Takumi Sen 8 - First Run

The Takumi Sen has been a forgettable shoe at best and a redundant shoe at worst. But for version 8, it’s taken quite a departure from it’s past. Are these changes for the better?
0:00 intro
0:23 Run testing
1:13 Disclosures
1:38 Specs
4:03 What is Takumi Sen 8 like?
7:47 Who’s it For?
8:53 Boston 10 as Training Companion
9:24 SL20 as daily trainer
10:37 Marathoners don’t need it, but it sure is fun
11:11 Charity Runner of the Week
Disclosures: I purchased all of the Adidas shoes mentioned in this video. No one is paying me to make this video or to include their shoe in this video. No one will get a chance to preview any of my footage or my thoughts before this video goes up on KZbin
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The charity runner of the week is Joshua Crask, who is running the Chicago Marathon to raise money for CASA of Cook County, a charity that helps guide children in the foster care system. I've donated $100 of my own money and I hope you'll consider donating the minimum amount to support a fellow runner
Joshua’s Fundraiser Page: fundraisers.hakuapp.com/joshu...
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[@jasegalaxy74]

My favorite shoe of 2021! The best foam across all the super foams IMHO. It feels amazing at all speeds. Fits like a glove and feels effortless at all speeds.

[@joshuacrask2151]

Kofuzi! Great video, as always. And thanks so much for donating to CASA and selecting me as your charity runner of the week!

[@grandeisern]

Best channel and great review as always, Kofuzi. Cant wait to see if this shoe will enter your end of the year top training shoe candidates.

[@soundofenigma]

Can' wait for your head to head video between the Sen 8 vs. Streakfly.

[@91CRSTP]

Dont really run but, watching Kofuzi breakdown a running shoe is entertaining.

[@yostinpoveda2083]

Hey what if you get them to walk or Jog ?

[@ksteege]

excellent review and content man. The Adidas lineup really has intrigued me over the last few years, but my local place doesnt really stock the shoes so I havent really given them a go - I think maybe 2022 might be the time to give em a go

[@gallagherii]

This shoe is amazing. For 5K-3K paces they are SO nimble and responsive. I risk to say better than the VF.

[@na-dk9vm]

Good for a 2 mile time trial ??

[@gallagherii]

Good enough yes!

[@stuartburris8909]

Josh Crask is a fellow runner here in Bowling Green, KY!! Thanks for helping him and CASA!!

[@LucasH567]

Hey Ko, I really like how you are doing a “pairs with” , so it is easy to see how the shoe will fit into a shoe line up with the other shoes I might have. Thanks!

[@timeonfeet]

Great set of reflections, thanks for sharing, very useful

[@kofuzi]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@ianlowe4126]

Great video as always Kofuzi. Won’t be tempted with this one though at my level the adios 6 plenty fast enough for my workout days and over half the price!! Thanks Ian 🇬🇧

[@scriptKiddieOG]

Ian, as your compatriot 🇬🇧, get yourself a pair for when your Adios 6 pair run their course as an upgrade. As Kofuzi alluded to earlier in the video, they are indeed phenomenal. I'm not certain if they're sold in Runners Need or other running stores here. I just think you'd be missing out big time if you refrained from picking up a pair. You know what, I'm going to put them on just now. I'm not actually going anywhere with them. I'm just going to sit with them as I study and peruse the internet this evening, they're that good! 😎

[@skopa1223]

@@scriptKiddieOG Awesome! Just bought my first pair at the shop 20 mins ago.

[@mattbeier]

I ordered my Takumi’s last night. Should be her just in time for my birthday next week. Can’t wait to get them on foot and test the shoes out for myself.

[@lpiseno1]

I was so fortunate, that I was able to get these, the AAP2 and the Prime X at a 40 % discount when they dropped back in December 😊 Greetings from Germany

[@scottcockburn9112]

I love the sen 8, recently ran a half marathon pb in them. I had to change the laces in them though

[@robbristle5642]

If pro runners have been blowing out the competition in marathons wearing the 23/13 stack height adios adizero 3’s and 4’s I would think the 33/27 stack height Takumi 8’s would be VERY suitable for the marathon.

[@runfrankfurt]

Nice review. I love my Takumi Sen 8s. Best shorter distance speed shoe in my opinion.

[@kofuzi]

it's really good

[@mojito167able]

Eagerly awaiting a Takumi Sen 8 vs Adios Pro 2 video!

[@kofuzi]

do we need that?

