Adidas Adizero SL2 Review

We think the best daily trainers are in the middle of the comfort-performance spectrum. They might be biased slightly in one direction, but they need to be comfortable enough for long, easy miles while still being responsive enough for faster running. The Adizero SL2 checks those boxes and adds a friendly price tag.

Side View Cut in Half

Cushioning

We measured 38 mm of foam in the heel and 29 mm in the forefoot in our standardized lab testing of the SL2. This is on par with the rest of our lineup, which is interesting because the SL2 runs like a lower-stack shoe. Runners who like a bit of ground feel will probably love the SL2; you can feel what you're running on more than in most similar daily trainers. However, the Lightstrike Pro foam does an excellent job of cushioning and insulating the legs from harsh impact. To our legs, the SL2 feels like it rides closer to an old-school trainer, with good ground feel and lightweight turnover, but with modern premium foam's performance and comfort benefits. It's a great combination.

Landings don't feel harsh or unprotected. The foam feels somewhat firm but also energetic. We didn't feel particularly bouncy in the SL2, but we get the impression that the foam is returning a lot of energy. The cushioning is more than adequate for longer efforts. Transitions feel smooth throughout, and the rocker does a good job of keeping you moving efficiently. This is a shoe that both heel-strikers and those who land farther forward are likely to enjoy.

Upper Comfort

In our experience, Adidas uppers are often a letdown. The SL2's upper is a mixed bag. It's more comfortable than other Adidas shoes, and the lacing system is much better. On the other hand, it runs narrow through the midfoot. After loosening our initial lacing setup, the fit is workable, but we would have appreciated a bit more space. Other runners may not be so lucky and might benefit from choosing the wide version.

If you previously found Adidas shoes work for you, you probably won't have any issues with the fit of the SL2. We didn't experience any rubbing, hotspots, or discomfort with the shoe, but the upper materials felt better after about five miles. They were more pliable and comfortable than they were out of the box.

Stability

The SL2 sacrifices stability for a lightweight and nimble feel. We think this is a worthwhile tradeoff, but runners who highly value stability probably won't enjoy the shoe. It is still a neutral daily trainer, so it should work for many runners.

While there aren't any dedicated stability features, the highly resilient Adidas' Lightstrike Pro in the midsole makes the SL2 a firmer shoe. This design helps provide more support than we typically see from premium foam.

Responsiveness

The SL2 is more responsive than most other daily trainers. It can't compete with a super shoe or most super trainers, but it can handle workouts. Some runners might find it works as a race shoe, although we prefer more purpose-built shoes for racing. The shoe rolls smoothly thanks to the rocker, and the Lightstrike Pro formulation is resilient enough to be noticeable without compromising the daily training goal. Thanks to the decent ground feel, we prefer this shoe to some other, typically faster “super trainers” for hill workouts and workouts on grass.

The SL2 feels good at threshold paces and decently fast beyond that. It doesn't have quite the same top end as a more dedicated speed trainer, and it is more challenging to maintain pace during more prolonged reps. However, it outperforms many more expensive shoes in this category. Its responsiveness is why we highlight it as a great value; very few shoes offer this level of pace versatility at this price point.

Weight

The SL2 weighs 9.36 ounces, which is reasonably light for a versatile daily trainer. Nine to ten ounces is ideal for a daily trainer you plan to use for a wide variety of runs, and this shoe fits into that range perfectly.

Traction

The SL2 provides excellent traction thanks to its nearly full rubber outsole coverage. The outsole is lugged enough to stay unintrusive on pavement, but the bite is noticeable on slick or loose surfaces. While we wish the rubber were Continental, as in many of Adidas' higher-priced offerings, we thought the traction was excellent, even if it wasn't as tacky as possible. Still, it significantly outperformed the traction seen in most other shoes we've tested.

Should You Buy the Adidas Adizero SL2?

In short, yes, you should consider it. This is an excellent, all-around, daily trainer at a significantly lower price than many shoes. This isn't a great choice if you value stability over comfort or performance. Similarly, this isn't the shoe for you if you want a highly insulated ride with little to no ground feel. Otherwise, this is an excellent option for runners who want a versatile daily trainer to use as a single-shoe or to slot in for easy-to-moderate running in a multi-shoe rotation. Plus, it's hard to overlook the price, selling for less than many competitors (often on sale for $100 or less).

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