Rounding off ten generations of running shoe: Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10 review

Adidas producing some of the most iconic footwear ever is nothing new. You might not know that the sportswear giant has built up a considerable track record when it comes to releasing the best running shoes, too. I’ve always found so much to love at Adidas, so I was more than pleased to hear about the milestone release of the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10 running shoes.

Taking these out of the box for the first time was a delight. Finished in preloved scarlet/aurora met/bright red, I had an inkling they'd stand out from a mile off. They ooze practicality, but style never takes a back seat. The Sen 10s are part of a long line of premium running shoes. Adidas clearly wanted to celebrate the tenth rendition, and it shows. You get the impression that Adidas was only competing with itself when it made the Takumi Sen 10’s, and the final product is undoubtedly a step up from any of its predecessors. These mid to high-priced running shoes look to be a testament to the Adidas heritage; let’s see if they can walk (or run) like they talk.

Verdict

The Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10 running shoes scan through the criteria for what makes a great running shoe and tick nearly every box. If you were to imagine the ideal reliable and durable running shoe, the Sen 10 is what you get. In the premium running shoe market, these shoes sit comfortably in that mid to high range, which is the right place for them. They’re far from a cheap and budget option for road running shoe, but they’re not at the heights of the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4’s which are retailing for almost £100 more.

The tough mesh upper won’t be to everyone’s taste, and it only takes a glance to see that these are in no way waterproof, but perhaps that’s not the point. The Adidas Takumi Sen 10’s aren’t for the runners looking for that floaty, spring-loaded, luxury running experience. They’re built for the hard runners who yearn to feel connected to the ground beneath them without sacrificing comfort or performance. If you’re serious about running and you can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into 10 generations of running shoes, these should be right up your alley.

What's good?

When thinking of how to describe the Takumi Sen 10’s, the word quality came around time and time again. The quality in these road running shoes is deep rooted, from the laces to the heel, cushioning and even down to the tread. I found the combination of a 6mm heel-toe drop with an incredibly secure heel and upper shoe made for a purposeful and direct ride. I felt safe when I was wearing these shoes, and that’s something I’d never given a moment’s thought to before. I had the SLINGLAUNCH HEEL Construction to thank for this strategically firm ride.

The mesh upper is super breathable, that much is for certain. I ran on a treadmill indoors and outside on the road, and the temperature control courtesy of this mesh upper is just brilliant.

I was thrilled with how these shoes looked from the moment I took them out the box. The design isn’t obnoxious either, the bold red covers the entire mid-section of the shoe, there’s a glowing green heel, and a blended strip that runs across the rubber outsole that goes from red and fades through orange, all the way to green. It’s not a slap in the face, it’s a carefully selected colour scheme that really works.

I couldn’t ignore that this is one practical pair of running shoes. What caught my attention immediately as I admired the robust design was a little etching that spelled out Continental™. Adidas has teamed up with Continental Tyres to expertly design the tread of these running shoes using quality high-grip rubber. This isn’t just for novelty’s sake either, as I quickly found out in practice. Not once did I slip in the Sen 10’s, and I ran across different road terrains in both dry and slippery conditions.

What's okay?

Despite being cheaper than some of the feircest competition, the Sen 10’s are still by no means cheap running shoes. Unfortunately, I can’t say I experienced any of the chauvinism that you’d come to expect from a running shoe with this price tag. Nothing in the wear made me perk up and think – that’s different, or that’s something special. That’s not to say that the Adizero Takumi Sen 10’s don’t earn their value, because they do. It might just take the beginner runner a little while to realise that actually, these running shoes are in fact the real deal.

Downsides?

Right off the bat, these running shoes run significantly small, they are not true to size whatsoever. I wear a size 10 in normal trainers and found that a size 11 was the correct fit for me, my typical size would have been far too tight. This wouldn’t be so bad if Adidas specified this in the size guides or the product description, but it doesn't.

The Adidas Takumi Sen 10’s aren’t waterproof at all. Now, adidas doesn’t advertise these as being waterproof running shoes, but they’re barely water resistant. Due to the light mesh upper, it only took the lightest of showers and the tops of my feet were practically soaked.

More items to consider:

How was the product tested?

I tested out the Adidas Takumi Sen 10’s, both out on the open road and within the constraints of a gym treadmill. With them being road running shoes, I thought it to be unfair to judge how they faired on the trail or in any other extremely adverse conditions that they weren’t built for. I walked, jogged, ran, and even sprinted in the Sen 10’s (for as long as I could, that is).

Jack Barrell is a Tech and Fitness Writer for What’s the Best. He is invested in all things entertainment and keeps well up to date with the latest sports and exercise trends too. On his off days Jack can usually be found doing one of two things; lifting heavy weights – or watching his favourite Star Wars for the thousandth time.