[@mojito167able]

Yes we do! Thanks for burning those calories doing the Takumi Sen 8 vs Adios Pro 2 video for us boss 😎🤙🏻

[@AndrewMosc]

Great video as usual. And agree with your point re 5k/10k shoes. Seems like the shoe manufacturers have realised that there is a big market for those types of shoes.

[@kofuzi]

I think it's a big segment of the market. it's exciting to see

[@juw001]

36 miles into mine and I still get that same blister/hot spot - glad you mentioned it!

[@kofuzi]

hmmm. has it become an issue or are you able to still run with it?

[@juw001]

@@kofuzi leukotape =( I'm used to it though since I have alphaflys as well(arch)

[@ataufiql97]

This is my shoes.. feel so effortless breaking my 5k PB after using this shoes..the weight is soo light👏👏 really glad to have takumiii 💝

[@kofuzi]

it's become one of my favorite shoes

[@SamuelDuier]

Been waiting for this adidas takumi sen 8,great review now iam fully desided to buy this shoe

[@kofuzi]

I hope you enjoy! I'm having a lot of fun with it

[@SamuelDuier]

Iam gona use it for my health need to be active again, iam obese with heart condition, iam more on walk jog run 5k under 1 hour,i have the nike pegasus38,need to step up wanting to get 5k under or 30mins,hoping to get active again,love/enjoying watching you run like it too easy for you sir.

[@RobertNaik]

I got the sen and next percent just before Christmas. When comparing my 5k times. I noticed I had better times in the Nikes. But I still like the sen 8.

[@kofuzi]

great to hear!

[@normanrexopena5080]

great review as always., Do you recommend this shoe for flat footed?

[@cjjones812]

Great video, thank you! I'm a little confused though about your pairing recommendations though. First it is mentioned that the Boston 10 is a great trainer to match up with the Takumi but then later that the Sl20 is the goto for a matching daily trainer. Can you clarify?

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Thank you for your review. Almost a perfect shoe. Shaves 5-10 seconds off my VaporFly split times consistently. Hope you skeptics don’t buy it. At age 58 and still a sub-1:30 half-marathoner, I need all the advantages possible, including your studied hesitancy to buy this beautiful shoe.

[@kofuzi]

but if a lot of people buy it, they'll make more next year

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

@@kofuzi True. Excited to see where Adidas will go in the future. This is my first Adidas since the late ‘70s. Wish you continued continued success with your marathon racing!

[@benito892]

Woow incredibleee

[@skopa1223]

@@kofuzi Exactly 👍🏼

[@ryanmarshall2097]

Great video and content!! Love your vi deos and how you take the shoe and use it for its intended purpose! Very quality stuff!! Love my takumi sen 8 for those 5k-10k workouts and def my go to racer for that distance

[@kofuzi]

glad to hear you've been enjoying the takumi sen! they are a lot of fun

[@levandmarthapolyakin-aaron2183]

Lots of requests as expected for a comparison to the Nike Streakfly but I’m hoping the NB Pacer will be the one for me in this category. And at least NB doesn’t seem to methodically get sold out in seconds like Nike, nor is it hard to find in independent brick-and-mortar running stores, like the rarer adidas models.

[@simoF6]

Great review. Is the tongue in the Sen 8 fitted the same way as in the PrimeX ? I found the Prime a pain to put on especially if you have a wider foot ! 😁

[@zwm568]

Love love love ur channel but will this one work for a half marathon ? I wanted to lean towards metaspeed sky+ or the saucony endorphin pro

[@iakona23]

Yeah, I hate the feel of narrow shoes. I can’t even wear a normal width Saucony Triumph because the arch support cuts into my foot. I cannot imagine being able to wear this Takumi Sen 8 comfortably because of the extreme narrow fit in the arch area.

[@fitrimokhtar6149]

Hi Ko! Looking forward to running shoe battle between takumi sen 8 and nike streakfly soon 😁

[@montesquieu5180]

Just got a notification via email saying the streakfly dropped, click on the link immediately and they were sold out, sold out in under 30 seconds really? Seems to be a marketing ploy to drive up demand 🤔

[@Sharkster_J]

@@montesquieu5180 No bot scalping is a big issue in the sneaker market that retailers aren’t in a huge rush to deal with. The Wall Street Journal wrote an article on it a few months ago. Unfortunately there’s not much us regular consumers can do to get around it short of making our own bots.

[@montesquieu5180]

@@Sharkster_J good info, I wasn’t aware of that. I had the same experience last year with the adidas prime x and the puma deviate nitro elite. I’m sure in time they’re be plenty to go around. I’m sure Nike wouldn’t lose the chance to capitalize on the revenue

[@kofuzi]

hopefully in about a week

[@NatasaM]

The shoe runs like a speedboat and fits like a glove. I love it, it's the best thing I've worn since Endorphin Speed 1, but even better. I've been having the same blister problem on the right foot only (the one that pronates more). Thin socks and tight laces make it go away.

