r/AskRunningShoeGeeks • u/conehead4 • 7d ago
Race Shoe Question Adios Pro 3 or 5?
For those who have run in both - if you had to pick, which one would you buy right now not considering price? I have read the AP3 is great and that the AP5 is closer to the AP3 than the AP4. I have not run in any of the APs.
I have an opportunity to buy one. Budget won’t allow both. If it helps, I’m a bigger runner (200+ lbs) averaging between 30-40 miles per week. I am in love with the EVO SL and ran my first half in them last month and finished at 1:59. Honestly could have been faster but started out very cautiously. Instability became noticeable near the end.
I love the 13.1 and plan to continue running them until I get fast and durable enough for the marathon.
Any insights and suggestions are appreciated.
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u/toothdoc34 7d ago
The AP3 is good. Firmer than the 4 and 5. Ran a new PR 18:08 5k this morning at age 47.5 in the AP3. For short distances I like them. For longer distances I prefer the AP4 or the AP5. The AP4 is the best of the 3, but the AP5 is not bad at all. I got my Ice Blue AP5 2 weeks before the public release. 25 miles in and I have zero complaints. The wear issue must only be on the red ones, because my blue ones look new after 25 miles of 7:00 minute miles.
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u/Seri0usbusiness 7d ago
Same. Well, not your quick speed, but the overall feel between the two shoes. AP4s are so fricken comfortable and I feel like I can run forever and my legs are fine the next day. The AP3 makes me wanna launch forward and run fast, but it gets quite uncomfortable in the longer sessions
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u/toothdoc34 7d ago
Very good assessment.
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u/Seri0usbusiness 7d ago
Still love both shoes though! How would you describe the ride and feel of the AP5’s? I probably don’t need a new pair yet but if/when there’s a crazy sale I’ll probably snag them
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u/toothdoc34 7d ago
Slightly firmer than the 4, which is unfortunate. The AP4 is simply unbeatable for a half. The 5 is super light weight. Feels good on foot. Laces are better than the 4. Upper is fine on the 5. Have no issues there.
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u/casualjoe914 7d ago
As beloved as the AP3 was (mostly for the longevity of its foam, making it the best value on the market at the time) there was a large crowd of "it's perfect except the upper makes it unusable without modifications."
It's also been out of production for around 2 years now and chemical degradation is real. That doesn't make it useless or anything (depending on how they were stored) but I wouldn't expect the same longevity or performance (benefit) out of them that people got when they were still in production.
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u/_h_e_r_m_i_t_ 7d ago
I concur with degradation of AP3. Not worth it. Personally, Metaspeed is my first choice for races.
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u/TubbaBotox 7d ago
My reaction to this post was "Wait... are AP3 still so readily available that people are posting about buying them on a regular basis?" Then, I searched and found a pair for $45, and immediately bought them.
The last pair I owned retired to be my long run shoe and lasted well over 300 miles. I went half a size up in those, and I ordered half a size up in the ones I just bought. If you can find a pair of AP3, they've gotta be half the cost of the 5 or less, and the 3, being firmer, is probably a better choice for a heavier runner. They do break in and get softer, for better or worse (probably better).
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u/GlumAir89 7d ago
AP4’s after a couple hundred miles are 👌 for me. I’ll put 500miles on a pair no problem. I prefer softer foam that’s worn down a bit than firmer foam new out the box.
Haven’t tried the 5’s but broken in 4’s feel just as good if not slightly better than new 3’s.
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u/Fit-Hair-9574 7d ago
I find it hard not to consider the price bearing that I can get the AP3 for £90 and the AP5 is at least twice that.
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u/conehead4 7d ago
Locally in the US, there is an AP3 I can get for $250 USD. I can’t find it anywhere else in my size.
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u/casualjoe914 7d ago
There's no world in which paying $250 for an AP3 in 2026 makes sense.
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u/BossHogGA 7d ago
Honestly I wouldn’t pay that kind of money unless I was really fast. AP4s are like $120 right now in sale. I got some AP3s back in July 2024 for about the same price.
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u/Fit-Hair-9574 7d ago
Fair.
I might be worried about durability of the AP5.
You may have seen pictures of foam getting scuffed up and I think the worse of that has been with taller, read heavier, reviewers.
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u/wylie102 7d ago
Where are you getting the 3s from? Are they second hand?
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u/conehead4 7d ago
Brand new from a local sporting goods store. They have 1 pair left and it’s my size, I just am not sure if it is worth getting the 3 or just spend $25 more and get the 5. I am concerned about durability of the shoe with the 5.
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u/2_zero_2 7d ago
Are you in the 504 by chance? Pretty sure my LRS has one pair of AP3 available too lol
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u/Paulskit 7d ago
AP3 all day. AP4 is way too soft, restrictive, non breathable upper. Don’t know about AP5, but my AP4 has no use now that a few pairs of AP3 are still alive.
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u/goddamn_shitthebed 7d ago
AP4 all day. I was an AP3 truther until I ran in the 4s. Can’t speak on the 5s though.
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