adidas Adistar BYD review | What is it for?

Summary

In this first impression review, Alex explores the Adidas Adistar Beyond, a premium addition to Adidas’ 2024 lineup. Released on June 1st, the shoe features a plush engineered mesh upper, generous heel padding, and a three-layer midsole with a full-length Distance Drive plate for stability and responsiveness. Weighing 323 g in the sample, it excels in long-distance training and endurance runs, offering comfort and a dependable ride. While not ideal for faster paces due to its weight and slightly flat plate, it is a solid choice for beginners and advanced runners seeking a stable, high-quality training shoe. Price is around €190.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Adidas Adistar Beyond is a new premium addition to Adidas’ 2024 running shoe lineup, expanding an already crowded range.
• 🏃‍♂️ The shoe features a high stack height (40mm heel / 34mm forefoot) and a 6mm drop, targeting cushioned long-distance running.
• ⚖️ At around 323g, the shoe is considered heavy, which significantly limits its performance at faster paces.
• 👟 The upper is plush and comfortable with generous padding, but it runs warm and may not be ideal for hot conditions.
• 🔒 Heel lockdown is not perfect due to excessive padding and slightly short laces, which may require a runner’s knot adjustment.
• 🧪 The midsole uses a combination of Repetitor+ foam, Lightstrike Pro, and a full-length plate for cushioning, stability, and responsiveness.
• ⚡ The ride is stable, smooth, and dependable, with a mild ‘pop,’ but not aggressive enough for speed or racing.
• 🛡️ The shoe provides gentle stability features that help reduce overpronation without feeling overly controlling.
• 📏 The plate design is relatively flat, requiring more effort during toe-off compared to more rockered or aggressive designs.
• 📉 The shoe performs best at easy to moderate paces and struggles to maintain efficiency at faster efforts.
• 🎯 Ideal use cases include long runs, endurance sessions, and marathon training—especially for beginners.
• 💸 With a price around €190, it sits in a competitive range but may feel slightly overpriced given its limited versatility.
• ⚔️ Compared to alternatives like the Boston 12 or ASICS Superblast, it is less versatile and more specialized.
• 👍 The shoe stands out for comfort, stability, and ease of use right out of the box.
• 👎 Its main drawbacks are weight, limited speed capability, and reduced versatility within a training rotation.

Q & A

What is the Adidas Adistar Beyond and when was it released?

The Adidas Adistar Beyond (also referred to as Adistar BYD) is a premium running shoe in Adidas' Adistar lineup, released on June 1, 2024.

What are the key specifications of the Adistar Beyond?

The shoe features a 40 mm heel stack, 34 mm forefoot stack (6 mm drop), and weighs around 323 grams in a men’s US size 11, which is considered relatively heavy.

How does the upper of the Adistar Beyond perform?

The upper is made of engineered mesh that is thick, plush, and comfortable, but it runs warm and may not be ideal for hot weather. It also absorbs sweat easily.

What issue was noted with the heel lockdown?

The heel has very generous padding, which can create excess movement and less secure lockdown. A runner’s knot could help, but the laces are slightly too short to easily use that technique.

What technologies are used in the midsole?

The midsole combines three elements: Repetitor+ foam (EVA-based carrier), Lightstrike Pro foam for added cushioning and responsiveness, and a full-length plastic plate called 'Distance Drive.'

How does the shoe perform during runs?

The ride is described as reliable, stable, and comfortable across different paces. It performs well for easy to moderate runs and can handle marathon pace, but struggles at faster speeds.

What is the main drawback of the Adistar Beyond?

The main drawback is its weight, which limits its performance at faster paces and makes it less suitable for racing.

How does the plate design affect the running experience?

The plate provides stability and some propulsion but is relatively flat, requiring more effort from the runner to push off. Some runners may prefer a more curved plate for easier toe-off.

What type of runs is the Adistar Beyond best suited for?

It is best suited for long runs, endurance sessions, and steady-paced workouts. It is also suitable for beginner marathon runners as a stable and supportive training shoe.

How does the shoe compare to other models like the Boston 12?

Compared to the Boston 12, the Adistar Beyond is heavier and less versatile. The Boston is lighter and more adaptable for different types of training, making it a strong competitor.

Is the Adistar Beyond considered good value for money?

At around €190, it is slightly overpriced by about €10 according to the reviewer, especially considering competition from lighter and more versatile shoes.

What are the overall strengths of the Adistar Beyond?

Its strengths include comfort, stability, dependable ride, and suitability for long-distance training, making it a solid addition to a runner’s rotation.