ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris vs Adidas Adios Pro 4 – Battle of the Powerhouse PR Chasers

Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price

The Adidas Adios Pro 4 is one of the lowest stacked carbon racers. It packs 39mm in the heel and 33mm in the forefoot for a 6mm drop. The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris has a marginally bigger stack with 39.5mm in the heel and 34.5mm in the forefoot for a 5mm drop.

On weight, the Adios Pro 4 comes in at 202g or 7.1oz in my men’s UK 8.5 test shoe. That’s lighter than the Pro 3 but still a shade heavier than the Metaspeed Sky Paris – which comes in under 200g at 6.6 oz or 187g.

On price, both shoes land at $250. 

Design

The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris has a new midsole featuring a big stack of Flytefoam FF Turbo+ PEBA foam with a full length, flat carbon plate that sits higher in the midsole and has been widened in the forefoot region to improve the overall bounce from the foam during toe off.

The Adidas Adios Pro 4 midsole features a new-formula Lightstrike Pro that’s tuned differently and provides a little extra softness compared to the Adios Pro 3.

The forefoot rocker has been moved back to boost efficiency. It’s now positioned at 60% of the length of the shoe, the same as the Adidas Pro Evo 1. The Adios Pro 4 also carries the same carbon Energy Rods 2.0 as the Adios Pro 3.

Up top the ASICS has a light, breathable Motion Wrap 2.0 upper that’s perforated to keep things light and cool. The Adidas uses brand new Lightlock uppers with new locking bands that wrap the foot for a snug and secure fit, providing some additional support. These one-way stretch woven mesh uppers aim to address one of the biggest gripes with the Adios Pro 3 – that some runners found the fit somewhat fussy.

The Adidas Adios Pro 4’s thin wrapping tongues are now stitched in to prevent movement. They also have a little more lace-pinch-busting padding than the free moving and slightly flimsier Metaspeed tongues.

The Adidas Adios Pro 4 also has a simplified lacing structure with regular laces. That’s designed to make it easier to get a good fit, reduce some pressure points and boost comfort. The ASICS uses lock laces in a fairly standard set-up.

The heel collars on the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris have more padding, or at least a more traditional padding and a bit more structure in the heel counter. The Adidas Adios Pro 4 keeps the racy minimal collars with the internal pads. And everything is a bit more flexible back there.

Flip them over and booth shoes have the usual fairly thin and minimal, strategic rubber outsole for grip and to protect the high impact areas. The Adios Pro 4 uses Lighttraxion outsole for the main part with a strategic pad of Continental grip on the key landing point. There’s a bit more rubber covering the key impact zones in the heel, too.

Fit

In testing, I ran in a UK 8.5 (US9.5) Which is my regular ASICS size and I found the fit spot on. Snug and racy enough. The heels held well for me – no slipping or rubbing. The midfoot lockdown was easy to dial in, though I had a touch of lace pinch deeper into my marathons and longer runs. But nothing crazy.

The toe box feels airy and there’s good clearance across the top of the toes. Lengthwise I’d say they’re ok too. Though I did get one bruised toenail after my marathon test. But hold that thought.

I also ran in my regular Adidas running shoe size which is also UK 8.5 (US 9). On the whole I found the fit much improved over the Adios Pro 3.

However, I had some bigger issues with the length of the toe box. It narrows and perhaps comes up a quarter of a size too short. I only noticed this deep into my marathon test, where my big toenails caught the end of the shoe and I ended up with some badly battered big toenails.

On shorter runs this wasn’t a problem. Going half a size up might solve it. However, I think going a half size up might create problems elsewhere. I really just want a bit more length, or a less sharp taper to the toe box. 

I’m not the only runner who has reported this problem. So I’d pay close attention to length when choosing your size for the Adidas Adios Pro 4.

Check Out My 8 Best Carbon Race Shoes Here

Performance

In testing, I’ve put 100s of miles in the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris in training and racing. It’s a shoe I used last year to clock PBs at the 5km and marathon distance and was one of my best running shoes of 2024.

I’ve put in more than 50 miles in the Adidas Adios Pro 4. I’m yet to race an official marathon in them but I have done a solo marathon test.

The Metaspeed Sky Paris is ASICS’ best carbon plate shoe yet. One of - if not the best option – for chasing fast times for everything up to the marathon. It has all the ingredients you look for in a good carbon race shoe. Light, race, airy uppers, that big stack of bouncy midsole foam and a stiffness from the carbon plate that adds some extra pop.

This one feels more aggressive, I like the stiffness in the midsole unit, along with the just-right cushioning that dampens road impact without leaving you feeling completely disconnected from the road.

It’s light but cushioned, agile and precise. In some ways it it reminds me of the Nilke Vaporfly Next% 2. If you’re confident you’re in good racing shape it’s a marathon race shoe contender.

The updates to the Adidas Adios Pro 4 work, too. The uppers are a huge improvement, the midsole packs all the punch you look for in a carbon race shoe, the grippy outsole holds the road with excellent reliability. It also feels durable for a carbon racer.

It’s a shoe that works best when you’re moving fast. It responds better to locked-in form and top speed efforts and I think it’s right up there close to the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris and the Nike Alphafly Next% as a top race-day shoe. It’s softer than the Adios Pro 3 which some people like, others don’t.

My Verdict

When it comes to the ride, the energy, and the all-out race potential, you’ve got two excellent racers here. They’re light and lively, with a balance of punch and protection, that’s good for chasing fast times on race day, definitely up to the marathon.

Choosing between them comes down to a couple of things. First is fit. The toe nail woes of the Adidas Adios Pro 4 are problematic but not everyone suffers them. If you do, it’s not great. A bit more room in the toe box would score this shoe extra marks. But the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is better for comfort.

Check Out My 8 Best Carbon Race Shoes Here

Second there’s the reliability underfoot. The ASICS is more stable and I find the transitions smoother and more natural, particularly landing further back. The Adios Pro 4 gives more bounce and energy but you’re running off a softer platform that some might find too soft. The ASICS Metsapeed Sky Paris is more controlled.

Would I happily chase a PB in both shoes? Yes. Which one would I rather do it in?

Based on the fine details, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris wins it.