REVIEW: Go Lightweight with the adidas adiZero Sonic 4

adidas Sonic 6

None

adidas Sonic 6

Category: Running (neutral)

Best for: Summer running

Star Feature: Lightweight air mesh upper for seamless comfort

Weight: 8.5 ounces

With so many great adidas running sneakers out on the market, sometimes a few noteworthy models tend to get lost in the shuffle and go seemingly unnoticed. Well not here at Sneaker Report—where we give every shoe (no matter how under-hyped) an equal opportunity to impress us. One such shoe is the adiZero Sonic 4.

To get straight to the point, I enjoyed running in the Sonic 4 over the past couple of months. And since running is all about enjoyment, that in it self says a lot about this shoe. Although, while it has all of the same technology (such as Adiprene+ and Torsion System) you’d find in an elite racing model like the Adios 2, for me, the Sonic 4 falls into more of a training shoe category.

It’s incredibly lightweight, from the flat laces down to the thin single-layer mesh upper that lets air in and out for proper temperature regulation. For someone like myself, who doesn’t like running without socks as it causes the feet to sweat more, the Sonic’s seamless construction is so well put together, it inspired me to leave the socks at home more often than not.

The shoe has more than enough room in the toe box—great for runners with wide feet. Adiprene+ in the forefoot helps promote a natural gait cycle, while the Torsion System midfoot shank gives the shoe some structural integrity.

The Sonic 4 fits true to size. It comes miCoach-ready for runners who want to maximize their training by tracking performance in real time. The shoe’s outsole features a siped traction pattern made from blown rubber to help keep the shoe’s weight down without compromising its grip capacity. Flex grooves in the forefoot allow for greater range of motion, as well as a stronger toe-off. The Sonic 4 comes with minimalist-friendly insoles, though they are removable for runners who need a bit more padding.

On paper, adidas calls the Sonic 4 an all-terrain shoe. However my recommendation is to keep to the road in this one. While the outsole is aggressive enough to tackle mild off-road terrain, the shoe’s upper features a very minimal construction, therefore isn’t very durable. So for one thing, they don’t offer a whole lot of protection against debris, and second, the synthetic overlays on the forefoot tend to scuff up and pick up dirt on the trail. A problem since they’re really hard to clean.

The Sonic 4 is a solid choice for everyday running. The one problem I have with the shoe is its tongue design. The good thing about it is that it’s sewn to the upper for improved comfort. But it doesn’t extend far enough over the collar to my liking. On occasion your knot will slip under the tongue and cause a bit of a distraction.

Bottom Line: The adiZero Sonic 4 is an excellent choice for runners with a neutral stride looking for an everyday training shoe this summer. It offers a great blend of lightweight comfort and a surprising amount foot support. Easily one of the best running shoes under $100 available today.

$80 

RELATED: REVIEW: Taking a Spin in the adidas Energy Boost

RELATED: FIELD TEST: 5 Watches Every Runner Should Consider

Latest in Sneakers