Adidas Sub2 on Running Warehouse

I didn't run as fast as hoped at Shamrock but I wouldn't blame it on the shoes. My thoughts:

Still can't believe how light they are. They have an average amount of pop off the ground compared to the rest of the adidas flats I've had. Upper is comfortable and minimal. Laces give good lockdown. Grip is good on the outsole going around corner. I personally wouldn't wear them for anything over 10 miles. I have a pair of 4%s and I think the cushion really helps my legs. The sub2 is quicker feeling overall compared to the adios or Takumi Sen. Would recommend getting a pair if you can.

forcerunner wrote:

I have a pair of 4%s and I think the cushion really helps my legs. The sub2 is quicker feeling overall compared to the adios or Takumi Sen.

The big change for me was when I moved from NB MR00 or similar to Altra One 2.5 and then Takumi Sen for my long runs: I went faster, it hurt less and I recovered a little better. (I still love the MR00, but for long runs and races I prefer the Takumi Sen.) I can't compare with the 4%, I've never tried them.

Anyone have more feedback on the Sub2 shoe? Would love to hear further experiences with it. I’ve been using the Takumi Sen and am looking to add the Sub2 to my quiver.

I can just add that in similar conditions, two days apart, I did a time trial in 53:2 in the Takumi Sens from 2016 (with a bit of the sole chopped out at the heel--sorry, a habit of mine) and 52:40 in Sub2s (also with a chunk of sole removed). So... it's difficult to draw conclusions.

Cheers Grox

Anyone wear 11.5 in sub 2? I wear size 12 in the Takumis and I'm wondering if I can get my foot in it.

I bought them last week and have run twice in them. One fast hill session on a treadmill and my final long run pre-Boston on Saturday, which was 22 miles with 7 at marathon pace.

For reference I'm comparing them against Adios which are my marathon shoes of choice.

I'm really in two minds as to whether to wear the Sub2s at Boston or not. Firstly, they are LIGHT. Noticeably lighter than the Adios. They also look great. No complaints about the fit - very similar to the Adios.

The primary difference to the Adios is the ride. It is definitely firmer. There isn't the 'squeeze' of traditional boost. Over the course of my long run, I thought they were probably harder on my legs than my Adios would have been.

Looking at my stats post-run, it was noticeable how the marathon-pace part of my run was at a lower heart rate (by about 5-7bpm) than I would have expected. Obviously this could have been other factors, but I think the lightness of the shoe played its part.

So it's a toss-up for Boston. The relative protection of Adios and traditional boost, vs. the potential speed benefits of the Sub2.

I switched to Vaporfly 4% before the New York marathon last year and regretted it in the race. However, the Sub2 is a much more similar shoe to the Adios, so it is less of a change. But still, I know changing shoe a couple of weeks before a big race is never the best idea. Decisions!

I'm right where you are. Ran my last 22 in the Sub2's and felt good, decided then and there to wear them in Boston. But after a solid 18 last weekend in the Adios at a faster pace, now am wavering. I';; probably chicken out and stick with the Adios until I can try the sub2's in a half.

One thing I noticed is that my cadence was higher in the sub2's. 198 vs my usual 192. Why would that be? That causes me some concern as well as the overall lack of protection.

hingus2000 wrote:

I switched to Vaporfly 4% before the New York marathon last year and regretted it in the race. However, the Sub2 is a much more similar shoe to the Adios, so it is less of a change. But still, I know changing shoe a couple of weeks before a big race is never the best idea. Decisions!

Obviously a much different shoe than the Adios/Sub2, but why did you regret using the VFs in NY?

It could have been many factors of course, but I blew up at around 21 miles. I didn't hit the wall but my legs were beat up. Most of my training had been in Adios so I blamed the VFs. For me, coming from the Adios, the VF is just 'too much shoe'. Didn't feel natural or connected with the road. I managed to return them to Nike for a full refund.

Halls Balls wrote:

Anyone wear 11.5 in sub 2? I wear size 12 in the Takumis and I'm wondering if I can get my foot in it.

They are definitely snug when you normally wear a size 12. It hasn't been intolerable for the tempos I have done, but am a little nervous what it will do to my foot over a marathon.

Sub2s beat up my feet/calves more than other boost shoes. Feel faster than Sens. Not worth the tradeoff in my opinion. Will continue to use for shorter workouts but probably won't get again.

btw where are y'all getting Sen (and Ren) these days?

not made for like a year or more, stock isn't completely gone at this point?

Not a problem in Europe: http://www.runningwarehouse.fr/Chaussures_Unisexe_adidas_Takumi_Sen_Bleu_Noble_Ink/descpage-ATSM2-FR.html. I don't know if you can get a European store to deliver in the US. It usually is problematic the other way around.

Just looking to see if we can get anecdotes and people's opinions on this shoe.

How's it compare to VF4?

How's it compare to other standard marathon shoes (Adios 3, Takumi Sen, Zoom Streak 6, etc)

Did anyone try them in a marathon, if so how was the experience? Enough cushioning?

Any more racing reports at 5k, 8k, 10k? Especially compared to previoius adios experience? Thanks.

grox wrote:

Not a problem in Europe:

http://www.runningwarehouse.fr/Chaussures_Unisexe_adidas_Takumi_Sen_Bleu_Noble_Ink/descpage-ATSM2-FR.html

. I don't know if you can get a European store to deliver in the US. It usually is problematic the other way around.

There is no price?

What you need to do is set up a local postal address via companies that act as a storage and re-delivery conduit. They resend it to your home.

Boston 6 as daily trainer. Generally wear Takumis for anything half and under, generally Adios (occasionally NB1400) for full. Mid foot striker.

Wore Sub2s at Boston on Monday. They were bagged until the start, but soaked within seconds of exposure. Rain absorption was negligible; I didn't feel any added weight at all. Unsurprisingly, the porous upper allowed rain to drain right out when we hit big puddles. Balega ultralights for socks; also did great.

Feel-wise, the significantly thicker boost foam in the forefoot was very noticeable (and appreciated) later in the race. The pop was of course nice, but the cushion just as much (if not more so). If you're a mid/fore foot striker that races in the Adios and have had experienced fore foot pain in the 20+ mile range of a marathon, give sub2 a look. My feet ended in better shape than any marathon I've run, which is impressive for the conditions. Performance was fine too (about 4 mins off my PR, again nice for the conditions).

Takumis and Adios still feel a little faster on the track to me; probably the softness in the Sub2 forefoot. Where it shines for me is at distance, YMMV.

Note, I did need about a 20-mile break in before they felt just right. Would not recommend racing out of the box.

Can't offer any VF4 comparisons, sorry.

This is useful feedback. What's your weight and approximate marathon time?

I love the feel of the sub2, but I'm not sure if they're too minimal for me (165lbs, about 2:45) for a marathon. The adios is my go-to marathon shoe, in part because I get a bit more heel-strike oriented when fatigued, and they still have good pop when mid/heel striking. The lightness and forefoot feel of the sub2 is tempting, though.