Adidas Adios Pro 4 vs ASICS Metaspeed Sky and Edge Tokyo for the Marathon

The verdict

We haven't run in any of these shoes. This comparison uses the makers' descriptions, RunRepeat's lab measurements and the specs linked on each product card. All three come from brands with official Amazon brand stores.

Specs side by side

On paper they're close: listed heel stacks of 39 to 39.5 mm, listed weights of 6 to 7.1 oz for a men's shoe, and drops of 5 to 6 mm. RunRepeat's lab tells a slightly different story on weight and drop: it weighed the Sky Tokyo at 5.7 oz and the Adios Pro 4 at 7.1 oz, and measured drops of 6.0 mm (Sky), 6.9 mm (Edge) and 8.1 mm (Adios Pro 4). The biggest real differences aren't in this table, though. They're in how each shoe is shaped for a stride.

Stride or cadence: the Metaspeed split

ASICS makes two versions of its marathon super shoe, and the difference is in the plate. Both use the same FF LEAP and FF TURBO PLUS foams; ASICS says the main difference is the shape and positioning of the full-length carbon plate.

• Sky Tokyo: for what ASICS calls stride-style runners, "who have a long, loping gait and increase their speed by increasing their stride length."
• Edge Tokyo: for cadence-style runners, "who take smaller steps and increase their speed by increasing both their stride length and the number of steps."

If you don't know which you are, a GPS watch that records cadence (steps per minute) can help: watch how your cadence and stride length change between an easy run and a faster one, and compare that with ASICS's descriptions. We don't know of a published cut-off, so treat it as a guide, not a test. If you're still unsure, the Edge is the safer default: RunRepeat says it gives heel strikers better stability than the Sky, largely thanks to more of the firmer FF TURBO PLUS foam in that area.

The adidas answer is different: one shoe for everyone who suits it, with five carbon-infused Energy Rods 2.0 in Lightstrike Pro foam rather than a single plate.

The adidas approach: rods, not a plate

Where ASICS tunes one plate two ways, adidas builds the Adios Pro 4 around Energy Rods 2.0: five carbon-infused rods that RunRepeat says mimic the bones of the foot, set in Lightstrike Pro foam on a 39 mm / 33 mm listed stack. RunRepeat recommends it to runners who found the Adios Pro 3 too firm and to midfoot and forefoot strikers looking for a plush super shoe, and rates it versatile from 5K to the marathon. It lists it as one of its top picks for the marathon.

The version-to-version changes cut both ways. RunRepeat measured a lighter shoe (7.1 oz, down 8% from the Adios Pro 3) with 80.3% heel energy return, but also a narrower, tapered toebox and a midsole it says loses bounce sooner than its predecessor's. If you loved the roomy fit of the Adios Pro 3, try the 4 on before you commit.

What about the Metaspeed Ray?

ASICS launched a third shoe alongside the Sky and Edge Tokyo. The Metaspeed Ray uses only FF LEAP foam and a minimal carbon plate, and ASICS gives its weight as 129 grams for a men's size 9 and says it is "designed for athletes who prioritize a bouncy, weightless ride" and "particularly efficient for forefoot strikers." RunRepeat calls it "extremely unstable underfoot," says it is not for heel strikers, and points runners who need stability to the Sky Tokyo. It's a specialist racer for efficient forefoot runners, so we've kept it out of this comparison; most marathoners choosing between these brands are better served by the Sky or Edge.

Where they differ

Stability and heel strikers

This is the deciding factor for many marathoners. RunRepeat lists the Adios Pro 4 as unstable for every heel striker and measured its heel at 80.4 mm wide. It says the Sky Tokyo's heel is unstable for heel strikers too. The Edge Tokyo is the steadiest of the three for a heel-first landing, though RunRepeat still says it may feel too unstable for marathoners seeking control and an easy ride.

Fit and toebox

RunRepeat measured the toeboxes at 69.5 mm (Adios Pro 4), 70.1 mm (Sky Tokyo) and 73.0 mm (Edge Tokyo). It notes the Adios Pro 4 moved to a tapered toebox that gives up the roomier fit of the Adios Pro 3, and that it fits slightly small; it rates the Sky Tokyo true to size but narrow. Both Metaspeed models list a wide width; we couldn't confirm a wide for the Adios Pro 4 in our sources.

Weight and energy return

RunRepeat weighed the Sky Tokyo at 5.7 oz and the Adios Pro 4 at 7.1 oz. It measured heel energy return at 80.3% (Adios Pro 4), 78.5% (Sky Tokyo) and 78.3% (Edge Tokyo). All three are high; none of these gaps will matter as much as a shoe that suits your stride.

Durability

RunRepeat says the Adios Pro 4's midsole loses bounce sooner than the Adios Pro 3's, and it scored the toebox durability of both Metaspeed models at 1 out of 5. All three are race-day shoes; keep your training miles in trainers.

RunRepeat's lab numbers side by side

One pattern stands out: the Adios Pro 4's lab drop (8.1 mm) is well above its listed 6 mm, while the two Metaspeed models measured within about 2 mm of their listed 5 mm. If drop matters to you, the lab figure is the one to weigh.

Training partners from the same brands

A super shoe is for race day and a few key sessions; the miles happen in something else. Both brands make a plateless trainer in the same foam family as their racer. adidas' Adizero Evo SL uses a full Lightstrike Pro midsole with no carbon, at 7.9 oz (men's 9) per Believe in the Run. ASICS' Superblast 3 uses an FF Leap top layer, the same foam name as the Metaspeed's, over FF Blast Plus, and Doctors of Running frames it as a super daily trainer up to a marathon shoe. Either can carry long runs while the racer stays fresh; our marathon training shoe picks rank the full field.

Before you race in one

• Size carefully. RunRepeat says the Adios Pro 4 fits slightly small and rates the Sky Tokyo true to size but narrow. Try the Metaspeed in wide if the standard pinches.
• Test it long. Hal Higdon's advice for any race shoe is at least two or three runs, including one semi-long run, before racing a marathon in it.
• Keep the miles low. RunRepeat scored both Metaspeed uppers at 1 out of 5 for toebox durability and says the Adios Pro 4's midsole loses bounce sooner than its predecessor's. Save them for race day.

Which suits your level

Racing the 10K or half first? adidas also makes a plateless trainer that pairs with the Adios Pro 4; see our adidas Evo SL vs Adios Pro comparison. For half marathon racers, our half marathon race shoe picks rank racers for 13.1.

Who should buy which

• Midfoot or forefoot striker, one racer for every distance: Adios Pro 4.
• Long-striding forefoot runner, marathon focus, wants the lightest shoe: Metaspeed Sky Tokyo.
• Quick-stepping runner, or a mild heel striker who wants a Metaspeed: Metaspeed Edge Tokyo.
• Needs a wide: Sky Tokyo or Edge Tokyo in wide; the Edge also measured the roomiest toebox.
• Clear heel striker, or first plated marathon: the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 instead.

For the full ranking of marathon racers, including the Nike Alphafly 3, see our best marathon shoes. Weighing Nike too? Read Alphafly vs Vaporfly.