Adidas Adizero Evo SL Review
By Matthew Klein
Adidas Adizero Evo SL ReviewPrice: $149.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 8.1 oz, 230 g (men's size 9), 7.2 oz, 204 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 37 mm heel / 30.5 mm forefoot
Drop: 6.5 mm
Shoe Purpose: Performance Lightweight Trainer/Racer
Pros: Softer Versatile Ride, Comfortable Fit, Solid Price
Cons: Outsole Rubber Easily Torn Off
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a lightweight performance trainer/racer for those that want a super inspired comfortable shoe that can handle a variety of efforts. A full-length Lightstrike Pro midsole features a midfoot nylon shank that provides a smooth and softer ride that works equally well at training and faster paces. An engineered mesh up top provides a comfortable performance fit that holds the foot no matter what pace you are going. Add that to a solid price, the Evo SL is the new kid on the block that will give many shoes in this category a run for their money.
SIMILAR SHOES: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
PAST MODEL: N/A
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Adidas Adizero Evo SL fits me mostly true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. The fit felt slightly short at first due to a slightly tapered toe box, but this has not bothered me on the run at all. This opens into a slightly wider forefoot that still feels normal in width due to a lower volume/height especially on the medial and lateral sides of the foot. This transitions into a normal width midfoot with a normal instep height. The thin tongue is non gusseted but has not slipped on me. I only had to tighten the laces down slightly to get a secure fit and did not have to lace lock the upper. This transitions into a normal width heel with a moderate amount of heel collar padding. There is a smaller heel counter that only rises 2/3 of the way up. It is slightly flexible and did not bother me at all, although those sensitive to heel counters may still need to approach with caution. The upper material is incredibly comfortable and sits well against the foot. I have done several miles sockless and not had any issues. There are a few seams, so those new to sockless running should approach with caution. Those using socks will find a comfortable upper that is lighter but does not sacrifice a good feel/fit.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Somewhat
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Somewhat
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Mildly Flexible
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Somewhat
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a lightweight performance shoe that works will work well as a versatile trainer/workout shoe and a workout/racing shoe for others. The full-length Lightstrike Pro midsole is soft, comfortable and moderately responsive. It is a different foam than the Lighstrike Pro found in the Evo Pro and the Adios Pro 4. This version feels more solid and more comfortable at training paces. It is slightly soft and becomes softer and more responsive as it breaks in. It is interesting and different from other superfoams as it responds best to whatever pace you take it. At easier efforts it rolls along nicely and when you push the pace, it begins to smoothly bounce more. The weight is incredibly light for this much shoe and feels lighter than listed. There is a 6.5 mm drop and it feels just right (not too high or low). It feels slightly lower thanks to the perfect posterolateral heel bevel. This transitions incredibly well and quickly through a mostly smooth midfoot. The midfoot shank, that feels like it extends far beyond the midfoot, adds some stiffness to the middle that helps the foot transition quickly. While called a midfoot shank, there is noticeable stiffness that extends into the forefoot and heel, so I more inclined to call this a nylon plate. It certainly adds snappiness when the pace picks up and feels similar to how the nylon plate in the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 functions.
The forefoot features a large and slightly early forefoot rocker that rolls forward easily. The front does feel like it has mild flexibility despite the longer nylon shank. Pace and function-wise the Evo SL feels like it can do everything. I have used this shoe for a long run, tempo run, track intervals, an easy run and a fartlek. It has done extremely well at all of them. While it doesn't have the same bounce and aggressiveness as a super shoe, it can still move quickly yet can handle easy paces equally well. This makes this an excellent option for those who want a training companion to the Evo Pro/Adios Pro 4 or those who want a versatile racer/trainer that may be a racing alternative to stiff aggressive super shoes.
Durability-wise the midsole material has actually improved as it has broken in. At first, it felt slightly soft and not as responsive as I was hoping. After twenty miles, there was an increasing amount of bounce from the midsole and it began to feel even better at faster paces while still excelling at easier and uptempo efforts. The material has continued to improve and I suspect it will last for a long time. The outsole rubber provides excellent traction on road and track even with slightly icing conditions here in the Northwest. The only problem with the sole is that I started ripped the posterolateral heel piece of outsole rubber off at 45 miles. I currently have almost 50 miles on my pair and was a little nervous about that piece coming off given how much I scuff at the midfoot. I have not ripped the whole thing off and will glue it back down, but those who shuffle may take those rearfoot pieces off. Those who do not will find solid durability as long as you don't take this shoe on aggressive surfaces as rocks will poke right into the exposed Lighstrike Pro.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a neutral shoe. The narrowed midfoot in particular is neutral but there are a few methods that may offset that for some people. The heel features a large posterolateral bevel that creates some lateral bias for those that need medial guidance. This transitions into the narrow midfoot that is offset slightly by the midfoot shank stiffness. I was able to do a long run in this shoe without issue, so the rearfoot design may offset the midfoot for those who transition quickly through the midfoot. Those who do not and spend a great deal of time there and need guidance may not do well over longer miles. The forefoot is wider with a large amount of sole flare. This provides mild guidance up front. These mild guidance features function better at faster speeds. Those with neutral/mild guidance needs may do fine here as long as they are not sensitive to the midfoot but this shoe will do best for those with neutral mechanics.
