Adidas Adizero Evo SL Review

Super-shoe technology has been trickling into daily trainers for a few years now, with varying effectiveness. While the Evo SL doesn't have the carbon rods that its big brother, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, does, it utilizes Lightstrike Pro foam and a similar (although gentler) rocker geometry. And that makes one of the best daily trainers I've ever tested.

Side View Cut in Half

Cushioning

The Lightstrike Pro midsole foam makes this shoe. Our lab testers measured 39 mm of it at the heel, with a 9 mm drop. During my testing, I found the midsole to be one of the most enjoyable out of any daily trainer I've tested. That's largely due to the happy medium it strikes — neither too soft nor too firm.

The foam compresses well on landing and has a pleasant bounce with solid energy return. That's consistent with the experience I've had with Lightstrike Pro in other shoes. The foam is extremely resilient, but it has enough firmness to provide some structure. Compared to other foams like Nike's ZoomX, which is similarly resilient but much softer, Lightstrike Pro tends to result in a more controlled and stable ride that feels better at the extreme ends of pace (more stable during a jog, more immediately responsive when sprinting).

The Evo SL utilizes a smooth, early midfoot rocker that isn't extremely aggressive. That pairs well with the versatile nature of the shoe. The rocker allows for a natural landing at easy paces, but promotes turnover as the pace starts to heat up. Runners who don't like a rockered ride may find they don't enjoy this shoe as much.

To me, the cushioning of the Evo SL feels best at moderate paces, up to around threshold effort. In that range, I'm putting enough force into the shoe to get a very enjoyable bounce. At slower paces, the shoe is still very comfortable, but it is a little less engaging. That said, I found this shoe thrives on longer, progressive efforts. It's well-cushioned and highly protective at easier paces, and has enough bounce to feel good as you start to squeeze down the pace.

For runners who prefer plateless shoes, it's worth noting that the Evo SL does not have the nylon or carbon plate that is so typical among highly versatile daily trainers. Instead, there is a small plastic shank right under the arch that provides just enough support to stabilize the midsole foam without significantly increasing the longitudinal stiffness of the shoe. Compared to its competitors, the Evo SL feels more flexible and a little less restrictive as a result, which plays a big role in its comfort at relaxed speeds.

Upper Comfort

The Evo SL upper is solid, but not perfect. There is plenty of space for runners with wider feet, which is great — and not always the case with Adidas shoes — and it can be snugged up to fit narrower foot shapes as well. I didn't experience any blistering or rubbing during my testing. For reference, my foot tends to be about average width, although the outside of my midfoot occasionally does feel squeezed in narrower shoes, like the Hoka Mach 6 or Puma Deviate Nitro 3. The heel cup is generously shaped and provides solid lockdown without being overly rigid. Similarly, the upper is highly breathable and lightweight, perfect for an uptempo shoe.

However, the lacing system on the Evo SL isn't quite perfect. I found it was relatively easy to under-tighten the midfoot in these shoes. I'd find my foot slipping forward in the shoe during the first mile of a few runs early in testing. Stopping to tighten the midfoot section solved that issue, and I figured out how they should feel to prevent sliding (for me, tighter through the midfoot than normal) after about 15 miles. Overall, though, this is a well-executed upper for a daily trainer, providing plenty of comfort for long runs and a low weight for faster running.

Stability

Earlier, I mentioned that the Lightstrike Pro midsole foam is more stable-feeling than options like Nike's ZoomX. That's part of what makes the Evo SL a phenomenal daily trainer. However, it is not a particularly stable shoe compared to its key competitors. If you're a runner who values support and stability in their shoes over responsiveness and performance, you'll likely find that this shoe isn't for you.

The shoe is similar in stack height to shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and Hoka Mach 6, and has a much lower stack than the Asics Superblast 2. However, each of those shoes utilizes a wider platform, sidewalls, or midsole geometry to provide some support, while the Evo SL does not. This shoe is very neutral, and provides little-to-no guidance outside the heel bevel.

In terms of lateral stability, you aren't any more likely to roll an ankle in this shoe than you are in many other similar options. So for most runners, it should work fine. But runners who know they value stability and support will likely prefer a different trainer.

Responsiveness

Responsiveness is what sets the Evo SL apart from its competitors. It's not the most responsive shoe in our lineup, but it's among the higher performers — and it doesn't sacrifice nearly as much easy-run comfort to be responsive as other options do. Again, the Lightstrike Pro midsole is to thank here. It provides a smooth ride in conjunction with the early rocker, which starts at the midfoot according to our lab data (we measured its start at 52% of overall shoe length). The ride is protective and insulating at slower paces. Then, as the pace heats up and more force goes through the foam, the high energy-return becomes more apparent. Bounce increases, and the rocker feels a little more propulsive.

This shoe thrived during moderate efforts in my testing. At those slower-than-marathon but faster-than-easy paces, everything about the shoe feels as though it is smoothly contributing to your run. At easy efforts, the shoe is very comfortable… but the rocker encourages you to pick up the pace. I don't always have enough self-control to hold back. And during hard efforts, the Evo SL works, but it doesn't have quite the punch of a super shoe, or even some more dedicated speed trainers like the Hoka Mach X 2.

The Evo SL isn't my first choice for hard workouts, but it gets the job done without issue. For runners who want a shoe that can handle anything you throw at it, it's about perfect. For many runners, this could be a great race-day shoe thanks to the blend of comfort and responsiveness. It has worked its way into my non-testing day-to-day rotation for long runs with faster portions, as well as warm-up runs prior to hard sessions, which often include a few minutes of moderate threshold paces.

Weight

The Evo SL weighs in at 8.73 ounces in a US Men's 10.5. For a daily trainer, that is significantly lighter than average.

The low weight is a standout feature that plays a large role in the versatility of this shoe — it's very well-cushioned, but there isn't much of a weight penalty for all that foam.

Traction

Continental rubber outsoles (yes, like the tires) on Adidas trainers are consistently among the best-performing outsoles, and the one on the Evo SL is no exception.

Throughout testing, I ran on surfaces ranging from hot concrete to ice-covered asphalt to loose gravel and did not have any issues with grip. For runners who regularly tackle chunkier or greasy dirt roads, the lack of lugs may pose an issue. Otherwise, this outsole simply works.

Should You Buy the Adidas Adizero Evo SL?

If you want a versatile shoe, enjoy faster runs, or love an engaging shoe, the Evo SL is a phenomenal choice. The lack of a plate also makes it an excellent option for runners who aren't interested in training or racing in a plated shoe. It's one of the most versatile daily trainers that I've tested, so much so that I think the Evo SL could be a one-shoe rotation option for quite a few runners — although I lack the self-control on easy days to pull that off. It's just too fun to squeeze the pace in this shoe! Overall, I think this shoe is a great fit for runners who are chasing specific goals and training consistently, so long as they don't need significant support or stability. Plus, this shoe is significantly cheaper than its competition.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?

If you are looking for a versatile daily trainer that thrives during uptempo efforts, there are a few other great options. First up is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, which has a bit more punch when running fast, but is significantly less comfortable over long efforts. Next is the Hoka Mach X 2, which is punchier yet, but isn't a shoe that I would personally choose for anything other than a hard session. The New Balance Rebel v4 is a similar plateless option, but I found that the Evo SL provides better versatility and durability. The Asics Superblast 2 is a phenomenal, versatile trainer, although it is more geared towards comfort and stability (and costs $50 more). It's a better option for runners who prefer a larger, extremely protective shoe rather than a very lightweight and nimble shoe. Overall, the Evo SL stands out for the incredible performance it provides in such a comfortable and affordable package.