Adidas had the stiff plate in racing shoes long before Nike. The Adidas Adizero Rush (which I raced in for two years) had a very stiff plate between the cushion and the upper. Funny, I don't recall any outrage over those plates back in 2011. It's more evidence that the what makes the VF special is the cushioning...
"Serving up a combination of super lightweight performance and maximum cushioning, the new adidas running shoes feature adiPrene+ midsole technology for resilient cushioning in the forefoot to ensure a responsive ride. SprintWeb construction provides lightweight support, while nylon mesh enhances breathability and keeps the foot locked in place for increased stability and speed. The SprintFrame support system returns energy to each stride and Lightstrike EVA reduces the weight of the midsole by 15 percent.
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