I have spent the last three years training for the London Marathon – and on October 3, 2022, I finally crossed the finish line.
From Covid postponements to injuries, just about everything that could possibly hinder me completing the epic race has occurred, but this put me in a unique position to trial just about every running product on the market to find the ones that can optimise long-distance running. The most important lesson? Investing in the perfect set of trainers.
For footwear that will have you covered through elevated mileage, you need the right balance of comfort and support with the level of foam playing a crucial role in order to absorb the shock impact from the ground and keep your joints pain-free. This is all while remaining lightweight and responsive to push you off into your next step.
A marathon is 26.2 miles – that’s 42km – so to say that we put our trainers through their paces is an understatement. That means durability is crucial for standing the test of time, your training and the race, otherwise the cost can really start to add up.
Both Adidas and Nike use proprietary materials to improve responsiveness and put a spring in your step as you stride. Adidas is known for its Boost that has evolved into Repetitor+ technology that is all about cradiling and stabilising, while Nike’s use of foam and a carbon plate create a feeling of flying as your foot takes off from the floor’s impact. But which is best? We put the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly and Adidas Adistar CS through extensive long-run experience to find out.
Specs
- Redesigned mesh upper |
- Engineered mesh upper |
- Traditional lace closure |
- Traditional lace closure |
- Wider toe box |
- Rocker and EVA compound |
- Reinforcement at forefoot |
- REPETITOR+ midsole |
- Nike ZoomX foam |
- Internal support cage |
The look
Both the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly and Adidas Adistar CS are hard to miss - but for very different reasons. While the models have stacked foam soles, the Vaporfly takes a streamlined approach to its silhouette in terms of the upper that is almost indistinguishable when they’re on your feet, while the Adistars are far more cushioned and chunky.
There are many different colourways of both shoe that ranges from the minimalistic black and white to the bolder, brighter neon orange and highlighter yellow. I leant towards the latter in order to stand out among the other racers and found that the Nike trainers actually glowed in the dark when worn in an indoor 1Rebel Reshape class.
The Adistar are composed of Parley Ocean Plastic and recycled polyester so get bonus points for sustainability.
The feel
As is immediately apparent as you slip on the Vaporfly shoes, this is like a second sock, only better. The shoe is so incredibly lightweight that you’ll barely feel like you’re wearing anything, which is great in terms of speed but not so much in terms of ankle support. This is sacrificed in order to secure better cushioning at the sole. Honourable mention goes to the full-length carbon-fibre plate so whether you land on your heel, midfoot, or forefoot, you can benefit from the responsive nature of the shoe.
On treadmill runs, I felt as if I was about to take off, while there was no calf pain whatsoever when taking to the streets. During the marathon, the shoes held out extremely well and no blisters followed - quite a feat compared to the struggles of my fellow runners. The shoe is narrow and the grip is placed only at the front so may feel slippery for heel strikers.
As mentioned, the Adistar shoes are more cushioned and have a wider fit that does allow for swelling. It also make you feel like your feet are very much protected from the elements, from the cushioned landing on the dual-density midsole, to the rocker sole. The shoes are the first from Adidas with the updated Repetitor+foam which now frames the heel. This allows for a good distibution of weight, stability and bounce-off but does make for a heavier shoe (336g vs Nike’s 187g). These shoes can go straight from the box to the pavements and require no break-in time - but the cushioning means they come up small so opt for half a size up and wear around the house before committing to make sure they don’t rub. The continental rubber for grip is particularily welcomed for training through the winter.
Verdict
For a racing shoe, the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 is undeniably the better speed shoe. It is streamlined, lightweight, has impressive propulsion and the upper is highly breathable like a second sock.
For training, however, the Adidas Adistar CS will protect your joints with its cushioning and stability. It is worth noting though that the price difference is significant.