[@kofuzi]

good tip! I'll try that next time

[@paddywiggle]

How thick is the sock-liner in this shoe? For example, the Hyperion Tempo’s sock liner is fairly thin, meaning when I add my favorite insoles, it takes up some of the volume in the shoe and makes it fit my skinny foot better. Something like an old Saucony Sockliner would be a medium thickness, rincon being the thinnest, hoka or altra cushion shoes (ortholite) being fairly thick.

[@massi888]

Hi, thank you for your always professional video. I really like your beanie, what is the brand? i went half size down on the takumi sen 8, i had to loosen up the laces in the arch part, but i feel it better and it is even lighter.

[@kofuzi]

the beanie is from Path Projects

[@Chicago_Jayhawk]

I still would think Adios 6 is better for interval/track work as it's a lower stack height.

[@andywright7425]

Great fun workout shoe. I’m at just about 200km in mine and find it super enjoyable to run in. It’s always used for reps, intervals and tempos. It is silly long though and the price looks even more extreme after the streakfly release. Totally different feel to the streakfly. The Sen feels like it gives more roll and assistance through the forefoot while the Streakfly feels like having a turbocharged pogo stick on each foot.

[@hmcnew]

Is the shoe holding up? Durability?

[@andywright7425]

@@hmcnew feels probably slightly better after the distance. Whether that’s the midsole softening a bit or my feet getting more used to it, I’m not sure but durability hasn’t been an issue for me. Outsole is still very unworn and midsole is working great.

[@edwinalday9980]

how about the depth of toe box? i have adios 6 and it's perfect widthwise but a bit shallow and that makes it uncomfortable. i hope the upper opens up the more i wear them

[@andywright7425]

@@edwinalday9980 I’ve had no issues at all. It fits long so perhaps a half size down for some people the upper is very comfy. The laces are a little bit uninspiring. Long, thin and slippery.

[@brokenfreddy7676]

The blister spot you noticed is an ongoing thing for me in adidas shoes..the insole is flat and my feet can feel the edges of insoles..I take them out and use insoles from other brands that have a shape that cups your heels and especially the arch area..

[@rickyhuang8936]

I had blister too everytime run 5k .. no idea how to overcome this😑

[@brokenfreddy7676]

@@rickyhuang8936 what works for me is a different insole..I use saucony insoles in all my shoes and NO cotton socks..but try some and see what works for you..good luck ..

[@Supafloppy]

Hey Mike. Glad to see you boosting (forgive the pun) about in the Takumi Sen. Did you feel that there was enough lateral support when landing back on your feet? Or did you feel like the ball(s) of your feet landing in that cut-away section? Those cut-outs to the sole in this as well as the Pro 2 doesn't instill too much confidence in those who pronate, even mildly.

[@kofuzi]

I think the lower stack height and gentler drop may make it relatively better for pronators. I felt good at easy and recovery paces and didn't feel like the shoe was caving in at all. but I think depending on how much a runner overpronates, this shoe still carries that potential of aggravating that foot strike.

[@bitcoyn]

really intrigue by this shoe but the price point just makes me want to look away from it, hopefully you get your hands on a streakfly and do a VS video about the 2. None the less top notch review you got here

[@kofuzi]

I'm not sure I understand that end of your comment

[@ABucc]

I had the same blister issue on the same spot with the Adidas Prime X. I hope it's not an issue with all their shoes.

[@ryhawks1496]

I had them with the boston 10s and then it just stopped happening

[@ScentNomad]

As far as I know the coloring of the energy rods indicate that they're made out of glass fiber, not carbon. Carbon rods are always black. Anyway, great first impressions, the Takumi Sen 8 keeps intriguing me.

[@kofuzi]

it's certainly less rigid overall as a system. I'm not sure if that's because of the lesser amount of Lightstrike Pro or if they've tinkered with the rigidity. Adidas seems to like the overall blanket term of energy rods, as it allows them to tinker with composite and the amount of carbon infusion it may very well be that there is no actual carbon in here at all, but I am not aware one way or the other

[@ScentNomad]

@@kofuzi You're right, it's actually not easy to research the materials for the respective rods via adidas' own specs.

[@scalyskincw210]

Thanks for the video! You probably won't see this, but if you do, how does the sizing on the Takumi Sen 8 compare to the SL20? Does it have more room in the toe box like some of the other Adidas shoes do, or is it snug like the SL20?

