Adidas Adizero Prime X3 Strung Review: A Super Shoe for the Brave
- FORDY RUNS
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 7
The Adidas Adizero Prime X3 Strung is one of the boldest innovations in Adidas’ performance line, built to push the limits of speed, propulsion, and fun. It’s a super shoe with towering stack height, futuristic materials, and an unapologetically aggressive ride. But how does it perform for the everyday runner? Here’s a detailed breakdown after putting in solid mileage, including a long run.
What’s New in the Prime X3 Strung?
This version introduces some key upgrades:
Triple-layer Lightstrike Pro midsole: 50mm stack in the heel, dropping to 43mm at the toe for a 7mm offset. It’s still maximal, but with improved foam quality.
Revamped Strung upper: Reinforced at the midfoot and heel for better support while remaining flexible in the forefoot. A knitted tongue pulls it all together.
Full-length carbon plate: Positioned under the top foam layer to boost propulsion.
Energy Rods 2.0: Embedded polymer-infused carbon rods for added snappiness and toe-off efficiency.
New rocker geometry: Designed to improve running economy and guide a smoother roll-through.
Outsole: Continental rubber and Lightstrike compound, with strategic cut-outs for weight saving.
Despite all that tech, the shoe weighs approximately 300g (UK 9.5) — slightly lighter than its predecessor.
Performance & Ride Feel
Let’s get one thing clear: the Prime X3 Strung is not a stable shoe. At 50mm of stack, you'd expect it to feel like running on stilts — but surprisingly, it isn’t completely unstable. There’s a strange (but welcome) sense of balance once you hit the right pace.
This shoe comes alive at moderate to faster paces, especially around or below 5:00/km (8:00/mile). Land in the forefoot or midfoot, and the trampoline-like effect of the foam and plate kicks in. It’s springy, fun, and incredibly responsive.
However, if you drop into easy paces or heel-strike heavily, things get a bit dicey. It starts to feel tall, wobbly, and less predictable — like you're about to veer off the edge of a cliff. In that sense, it's a shoe that rewards strong form and good cadence.
Comfort & Fit
The upper is a standout. The revised Strung construction adds a surprising amount of support — crucial for a shoe this high off the ground. The lockdown is decent, though the laces are a weak point, as with many Adidas models.
Comfort-wise, it’s surprisingly good. There’s padding in the right places, the knit tongue adds some plushness, and the shoe handles longer runs well once dialed in.
Likes
✅ Incredible fun factor – puts a smile on your face
✅ Bouncy, energetic ride at tempo paces
✅ Surprisingly supportive Strung upper
✅ Effective full-length plate + energy rod combo
✅ Lightstrike Pro compound feels refined
✅ Lighter than the X2
✅ Innovative, forward-thinking design
Dislikes
❌ Expensive – premium price for a niche-use shoe
❌ Poor laces – basic lockdown could be improved
❌ Not great at slower paces or for heel strikers
❌ Some instability when form breaks down
❌ Limited use case – not a daily trainer
Who Should Buy It?
This is not a shoe for every runner, and certainly not for every run. It’s for those who:
Love high-stack super shoes
Want a wild, trampoline-like feel underfoot
Run mostly on the forefoot or midfoot
Are chasing race-day performance in half marathons or 10Ks
Appreciate bold innovation, even at a steep price
