Adidas Adizero Evo SL - Women's Review

The Adidas Adizero Evo SL stands at a thick and comfortable 35 mm drop and offers a smooth 8 mm differential. The responsive Lightstrike Pro midsole foam embedded in this shoe's stack acts as a plate of sorts, helping runners steer this shoe while in motion.

Side View Cut in Half

Cushioning

It is not often that I get to wax poetic about the cushioning of a super-esque shoe. At the heart of the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a Lightstrike Pro midsole, the same foam used in Adidas' top-tier racing shoes.

Since it isn't paired with a true propulsion plate (just highly engineered springy foam), the midsole of the Adidas Adizero Evo SL remains soft. Even with this softness, the undercarriage of this shoe is more bouncy than compressible. The Lightstrike Pro material provides a ride that is versatile in its comfort and function; the Adizero Evo EL is ready to charge serious paces with you, but can comfortably hang in the back of the pack if that is more your style. The stack measures at 35 mm under the heel, offering plenty of shoe between your heels and the pavement. With an 8 mm heel-to-toe differential, the forefoot rides comfortably above the road without feeling like an over-stacked ride.

Upper Comfort

The Adizero Evo SL features a breathable engineered mesh upper that offers a comfortable, adaptive fit. The upper is more spacious than expected, making it more suitable for runners who prefer a bit of extra space.

I had to crank down the laces quite a bit in order to find a midfoot lock that felt secure. The tongue of the Adizero Evo SL isn't gusseted, and I suspect that this is why I needed to overtighten the laces to make the midfoot feel fixed. I didn't find anything downright uncomfortable about the upper of this shoe, keeping it in contention for runners who want slightly spacious versatility. The breathability, softness, and overall fit are there, though runners who prefer more tapered toeboxes might want to try this shoe on to ensure success before purchasing.

Stability

Stability is the only metric where the Adidas Adizero Evo SL let me down. And even still, the stability of this shoe isn't the biggest disappointment in the world of running shoes right now.

It isn't an unstable shoe that feels like it is going to pitch you off its platform, but it is super neutral in its ride. This neutrality works for some runners, but causes other runners' peroneals to scream. Instead of having a full-blown plate, which can sometimes help with stability, the Adizero Evo has a short, thin layer of resilient Lightstrike Pro foam inside its midsole. This structure prevents the shoe from fully collapsing inward under pressure and offers a biomechanically sound ride. The Adizero Evo doesn't offer much support in the way of lateral side walls, though its heel cup is well-contoured and reliable, creating a bit of rear surefootedness. Not a stability shoe by any means, the Adizero Evo SL provides a neutral ride that will delight runners who seek this style of running experience.

Responsiveness

The combination of the Lightstrike Pro midsole, solid rocker geometry, and the shoe's lightweight construction results in a responsive and energetic ride. The absence of rigid propulsion elements like carbon plates allows for a more natural feel, making the Adidas Adizero Evo SL adaptable to different paces and running styles.

This shoe isn't the most powerfully propulsive crayon in the box, but it offers an uptempo energy that can carry you through strong efforts. It has a very early-stage rocker and well-engineered geometry that help this shoe move with you, riding like an extension of your body as you push faster or pare down your pace. We measured the rocker apex location at 56.1% forward, which is one of the earliest-starting rockers we've tested — including racing shoes. This geometry is comfortable and propulsive at speed and at slower paces, striking a nice middle ground.

Weight

The 6.43 ounces (per women's size 6.5 shoe) that make up the Adizero Evo SL feel incredibly light underfoot.

While the Adizero Evo SL isn't the outright lightest shoe we've tested, the undercarriage feels airy, making the entire shoe feel light as you run. The lightweight construction of this shoe helps it feel fast, adding to its overall strength as a versatility shoe.

Traction

The outsole of the Adizero Evo is equipped with Continental rubber, strategically placed in high-wear areas to enhance durability and grip.

This outsole configuration provides reliable traction on both dry and wet surfaces, ensuring confidence during various running conditions. I never had any trouble on paved surfaces throughout the duration of testing in the Adizero Evo SL. This isn't a shoe that can crossover into trail running territory, but it seamlessly gets the job done on the roads.

Should You Buy the Adidas Adizero Evo SL?

The Adidas Adizero Evo SL stands out as a well-rounded, lightweight trainer that brings race-day foam technology into everyday running. Its combination of cushioning, responsiveness, and comfort makes it a compelling option for runners seeking a versatile shoe that can handle a range of workouts and a diverse training schedule. Moreover, the price of this shoe is super competitive, even when pitted against similarly scoring shoes. The Adidas Adizero Evo SL tops my short-list of shoes that can “do it all” affordably. While certain features, namely the lack of overt stability, may not jive with some runners' needs, for versatility on a budget, the Adizero Evo is one of the best.

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