[@kofuzi]

I went with the same size in all the shoes I've mentioned.

[@robbristle5642]

It fits like a glove everywhere but the heel area at first compared to the SL20’s but after running a mile or so it seems to tighten up then it starts to feel like you’re just running in socks. What so spectacular about the Takumi 8’s is when you pick up the pace it feels like you’re running DOWN HILL even when you’re running straight ( level ground ) A beautiful sensation like floating.

[@fairussuhadi2071]

Hello mate. Can you please do review on takumi sen 7 vs takumi sen 8. Thank you

[@saleh1987]

I did get a blister beneath my arch too at my first run. Do you have recommendations to reduce the friction? I truly loved this shoe and don’t want to give it up yet.

[@kofuzi]

I have not. try different socks.

[@datharo5]

Thank you so much for the review! So this is the closest thing Adidas has to a daily trainer with lightstrike pro?

[@kofuzi]

I'd say the Adios 6 is better suited for that, but I don't know if you'd consider that one since it also has regular Lightstrike

[@mattbeier]

@@kofuzi I agree as I have the Adios 6 as my daily trainer and it performs really well in any type of run. I felt it took about 20-30 miles for the midsole to break in before really coming alive when picking up the pace.

[@chinitopogi7511]

can this be used with foot that have a high arch?

[@panagiotislozos6521]

takumi sen vs streakfly is a must at this point.

[@kofuzi]

hopefully in about a week or so

[@MiracleWarriors]

I feel already that I can run super fast with my Adios 6 ! I wonder how much faster I could go with the Takumi Sen 8 ...

[@lnoite]

The sport is still about legs mate!

[@MiracleWarriors]

@@lnoite true but if I can run much faster with an Adios 6 then with like a Gel-Cumulus 23 or Pegasus 38 ... now imagining a shoe with carbon plate... A few years ago I tried the ZoomFly 3 and even what it was a heavy shoe I could beat all records I had with the Adios 4 and the Pegasus Turbo. Now the Takumi 8 not just have a plate but also even lighter then the Adios.

[@lnoite]

@@MiracleWarriors if you're after the best, the alpha fly is still undisputed. Reviews are subjective, independent studies are not and those put the two Nikes at the top with the Metaspeed Sky close behind.

[@mrgq2000]

Had the same issue with the hotspot in the same area. Would you go half a size down? Would that help with that issue? Thoughts?

[@kofuzi]

I think it would depend on just how much discomfort you're feeling, but for me, I think the sizing is right, so I wouldn't recommend that people size down. I am still hoping that the issue will work itself out (perhaps the insole compresses a bit to mold to my arch or a callous develops on my foot). some people have mentioned a change in socks to resolve the issue.

[@sachas.5731]

Would the she fit a wide feet runner? TIA

[@tonylavers3532]

Boston 10 better match the adios 6?

[@runningwithstelvio]

I would not use this shoe for training but rather for racing... I got the impression that the outsole will be over after few trainings. It is true that it has a lower stack height but still it is higher than the old fashion racers, so I believe I could run even an hm in them

[@kofuzi]

it'll be interesting to see how the outsole rubber holds up. I suspect it will be much like the Adios Pro 1 that held up surprisingly well

[@runningwithstelvio]

@@kofuzi hopefully, let’s see 🤞but unfortunately even with the Adios 1 some of my friends complained about the rubber strips in the heel

[@zlatantomba]

what about durability ? i mean i keep my vaporfly for races but im looking for a super shoes for training with more durability. I tried the endorphin speed and liked it but is the takumi in the same style? or adios pros 2 ?

[@kofuzi]

I think in 2022, we're a bit past the point where racing shoes only lasted 100-150 miles. Even the Vaporfly Next % last much longer than the 4% did. The industry seems to have learned a lot in a short amount of time. On the other hand, I tend to care about durability a bit less in race shoes like this one. No one asks whether a MacLaren is fuel efficient. That's not the point.

[@michaelbrandis1859]

Would you rather go for the takumi or the adios 6 for daily training and full speed 10k , maximum 15k ?

[@kofuzi]

daily training - adios 6 (if I have to pick among the two. it wouldn't be my first pick for a daily trainer) 10k or 15k racing - Takumi Sen 8

[@QronoZ713]

Nick Roche siad in a podcast that the notch is just for a "fast esthetic" and slight weight decrease

[@Almostoncearunner]

? Previous Takumi Sens were great. Love the 8 too. Road 10k WR is in an old version of the TS so I don't know what makes it "forgettable" or "redundant."

