Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0

Cheap and easy-going shoes for undemanding sport activities. That’s how I would characterize Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 in one sentence. I tested the man’s version for some 20 miles running and for other indoor activities, such as exercising in my private gym and cross training. So pretty simple. I believe that you may think that just 20 miles is definitely not enough for testing a running model. And normally, it is true. Normally, I do around 50 to 100 miles before writing an opinion about running shoes. But not in the case of Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0. And I will explain to you later why. Let’s take a look at them step by step.

Elastic bands are not adjustable…

That was the first thing that I noticed when I got Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 into my hands. The shoe laces are on the top of the shoes for their better look and esthetics. But they cannot be tightened and used to improve the stability or for fixation inside the shoes. The laces serve just as a decoration. So that Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 are just an easy slip on/ slip out model. Just for this fact, when I saw them, I knew this wouldn’t be a racing model under any circumstances. For real running, you need to have shoes adjustable to your feet as much as possible. And this was not the case.

Other usage

If you get the right sizing though, Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 may still serve you well for some easier cardio or casual walks outside. By easier cardio, I mean a rowing machine, stationary bicycle indoors or maybe a short run on a treadmill. For these they are good enough because the shoes are actually pretty comfortable and breathable. So even though you may not use them well for hard and long runs because of the lacing, you may use them the way I outlined. Now, I guess you can better understand why I only gave them a try for just 20 miles and then stopped. Well, the truth is that it was not just for the lacing. 

What I couldn’t stand as a runner

Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 has a low-quality midsole. I recognise it as I have all my life problems with sensitive knees. In case the midsole is not greatly responsive and it is rather hard and stiff, I start to have my knees in pain in a few miles. I did in total 4 times 5 miles run and that was my maximum. The Cloudfoam is simply not the best midsole below the sun. It is incomparable with Adidas Boost that you may find in Adidas Ultraboost series. Those are the real running shoes. 

But you need to realize one thing. Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 is not pretending to be something special. Also the price is more than twice lower than in the case of Adidas Ultraboost 20. So it all perfectly makes sense. You want quality? Then go and get Adidas Ultraboost or Nike Zoom series. If you want to stay casual, then grab  Adidas Lite Racer 3.0. 

The last point worth mentioning…

Be careful about the sizing. I have pretty standard feet, size 9.5 (US) and I felt I would needhalf a size smaller than usual, size 9. Not a big deal as I didn’t plan to use them after testing anymore but still… It is another thing to be aware of before the purchase. So the question is, is it worth buying Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3.0? If you want something cheap for casual wear and undemanding light exercising, sure then go for them. If you want real running shoes, go and get something else.