes across the industry. Let’s take a closer look at the defining characteristics of Adidas’ running shoes.

Cushioning Foams

Adidas uses several proprietary cushioning foams in the midsoles of its running shoes, including its responsive Boost and two versions of its lightweight Lightstrike foam.

Boost foam, introduced in 2013, is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that quickly springs back to its original shape when compressed. It resists packing down, so shoes maintain their springy quality, even after lots of use. Boost gives shoes like the Supernova good responsiveness that lasts through high-mileage training routines.

Adidas recently introduced Boost Light, which reduces the cushion’s weight while maintaining Boost’s lively feel. Made from a blend of TPU and EVA, Adidas claims that the new foam makes the Ultraboost Light’s midsole 30-percent lighter than the midsole of the previous model, the Ultraboost 22.

Lightstrike is a firm ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam that creates a nimble, bouncy ride. It generates a lightweight, speedy feel in trainers like the Adizero SL and the Terrex Agravic Flow 2 trail shoe.

Lightstrike Pro is made from thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE or TPE). It’s formulated for maximum shock absorption and energy return. Lightstrike Pro gives shoes like the Adizero Adios Pro 3 and Prime X 2 Strung soft cushioning for high-mileage runs and excellent energy return, which helps you keep up your pace.

Midsole Tech

Adidas has developed two design elements to stabilize its shoes and make them more responsive.

LEP, short for “Linear Energy Push,” is a horseshoe-shaped layer of rigid TPU plastic between a shoe’s midsole and outsole that maintains your shoe’s structure. That keeps the base of the shoe from twisting to correct overpronation, where your foot rolls too far inward during your stride.

Energyrods are a set of carbon fiber or glass fiber-based supports embedded in the midsole that line up with the metatarsal bones of the foot. The rods guide your foot through your stride to help you get maximum energy return and propulsion with each step. They stabilize the tall midsoles of shoes like the Adizero Adios Pro 3 and Prime X 2 Strung, creating a lively, energetic ride that helps you go fast over longer distances.

Finding Shoes for Female Feet

In addition to foams and midsole tech, which are available in all of Adidas’ running shoes, there are additional other factors we think women should keep in mind when shopping for running shoes.

Support

Compared to men, women’s bodies have a wider Q angle, or the angle formed by the quadriceps muscle and the patella tendon. According to Petruny, this anatomical difference can lead to overpronation. Furrer notes it also makes women more prone to knee and joint pain.

As a result, many women prefer a more supportive shoe to help correct these issues. The Ultraboost Light, which features a stabilizing LEP system in the midsole, is a great choice if you want more support, Petruny says.

“It’s designed to slow down those inward pronation forces and transfer more of that energy forward through the stride.”

Heel Fit

“Women’s ankles tend to be smaller than men’s,” Furrer says, so getting a snug fit at the back of the foot is crucial (and sometimes difficult) for women. To prevent heel slip and get a better fit, look for shoes that have extra padding at the heel, or a built-in heel counter to stabilize the back of the foot. The Supernova 3, for example, has a padded collar around the ankle and heel that’ll help keep your foot in place while running.

Wide Toe Box

Women also generally have a higher instep (the middle portion of the top of the foot) and a wider forefoot than men. For optimal fit and comfort, look for shoes that have a wide toe box and a spacious midfoot section.

This can be an issue with Adidas shoes, Furrer says, because the company designs its women’s shoes with a lower instep compared to other brands. However, a lower instep might work great for you.

“Don't think of this as Adidas or other brands making women's shoes the right way or wrong way,” she says. “Maybe you're a runner who prefers a narrower heel collar with a lower instep. [If so,] Adidas is your best bet.”

One way to know for sure: If you feel pain on the top of your feet when you lace up a pair of Adidas shoes, you might have a high instep. In that case, we’d recommend looking at other brands, like Altra, which often designs women’s shoes with a higher instep.

Softer Cushioning

There’s no right or wrong kind of cushioning, but because women usually have less body mass than men, they often prefer shoes with a softer, more flexible feel, Petruny says. Softer cushioning materials compress more easily under women’s lighter weight, providing better shock absorption and a more comfortable step.

With its massive midsole, the Prime X 2 Strung is the obvious choice for a max-cushion Adidas shoe, but women runners who prefer a firmer underfoot experience have plenty of options: For example, RW testers reported that the Ultraboost Light and Boston 12 both have a firm, responsive ride.

