Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung Introduction
The Prime X was imagined to be Adidas’ marathon racing shoe however after World Athletics introduced that footwear 50 mm and over in stack peak could be unlawful to race in, they needed to create the lower-stacked Adios Professional. Fortunately for us, Adidas nonetheless selected to launch the Prime X to the general public.
The Prime X in my view is among the most unusual, participating trainers that you may purchase and I liked the earlier 2 variations. The one factor I didn’t like about them was how unstable they had been because of the tall stack peak and the slender midfoot/rearfoot. They had been additionally a lot heavier than different racing footwear however I didn’t thoughts the load.
Prior to now 12 months, I used the unique Prime X Strung for intervals, lengthy runs and tempo runs. I liked the intense forefoot rocker and the way a lot cushioning you get underfoot. It’s additionally a extremely sturdy shoe as a result of the outsole is thick and hard-wearing.
The Prime X 2 is definitely the third model of the Prime X. The Prime X Strung, final 12 months’s model had the identical midsole and outsole as the unique model however with an up to date higher. The Strung higher was much more comfy than the higher of the unique model nevertheless it additionally made the value skyrocket.
The Prime X 2 weighs 10.4 oz (295 g), which is a considerable 1.4 oz (40 g) heavier than the earlier model. The stack peak remains to be 50 mm within the heel, however the forefoot is 3 mm greater. It’s now 43 mm within the forefoot and it nonetheless prices $300.
Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung First Impressions
My first run was a pace exercise of three x 2 kilometres. I might inform instantly that I appreciated it greater than earlier variations of the Prime X. Essentially the most noticeable distinction was the elevated stability. My landings felt much more planted and going round corners was a lot simpler.
Every interval was about 15 seconds per km sooner than I predicted it might be earlier than the run and the excessive degree of pace help that was current in predecessors was nonetheless there. The forefoot additionally felt barely softer because of the elevated stack peak.
I used to be somewhat bit disenchanted that I couldn’t really feel the enhance from the “spring” within the forefoot which consists of the mushy Vitality Core in between the two plates. This was the function that I used to be most excited for however I used to be nonetheless excited with the Prime X 2’s total efficiency through the first run.
Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung Higher
The Strung higher of the Prime X 2 is now a semi bootie development, with a knitted tongue which is connected to the remainder of the higher. The Strung a part of the higher consists of 1000’s of soppy strands which have been fused collectively. I discover it actually comfy however breathability isn’t pretty much as good as on different racing footwear.
I choose final 12 months’s higher as a result of foot lockdown was higher. With this new model, the match is extra relaxed because of the stretchy tongue and I discover the heel a bit free. There’s no heel slippage however I discover the free heel on each run.
Usually with bootie uppers, you possibly can’t tie a runner’s knot however Adidas cleverly engineered the Prime X 2 to have 2 plastic items connected on the skin of the higher which have 2 holes every, enabling you to tie a runner’s knot. I must tie a runner’s knot or the match might be too free.
The match is extra true to measurement than final 12 months’s version- there’s much less house contained in the higher however I nonetheless suggest getting your common measurement. This is among the extra accommodating racing shoe uppers so it’s nice for lengthy runs and appropriate for huge ft. Similar to earlier variations, there are not any reflective parts on the Prime X 2’s higher.
Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung Sole Unit
The Prime X 2 takes full benefit of its 50 mm stack peak by creating an excellent aggressive toe spring and rocker geometry which throws you ahead once you’re going quick. The thicker the midsole, the upper the toe-spring might be.
Throughout toe offs, you possibly can lean into the forefoot and interact the intense rocker. That is the principle motive the Prime X 2 feels so quick.
My favorite new function of the Prime X 2 is the elevated stability. That is because of the further piece of froth beneath the arch the place there was beforehand a cutout. The midfoot and rearfoot are additionally wider than earlier variations so it’s a friendlier shoe for heel strikers and over pronators.
I discover that the Prime X 2 performs higher than the unique throughout lengthy runs on account of the extra planted landings. I additionally really feel that the change from EnergyRods to an everyday carbon plate makes the shoe extra secure.
There are 2 full-length plates within the Prime X 2: the highest plate is carbon and the underside plate is a composite plate. In between the two plates is an Vitality Core, a softer foam which Adidas states has extra power return than common Lightstrike Professional however I don’t discover a distinction.
I want the Vitality Core was softer as a result of I’m solely 60 kilograms so I don’t really feel it compress and spring again throughout toe offs however I perceive that there are runners who’re a lot heavier than me and if the Vitality Core is simply too mushy, the plates will contact one another when loaded.
With such a thick midsole and a pair of carbon plates packed into it, the Prime X 2 is the stiffest shoe available on the market and the midsole doesn’t flex in any respect. This enables the rocker to perform way more successfully than a racer with a versatile plate in it.
At 10.4 oz (295 g), the Prime X 2 is so much heavier than another tremendous racer available on the market however I don’t thoughts the load over brief/center distances. The profit that I get from the pace help is definitely worth the weight sacrifice.
The longest run I did within the Prime X 2 was 30 kilometres at goal marathon tempo. For the primary ⅔ of the run, I didn’t discover the load however for the final 10 kilometres, my legs began to tire and I needed to dig actually deep to finish the exercise. The Prime X 2 excelled at each different run I did in it: hill sprints, simple runs, regular runs and intervals.
The outsole rubber on the Prime X 2 has been modified. It’s now the identical “sandpaper” kind of Continental rubber that you just discover on the Adios Professional. With the sort of rubber, the grip is excellent for the primary 150 km however after that, the grip begins to say no. It’s additionally a lot thinner than common Continental rubber so it wears right down to the midsole foam at a sooner fee.
I ran after it had simply rained so the roads had been nonetheless moist however the outsole grip of the Prime X 2 was incredible.
Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung Conclusions
I’ve already put over 92 kilometres on the Prime X 2 once I’m solely required to do 80 earlier than I write my evaluate. That is testomony to how a lot I take pleasure in operating in it.
There are issues that I like in regards to the new Prime X 2 like the broader base and the softer forefoot however there are additionally some issues that I dislike: the looser higher, the rise in weight and the thinner outsole rubber.
I nonetheless assume it’s an total enchancment during the last model as a result of it’s a better shoe to make use of. You don’t want to focus on landings because it’s much more secure. It will go well with a wider vary of runners.
The Prime X 2 is a actually enjoyable shoe nevertheless it’s positively not price $300 and if cash issues (it does for many runners), the $250 tremendous footwear just like the Rocket X 2, Vaporfly 3 and Adios Professional 3 symbolize a lot better worth. It is a supplementary shoe for runners who have already got a marathon racer and are in search of one thing totally different.
So far as efficiency goes, I really feel extra pace help from the Prime X 2 than another operating shoe available on the market so I’m significantly contemplating utilizing it for my subsequent marathon in 2 weeks. My greatest fear about utilizing the Prime X 2 for racing is its hefty weight, which is 3 oz (85 g) heavier than the typical marathon racer.
The typical runner completes a full marathon in 40 000 steps. If I’m carrying an additional 3 oz on every foot, over the course of the marathon, I might be carrying an additional 3402 kilograms on my ft and I’m undecided the additional pace help will offset the additional weight.
