Adidas Adistar 4

The Adidas Adistar 4 is an entry-level daily trainer designed for comfort and versatility. Priced at $140, it competes with shoes like the Nike Pegasus 41 and ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27. Compared to the previous version, the Adistar 3, this update features a slightly more aggressive rocker geometry and an upgraded upper with more padding and improved materials. Unfortunately, in the pair we reviewed, the foam in the left shoe felt about 7% softer—especially in the heel—and the shoe ran at least a half size small compared to our usual size. At its best—when sized correctly and if both shoes have consistent foam feeling—the Adistar 4 is a solid daily trainer. It sits on the softer side of the Goldilocks zone, offering a smooth ride, decent bounce, and a satisfying snap at toe-off. At its worst, however, it's borderline unrunnable, with sizing issues and foam inconsistencies that seriously impact performance. The Adistar 3, by contrast, had just the right amount of softness for relaxed miles and recovery doubles. Its foam—which is the same in the newer version—held up well for runs over 60 minutes and never bottomed out. If you’re considering the Adistar 4, we highly recommend trying it on in-store to ensure proper fit and to check for any inconsistencies in the foam between shoes. If you're looking for alternatives, we’d suggest sticking with the Adistar 3 (currently on sale for $65), or checking out the Nike Vomero 18 ($155), the ASICS Dynablast 5 (on sale for $100), or the Skechers Aero Burst ($140)—which is a bit heavier but offers a much more reliable and fun ride.