Adidas Adizero Tempo

ADIDAS ADIZERO TEMPO RUNNING SHOES REVIEW

As what its name ADIZERO suggest, this running shoes built with philosophy of lightness, even not as light as the lightest in ADIZERO family like Adidas ADIZERO Mana, Adidas ADIZERO Adios, Adidas Adizero XCS,  Adidas Adizero Rocket, Adidas Adizero Ace and the newest one Adidas Adizero F50. Weight at 270gm, Adidas Adizero Tempo is slightly lighter than Adidas Adizero Boston which weight at 274gm. Categorized as “performance stability running shoes” – what can be interpreted with this term? What I assume based on simple theory of assumption is that “performance” means Adidas Adizero Tempo is light even it hold position as the heaviest in the ADIZERO range, but not light enough to be categorized as “racing”. “Stability” means it has support of all round cushioning from heel to forefoot which transform into a slight thick cushion and firm built around ankle.  Both Adidas Adizero Boston and Adidas Adizero Tempo would be in this same category but built for different foot motion mechanic.  Adidas Adizero Tempo is built for Overponation while Adidas Adizero Boston is built for Normal and Underpronation foot motion mechanic. 

Adidas Adizero Tempo looks good for a running shoes 

My Adidas Adizero Tempo running shoe is in Black and Orange color scheme looks good. With black you have little worry about dirt and cleaning regularly. Its fabric material is light and seems to dry quick and breath. Unlike my Nike free run+ running shoes which have narrow shape that wrap tight, this one give ample space for wide feet like me and it is very comfortable too.

Adidas Adizero Tempo have  Higher Ankle Collar than Nike Free Run+ 

Adidas Adizero Tempo ankle collar even higher than Adidas Adizero XT

Adidas Adizero Tempo running shoes has mark of “full forefoot” on its sole that I think meant for wide forefoot sole that to improve stability rather than to do with cushioning. Adidas Technology in this shoe are; Ground-adapting FORMOTION moves with your motion and the TORSION SYSTEM keeps responses fast and  provides adaptive midfoot support; adiPRENE® under the heel for superior cushioning at impact and Pro-Moderator medial support device prevents overpronation, which result Adidas Adizero Tempo have higher level of cushion on inside arch sole. I easily realize this aspect at the first time wearing this shoe. With all these enhancement around ankle and heel Adidas Adizero Tempo running shoes promotes heel strike.  I’m not saying that you can’t strike with your mid / forefoot strike with this shoes but it feel not as free as Nike Free Run+ running shoes for me to practice mid /forefoot strike running motion.  Adidas Adizero Tempo’s sole around heel not as thick Adidas Supernova, AdiStar or Adidas Cushion. This not so thick sole help  reduce  it weight which deserve Adizero Tempo for “performance” title.  Height drop from heel to forefoot is there but not higher than Adidas Supernova or Adidas Cushion thus give ample possibility for forefoot strike motion.  High top collar around ankle apply some restriction on my ankle to flex for forefoot strike but this give a good firm, tight feeling around heel and promote stability which is missing in Adidas Adizero Mana. This is why I regarded Adidas Adizero Tempo as Heel Strike Shoes which is good for what it is built for. Frankly at the first time testing this Adidas Adizero Tempo running shoes I really contemplating to sell back this shoes simply because it  high collar around ankle hurt me and prevent me from practice the forefoot strike running motion that I love with Nike Free Run+ running Shoes. But all this has been blessing in disguise. I decided to give several test run with it and started to like what I found out.  To overcome pain / irritation that cause by high collar ankle, I have to land my feet as close as my centre of gravity as possible and offset the lost stride range by pushing my stride backward as far as possible, this is what really should be of How to Run Efficiently.  While Nike Free Run+ running shoes help me to discover forefoot strike mechanic, Adidas Adizero Tempo has help me to refine it.  By landing as close as possible at my centre of gravity I have further reduce the braking effect of front foot over stride and make it easier for my body to tilt forward and create forward momentum. Adidas Adizero Tempo’s high heel will not cause much problem on flat surface even though I do unintentionally heel strike when fatigue set in and posture is broken. The high heel would grab the ground when you are running on descending ground, this will create braking and further broken your rhythm.  When this happens the excellent cushioning and stability around heel area will give proper support that you need.

Nike Free Run+ is lighter than Adidas Adizero Tempo with cushion kept at minimum saw off that extra weight and with better flexibility. Nike Free Run+ also looks better - good for running and would also looks good for sight seeing

Adidas Adizero Tempo Forefoot cushion is excellent, it offer protection that you need even for a long distance run. This is a level of excellent forefoot cushioning that I’m looking for. For each step I almost could feel the cushioning effect and not hard on my forefoot – but not too soft. Its foam is firm enough to provide a solid base for toe-off. Only if this running shoe is flat with minimum drop from heel to forefoot, Adidas Adizero Tempo would be my top choice running shoes. The thick heel sole part spoilt my forefoot strike motion which also becomes unnecessary excess weight. For forefoot   strike runner or minimalist runner like me would prefer flat running shoes with excellent cushion in forefoot area rather than thick sole at heel area which should be kept at minimal.

Whether you will opt for Adidas Adizero Tempo for your marathon or race is depend on your personal choice. Some would prefer lightness over cushioning for faster run while some may prefer proper cushioning for protection to endure constant pounding on long distance.  It is a quest of finding perfect balance that varies from person to person. It may involve distance and your running objective,  for me this Adidas Adizero Tempo offer good protection for long distance run, for a race up to 10km you may opt for lighter race running shoes such as Adizero Adios or Nike Free Run+ , however Adidas Adizero Tempo would do the job just fine if you not really particular about going fast and winning first prize. This shoe is perfect for my training shoes and even good for competition but if you looking for light racing or flat running shoes there are others that could fit the term better.  I bought this for RM306 from Al Ikhsan Alamanda, I think the price is justified for a performance running shoe that lighter and better than average RM100-200 thick heel sole running shoe but if you just looking for jogging shoe and believe that heavy shoes exercise you better than just buy a cheaper one.

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