How We Selected the Best Adidas Running Shoes for Women

First, I studied the Adidas running shoe lineup and talked with a brand rep to learn more about its current women’s models and the technology they use. I also spoke to Furrer and Petruny to get their insights into what Adidas models and features they like best, and I analyzed feedback from RW’s network of female wear testers to see what Adidas shoes were standouts in testing.

The best Adidas running shoes for women are built with the brand’s best technology, including Boost and Lightstrike Pro cushioning foams, and are suitable for a variety of uses, from walks and casual jogs to running a marathon.

The Ultraboost is one of Adidas’s most well-known models. With its 2023 redesign, the Ultraboost Light receives a significant revamp. It’s significantly lighter than previous iterations, but still serves up the firm, responsive, and stable ride that the Ultraboost fans love. Adidas used its new Light Boost foam in the midsole to make the shoe substantially lighter and more responsive. It’s paired with an LEP plate at the bottom of the midsole that guides and supports the foot, preventing it from rolling too far inward during your stride.

Adidas used data from over a million foot scans to make the women’s version of the shoe more specifically accommodating to women’s feet: The women’s Ultraboost Light has a narrower heel than the men’s version, and more medial support in the midsole to counteract overpronation.

Although the sock-like upper caused fit issues for some RW reviewers, testers appreciated the Ultraboost Light’s lower weight and responsive, stable feel—one runner highlighted the shoe’s heel and forefoot stability as its best feature. Better yet, it’s highly versatile. Furrer recommends it for everything from daily training to longer runs, and it’s a stellar choice for women who need support and stability in their running shoes.

The Supernova 3 is a workhorse training shoe, and an excellent value pick within the Adidas lineup. The midsole features Boost foam in the heel for a responsive ride with durable cushioning, and the full-length rubber outsole creates dependable traction on the pavement.

In RW testing, the shoe stood out for its supportive underfoot sensation. “It provides good arch support, cradling the foot and promoting an even foot strike,” said one female tester.

It also offers great fit: The upper creates a close wrap at midfoot, but there’s plenty of room in the toe box and padding around the ankle makes the shoe feel comfortable when running. Comfort, durability, and support—the Supernova has just about everything you need in a daily trainer, and the price can’t be beat.

Training for a marathon? Furrer recommends grabbing a pair of Adios Pro 3s for race day. This premium racing model is ready to compete with well-cushioned marathon shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Elite and Nike Vaporfly.

The shoe features a thick midsole with two layers of Lightstrike Pro foam and supportive Energyrods. The layers of foam dampen impact forces to keep your feet comfortable during long races. At toe-off, the Energyrods and bouncy foam work in tandem to create a snappy, propulsive feel that helps you maintain a fast pace. One female tester described the midsole as “soft enough to feel comfortable, but not too soft that I feel like I squish into it.”

Female wear testers also praised the Adios Pro 3’s accommodating fit and stability: It has a slightly wider sole than other brands’ elite racers, which gives the shoe a planted, confidence-inducing ride. While it certainly isn’t cheap, the Adios Pro 3 will help you perform your best out on the race course.

To make the Adizero SL, Adidas took some of its top-tier racing tech and adapted it for everyday training. The midsole, made with both Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro foams, is the main highlight: The combination of soft and bouncy Lightstrike Pro under the forefoot and standard Lightstrike all around helps the shoe absorb shocks while generating strong energy return. It also reduces the shoe’s overall weight, so you get a peppy feel underfoot. (One note: Reviewers on Reddit say the shoe’s cushioning takes some time to break in.)

The Adizero SL features a relatively wide forefoot shape—a good match for wider feet—and its padded tongue helps the shoe wrap comfortably around the foot. Overall, the Adizero SL makes an excellent and affordable trainer.

Adidas designed the Adizero Boston 12 specifically for mid-to-long-distance running. It brings a propulsive, cushioned feel that’ll help you cruise through high-mileage days. It features a dual-layer midsole, with a full-length layer of Lightstrike Pro placed on top of a layer of Lightstrike foam. It also has glass fiber Energyrods embedded inside, which are slightly more flexible than carbon fiber but still generate a stiff, snappy sensation. The dual foams soften your footfalls, and along with the Energyrods, create lots of bounce at toe-off. Although the thick midsole gives the impression of a pillowy ride, testers found the Boston to be relatively firm and very responsive.

