Overview

The Prime X Strung 3 remains a super-max cushioned, World Athletics-illegal shoe designed for runners who want huge amounts of foam, plenty of propulsion and a ride that can handle everything from long runs to faster efforts.

Compared with version two, the big changes are:

• Wider forefoot

• Better fit

• More bounce

• Slightly lower weight

• Plate-and-rods setup instead of two plates

• More flexibility

• Better stability than the original

• More responsive ride than version two

For me, it feels like a halfway house between the original Prime X Strung and version two.

And that is mostly a good thing.

Key Stats

In my UK size 9.5:

• Weight: around 305–306g

• Heel stack: around 50mm

• Forefoot stack: around 43mm

• Drop: approximately 7mm

• Upper: Strung booty-style construction

• Midsole: Multiple densities of Lightstrike Pro

• Propulsion: Carbon plate plus EnergyRods

• Outsole: Lighttraxion + Continental rubber

• Fit: Wider than versions one and two

• Price: around £250 retail

The weight is probably the biggest disappointment.

I expected something closer to the original Prime X Strung at around 270g, but instead it is much closer to version two.

It is lighter than version two, but only slightly.

Upper – 4/5

The Prime X Strung 3 continues with Adidas' Strung upper.

I have never been the biggest fan of this material.

It is slightly scratchy and feels heavier and more structured than something like the excellent upper on the Adios Pro 4.

That said, the fit is considerably better than version two.

The biggest improvements are:

• More forefoot width

• More toe volume

• Less tapering

• Better accommodation for wide feet

• Better overall lockdown

For the first time in a Prime X Strung, I can properly splay my toes.

That is a major improvement.

The booty-style construction also wraps securely around the foot, and although there is still a little heel movement, it is much better than version two.

The laces remain poor.

There is no proper additional eyelet for a runner's knot and no substantial tongue padding to cinch the laces against.

So there is still obvious room for improvement.

Upper score: 4/5.

Midsole – 4.5/5

This is the most complicated part of the shoe.

Unlike version two, which used two plates, version three combines:

one carbon plate + EnergyRods

That already makes the shoe more flexible.

But Adidas has also used several different densities of Lightstrike Pro throughout the platform.

The interesting part is that the bright red foam in the forefoot is not actually the softest section.

My measurements suggested:

• Firmer foam through the central forefoot

• Softer foam above the plate

• Softer foam underneath the rods

• Very soft foam around the heel

That appears deliberate.

The firmer central section provides stability underneath the forefoot, while the softer sections around it allow the shoe to compress and rebound.

The ride is therefore:

bouncy, but controlled.

It is noticeably softer and more energetic than version two.

But it is still not as soft or wild as the original Prime X Strung.

That original had a very distinctive, almost uncontrollable bounce.

Version three feels more engineered.

More stable.

More predictable.

And slightly less fun.

Midsole score: 4.5/5.

Ride

At slow pace, this shoe feels enormous.

There is no getting around that.

With around 50mm of foam underneath your heel, it feels like you are standing on a platform.

But once you increase the pace, the shoe comes alive.

The more force you put through it, the better it feels.

You begin to compress the foam, engage the plate and load the rods.

Then you get a really nice bounce forward.

That is why I think this shoe will particularly suit:

• Heavier runners

• Powerful runners

• Stride runners

• Bounders

• Runners who naturally hit the ground hard

At my weight, I feel like I need to break the shoe in before I fully unlock it.

A heavier runner may engage the platform much more easily.

Rocker

The rocker is aggressive, although not quite as extreme as something like the Hoka Cielo X1.

It also appears to start slightly earlier than in version two.

That helps the shoe feel smoother through transition.

Once you hit the forefoot sweet spot, it rolls you forward nicely.

It does not quite have the very early-stage rocker of the Adios Pro 4, but it is definitely more fluid than version two.

Outsole – 5/5

The outsole is excellent.

You get a combination of:

• Lighttraxion rubber

• Continental rubber

The key landing areas are very well protected and the grip is superb.

The forefoot platform is absolutely enormous.

Compared with the original Prime X Strung, version three has a substantially wider landing area.

That gives you a huge platform to attack when landing towards the forefoot.

Grip downhill has already been excellent and I have no concerns here.

Outsole score: 5/5.

Stability – 4/5

Considering the enormous stack height, stability is impressive.

This is probably one of the biggest improvements over the original Prime X Strung.

The wider platform makes a huge difference.

There is also:

• More sole flare

• Firmer central forefoot foam

• Structured Strung upper

• Plate-and-rods setup

Together, those features keep the shoe much more controlled.

