Fortunately, the traction is extremely good on both wet and dry roads, but that may be due to the weight keeping the shoe on the ground. As well as being more environmentally friendly, the upper is also comfortable, including the integrated cage system that fastens the shoes to the feet securely. Adistar combines a soft, lightweight REPETITOR foam platform with REPETITOR +, a firmer foam, to create a dual density midsole. That’s a few millimeters down from the other brands' massively cushioned shoe (Hoka Bondi is 36/40), but the Adistar feels every bit as big, if not a little bigger. Those who can take advantage of the rockered profile may be able to use these for long runs, but I found the weight to be too much for longer miles.

These sidewalls continue into the midfoot, which combined with the outsole flare on both sides provides resistance to medial and lateral motion.Most runners can’t run slow; no matter what your Garmin Coach says, it just feels too slow to run at that pace, right? A shorter stride means the hip extends less, the hip flexor muscles are not as lengthened and have a better angle to pull forward.

Unfortunately, the new foams don’t feel soft enough for distances over 10 km and the rocker doesn’t work well due to the big difference in foam densities so it doesn’t feel energy-saving or efficient. Jeff runs 30 miles per week on roads and trails around Denver, CO (and sometimes on the treadmill when the weather gets too much for a Phoenix native).The firmer REPETITOR + foam at the heel also creates a firmer place to land, that although clunky, creates more inherent stability.

Even though it has a somewhat-rockered shape, particularly in the forefoot, don't expect the incredibly smooth ride you'd get from a New Balance SC Trainer. The midsole combines two types of EVA: REPETITOR is a lightweight foam that gives the shoes an energetic feel, and REPETITOR+ is a firmer compound that cradles the heel. I think that Adidas were trying to go for a “Hoka” type of trainer- highly cushioned, medium drop with a rocker.I did not have any issue with the heel counter due to the cushioning and it does wrap the heel on both the medial and lateral sides almost to the midfoot.