Adidas has unveiled the Pro Evo 3, its lightest running shoe to date at 97 grams for a UK size 8.5 sample. The shoe promises a 1.6% improvement in running economy through advanced foam and a minimal carbon plate. Kenya's Sabastian Sawe will debut it at the London Marathon on April 26.
Adidas announced the launch of the Pro Evo 3 on Wednesday, marking a milestone in the ongoing competition among sports brands to produce the fastest running shoes. Developed over three years, the shoe weighs just 97 grams—30% lighter than its predecessor—and features next-generation Lightstrike Pro Evo foam that is nearly 50% lighter. A redesigned carbon element around the midsole's rim enhances compression and stability, contributing to better energy return with each stride. The upper draws from sailing and kite surfing materials for ultra-light ripstop textiles with high strength polyester yarns. Limited to 200 pairs at $500 each, the shoes went on sale to the public today, with wider availability planned for the fall. Adidas innovation chief Marc Makowski described the production as 'as close to handcrafted as it gets,' emphasizing its weightless feel and engineering for marathon speed. 'Every piece of the shoe has been engineered with speed in mind,' Makowski said. Running general manager Patrick Nava highlighted scientific backing: every 100 grams reduced improves running economy by 1%. He noted the shift from niche to mass sport, driven by Gen Z participation, with the global running gear market projected to reach $70 billion by 2032 from $45 billion in 2024. Adidas sold nearly 10 million pairs of its more affordable $150 Evo SL by end-2025. Makowski added that AI already aids design and athlete data analysis, though direct shoe integration remains under review.