It feels at least as stable as version two, while delivering a noticeably livelier ride.

That is a very good combination.

Stability score: 4/5.

Speed – 4/5

Yes, you can race in this shoe.

It is heavy.

It is not particularly nimble.

And it will not be ideal for technical courses or races involving lots of sharp corners.

But on long straights?

Absolutely.

When you increase the pace, the shoe responds extremely well.

The best way to use it is to:

open your stride → hit the ground hard → compress the foam → engage the plate and rods → let it bounce you forward.

I would not expect it to match something like the Adios Pro 4 for pure race efficiency.

But I think it can be surprisingly quick.

Especially for bigger runners who can really load the platform.

Speed score: 4/5.

Durability – 5/5

This should be a very durable shoe.

The Prime X line has always held up well, and this version combines:

• Thick rubber coverage

• Continental outsole sections

• Dense Lightstrike Pro

• Huge amounts of midsole material

I would expect this to handle substantially more mileage than a traditional super shoe.

It is exactly the kind of shoe you can use for long training runs without worrying that you are burning through a fragile race-day midsole.

Predicted durability score: 5/5.

Prime X Strung 3 vs Prime X Strung 2

Version three is clearly better for me.

Version 3 is:

• Lighter

• Wider

• Better fitting

• Softer

• Bouncier

• More flexible

• Faster feeling

• Equally stable

Version 2 is:

• Firmer

• Heavier

• More rigid

• More cumbersome

If you liked version two, I think you will love version three.

Prime X Strung 3 vs Original Prime X Strung

This comparison is more difficult.

The original remains the more exciting shoe.

It is:

• Lighter

• Softer

• Wilder

• Bouncier

• More fun

But it is also much less stable.

Version three feels like Adidas trying to recover some of that original magic without bringing back all the chaos.

And they have mostly succeeded.

The OG is still more fun.

Version three is more usable.

Who Is It Good For?

Easy Runs – Good

It works, but there are lighter and more natural shoes for easy running.

Long Runs – Excellent

This is probably one of its strongest uses.

You get huge protection, bounce and excellent durability.

Marathon-Pace Training – Excellent

This could be ideal.

The shoe lets you increase pace without giving up cushioning.

5K – Good

You can race it, but its weight and size make it less suited to short technical races.

10K – Very Good

On a straight, fast course, it could work very well.

Half Marathon – Very Good

Especially for heavier runners who want more protection.

Marathon – Excellent Potential

This could be a very strong marathon option for runners who value cushioning and can tolerate the weight.

Best Suited To

The Prime X Strung 3 should work particularly well for:

• Heavier runners

• Powerful runners

• Stride runners

• Bounders

• Forefoot and midfoot strikers

• Runners wanting maximum protection

• High-mileage runners

• Runners wanting one shoe for long training and faster sessions

Value – 3/5

At around £250, it is expensive.

But unlike many £250 super shoes, you should get a lot more mileage out of this one.

That makes the value proposition slightly different.

If you use it purely as a race shoe, it is difficult to justify.

If you use it for:

• Long runs

• Marathon-pace sessions

• Tempo work

• Occasional racing

then the durability starts to make the price easier to swallow.

Value score: 3/5.

Final Thoughts

The Adidas Adizero Prime X Strung 3 is a meaningful improvement over version two.

It is wider.

It fits better.

It is more stable.

It is more flexible.

And most importantly, it is more fun.

It still does not fully recreate the magic of the original Prime X Strung.

The OG was lighter, softer and more ridiculous.

But version three is much closer to that philosophy while maintaining the control and stability that version two introduced.

My biggest criticisms are:

• It is still too heavy

• The Strung upper needs improving

• The laces are poor

• The forefoot foam could be softer

• Plate plus rods may still be slightly over-engineered

But overall, this feels like Adidas moving back in the right direction.

Runnabl3 Scores

• Upper: 4/5

• Midsole: 4.5/5

• Outsole: 5/5

• Stability: 4/5

• Speed: 4/5

• Durability: 5/5

• Value: 3/5

• Versatility: 4.5/5

Best for: Long runs, marathon-pace sessions, high-mileage training and potentially marathon racing
Ride: Huge, bouncy, stable and increasingly lively as the pace rises
Best suited to: Heavier runners and stride runners who can really load the platform
Main weakness: Weight and an upper/lacing system that still needs refinement
Overall verdict: A strong step back towards the magic of the original Prime X Strung — not quite there yet, but much better than version two.