“There is definitely some extra pop and responsiveness that makes this a fast-feeling shoe,” said one female tester.

The Boston’s rubber outsole also performed well in RW testing, serving up dependable traction in both wet and dry conditions. With its premium midsole cushioning, grippy outsole, and responsive feel, the Boston is a top option for long-distance runs and marathon training.

The Adizero Prime X 2 Strung was “designed without the constraints of world race regulations,” which means Adidas ignored the World Athletics rules limiting a shoe’s stack height, or the sole’s thickness, to 40mm at the heel. The shoe is massive: The Prime X 2 Strung has a staggering 50mm stack height at the heel and 43.5mm at the forefoot.

Adidas used three layers of soft, bouncy Lightstrike Pro cushioning foam and, unsurprisingly, the design creates a supremely cushioned ride. But it isn’t all marshmallowy softness: The foam offers runners plenty of energy return, too.

“The thick layer of foam cushioned every step I took,” said one tester. “Despite its softness however, it performed very well during tempos and I never felt like I was sacrificing speed for comfort.”

There is a downside to all that foam, though. Even with its relatively wide forefoot design, the Prime X 2 Strung’s towering sole can feel wobbly, especially on uneven ground. But if you love a plush, pillowy step, this ultra-cushioned model is definitely worth a try.

The Terrex Agravic Flow 2 is a versatile all-terrain trail shoe for off-pavement running. It features a Lightstrike midsole that absorbs impact forces and creates a responsive base for propulsive toe-offs. While it doesn’t have an especially plush feel, testers appreciated its excellent energy return, and said it provided enough cushioning to keep their feet comfortable, even during short jaunts on the pavement.

Like any good trail shoe, the Agravic Flow 2 has excellent traction: Its full-length rubber outsole is studded with 4mm lugs (cleat-like protrusions) that bite into dirt and soft terrain for confident footing.

“The grip is just top notch,” said one female tester. “I ran over wet logs, slick rocks, muddy and grassy trails, and these shoes never slipped an inch.”

Rain in the forecast? This all-weather riff of the Ultraboost Light, my top pick, comes souped up with a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane in the upper that blocks out rain and splashes, while venting hot air so your feet stay dry. On the bottom, the shoe has a full-length rubber outsole with chevron-shaped lugs for improved traction in wet, unstable conditions.

Just like the standard Ultraboost Light, the GTX version features a Light Boost midsole that provides a responsive, stable feel with reduced weight. With these shoes in your closet, you won’t have to plod on the treadmill when it rains. Just make sure to grab a jacket on the way out.

Q+A With Running Shoe Expert Michael Charboneau

Are there any drawbacks to women’s Adidas running shoes?

Adidas shoes are designed with a lower instep, which works well for some women but might be an issue for others. In addition, Petruny notes female RW wear testers have had problems finding the right size with the brand’s unisex models, including the Prime X 2 Strung and Adizero Adios Pro 3. In general, it can be tough to convert from men’s or unisex sizes to women’s sizes with Adidas shoes.

“Usually a woman would just go down by 1.5 size for an equivalent in a men’s shoe,” Petruny says. “However, we’ve seen that in doing this, our testers have a shoe that ends up (usually) being too long.”

For best results, visit a running store to try on unisex Adidas models before buying.

I tend to overpronate when I run. What’s the best Adidas shoe for me?

First, says Petruny, pronation is totally natural—it’s how our bodies dampen the impact forces of running and transfer energy with each stride. But pronating too much (where your feet roll too far inward with each step) can lead to pain and injuries. While it’s best to work with a physical therapist to come up with a solution tailored to your needs, the answer may be as simple as a more supportive pair of shoes.

In the Adidas lineup, I’d recommend the Ultraboost Light. It was designed to fit the anatomy of female bodies, and the Boost foam and LEP midsole plate will guide your foot through your stride and reduce overpronation.

I’m new to running. How do I know which Adidas shoe will work best for me?

Before buying your first pair of shoes, head to a running store to get fitted. Ideally, you’ll be able to run on a treadmill so an expert can analyze your gait in addition to measuring your shoe size. Then you can try on a few pairs to see what feels comfortable to you. There’s no particular brand or specific running shoe that works well for all women, so visiting a store is the best way to determine what fits your feet and matches your running preferences.

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