Thoughts as a DPT: Training Companion Or Racing Alternative?
By Matthew Klein
While there is nothing wrong with the current, heavily marketed line of super racing shoes, I am still convinced that they may not be appropriate for everyone. The continuing increase in the "super shoe alternative" line, including the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, the upcoming On Cloudboom Max and many others are all shoes that are plenty fast but are not as stiff/aggressive. We have evidence that different people respond best to different stiffness (Mcleod et al., 2020). Some people may do better with a slightly more flexible shoe, which many of the above allow thanks to nylon plates or stiffening agents that are not as extreme.
The largest push for me in aggressive super shoes not being appropriate for everyone, outside of the fact that they are designed with faster and not slower speeds in mind, is that there is emerging evidence that slower runners do not experience the same running economy benefits that faster runners do (Joubert et al., 2023). Additionally, outside of slower runners not having biomechanics that match these faster shoes, there is also evidence that more aggressive footwear may actually cause more discomfort among slower runners (Huffer et al., 2024). I am not trying to "gate-keep" certain shoes, but shoes are tools. Each tool will benefit different groups. Especially when it comes to long distance racing, the best shoe is not necessarily the "fastest" shoe but the one that will help carry your unique body and biomechanics to the finish line in the most optimal way. I do not have a speed limit on when super shoes should be used but experience may be a factor to look into.
Newer runners getting used to running should avoid super shoes and consider these "super shoe alternatives" not just because they are great shoes but they are more likely to match their emerging mechanics. Those who also find they do not do well in the overly stiff, insanely bouncy rides, either due to injury or discomfort, should also consider these alternatives. The shoe that gets you through the finish line healthy first and fastest second will be the best shoe for you. If you don't finish your training healthy, you won't accumulate fitness. If you can't finish the race, there is not possibility for a PR. So find what keeps you both healthy and fast, which will obviously vary and for the recreational runner may not line up with super shoes as often as people think.
Huffer, D., Charles, J., & Hing, W. (2024). A Randomised Cross-Over Trial Investigating the Effect of Super Shoes on Injury Incidence in Regular Runners. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 27, S22.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: We got this shoe late compared to most reviewers. I am thankful I got to test this shoe but was apprehensive about the hype around this shoe from others. I can attest that this is a great shoe that is priced extremely well. My only suggestions focus on the midfoot and of course the outsole rubber. I would like to see the midfoot widened in some way without sacrificing the weight. I would suggest instead of cutting the midfoot narrower on the medial side to fill the medial side in and have a cut out in the middle. This will keep resistance to both medial and lateral motion without adding weight. Adidas has a particular last shape, so I doubt they will do this but I would curious for them to continue to play with geometries. My biggest suggestion is to connect the outsole pieces. Gaps generally make it easier for those of us who scuff to pull those pieces off. If possible I would like to see that posterolateral piece of outsole material attached the the forefoot rubber. A lack of a gap would make it harder for someone like me to pull it off. The rest of the sole is doing great and that would increase durability for a few of us.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is for those who want a do it all trainer/racer with super shoe features without being as aggressive. The upper will fit those with normal width feet best with a little extra forefoot room while still providing a performance fit due to being slightly lower volume up front. The ride will work best for those who want a softer and moderately responsive ride that can handle every type of effort. This shoe does deserve the praise it has been getting especially with its price tag. While I may have started pulling the outsole rubber off, this is not surprising given my unique gait. Most people will not do this and will be getting a solid shoe that features full-length superfoam that is tuned to be better balanced with a nylon plate (I don't care, it feels too long to just be a midfoot shank) for only $150. This is far cheaper than most shoes with its attributes and is $20 cheaper than the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, which is by far the shoe it is most similar to. It is also an excellent option for many people for whom super shoes may not be appropriate but still deserve a great racing shoe that can handle easier paces. The Evo SL has made a great debut and like all new shoes needs at least one adjustment. If Adidas can fix the mild outsole issue, this will be a shoe to reckon with for those with neutral gait considering a faster trainer or a potential not fully super distance racer.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Comfortable performance fit that is slightly wider, lower volume and light)
Performance: A- (Lightstrike Pro and a Nylone Plate that can handle easy/long runs, workouts and race paces easily. A truly versatile shoe)
Stability: B [Neutral] (Definitely neutral ride that isn't unstable but isn't stable either in the midfoot)
Value: B+/A- (A great shoe for $150 that can handle every pace well. Just wish the outsole piece didn't start to come off - editor's note: Matt is very hard on outsoles, so those who tend to have normal wear usually fare better when it comes to adidas)
Personal: B+/A- (This shoe has broken in really well and been super comfortable. I wish the outsole rubber wouldn't come off but outside of that it is a me problem that most people won't experience. If not for that durability issue this shoe would have bumped the Endorphin Speed 4 off my top performance trainer of the year for 2024)
Overall Design: B+/A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORAdidas Adizero Evo SLPrice: $149.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
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Updated trainer now gets super max stacked.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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