adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung, reviewed by our sports podiatrist: Why is the Ferrari for popular runners?

In this RUNNEA Magazine article I want to tell you a few things about the adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung premuimrunning shoes, classified in what we already call "SuperShoes", although in this case, an "Illegal SuperShoe".

I'm not going to talk about when the World Athletics back in the early 2020, took out a new regulation on the authorized sports footwear for official tests, making a custom suit for some models of a brand in question were legal. Rivers of ink have been written on the subject. What I will tell you is that the adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung are not part of that select group of legal super shoes:

An excessive midsole profile: 50 mm in the heel and 43.5 mm in the forefoot (drop of approximately 6 mm), with no more than 40 mm allowed in the heel.

For presenting a double carbon plate in a catapult position in the toe to increase propulsion.

Main arguments in favor of the adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung

As to why the 40 mm. in the heel was taken as the maximum valor, many things have also been said, the main arguments being the following:

• To avoid an excess of foams with propulsive capacity under the foot.
• Limiting the ability to play exaggeratedly with a geometry (mainly the rear and forefoot rockers) to accelerate the speed during the stance phase of the foot.
• Limit the number of parts that can be inserted in the midsole, such as carbon plate or propulsion-enhancing systems/designs.

First argument: develop foams with greater propulsive capacity.

At least it requires the runner to train many hours and adapt his/her running style to this type of running shoes. We can say that it is a help, but it requires effort and training, and, of course, it has limits, since the greater the thickness, the greater the risk of generating instability during the stride. All this with the risks that this entails for the health of the runner.

Second argument: playing with midsole geometry

For years now we have been saying that era a concept that brands should work on because it would effectively serve to lower race times.

Third argument: limiting the pieces that are placed in the midsole

Personally I think that this is the factor that can have the greatest influence on performance and improvement of marks in an âilegalâ way, since the amount of systems that can be hidden inside the midsole foam and that help propulsion (mainly by placing two parallel plates that make a spring effect in the propulsion area of the shoe), increases the greater the thickness of this layer, so limiting it helps to limit what meta inside.

All this comes from the fact that relevant studies have finally been published, showing that shoes with a profile above 40 mm (and therefore illegal), do not improve performance in such a clear way and that there are many factors that influence it.

Bibliographic references to take into account

For those who want to go deeper into the subject, I leave you some articles that talk about this topic, courtesy of Santiago A. Ruiz-Alias, professor at the University of Granada and who is not only a great researcher, but also a fantastic runner, so he understands much better everything that happens under your feet and the possible influence of a running shoes during the race.

1. Barrons, Z.B.; Wannop, J.W.; Stefanyshyn, D.J. The influence of footwear midsole trickness on running biomechanics and running economy in famale and male runners. Footwear Sci. 2023, 15, 155-160.
2. Bertschy, M.; Lino, H.; Healey, L.; Hoogkamer, W. Effects of midsole stack height and foam on the metabolic cost of running. Footwear Sci. 2023, 15, S180-S181.

That saidâŠ.maybe we need to rethink what is legal or not regarding super shoe designs.

What are the sections that I value the most about this adidas Adizero Prime X2 Strung?

When it comes to the aspects that have surprised me the most in this second version of the adidas Adizero Prime X Strung, I appeal to both my perspective as a podiatrist at the PODUM clinic in Cordoba, as well as to my facet as an experienced runner. I also add to all these ingredients that point of 'enrichment' that I have with the running shoes that fall into my hands. Here are my impressions, and I await your feedback to see if you share my vision.

Greater sense of stability with nuances

First of all I put stability first. Keeping in mind the height and the design they have. Ok, you are rightâŠ.maybe to say that it is a stable shoe is going too far, but I really expected them to be much more unstable, but they have improved a lot compared to the first adidas Adizero Prime X Strung (bigger base and a little less profile).

Of course⊠as long as you do not have a running technique where you land on the external area of the heel, where we see that it is a piece more collected than the internal part and support in that area will generate a great instability.

Warning to navigators: refrain from using itrunners/as heelers with support by the external zone of the heel.

Better adaptation to wet surfaces

Another detail that I loved about this shoe are the materials of the sole, a mix of different rubbers, looking for and achieving maximum grip and lightness even on wet surfaces.

Best running shoes of each brand by distance and pace

Upper with a new, more attractive and functional redesign

Finally, let's talk about the upper. Not only does it look cool, but it is designed based on miles data collected from the stresses that a runner generates on the upper during the race. The colors are different threads that seek different objectives: control, flexibility, elasticityâŠalso seeking greater durability of this strategic point of the shoe.

In short, these adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung are pure technology.

Points to improve of the adidas Adizero Prime X 2 2.0 Strung

I think it could be improved in terms of stability by simply designing a more symmetrical Crash Pad, although I understand that the adidas staff does not design this type of sports shoe for everyone.

Just this shoe has been launched to cover a market within the 'popular top runners' and that this small modification would delight many of them.

Recommended uses, paces and distances of the adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung

I consider this premium runningshoe from adidas an ideal model for runners looking for a Ferrari for competitions or quality training, weighing no more than 80 kilos, with a neutral stride and good running technique.

It is also an option capable of maintaining a pace of 4 or 4:30/km for quite a long time, as I believe that the best performance can be obtained in the last kilometers of half marathon and marathon distances. This is a point of the race where our muscles appreciate the rest offered by the carbon plates (and in this case twice) to maintain the pace of the beginning of the race.

The adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung are a true technological marvel, possibly the most advanced on the market and that shows in the price and in the sensations they transmit when running with them.

My final verdict on these adidas Adizero Prime X 2.0 Strung can't be other than⊡chapeaufor adidas!

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