[@kofuzi]

While it had more of a following in Europe (I think), it didn't seem to be very popular in the United States. The 7 was a mere couple of mm shorter in stack height. Not sure what else was different. Slightly different upper? Frankly, I don't think I've ever seen a Takumi Sen before in real life before I had this pair in my hands,

[@kofuzi]

*shorter in stack height than the Adios 5

[@Almostoncearunner]

@@kofuzi I suppose it’s more accurate to say it has a small cult following in the US, as evidenced by my impassioned response 😅

[@kamarulhisham21]

Can you do a comparison with the latest nike streakfly.

[@kofuzi]

i tried to order a pair back when the streakfly came out. nike cancelled my order. i don't think i'll be trying to pick it up again.

[@anoir1115]

waiting to see Sen 8 vs Nike NIKE Streakfly

[@maxk310]

energy rods are this decades sling blades

[@alessandrorossi3268]

Adidas, send this man some shoes.

[@onlyarsenichere5032]

Who else got their streakflys this morning 👌

[@jawaharperumal5790]

Hi please suggest best shoe for daily trainer (10k)

[@kofuzi]

ASICS novablast or hoka mach 4

[@kofuzi]

maybe also new balance rebel v2

[@edwinduisburg8138]

Just FYI, those rods are TPU material not carbon.

[@kofuzi]

a couple of people have mentioned that the energyrods in this shoe are not carbon. my understanding is that energyrods is a blanket term that Adidas uses for this type of structure, with varying levels of carbon infusion to reach a desired level of rigidity, depending on the overall midsole system the rods are going to be placed into and the intended use case. can you tell me where you're getting the TPU info from? I just want to make sure I'm on the same page as everyone else

[@edwinduisburg8138]

@@kofuzi Some of the review websites/channels such as Believeintherun mention about the TPU . I'm dropping the link here so you can see: www.believeintherun.com/adidas-takumi-sen-8-review-an-absolute-beauty/

[@mattbeier]

Nick Roche of Adidas did an interview with Connor of RW explaining that carbon rods will always be black, and no carbon fiber content in the rods if they are colored. There is also a heel plate, but no mention what material that is made out of. Here’s a link to the mentioned interview. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bne1aWSAm9aVjKs

[@qhaqulfikri495]

My Adidas line up Speed : Adidas SL20 Easy run : Adidas SL20.2 Long run : Adizero BOSTON 10

[@christophersmith3254]

The takumi sen range is too narrow for my feet

[@christopherzieske7854]

I don't think this shoe has carbon rods. They are some kind of polymer, like tpu.

[@kofuzi]

I think the language Adidas uses is something like, carbon infused. so that's why they call them energy rods. I try to be more precise when describing them, but sometimes fall into the shorthand of carbon rods

[@christopherzieske7854]

@@kofuzi I see, well that's cool, good to know. Thanks

[@enriquechavez557]

First!! Woohoo!

[@kofuzi]

yo!

[@enriquechavez557]

@@kofuzi Great video. Haven't tried any Adidas running shoes. My first and only shoe has been the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 since I am about 10 months into the running scene.

[@michaelsesler1158]

hate to be "that" person, but I'm not seeing the charity link.

[@kofuzi]

ahh. 🤦🏻‍♂️ so sorry about that. it's there now.

[@maurocampa6575]

Unfortunately too narrow for my foot….i tried them on, After 5 min went in…..but i already fehlt too much pressiere on the Same Point where you had the blistering…..i returned the pair back….i think adidas makes just extreme shoes, but never on that has an overal good fit for many People outthere……

[@kofuzi]

sorry to hear that. did you replace them with a different shoe?

[@maurocampa6575]

@@kofuzi yes, finally decided to try the razor excess from skechers and was not disappointed, great speedy very light and nimble shoe , with a good fit:-)

[@toddb7423]

Sigh, only goes to a size 13....

[@cgazlan]

Yo what's going on... Tet Tet tenetet tenetet Tet Tet tenetetet

[@kofuzi]

yo!

[@houmm08]

Takumi Sen3 all day long

[@kofuzi]

sen 3?

[@houmm08]

@@kofuzi hey, yes the Sen 3. A proper flat flat, minimal cushion, pretty unforgiving but perfect if you're light and reasonably quick. Not necessarily just for the elites the Adios 3 and takumi sen 3 are my all time faves.

[@andorkish]

Takumi Sen 8 or the Streakfly... that is the question

[@kofuzi]

we'll see in about a week

[@souljaboi62121]

@@kofuzi CANNOT wait!!!