For decades, treadmill runners have been making do with road shoes on the belt. You’d overheat in stuffy gyms, fight against outsoles designed for pavement grip, and deal with cushioning systems built for unpredictable terrain rather than the consistent surface beneath your feet.
Adidas has been watching this unfold since their early days crafting spikes for Jesse Owens, and now they’re addressing it head-on with the Treadflow — the first running shoe purpose-built for the treadmill.
From Track Spikes to Treadmill Tech
The Three Stripes have been perfecting running footwear since Adi Dassler’s 1920s workshop, evolving from those hand-stitched Olympic spikes to marathon-record-setting carbon-plated racers. But as indoor running surged — first during the ’70s running boom’s harsh winters, then exploding during the pandemic — the brand noticed a gap. Treadmill running isn’t just outdoor running moved inside but a distinct discipline with unique biomechanical demands that deserve their own solution.
CLIMACOOL Gets Its Moment
The Treadflow’s standout feature is its CLIMACOOL tech, consisting of breathable mesh zones wrapping the entire foot while strategically placed outsole cutouts create airflow channels that work like built-in air conditioning. This is perfect for running indoors, where air isn’t moving around you. The system promises 360-degree breathability, which should fix one of treadmill running’s biggest issues.
Dual Foam Philosophy
Underfoot, Adidas has borrowed from their record-breaking Adizero line, combining Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro foams in a dual-cushioning setup. Treadmills already provide cushioning through their belt systems, so the midsole’s job shifts from impact protection to energy return and smooth transitions. This pairing should deliver responsiveness without the sink-in feel that can make treadmill running feel sluggish.
Traction Without the Drag
The LIGHTTRAXION outsole — the same rubber compound found on the Adizero Adios Pro 4 — provides just enough grip for belt traction without creating the sticky, overbuilt feel that road shoe outsoles often produce on moving surfaces. It’s a delicate balance, and one that required rethinking conventional wisdom about what a running shoe outsole should do.
Spec Sheet
Model: Adidas Treadflow
Upper: CLIMACOOL breathable mesh with synthetic overlays
Midsole: Dual-density Lightstrike/Lightstrike Pro foam
Outsole: LIGHTTRAXION rubber with ventilation cutouts
Weight: 7.76oz
Drop: 10mm
Pricing & Availability
The Treadflow comes in teal and black colorways for €130 (~$151) in overseas markets, with Adidas planning to bring it stateside down the road.
Recap
Adidas Treadflow Treadmill Shoe
The Adidas Treadflow marks the first running shoe purpose-built for treadmill use, featuring CLIMACOOL ventilation technology and dual-foam cushioning designed to work with the belt’s natural mechanics rather than against it.
