Adidas Adios 9

The Adidas Adios 9 is a stripped-down, low-to-the-ground training shoe designed for top-end speed training. While most of the market is moving toward max cushion and comfort, the Adios 9 offers a simple, no-frills ride. The midsole features a thin non-plated layer of Adidas' Lightstrike Pro OG race foam (not the super soft squishy stuff in the Adios Pro 4 marathon racing shoe). It's a connected feel that lets the runner do the work with minimal assistance and protection. This is the shoe to get if you're looking for something that offers a lot of ground feel and flexibility for sprints, hill training and short, fast repeats. It's also a good option for track athletes looking for a training alternative to spikes. If you're training for a marathon or prefer more cushion and comfort in your speed shoe, consider the Nike Pegasus Plus, New Balance Rebel v4 or Adidas Evo SL.