It is for the above reasons and more that the Adistar CS will work best for those with a short stride. They have a dual-density REPETITOR+ midsole that stabilizes every heel strike and supports smooth transitions from one step to the next. Even on my extremely cold initial run, I had a few slightly icy steps, and was surprised that I had even a little confidence and minimal slip. The Adidas Adistar fits me true to size if slightly long (similar to many Adidas racing models recently) in my normal US men's size 10.

It hasn’t got the integrated carbon plate – probably for the best – so don’t expect it to be too snappy at toe-off, but the rocker shape does a great job in helping you move forward, one step at a time. It’s great for longer running sessions when the main aim is to rack up the miles at a slow and steady pace. Nick is an avid runner, covering 70-110km a week, which gives him ample opportunity to test a wide range of running shoes and running gear. It was the perfect trainer for me because I used to be a severe outer lateral heel striker and the Adistar had a Formotion decoupled lateral heel which softened heel strikes and made transitions smoother.The Repetitor portion of the midsole has surprisingly good flexibility for the thickness of the midsole, and visually there’s a somewhat pronounced rocker geometry up front.

Some kinks need to be worked out at the back, but overall this is a solid revival of the Adistar line. The pressure from the support frame is also noticeable on both sides of the foot, adding to this being a stability and guidance shoe.Follow myself and the select few who contribute on our journey to help you understand your body and the shoes you wear. I have had some mild blistering on the inner (medial) side of my big toes, so with the sizing issue, thicker socks may be warranted. Jeff has finished several ultra marathons, from 50K up to 50 miles, and is still debating if he wants to go down that road again.